Within the safe zone of the poison formation, the air was free of toxins. Here, everything was as safe as outside Sunset Forest, with no threat from the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison.
Before him lay a sinister and strange area. Jagged rock walls jutted out like reefs. Though this wasn't an ocean, it was as damp as a beach freshly exposed by a receding tide.
Colorful, oddly-shaped plants grew abundantly on the rocky walls.
Turning into a shadow, Lü Buliang slipped into the ground, slowly gliding forward to scout the terrain. Within this protected zone, there was no sign of spirit beasts, not even the faintest ripple of energy.
The ground was covered In all kinds of exotic plants, but there was no sign of the hot springs. It seemed he was still far from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. This place was likely where Dugu Bo cultivated his medicinal herbs.
Lü Buliang's goal was the immortal herbs mentioned in the original novel. Since he had no expertise in poisons, he naturally harbored no ill intentions toward Dugu Bo's cultivated plants.
Skirting around the strange flora, Lü Buliang pressed onward.
He soon arrived at the base of a towering mountain.
The mountain in front of him soared several hundred meters high, its width unknown.
To continue forward, he would have to climb it.
Remaining in his shadow form, Lü Buliang moved swiftly up the stone wall and in mere seconds scaled the 500-meter-high peak.
Reverting to human form atop the summit, he looked out to find an endless forest sprawling beyond the mountain.
At the edge of the summit was a funnel-shaped valley below.
The peak where Lü Buliang stood marked the rim of this depression, from which thick, steamy mist billowed, moist and heavy with a faint sulfurous scent.
A hot spring!
"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well must be hidden at the foot of this mountain," Lü Buliang muttered. Without hesitation, he leapt off the cliff, shifting into shadow just before hitting the ground, and merged into the earth beneath a nearby rock to spy on the area ahead.
Before him was a small hot spring.
On closer inspection, it was incredibly peculiar—an oval-shaped pool split cleanly into two halves, one a vivid crimson, the other milky white.
Strangely enough, although the two pools shared the same basin, the waters remained perfectly separated, like the yin-yang symbol, never mixing with each other.
"Just like the novel described—this is definitely the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."
The novel recorded that the intense heat and extreme cold emanating from the well were so potent that even Dugu Bo couldn't withstand exposure for long.
Recklessly approaching could easily lead to a violent death as the opposing forces tore one's body apart.
Turning human again, Lü Buliang retrieved a dagger tied with a red ribbon from his soul guide ring and stabbed it into the ground. As sunlight pierced the mist, the dagger cast a shadow.
Every hundred meters closer to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Lü Buliang planted one of these daggers. If the elemental energies became overwhelming, he could instantly retreat by traveling through the dagger's shadow, avoiding death.
Advancing through the mist for about three minutes, he was now less than thirty meters from the twin-colored spring. His body had yet to feel any adverse effects from the energies, and everything seemed normal.
Other than the blinding fog, there was no sign of danger.
Safe!
Activating his first soul skill, Shadow Lock, Lü Buliang mapped every shadow within a hundred-meter radius into his mind. Even with the fog obstructing vision, he could "see" clearly by locking onto shadows.
As he moved closer to the spring, his heart pounded harder with excitement.
After scheming for over two months at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the immortal herbs were finally within his grasp. How could he not feel ecstatic?
Looking around, Lü Buliang noticed that the surroundings were teeming with all kinds of plants, a paradise of vegetation.
Yet every single plant here was extraordinary. Even a cursory glance left him speechless with awe.
Unfortunately, he lacked knowledge of plants and couldn't identify the plants or their properties.
All he knew from the novel was that any plant growing within the overlapping energies of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well would be at least of immortal-grade rarity—legendary treasures.
The novel detailed around ten immortal herbs. Recalling the part where Tang San gifted them to the Shrek Seven Devils, Lü Buliang began searching carefully.
Just then, his eyes were drawn to a particular plant.
It was a large, pale pink flower with a three-foot-long stem and a blossom nearly a foot in diameter. Each petal gleamed like crystal.
Even from ten meters away, a faint, enchanting fragrance wafted toward him.
The flower's core was a soft purple, resembling embedded amethysts. Its scent was gentle, not overpowering, like the delicate aroma of a maiden's perfume.
Excitement surged in Lü Buliang's heart. This matched the description of the Aromatic Silk Beauty Immortal Herb!
According to the novel, this immortal herb was the bane of all poisons. While it couldn't cure poison, it could neutralize toxins completely—even Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent poison would be rendered harmless before it.
This flower, exuding its faint fragrance, was the world's finest anti-poison herb, nurtured by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
With this treasure, Lü Buliang could negotiate with Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan, exchanging the herb for alchemy and poison crafting techniques.
Once he mastered plant knowledge and toxicology, he could return to harvest all remaining treasures, including those not mentioned in the novel.
If all went according to plan, Lü Buliang would become the most resource-rich cultivator on the continent.
However, trading with a powerful clan demanded careful preparation—without sufficient strength and backing, he would have to proceed with utmost caution.
Casting aside thoughts of the future, Lü Buliang focused on his immediate task: finding and collecting the immortal herbs.
After all, ordinary spirit masters could barely survive under the dual elemental assault of the well for long; lingering meant risking death by rupture.
He barely remembered the correct methods to harvest the herbs—special tools were needed.
Who could have predicted he would transmigrate into the Douluo Continent? Just recalling the plant characteristics was already lucky enough.
Prepared in advance, Lü Buliang ignored the formal techniques. He took out a small shovel from his soul guide and carefully dug out the Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal Herb with its soil intact, storing it inside his Ruyi Treasure Bag.
The pouch could simulate the conditions needed for living beings. As long as the roots and soil remained, the herb could continue growing and later be transplanted back for sustainable harvesting.
Sweeping his gaze over the area, he quickly spotted another herb near the hotter side of the spring.
It was a soft, red herb, its simple leaves forming a crest at the top, the veins shimmering with golden-red hues.
Instantly, Lü Buliang recalled its name—Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
The novel stated that this herb dramatically boosted the consumer's soul power. After consuming it, Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Spirit had evolved tremendously.
Remembering the descriptions, Lü Buliang wasted no time. He dug it out with a swift move and placed it into the treasure pouch.
Wiping away the sweat trickling down his forehead due to the intense heat, Lü Buliang thought back to his childhood in the countryside on Earth—how kids would sneak into others' fields to steal crops, risking broken legs if caught.
Fortunately, Dugu Bo was currently busy instructing Dugu Yan in poison techniques back in Heaven Dou City. Thanks to Dugu Yan's clingy nature, there was no risk of Dugu Bo suddenly returning.
This was the payoff for months of scheming at Heaven Dou Academy—not only had Lü Buliang's soul power increased by two ranks, but he also had inside information through Dugu Yan to ensure his safety while harvesting the immortal herbs.
Gazing at this plant paradise, every plant shining with vibrant colors and tantalizing scents, Lü Buliang salivated at the thought—but he couldn't identify most of them.
Probably Dugu Bo felt the same frustration: knowing that unparalleled treasures lay within reach, but daring not to use them out of ignorance.
Never mind! Lü Buliang decided to dig up everything along the way. Once he mastered plant knowledge from the Breaking Clan, he could study the herbs and unlock their secrets.
Perhaps, with the help of someone skilled in cultivation like Ye Lingling, he could even crossbreed or graft them to create even stronger herbs for future cultivation.
Unleashing his long-suppressed greed, Lü Buliang moved from plant to plant, digging them out with roots and soil.
Flashes of blue light lit up the mist each time he stored another treasure—the mark of soul power infusion into the Ruyi Treasure Bag.
Using Shadow Lock to target the plants, Lü Buliang harvested every rare herb he could find around the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.
Yearning Heartbroken Red.
Daffodil Jade Skin Bone.
Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia.
All the immortal herbs mentioned in the novel were safely secured.
The feeling was like stealing crops in QQ Farm—thrilling and addictive.
His eyes finally landed on a giant chrysanthemum.
It was a stunning purple, its fluffy petals gleaming, and atop the flower core shone a faint golden glow.
The novel described this flower in detail—it was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the martial spirit of a Titled Douluo elder from Spirit Hall.
"This should be the last immortal herb I recognize. After this, it's time to stop."
Gripping his shovel, Lü Buliang swiftly dug out the golden chrysanthemum and stored it.
"Now that I've collected all the known herbs—and a portion of unknown treasures—it's time to decide whether to consume the two Ice and Fire herbs."
His gaze shifted to the center of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, where two herbs grew in opposite extremes of heat and cold—Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot.
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