"It's already been a month, but there doesn't seem to be any change around the Holy Son's body."
"Yeah, we thought he was going to explode and die, but it's been a month and nothing happened."
"Good if nothing happens. We just have to stand guard."
"BOOM!!!"
Just as the guards were talking, Jiang Xiaofeng underwent another transformation.
The water surrounding his body suddenly exploded.
A terrifying phantom of a giant elephant appeared above Jiang Xiaofeng, as if a god of slaughter had descended. The aura was so intense that even a Soul Douluo would be alarmed.
"The Holy Son's Martial Spirit is the Zhu Xian Sword, so why is there a beast spirit phantom?"
"Strange... Could the Holy Son possess both a weapon-type and a beast-type Martial Spirit? I've never heard of that before."
A crowd of people had countless questions—but none dared to ask. All they could do was wait for Jiang Xiaofeng.
Jiang Xiaofeng suddenly opened his eyes. A pair of terrifying golden beams shot out from them, punching through the mountain before him. Two deep holes appeared before everyone.
"Hahahaha!!! I did it! I finally succeeded! I broke through to the Manifestation Realm in one go. This Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well truly is terrifying!"
When Jiang Xiaofeng looked at the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well again, he realized the lake water had returned to normal—it was no longer the fused water of ice and fire.
He hadn't expected this breakthrough to completely absorb the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well. But being able to break through to the Manifestation Realm in one go was already an enormous blessing.
"How long has it been?"
Guard:"Holy Son, it's already been a month. Are you alright?"
Jiang Xiaofeng replied, "I'm fine. To think it only took a month—this is insane. This Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well seems tailor-made for the Undying Body cultivation technique."
Jiang Xiaofeng returned to the shore and sat in quiet meditation.
As he circulated his soul power again, he was shocked to find that his previous level—just Level 44—had now broken through to Level 50 due to the successive advancements from the Undying Body. A six-level increase in a single month—no one could match that.
Moreover, upon reaching the Manifestation Realm, Jiang Xiaofeng obtained a special skill: Fiery Golden Eyes.
Fiery Golden Eyes: Can launch long-range attacks, see through disguises, and break through illusions.
When Jiang Xiaofeng opened his eyes again, he had already adapted to his new physical strength.
The Undying Body in the Manifestation Realm doubles both attack and defense. The more manifestations one produces, the more terrifying the power gained.
The so-called Realm of Myriad Manifestations doesn't actually require one to condense 10,000 elephants—just ten. Once ten are condensed, the cultivator's strength surges dramatically.
In his past life, Jiang Xiaofeng, who was still in the Nascent Soul Stage, leapt straight to the Soul Merging Stage, then entered the Tribulation Stage after his Undying Body was perfected. That's why even old monsters at the Tribulation Stage came after him—they wanted his cultivation method.
Of course, the cultivation world is fundamentally different from this one. It can't be compared directly. It will all become clear in time.
Now that he had taken care of his own matters, the next step was to collect the herbs from this place.
Thankfully, he had the artifact from "The Moon Rises Over the Sea", or else he wouldn't be able to take a single one of these immortal herbs.
Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Bloom: Grows at the intersection of the spring water from the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well. It has a large pale-pink flower with light-purple stamens that look like embedded amethysts. It has no leaves. The stem is three feet tall and a foot in diameter. Each petal is crystal-clear and emits a faint fragrance.
Effect: The ultimate anti-toxin herb. It doesn't neutralize poisons directly but suppresses them. Within its scent's range, no poison can take effect. A top-tier defensive herb.
Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum: A neutral herb. Eating it allows qi to flow through limbs and blood to circulate through eight meridians. It can cultivate an indestructible body. Has no scent.
Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid: Gentle in nature. Must be preserved using Gold to Jade Technique—if stored in jade containers, it won't wilt for a thousand years. Its rich orchid fragrance clears the mind and boosts spirits.
Qiluo Tulip: Rich, luxurious fragrance. Absorbs essence from heaven and earth, light from sun and moon. Not to be eaten directly—inhale its essence from the flower's core slowly, then circulate soul power for full-body absorption.
Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower: Top-grade yang replenishing herb, especially suitable for fire-attribute Martial Spirits.
Water Immortal Jade Bone: Nourishes tendons and strengthens bones, allowing qi to flow through the seven meridians and eight vessels. Effects are similar to Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum.
Lovesick Heartbreak Red: A divine-grade herb among immortals. Known as the King of Flowers. Its white blossom is tinged with shocking red, said to be born of a tragic love story.
Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma: A top-tier lingzhi mushroom. Enhances foundation and boosts internal energy. Not an immortal herb per se, but still precious.
Longing Autumn Dew: An auxiliary-type herb. Doesn't increase soul power but enhances the Fiery Golden Eyes skill and unlocks various mysterious abilities.
"Nine kinds of immortal herbs—all supreme-grade. Who would've thought such a small secret realm would hide so many treasures? In the cultivation world, this would have led to rivers of blood. Yet I obtained them so easily."
"This Longing Autumn Dew will greatly enhance my newly acquired Fiery Golden Eyes."
Without hesitation, Jiang Xiaofeng consumed the Longing Autumn Dew. His eyes seemed to ignite—terrifying beyond belief.
After absorbing the Longing Autumn Dew, Jiang Xiaofeng carefully stored the remaining herbs.
"The King of Flowers, Lovesick Heartbreak Red, belongs to the fated one. I hope Bibi Dong earns its recognition."
"The Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum has already found its match—Elder Yueguan, whose Martial Spirit happens to be this very herb. This should help him break through to Level 96."
"The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid suits Nana well. Her innate talent is great, but her soul power lags. This herb can fix that perfectly."
"Qiluo Tulip—finally, Sister Ling's talent can be enhanced. This trip was totally worth it!"
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, an elite fire-type herb. Perfect for Yan, that brat. He's lucky."
"Water Immortal Jade Bone—while more suited to girls, let's give it to Xie Yue. It has similar effects to the Chrysanthemum, and since Elder Yueguan is best suited for that one, Xie Yue will just have to settle."
"As for the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma, Teacher Mo Bote could use it. Even though it's not technically an immortal herb, it may help him break through to Soul Emperor, or even higher."
Giving any of these herbs to Shrek Academy?
Absolutely not.
(End of Chapter)