Chapter 11: Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire
As the morning sun rose, the purple qi of dawn gradually dispersed.
A new day had begun.
Whoosh—
Dugu Chen finished his morning meditation. He could clearly feel the power growing within him, a strength that brought a reassuring sense of security. This was the confidence that came with true strength.
Dugu Bo had been gone for a full day and night since Dugu Chen had revealed the location of the immortal herbs. He was likely verifying their authenticity. After all, if those herbs could truly solve the Dugu Clan's martial soul problem, caution was more than warranted.
Just as Dugu Chen was about to return to his room for a meal, Dugu Bo suddenly appeared behind him like a ghost, grabbing him with urgency.
"Chen'er, quickly! Come with your master!"
Startled by the abrupt appearance, Dugu Chen instinctively pulled back, trying to stop him.
"Hey, hey! Master, slow down! What's the rush?"
Dugu Bo replied, voice brimming with excitement. "Your master has found the place with the immortal herbs you spoke of!"
Dugu Chen's eyes lit up. "Really? Where?"
"Let's go! I'll take you there!"
With that, Dugu Bo picked up Dugu Chen and shot off in the direction of the Sunset Forest.
Dugu Chen could only sigh in despair. Again? Carried like a sack of potatoes...
---
Outside the Sunset Forest.
Heaven Dou City was very close to the Sunset Forest, a well-known area where soul masters from the surrounding cities often came to hunt soul beasts.
For ordinary people, the journey took over an hour. But with Dugu Bo's speed, they arrived in under fifteen minutes.
From the sky, Dugu Chen spotted several groups of students below, all wearing the uniforms of advanced soul master academies.
Dugu Bo didn't pause. Without hesitation, he dove straight into the forest's depths.
His powerful aura swept across the forest. Soul beasts in the outer regions, whether ten-year or hundred-year level, fled in panic. Even thousand- and ten-thousand-year beasts in the forest's heart felt the pressure and let out defiant roars.
But Dugu Bo ignored them all, heading directly for the most secluded place in the forest— the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
---
In a deep valley at the forest's core lay a strange, otherworldly hot spring.
It was unlike any ordinary spring. Though not large, it was split distinctly in two halves. Within the oval-shaped pool, one half of the water was milky white, the other vermilion red. The two liquids never mixed, remaining forever separate despite sharing the same pool.
Thick steam billowed upward, lingering at the valley's mouth before slowly dissipating.
Dugu Bo landed on a high cliff overlooking the valley with Dugu Chen in tow.
From this vantage point, Dugu Chen could see the entire terrain. The valley below was an inverted cone, with dense mist rising from the base. The air was humid and carried a unique sulfurous scent.
"Master, is this the place?"
Dugu Bo didn't answer. Instead, he leapt down with Dugu Chen straight into the heart of the valley.
Even though Dugu Chen had known about this place from the original work, seeing it with his own eyes still left him breathless.
Dugu Bo pointed at the well solemnly. "Chen'er, this is the treasure land your master discovered by accident. Last time, I saw that Ghostly Silk Immortal Product you mentioned. Now take a look around—see if there are other immortal herbs you can identify. But remember: do not touch the two hot springs. The extreme cold and heat are beyond even my tolerance. One touch, and you die."
Dugu Chen nodded earnestly, assuring Dugu Bo he wouldn't take any risks. Then he began circling the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As he walked, his expression grew increasingly astonished.
Immortal herbs.
Everywhere.
The rarest of rare herbs were scattered here like weeds. Compared to this place, even the best herb gardens outside looked barren.
Tang San really was ruthless in the original work, Dugu Chen thought. He cleaned this place out and left Dugu Bo with nothing. This time, Tang San won't even get a blade of grass.
Although he didn't recognize every herb, he spotted several familiar names: Snow Silkworm, Cinnabar Lotus, Ghostly Silk Immortal Product, Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma, Primordial Immortal Herb... the list went on.
"Master! Hurry! I've found so many immortal-grade herbs! A few are especially suitable for Senior Sister and you!"
Dugu Bo rushed over, a trace of nervousness in his voice. "Are there many? What are they used for?"
Dugu Chen immediately explained the effects of the herbs he recognized. But when he finished, Dugu Bo's brows furrowed. He grabbed Dugu Chen's shoulder, his voice trembling slightly.
"Is there anything... anything that can detoxify?"
"Master, is someone you know poisoned?"
Dugu Chen knew Dugu Bo wouldn't speak plainly unless prompted.
After hesitating for a moment, Dugu Bo confessed. "It's me. Or rather, the entire Dugu Clan. I've cultivated the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor for decades. The poison has fused into my bones. On rainy days, my ribs itch and go numb. At noon and midnight, pain surges through me, lasting over an hour. And every night at the third watch, there's a stabbing pain in my head and chest. My whole body convulses—half an hour at least."
"I'm known across the continent for my poison, yet I can't even cure myself. My son died from his own poison, and Yan Yan... she was born with it. I fear... I fear I'll one day have to bury her too."
Dugu Bo's voice shook with suppressed grief.
"Master, don't say that. If I have a way, I'll absolutely save you both."
Though he had joined the Dugu Clan with ulterior motives, after spending months together, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan had become the people he cared for most.
After a moment of thought, Dugu Chen spoke.
"Master, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Blazing Apricot Delicate Solitude are both highly toxic, but as yin and yang opposites, they neutralize each other. Consumed together, they'll grant immunity to cold, heat, and most poisons."
"But—" he paused, "doing so might destroy your current poison cultivation."
Dugu Bo frowned. That couldn't happen. If word got out that his cultivation was crippled, the consequences would be disastrous.
But then he sighed and said with determination, "Then give them to Yan Yan. As long as she's safe, I don't care what happens to me."
Dugu Chen had expected this. In Dugu Bo's heart, Dugu Yan mattered far more than himself.
"Actually, Master... I may have another solution. But it's risky, and you'll need to decide."
"Speak."
"Since your martial soul is a beast-type, the poison has fused with your body. That's the real issue. A tool-type martial soul wouldn't have this problem. So I suggest we find a vessel—something to store the poison outside your body."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. "You mean... a soul bone?"
"Yes. If we can use Senior Sister's blood, after she consumes the two herbs, it'll act as a guide. Bit by bit, the poison can be drawn out and sealed into a soul bone."
"But," Dugu Chen warned, "this is only a temporary solution. As you continue to cultivate, the poison will build up inside the soul bone. Eventually, it might reach a critical point and explode. If that happens, no one can save you."
Dugu Bo burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! If I can live comfortably for just a few more years, I'll be satisfied. Once Yan Yan's poison is cured, I'll have no regrets. Let's do it! I'll go bring Yan Yan now. Stay here and don't wander. I've set up a poison array—no soul beast will get in."
Without another word, Dugu Bo turned and disappeared into the distance.
Dugu Chen let out a breath, then turned back to explore the area. He didn't have a soul tool to store live herbs, so he decided to memorize the layout and harvest only what he needed later.
As he strolled, Dugu Chen spotted a peculiar herb. It had emerald green leaves, but what stood out were three snow-white petals, each holding a drop of dew in the center.
Autumn Water Dew.
One of his targets. With his powerful spiritual force, he needed a ten-thousand-year soul ring for his fourth ring. Autumn Water Dew would guarantee his spirit wouldn't suffer soul shock when absorbing it.
He carefully plucked the herb and tilted it toward his mouth. The three drops of dew slid down his tongue. Instantly, the herb withered to dust in his hands.
Dugu Chen immediately sat cross-legged and entered cultivation. A faint reddish-gold glow appeared around his head, and fine golden threads began converging toward his eyes.