Chapter 183

However, the soul beasts inside the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well are all herbs; perhaps "medicinal garden" would be a more apt description.

The vehicle stopped, and Huo Yuhao and the others got off one by one.

"Your Excellency Duo Qing."

Only then did Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng discover that the driver of one of the vehicles was the Duo Qing Douluo, and they hurriedly saluted.

Huo Yuhao also told Xu Xiaoyan and the others about the Duo Qing Douluo's identity, causing several people to be secretly astonished.

We really saw a lot of big shots today.

"No need for formalities."

The Duo Qing Douluo reminded them: "Follow me closely afterwards, absolutely do not take a wrong step. This place is full of highly toxic plants; once poisoned, it would be troublesome. Muzi, Yinmeng, you two stay and rest on the city wall."

Finished speaking, he took the lead walking toward that wall.

Everyone followed closely behind.

With the Duo Qing Douluo leading the team, naturally the journey was unimpeded; the Three-Word Battle Armor Masters responsible for guarding directly let everyone in.

Passing through the wall, a valley could be seen right before their eyes, and on this road from the wall to the valley, it was filled with seven-colored mist.

Xie Xie was still curious what function these mists served, but then he saw the soul power protective barrier the Duo Qing Douluo deployed being eroded, and he instantly gasped in shock.

This is a Limit Douluo; even his soul power shield is being eroded — can ordinary people really survive entering this place?

"This is the Seven-Colored Poisonous Miasma, one of the most dangerous toxins in the world; no matter what substance, it will be corroded. At least a Super Douluo or above is needed to resist it."

After the Duo Qing Douluo finished explaining, seeing that several powerhouses had already deployed shields to protect those juniors, he said no more and led the way ahead.

The poisonous mist gradually thinned; after advancing several dozen steps, the view suddenly opened up — a secluded valley embraced by mountains, like a paradise beyond the world, presented itself before everyone.

Once their vision fully adapted, quite a few people were so stunned by the wondrous sight before them that they held their breath.

Most eye-catching was that miraculous lake in the center of the valley. The lake water displayed a distinct two-color spectacle: half was deep blue and clear like polar ice, the other half bright red and scorching like magma. The two colors of water formed a straight dividing line at the boundary, merging with each other yet not contaminating one another, as if maintained in perfect balance by some mysterious force.

"This is... the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well..."

Ye Xinglan murmured softly.

Around the lake shore grew countless strange plants never heard of before. Some were entirely crystalline like crystal, some had flames jumping on their petals, and even more had vines twining with starlike points of light flashing.

The air was permeated with rich medicinal fragrance; every breath invigorated the spirit. But within this intoxicating fragrance, there were also faintly mixed a few strands of dangerous aura, reminding visitors that this place was both a blessed land and a perilous realm.

And the very moment they appeared here, several powerful spiritual powers probed over from below.

But upon discovering the lineup on this side, those spiritual powers hastily withdrew, as if afraid of provoking them.

The Duo Qing Douluo could roughly guess the shock and anger of those existences within the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well; he smiled helplessly and led everyone descending toward the valley.

The lush vegetation retreated to both sides like a tide, revealing a circular clearing where not a blade of grass grew, just large enough for their group to set foot.

When truly standing at the valley bottom, the scene before them made everyone hold their breath — this was veritably a plant kingdom magnified many times over. Those commonly seen flowers, grasses, and trees had all swollen into colossi here, their colors so gorgeous it was as if the Creator's palette had been overturned.

And among the many exotic flowers and rare grasses, seven of them gradually revealed human forms.

Among them, one man wore a purple robe, his clothes fluttering, exuding an ancient aura. His features were extraordinarily handsome, his figure tall and slender, as if a figure walked out of an ancient scroll painting.

Beside him, a white-clad woman walked gracefully, her appearance clear and beautiful. And five others walked toward this side together with them; the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Seeing these seven strongest immortal herb soul beasts in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, the Duo Qing Douluo's eyes condensed, and he actively stepped forward.

"Seniors, have you been well lately?"

The purple-clad man — the Qiluo Yujinxiang — looked at him, did not return his greeting, but frowned and said: "What is the meaning of this? There are still several decades until the next opening of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well; why bring people here now?"

A Rank 98 Super Douluo, three Limit Powerhouses... is this wanting to pack up the entire Ice Fire Yin Yang Well and take it away?

Anger burned in his heart, yet he did not dare reveal even a trace of resentment — with such a lineup before them, even releasing the two Dragon Lords would be meaningless.

They are not uncultured beasts; because occasionally hereditary spirit souls that went out return and chat with them, they know some of the outside situation. The Continent now has experts like clouds; their trump card for self-preservation — the two Dragon Lords — cannot protect them either.

The two Dragon Lords are merely Demigods; their combined force probably isn't a match for the Erqing Douluo alone. So some petty schemes they had long suppressed, but for the Tang Sect to directly bring powerhouses to the door demanding — isn't that too much?

The Duo Qing Douluo coughed lightly, "This is an agreement between Shrek Academy and the Spirit Pagoda; seniors need not mind us, just let the immortal herbs here act according to their own will. Only if they themselves agree to contract with these children will they be taken away; we will not force it."

Several immortal herbs understood his meaning at once upon hearing this.

I see, Shrek Academy caused trouble outside and pushed the trouble onto the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well... fine, as long as it's not forced seizure.

Glancing at the Snow Empress and them, then at Huo Yuhao and the others, the white-clad young woman — the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Treasure — pursed her lips.

"Xiangxiang, agree. After all, they're just a bunch of kids."

(Author's note: DD3 has a bug, mixing up Qiluo Yujinxiang and Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Treasure, writing Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Treasure as Qiluo Yujinxiang... I originally thought just changing the name would work, but later discovered Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Treasure appeared in Unrivaled Tang Sect. By age calculation, the DD3 one should be her, but the Unrivaled Tang Sect one is called You You, is female, and personality and gender are both different from this DD3 one. The difference is too great, so in this book both immortal herbs are added directly.)

The Qiluo Yujinxiang was silent for a moment, finally still nodding, "Let them in. But please, several Excellencies, withdraw. With you here, my companions will be very uncomfortable."

Although under their suppression, not many immortal herbs with high intelligence are born in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well, but those hundred-thousand-year immortal herbs also possess the intelligence of ten-thousand-year soul beasts; four powerhouses staring at them, yet still saying let the immortal herbs decide voluntarily?

This lineup of theirs looks exactly like they've come to seize by force; the Qiluo Yujinxiang truly does not wish these several to stay here.

The Duo Qing Douluo's eyes brightened; he secretly gave a thumbs-up for the Qiluo Yujinxiang's assist.

"Three Tower Masters, our presence here indeed has much influence; how about moving elsewhere?"

He truly worried that these three, seeing their juniors not chosen by immortal herbs, might get unhappy and directly snatch them; even if the Erqing Douluo arrived in time, a fierce battle would be unavoidable.

Hearing this, Xiong Jun instantly frowned and looked at the Duo Qing Douluo, "If we leave, these guys won't make things difficult for our juniors, right?"

"Naturally not." The Qiluo Yujinxiang took a deep breath, "Our cultivation is far inferior to several Excellencies; how would we dare make things difficult?"

"But wouldn't that mean we ran a trip for nothing?" Xiong Jun looked unwilling to leave, "We still have to send the kids out later; staying here is better! And I just don't feel at ease with you few."

The Duo Qing Douluo and the Qiluo Yujinxiang were momentarily at a loss for words.

At this time, the Snow Empress and Huo Yuhao exchanged a glance and spoke timely, "I can use spatial power to envelop this place, and put the exit outside the illusion. Those who want to leave can go out through the space passage. If an accident occurs, we can also rush back at the first moment. Duo Qing Douluo, what do you think?"

Hearing this, a trace of doubt flashed in the Duo Qing Douluo's eyes; he had not yet answered when the Qiluo Yujinxiang already nodded:

"Excellent! With Your Excellency's spatial power here, you can descend at any time; we naturally dare not act rashly."

Xiong Jun snorted dissatisfied: "Fine then."

The Snow Empress said no more; her fingertip lightly tapped, a pale blue light halo spread from her palm, instantly enveloping the entire Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. Space slightly distorted, an illusory doorway emerged beside everyone, leading to the outside world.

"Yuhao has a means I left on him, which can contact me; if there is a change, we can arrive in an instant."

The Snow Empress cast a calm glance at the Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo, her tone flat yet laced with warning.

The Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo gave a bitter smile and nodded, daring not to speak further.

Seeing this, Douluo Duo Qing thought no more of it, cupped his hands, and said, "Since that is the case, then we shall trouble the few Immortal Herb Elders."

The Snow Empress, Xiong Jun, and Douluo Feng Huang exchanged a gaze; their figures gradually faded, vanishing from the spot.

Afterward, Douluo Duo Qing also turned and stepped into the Space Passage, leaving the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well.

Although the Spatial Power the Snow Empress had set up gave him some doubts, those Immortal Herbs were no pushovers either; if something happened, there would certainly be movement, so there was no need to worry too much.

Only after the four powerhouses departed did the oppressive feeling in the valley ease slightly. The Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo let out a long breath, its gaze complex as it looked toward Huo Yuhao and his group.

"Alright, now you may begin choosing. Remember, Immortal Herbs choose their masters; it cannot be forced."

"Uh——"

Le Zhengyu scratched his head, "Elder, even if you put it that way, we still don't know what Immortal Herb suits us……"

Halfway through his words, he stopped, looking toward a red-clad woman among the seven Immortal Herbs; her appearance was bewitching, carrying a scorching aura.

It was precisely the Blazing Fire Apricot.

Le Zhengyu's eyes brightened, "I wonder if this Elder is willing to sign a Contract with me? My martial soul is the Holy Angel; Light and Fire are originally mutually generative and compatible powers. If you are willing to become my Spirit Soul, my Divine Holy Fire will surely break through its shackles, reaching an unprecedented realm."

The Blazing Fire Apricot froze for a moment, then let out a cold snort, "I have passed the Second Heavenly Tribulation, a two-hundred-thousand-year Fierce Beast, and can still live another ten thousand years; why should I become your Spirit Soul?"

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao looked toward the Blazing Fire Apricot, thoughtful.

The Blazing Fire Apricot of this era was originally only a hundred-odd thousand years, right? Now she has become a two-hundred-thousand-year Fierce Beast…… is it the Butterfly Effect?

After all, he didn't go harm her.

The special environment of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well allows Immortal Herbs to grow at ten times the speed; the Blazing Fire Apricot was already a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast ten thousand years ago, and as long as she grew steadily and passed the Second Heavenly Tribulation, becoming a Fierce Beast would be only natural. But if following the plot development, ten thousand years ago she would have been taken away much essence by the original body, her cultivation greatly damaged, and she would not have had the capability to pass the Second Heavenly Tribulation.

Now the situation is obviously not like that; Shrek Academy's method of using Immortal Herbs is also Hereditary Spirit Souls, these Immortal Herbs certainly would not be willing to hand over their essence to others, which instead let the Blazing Fire Apricot become a true Fierce Beast.

And one must know, ten thousand years ago quite a few Immortal Herbs had their essence taken away, among them the Wang Qiuqiu Dew and the Eight-Petaled Mysterious Ice Grass which needed to regrow after use. Since none of these things happened, the age limits of the Immortal Herbs here……

Huo Yuhao looked toward the true bodies of these Immortal Herbs in the distance——

Eight-Petaled Mysterious Ice Grass, two hundred thousand years. (Originally one hundred ten thousand years)

Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo, two hundred thousand years.

Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Treasure, one hundred ninety thousand years. (In the Original Work the Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo, the actual Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Treasure, the initial setting was a Fierce Beast that passed the Second Heavenly Tribulation, but after three chapters it was changed to one hundred ninety thousand years, unable to pass the Second Heavenly Tribulation…… This book's Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo adopts the first setting, the Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Treasure still adopts the second.)

Wang Qiuqiu Dew, one hundred ninety thousand years. (Originally one hundred ten thousand years)

Earth Dragon Golden Melon, one hundred ninety thousand years.

Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, one hundred sixty thousand years.

Huo Yuhao: "……"

After roughly judging their age limits from aura and appearance, Huo Yuhao fell into contemplation for a moment.

Bit by bit changes created three true Fierce Beasts; originally the Eight-Petaled and Wang Qiuqiu Dew ranked at the bottom of cultivation, now they are at the front, truly…… it seems there is nothing to sigh about, already used to it. This world has changed too much, facts are before one's eyes, just accept it.

'The Eight-Petaled Mysterious Ice Grass and the Blazing Fire Apricot, due to Attribute reasons, are also among the strongest in combat power among the Immortal Herbs, plus the Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo which can absorb Sun Essence and Moon Hua…… them being able to pass the Second Heavenly Tribulation is not too inconceivable. But the other Immortal Herbs obviously cannot achieve it.'

Huo Yuhao glanced at the Wang Qiuqiu Dew.

Although the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well has a growth buff of one year equals ten years, these Immortal Herbs ultimately lack a share of time's Accumulation, plus Plant Soul Beasts are somewhat more fragile than Animal Soul Beasts; those who pass the First Heavenly Tribulation are few and far between, those with confidence to pass the Second are naturally even fewer.

The Wang Qiuqiu Dew should be unwilling to cross the Second Heavenly Tribulation, deliberately suppressing her cultivation, otherwise she would not be stuck at one hundred ninety thousand years……

Having roughly analyzed the situation of the six top-tier Immortal Herbs, Huo Yuhao's gaze turned toward the Immortal Herb he cared about most——the Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Treasure.

Isn't this one a limited NPC from the Peerless Tang Sect era? Arriving at this era, her function and name seem to have been taken over by the Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo, right? How is she still here?

The version update didn't clean up this remnant of the old era?

Behind the Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Treasure, a sudden chill rose; she subconsciously looked among the ten people, discovered nothing unusual, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

What situation? Is her Second Heavenly Tribulation coming? It couldn't be This Fast, right?

"Besides us, there are still a dozen or so hundred-thousand-year Immortal Herbs here. Although their intelligence has been suppressed by us and they have not developed high-level intelligence, having intelligence comparable to Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts is no problem; you can go try and see if you can obtain their acknowledgment."

On the other side, seeing Le Zhengyu still wanting to continue questioning the Blazing Fire Apricot, the Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo pointed out a bright path in the eyes of the few, a dead end in his own eyes.

Just relying on these children's current cultivation, the possibility of obtaining a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast's acknowledgment is too low, except……

The Yearning Heartbroken Qiluo narrowed its eyes, sizing up Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na.

These two are not right; he actually cannot see through them.

(End of Chapter)