Chapter 121: Secrets of the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes

"Plop!"

The tranquil surface of the lake was undisturbed by wind or waves, save for the occasional gentle popping of bubbles. The Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes remained as eerily silent as ever. Suddenly, the sound of something breaking through the water pierced the stillness.

The next moment, a figure enveloped in a forest-white flame shot out of the lake, hovering in midair, panting heavily but with a broad smile on his face.

"Finally out! Thankfully, it wasn't all for nothing, or it would have been hard to accept," Xiao Yan muttered, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. He glanced at the ring on his hand, where two massive dragon corpses had been stored.

However, at that moment, a scorching wave of heat rushed towards him, and the black robe he wore began to emit the scent of burning.

"Xiao Yan, be careful. These plants seem to want to kill you," Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

Looking ahead, Xiao Yan saw a large red flower attacking him. This flower was known as the Fiery Apricot Inferno.

The Fiery Apricot Inferno leaned back, and a strange fiery red vortex appeared at its forefront, sucking a large stream of fiery red spring water from the scorching Yang Spring and spewing it towards Xiao Yan, who was still in midair.

The fiery red water column twisted the air around it, causing the temperature in the valley to soar once more.

Opposite the Fiery Apricot Inferno grew a large white flower, shaped like an octagon, with a center that sparkled like ice crystals, its fragrance nonexistent. It was called the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

As the Fiery Apricot Inferno launched its attack on Xiao Yan, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass did the same, emitting a blue light that condensed the milky white spring water into a female form, her features indistinct, with an ice-blue braid trailing to her feet.

In the next second, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass released a blue beam onto the figure, turning her color to blue-gold. Her hands each formed an ice crystal long blade.

The ice figure launched itself at Xiao Yan, the plants seemingly hostile to his intrusion into the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes' depths.

With a slight vibration of his flying soul tool, Xiao Yan shot skyward, easily dodging the Fiery Apricot Inferno's attack.

"Boom!"

A loud crash followed as the fiery red spring water slammed into the cliff, sending spider-web-like cracks sprawling across its surface, extending over ten meters before halting.

Hovering in midair, Xiao Yan grasped the handle of the Heavy Xuan Ruler behind him, drawing it with force. With a step in the air, aided by his flying soul tool, he appeared before the Fiery Apricot Inferno almost instantly.

"A mere flower dares to attack me. I'll toss you into the cauldron and refine you into a pill," Xiao Yan sneered, swinging the Heavy Ruler forward with a fierce wind-breaking sound, aimed at the Fiery Apricot Inferno. The ruler's body bore an arcane forest-white flame.

"Bang!"

The Heavy Ruler struck like thunder, offering the Fiery Apricot Inferno no chance to react, smashing into its pistil. Instantly, its petals and pistil burst open, releasing a stream of red liquid.

Seeing this, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass spoke, "A-Jiao, are you alright?" It then commanded the ice figure to attack Xiao Yan's back.

"Kid, there are too many plants here. With your current strength, you can't defeat them all quickly. Leave it to me," Yao Lao's voice echoed once more in Xiao Yan's mind.

Nodding, Xiao Yan's expression suddenly changed, as an incredibly fierce aura erupted from within him.

Exhaling lightly, Xiao Yan's hand reached out, trembling slightly, as forest-white flames surged forth under Yao Lao's possession.

With the appearance of the forest-white flame, a wave of it froze the entire Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes into an icy valley, turning all the plants into ice sculptures, including the ice figure controlled by the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

"What... are you human or ghost?" The Fiery Apricot Inferno, deprived of the Yang Spring's aid, weakened under Yao Lao's terrifying soul pressure. As a mere hundred-thousand-year soul beast, it was utterly cowed.

"With such rich fire energy, refining you into a pill will surely boost my cultivation," Xiao Yan mused, licking his lips at the sight of the frozen Fiery Apricot Inferno.

The flower trembled, "You... you can't harm me, or you'll face divine retribution!"

"Divine retribution?" Xiao Yan scoffed, crushing the ice encasing the Fiery Apricot Inferno and yanking it from the soil. "One day, I will make the heavens bow to my will, and the earth unable to bury my heart. Everything in this world will submit to me, as I grasp the sun, moon, and stars."

As he spoke, Yao Lao's immense soul force erupted from Xiao Yan, invading the Fiery Apricot Inferno and shattering its soul, reducing it to a mere plant.

In this cycle, Xiao Yan collected treasures from the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes, until he reached a pink flower, the Fragrant Odd Velvet Sky Immortal, from which fell a large book.

The book was snow-white, its cover devoid of words or signature.

Frowning slightly, Xiao Yan bent down to pick up the book, opening to its first page.

The words were few but grand in style.

"Congratulations on finding my message. Passing the Fragrant Odd Velvet Sky Immortal's test proves you're worthy of reading this book. Authored by Tang San, ancestor of the Tang Sect, it details various immortal and poisonous herbs, along with lost Tang Sect poison techniques. Learn and leave the book, using its power wisely."

"Tang Sect ancestor, the one who ascended to godhood?" Xiao Yan murmured in surprise, flipping to the second page.

"Greetings, fated one. I am Tang San, founder of the Tang Sect."

"The Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes, a heavenly gift, formed by the balance of extreme ice and scorching springs, one of three treasure sites on the Douluo Continent, with only one here. Discovering it, I refused to monopolize it. My companions and I took treasures, replanting some rare herbs. Whoever you are, having passed my test, must avoid greed and wrath, taking no more than seven herbs."

Frowning, Xiao Yan pondered, "Refused to monopolize, yet set tests and barriers to keep others out?"

"If it's a heavenly gift, why require tests to access its herbs? Isn't that contradictory?"

Xiao Yan and Yao Lao easily saw that the poisons outside were deliberately placed.

"Using poison and medicine can save or destroy. Fearing harm, I left the Tang Sect's 'Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record' with 'Medicine' and 'Poison' chapters here. Only those who pass the test, with pure hearts, can learn. Learning makes you a Tang Sect member; please respect the Tang Sect. If unwilling, return the book and take the Fragrant Odd Velvet Sky Immortal's guidance to gather herbs. Tang Sect members mustn't reveal 'Medicine' or 'Poison' chapters, using them solely. Take heed."

"Xuan Tian Treasure Record, Secret of Hidden Weapons, Medicine Chapter."

"Fragrant Odd Velvet Sky Immortal, bane of poisons, neutralizes all toxins. It doesn't cure, but suppresses, with its subtle fragrance negating poisons. Its flowers are pink, petals..."

The book listed every treasure in the area, their effects, and uses.

"This Tang Sect ancestor is amusing, calling the Ice and Fire Eyes a divine gift for all, yet setting tests and poisons to block entry. Hypocritical indeed."

Xiao Yan continued harvesting herbs until he stepped on something stone-like—a tablet?

"What is this?" Frowning, Xiao Yan knelt, pulling out the tablet. Inscribed on it were the words: "Poison Douluo—Dugu Bo's Tomb!"

"Dugu Bo?" The name triggered memories of a statue he'd seen at Shrek Academy, of its first honorary head, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.

"Why is Dugu Bo's tomb here at the Ice and Fire Eyes?"

Curious, Xiao Yan decided to properly re-erect the tombstone. As he did, he found writing on its back.

To his shock, it recounted Dugu Bo's life, the Ice and Fire Eyes' origin, and his relationship with Tang Sect ancestor Tang San, who cured him of poison. Dugu Bo allowed Tang San to take herbs, but Tang San took everything, leaving none.

"So, the Ice and Fire Eyes aren't Tang Sect's creation. Did Tang Sect's ancestor want it for himself?"

Yao Lao's voice emerged from the ring, "This place is a treasure. Wanting it isn't unusual; people die for wealth, birds for food."

"When gathering treasures, leave a line. But others' actions are theirs."

---

Meanwhile, in Xingluo Empire's Xingluo City.

The tournament continued fiercely. Ma Rulong gripped a golden greatsword, lifting it slowly.

Brilliant gold radiated from the blade, its nine core formations glowing from tip to hilt. Gold light flashed, bursting in the air.

His opponent was Shrek Academy's Ma Xiaotao.

"Awaken, Sword of Judgment!"

Ma Rulong roared, channeling soul power into the sword. The golden blade transformed, its spine turning white on one side, black on the other, starkly contrasting.

"Black is darkness, condemning heresy," Ma Rulong declared, pointing the sword at Ma Xiaotao.

A black beam shot forth, embedding in Ma Xiaotao. Her crimson phoenix flames turned black, teetering on the edge of losing control.

"What... what's happening? Why are my flames black?" Ma Xiaotao gasped, her voice trembling.

Seeing her phoenix flames turn black, Ma Rulong smirked, flipping the sword to point its white side at Ma Xiaotao. A white aura burst forth, enveloping the field.

"Ah—"

As the white aura touched her, Ma Xiaotao screamed. Her black flames began vaporizing in large patches.

At that moment, a figure appeared at t

he arena's center—a tall elder with half a ghostly mask, holding a wine gourd. Calmly drinking, he cast a cold gaze at the Sun Moon team.

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