Chapter 25: The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well

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Flender and Liu Erlong returned. Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Li Luochen let out a sigh of relief. Being polite really did pay off—courtesy never hurt anyone.

"Alright, boy, let's go in. Take this pill—it'll make you immune to the toxic miasma."

Dugu Bo opened a small bottle and handed over a pill.

After swallowing it, Li Luochen followed Dugu Bo inside. He knew he was about to see the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Upon entering, they found themselves in a valley. Dugu Bo scooped up Dugu Yan with one arm while reaching for Li Luochen with the other—but his hand grasped only air.

Li Luochen had unfurled his external soul bone, Dragon Wings, and taken to the sky.

"An external soul bone? You have something like that? Pity it's already fully fused."

{T/N: Casual death threat, nice.}

And with that, all three descended.

Below them lay a hot spring. Though not large, it was divided into two distinct sections. Within the elliptical pool, the water was colored milky white on one side and crimson red on the other. Strangely, though they shared the same pool, the two waters remained completely separate, never mixing, always staying confined to their respective sides.

The rising steam, generated at the boundary between the two springs, billowed upward until it dispersed near the mountaintop.

Seeing this sight, Li Luochen was utterly awestruck. It was nothing like what he had seen in anime or read in novels—the real thing was far more breathtaking. The Ice and Fire Dual Eye was truly magnificent.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! The real Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! Lord Dugu, it seems there's hope for you!"

Li Luochen regained his composure and spoke to Dugu Bo.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? What's that?"

Dugu Bo was puzzled. He had possessed this place for over a decade but still didn't know its name.

"One of the world's three great treasure troves, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is the richest source of rare medicinal herbs. Look around—you'll find some extraordinary immortal-grade plants here."

Li Luochen spoke excitedly. This was one of Tang San's "cheats," the foundation upon which the Seven Monsters achieved godhood.

"So, you're saying there are herbs here that can cure us?" 

Dugu Bo finally understood, and hope flickered in Dugu Yan's eyes as well.

"But I don't recognize many of these herbs. At best, I can suppress the toxins. I need to think carefully about what to do next."

Li Luochen snapped back to reality and spoke. He wasn't familiar with most of the herbs. To be precise, he only recognized a few: the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, the Infernal Delicate Apricot, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and the Aromatic Silk Beauty.

These were the ones he recognized. As for the others, he not only didn't know what they were but also had no idea how to use them.

Dugu Bo led Li Luochen and Dugu Yan to a thatched hut he had built nearby. It was far enough from the Ice and Fire Springs to avoid any adverse effects.

"Lord Dugu, I've thought of a method. Perhaps you could try it. Near the spring, there are two herbs: the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, both immortal-grade plants associated with fire and cold toxins.

If you consume both and then jump into the spring, you can train your body to become immune to all poisons. However, I don't recommend it for you."

"Why not?"

"Because poison is your strength. Your entire power comes from toxins. Your deadly venom is what keeps others from provoking you. After all, you can beat them down to the level of Title Douluos."

Li Luochen's words made Dugu Bo chuckle inwardly. It was true—his strength came entirely from poison. While he couldn't match most Title Douluos head-on, his venom ensured they wouldn't dare fight him seriously.

"Go on."

Dugu Bo gestured for Li Luochen to continue.

"In that case, let me consume the two herbs. Using my blood as a catalyst, Lord Dugu, you should have pills that suppress toxins. By combining them with my blood, we can achieve one part of the solution.

Secondly, the reason you both suffer from such potent toxins is due to the nature of your beast-type martial souls. Poison has integrated into your very being. Snakes aren't harmed by their own venom because they have venom sacs. You'll need something similar—a 'venom sac' of sorts."

As soon as Li Luochen finished speaking, Dugu Bo, the old fox, immediately understood what he meant.

"Soul bones?"

"Precisely. Ideally, a ten-thousand-year soul bone. I suggest an arm bone, as it's safer. Pushing the toxins into a soul bone works because soul bones have limited capacity. Unless it's a hundred-thousand-year soul bone or an external soul bone capable of evolving, an arm bone is the safest choice.

The skull and torso bones protect vital areas. If the toxins in those bones were to go out of control, death would be inevitable."

Li Luochen's words sparked a glimmer of hope in Dugu Bo's eyes, but it quickly dimmed. He did possess a soul bone—one of the rarest kinds: the Medusa Skull, a fifty-thousand-year relic obtained when he acquired his eighth soul ring. It was an exceptional soul bone, but unfortunately, it couldn't be used.

"Lord Dugu, let's first consume the herbs. We need to suppress the toxins in your body. Otherwise, it'll be difficult for you to hunt for soul bones."

Li Luochen's words solidified Dugu Bo's resolve. At the very least, there was now a possibility of dealing with the toxins. All he needed were two soul bones, which he could obtain.

"Lord Dugu, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass must be harvested with an iron tool, while the Infernal Delicate Apricot requires a jade tool. Both must be consumed within ten seconds of harvesting."

Li Luochen explained the process to Dugu Bo, confident that his speed would allow him to complete it within ten seconds.

Li Luochen removed his storage soul tool and took off his shirt, preparing his pants as well, knowing he'd need to dress quickly after the Ice and Fire Forging was complete.

In an instant, Dugu Bo plucked the two herbs and used his spirit energy to deliver them to Li Luochen. Without hesitation, Li Luochen swallowed them whole.

Within seconds, Li Luochen's body was enveloped in an icy blue glow, followed by a fiery red surge. Caught between these two extreme forces, Li Luochen could only maintain partial control of his consciousness as he plunged into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to temper his body.

Watching Li Luochen, Dugu Yan felt a pang of emotion. Just moments ago, they had been at odds, yet now he was risking his life to save their family.

Meanwhile, Li Luochen, submerged in the spring, alternated between freezing and scorching sensations.

Though the process of forging his body in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was excruciating, enduring it would bring immense benefits. Once completed, his body would become impervious to both fire and ice, as well as all poisons.

Li Luochen suspected that the Ice and Fire Forging would also evolve his martial soul. This Ice and Fire Dual Eye was the site where the Water and Fire Dragon Kings had fallen, and the surrounding area was rich with dragon qi. Many of the rare herbs here carried traces of dragon attributes.

This was perfect for his Dragon Pattern Staff. Li Luochen believed this evolution would elevate his martial soul to a top-tier weapon, comparable to the Seven Kill Sword or the Hao Tian Hammer.

Thus, he soaked for half a day. On the shore, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan waited anxiously, seeing no movement. This was their family's only hope for detoxification.

Not long after, the spring began to show signs of change. Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan focused their gaze intently.

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