Chapter 44: Mutual Opposition and Harmony — Ice and Fire Encounter, Body Tempering & Spirit Ascension

Once everything was ready, Yun Yibai took a deep breath. He carefully extended both hands, using a special herb-picking technique he had learned from Yang Wudi, and gently plucked the two celestial herbs — the blazing red Fiery Apricot Petal and the ice-blue Eight-Spoked Ice Grass.

He wore a pair of specially crafted jade gloves that were crystal-clear with a soft luster. These gloves could temporarily resist both fire and ice toxins, protecting him from harm during the short moment of contact.

The contrasting red and blue glows lit up his face, making his expression appear even more determined.

In his left hand, he held the Fiery Apricot Petal. In his right, the Eight-Spoked Ice Grass.

Even through the gloves, he could feel the searing heat trying to burn into his soul and a bone-chilling cold surging through to his heart.

He clenched his jaw and thought silently,

"These truly are deadly celestial poisons. Even with all my preparations, I doubt I can endure them for more than five breaths!"

Not daring to delay a second longer, Yun Yibai quickly brought the two herbs together. The moment they touched, the flames and frost immediately began to clash, each aura trying to dominate the other.

But strangely, a balance was born from their conflict.

Yun Yibai could feel the chaos in his body momentarily stabilize — his surging blood seemed to calm — but he knew this equilibrium would only last a few seconds.

These herbs' effects would cancel each other out after ten breaths, rendering them useless if not consumed.

Without hesitation, his eyes sharpened — and he swallowed both herbs at once.

Despite their terrifying toxicity, after being neutralized by each other, the herbs had become docile.

They melted in his mouth like nectar, turning into a fragrant liquid that slid gently down his throat.

A refreshing aroma filled his chest, as if he were walking through a field of flowers — calming and euphoric.

But that comfort was short-lived.

As the dual herbs entered his body, Yun Yibai felt his insides erupt with searing fire and cold, clashing violently. It was like being torn apart by a thousand blades.

His face flushed red and then pale. His blood churned, like it wanted to burst from every pore.

Yun Yibai sat cross-legged on the ground, formed a seal with his hands, and began to refine the medicinal energy circulating within him.

He closed his eyes, focusing all his attention on guiding the warring forces inside.

The pain was unbearable — cold and heat repeatedly surged through his flesh and bones.

Beads of sweat rolled down from his forehead like rain, splattering onto the ground with crisp little plops.

Just three breaths later, his body suddenly convulsed.

A layer of blue frost surged from his feet, instantly enveloping him. Then came a layer of fiery red, completely wrapping him up.

At this moment, Yun Yibai looked like a freshly boiled prawn — alternating between red and blue, bizarre and eerie.

He endured in silence, continuing to refine the twin herbs within him.

Time passed slowly. The interweaving agony of fire and ice nearly broke him.

Veins bulged from his arms. His fists clenched so tightly they trembled — it was as if all his pain had gathered into those hands.

Finally, Yun Yibai sensed that his body had reached its absolute limit.

While he still had a sliver of control, he forced himself to stand, staggering forward one step.

Ahead of him was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well — the destination of this entire journey.

He closed his eyes…

And jumped.

SPLASH!

He plunged into the pool, instantly submerged by the mingled waters of extreme cold and searing heat.

He hadn't jumped in earlier because he knew how dangerous this place was. The moment the herbs entered his body, they needed time to fully activate. Only then could the extreme cold and heat of the Yin-Yang Well help temper his body.

Had he entered even a few seconds too early, the well would have destroyed him — bones and all.

Leaping into this chaotic spring was undoubtedly a life-or-death trial.

But that trial hinged entirely on the two herbs — the Fiery Apricot Petal and Eight-Spoked Ice Grass.

Their counterbalancing properties gave him a chance — a "bug" in the natural system — to survive this moment and possibly break through his limits.

Although the fire and ice forces had already neutralized each other once before ingestion, once inside his body, they exploded anew.

The immense power hidden within those celestial herbs began to tear through him.

It was like thunder crashing through his bones, his body ready to collapse under the sheer pressure.

No one knew how long it had passed.

Suddenly — a figure burst up from the center of the dual-colored pool, flinging droplets of boiling red and freezing blue in every direction.

It was Yun Yibai.

His clothes were gone. His bare form now radiated strength. His physique had visibly transformed — more defined, muscular, and powerful.

Even more shocking — his left arm was covered in red flame-like markings, and his right arm bore icy-blue patterns.

It was clear that his bloodline and Martial Soul had undergone a massive change.

He didn't yet know how much stronger he had become — he had left his soul tool behind earlier, knowing it couldn't survive the destructive energy of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"They haven't arrived yet? Looks like I finished this faster than expected," Yun Yibai muttered.

"My body can now withstand a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. I've already met that condition by reaching rank 40."

"Now, I just need to strengthen my spiritual power to resist the will of a ten-thousand-year spirit ring."

His eyes turned to the final herb:

Clearwater Autumn Dew.

Elsewhere…

At that moment, Dugu Bo was holding the Immortal Fragrant Kilo in his hands, presenting it to Yang Wudi.

Seeing it with his own eyes, Yang Wudi was overwhelmed with emotion.

It felt like a dream — the celestial herb that the Yang Clan had longed for over generations, now finally appeared in his era. The dream of his ancestors was fulfilled at last.

For Yang Wudi, even if he hadn't joined Dugu Bo, he was already planning to unite the four single-attribute clans to form a new sect. He didn't care who would be the sect master — his goal was simple:

Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Clan.

So swearing allegiance to Dugu Bo brought him no mental burden — he had already made peace with this choice long ago.

Yang Wudi carefully took the herb and declared:

"From this day forth, the Yang Clan follows Your Grace without question."

"Have you ever considered founding your sect?"

"Tch. I'm not interested in becoming some high-profile leader," Dugu Bo snorted.

"But if one day my granddaughter and that brat want to form a sect, you're welcome to join them."

"That kid… he's going to go far."

"And he has the ambition for it."

Yang Wudi didn't respond aloud, but he silently agreed.

Yun Yibai not only had the ambition but also the potential to match.

"Maybe… just maybe, this decision really will help the Yang Clan fulfill its dream of revenge," Yang Wudi thought.

"With the power Dugu Bo holds, plus three potential Titled Douluos, and now the Yang Clan backing them…"

"If these gifted youths grow up strong, we might create a legend — a sect with multiple Titled Douluos!"