piratefiction Chapter 31 The Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire
Chapter 31 The Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire
Tang Kun and Dugu Bo were both well-traveled and knowledgeable, but the strange scene of ice and fire before them, as well as the plants around them that emitted astonishing energy fluctuations, made them realize the extraordinary nature of this place.
"A magical herb?" Dugu Bo walked over to a crimson plant and examined it closely.
The plant resembled a lingzhi mushroom, its entire body a fiery red, with flames seemingly flowing across its leaves. Just by getting close, one could feel a scorching heat emanating from it.
"This is... a Fire Spirit Mushroom?" Dugu Bo said uncertainly, "But ordinary Fire Spirit Mushrooms would never have such a powerful energy fluctuation."
"This is the Fiery Apricot Blossom." Tang Yu walked to Dugu Bo's side and pointed to the plant, saying, "Ancient books record that this plant grows in extremely hot places, absorbing the essence of earth fire, and is a supreme treasure of the fire attribute."
He then pointed to a white lotus on the other side, its entire body crystal clear and exuding a chilling aura: "That is the Eight-Cornered Mystic Ice Grass, which has the opposite properties to the Fiery Apricot. It grows in extremely cold places and absorbs the essence of mystic ice."
"These two plants..." A look of surprise and doubt flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes, "One is extremely hot, and the other is extremely cold, yet they can grow in the same place, and so close together?"
"That's precisely the wonder of the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire," Tang Yu explained.
"Legend has it that the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire is a special environment formed after the fall of a divine beast with the attributes of ice and fire. It possesses both extreme cold and extreme heat attributes, and is perfectly balanced."
That's why plants with completely opposite properties can grow here, yet are equally precious.
Tang Kun then walked up to a strange plant.
It was a seemingly ordinary blade of grass, but its leaves had golden veins that faintly formed a dragon-shaped pattern.
Even more strangely, no other plants grew within three feet of this grass, as if it were the king of this area.
"What is this?" Tang Kun asked.
Tang Yu looked at the herb and was shocked—it was the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, the immortal herb that Dai Mubai consumed in the original novel, which could help him cultivate an indestructible body.
Although Tang Yu knew a lot about it, he said, "This is the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. There are very few records of it in ancient books. All that is known is that it has a miraculous effect on strengthening the physical body. As for the specific effects... I'm not too sure."
He deliberately spoke vaguely.
It wasn't that he didn't want to reveal the true effects of these miraculous herbs, but rather that he couldn't say so now.
Firstly, it's highly unusual for a six-year-old child to know so many secrets that even titled Douluo don't know, which would easily arouse suspicion.
Secondly, most of these medicinal herbs require specific methods of consumption; picking or consuming them rashly could be fatal.
For example, the Fiery Apricot and the Eight-Cornered Ice Grass must be taken at the same time to neutralize their medicinal properties through the principle of the mutual restraint of ice and fire. Taking either one alone will result in immediate death.
Thirdly, and most importantly—Tang Yu thought of the Broken Clan.
The Po clan is skilled in alchemy and poison making, and has an excellent understanding of herbs.
If these immortal herbs were given to the Po clan for research, they might be able to reach their full potential.
"Grandpa, Senior Dugu," Tang Yu turned around, his expression serious, "any plant found here is probably priceless, but we cannot pick them rashly."
"Why?" Dugu Bo asked, puzzled. "Such a treasure, is it just left here?"
"First of all, we know too little about these plants," Tang Yu said.
"Some rare and precious natural materials may be highly poisonous or require special processing before consumption. Picking them rashly is not only wasteful but may also endanger your life."
"Secondly..." Tang Yu paused.
"The Po clan is skilled in alchemy, and clan leader Yang Wudi is an expert in this field."
"If we can take the plant samples back here and give them to the Broken Clan for research, we might be able to discover the best way to use them, or even refine some amazing elixirs."
Tang Kun's eyes lit up: "Xiao Yu is right! Yang Wudi's alchemy skills are among the top three in the entire continent. Entrusting the research to him is the safest choice."
Dugu Bo nodded: "That makes sense. Although I also use poison, I mainly rely on the innate toxins of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King. My research on plant-based medicines is indeed not as good as that of professional alchemists."
"In that case, let's collect some samples first," Tang Kun decided. "Take a small portion of each plant, trying not to damage its roots."
"Xiaoyu, you recognize these plants, why don't you point them out? Brother Dugu and I will collect them."
"it is good."
Tang Yu began to identify the plants around him.
Besides the Fiery Apricot, the Eight-Cornered Ice Grass, and the Extraordinary Chrysanthemum, he also recognized other immortal herbs that appeared in the original work, such as the Fragrant Silk Fairy, the Heartbreaking Red of Longing, the Eight-Petaled Fairy Orchid, the Narcissus Jade Skin and Bone, and the Dew That Seems to Pierce the Autumn Water.
For each species identified, Tang Kun or Dugu Bo would carefully collect a leaf or a section of root and preserve it in a specially made jade box.
These jade boxes are commonly carried by Soul Masters when they go out, used to preserve precious medicinal materials and maintain their medicinal properties to the greatest extent.
During the collection process, all three of them were extremely careful.
Most of the plants around the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire possess powerful elemental properties, and one could easily be burned or frostbitten if not careful.
Dugu Bo was even more cautious; as a Poison Douluo, he had an instinctive intuition for danger.
"This flower is so beautiful." Dugu Bo walked up to a pink flower.
The flower resembles a peony, but is even more beautiful. Its petals are layered and emit a faint fragrance that brings peace to the mind.
"This is the Fragrant Silk Fairy Delicacy," Tang Yu said.
"It has the effect of neutralizing all poisons. Within its fragrance range, any toxin will be rendered ineffective. For Senior Dugu, this may be one of the most useful plants."
Dugu Bo was shocked: "Neutralize all poisons? That would mean..."
"Yes, if you keep this Pearl Immortal Grass by your side for a long time, it can indeed further suppress the backlash of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King's toxins."
"However... there are also drawbacks," Tang Yu continued.
"That means that while this immortal herb can suppress the backlash from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King's toxins, it can also suppress your poison attack."
"Your cultivation level will not advance any further, and may even regress."
Upon hearing Tang Yu's words, Dugu Bo gasped, and his gaze toward the fragrant Qiluo Immortal Herb changed from fiery to indifferent.
Although he was also afraid of dying, he was even more afraid of not having the strength.
The collection work lasted for about an hour.
The three collected samples of more than twenty kinds of plants in total, and only a small portion of each was placed in a jade box to ensure that the roots of the plants were not damaged.
"That's about it." Tang Kun looked at the dozen or so jade boxes in his hand.
"These samples should be enough for the Broken Clan to study. Once they have their results, we will decide how to utilize these immortal herbs."
"Grandpa, I think..." Tang Yu hesitated for a moment, then said, "This place is too precious, we can't let others know about it."
"That's natural," Tang Kun nodded.
"If word gets out about such a treasure trove, it will likely attract countless forces to fight over it. At that time, not only will we not be able to protect these immortal herbs, but we ourselves may also be in danger."
Dugu Bo solemnly replied, "Only the three of us know about this matter. I, Dugu Bo, swear by my martial spirit that I will never reveal the secret of this place."
As he spoke, a spirit ring appeared beneath his feet, and a dark green light entered his brow—this was the oath a spirit master made with his spirit. If he broke it, his spirit would backfire, and his cultivation would be difficult to advance any further.
Seeing Dugu Bo's actions, Tang Kun's tense expression relaxed.
"Brother Dugu, you flatter us. Now that you have joined the Haotian Sect, we naturally trust you," Tang Kun said in a friendly greeting.