"This—"
Holding the jade box being pushed back toward him, Chu Shanhe found himself, for once, at a loss. The herb was indeed important to him. He had intended to use it to attempt a gold-grade third awakening. But the soul core method was too precious—worth more than a 100,000-year soul bone. Aside from this herb, he didn't know how else to reward Chen Yi adequately.
Since its founding, the Body Sect's fairness in rewards and punishments had bound people from different nations and classes to the sect. If he didn't reward this, even he couldn't accept it.
Besides, with the soul core method now, his chance to reach level 97—or even 98—had appeared. The herb was less critical.
"No, Xiao Yi, you don't understand. The Angel God's inheritor in Spirit Hall is six years older than you. With her talent, she's at least a Soul King by now. By the time you're a Soul Sage, she might already be a Title Douluo."
"Remember this: for geniuses, time is most important. One slow step, and every step after is slow. You're already six years behind. This herb can help—even a little."
This was the Body Sect. In any world, the Body Sect might be indifferent to the greater good, but they were unwaveringly good to their own.
Chen Yi was moved even more deeply. People could turn on their own parents for an immortal herb. For a strong man like Chu Shanhe, who still had room to advance, it was even more tempting.
If Chu Shanhe knew that the great rival was squandering prime cultivation time messing with a steal-a-kingdom plan, he'd probably curse him out.
With your talent, if you must waste it, at least waste it less!
"Sect Master, please hear me out. This herb suits you best. The stronger you are, the more confidence we have when we move outside."
Seeing Chu Shanhe about to argue, Chen Yi knew neither side would convince the other. He decided to reveal what he'd planned to say soon.
"Besides, this Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng isn't the optimal choice. I also know some information about other immortal herbs."
Chu Shanhe was stunned. This Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng was the only immortal herb he'd heard of in nearly three hundred years. Yet Chen Yi said there were others?
As expected, the First Elder hurriedly asked, "Xiao Yi, are you sure you know of other immortal herbs?"
He couldn't help being shocked. Ever since the sect acquired the Immortal Herb Compendium from the Ye clan over a hundred years ago, the Body Sect's experts had combed countless dangerous lands seeking a single immortal herb.
The result?
They found many rare medicinal plants, but not even a shadow of an immortal herb. They'd even suspected the compendium was fanciful fiction. Only when Chu Shanhe got the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng from Bai He did they finally confirm immortal herbs truly existed—just that fate had yet to favor them.
Looking around at everyone's bright, eager eyes, Chen Yi took a deep breath and said firmly:
"Yes. I do know of others. Teacher once said there is a place in our world that unites extreme cold and extreme yang: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"In it grow plants found only in the God Realm. Why are these called 'immortal' herbs? Because 'such things should only exist in heaven; how often can mortals encounter them?' If those plants grow only in the God Realm, what else could they be but immortal?"
"Xiao Yi is right. By our deduction, the birth conditions for immortal herbs must be exceedingly harsh. If the Ice and Fire Well truly combines extremes of cold and heat, then it's not surprising such a place could breed them."
"And from the sound of it, there might be more than one inside!"
The First Elder sighed. Who would've thought the immortal herbs they'd sought for a century were all clustered in one place?
Chen Zhen, Hong Yue, and the others were thrilled. More than one immortal herb meant they might each have a chance. Thinking of the compendium's descriptions of their heaven-defying effects, they imagined a future where all of them could glimpse the scenery of Title—even Super Douluo.
"Xiao Yi, did the Thunder God tell you where the Ice and Fire Well is?" asked Zhou Zheng, who had just broken through to level 76 Soul Sage. Though his second awakening was bronze-grade and looked decent, in raw potential he was inferior to the Third Elder. Even with a soul core, reaching Title would be very hard.
Chen Yi nodded, then shook his head, leaving the others anxious. Which was it?
"Teacher only mentioned it in passing: surprised such a place could exist on an ordinary plane. He said the Well is in a large forest, in a basin shrouded in toxic miasma."
"Nearby there's a very prosperous city."
"I later scoured maps. I'm certain that city is Heaven Dou City, capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. As for the forest—"
"The Sunset Forest!" Hong Yue blurted. Near Heaven Dou City, the only great forest was the Sunset Forest to the east.
Chu Shanhe shot to his feet, then shouted toward the outside:
"Gao Zhan! Gao Wen! To the Qi Blood Soaring Hall at once!"
His voice rolled across the sect's residence, leaving many bewildered.
What happened?
…
Archive Pavilion.
Zhu Hai rolled over impatiently, muttering, "Damn you, Chu Shanhe—wailing like a banshee early in the morning! Disturbing my sleep!"
Soon, two streaks of light arrived outside the hall—two similar-looking, medium-built men with ordinary faces. The only difference: one had piercing eyes, the other slightly larger ears than normal.
They were the sect's finest scouts, Gao Zhan and Gao Wen—the Double Eyes and Double Ears martial souls. With a single blink, nothing within ten thousand meters escaped the former's eyes; with a twitch, the latter could identify the species of any insect chirping within that range.
For years, they had gathered intelligence for the sect. Even the Elders gave them three points of respect.
Seeing them, the Sect Master felt a bit apologetic. They'd roamed for the sect for the past ten years and had just returned. Now they had to go out again.
But this was too important. No one else would do.
"Gao Zhan, Gao Wen!"
"Disciples present!"
"Drop everything and go to the Sunset Forest outside Heaven Dou City. Find a basin shrouded in toxic miasma. This is of great importance and concerns the sect's future."
Their expressions grew solemn. In unison, they answered:
"We accept!"
As they were about to leave, Chen Yi quickly called out, "Please wait, senior brothers!"
Gao Zhan and Gao Wen were a generation younger than Chen Zhen, so Chen Yi's generation addressed them as senior brothers.
They halted, puzzled, and looked at Chen Yi.
"Senior brothers, that place is rife with poisonous miasma. It's likely already claimed. After you find it, don't act rashly—report to the sect at once."
The two had been away for over a decade and knew little of the sect's new disciples. They only knew Chen Zhen had a son, but didn't know what he looked like. They glanced at Chu Shanhe in confusion.
Already claimed?
Chu Shanhe's eyes flickered. If the Well truly had an owner, there would have been peerless talents emerging over the years. But none had made waves. That suggested the owner didn't recognize its worth.
However, Heaven Dou City was a nexus of heroes. If the owner was formidable, Gao Zhan and Gao Wen, as peak Soul Emperors at best, might be in danger.
"Listen to Xiao Yi. Once you find it, don't rush. Report back, then observe."
"Yes!"