The descent into Dugu Bo valley was like entering the lair of a sleeping beast. Mist coiled around their legs, thickening with every step. Li Wei remained close behind the Poison Douluo, eyes sharp and spirit power held tightly in check, just as Yue Guan had advised. Every breath tasted of bitterness, and the air clung to the skin like humid venom.
Behind him, Yue Guan and Crocodile Douluo followed in silent vigilance. Though Yue Guan maintained his usual elegant smile, his eyes scanned the surrounding terrain with quiet calculation. Crocodile Douluo, on the other hand, walked as though unaffected by the poisonous air, his spiritual pressure subtly neutralizing the mist that brushed too close to Li Wei.
The path wound deeper into the valley, bordered by cliff walls studded with strange mosses and glowing fungi after they cross the poison barrier. The scent of herbs mingled with toxic spores, creating a heady cocktail of aroma and threat. Even without activating his spirit sense, Li Wei could feel the life energy pulsing beneath the ground, especially as they drew closer to their destination.
Finally, the mist thinned, giving way to a clearing surrounded by towering rock formations. In the center lay the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a natural marvel unlike anything else on the continent. Twin springs bubbled side by side—one pure white, the other deep crimson—with a thin strip of untouched ground dividing them. Steam rose from the convergence of extreme energies, creating an aura of both death and rebirth.
Dugu Bo stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back.
"There it is," he said simply. "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. You know of it, but have you truly understood it? This spring can enhance the properties of any herb—or kill them instantly. It's not a place for careless cultivation."
Li Wei stepped forward, reverence in his eyes. "I understand. The balance here is razor-thin. That's why I came. Only a place like this can temper what I intend to grow."
Dugu Bo turned, studying him with inscrutable eyes. "You spoke earlier of curing me. Of helping Yan. Many have offered such promises, yet none delivered. Why should I trust you with something this precious?"
Li Wei hesitated, then slowly raised his hand.
A soft click echoed as his Diendriver appeared, summoned with a thought. He withdrew a Rider card and slotted it into the device.
[BuffRide: Ex-Aid.]
He then shoot the buff toward himself.
A flash of pink light enveloped his body. For a moment, the spectral outline of Kamen Rider Ex-Aid shimmered behind him—a healer, a gamer, a doctor. The presence faded, leaving behind a soft glow around Li Wei fingers.
"This spirit ability is drawn from a Rider who was once a surgeon, one who could diagnose and cure ailments no one else could. I may not be a doctor, but with this power, I can scan your body, identify the poison's movements, and begin to craft a targeted herb sequence that suppresses or neutralizes the backlash."
"And also if I use it like this. Please do not be alarmed." He then slot the same card again, but this times he shoot it toward Dugu Bo.
"This... This... This..." After the buff hit him, Dugu Bo felt an immediate effect. The poison that become a thorn in his whole life seem to be alleviate.
Dugu Bo eyes narrowed, a mixture of suspicion and curiosity blooming across his face. He felt something inside his chest pulse, a subtle resonance.
"You are able to treat my poison... with your martial spirit?"
"No," Li Wei said calmly. "Not just martial spirit, it with using knowledge and cultivation, augmented by it. But more importantly, I want to negotiate a custodianship. I want control over this spring—not for conquest, but for protection and research. You may continue to use it. Your granddaughter will always have access. But others... will need my permission."
Dugu Bo expression darkened. "You wish to claim my sanctuary? You have the audacity, child."
Li Wei met his gaze without fear. "Because Spirit Hall will protect this valley from being discovered. You are powerful, but not invincible. If word of this well spreads, sects and empires will come for it. Spirit Hall can shield it—and you."
Crocodile Douluo finally spoke, voice deep and steady. "What my grandson says is true. Spirit Hall has no need to seize this place by force. We gain more by empowering Li Wei to cultivate here, with your cooperation. In return, we offer safety, resources, and discretion."
Yue Guan added, his tone light but firm, "And let's be honest, Dugu Bo. You live like a hermit because you know how quickly your secrets could destroy you. We're offering to make sure they never see the light of day."
A long silence followed.
Li Wei didn't move. In his heart, the vision of the herb he wished to grow—one that could resist soul corrosion and purify venom—glowed bright. This was no power grab. This was purpose. Not only that, this place has a few herb that can help his allies. No, his friend.
Dugu Bo finally turned his gaze to the spring. Steam from the wells that contain twin extreme swirled around him like silent ghosts.
"And what if I refuse?"
"Then we leave," Li Wei said quietly. "And you lose potential allies who understand your pain. But I won't tell anyone. That, I swear on my spirit."
Dugu Bo turned back, his mouth twitching.
"Hmph. Bold and foolish. But perhaps... necessary."
He walked to the edge of the spring and knelt, looking at both the icy water and the scalding water that swirl together.
"My granddaughter suffers from the same poison that afflicts me. I've kept her alive with rare herbs and my own treatments. But it gets worse with time."
Li Wei stepped forward.
"Then let me help. Let this place become more than a hidden garden. Let it become a sanctuary. A forge for hope."
The old man shoulders sagged. For the first time, his age truly showed.
"Very well. But only under three conditions."
Li Wei straightened. "Name them."
"First. My granddaughter has unrestricted access, always. You will never bar her."
"Agreed."
"Second. No other Spirit Hall agents step into this valley without my approval—except you."
Li Wei nodded. "I will ensure that but I want an exception for Yue Guan."
"Why is that?" Dugu Bo cannot help but ask.
Li Wei look at Dugu Bo in the eyes and answer. "He is someone that well verse in the type of plant, he might be able to identify if any plant here able to cure yourself. Not a bad deal is it."
"I accept that." Even if he do not want to admit it, Yue Guan can be said to be well-verse in the type of plant beside him. "Third... if you ever betray this trust, I will kill you, no matter who stands in your way."
Li Wei bowed.
"Understood."
Dugu Bo grunted, then reached into his robe and pulled out a jade token, shaped like a serpent coiled around a lotus.
"This marks you as custodian of the spring. Spirit beasts won't approach it unless invited. My formations will recognize it. If someone tries to bypass it without your presence, the mist will kill them in five breaths."
He tossed it to Li Wei, who caught it with both hands.
The token was warm to the touch.
"You're responsible now," Dugu Bo said.
Li Wei stared at the well, then clenched the token tight.
For Dugu Yan. For this poison-tainted world. For what lies ahead.
He turned to his grandfather and Yue Guan.
"I will stay here for a while. There's something I must prepare."
Yue Guan chuckled. "I expected as much. I'll return to Spirit Hall and inform the Pontiff. Old Poison, as we are allies with each other let have a drink sometimes."
"Uncle Guan, can you not tell the supreme pontiff?" When he hear that Yue Guan want to tell Bibi Dong. He know that he need to stop it. Letting Bibi Dong know will make the Spirit Hall fall accelerate. She want to destroy this world along with Spirit Hall so he must stop it.
Hearing the word from Li Wei make him curious. "Why is that? Little Wei."
"This arrangement that we make will not be agreeable by Supreme Pontiff so I think she will storm here and crush the promise that we made. This place also contain a lot of Immortal herb, it will be a loss if fight happen."
"Alright then."
Crocodile Douluo clapped him gently on the shoulder. "Be careful. And make something worthy."
As they departed, Li Wei stood alone with Dugu Bo at the edge of the Yin Yang Well. The mist curled lovingly around his feet, no longer hostile.
"Come," Dugu Bo said quietly. "Let me show you where Yan cultivates. If you're to share this place... you should understand the burden."
Li Wei followed, the jade token warm in his palm, and his heart already beating in tune with the pulse of the well.
The venomous sanctuary was his now—not to own, but to protect.