Following his memory, Lin Feng quickly located the Earth Dragon Golden Melon.
A few tender leaves emerged from the ground, resembling radish tops growing underground.
From the surface, its special qualities were completely unnoticeable.
Soon after, Lin Feng's gaze shifted to the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid in the distance.
Crystal-clear and snow-white, exuding a noble and ethereal air, with golden jade-like embellishments—it was pristine and ever-fresh, eternal across centuries.
Among all immortal herbs, this one possessed the gentlest and most mellow properties.
For soul masters, it far surpassed other immortal herbs in strengthening the foundation, purging impurities, and repairing core stability.
This—was Lin Feng's target for this trip.
"Senior, I've found the herbs I need."
"Oh? You actually recognize the herbs here, kid? If you're bluffing, it could cost your life." Seeing how confident he was, Dugu Bo's curiosity was piqued.
"If you don't trust me, Senior, I can prove it to you right now."
Lin Feng pointed at Dugu Bo's feet. "This is called Vermilion Lotus Sand. It counteracts fire poison.
That one's Windchant Herb. It's great for treating skin and flesh wounds."
Dugu Bo nodded in surprise.
"Senior, since I'm detoxifying and healing you, I should at least get some compensation, right?"
Dugu Bo looked at Lin Feng with a mocking smile."I knew you were a greedy little brat. Fine. Besides the herbs needed to treat us, take whatever else you like from here."
"Thank you, Senior!"
. . . . . .
Seeing seven or eight holes dug into the ground, Dugu Bo twitched at the corner of his mouth. This brat was really shameless!
He said to take some, and Lin Feng actually took some—and even picked the ones he didn't recognize. Had he known, he would've limited him to two or three plants.
Even though Dugu Bo didn't know what those herbs were, he still felt like he'd lost a fortune.
Lin Feng packed away the jade boxes, rubbed his storage ring contentedly, then looked at Dugu Bo with a puzzled expression. "Senior? You don't look too well?"
Dugu Bo flared his nostrils and barked, "Brat! Hurry up and detox me already!"
Grinning, Lin Feng walked over to the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. Soul power flowed through him as he pulled it from the soil.
Three golden fruits lay in his hand. One of them was slightly larger, obviously older.
The moment it was unearthed, a rich, ancient aroma filled the air. Even Dugu Bo couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva at the fragrance.
A light yellow, earthen aura swirled gently around it, with faint dragon roars echoing in the background.
"This is called the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It's an earth-element immortal herb that contains a trace of dragon essence. It can help your martial spirit evolve!"
"Martial spirit evolution!?"
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. In a flash, he snatched the golden melon, sniffing the fragrance with rising temptation.
"You're saying this thing can fix the hidden flaws in my martial spirit?"
"If you don't believe me, Senior, I can take one of the herbs you don't recognize myself—as proof. What do you say?"
"Alright! But you have to do it in front of that damn Chrysanthemum freak—come on!"
The two returned to the edge of the poison barrier. After explaining the situation to Chrysanthemum Douluo, Lin Feng took out the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
"This—this—this! The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid! You old poison freak—you actually had an immortal herb?!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes bulged. He'd spent his whole life chasing rare flora, and now he was seeing a legendary immortal herb with his own eyes?!
"What a waste—what a complete waste! Such a divine herb shouldn't just be eaten like that to prove a point to you, old poison man!
Something like this should be treasured, passed down through the ages!"
Watching Chrysanthemum Douluo flail and scratch his head, Dugu Bo found himself believing Lin Feng more and more.
And he also started reconsidering—what exactly was an "immortal herb"?
Smirking, pretending to be casual, he took out the Earth Dragon Golden Melon:
"Oh dear, cough cough, old Chrysanthemum, how about this one? Looks pretty ordinary to me, no?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's jaw dropped again.
"Earth Dragon Golden Melon! You've got three of them?!Gulp..."
"Hehehe."
Chrysanthemum Douluo rubbed his hands together and sidled up, draping an arm around Dugu Bo's shoulder.
"Brother Dugu, we've known each other for years, right? You've got three of these golden melons—how about giving me one?
If there's anything you need, just ask, I'll do it, no question!"
Dugu Bo dodged his hand and mocked,"Funny how your tone changed. Didn't you just call me a poison freak?"
"Haha, that was a term of endearment. Really, an affectionate nickname."
"Ugh."
Looking at Chrysanthemum Douluo's effeminate face and hearing him say the word "affectionate," Dugu Bo shivered and quickly called it off.
"Let him absorb it first. If you want those herbs you don't recognize, ask the kid. He took seven or eight of my spirit plants.
They all seemed like immortal herbs. And really—what is an immortal herb?"
Watching Lin Feng swallow the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally spoke:
"Immortal herbs—just as the name implies—are divine spirit herbs, found only in the heavens, rarely seen in the mortal world.
Each one is infused with the essence of heaven and earth. They can fundamentally transform a person's aptitude.
If the ancient texts are accurate, even martial spirit evolution is just one of their lesser effects."
Thinking about how Lin Feng had taken seven or eight of them, Chrysanthemum Douluo was itching with envy.
(So these are immortal herbs?)Dugu Bo's pupils shrank. His heart ached, but he also felt relieved.
He remembered Lin Feng's careful harvesting techniques and the way he consumed the orchid. Even if Dugu Bo could pick one, he wouldn't know how to use it properly. Why bother regretting it?
Lin Feng swallowed the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Its gentle medicinal energy spread instantly, permeating every inch of his body.
It was like pouring water into dry sand—silent yet deeply nourishing.
"Ah—"
Lin Feng let out a satisfied moan as his first soul meridian began operating rapidly.
The once-unstable foundation was steadily firming up.
His soul power surged, and black, sludge-like impurities slowly oozed from his skin.
Two and a half hours passed quickly.
Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes. The changes in his body immediately altered his perception.
The world became more vivid, clearer. His sensitivity to soul power in the air was entirely different from before.
Feeling carefully, he realized his soul power had reached level 20—he was ready to obtain his next soul ring.
"Senior, how about that? I'm already level 20!"
Dugu Bo and Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged glances. The former pressed a hand to Lin Feng's shoulder, channeling his soul power to check.
His expression changed to shock.
"It's true! Not only is there no damage to his foundation—it's as if his aptitude has been improved several times over!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo grinned proudly:"Don't underestimate the power of immortal herbs, old poison man. This is nothing.
If you ever get to see the legendary Flower King, now that's an immortal herb worthy of ruling the world.
Ahh! Combined with its intoxicating tale... it's the pursuit of my entire life."
A sickly obsession appeared on Chrysanthemum Douluo's face.
Dugu Bo waved him off in disgust, pinching his nose:"Kid, go take a bath. You stink."
Seeing Lin Feng successfully absorb the herb, even he was getting tempted.
Under Chrysanthemum Douluo's envious gaze, he followed Lin Feng's instructions and consumed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon.
. . . . . .
Lin Feng washed himself in the pool while thinking over his choice for a second soul ring.
Since it was meant to open a second soul meridian, he needed it to have fire-element properties—but it couldn't be too aggressive.
Rummaging through his memory, Lin Feng soon locked onto his target. The Sunset Forest just so happened to have exactly what he needed.