After their first experience, they now went to the arena every day. They entered three battles every day. Each battle only grew more difficult than the one preceding it. That brought even more pressure and challenge to them.
As they fought in the arena word spread. Even by the second day the impact of their second ring had faded. Word traveled fast with such large crowds. People continued to watch them closely.
They were waiting for a hint, or merely considering their options. If a hint did appear it would spread rapidly. He had wondered how many eyes watched them. Still, they did not need to worry about that.
Perhaps a few had already considered drastic options. Then dismissed them just as soon. Tang Yuan certainly would considering his father's presence. A fact Tang Chen had made certain to reveal. From the moment they had stepped into the city, in fact.
Though the loss of surprise was only one matter. Tang Yuan remembered his first silver-level battle. He and Dugu Xin had been completely outmatched. Not only power-wise, but also in experience and teamwork.
"In the end, every Silver Badge had fought at least ten battles. However in every case it was usually more," he was told by his mother. A fact that was obvious in hindsight.
It made him consider how many powerful opponents he had faced. The bandit soul master in the raid. Before that the Golden Scarab was a tough one. Bibi Dong was the one he had the most experience against. Finally, his first really difficult battle was Sickle years ago.
The large mob of soul masters could be another, as could Tao. The first was an experience in being overwhelmed with numbers. Cheng Tao was a different battle experience altogether.
"Are you in your thoughts again Yuan," a voice called. Tang Nuan moved into her son's view. "What is filling your mind this time? Perhaps I can offer insight or another view," she offered gently not trying to force it on him.
"I was thinking of the major battles of my life. Along with my recent loss. It caused me to reflect on my thoughts. Have I been impatient or had I grown overconfident?" he asked his mother who would have an outsider's look.
Tang Nuan glanced at her son at that. Wondering how she should word her explanation. Was this a momentary doubt, or a long-hidden one? Assuming by his words it should be a new one. Good, a chance to nip it in the bud.
"In terms of impatience, perhaps you have shown signs of it. You have worked for years to improve or learn. Maturity beyond your years has long been common." She began as she approached him.
Then she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "However is that not common? You are eager to grow up, along with gaining strength. I was the same at your age. Though you don't allow that to consume you." Her last sentence held a hint of regret.
"As for being overconfident. Perhaps your pride has grown in recent days. That you even ask is proof that you are aware of the dangers of pride." She smiled at him as she said that. Gripping his shoulder to add emphasis to that.
Tang Yuan moved to face her son. "You have faced skilled opponents and bested them. A growth in confidence is natural. As it is to temper that confidence with loss. That was part of why I had you three fight beside Dugu Xin."
Tang Yuan considered her words carefully. Their participation in the arena was for combat experience.
Then his mother's words began to grow more excited. "Soul Elder at eleven, the discovery of a legacy, now the discovery of another. Whale Glue, learnable soul skills, forging, developing a village, Soul Cores!" At the end, she was a few steps away from shouting.
"You have earned confidence and pride to a degree. Once more you are still young and growing stronger. Simply give yourself the time necessary. You are only eleven after all." Tang Nuan fell silent as she watched her son.
Tang Yuan considered her words. So he was being impatient to a degree. He hadn't grown arrogant; his confidence had increased though. His impatience made him want to be stronger than he was currently. Though that was wrong, "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day," was an old quote.
Tang Nuan continued to observe her son. Noticing that he had fallen into thought. Then seeing that he had a realization. Then, "Now, the reason I came. To inform you that Yang Wudi has arrived so it's time."
Tang Yuan upon hearing that smiled. That meant they were heading to the Ice and Fire Well. Yue Guan, Yang Wudi, and finally the addition of Ah Yin. With those three they should be able to identify any of the immortal herbs.
They could have gone before his arrival. However, the Ice and Fire Well was an incredibly dangerous place. Even a Titled Douluo might find trouble there. Senior Wudi was also the most skilled alchemist they knew.
"Then I suppose it's time. Let's see that treasure land for ourselves." Tang Yuan spoke as he began to grow excited. This was the Ice and Fire Well one of the most critical locations in the entire land. The god-making factory or at least a component of that.
Their group entered the sprawling Sunset Forest. As Tang Yuan had learned the forest was a medium-sized habitat. One of the city's natural defenses, and a stable source of resources. It was the primary place to obtain soul rings for nobility, royalty, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.
Their group moved through it with terrifying efficiency. Dugu Bo led them as he knew it best. Along with their powerful lineup, they had not met a beast willing to fight.
Even still the forest itself was massive. Once more they didn't head directly to the well. Dugu Bo added a few twists and turns to their path. A precaution in case of followers tracking them, a wise one. So it took a few hours to arrive deep into the forest.
After those hours they arrived deep into the forest. The area where strong beasts were normally all too common. Yet here even the powerful beasts of ten thousand years rarely appeared.
Though they had seen an increasing number of poisonous beasts. Man-Faced Demon Spiders were one such sight. As were the plants possessing poison. Yet as they continued at a slower pace even they thinned.
As they moved further the trees around them slowly changed. Growing more sickly, with thinner branches or fewer leaves. Until trees became rarer and rarer.
Even the Blue Silver Grass at their feet began to change. The shade turned to a darker blue laced with purple. As it tried to change to survive. Eventually even the ever-growing grass grew sparse, yet they could pay much mind to that.
It was a looming impasse in the forest. A wall of poisonous green gas that covered one's sight. It stretched into the sky several meters at least. So thick was this poisonous fog that nothing could be seen beyond it.
"That's rather impressive, a challenge to get through." Yang Wudi voiced aloud. A hand came up to cup his chin. "How would I try to get through something like that?" The more he looked the more excited he became.
As an alchemist such a sight to him was a challenge. Already several possibilities came to his mind. Yet he dismissed them just as quickly. A fact that drew even more excitement from him.
Chrysanthemum, as a lover of plants found it troubling. Nor did he particularly like the poisonous scent. "Did you have to make it so dramatic Old Poison," he said scathingly. He tried to hide his discomfort at the sight.
Dugu Bo shook his head. "I wish I could take full credit. I personally refined the poison barrier and contained its hazards. A powerful Medusa made its home here, the barrier was her work originally." he explained taking some pride in both. At that admission, most of them glanced at him.
Medusa's were a bizarre species of super soul beasts. The species grew increasingly human-like as they aged. Once more they grew more pleasing to the eye for humans. Potent poison, high intelligence, petrification, and even time stop. They more than earned a fearsome reputation.
Creating a barrier of poison certainly seemed within one's abilities. Still killing one was quite a feat. A fact that all of them knew especially alone.
"You have anything left of the corpse by chance," Yang Wudi asked incredibly interested. Medusa's were exceedingly rare; parts of them even more so.
Dugu Bo glanced at his newfound acquaintance. He had only heard of his clan's alchemical work before. Now he was quickly learning of the man's high ability. "We can discuss it later."
Dugu Bu took a bottle from his storage belt. He handed it to Yang Wudi first. "This will let you pass through the barrier. We'll wait a few minutes then pass through the barrier. Keep your breaths to a minimum; no need to risk it" he explained deliberately slowness.
After everyone but Dugu Bo had consumed a pill they waited. Several minutes passed before Dugu Bo started moving. Their group followed behind him as they began increasing pace.
Not hesitating they plunged into the poisonous miasma. As they did green fog surrounded them. They didn't slow down for about a minute. Until they emerged from the mist into normal air.
They had stepped into a cave. Tang Yuan wondered how difficult it would be to find in the poison. Still, they didn't stop to admire the rather large cave. Instead, they moved through the cave swiftly.
Tang Yuan looked around as they stepped into a large open cavern. A hole in the ceiling illuminated the area. There was a small house built against one of the walls. The rest was given over to a well-maintained garden.
"Oh, this is a nice little place." Yue Guan spoke his full attention given to the garden. He approached the section of the plants most exposed to the sunlight. "These Red Sunflowers are high quality; usually they need more sun."
Not stopping he stepped over to a man-made pond. Examining a plant growing on the surface. "This lily is so healthy as well. They are normally so difficult. Is it the soil or the well?"
Everyone watched as the man fell into his plant-obsessed state. Moving between different parts of the garden. He checked each one growing noticeably frantic.
To a flower fanatic, it must have been rather noticeable. At least Tang Yuan supposed so. "Senior Chrysanthemum, it's a bit too soon for shock. Though I say that. Senior Bo did you take soil from around the well?" If not then how far did the effect spread?
Dugu Bo turned at the question. He had enjoyed watching Chrysanthemum become frantic. Even if he meant he messed with his medicine garden. "Not recently no; I usually move the plants as needed."
"Then the benefits might extend partially here as well," Tang Yuan mused. Now that he thought about it. There was a strange quality he could already smell in the air.
After they followed Dugu Bo through one of the tunnels. As they moved the air grew different. A smell a bit like that of a hot spring, but also different. The ground at their feet was filled with blue-silver grass.
Ah Yin gazed upon her kin with surprise. She was highly sensitive to them so she could tell. They were far older than they should be. Once more they had powerful vitality as well. She could sense the instinctive reaction to her presence.
Tang Yuan noticed her confusion. The answer was close at hand however. He turned to the approaching entrance. Already several of them including his mother had frozen in awe. Tang Yuan stepped out and joined them, and even with expectations, the sight was simply awesome.
They were standing on a cliff overlooking the sight. It was a basin, with an area of hundreds of meters. Taking up only a portion of that was a pool. It was a bit bigger than a backyard pool. If said pool had one side icy white/blue and the other half fiery orange/red.
The rest of the basin was soil and plants dotting that soil. Yet the waters gave the entire area a unique quality. If it were known it would be a great wonder of this world.
"Ah, the Ice and Fire Well. Even hearing about it before really doesn't take from the impact." Tang Yuan spoke breaking the trance. It was an awe-inspiring sight, especially when you knew the value of the location.
Tang Chen the most unaffected gazed with interest at the basin. "Dugu Bo, Yuan you two know the most. What should we be aware of?" he asked them both seriously.
Dugu Bo started to speak first, "The well is dangerous to approach. It causes extreme growth in plants, but is dangerous to us. I can only stand a few minutes, and never right next to it." he turned to Tang Yuan to see if he had anything.
Tang Yuan debated how much to say. He decided to warn them about the danger first, "In our world, there are ultimate martial souls possessing an ultimate element. The Seraphim a god-level martial soul has ultimate fire and light. The fire side of the well is likely comparable if not beyond."
That warning was a bit chilling to them. Tang Chen especially watched the well with newfound wariness. Even if no Seraphim user focused on fire. All of their flames were dangerous beyond measure.
"Beyond that the Immortal herbs that serve as our goal. Amongst them, three are extremely dangerous. Two should sit on the opposite poles of the well. The other is a conditional danger the Snow Swan Kiss," his words growing harsh as he remembered how it was used.
Yang Wudi turned his gaze at him. He had never heard of such an herb. "Young master what is this herb exactly?"
"The three I spoke of all have to do with poison. The first two are fire and ice poisons. The third itself has zero poison; its danger lies in contact with poison. It magnifies toxins by a hundred to a thousand times." he looked at Bibi Dong, Yang Wudi, Dugu Bo, and Dugu Xin to emphasize the danger.
Said users or makers of poison all shivered. Especially Dugu Bo who was already poisoned. Looking at his garden with quite a bit more wariness.
Tang Yuan took a few small books from his belt. Handing them to the adults first. "These are books I made. They detail every immortal herb I know, but there will likely be others. Senior Wudi, Senior Chrysanthemum might know of them."
"As it's dangerous to near the center. We at lower-levels will remain at the edges. Keep aware of your situation at all times and step back when necessary," Tang Yuan emphasized to them. Then he took a step off the cliff and descended.
Tang Yuan examined the plant before him closely. It didn't resemble any immortal herb he knew offhand. Was it even an immortal herb? He had seen and cataloged so many different herbs at this point.
This one resembled a rose in form. Sharp thorns lined its form protecting the blood-red flowers. He noticed that some flowers were a deeper shade. Those same flowers often had more flowers.
Tang Yuan had taken to writing in a book about the plants. Finishing the necessary details for this one. As he did he realized he was nearing the limit again. He quickly retreated farther to the edge, scaling the cliff upon reaching it.
He let out a sigh of relief. "If I keep to the edge I can last a few minutes. 5-10 depending on different factors," he mused to himself. It had started at 10 minutes, reducing each time.
Tang Yuan quickly settled into meditation. He circulated soul power along his primary meridians. Absorbing only minuscule amounts of the ambient energy. Starting with that which still clung to his body.
The amount seemed small at first a mistake he made the first time. Tang Yuan circulated the strands in his dantian. Though its quantity was small it was of extreme quality. His soul power altered as it touched the strands, becoming flavored by the energy.
Tang Yuan cycled the energy again and again in his dantian. The energy grew diluted and less potent. Until it was as if a small Ice and Fire Well had become his dantian. He had only absorbed a few strands even!
Finally, he began to circulate that energy into his body's meridians. First came a feeling of heat followed by cold, then more heat. The duality continued causing both discomfort and bliss.
He cycled and cycled the energy again and again. Until finally the energy mixture was exhausted. Those few strands surpassed his normal cultivation by at least a step. Once more the heat and cold would slowly temper his body. All while cleansing his meridians.
It was an effect that could be game-changing. "This is basically akin to forging the body of Ice and Fire. A basic form of it at least requiring vast amounts of time." he doubted it would ever reach the same extent. Still, it was something that needed to be considered.
Tang Yuan stood up knowing he had reached his limit. He needed food and water after his time. Returning to the exact cave they had entered the well from.
As he stepped inside the cave he found Ah Yin meditating. She was surrounded by Blue Silver Grass for mimicry. The normally small plants seemed to have changed at her presence. They grew in size and vitality with her presence.
Tang Yuan watched her for a moment or two. Her fairy-like quality was higher at the current moment. Averting his gaze so to not disturb her. Then he continued on his way at least he planned to.
"Brother Yuan," Ah Yin spoke up just as he prepared to continue. She stood up from her meditation. Walking over to Tang Yuan avoiding stepping on the plants where possible.
"I hope I didn't disturb your meditation." Tang Yuan asked her somewhat sheepishly. He didn't think he had looked too long.
"I was already finished with my own cultivation. I decided to help the little ones in turn. Before sensing your presence and your gaze," she revealed looking at him. Something particular to her gaze then.
Tang Yuan coughed slightly at that. He said, "I see then," he noted she wasn't bothered by his gaze. If she didn't say anything else he wouldn't either. "Shall we go, Ah Yin," he gestured to the tunnel.
With that, the two walked down the tunnel. A comfortable silence between them. With a glance or two exchanged as they walked. They quickly reached the garden and house area.
"Finally, what took you two so long?" the voice of Bibi Dong called from the house. She was lying down on the wooden floor. Her boredom was plain, and she didn't even try to conceal it. "I've been here for what seems like hours!!"
Tang Yuan smiled as he walked over to her. She was adorable when she got like this. Though he would never tell her that to her face. "We had herbs to find and cultivation. Which you already knew Dong'er," he told her. He sat on the house's large step.
Bibi Dong made a noise at that. Rolling over onto her stomach as her arms came to support her head. "That was so boring, I could barely stay a few minutes," she complained with a bit of a whine in her voice.
Tang Yuan rolled his eyes. She was playing it up partially, the question was, what for? He would play the game to see. "That's because you wandered too close." he told her straight.
Bibi Dong glanced at her friend. She poked him in the side with a finger. "I wanted to explore you big meanie." After seeing him react slightly she moved closer to Ah Yin. "Sister Yin, he's being mean," she complained.
Ah Yin smiled slightly at the conversation. "Now now Sister Dong you know Brother Yuan is right. Tang Yuan you know Dong'er is simply bored." She told them both gently.
Bibi Dong sighed at that. "I know, I know. Still, I can continue being bored afterwards. So how much is going to be done today?" she asked Tang Yuan who should have some idea. The well was beautiful, but also treacherous.
Tang Yuan considered the question. It wasn't as easy as he once thought it would be. The well didn't only have Immortal Herbs for one thing. The fringe area had rare herbs including some unknown, and others thought extinct. Then there were herbs not quite immortal herbs but a step below.
The Immortal Herbs themselves were not totally easy either. "I'm not completely certain. We have located several of the Immortal Herbs I know of. But there are also others I didn't know of. Then Senior Gui Mei found more in the caves." Tang Yuan shook his head at the thought.
In any Douluo Dalu story, Immortal Herbs played a crucial role. That included new ones, that was part of the trouble. Even with himself, Yang Wudi, and Chrysanthemum it seemed they didn't have a full list. Though they identified many of them.
"That's basically it. We don't know the full scale of anything. One of us might know an herb and the others don't. Some we only have folklore about if that." It really was troubling in a way. Like walking into a treasure hall, then realizing you don't know enough.
Tang Yuan turned even more serious. "Even then the well itself is a mount of treasure. Had you two noticed the effects on your cultivation?" Ah Yin would likely be the most sensitive to it.
"I noticed that my cultivation is accelerated here yes. Although not without cost." Ah Yin felt some loss at the thought only some thought. While the growth effect was impressive. It had major flaws.
"Cost, I haven't noticed." Bibi Dong stated as she furrowed her eyes in thought. Unable to consider a problem outright.
"For us, it's the danger of overdrawing. The energy is just so powerful and pure we can easily take in too much. It also directly affects the body. Almost like Whale Glue, but more like tempering," Tang Yuan as a blacksmith compared it.
Ah Yin as a plant had her own insight. "The well seems to suppress the development of intelligence." She had noticed it amongst all the plants within. Without wisdom, they could not truly cultivate leaving weakened foundations.
"I see; thinking about it I am rather hungry. Even by normal standards of practising as well." Bibi Dong realized with some interest. It was also different from Whale Glue. If anything this was more draining in a few ways.
Then she had a realization her eyes lighting up. "Oh, I see that must be it. I saw Senior Dugu Bo going outside a while ago. He must have gone to retrieve food." Bibi Dong sounded rather happy about that prospect. The promise of food was quite tempting to her right now.
Tang Yuan considered that; it made sense. "Senior has held this place for a while. So he must have knowledge of how draining cultivation can be." Yes, that made sense. It did allow him to live in canon after all.
Only a few minutes after that conversation. The trio heard movement from the tunnel that they entered at. Dugu Bo stepped through the tunnel back into the garden area.
He quickly spotted the group approaching them. "You three reached your limits. The well can have that effect on people. It gets easier with some time though." his words weren't quite meant to be comforting. Instead, they were more blunt and informative.
Their senior then stepped towards another opening near the house. "Dugu Xin is everything ready," he called to his son. Who was nearby apparently?
"Yes, father," came from inside the area. A storehouse or kitchen maybe. "The fire is heated up, and herbs are ready." Dugu Xin yelled afterwards revealing more.
"It looks like it's nearing supper time then. Courtesy of our hosts then." Tang Yuan realized with some relief. Food did sound rather good right now.