"This… this is a land of supreme treasures!" Huo Yuhao stammered, voice trembling with excitement after Tianmeng Ice Silkworm revealed the valley's true nature. "Senior Junting! Sister Xiao Tian! We…"
"This is the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well," Chen Junting said, gazing at the valley with quiet awe. He glanced at Ning Tian—so overwhelmed she couldn't speak—and gently pulled her close, his own eyes fixed on the paradise before them.
Their excitement was shared by all. The eight Elders and Sect Master Ning Bowen stood transfixed. Yang Zihan—descendant of the Breaking Clan—scanned the flora with burning intensity, her gaze finally locking onto a pale pink blossom at the valley's heart.
Yet even in their awe, the elders remained vigilant. Their senses screamed warning: this paradise was also a graveyard for the weak. Hundreds—no, thousands—of plant-based soul beasts lurked here, their auras prickling the air. Many plants now swayed subtly, their surfaces glowing with hostile energy, ready to strike.
But the group descended anyway.
Led by Yang Zihan, they landed before the pale pink flower—nestled where the ice and fire springs converged, alone in a ten-zhang radius of barren earth. Its crystalline petals shimmered in the mist.
"It's truly the Aromatic Silk Beauty Immortal Herb," Yang Zihan whispered, kneeling. Her voice shook with joy as she reached out—only for Ning Bowen to catch her wrist.
Just then, a sweet, surprised voice chimed:
"Eh? How do you know my name!?"
The flower swayed, releasing an intoxicating fragrance.
"You're not the first of your kind our clan has seen," Yang Zihan replied calmly, unfazed by the herb's human speech. She'd expected it.
"Ahhh!?" The herb—You You—jiggled excitedly. "Do you know another Aromatic Silk Beauty? Tell me its name! Mine's You You—that person named me! Isn't it lovely?"
Her petals fluttered eagerly. "Is there really another place that grows immortal herbs? Can you bring it here? This spot's perfect for it!"
You You's chatty nature spilled forth.
Yang Zihan indulged her. "I lost track of that other herb long ago. After Patriarch Yang Wudi passed ten thousand years back, it vanished from the Tang Sect. Our poison arts lost their foundation."
"Oh…" You You's petals drooped. "So I'm the only one left…"
Then she perked up. "Wait—I am that herb! After old Yang Wudi died, that person replanted me here. He even left me a book to guard! I miss him… He was stern, but he truly appreciated me. Cared for me, even though this place suits me better."
Shock.
You You spoke lightly—but her words struck the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect like thunder.
This sanctuary had been prepared ten thousand years ago.
Ning Bowen's mind raced. 'That person'… could only be Tang San—the Sea God himself.
The implications crashed over him:
- Tang San hid the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
- Tang San planted You You.
- Tang San laid the Jade Phosphor Flower poison array.
- Tang San destroyed Sunset Forest!
Ning Bowen's heart churned—then hardened. No matter who set this place… we won't leave empty-handed.
---
Meanwhile—Chen Junting's Spiritual Sea
Chen Junting sank into his consciousness.
"Elder Electrolux—you said your presence here is a divine sense. Can you detect if Tang San left divine traces here?"
Electrolux materialized in the void. "Of course. The moment you entered, I sensed divinity."
"Divinity…" Chen Junting frowned. "Different gods have different divine essences, right?"
"Correct."
"Then—is the divinity here oceanic? Or laced with killing intent?"
"No," Electrolux replied. "It's fire… and ice/water. Though the water resembles the ocean, it lacks its vastness. Why do you ask?"
Relief flooded Chen Junting. 'So my guess was right—Tang San can't monitor this place from the God Realm. He only set traps in advance.'
He explained Tang San's involvement.
"I see," Electrolux mused. "Even if Tang San rules his God Realm, he must follow cosmic rules. Divine power isn't omnipotent—even I need an 'anchor point' to observe anything. Without one? He's blind."
Chen Junting's eyes gleamed. 'Then since I know his anchors…'
But that wasn't the priority now.
"Elder—can you suppress those two divine remnants here?"
"To strip these herbs of their greatest trump card," Chen Junting clarified. "Make them hesitate to fight."
"Leave it to me."
Electrolux's form radiated overwhelming pressure—then vanished.
Outside, undetected by humans or herbs, a gray wisp traced a colossal hexagram over the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Beneath the springs, two spectral dragons stirred—Fire Dragon King and Water Dragon King—their remnants roaring in defiance.
"Mere fragments dare resist?" Electrolux's will crushed them like insects.
The hexagram blazed.
The dragon spirits' fury faded into slumber. The valley's divine aura stilled.
---
Back at the Springs
"You're not from the Tang Sect?" You You's petals wilted upon hearing Ning Bowen's purpose. "Then… you're not here for the book?"
"The Tang Sect fell long ago," Yang Zihan admitted. She leaned in conspiratorially. "We're from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—the descendants of the one who took the Aromatic Silk Beauty ten thousand years past."
"Oh! I recall now!" You You's purple stamens quivered. Her pink bloom swayed toward the sect members, as if inspecting them.
After a long silence, Ning Bowen spoke:
"Miss You You—treasures go to those with fate. We've braved great peril to reach this place. May we take some herbs?"
The seven Elders stepped forward—
a silent, suffocating pressure.
You You panicked. "You want herbs? Fine! But this place is guarded for that person! You know who I mean!" She clung to Tang San's name like a shield. 'I can't fight… and these humans are too strong!'
Ning Bowen's eyes narrowed. He heard the threat—but dared not act rashly.
So he smiled coldly.
"And if I take them anyway?"
"Then follow the rules," You You shot back.
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