Chapter 40: Return to the Eye of Ice and Fire
After arriving in Tiandou City, Lin Yuan led everyone to the Dugu Pharmacy.
At this time, Shangguan Wan'er had also come to help Du Guoxin and his wife run the pharmacy. Over the past year, their management skills had improved significantly.
In the past year, Shangguan Wan'er had reached level 65, just two levels below Lin Yuan.
Over the past few months, Lin Yuan had broken through the first layer to reach level 67. Wen Ya was at level 62, and Dugu Xin reached level 64, having now been surpassed by Shangguan Wan'er.
Dugu Bo had reached level 89, just one level short of breaking through to a titled Douluo.
The Daoist Taiyi's alchemy skill had reached level 93.
The carriage sped through Tiandou City and arrived at Dugu Pharmacy. Dugu Xin was the first to see Lin Yuan and said, "Master, you've returned." Then he went inside to welcome Wen Ya and Shangguan Wan'er.
The second daughter was slightly surprised to see Lin Yuan and greeted him.
Looking at the people behind Lin Yuan, they asked, "Master, who are these people?"
"These will be the grassroots forces for our future power base. Let's go. We'll take the carriage."
The group followed Lin Yuan into the carriage, heading toward the Eye of Ice and Fire in Sunset Forest.
…
Upon entering Sunset Forest, various spirit beasts appeared one after another. The seven young ones had never seen such ferocious beasts and were terrified, especially the girls, while the boys were completely petrified.
Da Ji snorted, and her soul power surged outward like a tidal wave. The spirit beasts could not withstand the oppressive aura of a Douluo-level soul power. One by one, they fell to the ground, unable to move. Weaker beasts collapsed, coughing up blood.
"We're approaching the Eye of Ice and Fire," Lin Yuan said to the group.
"I'm about to enter our current base area. I must warn you: without my permission, no one is to touch anything there. Your living and training will remain there. It's adjacent to Sunset Forest. Many spirit beasts reside there. If anyone is afraid and doesn't want to go, I can send you out immediately. Is anyone afraid?"
The crowd went silent.
"Good. Let's go." With that, the carriage stopped outside the Ice and Fire Eye Tavern.
Lin Yuan appeared, accompanied by Xuanwu. The beast greeted him: "Master, you've returned."
"Thank you for your hard work, Xuanwu."
After some pleasantries, Xuanwu disappeared again.
Seeing the powerful soul power emanating from the beast, everyone else was terrified.
"This is the guardian beast, Xuanwu. It will protect you and the Eye of Ice and Fire."
As Xuanwu withdrew, many spirit beasts began to appear. They emerged from behind, as Lin Yuan and company were shielded by a toxic barrier created by Dugu Bo.
A five-thousand-year-old colorful cat suddenly leaped out, frightening the seven young ones, who stumbled backward, accidentally stepping on a snake…
"Get away!"
Da Ji's soul power suddenly surged, scattering all the spirit beasts.
"Let's go."
As they entered the Eye of Ice and Fire, they heard Dugu Bo and Taiyi arguing.
"You old poisoner, you jerk! You used my furnace to refine your useless pills! Die!"
"Useless pills? Damn it, I haven't even settled the score from a few days ago, and you dare call my pills useless? Shameless rogue."
"You insult me, but you cannot insult my pills!"
"What is this potion? It smells as bad as the taste in your mouth!"
"Oh my god, you're really skilled at this!"
The argument continued in absurdity, with uncontrollable laughter echoing.
…
Pushing through the fog, Lin Yuan saw a bizarre scene.
Dugu Bo and Taiyi were lying on the ground, embracing each other. Dugu Bo held Taiyi by the black neck with one hand and patted Taiyi's rear with the other. Taiyi held Dugu Bo's hair. Nearby, a furnace seemed to be crying.
"What are you doing?" Lin Yuan twitched his mouth, looking at them.
The people behind him were equally surprised.
"Master… sir!"
Both immediately stood up, regaining composure.
Lin Yuan rolled his eyes at them and led the group inside. Dugu Bo and Taiyi, seeing Lin Yuan wasn't going to intervene, relaxed but shot each other a glance.
The others behind Lin Yuan, aside from the first onlookers, widened their eyes, looking around.
The Eye of Ice and Fire itself hadn't changed much, except for a fence a few dozen meters from the fairy herb growth area. Within the fenced area was an open space with scattered small houses.
The Eye of Ice and Fire's space was vast, and not all areas were covered in fairy herbs.
Lin Yuan introduced the people to the group: "This is Master Taiyi. His martial soul is the Alchemy Furnace. He has a level 93 defensive support Douluo title."
Everyone was amazed—another titled Douluo!
"This is Dugu Bo, martial soul Jade Phosphorus Snake, level 89 Soul Douluo. These two are Dugu Xin and Wen Ya, level 64 and 62 Soul Emperors. And Shangguan Wan'er, level 65 Soul Emperor."
Everyone understood.
Seeing Dugu Bo and the others showing doubt, Lin Yuan explained their situation.
When he heard that their innate soul power had reached level 5 or above, his eyes showed admiration.
"Taiyi will report the year's spirit medicine production and types."
"Understood, Master. The efficiency of alchemy has improved. Now, the output of Broken Soul Pills and Condensed Soul Pills is close to 15 per batch. Currently, we can refine 30 Broken Soul Pills and 3 Condensed Soul Pills per month. Recently, we developed a new pill, the Purple Radiance Pill, which heals soul master injuries. At present, we can only refine a few at a time."
"Good. We can now reduce the production of Broken Soul Pills. They are only useful for soul masters below the Soul King level. Stabilizing our own power is most important. Condensed Soul Pills and Purple Radiance Pills need increased production. These are essential for hunting spirit beasts and will also be sold. They are mainly used for spirit medicine cultivation."
Refining Soul Pills restores soul power, while Purple Radiance Pills heal injuries—both essential for soul masters in battle.
Lin Yuan took the recipe for the Huangjing Pill from the system space and gave it to Taiyi and Dugu Bo.
"This is the recipe for Huangjing Pills. It aids cultivation and speeds it up. You two can try refining it." Lin Yuan then said to Dugu Bo: "Besides using Taiyi's alchemy, you should also refine some poisons—especially those with high attack, wide range, and quick effect. You don't need many, just a small amount. It will improve your poison control skills."
"Yes, Master!"
"Currently, the Ice and Fire area isn't suitable for us to live. I plan to establish our own sect. What do you think?"
Wen Ya spoke first: "If we want to establish a sect, location and land are currently the most important issues."
Dugu Bo said: "Right, establishing a sect isn't easy. We need strong soul masters and grassroots soul masters."
"No, I agree. The sect follows 'better fewer than more.' The more titled Douluos, Soul Douluos, and Soul Saints, the better, but the number of grassroots soul masters must be strictly controlled. Those without proper talent cannot be admitted."
Lin Yuan thought of Shrek Academy's mission.
"Additionally, the sect is newly established, so few will join."
Wan'er: "Indeed. Our sect has titled Douluos, which cannot be hidden. Only then can we defend ourselves. But if everyone knows we have titled Douluos and are a new sect, people will flock to join us."
Hence, we must strictly control the situation. Those without talent cannot participate. Sect secrets must not be exposed to ordinary people.
After Lin Yuan spoke, the group was reassured.
"From now on, you seven, along with Qin Ming and Miyue, will train with me. I will teach you."
Everyone nodded and began training.
Lin Yuan entrusted Ye Sinan to Wen Ya, as both are support-type soul masters, so they would have different perspectives.
Wan'er, Da Ji, and others prepared dinner.
Lin Yuan spent a large sum in the system space to purchase the recipe for Fuyuan Pills and handed it to Daoist Taiyi for immediate production.
Seeing this, Ayan's eyes filled with tears. Unknowingly, his loyalty had reached 72%, the "very trusting" level.
After dinner, everyone was assigned to their rooms to sleep.
(End of Chapter 40)
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