The two extreme pools of water with completely different attributes from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well continuously melted and turned into steam, dissipating into the air above, forming a thick white mist that added a touch of mystery to the surroundings.
Shen Hanyu held the Cold Heaven Spear, his figure swiftly plucking two top-tier immortal poisonous herbs with completely different attributes.
The Blazing Apricot Blossom and the Octagonal Black Ice Grass represented intense fire poison and rare ice poison, respectively. Yet, when taken together and supplemented with the spring water from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they could forge "Ice and Fire Dual Immunity," and the physique would also be strengthened into a body invulnerable to all poisons, with the constitution greatly enhanced.
This was exactly what Shen Hanyu sought. An unparalleled strong physique was something no powerful soul master could resist.
Shen Hanyu used the spear tip to pick the two immortal herbs, then quickly swallowed them. Suddenly, an extreme sensation of heat appeared in his body, nearly making him feel as if he had entered magma.
Moments later, an indescribable icy coldness emanated from his lungs, nearly freezing his blood and meridians.
Enduring the intense pain in his body, Shen Hanyu said in a low voice:
"Senior Dugu, please protect me."
Then, with a leap, he jumped straight into the intersection of the two colored pools, slowly sinking...
On a huge rock by the shore, Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes showing neither sadness nor joy, yet there was a deep throbbing. He then slowly sat cross-legged, quietly waiting on the periphery...
...
One day and one night quickly passed...
Shen Hanyu suddenly opened his eyes, then leaped out of the pool, his whole body drenched like a drowned rat as he landed on the shore.
As Shen Hanyu coughed twice, an indescribable sense of power filled his body. He stood upright, his bones emitting a series of crackling sounds, and his height increased a bit more.
"Not bad. Worthy of two top-tier immortal herbs. My physical qualities have not only increased by a full two times or more, but this ice and fire dual immunity and invulnerability to all poisons' physique is also nearly perfect. This way, at the seventh or even sixth soul ring, I can start absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. That plan can also begin to be planned..."
As Shen Hanyu coughed fiercely a few times, the residual energy in his body was completely refined, turning into the purest soul power to nourish every corner of his body.
Dugu Bo's figure appeared in front of him, his face showing a trace of shock. He quickly placed a hand on Shen Hanyu's shoulder, sending a gentle soul power into Shen Hanyu's body for examination. The result left him with an expression of utter disbelief.
"Kid, you're truly a little monster. If you weren't still here, I'd really suspect that you were a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form. This terrifying physical quality—ordinary Soul Sages probably only have this much..."
Shen Hanyu chuckled muffledly and said:
"My martial soul is the top-tier weapon martial soul Cold Heaven Spear, and my family deals in medicinal materials. I've taken no shortage of precious herbs to solidify my foundation and expand my meridians since childhood. Plus, I've been venturing out alone for training since I was eight, starting to absorb soul rings beyond my level from the first one. If I didn't have some capital, I don't know how many times I'd have died."
Dugu Bo patted Shen Hanyu's shoulder, his eyes complex, and said:
"Your martial soul is very unique and very powerful. Compared to the Clear Sky Hammer, your martial soul could even be said to surpass it. It's just that the Clear Sky Sect is in seclusion, but their prestige remains. Otherwise, in less than thirty years, the world's number one weapon martial soul will sooner or later belong to you."
Shen Hanyu snorted coldly and said:
"Those Clear Sky Sect cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong only have powerful strength but lack the matching determination and perseverance. I only hope they don't block my path. Otherwise, if there's a chance, I wouldn't mind leaving not even a chicken or dog alive in the Clear Sky Sect."
Dugu Bo sighed inwardly but didn't say anything to deny it, only stating:
"You kid seems calm and composed on the surface, but in reality, your killing intent is restrained."
Dugu Bo paused, then continued:
"On the continent, what's truly terrifying has never been an expert with far-reaching prestige and killing aura, but an outsider who knows how to hide and disguise. If they strike at a critical moment, it will be enough to change the continent's pattern. Kid, you're like that outsider, clearly not in the game, but you give me the feeling that you yourself are this game, impenetrable and unfathomable."
Shen Hanyu rolled his eyes and said:
"Senior Dugu, on the continent, there has never been right or wrong, only who is stronger or weaker. And now, we're considered comrades on the same front. Would I still pit you?"
Dugu Bo didn't speak, but his eyes seemed to say: I feel like you're exactly that kind of person...
Shen Hanyu felt somewhat wronged. He was clearly just a bit arrogant, why wrongly accuse him, this great handsome guy...
...
Two and a half days later.
Star Dou Great Forest mixed zone.
Two figures quickly shuttled through the ancient trees that blocked the sky and sun. Beneath their feet was not solid ground but a bubbling swamp. One could even see many crocodile-like decayed wood lying on protruding areas, basking in the already weak sunlight.
A jade-green figure was in front, while a white figure followed not far behind the green one. The two figures continued shuttling deeper, disturbing many resting soul beasts.
Moments later, Dugu Bo stopped in his tracks. Shen Hanyu landed beside him and said somewhat solemnly:
"This area is too quiet. It doesn't seem like the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest at all. Senior Dugu, are you sure there's a Purple Gold Profound Ice Beast with over fifty thousand years of cultivation here? This kind of soul beast is violent and warlike by nature—how could the region it inhabits be this quiet, without even a trace of aura?"
Dugu Bo's expression also looked unwell. After a long while, he said:
"This old man once saw that beast here. At that time, this old man brought people to obtain the ninth soul ring, and one of the accompanying Soul Sages died from that beast's sneak attack. I just didn't expect that after decades, this place would change so much—from forest to swamp. This old man is also puzzled."
After hearing this, Shen Hanyu didn't speak. After taking the Look Through Autumn Water Dew, his mental power comparable to a Soul Sage continuously scanned every inch of the surrounding area, yet still found nothing.
Instead, Dugu Bo carefully sensed for a bit, then looked in a direction and said:
"This direction. Follow me." With that, he quickly headed in that direction.
Shen Hanyu didn't hesitate at all and quickly followed.
After walking for about the time of half a cup of tea, Dugu Bo stopped at the tallest ancient tree, seemingly waiting for Shen Hanyu.
The surrounding vegetation gradually became sparser, and water began to flow. Shen Hanyu knew this was a sign of approaching a river.
Shen Hanyu looked at the increasingly sparse grass and trees around him, his mood inexplicably uneasy. He quickly came to Dugu Bo's side and stood, surveying the front and the extremely obvious river surface. Somewhat surprised, he involuntarily said:
"How come there are so many swamp giant crocodiles and back-spined earth crocodiles here?"
On the wide river surface, groups of crocodiles almost covered the entire river as if they were free. A pair of cold eyes was almost all staring fixedly at a certain part of the river surface. An inexplicable killing intent filled this area, lingering for a long time...