Outside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the morning light was faint, and everyone was refreshed after a night's rest. Marco had completely stabilized the Soul Power enhancement brought by his ten-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring after a day of meditation. Under the expectant gazes of the group, he prepared to demonstrate his newly acquired fourth Spirit Ability.
"The ten-thousand-year Sacred Hall Bird Spirit Ring has granted me a powerful enhancement Spirit Ability," Marco said, facing the others as his Azure Flame Phoenix Martial Soul manifested behind him. The pitch-black color of the fourth Spirit Ring was particularly striking, shimmering with a profound glow in the morning light, highlighting the extraordinary nature of this Spirit Ability.
Li Zhaoyan asked eagerly, "Marco, what's special about this ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability?"
Marco took a deep breath, and the fourth Spirit Ring suddenly lit up: "Fourth Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Engulfment!"
In an instant, azure flames erupted from within him, instantly enveloping his entire body. These flames were no longer simply external emissions but perfectly fused with his body. Marco's hair stirred without wind, the tips tinged with azure flames, and his eyes turned the color of azure fire, with flames seeming to dance in his pupils. Faint azure patterns surfaced on his skin, making him appear as if a fire deity had descended to the mortal realm.
"All attributes enhanced by 100%!" Marco felt the surging power within him. "Moreover, the Azure Flame will attach to the target and burn continuously."
He casually threw a punch toward a distant boulder, and a gust of azure flame-imbued wind howled out, accurately striking the rock. The boulder's surface immediately ignited with azure flames, which not only burned the surface but also continuously penetrated inward, emitting a sizzling sound.
"The most unique aspect is..." Marco focused his mind, and the boulder engulfed in azure flames suddenly emitted crackling explosive noises. "When the Azure Flame accumulates to a certain extent, it can ignite the target's Soul Power!"
Under the scorching azure flames, the boulder began to fracture from the inside, as if some energy had been ignited. Debris scattered in all directions, some pieces still carrying azure sparks.
"Soul Power Ignition!" Dugu Bo exclaimed in shock. "This is an extremely rare effect! It can weaken the enemy's Soul Power in battle, creating an increasingly obvious advantage as the disparity grows."
Ye Qingwan asked with concern, "Marco, does this Spirit Ability consume a lot of Soul Power?"
"The consumption is indeed significant," Marco retracted his Spirit Ability, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "But the enhancement effect is remarkable. Especially in prolonged battles, the continuous burning and Soul Power Ignition effects of the Azure Flame become increasingly pronounced."
Yang Wudi observed carefully and said, "Azure Flame Engulfment... It's not merely a simple flame possession but a perfect fusion of flame energy with one's own Soul Power. Such a Spirit Ability is extremely rare, truly worthy of a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ring."
Dugu Yan said enviously, "A 100% enhancement in all attributes, plus a continuous burning effect—this Spirit Ability is too powerful! In comparison, my Poison Dragon Awakening, though decent, falls short in terms of enhancement."
Ye Lingling added softly, "Brother's Martial Soul quality has improved greatly. The Azure Flame seems to carry a hint of sacred aura."
After demonstrating the Spirit Ability, everyone began packing their belongings to return to Heaven Dou City. But Marco hesitated and spoke up, "Father, Mother, I'd like to stay here to cultivate."
Everyone looked at him in surprise. Li Zhaoyan frowned and said, "Although the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is rich in spiritual energy, the Yin Yang Essence is extremely violent and unsuitable for long-term cultivation. Even though Elder Dugu and I can stay here briefly, we dare not linger for too long."
"Yes, Marco," Ye Qingwan said with concern. "The conflicting ice and fire energies here can cause irreversible damage to your meridians if you stay too long. Even though you've consumed the Immortal Herb, you mustn't be careless."
Dugu Bo also advised, "Young friend Marco, the energy of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is indeed overwhelming. Although I've cultivated here before, I could never stay for more than three days at a time. Otherwise, the Yin Yang Essence would invade my meridians with unimaginable consequences - at best, impaired cultivation, at worst, deviation from proper cultivation."
But Marco said firmly, "I have a way to resist the Yin Yang Essence. Uncle Yang..." He turned to Yang Wudi, "I remember the Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb and Blazing Apricot Affectionate Frond grow on either side of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If we take some of their leaves and branches to make pills, could they neutralize the Yin Yang Essence?"
Yang Wudi fell into deep thought, his fingers unconsciously tracing alchemical gestures in the air. He frowned at times and nodded at others, clearly performing complex calculations. After a long while, his eyes lit up: "It's theoretically feasible! The Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb contains extreme cold energy, while the Blazing Apricot Affectionate Frond contains extreme heat energy - they counteract yet complement each other. If properly proportioned into pills, they might indeed create balance, allowing prolonged cultivation in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
But then he frowned: "However, these two Immortal Herbs are extremely precious, and the refining process is full of risks. The slightest mistake could turn the pills into deadly poison. Moreover, achieving the balance between ice and fire is a major challenge."
"I trust Uncle Yang's alchemy skills," Marco said sincerely. "And I don't need complete immunity to the Yin Yang Essence, just the ability to extend my cultivation time. Even a few extra days would greatly benefit my cultivation."
Dugu Bo pondered: "If such pills can truly be made, it would not only benefit young friend Marco but also greatly help our future utilization of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Perhaps we could all cultivate here with the aid of these pills in the future."
Li Zhaoyan and Ye Qingwan exchanged glances, seeing both worry and understanding in each other's eyes. They knew their son had grown up, with his own judgment and pursuits. As parents, they needed to both protect their child and learn to let go.
"Alright," Li Zhaoyan finally sighed. "Since you're so determined, let's try. But you must stop immediately if you feel unwell. We'll send people regularly to check on you."
Ye Qingwan added softly, "You must frequently send letters to let us know you're safe. You need to come out for rest every ten days."
Marco nodded solemnly: "I'll be careful. Thank you for your understanding, Father, Mother."
Yang Wudi immediately sprang into action. He carefully collected parts of the Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb and Blazing Apricot Affectionate Frond. These two Immortal Herbs grew on opposite sides of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, emitting completely opposite yet equally powerful energies. When collecting, Yang Wudi specifically chose the most vigorous leaves and branches, ensuring both medicinal efficacy and minimal harm to the herbs' roots.
The refinement process lasted an entire day. Yang Wudi set up a medicinal cauldron beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, carefully adjusting the proportions of the two Immortal Herbs. He first placed the leaves of the Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb into the cauldron, instantly filling it with a chilling aura; then he added the petals of the Blazing Apricot Affectionate Frond, causing intense collisions between the scorching energy and the cold air. Yang Wudi skillfully added ice-attribute supplementary herbs to balance the heat of the Blazing Apricot Affectionate Frond, and fire-attribute supplementary herbs to neutralize the extreme cold of the Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb, his movements flowing as smoothly as clouds and water.
Finally, under the expectant gazes of everyone, a batch of twelve pills was successfully refined. The pills displayed a Taiji pattern, half ice-blue and half fire-red, with the two colors slowly swirling within the pills in a marvelous balance. Their surfaces were smooth as jade, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.
"Yin Yang Body Tempering Pills," Yang Wudi handed the pills to Marco. "After taking them, they will protect you from the Yin Yang Essence for twelve hours. But remember, once the time is up, you must leave the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well immediately. Otherwise, after the medicine wears off, the backlash from the Yin Yang Essence will be even more severe. Moreover, you must wait three days between each dose to allow your body time to adapt. These few pills won't last long—I'll refine more for you later."
Marco accepted the pills and thanked him solemnly, "Thank you, Uncle Yang. I will keep the precautions in mind."
At the moment of parting, Ye Lingling said reluctantly, "Brother, you must take care of yourself. No matter how important cultivation is, your health comes first."
Dugu Yan also advised, "We will visit you often. If you feel lonely, write to us."
Dugu Bo patted Marco's shoulder, "Young friend, I leave this place to you. And here is the Wishful Treasure Pouch, capable of storing living beings—I entrust it to you as well. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is the Dugu family's secret, but it is also your opportunity. Make the most of it, but remember to act within your limits."
Li Zhaoyan gave his final reminder, "Remember, the path of cultivation is long—there's no need to rush. Steady and solid progress is the true way."
Ye Qingwan straightened her son's collar, "Take good care of yourself."
After watching everyone leave, Marco stood alone by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, sensing the intertwined Yin Yang Essence in the air. He swallowed a Yin Yang Body Tempering Pill and immediately felt a cool stream and a warm current intertwine within his body, forming a protective layer that isolated the violent external energy.
"It's time to begin true cultivation," Marco gazed at the miraculous spring before him, his eyes filled with determination. The Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit manifested automatically, seeming to grow more active under the nourishing energy of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
He sat cross-legged beside the spring and began circulating his Soul Power. Protected by the Yin Yang Body Tempering Pill, he could safely absorb the dense natural energy here without worrying about the erosion of the Yin Yang Essence.