Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Sunset Forest, Ice And Fire Yin-Yang Well.

The Sunset Forest was not far from Heaven Dou City, especially with two Titled Douluo traveling at full speed. Although bringing along Cheng Xiao slightly slowed them, they still reached their destination—this treasure trove known as the Ice And Fire Yin-Yang Well—by early afternoon.

"Ice And Fire Yin-Yang Well! This is actually the legendary Yin-Yang Well!"

The Ice And Fire Yin-Yang Well referred to the extraordinary twin springs before them: two sources, one hot and one cold, interlinked and yet opposing. A treasure like this, where the forces of yin and yang coexist, might not even form naturally in a million years.

Yue Guan finally understood why Dugu Bo, despite his own deep knowledge of medicinal herbs, could not comprehend the full potential of the herbs Cheng Xiao had mentioned. This was one of the three great earthly treasures, where natural essence gathered. Ordinary Spirit Masters would have no chance of ever seeing such a place.

"Ice And Fire Yin-Yang Well? What are you talking about?" Dugu Bo asked, visibly puzzled by Yue Guan's reaction.

Yue Guan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, though the sight of this legendary place made it difficult to contain his excitement. "Old Poison, I never imagined you'd have such an incredible spot hidden away. From now on, you're my sworn brother!"

"Who said I wanted to be your brother?" Dugu Bo sneered, his gaze filled with disdain.

"Come on, Old Poison. You know that being part of the Spirit Hall isn't exactly a choice," Yue Guan responded with a bitter smile. "You also understand how exhausting it is to cultivate to the rank of a Titled Douluo. Though we may hold the title, we're not senseless killers. Both of us have paid a heavy price to reach this stage."

"That's true… Reaching the ninetieth rank and becoming a Titled Douluo does demand an overwhelming cost." Dugu Bo did not refute Yue Guan's words and sighed.

"Alright, Old Poison! From now on, we're brothers!" Yue Guan chuckled with his usual playful tone.

This time, Dugu Bo did not argue. After giving Cheng Xiao a slight nod, he disappeared with a flash.

Before leaving, Dugu Bo had given Cheng Xiao permission to pick whatever herbs he needed from the garden, as long as none were wasted or damaged. After all, these herbs were extraordinarily rare.

Not far from where Cheng Xiao and Yue Guan stood was an enormous pale-pink flower. It had no leaves, with a stalk about three feet long, and the diameter of the blossom was over a foot. Each petal looked as clear as crystal, swaying gently with the mist rising from the springs. Even from over ten meters away, the flower's subtle fragrance reached them.

When Yue Guan saw the flower, he froze. He recognized it—it was the Fragrant Velvet Celestial Orchid, also known as the Nemesis of Poisons!

Though the orchid couldn't directly neutralize toxins, it provided excellent resistance to poison, making it one of the finest defensive herbs. Unfortunately, it lacked the power to cure poison.

Yue Guan felt lightheaded from excitement. He had read about celestial herbs like this in ancient Spirit Hall texts, but seeing one in person was like a dream come true. For a Titled Douluo like him, who adored flowers, this place was heaven.

Yet, what thrilled Yue Guan even more was the sight of another flower growing near the hot spring—a colossal chrysanthemum that looked strikingly similar to his Spirit. The chrysanthemum radiated a brilliant purple hue, and every petal was covered in soft, fuzzy filaments, making it appear oddly endearing. The flower was whole, with no scent escaping from it. Its golden stamen stood half a foot above the petals, shimmering faintly.

"This… This is the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!" Yue Guan's eyes lit up in disbelief. For decades, he had been searching for a celestial herb that could elevate his Spirit. And this chrysanthemum was the perfect match! With it, he could unlock the unique properties of his Spirit and attain an invulnerable body.

"Teacher, it looks like you've found the herb that can enhance your Spirit and increase your cultivation," Cheng Xiao said with a smile.

"You knew about this all along?" Yue Guan asked, surprised.

"Not exactly," Cheng Xiao replied. "It's just that this chrysanthemum resembles your Spirit, so I made an educated guess."

Yue Guan took a deep breath, his gaze toward Cheng Xiao softening. "Xiao, I truly owe you a great debt for this."

Cheng Xiao shook his head with a grin and suggested, "You don't owe me anything, Teacher. After all, this garden belongs to Senior Dugu."

"You're right." Yue Guan smiled warmly. "Since I've benefited from this place, it's only fair that we find a herb for Old Poison to enhance his Spirit as well."

"That's a good idea," Cheng Xiao agreed.

Yue Guan nodded. "Although Dugu Bo allowed us to pick freely, it's only polite to ask for his permission. I'm not one to act recklessly."

With that, Yue Guan began searching through the herbal garden in earnest, determined to find a suitable celestial herb for Dugu Bo. The fact that he had found the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was a stroke of incredible luck, and he wanted to repay the favor.

---

Three days later...

"Cheng Xiao! Yue Guan! Are you two planning to strip my entire garden bare?"

Dugu Bo descended from the sky, his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Spirit surrounding him in an aura of power. Beside him was his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

"Where are they?" Dugu Bo scanned the area but didn't immediately spot Cheng Xiao or Yue Guan. He wondered if the two had emptied his garden and run off.

However, the Ice And Fire Yin-Yang Well appeared largely untouched. Though some herbs he didn't recognize were missing, the area seemed cleaner and more organized than before. Even the weeds along the edge of the spring had been removed, clearly Yue Guan's handiwork.

"Grandfather, are you sure you weren't lying to me? You said Yue Guan from the Spirit Hall was Cheng Xiao's teacher," Dugu Yan asked, confused after not seeing the two men.

"Be patient, Yan Yan," Dugu Bo replied with an awkward smile. He then unleashed a powerful wave of soul energy, sweeping it outward to locate them. Soon, he sensed a strong soul power nearby.

Flying toward the source with Dugu Yan, they found Cheng Xiao and Yue Guan sitting cross-legged under a large tree, deep in cultivation.

"It really is a Titled Douluo!" Dugu Yan exclaimed in awe. After all, Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, was stronger than her grandfather.

Dugu Bo hadn't told Dugu Yan about the enmity between him and the Spirit Hall. He didn't want his descendants burdened by such knowledge, believing it could only lead to unnecessary trouble.

However, it seemed that the trouble he had feared for so long would finally be resolved from this day onward.