62: Chapter 62: The Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire

The carriage wheels rumbled over the morning dew, driving towards the Sunset Forest outside of Heaven Dou City.

The carriage was very quiet, with only the sound of Xiao Wu's steady breathing and the occasional clink of teacups.

Qian Renxue leaned against the carriage window, gazing at the fields rapidly receding outside; her eyes, like a galaxy, held a hint of casual contemplation.

Wang Donger lowered her head to tease the Xiao Wu in her arms, her fingertips brushing over the little one's soft hair, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She did not know what was going on; she felt so close to Xiao Wu, even though this was clearly their first time meeting.

Lu Jing leaned on the other side, watching their behavior, and could not help but shake his head.

If Wang Donger regained her memories in the future and recalled today's behavior, he wondered what her reaction would be.

The sun gradually rose, climbing from the east to directly overhead, and the scenery outside the carriage changed from open fields to continuous woodlands.

Porcupinefish Douluo pulled on the reins, and the carriage slowly came to a stop; his deep voice came from outside: "Young Master, we have arrived at the Sunset Forest."

The group got off the carriage one after another; the sunlight was a bit dazzling, so Qian Renxue raised her hand to shield her eyes, her gaze falling on the lush forest ahead.

The trees blocked out the sky and sun, and one could vaguely see the branches of towering ancient trees intertwining in the clouds; the air was permeated with the scent of vegetation mixed with Soul Power, several times richer than in Heaven Dou City.

"Is this the Sunset Forest?" Wang Donger curiously sized up the primitive forest before her.

Lu Jing nodded and explained: "Although the Sunset Forest cannot compare to the heritage of the Star Dou Great Forest, it is still one of the top-ranked Spirit Beast forests on the Douluo Continent. The variety of Spirit Beasts here is complete, and spirit rings from a hundred years to ten thousand years can almost all be found; many Spirit Masters come here to try their luck when they are about to break through."

He paused and added with a smile: "However, we are not here to hunt for spirit rings today."

Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze and looked at Lu Jing: "In what direction is that treasure land you mentioned?"

Lu Jing rubbed his chin, looking somewhat helpless: "The specific location is hard to say; I only know it is roughly in the center of the forest. We will have to spend some time looking for it."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue subconsciously glanced at Wang Donger, her eyes filled with inquiry.

Wang Donger was stunned for a moment, then shook her head—she was also hearing about this place for the first time and had no idea if the "treasure land" Lu Jing mentioned actually existed.

A bit of curiosity could not help but arise in Qian Renxue's heart.

Lu Jing never did things he was not sure about; since he dared to bring them deep into the Sunset Forest, it surely was not baseless.

But this forest was so vast; if they searched aimlessly, who knew how long it would take.

"Let's go." Lu Jing took the lead and walked inside, saying softly: "Elder Porcupinefish, please keep an eye on the surroundings."

Porcupinefish Douluo did not refuse and answered readily: "Rest assured."

His massive body blocked the side of the group, and his Soul Power radiated faintly, forming an invisible barrier.

With him, a Titled Douluo, present, ordinary Spirit Beasts dared not approach, and the group had a smooth journey, not encountering any blind fellows.

But the depths of the forest were wider than imagined; the towering ancient trees blocked the sunlight, leaving only sporadic light spots, and the fallen leaves underfoot had accumulated into a thick layer, feeling soft and squishy when stepped on.

After walking for about an hour, Xiao Wu was the first to not be able to hold on; she tugged at the corner of Wang Donger's clothes, her little face crinkled into a ball: "Sister Donger, how much longer? My legs are sore."

Wang Donger bent down to pick her up and looked helplessly at Lu Jing: "Are you sure the direction is correct? If we keep walking, never mind Xiao Wu, even I am almost out of strength."

Qian Renxue also frowned slightly; although she had good stamina, this endless search was truly testing her patience, and she could not help but ask: "Lu Jing, did you remember the place wrong? There is no treasure land in the center of this forest; it looks more like a maze to me."

Lu Jing was feeling a bit awkward and wanted to explain that he was just searching according to ancient records when Wang Donger suddenly exclaimed "Eh," her willow eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Wait, do you feel it? There seems to be a strange force around here, warm, yet with a hint of coolness..."

Qian Renxue and Xiao Wu were both stunned and carefully sensed for a moment, but they did not perceive anything.

Qian Renxue asked doubtfully: "Is there? Why don't I feel anything?"

Lu Jing's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood something.

Wang Donger and he both came from ten thousand years in the future, and in the future, Tang San and Xiao Wu had both absorbed Immortal Plants at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well; perhaps there was still a trace of Immortal Plant aura remaining in Wang Donger's body, and now that they were close to the treasure land, it had actually resonated!

"Sister Donger, can you feel which direction that force is in?" Lu Jing asked hurriedly.

Wang Donger closed her eyes, carefully distinguished for a moment, and pointed to the left front: "It seems... to be over there."

"Great!" Lu Jing was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "Let's follow her!"

Although Qian Renxue did not understand why Wang Donger could perceive the anomaly, seeing Lu Jing's determined appearance, she did not ask more and followed along.

With the direction guided, the group's speed increased significantly; after walking for another half hour, the trees ahead suddenly became sparse, and there was vaguely a hint of pungent, fishy sweetness in the air.

"What is that?" Xiao Wu clung to Wang Donger's shoulder, pointing ahead and exclaiming.

In the open space not far away, it was shrouded in a layer of dark green mist; the mist rolled, emitting a heart-palpitating Soul Power fluctuation, and even the surrounding vegetation had withered and yellowed in patches, clearly carrying a potent poison.

"It is a poisonous barrier." Qian Renxue's face darkened slightly, and she asked doubtfully: "I wonder who set this up; it looks like it has been there for some years."

The toxicity of this barrier was extremely strong; ordinary powerhouses would lose a layer of skin if they came into contact with it, so it was no wonder no one had discovered this place for so many years.

She turned her head to look at Porcupinefish Douluo, signaling with her eyes.

Porcupinefish Douluo understood, stepped forward, and took a deep breath; his chest and abdomen instantly swelled, and dense spikes appeared on the surface of his face.

He opened his mouth wide towards the dark green mist, and a powerful suction force was generated out of thin air; the poisonous barrier seemed to have found an outlet, turning into a purple line and being completely sucked into his stomach.

Porcupinefish Douluo let out a burp and patted his stomach: "A small matter."

His Spirit was naturally adept at absorbing toxins; this bit of a barrier could not do anything to him.

After the poisonous barrier disappeared, a winding mountain path was revealed ahead, leading to a not-too-high mountain peak.

The group walked up along the mountain path; the closer they got to the middle of the mountain, the richer the medicinal fragrance in the air became, with a sweetness in the crispness that made one feel invigorated just by smelling it.

When they reached the middle of the mountain, the scene before them suddenly changed—at the end of the mountain path was a downward-sloping valley; the valley entrance looked as if it had been split open by a giant axe, and below it was a bottomless abyss, with the rich medicinal fragrance wafting up from the abyss.

"It's right down there?" Qian Renxue leaned over to look down, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Lu Jing nodded, his tone carrying a bit of excitement: "That's right, this is it!"

Just as he finished speaking, he leaped, jumping into the abyss first.

The World-Destroying Black Lotus instantly appeared, wrapping around his body to resist the downward pressure.

Seeing this, Wang Donger instantly spread a pair of brilliant Radiant Goddess Butterfly wings behind her, holding Xiao Wu and following closely behind, the flapping of her wings stirring up gusts of wind.

A Seraphim phantom appeared behind Qian Renxue, holy light covering her whole body, and she also flew down lightly.

Porcupinefish Douluo circulated his Soul Power, and his massive body actually managed to hover briefly, following slowly behind.

They descended about a hundred meters, and finally, the sensation of solid ground came from beneath their feet.

After the group stood firm, they were all stunned by the scene before them.

The bottom of the valley was actually an open basin, and in the center was a peculiar spring—half of the spring water was ice-blue, emitting wisps of cold air, while the other half was crimson red, steaming with scorching heat; the two colors of spring water were clearly demarcated in the middle, yet they miraculously blended together, emitting a Soul Power fluctuation of Yin and Yang harmony.

And around the spring water, dense patches of medicinal herbs were growing.

Some were crystalline throughout, as if carved from ice and snow.

Some were as red as fire, with tiny flames dancing on their leaves.

Others bloomed with colorful flowers, with dew-like droplets condensed on the petals, emitting an intoxicating fragrance...

Each one was bursting with spiritual energy, clearly not ordinary items; never mind having seen them, they hadn't even heard of them.

"This... what is this place?" Wang Donger murmured, her eyes wide open.

She came from a prestigious background and had seen many rare medicinal materials, but compared to these before her, it was like the difference between clouds and mud.

Xiao Wu was also stunned, breaking free from Wang Donger's embrace, carefully approaching a medicinal herb blooming with small pink flowers, and curiously poking the petals: "This flower is so fragrant..."

Qian Renxue walked to the side of the spring, reaching out to touch the ice-blue spring water, but her fingertips were forced back by a cold air as soon as they got close; she tried the crimson red spring water again, but was scalded and withdrew her hand.

Seeing this scene, her eyes were full of shock: "This spring water is extremely Yin and cold on one side, and extremely Yang and intense on the other; to think they can coexist simultaneously... it is too incredible."

Lu Jing walked to a medicinal herb topped with golden fruit and smiled: "This is the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well; these are not ordinary medicinal herbs, but Immortal Plants nurtured by absorbing the dual energies of ice and fire."

"Immortal Plants?" Qian Renxue looked at him and asked: "What is their use?"

"Naturally, they can enhance a Spirit Master's cultivation and physique, as well as the elemental power of their Spirit." Lu Jing answered.

"Really?" Qian Renxue's face showed a look of surprise, clearly somewhat shocked and unexpected.

Porcupinefish Douluo stood to the side, looking at these exotic flowers and grasses; although he could not recognize their specific uses, he could feel the immense life force they contained, and he could not help but click his tongue: "Good heavens, so many treasures; if that fellow Chrysanthemum Guan found out, he would have to run over overnight."

Wang Donger walked to Lu Jing's side, and looking at the smile in his eyes, the doubts in her heart vanished like smoke, and she could not help but tease him: "Not bad, you actually hid such a good place; you were playing riddles with me before."

Lu Jing scratched his head and smiled: "I was just afraid you wouldn't believe it if I told you. Besides, seeing it with your own eyes is more shocking, right?"

Qian Renxue also walked over, her gaze sweeping across those Immortal Plants, and finally falling on Lu Jing: "Are these the Immortal Plants you were looking for?"

"Correct." Lu Jing nodded and admitted: "I need a few to assist in cultivation, and it will be beneficial for you too."

Xiao Wu did not understand these things, she just felt that the flowers and grasses here were very beautiful and the air was fragrant too; she had long forgotten the fatigue of the journey, skipping and hopping as she wove between the medicinal herbs, turning back from time to time to shout to Wang Donger: "Sister Donger, this red grass glows!"

Wang Donger hurriedly warned: "Be careful, don't break them."

Watching this scene, Qian Renxue could not help but curl her lips into a smile.

She had originally thought that what Lu Jing was looking for was some earth-shattering treasure, but she did not expect it to be such a vibrant secret realm.

Perhaps, coming along this time was not a bad thing.

Lu Jing's gaze wandered among the Immortal Plants, and he was already starting to calculate in his heart.

See-Through Autumn Water Dew, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Blazing Apricot Delicate... these Immortal Plants, which he had only heard the names of in the original work, were now growing vividly before his eyes; with them, not only could his own strength rise to a new level, but Wang Donger and Xiao Wu could also receive a great boost.

He turned to look at Qian Renxue: "Sister Xue'er, if there are any Immortal Plants here that you like, you can pick a few too."

Qian Renxue was stunned for a moment, then shook her head: "No need. My Seraphim Spirit emphasizes purity; these Immortal Plants are a blend of ice and fire, and they might not be suitable for me."

She paused and added: "Be careful when you pick them; don't destroy the balance here."

Although she did not know why this place appeared in a forest, nor how it was created, excessive and careless picking would definitely affect the original balance.

It might even be possible that after this time, this place would be directly ruined.

Lu Jing nodded: "I know; I understand this place better than you."

Just at this moment, Xiao Wu was suddenly attracted by a grass with purple leaves and reached out to pick it; Wang Donger was quick-eyed and fast-handed and pulled her back: "Don't touch it! This grass looks poisonous."

Lu Jing walked over to take a look and smiled: "This is called Purple Phantom Grass; it is indeed poisonous, but the toxicity can stimulate Mental Energy and is beneficial for Spirit types of Spirits. Be careful when picking it; just don't get the sap on you."

Wang Donger suddenly realized, carefully took out a jade box, and following the method Lu Jing said, pulled the Purple Phantom Grass out by the root and put it into the box.

Afterwards, Lu Jing went to the side and began to pick the ultimate goal of this trip according to special methods.

Earth Dragon Golden Melon, See-Through Autumn Water Dew, Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Blazing Apricot Delicate, Silk Tulip, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Fragrant Silk Immortal Plant, Yearning Heartbroken Red, as well as the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma that did not belong to the Immortal grade, and so on!

In short, regardless of whether they were Immortal grade or not, as long as they were useful or potentially useful, they were all packed and taken away by Lu Jing and the others.

And Porcupinefish Douluo stood guard on the side, preventing any accidents from happening; watching the group carefully picking the Immortal Plants, a look of novelty appeared on his face.

He had lived for more than half his life, and it was the first time he had seen so many magical plants.

Sunlight shone down through the gaps at the top of the abyss, falling on the spring water of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, refracting into seven-colored light.

The medicinal fragrance permeated the air, mixed with the mist steaming from the spring water, just like a fairyland.