[In the distance, a golden chrysanthemum bloomed brilliantly.]
[Its petals were thick and sturdy, shimmering with a texture resembling gold and jade. Even at a glance, anyone could tell that it was no ordinary plant.]
[However, the reason Yu Xiaogang couldn't take his eyes off it wasn't merely because it was rare.]
[He recognized it immediately.]
[The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.]
[One of the most precious immortal-grade herbs in existence.]
[After consumption, it could circulate energy throughout the limbs, cleanse the body's meridians, strengthen the bloodline, and forge an indestructible physique.]
[Among all medicinal treasures, it stood at the pinnacle.]
[Its value was so extraordinary that this single herb alone was worth more than all the medicinal plants growing outside combined.]
[Yet what truly shocked Yu Xiaogang wasn't its monetary value.]
[It was because the martial soul of Spirit Hall's famous Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, was also the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.]
[A thought immediately appeared in Yu Xiaogang's mind.]
["If Yue Guan were to obtain this immortal herb..."]
["That would be terrifying."]
[Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but inhale sharply.]
[Yue Guan already possessed the talent to become a Titled Douluo. If he obtained an immortal herb perfectly compatible with his martial soul, his potential would soar to unimaginable heights.]
---
Black World
The moment those words appeared on the heavenly screen, Yue Guan nearly lost his mind.
"Quick!"
"Quick!"
"Quick!"
"Old Ghost, take me to the Sunset Forest immediately!"
"Right now!"
"Immediately!"
"Hurry!"
"Hurry!"
"Hurry!"
The repeated cries echoed nonstop.
Anyone listening could clearly feel his excitement.
At that moment, Yue Guan wished he possessed a spatial soul skill.
If he could teleport, he would already be standing inside the Sunset Forest searching for the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that another Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum existed in the world.
Even more unbelievable was the fact that it was growing inside Dugu Bo's territory.
The thought alone nearly drove him mad.
If he had known earlier, he would have dragged Gui Mei to the Sunset Forest years ago.
Forget negotiations.
Forget courtesy.
They would have beaten Dugu Bo first and searched for the herb afterward.
Without saying a word, Gui Mei directly grabbed Yue Guan and set off.
As an agility-type Titled Douluo, his speed far surpassed Yue Guan's.
Although he knew little about medicinal herbs, he understood one thing very clearly.
The herb displayed on the heavenly screen was identical to Yue Guan's martial soul.
Yue Guan was already a Titled Douluo.
If he obtained an immortal-grade herb perfectly matching his martial soul, the improvement would be enormous.
How enormous?
Gui Mei didn't know.
But he knew it would be terrifying.
More importantly, Yue Guan wasn't merely his colleague.
The two shared a martial soul fusion skill.
For decades, they had fought side by side.
Their relationship was so close that even blood relatives might not compare.
When Yue Guan became stronger, Gui Mei benefited as well.
Therefore, he was just as eager to obtain the herb.
---
Shrek Academy
Unlike Yue Guan, Tang San's attention wasn't focused on the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
The moment he saw the environment surrounding the herb, his breathing became rapid.
His eyes widened.
His entire body trembled slightly with excitement.
"That's the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!"
The words escaped his mouth almost unconsciously.
Beside him, Xiao Wu blinked in confusion.
"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?"
"Third Brother, do you know what that place is?"
The others immediately became curious as well.
After all, Tang San was usually calm and composed.
Except when Xiao Wu was involved, very little could shake his emotions.
Yet now he looked completely stunned.
It was as though he had discovered the greatest treasure in the world.
Naturally, everyone's curiosity was piqued.
Unfortunately, Tang San was too excited to notice their reactions.
His gaze remained fixed on the heavenly screen.
"Dean!"
He suddenly turned toward Flender.
"Can you take me to the Sunset Forest?"
Flender frowned.
"Do you want to go there because of this Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?"
The current Sunset Forest was anything but peaceful.
First, the heavenly screen had exposed the existence of hundreds of soul bones.
Now it had revealed an even greater secret.
Although Flender didn't understand what the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was, one thing was obvious.
Any place capable of nurturing so many priceless treasures could not be ordinary.
Tang San took a deep breath before explaining.
"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is an extremely rare natural treasure."
"It is formed where an ultimate Yin spring and an ultimate Yang spring merge together."
"The unique environment created by these opposing energies produces the perfect conditions for plant growth."
Everyone listened quietly.
At first, they didn't think it sounded particularly impressive.
After all, it was simply fertile land.
However, Tang San's next words changed everything.
"Ordinary plants cannot survive there."
"What grows in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well are treasures."
"Even the lowest-grade herbs found there are priceless."
"And the majority are immortal-grade herbs."
The group instantly froze.
Immortal-grade herbs?
The term alone sounded extraordinary.
Tang San pointed toward the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum displayed on the heavenly screen.
"Take this herb as an example."
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is an immortal-grade herb."
"It can strengthen the body, cleanse the meridians, improve cultivation talent, and greatly enhance future potential."
Everyone still looked somewhat confused.
Realizing they didn't fully understand, Tang San switched to a simpler explanation.
"Imagine a soul master born with only Level One Innate Soul Power."
Everyone nodded.
That was considered extremely poor talent.
Tang San continued.
"If such a person consumed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, their talent could rise directly to the level of Full Innate Soul Power."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Everyone simply stared at Tang San.
The statement sounded utterly absurd.
From Level One Innate Soul Power...
To Full Innate Soul Power?
That wasn't improvement.
That was changing fate itself.
Finally, Yu Xiaogang reacted.
His breathing became rapid.
His eyes turned red.
In a flash, he rushed forward and grabbed Tang San by the shoulders.
"Little San!"
"Is what you're saying true?"
"Can the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum really do something like that?"
His voice trembled.
No one understood the importance of talent more than Yu Xiaogang.
For decades, he had been trapped by his own limitations.
If such a treasure truly existed...
Then everything could change.
Tang San met his teacher's gaze and nodded firmly.
"It's true."
"Immortal-grade herbs are treasures that can defy the heavens and change fate."
"Their value is beyond imagination."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"If we compare treasures of the Douluo Continent..."
"The only things that can rival immortal herbs are hundred-thousand-year soul rings and hundred-thousand-year soul bones."
Everyone gasped.
Even Flender's expression changed dramatically.
Those were treasures legendary enough to shake the entire continent.
Yet Tang San was placing immortal herbs on the same level.
The implication was terrifying.
But Tang San wasn't finished.
His next sentence stunned everyone even more.
"And the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well contains far more than one immortal-grade herb."
The crowd felt their minds go blank.
One such treasure was already enough to drive countless powerful soul masters mad.
But according to Tang San, there were many.
How many?
Ten?
Twenty?
Perhaps even more?
Nobody knew.
Yet everyone understood one thing.
The value of the Sunset Forest had instantly increased beyond measure.
At that moment, countless powerful factions across the continent were likely having the same realization.
Spirit Hall.
The Seven Great Clans.
The upper echelons of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Star Luo Empire.
Everyone would eventually set their sights on that mysterious treasure land.
Yu Xiaogang stared at the heavenly screen in disbelief.
Flender remained silent.
Even Xiao Wu's eyes were filled with shock.
The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
The immortal herbs.
One revelation after another had completely overturned their understanding of the world.
And yet, judging by the heavenly screen, this was only the beginning.
The secrets hidden within the Sunset Forest were far greater than anyone had imagined.
The question now was simple.
Just how many heaven-defying treasures were still hidden within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?
And when the entire continent learned the truth...
What kind of storm would follow?
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)