When Chen Yuan and Dugu Yan returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Spring, Dugu Bo had not yet come back. When Dugu Bo finally returned, he was carrying a few rabbits in his hands.
Powerful spirit masters could indeed go without food for long periods, but eating something would help replenish their energy more effectively.
After skinning, bleeding, and gutting the rabbits, they were roasted over a fire and shared among the three.
They spent the night resting just outside the valley.
The next morning, the sky was bright!
Chen Yuan entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Spring again and picked two immortal herbs: the Seven Treasure Glazed Lily and the Jade Bone Immortal Grass. He placed them in a jade box and tucked it into his robe. As for the other immortal herbs, since there was no suitable use for them at the moment, Chen Yuan left them untouched.
He wasn't like Tang San, who would strip the valley bare. He only took what he needed for now.
After storing the immortal herbs, Chen Yuan took out a jade bottle from his storage soul tool. He then summoned the Seven Kill Sword and made a small cut on his left hand. Once the bottle was half-filled with his blood, Chen Yuan clenched his fist and secretly activated the skill "Endless Regeneration, Spring Breeze Revives." The wound quickly healed.
After that, Chen Yuan retracted his martial soul and walked over to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. He handed the jade bottle to Dugu Bo:
"Grandpa, this blood contains the medicinal power of the ice and fire immortal herbs. Take one drop each time as a catalyst, paired with a tonic to strengthen the foundation. This should last for about half a month. After that, I'll come back to replenish it."
Dugu Bo took the bottle. He had already verified yesterday that Chen Yuan's claims were true—the blood could neutralize poison. He nodded and said:
"Alright. Medicine and poison are two sides of the same coin. As a master of poison, I'm also well-versed in pharmacology. Preparing a tonic to strengthen the foundation won't be a problem."
Then, Chen Yuan took Dugu Yan's hand and, despite her puzzled expression, led her to a peculiar flower.
This flower was unique. While most flowers grew in soil, this one grew on a rock. It was vibrant and radiant, like the king of flowers—the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower.
Chen Yuan said to Dugu Yan:
"Yanyan, this flower is called the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower. It's one of the most precious immortal herbs I know of. However, picking it is extremely difficult. It requires the blood of a destined person to make it fall on its own. Otherwise, even if it withers, it won't be picked."
"You can try. If you can pick this flower and consume it, the benefits will be no less than what I gained from the ice and fire immortal herbs. Your cultivation speed might even catch up to mine quickly."
Chen Yuan only said this much. He didn't mention the love story from the original work, as it was irrelevant. If it influenced Dugu Yan, it might backfire. In this naive state, she might achieve unexpected results.
After hearing this, Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. She had been worried about how she could keep up with Chen Yuan's incredible talent. Now, hearing that the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower was a treasure no less valuable than the ice and fire immortal herbs, she couldn't help but feel excited.
Dugu Yan asked again to confirm:
"What should I do? Should I cut my palm like you did and drip blood onto the flower? How much blood is needed to make it fall?"
Chen Yuan quickly shook his head:
"It's not the same as what I did. You need to use your spirit power to vibrate your heart meridian and spit out a drop of essence blood. It doesn't need to be much. It's all about fate. If you're the destined person, just a drop will make it fall. If not, even spilling all your blood won't make it budge."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan grew a bit nervous. But with the desire to catch up to Chen Yuan in mind, she activated her spirit power, vibrating her heart meridian. Instantly, her face turned pale, and she spat out a drop of essence blood.
The blood landed precisely on the stamen of the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower. The moment the blood touched the stamen, the flower emitted a radiant glow.
Under the glow, Dugu Yan felt a momentary daze. Then, as if realizing something, she looked at Chen Yuan beside her. Images of their first meeting and everything Chen Yuan had done for her flashed before her eyes.
In that instant, the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower fell on its own. Seeing this, Dugu Yan was overjoyed, and Chen Yuan was even happier.
Indeed, it was better not to tell the love story. The more one knew, the more complicated their thoughts became. The less one knew, the purer their heart. After all, the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower was just a flower. It was easy to deceive.
Dugu Yan bent down and picked up the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower. As soon as it entered her hand, all its extraordinary phenomena vanished, leaving it looking ordinary.
Holding the flower, Dugu Yan seemed deep in thought. She then looked at Chen Yuan and said:
"Chen Yuan, are you hiding something from me? When I spat blood on the flower, I seemed to see you in a daze."
Chen Yuan neither admitted nor denied it. He simply smiled and said:
"All I know is that this flower can only be picked by a destined person. Yanyan, since you were able to pick it, it means you're the destined one. There's no need to overthink it. Besides…"
At this point, Chen Yuan paused and then looked at Dugu Bo:
"Grandpa, if you have time, you could take Yanyan on a trip to the Star Luo Empire. I've heard that the four single-attribute clans under the former Clear Sky Sect—the Yang family of the Breaking Clan, the Niu family of the Defense Clan, and the Bai family of the Agility Clan—have settled in one of the kingdoms under the Star Luo Empire."
"They should be somewhat famous. With a little investigation, you should be able to find their locations. Among them, the Yang family of the Breaking Clan seems to have some knowledge of rare flowers and herbs."
"Once the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower recognizes its master, it can't be taken away. Given the Yang family's fascination with immortal herbs, they would surely be captivated by the Heartbreak Crimson Passionflower. If you propose to buy their research on immortal herbs, I believe they wouldn't refuse."
"Once you obtain their research, Grandpa, Yanyan, you'll be sitting on a treasure trove. However, the information about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Spring must not be revealed lightly."
Hearing Chen Yuan's words, both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan looked surprised. After Chen Yuan finished speaking, they understood.
If all the flowers and plants around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Spring were immortal herbs, and if they could all be utilized, it would truly be a treasure trove.
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment and then said:
"That shouldn't be a problem. If what you say is true, and we can obtain the Yang family's research on immortal herbs, then this treasure trove can truly be developed."
After giving his instructions, Chen Yuan bid farewell to Dugu Yan alone. After lingering for a while, he finally flew back to the academy on his sword.
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,279
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