At this point in time, the core region of Sunset Forest was still untouched by poison formations—proof that Dugu Bo had yet to discover this place.
The Eye of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang lay nestled at the base of a steep valley. From above, the valley appeared pitch-black, with sheer cliffs flanking either side. Jagged rocks jutted from the ledges like crouching beasts or sharp blades, giving the place an air of danger and mystery.
One couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship of nature itself.
"This is it! I can already sense a kindred aura—there's a high chance the Yearning Heartbroken Red is down there. And not just that, there are other immortal herbs as well! Come on, let's hurry!"
Yue Guan's face lit up with joy. This was his first time coming here. As for the book that mentioned it—he had never read it. He only vaguely recalled hearing about this place as a child during extracurricular storytelling sessions.
If Gu Han hadn't brought it up, he might've missed this place for the rest of his life.
Sigh, fate works in mysterious ways… Yue Guan mused. Without Gu Han's tip, he would've missed the greatest opportunity of his life.
Once again, Gu Han was unceremoniously carried by the collar by Ghost.
Bibi Dong had already hopped off Yue Guan's back and was admiring the sight before her, her eyes full of wonder.
"Wow… what a beautiful place~"
The valley was bursting with vibrant life. Strange flowers and rare herbs blanketed the ground in a lush carpet of greenery. Each plant was uniquely shaped, painted in brilliant colors, exuding alluring fragrances and mysterious auras.
At the heart of the valley was a spring divided clearly into two halves—one red, one blue—shaped like a Taiji diagram symbolizing yin and yang.
From the red side rose waves of scorching heat, while the blue side emitted bone-chilling cold. These two extremes coexisted in perfect harmony, their overlapping energies creating a uniquely fluctuating climate within the valley—at times hot, at times freezing.
"This is the Eye of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang?"
Ghost crossed his arms and stood quietly, observing the surroundings. He admitted the landscape was unique, but to him, it was nothing more than a curious sight—nothing worth fussing over.
Gu Han, who had seen this place in the donghua, still found that experiencing it in person was an entirely different feeling.
He gazed out at the valley, which was practically a treasure trove of premium medicinal herbs. It was a paradise of rare and legendary plants.
"Junior Brother, look at Senior Yue Guan—what's going on with him?"
Bibi Dong gently nudged Gu Han and pointed toward Yue Guan, prompting him to look.
There stood Yue Guan, completely entranced, as if he were a devout worshiper encountering his god. He knelt before a vibrant crimson flower, reaching out with trembling hands—only to pull them back, repeating the gesture over and over.
His expression was exaggerated to the extreme, and his eyes had practically rolled back in ecstasy.
"Hey, Chrysanthemum, what are you doing?" Ghost asked, clearly unable to stand the sight any longer.
"It's… it's the Yearning Heartbroken Red!!!"
Yue Guan's voice quivered.
The first herb he'd spotted was indeed the Unrivaled Chrysanthemum. But before he could even react to that discovery, his eyes landed on the flower growing beside it—nestled on a black stone—the king of all immortal herbs, Yearning Heartbroken Red.
Without a second thought, he abandoned the chrysanthemum and practically dove to the ground, sliding into a kneel before the herb that had stolen his heart.
"Senior Yue Guan, is this Yearning Heartbroken Red that incredible?" Bibi Dong asked curiously. She could understand his excitement to a degree—but to ignore the Unrivaled Chrysanthemum? Just how special could this herb be?
"Of course!!"
Yue Guan jumped to his feet, cupping his hands over his chest in a dramatic pose, eyes shining as he began to recite the tale of the Yearning Heartbroken Red—a tragic, moving legend of love and devotion.
Bibi Dong, however, remained unmoved. After hearing so many powerful and emotional stories from Gu Han, this one barely registered. She even found herself scratching her foot out of boredom.
Honestly, the tale gave her an odd feeling—like something was off about it—but she couldn't quite say why.
"The Yearning Heartbroken Red is the king of all immortal herbs. It can bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh and bone. If it acknowledges a master, it will never wither. Its presence boosts the soul master's cultivation and talent, and at a critical moment, it can protect its master from death!"
"If—if anyone could earn its recognition, I… I'd pledge to stay by their side forever!"
As for why Yue Guan didn't try to bond with it himself? He knew the truth: he didn't have someone he loved. Without genuine, pure love, it was impossible to be chosen by the herb.
Even if someone did have a partner, only the truest, most selfless love could awaken the flower's power. On the entire continent, there might not be a single soul who could accomplish that.
The group simply watched as Yue Guan continued his overly dramatic gestures and outbursts. Each of them wore an expression that said, We get it… but we also don't.
Even Gu Han, who had mentally prepared himself, found Yue Guan's behavior utterly baffling.
"Chrysanthemum, calm down. Don't forget why we came here," Ghost finally spoke up, his tone casual and relaxed—something only possible thanks to their long-standing friendship.
Yue Guan snapped out of his trance, though his eyes still sparkled with excitement. Looking around, he realized the valley was brimming with more than just those two herbs.
"There's Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Amorous Hibiscus, Radiant Celestial Grass, Dragonblood Vine, Netherworld Bloom... so many! So many immortal herbs!!"
And it wasn't just immortal herbs—there were also top-tier plants like Snow Silkworms and Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng Kings…
To Yue Guan, it felt like he'd stepped into a dream—a heaven made just for him.
His eyes turned to Gu Han, and a spark of mischief lit up his gaze.
"Xiao Han, haven't you been asking me about herbs all this time? Now's your chance—look around. Which immortal herb do you think suits you best?"
For once, Gu Han didn't make a snide remark. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the plants growing on either side of the spring: the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot.
"Senior Yue Guan, I'd like to absorb the Octagonal Ice Crystal Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot. On their own, they're deadly poisons—but together, they neutralize each other. If I can withstand the process, they'll reshape my body and completely erase my innate flaws."
Yue Guan gave Gu Han an approving nod. "Not bad. Originally, I was going to recommend the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia."
"But make no mistake—what you're planning comes with enormous risk. If you can't withstand the collision of their explosive energies, you could die."
Yue Guan's face turned serious.
Though the twin herbs counteract each other's toxicity, that doesn't mean their violent, opposing energies won't wreak havoc inside the body.
If Gu Han could survive their internal clash, his potential would skyrocket. With time, reaching Rank 99 might not be a dream.
But if he failed—
He could lose everything.
Including his life.
~~~
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