Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan finally emerged from the Jade Prosperous Flower Field.
"Nannan, I need to recover my soul power. Guard me while I meditate," Zhu Ziyang said with a joyful expression, withdrawing his martial soul as he spoke to Jiang Nannan.
"Okay, go ahead and recover, Brother," Jiang Nannan nodded seriously.
Zhu Ziyang immediately sat down cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing and restore his soul power. After passing through the Jade Prosperous Flower Field, the age of his second soul ring had reached five thousand years, and his third soul ring had reached seven thousand years.
About half an hour later, Zhu Ziyang recovered fully and stood up.
"Nannan, let's go!"
Jiang Nannan happily wrapped her arms around Zhu Ziyang's waist. He held her slender waist with one arm and wielded the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe in the other, then slowly began to ascend alongside the steep cliff wall.
Only upon reaching the cliffside did they realize there was less than half a meter of space between the cliff and the poisonous mist above. To enter the valley without triggering the divine sense hidden within the mist, they had to squeeze through that narrow gap.
This was why they chose to press close to the cliff as they moved. Both of them crouched low, barely squeezing through the gap between the cliff and the poisonous mist. Only after sliding down a few meters along the inner side of the cliff and confirming they wouldn't touch the mist above did they finally stand up.
But just as they stood upright, a thick vine with deep blue hues and colorful markings suddenly shot up from below and lashed toward them. The vine was twenty centimeters thick, and the force behind it was terrifying, generating a fierce wind.
Without hesitation, Zhu Ziyang swung the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe, the blade colliding solidly with the vine and blocking the strike. Seizing the moment, Jiang Nannan grabbed his arm, released her martial soul, activated her first soul skill, and sprinted down the cliffside. As Zhu Ziyang pulled back the scythe, the vine struck the cliff and left a deep scar upon its surface.
Zhu Ziyang glanced back and couldn't help but inhale sharply. He was grateful for his quick reaction—had they been struck, it would have been disastrous.
"Nannan, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well greatly enhances the growth of plants. After being sealed for ten thousand years, many of the plants inside may have evolved into soul beasts. Just like that vine that attacked us earlier. We must stay alert at all times," Zhu Ziyang warned.
"I understand!" Jiang Nannan responded without slowing down, her eyes fixed forward.
The failed vine attacked again, but Zhu Ziyang smirked coldly. He decided to teach it a lesson. The blade of the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe glowed faintly gray, and he slashed forward. A gray blade light erupted, unleashing his first soul skill—Death Severing Sacred Blade Realm—slicing the vine cleanly in two. Death energy surged through the severed end, rushing toward the vine's main body.
Whether or not the main body was devoured by the death energy no longer concerned Zhu Ziyang, for he was now transfixed by what lay before him.
Just as Zhu Ziyang had struck the vine, Jiang Nannan leapt into the valley, bringing both of them to the valley floor.
With that, the entirety of the secluded valley finally came into view. Above them hovered a thick, multicolored toxic cloud, deadly but dazzlingly beautiful. The steep cliff walls were covered in dark blue vines—the very same kind that had attacked them. Under the shimmer of the rainbow mist, they gleamed like sapphires, drawing exclamations of wonder from Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan.
But the true spectacle was at the valley floor.
Though the valley wasn't large, it was brimming with plants. The variety was astounding. Flowers of every color bloomed, and strange fruits grew everywhere. A single glance revealed that they were all emitting glowing medicinal light—these were spirit herbs, and incredibly rare ones at that.
From the edges toward the center, these herbs were arranged in a very peculiar pattern, forming a perfect circle. Countless spirit herbs surrounded a central lake like devoted guards.
The moment Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan laid eyes on that lake, they instantly understood the origin of the name "Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well." The lake wasn't large, but its waters were divided into two distinct halves. One side was crimson as blood, steaming with scorching heat. The other was pristine white like jade, releasing a gentle but persistent chill. Red and white, fire and ice—two opposing forces intertwined over the lake, saturating the valley with intense life force and elemental energy.
Feeling the overwhelming power in the air, their hearts grew wistful.
'If we could cultivate here, the results would be unimaginable!' they both thought. This land truly deserved to be called a blessed paradise. In terms of energy density, neither of them could think of any place that even came close.
"This is the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Jiang Nannan asked, her mouth slightly agape, voice trembling. "So beautiful!"
"There's no mistaking it—this is it!" Zhu Ziyang's voice trembled as well, overcome with excitement and joy.
"Brother, let's go take a look!" Jiang Nannan urged, her eyes shining with desire. "My talent is telling me that many of those herbs near the lake are of immortal quality!"
She was already tugging on Zhu Ziyang's hand, eager to rush over. But he held her back. He hadn't lost his head to greed—he sensed something wrong among the herbs.
Seeing her puzzled face, Zhu Ziyang patiently explained, "Nannan, didn't you notice? Many of these herbs are actually soul beasts."
"What?" Jiang Nannan was shocked. Looking closer, she saw many plants glowing brighter, and their leaves and petals trembling without wind—clearly not normal. She gasped. "What's going on?"
"It must be due to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's environment," Zhu Ziyang reasoned. "The life force and elemental energy here are overwhelming, and the location is protected by top-tier fire and ice forces. Add to that centuries of undisturbed growth, and it's no wonder some herbs have developed sentience and evolved into soul beasts."
"That makes sense." Jiang Nannan quickly calmed down and nodded, then asked anxiously, "But what do we do? We don't know how many of these herbs have become soul beasts, or how strong they are. We can't just charge in recklessly."
Zhu Ziyang nodded, falling into thought. Plant-type soul beasts differed from animal types—they couldn't move unless they were over 100,000 years old. That meant their attack range was limited. If they could identify which herbs were soul beasts and which were not, they could simply avoid them.
But distinguishing them among this sea of herbs was practically impossible—they didn't have that kind of time. There was only one solution. All plants, including soul beasts, feared death energy. And Zhu Ziyang already had a plan.
"Let's go, Nannan. I have an idea," he said with a smile, pulling her into his arms. "Hold on tight."
She immediately wrapped her arms around him. Zhu Ziyang summoned the Stillness Fate Ending Scythe and released death energy in full force, enveloping them both. With that, they boldly walked toward the core of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Just as Zhu Ziyang expected, the spirit herbs recoiled from the death energy. Their leaves and petals folded up in fear, not daring to approach him.
Zhu Ziyang was careful not to harm them. He wasn't here to destroy the place—he only wanted to reap its benefits.
One side sought to protect, the other to avoid harm. As a result, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan smoothly made their way to the Yin Yang Twin Springs at the heart of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"Hey, human! Put away your martial soul, can't you see everyone's scared?" a female voice suddenly rang out, catching them off guard.
Startled, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan instantly turned vigilant, scanning the surroundings.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Zhu Ziyang demanded sternly.
"Oh come on! I'm standing right in front of you!" the female voice replied, tinged with mischief and excitement.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.