The sudden voice startled both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, causing them to immediately look around with heightened vigilance.
Unlike the rest of the valley, the land near the lake wasn't overgrown with various immortal herbs. This soil was the most fertile, the energy here was the most concentrated, and in the core area of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's lakeside, there were only a few dozen plants. Each one occupied a sizeable portion of land, and the distance between any two was quite large—at least five to six meters apart. It gave the impression that these were kings that refused to meet face to face.
"These... these are all immortal herbs!" Jiang Nannan's eyes sparkled as she shouted excitedly, momentarily forgetting the sudden voice from before.
But Zhu Ziyang didn't forget. His gaze locked precisely onto the nearest plant, and he asked sternly, "Was it you?"
That plant grew by the extreme cold spring. It was a small, half-human-tall shrub. From its roots, nine branches extended—one main stem thicker than a thumb standing straight upward, while the other eight curved outward first and then bent inward, forming perfect arcs. At the top, each of these eight branches connected with the main stem, and each bore a unique bloom—neither flower nor leaf in form.
The nine blossoms looked similar: crescent-shaped green petals formed a circular arrangement around a delicate stamen in the center. The blossom on the main stem was twice as large as the rest. All of them emitted a soft silvery glow, like flowing moonlight.
Upon hearing Zhu Ziyang's question, the plant responded. The largest blossom swayed slightly, and a female voice came from within.
"Yes, it's me—Chacha. Human, quickly put away your martial soul. While you're beside me, it won't harm you."
Zhu Ziyang didn't comply. Instead, his eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. He had recognized this plant and was both thrilled and terrified.
It had spoken—clear proof of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
This immortal herb in front of them was a true hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast! Luckily, it held no hostility toward them. If it did, it wouldn't have bothered speaking first.
Even so, Zhu Ziyang remained cautious as he studied it.
"Brother, that's... Moon Laurel Immortal Tea!" Jiang Nannan's crimson eyes gleamed with joy as she recognized the plant in front of them.
"Yes, it is indeed the Moon Laurel Immortal Tea," Zhu Ziyang nodded solemnly.
The Moon Laurel Immortal Tea was a peerless immortal herb. Legend had it that it was born from a fallen branch of the Moon Laurel Divine Tree from the Moon. It contained pure and dense Moon energy and had the power to refine the soul, boost perception, and enhance spiritual power. For beings with Moon bloodlines, it could temper the body, strengthen the bloodline, and elevate one's strength dramatically.
"Wow, you could actually recognize me—impressive!" The Moon Laurel Immortal Tea swayed its flower, laughing. "But I guess that's not surprising. Silver-haired girl, is your martial soul the Lunar Jade Rabbit?"
"How did you know?" Jiang Nannan blurted out in surprise.
"Hehehe, I knew I wasn't mistaken!" The Moon Laurel Immortal Tea swayed its branches with even more vigor, its voice filled with glee. "I sensed it the moment you entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! You should be grateful it's me guarding this place right now. If anyone else had found you, you'd both be dead by now."
"So, we should thank you, huh?" Zhu Ziyang's voice grew colder, the danger in his eyes intensifying.
"Of course!" Moon Laurel Immortal Tea seemed oblivious to his tone and continued cheerfully, "Since that person ascended, you two are the only ones who have entered this place. Normally, for intruders like you, the others would just use you as fertilizer. But I'm not like them. I'm not as bloodthirsty, and I refuse to be controlled by that person."
"That person? Youyou?" Jiang Nannan asked, puzzled.
Zhu Ziyang had a faint guess about who the 'person' referred to was. His restless desire eased a little. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was filled with unknowns and mysteries. It was best not to act rashly. It would be wiser to gather information from the Moon Laurel Immortal Tea first. With that in mind, he didn't stop Jiang Nannan from asking further.
"Oh ho! So you're not sent by that person after all!" the Moon Laurel Immortal Tea exclaimed in a mix of surprise and delight. "But it doesn't matter to me. I'm not Youyou. In fact, among us, only Youyou believes that person. The others don't."
"You still haven't said who Youyou is. And who are the others?" Jiang Nannan asked with a frown.
"Youyou is the Delicate Fragrance Kylin Immortal Herb—the large pink flower between the yin and yang springs," Moon Laurel Immortal Tea said while swaying with visible irritation. "Don't wake her. She's not like me. If she discovers you, she'll rally the others to attack, since you weren't sent by that person."
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan turned to look. At the border of the cold and hot springs, a giant pink flower bloomed. It had no leaves, a stem nearly a meter long, and a blossom the size of a plate. Each petal sparkled like crystal, and its stamen shimmered in amethyst hues like tiny purple diamonds.
"Delicate Fragrance Kylin Immortal Herb!" both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan recognized it instantly, shocked to see such a rare and powerful immortal herb here.
It was known as the king of all immortal herbs—a plant that could neutralize all poisons. Its aroma, called Delicate Fragrance, could cleanse toxins and purge medicinal impurities, making it the bane of all poisons and the king of herbs.
"The others are the rest of the immortal herbs here," said Moon Laurel Immortal Tea like a carefree girl, listing them without hesitation. "There's the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Beautiful Silk Tulip, Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Land Dragon Golden Melon, Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, and more."
Listening to her list, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan exchanged glances, both gasping inwardly. All of these herbs were legendary treasures—yet they all existed within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. No wonder this place was hailed as a treasure trove of immortal herbs!
"You can talk... Does that mean you're a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?" Zhu Ziyang finally asked the most pressing question.
"Of course!" the Moon Laurel Immortal Tea said proudly. "Don't be fooled by my youthful age—just ten thousand years—but inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, we grow ten times faster than in the outside world. So yes, I am a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!"
"Hiss..." Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but grimace. A terrifying thought flashed through his mind, and he asked gravely, "Then... those other immortal herbs you mentioned... they're also hundred-thousand-year soul beasts?"
"Not just them," Moon Laurel Immortal Tea replied, "even some top-grade herbs that aren't quite immortal herbs yet have reached that age. So don't get any funny ideas. I know your death aura is scary, but we're not helpless."
"Hehe, of course not," Zhu Ziyang said with a slightly awkward laugh. He had already given up on the idea of looting this place.
"Hehehe, I knew you wouldn't," Moon Laurel Immortal Tea giggled. Then, turning to Jiang Nannan, she said, "Since your martial soul is the Lunar Jade Rabbit, can I ask you a favor? If you agree, I'll let you choose one immortal herb to take away. You won't leave empty-handed!"
"What is it?" Jiang Nannan asked curiously.
Zhu Ziyang was also intrigued. Ever since they entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, this Moon Laurel Immortal Tea had been watching them. It clearly had a request in mind. He was eager to know what it was that had caught her attention.
"Well," Moon Laurel Immortal Tea began, "our mother tree—the Moon Laurel Divine Tree—grows on the Moon. Every Moon Laurel Immortal Tea longs to return there, but we are plants—we can't go on our own. So, for millions of years, we've cooperated with the Lunar Jade Rabbit clan. We help them cultivate, and they carry our seeds back to the Moon. This agreement has lasted for eons. Do you understand now?"
"You want to partner with me?" Jiang Nannan's eyes flickered with surprise. Her martial soul seemed to echo this history, confirming that Moon Laurel Immortal Tea wasn't lying.
"Yes. I want to become your soul ring," Moon Laurel Immortal Tea said, shocking both Jiang Nannan and Zhu Ziyang. "As a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, I would give you immense power. Even if you can't reach the Moon yourself, just sending my seed into the stars would fulfill the pact. For someone like you, it shouldn't be difficult."
"This..." Jiang Nannan was momentarily stunned. The request was simply too astonishing.
"We accept!" Zhu Ziyang agreed immediately on her behalf. This was a deal with no downside—of course he'd say yes.
(End of Chapter)
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