"Tell me, how did you manage to fly in midair?"
Faced with the question from the Black Robe Three Fiends, Shui Wuhen did not respond. Instead, he turned to Shui Yue'er and said, "Dean, what are their origins?"
"They are known as the Black Robe Three Fiends. They became famous in the Soul Master world decades ago. They are ruthless and lawless in their actions. No one knows how many innocent people they have killed, and all major forces despise them deeply.
However, because all three of them are Soul Douluo-level experts and are proficient in combined attacks, their overall combat strength is not weaker than that of a Title Douluo, so they have remained at large all this time."
Below, hearing Shui Wuhen's question, Shui Yue'er quickly explained.
"In that case, kill them."
Shui Wuhen's expression remained unchanged as an ice-blue long blade condensed in his hand. With a single swing, he struck out.
"You brat…!"
The Black Robe Three Fiends were about to react when they suddenly felt a chill run through their bodies—and in the next instant, they lost all awareness.
Behind them, a dazzling blade light tore through the void, splitting the clouds in half as if even the sky itself had been cleaved open.
Dugu Bo sensed something was wrong and instantly retreated hundreds of meters.
The next moment, the bodies of the Black Robe Three Fiends were cut cleanly in two at the waist. The cross-sections were shockingly smooth and flat, with blood spraying into the air.
The gap in strength was simply too vast—so vast that even as Shui Wuhen struck, the three of them could not react at all.
They did not even sense the killing intent.
Even Dugu Bo, witnessing this sudden scene, felt as though his worldview had been overturned.
He had heard of the Black Robe Three Fiends before. Their combined strength meant that even he would have to expend considerable effort to deal with them.
Yet the young man before him, who looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, had actually killed them in a single strike. His strength was far beyond what he could contend with.
After a brief shock, Dugu Bo finally came to his senses and forced out a smile as he asked Shui Wuhen, "With such strength, I have never heard of you before. May I ask your name?"
"Shui Wuhen."
Shui Wuhen replied indifferently.
Shui Wuhen?
Dugu Bo was slightly startled, then immediately reacted. Wasn't this the person who had recently risen to prominence in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition and led the Skywater Academy to victory?
The rumors said he was only at the Soul Emperor level—but now it seemed that… this damn thing wasn't a Soul Emperor at all. This was clearly a being far above him, likely a Title Douluo!
Shui Wuhen retracted his ice blade and said, "You came for the commotion just now, didn't you? You can go back now. That was my doing."
Although Shui Wuhen did not think highly of Dugu Bo—the Poison Douluo's reputation was only slightly better than these Black Robe Three Fiends—he had not reached the point where he would kill without reason.
Moreover, killing the Black Robe Three Fiends earlier had been to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys and deter others with ill intentions.
Dugu Bo looked deeply at Shui Wuhen. The young man before him was unfathomable. In the moment Shui Wuhen struck, he had not even sensed it, and only reacted after the attack had already been made.
More importantly, he had not sensed even a trace of killing intent.
Normally, no matter who made a move, killing intent would inevitably appear—even if the target was not oneself. With his cultivation, he should have been able to detect it easily.
But that was not the case just now.
"Could it be…"
Suddenly, Dugu Bo's pupils contracted as he thought of a possibility.
Could it be that, in this person's eyes, killing the Black Robe Three Fiends was no different from casually stepping on an ant—done entirely without intent, without even the need for killing intent?
How arrogantly powerful this was!
"Lord Shui, you jest. I was indeed interested in the secret beneath that light pillar, but since it belongs to you, I naturally will not covet it."
After thinking it through, Dugu Bo took a deep breath and cupped his hands.
Hearing this, Shui Wuhen nodded slightly and prepared to leave.
After that single strike, even if others had any ideas, no one should dare to interfere anymore.
"Wait!"
Just as Shui Wuhen was about to leave, Dugu Bo suddenly spoke.
Shui Wuhen paused and turned back. "What is it?"
"I wonder if you would be interested in making a trade with me?"
Seeing Shui Wuhen stop, Dugu Bo immediately felt a surge of relief. As long as he was willing to talk, there was room for negotiation.
"What trade?"
"With your strength, you are the greatest I have ever seen in my life. I can offer two immortal herbs as payment, and in exchange, I would like to invite you to help my granddaughter hunt a 100,000-year soul beast for her ninth soul ring."
As he spoke, Dugu Bo felt somewhat uneasy. He feared that Shui Wuhen might develop greed. If that happened, with his current strength, he would have no way to resist—and might not even be able to escape.
However, a 100,000-year soul ring was extremely important to Dugu Yan. Even though she had refined the Poison Pill method and solved the backlash of her martial soul, her cultivation speed was still extremely difficult.
It could be said that without other opportunities, she would likely stop at rank 95 or 96 in her lifetime.
"Immortal herbs?"
Shui Wuhen was slightly surprised. It sounded like some kind of natural treasure, and judging from Dugu Bo's expression, they were extremely valuable.
After some thought, Shui Wuhen nodded. "Follow me."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo finally relaxed. The most troublesome hurdle was over.
Soon, the two arrived at a pavilion, where Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er were seated on either side.
Accepting the tea Shui Yue'er poured, Shui Wuhen looked at Dugu Bo and said, "Hunting a 100,000-year soul beast is not a problem for me. It depends on whether your immortal herbs are worth my effort."
"Of course, absolutely worth it."
Saying this, Dugu Bo took out two glowing immortal herbs from his Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch and placed them on the table.
After assisting the Spirit Hall in capturing Tang Hao, Dugu Bo had immediately returned to his Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes, only to find the situation there shocking.
He discovered that a portion of the medicinal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes had disappeared, including several top-grade treasures that were originally only one plant near the spring.
This both enraged him and filled him with relief.
Perhaps they thought he was dead, or perhaps Tang San and Tang Hao lacked storage-type soul tools capable of holding living things. In any case, they had not taken everything.
After witnessing the growth of the Shrek Seven Devils in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition, Dugu Bo finally realized how precious those herbs truly were.
Previously, he only knew they were valuable but had not paid much attention. After investigating, however, he was stunned.
Acacia Heartbroken Red, Fragrant Silk Heavenly Orchid, Eight-Angled Mystic Ice Grass, Fiery Apricot Blossom, Qiluo Tulip, Water Jade Musculature Bone, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower…
These were treasures capable of changing martial soul quality—even allowing evolution.
They were originally his!
Thieves!
Pure thieves!!
Dugu Bo pointed at the herb on the right and said with a smile, "I see that Your Excellency and your younger sister both possess ice-type martial souls. This is a Snow Lotus immortal herb. Its flower can purify a martial soul, and if lucky, it can even cause evolution. Its lotus seeds can also enhance cultivation—even Title Douluo-level experts can benefit."
Shui Wuhen looked at the herb. Indeed, it radiated pure ice energy, no weaker than ten-thousand-year profound ice marrow. So this Poison Douluo was likely not lying.
"And this one is the Purple Leaf Ginseng King. It can not only increase soul power but also improve cultivation speed significantly. It may even enhance innate soul power."
"Is it really that powerful?"
Shui Bing'er asked curiously.
Although she had used many treasures that increased cultivation before, she had never heard of anything like this.
It had to be said that the cultivation methods of the Douluo era were still too primitive—relying almost entirely on martial soul talent with almost no external assistance.
Tang San alone, with a few immortal herbs, caused effects that shocked even the higher-ups.
The only things that truly improved cultivation were soul bones—and those godlike Divine Tests.
In such an environment, reaching Title Douluo was already remarkable. If placed in later generations, most of them would at least be level 95 peak Douluo.
"Of course!"
Dugu Bo said confidently, "If you don't believe me, you can test them on the spot. With Your Excellency's strength, killing me would be effortless—I wouldn't dare deceive you."
Hearing this, Shui Wuhen tapped the table lightly and said, "I accept your deal. However, how long will it take your granddaughter to reach level 90?"
"That… will take quite a long time. She is only at level 48 now."
Dugu Bo gave a wry smile.
Dugu Yan's talent was actually quite good—innate soul power of rank seven made her a genius anywhere.
But compared to true geniuses, she still fell short. Even after using a suitable top-grade herb, the gap was only slightly reduced.
After all, the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had already reached Soul King level around age twenty. Not to mention this monster in front of him.
"Try to speed it up. If necessary, use more immortal herbs on her."
Shui Wuhen reminded.
For his current situation, improving strength was actually quite easy. If he could find the remaining fragments of the Ice God God Position, he might ascend in no time.
Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. "I will… if conditions allow."
He then stood up, preparing to leave.
"Oh right."
Shui Wuhen suddenly spoke again. "Since we've made a deal, I'll give you a reminder. Your inner core cultivation method is incomplete. I suggest you refine it further—your combat power can still improve."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo froze and slowly turned back, looking at Shui Wuhen as if he had seen a ghost.
The Poison Pill method was his own creation. He had never told anyone about it—how did this person know?
Wait…
Suddenly, Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. Since this man could see his problem, did that mean he could further improve it?
Without hesitation, Dugu Bo quickly took out another near-immortal-grade herb and cupped his hands. "Please teach me."
Shui Wuhen nodded slightly and pointed a finger.
A gentle ice-blue light shot into Dugu Bo's body at lightning speed.
Dugu Bo was startled, but soon realized the energy was not harmful—instead, it guided his soul power along a special route, making his circulation smoother.
Immediately, he understood and sat down cross-legged, following the circulation path.
The most significant change was that his Poison Pill began to compress further—and even started to rotate.
BOOM——
In an instant, Dugu Bo's body seemed to become a vortex, frantically absorbing the surrounding heaven and earth energy.
Shui Yue'er nearly dropped her teacup, staring in shock at Shui Wuhen.
"Wuhen, this is…"
"Inner core technique. If you want to learn it, I can teach you later. However, forming an inner core requires an opportunity. For you, it will likely only be possible after breaking through to Title Douluo."
Shui Wuhen took a sip of tea and said calmly.
He had no intention of hiding this technique. It concerned the advancement of the soul master system—it should naturally be spread.
Of course, that did not mean he would teach it freely. If someone wanted it, they would have to pay a price.
After all, the law should not be passed lightly. Otherwise, some people would think they were entitled to it.
Shortly after, Dugu Bo woke up with a look of joy.
That single session not only transformed his Poison Pill, but also allowed him to break through to level 94. If he faced Ju Douluo again now, the opponent would not be his match.
Dugu Bo respectfully bowed to Shui Wuhen. "Thank you for your guidance. I never expected you would share such a cultivation method. I am far inferior to you."
"If you want to help me, then don't harm innocent people," Shui Wuhen said calmly, waving his hand.