Chapter 39: Senior Sister’s First Experience of Ice and Fire

"Is this the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well?" Even though Zhong Yan had long anticipated it, he could not help but marvel at the sight before him.

The valley was blanketed in a thick mist, originating from a hot spring. The spring was not large, but it was distinctly divided into two sections. Within the oval-shaped pool, the water was separated into milky white and vermilion red. Most miraculously, although they shared the same pool, they remained clearly demarcated, neither encroaching upon the other, maintaining a perfect balance on their respective sides.

"Such a treasure land, truly a masterpiece of heaven and earth, gathering the essence of all things," even Bibi Dong could not help but exclaim.

Chrysanthemum Douluo had already rushed forward, but as he neared the edge, he forced himself to stop, fearing he might accidentally damage the precious flora.

Seeing Bibi Dong’s reaction, Zhong Yan knew this was a success, but the most crucial step remained. He pulled Hu Liena aside, walked toward the spring, and pointed at the center, where the two waters met. "Do you see those immortal herbs between the two springs? They are the most precious treasures of this Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well: the 'Blazing Apricot' and the 'Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass'."

Hu Liena followed his gaze. The white herb looked like a large, eight-pointed star, with its center shimmering like ice crystals. It emitted no fragrance and sat exactly at the center of the frigid yin spring.

Zhong Yan explained, "This is the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. It is of extreme cold, capable of freezing one's heart and numbing the senses. Within ten meters, the cold is bone-chilling; stay too long, and the cold poison will penetrate your heart, leaving no cure."

"As for the other, it looks like a cabbage but is entirely fiery red. It is the exact opposite of the ice grass—a highly toxic immortal herb known as the 'Blazing Apricot.' It only grows in scorched earth and can survive even in lava. Its properties are the perfect antithesis of the ice grass."

"Both are lethal. For an ordinary person, coming within ten meters would mean being frozen solid or reduced to ash in moments, let alone consuming them. However, as the saying goes, yin and yang restrain each other. When these two extreme herbs are combined, they neutralize one another, significantly reducing their toxicity. That is the only chance to consume them. Once ingested, the two toxins transform from mutually exclusive to mutually reinforcing, reshaping the body. With special absorption techniques, one can achieve an 'Ice-Fire Golden Body,' impervious to water, fire, and all poisons."

Zhong Yan leaned in close, whispering into Hu Liena’s ear, "If Senior Sister consumes them, perhaps you might gain the favor of a god. Then, you could stay by my side forever."

He glanced at her sideways. Her dignified and delicate face was breathtaking in the mist. Her cheeks were flushed like a soft watercolor painting, her dark hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her lips were dewy, and her eyes reflected the blue and red mingling in the moonlight. Tendrils of hair clung to her ears, and the fair skin of her neck seemed bathed in moonlight, carrying the faint scent of immortal herbs and wine.

He knew she was moved. Perhaps he was, too. Who could say?

Hu Liena already knew that both her teacher and her junior brother possessed the inheritance of gods.

***

She remembered the night her junior brother and teacher returned.

"Senior Sister, the fish? Where is the fish!" Zhong Yan was busy in the kitchen.

"Coming, coming! Why the rush? I'm looking, I remember putting it here," Hu Liena rummaged around.

Bibi Dong watched them, shaking her head, and stepped out. Minutes later, she returned with a fish.

"Teacher, where did you find this?"

"Caught it in the stream outside."

Zhong Yan inspected the fish. Since it was a river fish, it had a muddy taste that needed ginger and wine to mask. "Senior Sister! Where is the wine?"

"Hey, isn't this your kitchen?" Hu Liena retorted, but she obediently fetched the wine.

Once the fish hit the oil, Zhong Yan avoided moving it, as flipping it too soon would break the skin.

"Teacher, do you eat spicy food?" Zhong Yan asked.

"I do."

"And you, Senior Sister?"

"I do, *slurp*."

Seeing some leftover chili on the cutting board, he tossed them into the pan. He had been planning to eat hotpot before she begged him for fish. He wondered, do foxes really like fish?

The fish was ready, the sauce rich and fragrant. They took it to the courtyard, where the hotpot was already bubbling under the moonlight.

There was only one fish. Hu Liena placed a piece in Bibi Dong’s bowl, hesitated for a second, then placed another in Zhong Yan’s. "Consider this a reward for your hard work."

The fish was delicious. Hu Liena’s eyes lit up, and her fox ears emerged, twitching contentedly, making one itch to reach out and touch them.

***

The mountain breeze blew, rustling the nearby bamboo forest under the full moon. In this familiar yet strange world, Zhong Yan felt a sense of warmth for the first time, even though everyone was too busy eating to speak. Perhaps even powerful soul masters craved such simple, domestic normalcy.

***

Hu Liena no longer hesitated. "Junior Brother, I leave it to you."

Zhong Yan nodded, looking into her bright eyes. He summoned his Jade Shield, took out a jade knife, and harvested the Blazing Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

Within ten seconds, Hu Liena consumed them. As a flash of red and blue light enveloped her, she leaped into the center of the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Once the two herbs met, their opposing energies neutralized each other, creating a brief window for consumption. If she had been a moment too early, she would have perished. But by waiting for the herbs to react, she allowed them to melt into a sweet, fragrant nectar.

Zhong Yan watched, his mind briefly wandering to the two dragon corpses beneath the well, but he decided to leave them be; he had no use for them.

(End of chapter)