On the way, Dugu Bo said, "Little one, during your closed training these days, Zhang Erhe sent back quite a bit of information. While we're traveling, let me tell you about it."
Ning Tianchen nodded.
Since he hadn't been directly notified, it was clear that these matters weren't particularly urgent.
After arriving in Balak City, Zhang Erhe didn't immediately seek out the Golden Palace Soul Douluo. Instead, he went into hiding within the city.
During this time, he gathered a lot of intelligence about Balak City.
Firstly, the Golden Palace Soul Douluo was staying at a hotel in the city. His two frequent destinations were the Spirit Hall within the city and the Balak Royal Palace.
Zhang Erhe suspected that either the Golden Palace Soul Douluo or the Spirit Hall was secretly conducting some kind of transaction with the Balak royal family.
The second matter was that Zhang Erhe had spotted a mysterious figure clad in black robes in Balak City. The person had noticed him but hadn't made any moves. As for the identity of the black-robed individual, Zhang Erhe couldn't determine it yet.
After listening, Ning Tianchen stroked his chin and began analyzing the situation.
Regarding the first matter, he wasn't surprised.
After Bibi Dong renamed the Spirit Hall as the Spirit Empire, the Balak Kingdom was the first to respond to her call. It was normal for the Spirit Hall to make contact with them in advance.
As for the second matter, Ning Tianchen suspected that the black-robed figure might be Tang Hao.
Of course, it could also be someone else—he didn't jump to conclusions. If Tang Hao had gone to Balak City, it was likely to secretly retaliate against the Spirit Hall.
"By the way, old man, has anything major happened in the city?"
With still a long way to go before reaching the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, Ning Tianchen decided to ask about recent events.
Dugu Bo thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Nothing particularly noteworthy. Xue Qinghe recently visited the people near Tiandou City and encountered an assassination attempt. The assassins were all suicide attackers, leaving no survivors."
"It's said that the young man accompanying Xue Qinghe took action, instantly killing the assailants."
"Brother Qing?" Ning Tianchen asked in confusion. "Old man, what's his strength like?"
Dugu Bo shook his head again. "He has something that conceals his aura—I can't see through it. But I assume his strength shouldn't be lower than a Soul Sage. It's rumored that Xue Qinghe recruited him during one of his tours."
"As a guard for the crown prince, hiding his true strength can significantly deter troublemakers."
"He looks only slightly older than Xiaotian, yet his strength is already so formidable?" Ning Tianchen was stunned.
In the original timeline, there seemed to be no mention of such a powerful guard by Xue Qinghe's side.
Dugu Bo dismissed it casually. "There are many disguise techniques on the continent. Even if it's not a disguise, there are cases where someone appears young but is actually very old. There's nothing extraordinary about it."
"For example, if I dressed up carefully, I could even pass as a middle-aged man."
Ning Tianchen rolled his eyes at him.
So, Dugu Bo was indirectly praising himself.
"If his martial soul is from a handsome spirit beast, the soul master's own appearance wouldn't be bad either," Ning Tianchen added.
A martial soul greatly influences a soul master's appearance and personality.
Take Chen Huayu, for instance. His Giant Black Bear martial soul is inherently a power-type martial soul. Even if he lost his excess fat, he'd still be a muscular powerhouse, never a skinny man.
---
The two exchanged thoughts on various topics along the way. Without realizing it, they arrived at the poisonous miasma zone surrounding the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Dugu Bo didn't rush to lead Ning Tianchen inside.
Having learned from the previous experience, he became much more cautious.
After searching the perimeter and confirming that no one was watching them, Dugu Bo finally led him inside.
"Little one, here's a detoxification pill for you—"
Ning Tianchen waved the Aromatic Silk Beauty in his hand. "No need. This immortal herb works just as well."
The Aromatic Silk Beauty emitted a unique scent and couldn't be exposed for too long, or soul beasts would gather.
The two entered the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well through a hidden passage concealed within the poisonous miasma.
After inspecting the area, Dugu Bo confirmed that no one had entered since their last departure.
Only then did he relax and say, "Little monster, go ahead and start your cultivation. For the next while, I'll stay here to take care of the medicinal herbs and won't disturb you."
Ning Tianchen nodded, giving him a grateful look before walking over to the spring and sitting cross-legged.
He chose a spot at the boundary between the icy and fiery springs, where the energy of the water was the most gentle.
"Two months to break through two levels of soul power—can you really do it?"
Watching Ning Tianchen's back, Dugu Bo murmured softly.
He stayed here to guard him.
For the next two months, he wouldn't just sit idly by. He decided to tend to the medicinal herbs in the garden instead.
Some high-grade medicinal herbs with strict growth requirements took at least ten years to mature, even under meticulous care. Even common high-grade herbs required more than five years to grow.
But within the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, they only needed about a year to mature, and the quality of the herbs remained flawless.
Dugu Bo's gaze fell on the ice-fire spring water. It seemed that the nutrients accelerating plant growth were emanating from the spring.
"Where exactly does this spring water come from?" he couldn't help but ponder.
---
After a day of cultivation, Ning Tianchen was already able to withstand the temperature around the outer edges of the spring.
Gradually, he moved closer to the spring's source, eventually standing at the center of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Ning Tianchen felt the violent energy surrounding him.
The intertwining flames and ice created a peculiar and breathtaking scene.
The fire seemed intent on consuming him, while the ice froze his body stiff. Yet his gaze remained resolute as he used the pressure from both types of water to continuously push his limits.
A few days later.
Ning Tianchen's body was submerged in the spring water, completely enveloped by the ice-fire energy. The dual torment brought him unprecedented pain, almost making him give up. But he didn't relent. Only by enduring this trial could he truly become a powerful soul master.
As time passed, the ice-fire energy around Ning Tianchen grew stronger and stronger. His body began to undergo subtle changes without him noticing.
His muscle lines became more defined, his skin tougher, and even his gaze deeper.
The baptism of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well not only enhanced his physical fitness but also increased his resistance to the two elemental forces.
At this moment, if he were to face off against the Blazing Fire or Skywater teams, his body could withstand most of their attacks. He would no longer be restricted by sub-zero temperatures like those caused by Shui Bing'er's freezing abilities.
Dugu Bo, who had been guarding nearby, observed all the changes in Ning Tianchen. Unable to contain his surprise, he muttered, "I never expected that this ice-fire spring water could also improve a soul master's physical fitness! One day, I should try it myself."
The Jade Phosphorus Serpent Emperor martial soul was essentially a control-type spirit beast.
Therefore, Dugu Bo's physical constitution was inevitably weaker compared to battle-type soul masters of the same level.
If he could cultivate a strong physique, his strength would undoubtedly increase significantly.
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