Chapter 132: Journey to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well
"You want to go out?"
Jing Hongchen had just broken through to Rank 94 when Xiao Qiang approached him with a leave request.
"Yes."
Jing Hongchen thought it over for a moment before nodding. "I'll arrange for a Titled Douluo to accompany you for protection."
"That's not necessary. I've already planned things out—it won't be dangerous this time."
Jing Hongchen recalled Xiao Qiang's previous solo venture to obtain the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, as well as his unusual third soul skill. At the time, he had gone alone and returned successfully.
"Will you have any other opportunities like this soon?"
"Probably not."
Jing Hongchen nodded again and took out a Hongchen Blessing soul tool along with several fixed soul guide shells from his body.
"Take these. If you need more, just come back. Also, this is currently the most advanced soul guide device we have. With it, you can contact me or even the Royal Family of the Sun Moon Empire for help at any time."
Xiao Qiang accepted them without hesitation, then politely bid farewell and returned to the Earl's Mansion—his residence granted by the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. His destination was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
That place was a must-visit eventually. Now that Xiao Qiang had reached Rank 59, waiting until Rank 70 or 80 would make the benefits much less effective.
More importantly, Xiao Qiang didn't want to delay Mu Qingxue's 100,000-year soul ring acquisition any longer. With the addition of a 100,000-year soul spirit bringing a soul ring, Mu Qingxue would likely reach Rank 80 or higher. But beyond that level, although the extreme fire properties would still be useful, her overall combat effectiveness would be lacking in the wars that could erupt in the later stages.
Xiao Qiang couldn't predict when the butterfly effect he caused would ignite the conflict, so the sooner he secured essential resources, the better.
As for Tang San's divine consciousness possibly interfering, Xiao Qiang wasn't too worried. After all, it was unlikely that divine consciousness resided in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If it did—and if it could interfere—the Immortal Herbs there would never have been able to nurture the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, who even resisted the Tang Sect.
Besides, this was only the timeline of Douluo Dalu II. At this point, Tang San hadn't reached the level where he could dominate the God Realm unchecked. The God of Destruction was still keeping a close eye on him.
In fact, throughout Douluo II, aside from the Qiankun Dog Training Valley incident, every time Tang San intervened in the mortal realm, it was related to his daughter.
Whether it was because her divine consciousness was invaded, or she used the Sea God's ninth soul skill to descend, or because her lover fathered a child with someone else under special circumstances—Tang San's every move hinged on his daughter's situation.
Life and Destruction, who were childless, treated Tang San's daughter as their own. So, when she was mistreated, they turned a blind eye to Tang San descending into the lower world.
Even without that emotional connection, a father stepping in when his daughter's being bullied wasn't unreasonable.
During Douluo Dalu II, Tang San had shown surprising restraint. Even as the Tang Sect declined, he never used his god-level powers as a Deus Ex Machina to destroy Huo Yuhao. He chose to help revive the Tang Sect while obeying the laws of the God Realm—a clear sign that restrictions still bound him tightly.
Tang San might have his flaws, but his obsession with the Tang Sect was genuine. Even when it was on the brink of extinction, he held back. That restraint spoke volumes.
…
After returning to the Earl's Mansion, Xiao Qiang rubbed his sister's head affectionately. "Xiao Lan, what level are you at now?"
"Level 33."
Xiao Qiang nodded thoughtfully. Xiao Lan had reached Rank 9 half a year ago and took the Sun and Moon Divine Pill, which raised her by five ranks. So she should've been around Rank 13 back then. Now, her spirit power was growing rapidly.
Considering how Tang San's spirit power had jumped by six levels at Rank 60 after absorbing a 100,000-year spirit ring, it made sense that Xiao Lan would have similar leaps in her early ranks. The first ring boosted her six levels, the second another five, and after half a year of practice, she gained five more. Now with her third ring, she had climbed straight to Rank 33. It was a testament to how overwhelming the gap was between hard work and cheats.
"That's perfect. You can come with me this time. It's a good chance to break through to Rank 40."
It had been more than half a year since she'd taken the Divine Pill, and she had been under the Snow Emperor's care the whole time. With the help of the Snow Pill, there shouldn't be any lingering medicinal residue in her system.
Even though the Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone—which raised Zhu Zhuqing's soul power by seven levels in the original Douluo Dalu—might not have the exact same effect, Xiao Qiang believed it would still raise Xiao Lan's spirit power by 6.5 levels. Combined with some casual cultivation and soul beast meat, she should hit Rank 40 in a month or two. Then they could head to the Star Dou Great Forest—get Xiao Lan a 10,000-year fourth ring, and secure a 100,000-year sixth ring for himself.
"You're saying Xiao Lan can reach Rank 40 at age 10? Are you serious?" Mu Qingxue asked in disbelief. He'd always thought he was a genius, having reached Rank 30 at the same age. Now he was Rank 31.
Was it really possible for Xiao Lan to hit Rank 40 at just ten years old?
"Of course. I know a place where there's a magical herb that can increase a soul master's level by six or seven ranks."
"Magical herb?" Mu Qingxue frowned. "Isn't that basically doping? Wouldn't it destabilize the foundation?"
"Unstable foundation? No way. The reason it's called a magical herb is exactly because it strengthens the foundation while boosting power. Otherwise, why do you think the original Shrek Seven Devils all had the potential to become gods? Some of them only had innate soul power of level seven—barely genius-level at best."
"But can you actually find herbs as rare and powerful as Tang San did in his era?"
"Who knows? With some luck, maybe I can."
"Let's set that aside for now. Pack your things. Be ready to leave soon—I don't want any last-minute obstacles. Oh, and Nana, you come along too. Let's see if we can help you reach Rank 50 this time."
"Yes, Master."
With that, Xiao Qiang, Mu Qingxue, Xiao Lan, and Nana made their preparations to leave the Sun Moon Empire and set off for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
But just as they were about to depart, a figure appeared at the gate—blocking their path.
"Lord Xiao, I am Xu Tianran. A pleasure to finally meet you."
Xu Tianran wore a refined smile on his face, but in Xiao Qiang's eyes…
That smile? It was the kind of misfortune you encounter right before you're about to leave.
Unlucky to the extreme.
———
Pump up the power stone