Xu Zihuang naturally would not let go of the perfect opportunity created by the Skydream Iceworm.
Dark-red crystals condensed in the air piece by piece. In the blink of an eye, he had already crossed the deadly zone where the Jade Phosphor Seven-Absolute Flower and Jade Phosphor Nine-Absolute Flower grew, arriving directly above the valley.
The Skydream Iceworm was only using the ice attribute power of his origin, which did not conflict with Xu Zihuang's martial soul and soul skills.
Stepping on air, Xu Zihuang descended. Because of the cold aura spilling from his body, frost condensed into shimmering sheets along his path.
Cold currents raged, and the damp poisonous miasma rapidly changed. The vast multicolored poison fog scattered as though encountering its greatest nemesis. Large amounts of colorful powder fell to the ground, and the surrounding air became clear.
Though the Skydream Iceworm lacked the ability of Ultimate Ice, all those years of absorbing Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow had not been in vain.
Suppressing this poison fog was more than enough.
Even if some remnants lingered, Xu Zihuang's body-protecting soul power carried the aura of Destruction, cleansing everything completely.
Xu Zihuang descended steadily, occasionally borrowing force from the floating dark-red crystals, keeping a uniform downward speed.
Soon he entered the range of the rainbow poison clouds above the valley. With the Skydream Iceworm's icy origin power as protection, plus the secondary shield of his destructive aura, not a trace of the toxic miasma could infiltrate.
The multicolored poison fog was dense, blocking all sight. Even with the incredible vision of the Golden Eyes, Xu Zihuang could only see ten meters ahead. But with the Skydream Iceworm's spiritual detection, he could still avoid risks in advance.
"Zihuang, be careful. A group of plant-type soul beasts with cultivation of at least thirty thousand years is preparing to attack you. Right side, less than fifty meters away."
Just as the Skydream Iceworm warned him, a shadow appeared in Xu Zihuang's vision, sweeping toward him at astonishing speed.
Suspended in midair, a soul master without flight would normally be in great danger. But Xu Zihuang was an exception. By developing an alternate use of his second soul skill, Mirror of Destruction, his agility in the air was not much inferior to a flying-type soul master.
Soul skills were fixed, but exceptional soul masters could create different effects with unique applications.
Xu Zihuang was undoubtedly one of these.
With the powerful dynamic vision of his martial soul, he clearly captured the form of the shadow—
A thick, deep-blue vine streaked with multicolored lines, as thick as a grown man's thigh, lashing toward him like a giant python's tail. The seven-colored marks proved it was tainted with poison miasma, yet unharmed, showing it was venomous by nature.
Xu Zihuang's toes tapped lightly on the red crystals, agilely evading the massive lashes. The whipping vines tore the air, producing sharp howls.
Meanwhile, his left hand had become crystalline, elegant fingers flickering with dark-purple flame. With a snap, he sent a dense purple blaze onto one vine.
Though flame-like, this power clung like bone-deep rot—once touched, impossible to extinguish.
As the vines brushed each other, the destructive fire spread instantly. In moments, they all caught the blaze, writhing wildly like the legs of an octopus.
Where the flame passed, the vines withered swiftly, robbed of all life.
This was the terror of the Destruction attribute— the natural bane of plant-type soul beasts.
Compared to fire or lightning, its restraining power was even stronger, stripping away vitality from within.
Had these plant soul beasts resisted with pure soul power, they might have smothered the flames. But allowing their bodies to be directly tainted with Destruction left them doomed.
"Your Destruction attribute is a bit twisted." The Skydream Iceworm clicked its tongue, then quickly turned serious.
"There must be some extraordinary natural treasure here that empowers plants. Be careful, Zihuang—this place is home to powerful plant soul beasts."
Xu Zihuang had already expected this.
More vines approached, but he felt no pressure. Several bursts of purple flame shot out, reducing the attacking vines to chaos.
Unless they reached a hundred-thousand-year cultivation, plant soul beasts' intelligence lagged behind beasts of flesh.
Descending further, Xu Zihuang saw the vines' origin: they grew along the cliff walls, some ten zhang long, increasing in number the deeper he went.
He swiftly moved sideways dozens of meters, beyond their range.
He wasn't foolish—better to avoid trouble when possible.
Freed from their entanglement, he accelerated downward, cutting through the clouds.
After about three hundred meters, the toxic miasma abruptly cleared. His vision opened, revealing a breathtaking sight.
Fresh air filled with vibrant life rushed into his body, making him feel lighter, cleaner, almost reborn. Such dense vitality he had only once felt—when purifying the Gold of Life.
Unlike the toxic rainbow haze outside, the colors within the valley came from the brilliance of countless rare plants.
Strange flora grew everywhere, heavy with fruit, glowing with spiritual light—clearly no ordinary herbs.
At the valley's heart lay a lake split in two. One half icy white, the other fiery red, the lights swirling and blending in extraordinary beauty.
"This… this is a land of treasures! Zihuang, you've struck gold! With these many heavenly herbs, even with the slower cultivation of your Ultimate Martial Soul, you could still break through to Titled Douluo within twenty years! And the life force here is at least five times stronger than the Star Dou Forest's core!"
The Skydream Iceworm's voice trembled with excitement.
But excitement gave way to caution. This paradise also empowered countless plant soul beasts. In his spiritual sense, hundreds—no, thousands—of them stirred.
The life force here was so rich that most plants had evolved into soul beasts. Many swayed gently, some turning toward Xu Zihuang, others glowing more brightly at his presence.
Plant soul beasts were immobile, rooted within their domains. But within those domains, their strength surpassed even animal-type beasts. In such numbers, the valley was perilous.
Descending, Xu Zihuang recalled his past life's memory, golden eyes locking onto one plant.
A huge pink flower, nearly a zhang tall, stem bare of leaves, with a crystal-like bloom three feet wide. Each delicate petal swayed in mist by the border of the red and white waters.
He noticed it not just for its beauty, but because within ten zhang of it, no other plant grew.
In this crowded valley, that emptiness stood out.
"The hundred-thousand-year Fragrant Silk Beauty?" Both Xu Zihuang and the Skydream Iceworm thought the same.
Xu Zihuang remained calm, but the Iceworm was shocked, urging him:
"Zihuang, land near that flower. It's called the Fragrant Silk Beauty, one of the top immortal herbs. Its greatest power is resisting poison. That's why nothing grows around it—it's the nemesis of all toxins. Stay near it, and you'll be safe, at least for now. And though it has a hundred-thousand-year cultivation, like me, it's poor at combat. If anything goes wrong, I can get you out."
"I understand, Tianmeng." Xu Zihuang already knew the flower's identity, but reassured him anyway.
"If things go badly, I won't force it. We'll return once we're stronger."
"Good, good. That's why I chose you." The Iceworm laughed, feeling once again glad for its decision.
This was destiny—being led to such a treasure could only be thanks to Xu Zihuang. In him lay infinite hope.
As Xu Zihuang landed near the flower, no plants attacked.
The moment he touched down, a faint fragrance filled his nose. Calmly, he let it flow into him, merging with his body.
His spirit cleared, his mind sharpened. Though he had only inhaled a trace, he felt cleansed, as if washed in pure water.
The Skydream Iceworm groaned with bliss inside his mind.
"So good! So good!"
Just as Xu Zihuang prepared to draw in more, the pink petals suddenly glowed.
A rosy barrier expanded outward, enveloping a ten-zhang circle, including him.
Remembering its effects from his past life, Xu Zihuang inhaled greedily. The fragrance was richer now, making his entire body relaxed, his control over soul power finer.
The Iceworm smacked its lips, then asked, "Zihuang, what now? I sense several hundred-thousand-year plant beasts here, but they're sleeping. We could leave before they wake. What do you think?"
Taking herbs would risk digging them up, surely alarming the slumbering giants. Escape was possible, but not without risk.
Xu Zihuang studied the nearby herbs, then replied with a prepared excuse:
"Tianmeng, I once read ancient records of this place. It's called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If you pass its trial, you can freely take seven immortal herbs."
With his past-life memories, he could easily pass the Fragrant Silk Beauty's trial. If not, retreating with the Iceworm remained an option.
The lure of these herbs was too great—they might even awaken his martial soul anew.
"Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" The Iceworm was surprised but not suspicious.
"Whose trial? Surely not those hundred-thousand-year plant beasts?"
Xu Zihuang didn't answer. Instead, he stretched out his left hand, dark-purple destructive flame swirling.
At its appearance, the Fragrant Silk Beauty trembled, its violet pistil flickering. A rosy aura spread outward, thicker than before, carrying a faint majesty.
Then a gentle female voice sounded clearly.
"Human. It is your fortune to reach this place. But if you dare provoke me again, don't blame me for being merciless."
Xu Zihuang's eyes flickered with hidden amusement. Feigning shock, he cried, "Ah? You can talk?!"
Waving his hands wildly in fake panic, each spark of purple flame made the flower's petals tremble more.
Finally, the Fragrant Silk Beauty could not hold the act.
"Stop! Stop! Don't come any closer!"
Despite its cultivation, it had never met humans. Naïve as the Iceworm once was, its feigned majesty was betrayed by its panicked tone.
Xu Zihuang knew full well—even at a hundred thousand years, if tainted by Destruction, it would suffer.
Pretending to "realize," he withdrew the flames, gazing calmly at the trembling flower.
He knew better than to push too far. A little intimidation was enough.
The Skydream Iceworm gaped at his ploy.
"Zihuang, you usually act so proper. Didn't expect you to play tricks like this."
"Heh, I like it. As long as it's not on me."
It had no idea Xu Zihuang had been manipulating it the same way since the very start.
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