Chapter 64: Planning for the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well
Qian Renxue was willing to cultivate the Cosmo not only because of its power, but also because this was Lin Beiya's hope for her.
She didn't want to disappoint him.
Lin Beiya smiled softly and gently rubbed her smooth golden hair, just like he used to when they were still in the Douluo Hall.
"Right, Beiya, let me see your new Gold Cloth! Was that the one you used at the prince's residence earlier?"
Lin Beiya shook his head, denying her guess.
"That was me remotely controlling the Cloth using the Cosmo. It wasn't the Gemini Gold Cloth's own ability."
"Gemini? So that's the name of your new Cloth? Not bad~"
He handed her the Gemini Gold Card, and the little angel immediately infused it with soul power, eager and excited.
Just like when Lin Beiya equipped it, the female version of the Cloth appeared on Qian Renxue's body. But the divine, solemn aura it carried on him became just a touch softer and more elegant on her.
"Beiya, this looks so much better than the Taurus Gold Cloth. But… this helmet is a little… hmm… ugly?"
Lin Beiya staggered and almost fell over.
Are we seriously never escaping the cycle of 'ugly' and 'pretty' again? What did appearance have to do with the strength of a Saint Seiya's Cloth?!
Was "pretty or not defines your life" really a thing?
Fortunately, Qian Renxue didn't dwell on the fact that the Gemini Cloth's helmet looked like an upside-down spittoon. Her attention quickly shifted to the powerful technique that began forming in her hand.
When Lin Beiya saw the faint arcs of blue-violet lightning—the sign of Gemini Light Arc—his heart tightened.
"Wait!"
The arcs vanished as Qian Renxue looked at him in confusion.
"What's wrong, Beiya?"
Lin Beiya rolled his eyes helplessly.
"Do you even know where we are right now? Even if it's just a small forest, a technique like Gemini Light Arc will definitely alert the city defenses!"
"Ah? Then won't I be unable to see what it can really do?"
"You can experiment slowly once you're back in the prince's residence. I'll recall the Gold Cloth when I return to Spirit Hall."
"Really? That's great!"
The night breeze gently brushed through the girl's hair as the two of them sat side by side on the branch of a tree, gazing up at the stars. They both knew this reunion wouldn't last long, so neither mentioned parting. They simply stayed close, doing their best to accompany each other for as long as possible.
When the first rays of dawn broke through the sky, the little angel's smile finally faded.
"Beiya, I need to go back. I still have to meet several ministers today and secure their support."
"Mhm. My Xue'er is so smart—you'll handle it easily. I'll find another chance to come see you."
"Okay. I'll be waiting."
Thinking of the ambush in the Douluo Hall, Lin Beiya decided that this time, he would make the first move.
"Xue'er, look over there for a second."
"Hm? What—is there someth—"
She turned back and found nothing behind her. Just as confusion flickered in her eyes, a burst of fiery warmth sealed her lips.
Realizing what was happening, her face instantly turned scarlet.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
After a long while, their lips parted. Qian Renxue, flushed and shy, was just about to scold him for being shameless— but when she looked up, he was already gone.
Only the gently swaying treetops hinted at the direction he had fled.
"Beiya! You little thief… next time we meet, I'll make you pay!"
Leaving like that was actually for the best—if she lingered, she would only fall deeper into the sadness of parting. Qian Renxue lightly hopped down from the treetop, patted her skirt, and with a gentle smile, walked back toward the prince's residence.
...
Meanwhile, Lin Beiya sped away from Heaven Dou City using telekinesis, his heart pounding wildly.
After cursing himself for being so useless, he continued flying toward the outskirts of the city.
Mid-flight, a thought suddenly struck him.
Not far from Heaven Dou City lay the Sunset Forest, where a priceless treasure was hidden—the place that helped the Shrek Seven Devils transform completely:
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
However, at this stage of the timeline, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well should already have been discovered by Dugu Bo. Lin Beiya had no good way to approach him yet.
Dugu Yan hadn't even awakened her Martial Soul at this point, let alone suffered from inherited poison. So using that opening was impossible for now.
As for letting Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, approach Dugu Bo—that was unrealistic.
After all, Prince Xue Xing once saved Dugu Bo's life.
And Prince Xue Xing would become one of Qian Renxue's biggest political opponents within the Heaven Dou Empire.
Although the conflict wasn't as intense as it would be in the future—since the second and third princes were still active—there was absolutely no closeness between them.
It was impossible for her to win Dugu Bo's support now. If Qian Renxue learned the value of the immortal herbs too early, she would most likely send the two guardians to seize them by force.
If Dugu Bo were cornered, he might detonate the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in desperation— and that kind of loss would be catastrophic.
No, waiting for Dugu Yan's poison to manifest, then approaching through her, would be the safest and most reliable route.
An old poison master with a desperate request was far easier to negotiate with.
Besides, he still needed to consult Yue Guan to learn more about immortal herbs. He would need that knowledge to identify them later. There was no need to rush.
In his plan, he would wait until:
- Dugu Yan's inherited poison began acting up, and
- his own telekinesis had reached a higher level, or
- he had mastered Gemini Cloth's technique: Another Dimension, giving him full control over retreat and escape.
Only then would he make his move on the immortal herbs.
He was especially craving the body-tempering spring water and those two powerful herbs—Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot.
---
After three days of travel, Lin Beiya finally returned to Spirit City.
The first thing he did upon return was head straight to the Supreme Pontiff's Hall. After all, he had acted on his own to go to Heaven Dou City, so he needed to report to his "teacher."
"Teacher, Beiya seeks an audience."
"Enter."
Her calm voice revealed nothing—no indication of whether she was displeased or indifferent.
Entering the grand hall, he saw the tirelessly working Supreme Pontiff bent over documents, her brows alternately relaxing and tightening with each line she read.
Regardless of her later reputation, during her reign as leader of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong truly accomplished much.
The policies to expand Soul Master awakenings among civilians and the future subsidies for Soul Masters under rank 30… these initiatives had yet to be implemented, but they were all part of her coming reforms.
Nobles were inherently greedy. Bibi Dong merely leveraged that nature to win over the hearts of the common Soul Masters.
The Spirit Hall's future army would be built on the backs of these people.
Because nobles would never spend their own money to awaken Martial Souls across the continent, nor would they ever subsidize low-level Soul Masters.
But once the Spirit Hall helped civilians through their most difficult stage, loyalty naturally followed.
Of course, this didn't include a few ungrateful fools who flipped the table after eating.
Looking up at the imposing figure on the platform, Lin Beiya took a deep breath.
"Teacher, Beiya has returned."
"Mhm. You went to Heaven Dou City?"
"Yes. I went to deliver the Aries Gold Cloth."
There was no reason to hide it. Bibi Dong obviously knew the real reason for his trip, and Lin Beiya's interactions with her were usually marked by honesty.
"You're quite attentive to her. The moment the Gold Cloth strengthens, you rush to send it to her."
Lin Beiya blinked. For some reason…
Did he feel a hint of jealousy in her tone?
"Yes, Teacher. We grew up together. Even though we're far apart now, our bond hasn't changed."
"Hmph. Enough. I won't pursue your unauthorized departure this time. Now tell me—how is the new Gold Cloth's ability?"
—
End of Chapter