Consciousness, like a fish drowning in the deep sea, struggled upwards and finally broke through that hazy barrier.
Chen Yi suddenly opened his eyes, and what came into view was not the darkness or familiar dwelling he had expected, but the strange and magnificent scene of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
He was lying on the bank where the two springs met, with damp mud and some tough, exotic grass beneath him.
"Ugh…"
Just as he was about to move his body, a strong feeling of stiffness and constriction washed over him. Chen Yi looked down and, to his horror, found himself almost entirely covered in a thick layer of dark red scabs, as if he were wearing a rough, ill-fitting suit of armor. With the slightest movement, the scabs made a soft cracking sound.
At the same time, an indescribable pungent smell—a mixture of blood, sweat, and some kind of bodily waste—assaulted his nostrils. Even with two lifetimes of experience and his current robust physique, he couldn't help but feel his stomach churn and almost vomited on the spot.
This appearance is probably worse than that of a beggar, Chen Yi thought helplessly.
He tried to circulate his soul power to shatter this armor, but found that although the soul power in his body was abundant, it seemed somewhat sluggish and difficult to control precisely. Obviously, his body had not yet fully adapted to the deep transformation it had undergone.
Just then, a familiar voice, tinged with helplessness and concern, clearly reached his ears.
"Now that you're awake, go change your clothes and clean yourself up. Your appearance is really unsightly."
It's the Grand Elder!
Chen Yi felt a chill run down his spine and a sense of guilt washed over him. He clearly remembered how he had taken advantage of the Grand Elder and the Third Elder's inattention to sneak into the depths of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—a place where danger and opportunity coexisted. The old man must have been terribly worried. If he saw him again now, he'd inevitably get another scolding… and a bit of care.
"Yes, Elder!"
Chen Yi didn't dare delay, nor did he dare look back at the Grand Elder's expression. After responding, he almost used both hands and feet, disregarding the filth on his body and the sluggishness of his soul power, and plunged into the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire again with a "plop."
He would rather endure the extreme pain of ice and fire intertwining and tempering his bones again than immediately face the Grand Elder's seemingly calm but potentially wrathful gaze.
The scorching and frigid spring water enveloped him once more, but unlike the ferocity of his first dive, this time the energy seemed much gentler, mainly washing away the grime from his body and soothing minor internal injuries. The scabs softened and peeled away quickly under the spring's soaking, revealing newly formed skin beneath—fair and resilient, with a subtle, warm sheen.
On the shore, watching Chen Yi's hurried figure, as if a ten-thousand-year soul beast was chasing him, a middle-aged man in a blue robe couldn't help but laugh and curse, "That brat!"
If Chen Yi were to turn around at this moment, he would surely be astonished, and might even doubt whether he had mistaken the person for someone else.
The person standing on the shore was no longer the old man with white hair and beard, a gaunt face, and an air of otherworldly grace, yet whose age was undeniable. The Elder before him now looked only thirty to forty years old, with a handsome face, well-defined features, and eyes as deep as the starry sea, gleaming with inner light. With his upright posture and simple blue robe, he appeared elegant and well-dressed—a truly mature and refined handsome uncle.
Only the faintly discernible familiar features between his eyebrows, and the unique aura of the Grand Elder deeply rooted in Chen Yi's soul, could connect the two. However, this aura was several times stronger than before. It was like a dragon lurking in the abyss—unfathomable, a world apart from what it had been.
He stood with his hands behind his back by the strange spring. His own aura was enough to rival this treasure land created by heaven and earth, without being inferior in the slightest.
The spring water of the Yin-Yang Well was indeed miraculous.
In just a short while, Chen Yi felt all the filth on his body disappear, and he felt completely refreshed. The scabs that had bothered him had long since vanished, and his newly grown skin was smooth and full of vitality.
He took out a clean set of clothes from his storage soul tool and changed into them. Feeling the surging soul power within his body—far surpassing his previous strength—and his robust physique that seemed to be cheering with every cell, a surge of heroic spirit welled up in his heart.
This adventure, though extremely dangerous, yielded immense rewards.
He took a deep breath, composed himself, and then stepped onto the shore, ready to face the anticipated storm.
However, when he looked up and saw the person on the shore, he froze on the spot as if he had been turned to stone. His mouth was slightly open, and his eyes widened.
This… this is the Grand Elder? Are you kidding me?!
Did he change his appearance? Or did he eat some kind of elixir that reverses aging?
The handsome uncle in front of him, dressed in a blue robe, had an extraordinary temperament and outstanding looks. In his previous life, he would definitely be the kind of charming uncle who could make millions of young ladies scream and be invincible in nightclubs.
Chen Yi even subconsciously imagined the other person dressed fashionably, raising a glass and smiling in a neon-lit nightclub, surrounded by beautiful women…
The only drawback is… Chen Yi's gaze involuntarily fell on the other person's head, and he muttered inwardly, This head… well, the head circumference does seem to be slightly larger than that of a person with the same body proportions, but combined with this temperament, it makes him even more unique.
Just as Chen Yi was lost in thought, the Grand Elder saw his dumbfounded and incredulous expression, and a smug smile crept onto his lips. He slowly cleared his throat and said in a slightly mocking yet magnetic voice,
"What's wrong, kid? Are you dumbfounded? You didn't really think I'm some old, decrepit man in his seventies or eighties, about to die, did you?
"Hmph, I'm not afraid to tell you, back in the day I was a famous handsome young man in the surrounding area. Matchmakers almost wore down the threshold of the Body Sect!"
That familiar tone, that slightly arrogant manner, instantly pulled Chen Yi back to reality.
Yes, this is indeed the Grand Elder, without a doubt—but the change in appearance was too drastic!
Chen Yi snapped out of his daze and immediately realized what was happening. His face instantly plastered with a fawning smile, and his flattery poured out like the Yellow River flowing from the sky, unstoppable.
"Oh my! My Grand Elder! You were more than just a handsome young man! You are like a god descended to earth, a celestial being in the mortal world! I almost didn't recognize you just now! I thought some deity was passing by!
"Look at your bearing, your aura, this… this youthful face! Not to mention the surrounding villages, even in the entire Douluo Continent, you are a first-rate handsome man! My admiration for you is like the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, unfathomable, and like the Milky Way in the sky, vast and boundless…"
While speaking eloquently, he carefully observed the Elder's expression. Seeing that the Elder was beaming with joy and even bursting into laughter at his unrestrained flattery, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quietly wiped nonexistent cold sweat from his palms.
It seems that improving one's appearance really does improve one's mood, and even one's temper becomes much better, huh? Hopefully, this will save me from this predicament.
However, before he could fully relax, a figure flashed before his eyes. The Elder's seemingly slender and fair hand, which actually contained terrifying power, grabbed him like an iron clamp and pressed down exactly on his shoulder.
The Elder, who had been all smiles just moments before, now revealed a sinister grin, his white teeth gleaming coldly.
"You flatter me well, and I enjoy it, but…"
He deliberately drew out his words, watching as the faint smile of relief that had just appeared on Chen Yi's face instantly froze and turned into terror, before slowly continuing,
"Flattery is flattery, but we still need to settle accounts properly.
"You've got some nerve, kid! Daring to play these heart-pounding games behind my back. If I don't teach you a lesson today, you won't know the meaning of 'safety'!"
"G-Grand Elder! Spare me! Please, let me explain!!"
Chen Yi felt an irresistible force coming from his shoulder, and he was lifted up like a chick. Under the suppression of that big hand, he couldn't even mobilize a trace of his soul power.
In Chen Yi's despairing gaze, a glint flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes, and the sinister smile on his lips brightened even further…
The Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire soon returned to its former tranquility, with only the gurgling of the spring water and the subtle sounds of spiritual energy flowing.
However, in a cave carved into the mountainside not far from the Yin-Yang Well, Dugu Bo—the Poison Douluo who was in deep seclusion, trying to condense his soul core and break through to a higher realm—suddenly frowned.
His body shimmered with emerald light, and his immense soul power surged like a tide. He was at the most crucial moment. Yet at a certain instant, a faint, extremely shrill howl, as if someone were enduring some kind of inhuman torture, pierced through the soul power barrier he had set up and entered his ears.
That voice… sounds a bit like the young sect leader's.
Dugu Bo's mind wavered slightly, and the surging soul power around him fluctuated as well. Startled, he quickly regained his composure and focused all his attention back on the condensation of his soul core.
"Was that an illusion?"
The thought flashed through Dugu Bo's mind, but he quickly dismissed it and continued to immerse himself in cultivation.
However, the faint howling seemed to last for quite some time…
A long time passed—perhaps an hour, perhaps longer.
On the shore of the Yin-Yang Eye of Ice and Fire, space rippled slightly. The Grand Elder, looking refreshed and with his robes fluttering, stepped out first, his face bearing the satisfied expression of someone who had just finished a thorough exercise.
Following closely behind him was Chen Yi.
But Chen Yi was a completely different sight. His new clothes were somewhat disheveled, and his hair looked like it had been ravaged by a storm. Although there were no obvious injuries on his body, his handsome face was scrunched up like a bitter gourd, and his eyes were filled with lingering fear.
Upon emerging, Chen Yi immediately adopted an extremely ingratiating, almost groveling smile. He hurriedly approached the Grand Elder and explained earnestly,
"Elder, please calm down and listen to me… I really did have a feeling at the time, a deep sense that there was a great opportunity for me deep within that spring. That feeling was very strong, and I knew that this was a chance I couldn't miss! That's why… that's why I acted impulsively and didn't have time to report to you. I truly know I was wrong!"
As he spoke, he secretly observed the Grand Elder's expression. Seeing that the Elder didn't seem intent on attacking immediately, he quickly raised his hand and swore,
"I assure you! Absolutely! There will never be a next time! From now on, I will think twice before acting and prioritize safety in everything I do!"
Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder shook his head helplessly, pointed a finger at Chen Yi's nose, and scolded,
"You little brat, stop trying to sweet-talk me. I've heard your promises far too many times. I know you too well. Once you encounter an opportunity that's beneficial to your cultivation—or one that you feel you absolutely must seize—you'll forget all about today's promises and do it again!"
Chen Yi, having been exposed, could only chuckle awkwardly and didn't dare refute him.
Looking at him like this, the Elder's tone gradually became serious and deep, and a trace of lingering fear flashed in his eyes.
"Xiao Yi, I have never doubted your talent or your opportunities. We also hope that you can go further and stand higher.
"But you must remember, on the Douluo Continent, the strong are respected, and dangers lurk everywhere. Many brilliant talents haven't died in direct confrontations, but perished in unknown traps—or because of their own recklessness."
He paused, looked at Chen Yi with deep eyes, and then said slowly,
"In the future, if there's anything similarly dangerous or uncertain, you must tell us in advance. The more people there are, the more perspectives there are, and the more protection you have.
"We old folks have lived longer than you've walked the road. We can offer you some advice, or at least protect you from making fatal mistakes. Remember, we are your elders, your support. We will never harm you."
Listening to the Elder's earnest words and seeing the lingering fear and worry in his eyes, Chen Yi's resentment and playful thoughts about being "taught a lesson" disappeared instantly, replaced by a warm current flowing through his chest.
He suppressed all the playful expressions on his face, straightened his back, and looked at the Grand Elder with a firm and sincere gaze. He solemnly said,
"Grand Elder, I will remember your teachings! I won't dare to be so reckless again. I'll discuss everything with you and the other elders in advance.
"I promise!"
This promise carried more weight and sincerity than any previous assurance.
Seeing the genuine emotion and commitment in Chen Yi's eyes, the Grand Elder slowly nodded, a gentle smile returning to his face. He patted Chen Yi's shoulder, feeling the even stronger, more powerful bones beneath his clothes. His eyes were filled with satisfaction and anticipation.
...
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