Su Cheng nodded and walked back to the side of the spring.
"Now that you have cultivated techniques that can enhance your bloodline and cultivation, and you also intend to upgrade your martial soul, you no longer need to rely solely on immortal herbs to enhance your soul power.
"Similarly, your martial soul bloodline has been strengthened by the Nirvana Sutra, and the effect is already sufficient.
"As a result, you don't need to be overly concerned about the properties of immortal herbs. It's better to accumulate medicinal power as much as possible to enhance your foundation and strength.
"Give me your hand."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything and directly raised her right hand to hand it over.
Su Cheng gently pinched her fingers, wrist, and forearm, feeling her current physical strength, and nodded inwardly.
Her physical quality was much stronger than that of an ordinary Soul Ancestor, reaching a level comparable to a Soul King.
Considering her thirty-eighth level of cultivation, although her physical foundation was not particularly profound, it was already sufficient.
It was probably the benefit brought by absorbing the third soul ring across the years.
Actually, for Zhu Zhuqing now, whether it was the Qi Mushroom, Snow Narcissus, or Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, which were neutral immortal herbs, they could all have good effects. As long as she didn't take herbs with relatively extreme attributes like the Crest Phoenix Tail, or the Land Dragon Golden Melon, there wouldn't be any problems.
But since medicinal power was the priority, more was naturally better.
The immortal herbs couldn't be taken multiple times, as the conflicting medicinal powers between them could be lethal.
However, in this place, there were two kinds of immortal herbs whose medicinal properties happened to complement each other.
Thinking of this, Su Cheng let go of Zhu Zhuqing's hand and looked at her. "Time is limited, just follow my instructions."
Unlike him, Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation level was insufficient, her physique was much weaker, and she didn't have a hundred thousand-year spirit bone, so she couldn't stay near the Extreme Yin-Yang Spring for too long.
In just a moment, her body began to react.
But because of her strong will, she managed to remain calm.
"Do you see that octagonal white flower?" Su Cheng pointed.
Following his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing saw a beautiful white herb growing alone beside the Extreme Yin Spring. There were tiny crystal-like stamens in the center of its petals, shimmering like ice crystals.
It was the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, an immortal herb with extraordinary cold poison.
"Later, you will cut it down with a dagger and quickly bring it back to the hot spring. Remember, be fast, it's highly toxic."
After saying that, he went to the other side of the Extreme Yin-Yang Spring, where the scorching Yang Spring was located.
Here grew a plant that looked like a white cabbage but was entirely red, the Fiery Apricot Orchid, possessing top-tier fire poison.
Su Cheng took out a jade shovel from his soul tool and picked it.
By this time, Zhu Zhuqing was ready and returned to the vicinity of the Extreme Yin-Yang Spring.
Seeing this, Su Cheng immediately flicked his hand, and the Fiery Apricot Orchid was thrown to the ground in front of Zhu Zhuqing like a ribbon.
As the two immortal herbs came closer to each other, Zhu Zhuqing was surprised to find that the almost paralyzing cold emanating from the peculiar white flower disappeared instantly.
Now, a faint red light enveloped the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, while a faint white mist shrouded the Fiery Apricot Orchid.
The breath between them began to suppress and blend with each other.
Watching this strange scene before her, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but be astonished.
"Hurry up and eat them both, then focus on your mind," Su Cheng's voice suddenly came to Zhu Zhuqing's ears.
After the two herbs were in contact and suppressed each other, their effects would completely disappear after ten breaths.
But undoubtedly, for someone like Zhu Zhuqing, who had no understanding of the hidden secrets of these two herbs, this was quite a risky move.
Although she didn't know the effects of these two herbs, just based on the terrifying reaction when she picked the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass for a short time, anyone would know that both of these things contained extraordinary poison.
Let alone taking them simultaneously, even eating one of them would probably cause even a Title Douluo to die on the spot.
But she didn't hesitate at all.
After hearing Su Cheng's voice, she didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately picked up the two poisonous immortal herbs and put them into her mouth.
No matter how stubborn she was, Zhu Zhuqing knew very well in her heart that she had an extraordinary trust in Su Cheng.
Perhaps it was because of the twenty years of companionship in another world, or perhaps it was because of the regretful outcome brought by her former arrogance, or perhaps it was the strange emotions that had silently fermented.
All of this made her unwilling to hesitate on such matters anymore.
Although both herbs were poisonous, after being suppressed by each other, they no longer had their previous dominance, and they immediately turned into liquid and flowed down her throat.
In just three breaths, Zhu Zhuqing's body suddenly trembled violently.
Then, a layer of ice blue rose directly from under her feet, and in the blink of an eye, her entire body turned completely blue, followed by a layer of red rising.
For a moment, blue and red light alternated on Zhu Zhuqing's body, looking extremely strange.
But under the impact of the two extreme energies, Zhu Zhuqing felt unbearable pain, and her nerves were almost about to burst.
At this moment, a surge of soul power came from behind.
"Su Cheng!"
Just as a thought flashed through her mind, her weakened body instantly leaned forward and fell into the spring where the ice and fire merged.
After entering the spring, the two energies of ice and fire in her body immediately began to churn violently, and in an instant, she fell into a coma.
The water surface of the spring in the Extreme Yin-Yang Spring returned to calm, with a clear division between milky white and reddish water. The water vapor continued to permeate the air, and everything returned to silence.
Su Cheng frowned and looked at Zhu Zhuqing's current position, spreading out his Five Elements Domain and silently sensing her condition. Seeing that everything was normal, his brows gradually relaxed.
Although he still had some worries in his heart, considering Zhu Zhuqing's current level of cultivation and physical fitness, as well as her absorption of the medicinal power of the two herbs, there shouldn't be any accidents when enduring the baptism of the ice and fire in the spring.
While Zhu Zhuqing continued to absorb the medicinal power of the herbs and undergo the ice and fire tempering, Su Cheng turned and walked towards the valley.
He planned to collect all the mature herbs and the several immortal herbs and put them all into Dugu Bo's Hundred Treasures Pouch during this time.
Although he believed that Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't go out and talk indiscriminately, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Moreover, leaving those mature herbs in the Extreme Yin-Yang Spring didn't make much sense. It was better to leave more spiritual energy to nourish the Blue Silver Emperor seedling and other immature treasures.
Just as Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing entered the Extreme Yin-Yang Spring...
The Lord of the Martial Soul Temple in Tian Dou City, Salas, also entered the Royal Academy of Tian Dou with a young man in black clothes from the Martial Soul City.
Although this person was young and it was difficult to gauge his cultivation depth, from Salas's respectful attitude and the demeanor of the youth, it was easy to see that this person was definitely extraordinary and held a high position, making people not dare to be disrespectful.
Apart from the nominal visits and exchanges for learning, the two individuals specifically mentioned wanting to meet with the talented student Su Cheng from the second team.
Upon hearing this request, Meng Shengji and the others felt somewhat troubled.
Su Cheng has always been a solitary figure, rarely informing the academy of his movements such as leaving the school. His whereabouts are seldom known to anyone, not even to those closest to him like Ning Rongrong.
The only person who might have clearer insights is Dugu Bo.
However, the temperament of Gudu Bo is well understood by the leading teachers in the academy. If one fails to gain his favor, no status matters, so they dare not easily disturb him.
Apart from this, Meng Shengji and the others have had quite a few other worries recently.
Just recently, the group from Shrek Academy left, taking with them the leader of the Royal Combat Team, Qin Ming. Now, with the Soul Master Competition approaching, finding a senior Soul Master who can command the team again in the short term is not an easy task.
Moreover, for both the academy and the Tian Dou Empire, Qin Ming's presence itself holds significant importance.
Not long ago, this young Soul Master, who was only thirty-four years old, had already broken through to the level of Soul Emperor. If things go as expected, it's only a matter of time before he becomes a Titled Douluo, so his loss is quite significant.
This matter also requires the Education Committee to report and explain to the royal family.
Seeing this situation, Qian Renxue, who disguised herself as a young man with soul bones, didn't insist further. She left Salas alone to deal with those from the Education Committee and went on her way, searching the academy on her own.
Although there are many students in the Tian Dou Royal Academy, compared to its vast campus, student sightings are rare.
Walking along the path, Qian Renxue casually took out the white flower stained with a hint of blood color.
The red color on her fingertips floated silently, emitting a faint golden-red light, low-key yet splendid.
After finding no one in the second team's lounge, she didn't rush. Instead, she turned and headed towards the first team's lounge, hoping to see if Su Cheng might be there.
However, before she reached the door, she heard voices coming from inside.
"...Teacher Qin Ming has left the academy, and we don't know who the academy will find to lead the team in the future. I hope the level won't be too poor." The voice of a young girl was soft and charming, tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"In my opinion, it doesn't matter who comes. Your team's strength is more than sufficient, and you'll likely get a decent ranking." The slightly older voice followed.
"Grandpa, how can you say that? Even if we don't consider the competition results, can I just abandon my cultivation?" The girl's tone showed her disagreement.
"That's true." The old man agreed, "Otherwise, why don't you join the second team? That kid Su Cheng has some skills, knows more than me. If you train with him, your talent won't be wasted. If I speak up, he'll give you face."
Then, seeming to remember something, he quickly changed his tune, "But forget it, that kid does have a bit of a sinister nature, but the girls around him are even more trouble. Today, he's running around with another girl again, who, at thirteen, already has strength close to a Soul Ancestor. I don't know how she cultivated."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sound of pushing the door from outside the lounge.
Both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan turned to look, seeing a handsome young man in black walking into the lounge.
With an obviously fake smile on his face, he bowed to Dugu Bo, "Junior from the Martial Soul Hall, Ling Yuan, pays respects to Poison Douluo."
"Martial Soul Hall?" Dugu Bo's expression changed from cold disdain to surprise and curiosity upon hearing the visitor's self-identification.
He wondered about the purpose of the visitor and was impressed by his strength.
As a peak-level Titled Douluo at level ninety-five, Dugu Bo couldn't sense the young man's level of cultivation. Moreover, the young man entered without making any noise, which, while partly due to Dugu Bo's lack of vigilance, shouldn't have escaped his subconscious awareness.
This person was quite extraordinary.
Besides his strength, his self-identification also made Dugu Bo's interest piqued.
This person actually came from the Martial Soul Hall, judging by his age and demeanor, he should be no ordinary person. He might even be among the core figures of the younger generation in the Martial Soul Hall.
Since Su Cheng has already decided to join there in the future, and he himself has some intentions, it's naturally not good to offend him.
Thinking this, Dugu Bo's expression softened slightly, nodding, "No need for formalities. What brings you here?"
The young man stood tall, looking directly at Dugu Bo.
His voice was flat, devoid of emotional fluctuations.
"Just now, I overheard the senior mentioning the name Su Cheng. I wonder if it's the Su Cheng, the captain of the second team of the Royal Combat Team?"
"Um... um?" Dugu Bo was about to nod in agreement, but then he remembered the woman who was quite close to Su Cheng.
If he remembered correctly, Su Cheng once mentioned that the woman holds a high position in the Martial Soul Hall, and even the current Pope must be wary of her.
Seeing the young man's keen interest in Su Cheng, he speculated that he might be acting on her behalf to gather information.
What he just said may have been heard by many, who knows if there will be any misunderstandings? No matter what, it's not suitable to be revealed from his mouth.
Su Cheng's handling of emotional matters is his own business, but it shouldn't be revealed by him.
Thinking of this, Dugu Bo paused and quickly changed his words, "You heard wrong. I didn't mention Su Cheng; I was talking about a teacher in the academy."
Qian RenxueenXue raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
Anger surged in her heart, immediately sensing that there was definitely something wrong inside.
Dugu Bo didn't think much about it and didn't even consider that the person in front of him might be the woman he had met that day.
Looking at the young man disguised by Qianren Xue, his expression remained calm and peaceful.
"If you're looking for Su Cheng, you've asked the wrong person. While I do have some acquaintance with him, I don't know where he is. That kid is always elusive, and few people in the academy know his whereabouts."