**Chapter 55: Martial Soul Evolution**
Gu Ziyi wasn't entirely sure which type of Immortal Herb would be best for him. If he wanted to consume any, he thought it wise to begin with the finest. Taking the Fire and Ice Immortal Plant would certainly benefit him greatly.
After all, it's not like he was limited to just one or two Immortal Herbs in his lifetime. If these two didn't manage to evolve his Martial Soul, he could always consume others. And if they didn't work, he'd simply continue until they did!
However, Gu Ziyi felt that the Fire and Ice Immortal Plants, along with his Martial Soul, were highly compatible.
In his perspective, talismans belonged to the realms of Taoist priests or immortal cultivators. The Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Well housed various Immortal Herbs along with two polar opposites—the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass—amidst its garden. Additionally, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well itself took on a Tai Chi shape in its structure.
As everyone knows, the Tai Chi diagram is closely linked to Taoist priests and immortal cultivation in many literary works.
Thus, Gu Ziyi felt that the Fire and Ice Immortal Plant might be most fitting for his Martial Soul.
"Your Highness, prepare yourself!"
"We're about to begin harvesting!"
When Gu Ziyi stood by the edge of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well center, where the chaos water and the Fire and Ice Immortal Plant were located, Yue Guan stood in front of the Infernal Delicate Apricot and told him to be ready.
At this moment, Gui Mei was already standing in front of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
"Thank you for your help, Elders. I am ready!" Gu Ziyi nodded.
"Old Ghost!"
Seeing this, Yue Guan said nothing further. Instead, he called to his brother and reached out to harvest the Infernal Delicate Apricot.
Whoosh—
Just as Yue Guan extended his hand, an intense flame flared up from the Infernal Delicate Apricot, attempting to drive him away.
Phew—
The same happened with Gui Mei. When his hand neared the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, it started to freeze from the plant's defensive mechanism.
"Such strength!"
"A plant actually possesses this much power!"
The Ghost was secretly alarmed by this discovery, but he still managed to harvest the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
After seeing Yue Guan toss the Infernal Delicate Apricot towards Gu Ziyi, he did the same.
Originally, he hesitated, thinking the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass could harm Gu Ziyi upon direct contact, but he trusted his brother's judgment.
Gu Ziyi, who had been waiting for this, caught the two Immortal Plants thrown by the two men.
As soon as he held the Immortal Herbs, he felt their icy and fiery essence. The extreme cold and heat from each began affecting him severely, with one hand feeling like it was freezing and the other like it was burning.
He quickly brought the two herbs close together in his hands.
Buzz—
The instant the two Immortal Plants touched, the deadly extreme temperatures vanished, neutralizing each other.
Seeing this, Gu Ziyi didn't hesitate further and simultaneously consumed the Fire and Ice Immortal Plants.
The herbs melted in his mouth, transforming into two powerful currents that surged into his stomach. Simultaneously, the scorching and freezing powers exploded within him.
"Aaaaaaaah…"
Gu Ziyi clenched his teeth in agony.
Drip—Drop—
Beads of sweat started pouring from his body. As they fell, they steamed up, then froze upon reaching the ground.
At that moment, he felt like dying to escape the unbearable pain, which was far worse than any endurance training he had endured.
"Heart-Cleansing Curse Talisman!"
Without thinking, Gu Ziyi immediately applied the Heart-Cleansing Curse Talisman to himself and then jumped straight into the spring below.
With a splash, he entered the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, swimming to the intersection of the scorching and icy springs, where the pain in his body began to ease.
Gu Ziyi then started refining and absorbing the potent energies of both herbs!
His body underwent a continuous cycle of destruction and repair under the opposing forces, repeating the grueling process many times over.
During this period, the energy from the two Immortal Plants also integrated into his Martial Soul.
His Martial Soul eagerly absorbed the energies from the Fire and Ice Immortal Plants like a parched beast discovering a spring in a desert.
He was delighted to feel this phenomenon.
The Martial Soul was indeed absorbing the energy of the two Immortal Plants, proving its effectiveness!
Time passed as Gu Ziyi refined the energies within him.
"Lao Yue, are you sure His Highness will be alright?"
Outside the well, Gui Mei watched Gu Ziyi submerge in the spring below and asked with concern.
"Don't worry; you can tell from His Highness's expression that he's fine."
"Although the absorption process is extremely painful, it's entirely normal and will bring immense benefits for His Highness in the future."
"After absorbing these two Immortal Plants, His Highness's physical body will become far stronger than ordinary herbs could make it, and his constitution will become immune to poisons."
"As for whether His Highness's Martial Soul will evolve from this, I can't guarantee it."
"This is my first time seeing an Immortal Herb myself and the first time I've seen anyone undergo this absorption process."
Yue Guan was far calmer than Gui Mei.
Nevertheless, they both kept close watch by the lake's center. Not even Yue Guan dared approach those Immortal Herbs again until Gu Ziyi finished the absorption process safely.
The refining process took him half a day.
Phew—
It wasn't until he fully absorbed the Fire and Ice Immortal Plants that Gu Ziyi emerged from the depths of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
He felt exhilarated.
In his perception, his Martial Soul Talisman now had an entirely different appearance.
The previously ordinary talisman now bore a Tai Chi watermark at its center, filled with a Taoist charm, and runes occasionally appeared.
Poosh—
Gu Ziyi then leaped from the lake, summoning his Martial Soul to examine it.
Buzz—
Sure enough, the Martial Soul in Gu Ziyi's hands this time appeared as he had sensed it within, imbued with a mysterious Taoist charm and runes.
"Did His Highness's Martial Soul actually evolve?"
Seeing the changes in Gu Ziyi's Martial Soul, Yue Guan and Gui Mei widened their eyes. Yue Guan directly asked.
"Yes, Elders!"
"My Martial Soul has indeed evolved…"
"No, my Martial Soul was extraordinary from the start. It simply had flaws when it was awakened. Now those original flaws have been remedied, restoring it to its true form!"
Gu Ziyi wore a smile.
Sure enough, as he suspected, the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass were highly compatible with his Martial Soul. Beyond strengthening his physique, they helped him complete his Martial Soul evolution with ease.
In other words, they helped restore his Martial Soul to its original form.
Now, the quality of his Martial Soul was no longer the previously poor Level 1 innate Soul Power but had transformed into a genuinely high-quality Martial Soul.
The Tai Chi watermark on the talisman wasn't a mere decorative addition...
(End of Chapter)
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