At this moment, Yang Podi seemed to have realized something and asked, "Dad, are you going to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for spirit rings this time?"
"Pretty much. We plan to head to the core region of the Star Dou Forest. After all, both your grandfather and second granduncle are going for their ninth rings, which need to be between 50,000 to 80,000 years old."
"Why don't I come along? I also need to hunt for my fifth ring."
Yang Zhentian felt a bit speechless upon hearing this. "It's just your fifth ring. How strong can it be? At best, it would be around 20,000 years. The mixed region is more suitable for you; it has a greater variety of choices."
After hesitating for a moment, Yang Podi finally spoke, "I want to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in the Sunset Forest."
"Podi, why do you suddenly want to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"I want to absorb those two immortal herbs. Now that I'm almost a Soul King, absorbing the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot shouldn't be a problem."
Hearing this, Yang Zhentian's face darkened, and even his two grandfathers came over. The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot were still untouched in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well because they had been saved for Yang Podi.
However, these two immortal herbs were extremely poisonous, carrying the essence of extreme cold and heat, making them incredibly dangerous to use. Yang Podi was merely approaching the Soul King level. It was uncertain whether his body could handle such a challenge.
The Breaking Clan was a family of skilled alchemists, so everyone could guess Yang Podi's intentions.
Yang Wudi, his grandfather, became stern and said, "Podi, you must think this through. These two herbs are extraordinary. If you take them together, you risk your body exploding. You're already far ahead of your peers—there's no need to take such a risk."
But Yang Podi's expression was resolute. "Grandfather, I understand all that. I believe that with my current physical strength, I can absorb these two herbs without an issue."
"Moreover, I consumed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and whale glue over a year ago, which greatly enhanced my physical constitution."
Yang Wudi seemed a bit surprised. "The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum? I didn't expect you to have taken that herb. No wonder you could achieve a ten-thousand-year fourth ring. But when did you even acquire the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?"
"Grandfather, I also found it in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I've been saving it until now. If it weren't for my fourth spirit ring, I wouldn't have rushed to use it."
Both Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang were left speechless, inwardly marveling at how much their son and grandson had taken from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Based on what they knew, at least six or seven immortal herbs had been consumed.
The two elders carefully examined Yang Podi's body, occasionally clicking their tongues in admiration.
"Not bad. The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum truly lives up to its reputation of opening the eight meridians and enhancing the Indestructible Vajra Body. It has significantly improved your physical capabilities."
"Podi, with your current physical strength and cultivation speed, you likely won't encounter major bottlenecks even as you progress to Title Douluo. Are you sure you still want to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"Grandfather, I'm certain. I believe these two herbs can significantly enhance my physique, grant me immunity to both extreme heat and cold, and make me impervious to poison. That's exactly what I need."
Of course, Yang Podi had an additional thought he didn't voice aloud. After consuming the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, along with the spring water from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the extreme cold and heat might even trigger a second awakening for his full-body martial soul.
Even if he couldn't achieve a gold-level second awakening, a silver-level awakening would elevate his martial soul to the level of a top-tier spirit, on par with the Clear Sky Hammer or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
If fortune favored him and he achieved a gold-level second awakening, his martial soul would rival a divine-level spirit.
Seeing that Yang Podi couldn't be dissuaded, Yang Wudi and the other two elders reluctantly agreed.
After some discussion, they decided that Yang Wushuang, his second granduncle, would accompany Yang Podi to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. This arrangement would also allow Yang Wushuang to prepare living supplies in advance and give him and Yang Podi some quality time together, as they might have fewer opportunities to bond in the future.
As for hunting spirit rings in the Star Dou Forest, that would have to wait until they returned.
Thus, Yang Wushuang and Yang Podi set off that very night, secretly heading toward the Sunset Forest.
Since this was a covert trip, they didn't use a carriage. Instead, Yang Wushuang held Yang Podi's hand, and the two sped forward on foot.
Yang Wushuang, a quasi-Title Douluo, displayed impressive speed. In just half an hour, they reached the Sunset Forest.
Normally, the spirit beast hunting town at the edge of the forest was bustling during the day but deserted at night, as few dared to venture into the forest after dark.
However, Yang Wushuang, confident in his abilities, led Yang Podi directly into the forest under the cover of darkness.
Within a few hours, they arrived at the entrance of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
The area was still shrouded in toxic mist, but the entrance was no longer visible, as the opening had been sealed with a massive boulder. After some modifications by Yang Podi's mother, the entrance was well-disguised, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to find.
Yang Wushuang felt around for a moment before activating a hidden mechanism, revealing a narrow stone door just big enough for one person to pass through. He then took out a key to unlock it.
While opening the door, Yang Wushuang warned Yang Podi, "Podi, remember how to open this door and use the key. If you ever come here alone, be extremely cautious. The toxic mist outside has been enhanced by me and your grandfather, so it's much more dangerous than before."
Yang Podi nodded in understanding. His two grandfathers were indeed experienced, designing not only a concealed entrance but also enhancing the toxic mist to deter spirit beasts and other intruders.
Upon entering the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Podi's eyes were immediately drawn to the last two remaining immortal herbs: the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot. The other immortal herbs had long been harvested, leaving behind only century-old and millennia-old medicinal plants. No ten-thousand-year herbs remained.
The entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had been reorganized into a medicinal garden with clearly defined areas for various herbs.
The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot stood alone by the spring, their radiance undimmed.
The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass was an eight-petaled white flower, exuding an intense cold that could freeze everything within ten meters.
The Infernal Delicate Apricot, resembling a fiery red cabbage, radiated extreme heat and contained top-tier fire poison.
These two herbs embodied the ultimate ice and fire attributes. Consuming either one alone would result in certain death unless the user had immense strength and matching attributes.
The only safe way to use them was to consume both simultaneously, allowing the ice and fire poisons to counteract each other and create a slim chance of survival.
Yang Podi set down his soul tool and other valuables before turning to Yang Wushuang. "Second granduncle, please help me harvest these two herbs."
Yang Wushuang sighed but complied. With his knowledge of medicinal plants, he carefully used an iron dagger to harvest the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and a jade dagger for the Infernal Delicate Apricot. He then used his soul power to bring them to Yang Podi.
Without hesitation, Yang Podi grabbed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass with his left hand and the Infernal Delicate Apricot with his right. Instantly, he felt intense pain.
His left hand seemed to freeze, the skin cracking as if encased in ice, while his right hand burned, the flesh turning charred and blackened.
Yang Podi quickly brought his hands together, allowing the two herbs' opposing forces to neutralize each other. His hands returned to a strange equilibrium, free from extreme cold and heat.
"This is the moment," he thought.
Yang Podi directly placed both immortal herbs into his mouth and began chewing them rapidly.
What could be said? Immortal herbs truly lived up to their reputation. As soon as they were chewed and swallowed, their effects began to manifest.
Suddenly, an icy blue aura rose from Yang Podi's feet, enveloping his entire body in the blink of an eye and turning him completely blue. Immediately after, a layer of red surged upward.
At that moment, Yang Podi alternated between appearing like a freshly boiled prawn, his entire body flushed red, and looking as though he were encased in ice, his body shimmering with a frosty blue.
This cycle of changes continued, as though the two immortal herbs were battling for dominance within his body.
During this time, Yang Podi endured immense pain, feeling as though he were trapped between extreme heat and intense cold. One moment his body was subjected to the bitterest chill, and the next he was scorched by searing heat. The agony reached deep into his very core, pushing his spirit to the brink of collapse.
Yang Podi was acutely aware of how perilous his situation was. A single lapse in focus could lead to his demise. The only solution was to circulate his soul power as quickly as possible.
Yet even that didn't seem sufficient. Both his external soul bones—the Golden Crocodile King's Tail Bone and the Flaming Eagle's Wings—emerged involuntarily. It was as if they, too, were being tempered under the extremes of heat and cold.
As time passed, the effects of the two herbs spread rapidly throughout Yang Podi's body. His physical form seemed to lose all external sensation, leaving only a profound sense of discomfort. Even his consciousness began to blur and fade.
Realizing that his current condition was extremely dangerous and that he had to act immediately, Yang Podi gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move. He ran toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and leaped directly into its spring.
As soon as he entered the well, he was assaulted by waves of its icy and fiery powers. One moment, he felt as though he were in a fiery hell; the next, he was plunged into an arctic abyss.
The forces of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well began interacting with the ice and fire energies within Yang Podi's body, engaging in a confrontation that seemed to alternate between opposition and fusion.
At this point, the pain engulfing Yang Podi was no longer just physical—it extended to his very soul. It was a torment that seemed to pierce his bones and reach his core. His external soul bones were particularly affected, as if they were undergoing an intense refinement process under the opposing forces of extreme heat and cold.
As the ordeal dragged on, Yang Podi found himself increasingly unable to endure the excruciating pain. His mental defenses crumbled, and his consciousness gradually slipped away. His body finally succumbed, sinking into unconsciousness.