"Hmm? Is that the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant?"
Jiang Jue's eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at the plant-type soul beast growing beside the fiery-red spring below.
That plant was entirely crimson, extremely tall—nearly ten feet. The flower's opening was slightly smaller, shaped like a cabbage, and the entire body looked as if it had been carved from ruby.
The moment its radiance flared, the temperature in the valley instantly rose a few degrees. The voice just now had also come from it.
The sound of Jiang Jue and the Ice Emperor fighting the vines along the cliff had already awakened this hundred-thousand-year-grade immortal creature below.
"No wonder this place is a treasure land—there's actually a hundred-thousand-year plant-type soul beast here. Jiang Jue, if we capture and refine it, your strength will skyrocket again!"
The Ice Emperor stared eagerly at the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant, her emerald eyes growing brighter with excitement.
Compared to other soul beasts, plant-type soul beasts had a far harder time reaching hundred-thousand years, but once they did—every part of them was priceless.
Jiang Jue nodded slightly and descended together with the Ice Emperor.
He had come here to rob the rich and help the poor, after all—how could he be polite?
"Humans, being able to arrive here is your honor and the blessing of that deity. Do not attempt to provoke us."
As Jiang Jue and the Ice Emperor landed on an open space beside the spring, a female voice rang out.
It came from a huge pink flower growing between the two springs of ice and fire. It had no leaves, a stem nearly ten feet tall, and a massive blossom. Each petal was crystal-clear like cut glass.
The flower swayed gently with the rising mist, as if observing the two.
"Geez, so many hundred-thousand-year plant soul beasts—we're going to get rich!"
The Ice Emperor's voice shook with excitement. Once drenched by storms, she deeply understood the importance of resources—the umbrella of survival. If she had possessed the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Jade Marrow back then, she could have easily overcome her 400,000-year tribulation.
"Jiang Jue, if you refine all these hundred-thousand-year plant-type soul beasts, you'll definitely become a Title Douluo in fifteen years… no, ten years!"
"Don't rush, Ice Emperor. We'll get there. All of it will be ours."
Jiang Jue's lips curved slightly, his gaze sweeping across the pink flower and the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant.
These were immortal herbs—far more valuable than ordinary hundred-thousand-year plant soul beasts.
"Youyou, ask them if they are descendants of that person—are they here for the book? If not, I'll deal with them. We can't let outsiders know about this place!"
The Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant spoke to the pink flower.
"A Jiao, don't be so impatient. It's been so long since someone came. Let them talk to me a bit— I'm suffocating here."
The pink flower called Youyou swayed its petals in protest.
"Fragrant Velvet Fairy."
Jiang Jue looked at Youyou and spoke softly.
"Huh? You know my name? Are you really a descendant of that man?"
"No. We're just here to take the immortal herbs."
Jiang Jue shook his head, the spear Luo Bai held horizontally as soul power began circulating.
"That won't do. We only allow his descendants to take the herbs. No one else. Unless… you chat with me for a while. Maybe I'll give you one. Otherwise… hehe."
Youyou shook her blossom smugly.
"No thanks. I prefer to handle matters personally—no need to trouble you."
"I knew it! Anyone who isn't a descendant of that person can't possibly be a good person! What a waste of time—watch me finish them!"
Before Jiang Jue's voice faded, the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant launched its attack.
Its massive body bent backward, and a strange fiery-red vortex appeared at its core. Like a whale swallowing water, it drew a massive surge of fiery spring water and spat it violently at Jiang Jue and the Ice Emperor.
The pillar of fire stayed intact, twisting the air violently wherever it passed, and the heat in the valley soared again.
Facing the terrifying blast, Jiang Jue remained calm.
"You were right about one thing—I'm really not a good person."
"Ice Emperor—move!"
Jiang Jue raised his hand, summoning the Soul-Refining Banner. Black smoke poured from the purple-black flag, white skulls on the sides flickering with ghostly flames.
A streak of pure white energy shot into the Ice Emperor—instantly her ancient fierce-beast aura erupted like a tidal wave, engulfing the entire valley.
"I've been waiting a long time!"
"Face the fury of the Ice Empress!"
Her delicate face showed a cold smile as she waved her pale hand. The phantom of the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion appeared behind her, smashing into the flaming torrent.
"BOOOOM!"
The two opposing energies crashed violently, shaking the entire valley. Numerous surrounding plant soul beasts were flattened to the ground.
Before the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant could react, a flawless icy-blue scorpion shadow slammed downward.
"W-what?!"
"Eight-Edged, help me!"
It cried out in fear, drawing more spring water to form a protective barrier.
"CRACK — CRACK!"
The scorpion phantom smashed into the fiery shield, splitting it instantly with thick web-like fractures spreading rapidly.
"I told you to fix your temper but you never listen! Now look at the trouble you've caused!"
A furious roar erupted from the ice spring, full of suppressed fear—another surge of freezing water shot out to clash with the scorpion phantom.
Steam billowed as ice and fire intertwined. The phantom dissolved, but the barrier was shattered and the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant was left covered in frost, petals falling apart.
"Y-you… you're a fierce beast!"
Youyou shrieked, wrapping her petals tightly around herself.
The Ice Emperor had sealed her origin power within Jiang Jue's right soul bone when she sacrificed herself—her full combat strength could now only be unleashed through the Soul-Refining Banner.
"You could've said so earlier. We could've sat and talked peacefully. Why all this fuss?"
Youyou said weakly, secretly signaling the other immortal herbs—but there was no need; they were already awake.
"So tell me—am I a good person or a bad one?"
Jiang Jue calmly stepped in front of Youyou, smiling gently.
Looking at the blood-tinted spear Luo Bai and the smoking Soul-Refining Banner, Youyou trembled internally.
Where is there even a hint of a good person??
But seeing the Ice Emperor's terrifying aura, she stammered:
"I-I think you're a good person. A very good person!"
She was no warrior like the Blazing Apricot Delicate Luxuriant and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass—she had no way to fight back.
"Wrong. I already told you—I am not a good person."
Jiang Jue smiled slightly, raising Luo Bai. The spear's silver edge glinted coldly as it pointed at Youyou.
"You! You can't treat us like this! If you do, he won't forgive you! This is his territory—the master of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eyes!"
At that moment, three more hundred-thousand-year soul beast auras erupted.
"And you depend on just one fierce beast, while we have six. Why not take three immortal herbs and leave in peace?"
Youyou said harshly, emboldened by reinforcement.
"So arrogant at first, then suddenly humble. Truly laughable."
Jiang Jue's expression remained calm as he swung Luo Bai—silver flowers of spear-light blooming violently as the core arrays spun wildly. Huge wounds split across Youyou's body.
Since its mutation, Luo Bai had long surpassed the level of an eighth-tier soul tool and was evolving toward an unknown realm. After absorbing vast life energy, Jiang Jue no longer spent soul power to wield it.
"AAAHHH!"
"You dare treat us like this?! Our benefactor will not forgive you—he is a god!"
Youyou screamed in agony.
Silver light illuminated Jiang Jue's emotionless face, growing colder.
"Tell me—this god you worship… if he truly cares for you…"
"Will he appear to save you?"
(End of Chapter)