Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Zhao Ling's eyes lit up as he took in the lush and abundant collection of rare herbs and celestial plants growing all around.
With the "Xuantian Treasure Record" granted by the system, he now had the ability to identify these precious resources.
"So this is the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid? It's surprisingly pretty. Well, it's mine now."
"Gazing Autumn Dew? I'll take it. It's supposed to be great for cultivating eye techniques, but my Purple Demon Eye is already maxed out. I'll save it in case I get a new eye technique someday."
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Blazing Apricot, Eight-Spoked Ice Grass… Wahahaha, all treasures! Mine, all mine!"
"Sorry, Tang San, don't blame me for taking what could have been your chance encounter. These immortal herbs are just too tempting. It's not my fault you were born too late. My apologies."
Looking at the mature immortal herbs, Zhao Ling's gaze turned manic.
He had now intercepted all twelve mature celestial herbs mentioned in the original story.
And he didn't feel the slightest guilt. After all, Ah Yin was already his woman now.
Without her union with Tang Hao, logically speaking, Tang San shouldn't even exist in the Douluo Continent anymore—though, granted, the world might correct itself and still bring him into existence, perhaps as Tang Hao's child with someone else.
But so what? The immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were unowned. First come, first served.
Was Zhao Ling supposed to fear Tang San? Please. He had nothing to worry about.
After collecting the twelve immortal herbs, Zhao Ling took a leisurely stroll through the valley.
He realized the entire area was overflowing with rare herbs. While they weren't as precious as the twelve celestial plants, they were still highly valuable.
He briefly considered putting up a sign at the valley entrance saying, "Private Herb Garden – Trespassers Die."
Even though the area around the Yin Yang Well was filled with poisonous miasma that ordinary people couldn't get past, a little precaution wouldn't hurt.
At this point, the old man Dugu Bo definitely hadn't moved near Sunset Forest, let alone discovered this natural top-tier herb garden.
Now that Zhao Ling had claimed it, even if Dugu Bo came later like in the original story to find a cure for his poison, upon seeing that ominous sign, he'd think twice before entering.
If Dugu Bo dared intrude, Zhao Ling would make sure he learned the true meaning of pain.
With that thought, Zhao Ling found a large boulder near the valley. Using brute strength, he dragged it to the entrance.
He then used the Canglan Sword to smooth out its surface and carved on it with the sword tip:"Private Herb Garden – Trespassers Die — Left by the Demon-Suppressing Douluo."
Back in the day, no one had heard of the Demon-Suppressing Douluo. But after Spirit Hall spread his fame, the name had become well known across the continent.
Perhaps not every commoner knew the title, but most families and sects certainly had.
Whether Dugu Bo had become a Titled Douluo yet, Zhao Ling didn't know, but he had to at least be a Spirit Douluo. There was no way he hadn't heard of the Demon-Suppressing Douluo.
After finishing the inscription, Zhao Ling still felt like something was missing. Once he reached Heaven Dou City, he'd have to buy red paint to fill in the carvings.
Red paint would make the words stand out clearly and vividly. Its resemblance to blood would also serve as an effective warning to any would-be intruders.
Having completed all this, Zhao Ling looked over the valley one last time before leaving.
A few light steps later, he arrived at a natural hot spring, steam rising from its surface. Tempted, he thought about taking a relaxing soak.
Back on Earth, natural hot springs like this were rare and often overcrowded with tourists. He remembered visiting one at age fourteen with his parents, but the experience had been ruined by commercialization and the overwhelming crowd.
Now, faced with a hot spring all to himself, Zhao Ling wasn't going to pass it up. He stripped down and jumped in, enjoying the bath to the fullest.
This—this was the peak of enjoyment. Soaking in the warm water, his eyes narrowed in bliss.
After about fifteen minutes, refreshed and energized, Zhao Ling climbed out, whistling as he made his way back out of Sunset Forest.
Once back aboard the Cloud Piercer Shuttle, he noticed Ah Yin and Bo Saixi had already chosen rooms and gone to sleep.
Zhao Ling used his spiritual sense to scan the rooms and found both women had taken rooms on the upper level.
Once he confirmed Ah Yin's location, he withdrew his spiritual power and walked toward her room.
Meanwhile, inside Bo Saixi's room, she had felt Zhao Ling's spiritual probe and instinctively tensed up in alertness.
She wondered if Zhao Ling, knowing her strength, might still try to enter her room.
Although she knew the likelihood was low, the thought lingered.
After all, she was undeniably beautiful—no less attractive than Zhao Ling's two fiancées. She didn't doubt her charm for a second.
But she soon realized she'd overthought it. Zhao Ling had already entered the next room—his fiancée's. She quietly exhaled in relief.
Then she heard the syrupy couple-talk coming from the adjacent room:
"Hubby, why are you back so late? I was so worried about you."
"No worries, wifey. With my strength now, going into Sunset Forest is a piece of cake."
"You're amazing! Let me give you a reward—mua~"
…
Bo Saixi, listening to their saccharine exchange, felt emotionally wrecked. She was getting "force-fed dog food" (a Chinese slang for witnessing too much public affection).
Some might argue she had Tang Chen, her supposed love interest. So why would she feel jealous?
But people forget: even though she and Tang Chen liked each other, his cluelessness had caused him to miss her hints. He had left Seagod Island in search of a god's inheritance without ever confirming their relationship.
So in truth, Bo Saixi had been single her entire life—ever since she was born.
Now, listening to that lovey-dovey couple next door, she felt nothing but bitterness and jealousy in her heart.