Then, before he could even scream, her foot struck his chest lightly — and he fell backward into the Yin Yang Well.
The moment his body hit the boundary where ice met fire, agony unlike anything he had ever felt engulfed him. One side of his body froze solid while the other burned like molten metal. The pain was so great it stole his consciousness, and yet, somewhere deep within, he refused to die.
He forced himself to circulate his soul power, guiding the rampaging energies as she had ordered.
He didn't know how long he stayed submerged between extremes of life and death — seconds, minutes, or hours — but when he finally emerged from that sacred spring, his aura had changed.
From that day on, ice and fire could no longer harm him.
( Author notes: The opportunity of herbs in ice fire Yin Yang well is good for weak people. At Qian Renxue's level she feels that these resources should at least be used by her subordinates)
After that incident, Jiang Mo had gained something that countless soul masters would die for — the Ice Fire Alchemy Body.This rare constitution granted him absolute resistance not only to ice and fire, but also to most known poisons. The transformation extended even to his Martial Soul, making it immune to elemental backlash. His cultivation speed had soared, and his body had become as resilient as refined jade tempered by extreme yin and yang.
Yet, despite this miraculous gain, Jiang Mo still remembered how it happened — being kicked into that deadly well like a sack of grain.A twitch crossed the corner of his mouth as that humiliating memory resurfaced.
'She didn't even give me a chance to prepare…'
' I know I had pestered her once for a way to grow even stronger, but... I was not prepared for this.'
Qian Renxue's purple eyes swept over the group, calm and unreadable, as if she could see straight through their thoughts. Her presence alone made the air feel heavier."Follow me," she said simply.
Her tone was soft, but it brooked no refusal.
She turned and walked toward the Elder Hall's garden. Each step seemed graceful, as if the world itself made way for her.
Tian Yue's eyes lit up the moment she realized what might happen next. Her martial soul, the Golden Crocodile King, stirred restlessly, a primal instinct flaring in the presence of Qian Renxue.It was an instinct of submission… mixed with an intoxicating desire to challenge the higher predator.
Excitement bubbled within her, almost childlike. "We're… really going to spar with her?" she whispered, barely restraining herself from bouncing on her heels. Despite her growth over the years, that battle-hungry spark within her refused to die.
Shi Ming, walking beside her with a sigh, folded his arms."I don't know where you get your excitement from," he muttered. "You usually get flattened in one move."
Tian Yue turned sharply toward him, pouting. "That's because last time I wasn't ready! Besides, how many people can even last a move against her?"
Jiang Mo, walking slightly behind them, gave a dry smile. "You're both underestimating the problem. If she's calling us, it's not going to be a simple spar."
Qian Renxue's figure glowed faintly under the sunlight as she reached the stone courtyard of the Elder Hall's garden. The place was serene — filled with blooming spirit herbs, tranquil pools, and a faint golden mist from an unseen formation that enhanced vitality.
Yet none of them could relax.Qian Renxue stopped in the middle of the courtyard and turned slowly, her expression unreadable. "It's been a while since I last tested your progress," she said, her voice calm yet carrying a divine undertone that made their hearts tremble. "Let's see how much you've learned in my absence."
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An hour later, the group stood in a opposite Qian Renxue within the Elder Hall's garden courtyard.The earlier tranquility of the place had vanished — replaced by an oppressive silence that settled over them like a storm waiting to strike.Golden light shimmered faintly behind Qian Renxue, reflecting off her hair and eyes, making her appear like a divine statue brought to life.
"I believe this was enough time for you to recover your soul power, Jiang Mo," she said evenly.Her tone was calm, but her gaze was sharp enough to slice through his composure.
Jiang Mo straightened, suppressing the heaviness in his chest, and nodded. "Yes, Renxue."
Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, a faint smile ghosting across her lips. "Good. I won't bully you too much. I'll limit my strength to the level of a Soul Ancestor. Now—" her eyes glowed faintly purple, "—show me how much stronger you've all become."
The moment she finished speaking, Tian Yue's excitement could no longer be restrained."Finally!" she exclaimed as golden light burst from her body.Her martial soul, Golden Crocodile King, emerged — a manifestation of primal might.Golden-brown scales rippled across her arms and legs, claws gleamed like polished blades, and her teeth sharpened into predatory points. A guttural roar escaped her throat, shaking the air around them.
Jiang Mo followed, gripping his weapon as dark light coalesced into form."Heavenly Evil Breaking Cudgel!" he called. The black-gold cudgel materialized in his hands, emanating a crushing aura.
Dugu Yan's green eyes glowed, her serpentine aura rising like a mist.Her martial soul, Poison Dragon, was possessed by her —scales gleaming with faint green brown patterns. Ever since she had consumed the immortal herb Land Dragon Golden Melon, her martial soul had evolved, gaining the faint majesty of a true dragon. Now her martial soul will not get the owner get poisoned because of using poison abilities.
Shi Ming and Qing Dan followed suit.Shi Ming's Ferocious Golden Lion roared to life, as it possessed him in a halo .Qian Dan's Azure Luan wings unfurled behind him, feathers burning with radiant flames as he rose several meters into the air.
Without a word, Tian Yue and Shi Ming charged ahead