When Yue Guan heard Yan's proposal, his brows furrowed slightly.
"Kid, we've only been in Tokes City for two days, and you already want to head to the Sunset Forest? What's the rush?"
"It's not that far anyway. If I fly at full speed, we'll reach it in less than a day."
Yue Guan thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright then. You've been studying plants and herbs for over half a year — it's about time I took you to see some for yourself. But we can't stay there too long. We still have to keep up with your training."
"I understand."
The thought of finally visiting the Sunset Forest stirred a trace of excitement within Yan.
But before setting out, there was one important matter he needed to take care of.
If he truly managed to find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and harvest immortal herbs there, how to store them would become a serious problem.
"Elder Ju, before we leave tomorrow, I want to buy something first."
Yue Guan raised a curious eyebrow.
"Oh? What is it you want to buy?"
"If I find some suitable herbs in the Sunset Forest, I'd like to bring them back. But my current soul tool can't store living things for long periods. I was thinking of checking the Tokes City auction houses to see if they sell any soul tools capable of storing living creatures."
A small smile tugged at Yue Guan's lips.
"So that's what you were thinking."
He chuckled softly and waved his hand dismissively.
"No need to go through all that trouble. What you're looking for — I already have."
"Really?"
"Of course. How do you think I manage to keep my flowers and herbs so fresh?"
Yue Guan gave a proud smile and retrieved a delicate, ornate case from his own soul tool.
Yan's gaze was instantly drawn to it.
It was a small, golden box — no larger than the palm of a hand — covered with intricate carvings that glimmered faintly under the moonlight. Every detail exuded a sense of masterful craftsmanship. Its flowing edges and graceful patterns gave it the air of a divine artifact rather than a mere container.
Yan could feel it — a subtle pulse of life emanated from within the box, as if a miniature forest were sealed inside, quietly breathing.
"This box is called the Myriad Spirit Treasure Gate (Wanling Baozha)," Yue Guan explained, his fingertips brushing its surface with almost reverent care. "I obtained it by chance from an ancient ruin many years ago."
A hint of nostalgia flickered in his eyes as he continued:
"It can store living things while preserving their vitality — as though time itself stands still within. Whether plants, herbs, or even living creatures, anything placed inside will remain in its original state indefinitely."
Yan's eyes widened in awe.
"Elder Ju, this is an extraordinary treasure."
"Of course it is," Yue Guan said with a smile. "And now, it's yours."
Yan froze, stunned.
"Elder Ju, this gift is far too valuable, I—"
But Yue Guan only chuckled lightly.
"Take it. I have more than one of these, and it's wasted sitting idle in my hands. It's rare to find someone as devoted to studying flora as you are. Let it fulfill its purpose in your care. I hope that in the Sunset Forest, you'll find the herbs you're looking for."
Yan bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Elder Ju. I'll treasure this gift — and I won't let down your expectations."
He accepted the Myriad Spirit Treasure Gate with both hands. It felt surprisingly heavy, as if it carried the weight of countless lives within.
He knew this soul tool's value could not be measured by gold or coin.
To him, Yue Guan was a true benefactor — a guiding light in this world.
He had given Yan not only the Ice Silkworm Pearls and the Compendium of Rare Flora and Herbs, but now even this priceless living storage device.
People said that Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, was a man obsessed with power and the luxuries of the Spirit Hall. But they knew nothing of the humiliation and hardship he had endured on his way to the top.
A commoner by birth, he had clawed his way upward through sheer effort and willpower. The path he walked was anything but easy.
And though he was feared as a Title Douluo, his love for flowers and plants revealed a softer, more human side.
This kindness, Yan would never forget. One day, he swore, he would repay it.
The night passed quickly.
At dawn the next morning, the two departed from Tokes City and set out toward the nearby Sunset Forest.
After several hours of flight, they arrived by afternoon.
Descending through the cool air, they landed at the forest's outer edge.
The Sunset Forest lay about a hundred li east of Heaven Dou City, at the very heart of the Heaven Dou Empire.
It was not as vast as the Star Dou Great Forest, and its year-round temperature was notably lower.
Powerful spirit beasts tended to favor humid tropical climates, so high-level beasts were comparatively rare here. That made it far easier — and safer — for soul masters to move about.
By now the sun was setting, and the last rays of twilight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with a serene, almost sacred quiet.
Yan and Yue Guan walked deeper into the woods, occasionally encountering spirit beasts along the way.
Some hid within the dense undergrowth; others perched silently on branches, their eyes sharp and wary.
But none dared approach — Yue Guan's overwhelming aura alone was enough to keep them at bay.
The forest teemed with life. Lush vegetation thrived under the flow of natural spirit energy.
Ancient trees with massive trunks and sprawling branches stood like silent guardians, while strange flowers and exotic herbs dotted the forest floor, filling it with color and vitality.
As they walked, the two talked at length.
Yan eagerly applied the botanical knowledge he'd studied from The Compendium of Rare Flora and Herbs, pointing out and identifying various species along the way. Yue Guan listened with clear satisfaction — he could see that his teachings had not been wasted.
It gave him a rare sense of pride, as if he were seeing the future of his passion carried on.
Gradually, the light faded, and the forest grew darker.
Yue Guan stopped and looked around.
"It's getting late. Let's find a place to rest for the night. We'll head toward the forest center tomorrow."
"Alright."
Most high-level spirit beasts — and the rarest plants — were located near the forest's core. That included the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As they drew closer to their destination, a trace of unease stirred in Yan's chest.
He didn't know whether Dugu Bo was currently guarding that place.
The area surrounding the Yin Yang Well was protected by the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison Array, making it nearly impossible for most soul masters to enter. That was why so few even knew of the Well's existence.
But Yan wasn't afraid — the fiery energy within his body was powerful enough to melt through Dugu Bo's poison.
Still, if Dugu Bo was there, approaching would be suicide. With his current strength, Dugu Bo could crush him as easily as squashing an ant.
And even if Dugu Bo wasn't there, Yan couldn't risk bringing Yue Guan along.
Though he respected and trusted the elder deeply, Yue Guan's obsession with rare flora was beyond reason.
If he saw the immortal herbs growing there, he would surely take them all.
Worse still — if Bibi Dong learned of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's existence, she might send people to seize it for the Spirit Hall.
She could even use its immortal herbs to help her worthless former lover, Yu Xiaogang, awaken his crippled martial soul.
That was something Yan absolutely could not allow to happen.
He needed to find the right opportunity — to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well alone, without anyone noticing.
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