The sudden sound startled both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, who vigilantly scanned their surroundings.
The land by the lake was not like other areas in the valley, covered with various spiritual herbs. This area, the most fertile soil, the richest in energy, and the core lakeside region of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, only grew a few dozen plants. Each plant occupied a considerable territory, and the distance between them was also quite far. Even the two closest plants were five or six meters apart, giving a sense of two kings not meeting.
"Th-th-these are all Immortal Herbs!" Jiang Nannan exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement, completely forgetting the sudden sound.
Zhu Ziyang, however, did not forget the sound. His gaze accurately locked onto the plant closest to them, and he sternly asked, "Is that you?"
The plant grew by the extreme cold yin spring. It was a half-human-tall shrub-like small tree, with nine branches growing from its roots. One main branch was the thickest, about the size of a thumb, growing straight upwards. The eight other branches grew in eight directions from the main branch, first growing outwards, then inwards, forming a perfect arc with their stems. Finally, the eight branches converged with the main stem at the top, each growing a unique flower that was neither entirely a flower nor entirely a leaf.
The nine flowers were similar in shape, each consisting of nine crescent-shaped green petals arranged in a circle, with a small stamen at the center. Among the nine flowers, the one growing from the main stem was the largest, twice the size of the other eight. They all emitted a faint silvery glow, like flowing moonlight.
Upon hearing Zhu Ziyang's question, the plant immediately responded. The large main flower swayed, and a female voice emerged from it, "That's right, it's me, Cha Cha. Human, quickly put away your Spirit. They won't hurt you two when you're with me, Cha Cha."
Zhu Ziyang did not comply. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a dangerous glint. He recognized the origin of this plant, and while surprised, he was more shocked and fearful.
Speaking human words, a sign of a 100,000-Year Soul Beast!
This Immortal Herb before him was actually a 100,000-Year Soul Beast! Fortunately, it had no ill will towards them, otherwise it could have directly attacked them, with no need to speak first.
But even so, Zhu Ziyang remained vigilant, observing it.
"Brother, this is... Moon Laurel Fairy Tea!" Jiang Nannan's crimson eyes sparkled with surprise as she recognized the Immortal Herb in front of them, exclaiming in astonishment.
"That's right, it's the Moon Laurel Fairy Tea!" Zhu Ziyang nodded.
The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea, a peerless Immortal Herb, is said to be an Immortal Plant born from a branch of the Moon Laurel Divine Tree on the Taiyin Star falling to the human world. It contains pure and rich Taiyin Power, with effects of refining the soul, enhancing comprehension, and strengthening mental force. For beings with Taiyin bloodlines, it has the powerful effect of cleansing meridians, strengthening bloodlines, and enhancing strength.
"Oh my, to be able to recognize me, Cha Cha, that's not simple!" The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea swayed its flowers and said, "But that's normal. That silver-haired girl, is your Spirit the Taiyin Jade Rabbit?"
"How do you know?" Jiang Nannan blurted out, stunned.
"Hehehe, I knew I wouldn't be wrong!" The branches of the Moon Laurel Fairy Tea swayed more noticeably, and its voice carried a very clear sense of joy. "As soon as you entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I, Cha Cha, felt it! You should be glad that I am guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well right now. If others had discovered you, you would be finished!"
"So, we should thank you then?" Zhu Zi said, his eyes growing more dangerous at her words, speaking faintly.
"Of course!" The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea was completely unaware of the ill intent in Zhu Ziyang's words and continued on its own, "Since that person ascended, you two are not the only ones who have entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Originally, for those who trespass into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well like you, You You and the others would directly turn them into fertilizer. But you met me, Cha Cha. I don't have as much hostility as they do, and I don't want to be manipulated by that person."
"That person? You You?" Jiang Nannan asked, puzzled.
Zhu Ziyang could vaguely guess who the Moon Laurel Fairy Tea was referring to as 'that person.' His restless thoughts calmed down considerably. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was full of unknowns and mysteries, so it was better not to act rashly and first gather information from this Moon Laurel Fairy Tea. Having made up his mind, Zhu Ziyang did not stop Jiang Nannan's inquiry.
"Oh my! You really weren't sent by that person!" The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea shrieked repeatedly, seemingly surprised and angry but secretly happy, saying, "But it doesn't matter, I, Cha Cha, don't mind. I'm not You You. In fact, among us, only You You believes that person's words; the others don't."
"You still haven't said, who is You You? And who are the others?" Jiang Nannan asked, looking unhappy.
"Oh, You You is the Qiluo Youxiang Immortal Plant, that large pink flower at the boundary between the Yang Spring and the Yin Spring." The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea swayed its branches, its tone filled with dissatisfaction and resentment. "Don't wake her up. She's not like me, Cha Cha. If she discovers you, she'll definitely make the others attack you, because you weren't sent by that person."
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan looked over as she spoke, and saw a large pink flower growing on the soil at the junction of the Yang Spring and Yin Spring. The large flower had no leaves, its stem was three feet long, and the flower itself was enormous, a full foot in diameter. Each petal looked as clear and translucent as crystal, and the stamens were light purple, like tiny purple diamonds embedded there.
"Qiluo Youxiang Immortal Plant!" Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan simultaneously recognized the type of the large flower, and their hearts were filled with shock. They had not expected that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would even contain a plant that could be called the King of Immortal Herbs!
The Qiluo Youxiang Immortal Plant, an Immortal Herb that can counteract all poisons, itself emits a fragrance called Qiluo Youxiang. This fragrance has the effect of cleansing and purifying all toxins and medicinal properties, making it a bane of all poisons, the King of Immortal Herbs!
"The others are the other Immortal Herbs here, like the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, the Blazing Apricot Charming Sparse, the Qiluo Tulip, the Qi Rong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower, and also the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, the Black Jade Divine Bamboo, the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, and so on." The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea, like a simple young girl, unreservedly listed the Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Listening to her words, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan exchanged glances, both gasping in cold air. The Immortal Herbs mentioned by the Moon Laurel Fairy Tea were all rare Immortal Herbs in the world, and they were all in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. No wonder the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was called the "Immortal Herb Treasure Basin"!
"You can speak. Could it be that you are a 100,000-Year Soul Beast?" Zhu Ziyang finally spoke again, asking the most important question.
"Of course!" The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea said as if it were a matter of course, "Don't think that I, Cha Cha, have only lived for ten thousand years. But in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, our growth rate is ten times that of the outside world, so of course I am a 100,000-Year Soul Beast!"
"Hiss~" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but bare his teeth, a terrifying thought coming to mind. He asked in a deep voice, "So, those Immortal Herbs you just mentioned are all 100,000-Year Soul Beasts too?"
"More than that," the Moon Laurel Fairy Tea said, "there are also some top-tier spiritual herbs that aren't Immortal Herbs, and they are also Hundred-Thousand-Year ones. So don't you dare have any bad ideas! Although your Power of Death is very terrifying, we are not without means to counter it!"
"Haha, how could I?" Zhu Ziyang had already extinguished the idea of plundering the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He chuckled awkwardly and replied.
"Giggle giggle, I guessed you wouldn't." The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea swayed its flowers, then said to Jiang Nannan, "You have the Taiyin Jade Rabbit Spirit, so can I ask you a favor? If you agree, I can let you choose an Immortal Herb to take with you, so you won't return empty-handed!"
"What is it?" Jiang Nannan asked curiously.
Zhu Ziyang also couldn't help but be curious. This Moon Laurel Fairy Tea had been watching them ever since they entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. All its actions indicated that it had something to ask of them. He was also very curious about what they possessed that an Immortal Herb would covet.
"It's like this: the mother plant of us Moon Laurel Fairy Tea is the Moon Laurel Divine Tree, and the Moon Laurel Divine Tree grows on the Taiyin Star." The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea said, "Every one of us Moon Laurel Fairy Tea is determined to return to the Taiyin Star, but we are plants after all, willing but unable. So, starting from my ancestors, every one of us Moon Laurel Fairy Tea cooperates with the Taiyin Jade Rabbit. We help the Taiyin Jade Rabbit cultivate, and the Taiyin Jade Rabbit must take our seeds back to the Taiyin Star. This cooperation is said to have lasted for tens of millions of years. So, do you understand what I mean?"
"You want to cooperate with me?" Jiang Nannan's eyes showed a hint of surprise. Her Taiyin Jade Rabbit Spirit also gave her similar feedback at the opportune moment, and she was sure that the Moon Laurel Fairy Tea was not lying.
"Yes, I hope to become your spirit ring." The Moon Laurel Fairy Tea's words were astonishing, making both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan widen their eyes. "I, Cha Cha, as a 100,000-Year Soul Beast, becoming your spirit ring should be a huge benefit for a Spirit Master. At that time, even if you cannot personally go to the Taiyin Star, just sending Cha Cha's seeds into space is acceptable. This should not be difficult for you, who possesses the Taiyin Jade Rabbit Spirit."
"This..." Jiang Nannan was momentarily unable to react, because such a request was truly too shocking for the young girl.
"We agree!" Zhu Ziyang immediately agreed on behalf of Jiang Nannan. Such a win-win deal, of course, had to be accepted!