He had already devised a plan in his heart: the Ice-Fire Golden Bell Shield, or perhaps it would be more aptly called the Water-Fire Golden Bell Shield.
Once mastered, not only would his physical body reach new heights, but he would also gain control over the powers of water and fire.
It was reminiscent of the Crimson Bright Nine Heavens Diagram from Desolate Era's Divine Demon Body Refining Technique. Zhou Yi's inspiration had largely been drawn from this.
However, Zhou Yi understood that it would be nearly impossible for him to deduce the Thirteenth-level Water-Fire Golden Bell Shield in a short period. Instead, he could accumulate experience points for the Twelfth-level Golden Bell Shield.
As long as he had enough experience points, it would certainly evolve into the Thirteenth-level version.
Unfortunately, Zhou Yi was currently penniless and had no choice but to shelve the idea. After all, with his current strength, there was no urgency.
Clearing his mind, Zhou Yi turned his attention to the surrounding medicinal herbs.
Even though he had come prepared, the sight still stunned him.
The area surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was teeming with a plethora of plants, each unique in appearance, forming a veritable paradise of vegetation.
Yet every single one of these plants was a rare treasure.
Seeing it with his own eyes, Zhou Yi realized the enormity of this natural medicinal trove.
With such a remarkable herbal treasury at his disposal, combined with Zhou Yi's cultivation techniques and his mastery of medicine, he was confident that within five years—no, ten years—he could elevate all his women to the rank of Titled Douluo.
The old saying held true: cultivation thrives with wealth.
With such superior medicinal resources, cultivation speed would accelerate exponentially.
On the Douluo Continent, most individuals lacked cultivation methods, relying solely on meditation to enhance their Soul Power. Their progress depended heavily on innate talent, with little understanding of how to leverage external resources.
Even Tang San, knowledgeable as he was about medicinal properties, had his limitations. He often resorted to consuming herbs directly.
Take the immortal herbs Tang San shared with Dai Mubai and the others, for instance. While the effects were undeniably impressive, the raw consumption wasted much of their potential.
If it had been Zhou Yi, a single immortal herb combined with supplementary herbs would have been enough to enhance the entire Shrek Seven Devils in one go!
With excitement brimming, Zhou Yi began examining the herbs.
He first spotted Snow Silkworm Cordyceps, a supreme tonic.
Then, the Cinnabar Lotus, a cold-preferring herb highly effective in neutralizing fire-based toxins.
And many more...
Before long, his gaze landed on an especially precious immortal herb: Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb.
This was a pale pink flower without leaves. Its stem extended three feet tall, and its enormous blossom spanned nearly a foot in diameter.
Each petal resembled translucent crystal, glistening faintly with a delicate pink hue. It swayed gently amidst the surrounding mist, rooted where the red and white spring waters converged.
The flower's stamens shimmered like tiny purple diamonds, exuding a faint fragrance—not overpowering, but subtly enchanting, akin to the natural allure of a maiden.
The Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb was known as the nemesis of all poisons. It could neutralize toxins within its vicinity.
However, it didn't cure existing poison but prevented poisoning altogether. Essentially, if one were already poisoned, this herb offered no remedy.
This characteristic made it seem rather lackluster.
But Zhou Yi wasn't one to squander potential.
"The Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb is the bane of all poisons. With the right combination of herbs, it can be refined into an All-Poison Immunity Elixir!"
"Once consumed, it grants an immunity to all toxins in the world!"
"Tang San using this herb is a waste!"
Without hesitation, Zhou Yi harvested the herb, storing it in his spatial ring. Though his Twelfth-level Golden Bell Shield granted him immunity to poisons, his women did not share the same protection.
Creating the All-Poison Immunity Elixir would allow figures like Erlong, Ah yin, and Shishi to enhance their survival capabilities significantly.
As Zhou Yi continued through the herb garden, his amazement deepened.
Rare treasures like Yearning Heartbroken Red, Sky Reaching Chrysanthemum, Water Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, and Tulip of Agony were everywhere. Each discovery left Zhou Yi dazzled and ecstatic.
His attention soon fell on a seemingly unremarkable herb. He crouched beside it carefully.
This herb was a lush green, with three snow-white leaves at its center, each dotted with droplets resembling morning dew.
"Wangchuan Autumn Dew Herb: consuming it can grant the ability to perceive hidden treasures, akin to the legendary Fiery Eyes of Truth."
Though this description was exaggerated, it was undoubtedly an extraordinary immortal herb.
"Using the Wangchuan Autumn Dew Herb as the primary ingredient, combined with the Eyes of Calamity, it might genuinely enable the Fiery Eyes of Truth. At the very least, it could enhance the Eyes of Calamity."
Acting on the idea, Zhou Yi harvested the herb and brewed a medicinal concoction with supplementary ingredients.
The potent medicinal effects surged within him, a refreshing sensation flooding his mind and converging in his eyes. Zhou Yi immediately activated the Sacred Heart Sutra to refine the energy.
A faint golden glow enveloped his head, the light threading into his eyes.
If Zhou Yi had glanced at his attribute panel, he would have noticed the experience points for the Eyes of Calamity skyrocketing in increments of thousands.
In less than half an hour, the technique reached perfection.
And yet, the experience points continued to climb.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Zhou Yi fully absorbed the medicinal power of the Wangchuan Autumn Dew Herb and slowly opened his eyes.
In an instant, the entire valley seemed to shine. Zhou Yi's eyes now radiated with a majestic purple-gold brilliance, exuding a divine aura as if a god's gaze had descended upon the mortal realm.
"This transformation is astonishing!"
Zhou Yi marveled at the changes in his eyes and the enhanced Eyes of Calamity.
Previously limited to spiritual attacks, the technique now included powerful abilities like illusion casting, piercing through illusions, and clairvoyance.
It was as if the Eyes of Calamity had undergone a complete evolution, transforming his eyes into Spirit Eyes.
"Excellent. With this, my cultivation has also reached the fiftieth rank. Truly, immortal herbs live up to their reputation."
Standing up, Zhou Yi approached a white herb exuding waves of biting cold.
At its center, a flower resembling an eight-pointed star glittered like an ice crystal. Though it emitted no fragrance, its chilling aura could freeze anything nearby.
This was the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, an immortal herb with extreme toxicity and unparalleled coldness.
Zhou Yi carefully sliced two leaves using a dagger, his arm and blade instantly frosting over.
With a flick, he shattered the frost and secured the leaves.
He then moved to the fiery side of the spring, where a fiery-red herb stood like a blooming cabbage.
This was the Infernal Delicate Apricot, the polar opposite of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, possessing the pinnacle of fiery toxicity.
Zhou Yi likewise harvested two leaves, intending to save the rest for future use. He planned to return for them once he achieved the thirteenth-level of the Water and Fire Golden Bell Shield.
For now, the two leaves from each herb would be used to craft the Frostfire Elixir.
This medicinal brew was far superior to the Frostfire Elixir described in The Tale of the Gallant. Infused with the power of ice and fire, it could cleanse the marrow, refine the bones, and unblock the meridians throughout the body.
Upon his return, Zhou Yi intended to teach Er Long, Ah Yin, and the others the techniques of the Nine Yin True Scripture.
The Frostfire Elixir would help them achieve breakthroughs in a single leap.
After harvesting the necessary herbs, Zhou Yi meticulously rearranged the surroundings. He enhanced the existing poisonous mist, intensifying its toxicity.
Even a Titled Douluo would be forced to retreat upon encountering it. Otherwise, they would perish without exception.
Once the arrangements were complete, Zhou Yi stood atop the mountain, overlooking the Sunset Forest.
"Level fifty now. What kind of soul ring should I choose?"
Zhou Yi found himself momentarily conflicted.
With his consummate mastery of the twelfth-level Golden Bell Shield, a peak body-refinement technique, he could effortlessly absorb not only ten-thousand-year soul rings but even one-hundred-thousand-year or million-year soul rings.
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