: Successful Escape, Abnormalities on the Roadside

The Eye of Ice and Fire

With Dugu Bo gone, only Fang Yuan, Dugu Yan, and Xiao Wu, who was imprisoned tightly, remained at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Dugu Bo was also worried that Fang Yuan and Xiao Wu would join forces to rebel, and that Yan Yan would get hurt.

For the old poisoner, his granddaughter's safety was the most important thing.

They then directly poisoned the two of them.

The key is to control the toxicity and make sure they don't die immediately.

This trick may be old, but it is indeed very effective in most cases.

At least for now, Xiao Wu, who is still in human form, collapsed on the spot. Although she wouldn't die immediately, it would be impossible for her to escape through the poison barrier surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well under Dugu Yan's nose.

Fang Yuan secretly surveyed the herb garden after Dugu Bo left.

Beside the spring where ice and fire meet, a large, leafless pink flower sways its crystal-like petals.

The Fragrant Silk Fairy is not poisonous in itself, but the fragrance it emits can neutralize all poisons. Within its range, no poison is effective, making it the king of poison prevention.

As expected, Dugu Bo did not take away that fragrant Qiluo Immortal Herb.

Although this immortal herb can neutralize his poison and save his life, in battle, this fragrant and exquisite herb will also greatly reduce Dugu Bo's strength, directly crippling his body's Azure Scale Serpent venom.

He was unaware that Fang Yuan knew the effects of this magical herb.

Moreover, with Yan Yan watching over them, the two people who were poisoned could not get close at all, and even if they knew, they could not do anything about it.

This was originally a plan without any major flaws.

but……

But the surrounding area is protected by the vast ocean and the universe.

･･････････

After confirming that Dugu Bo would not be returning anytime soon.

Fang Yuan's soul power surged suddenly, and the vast universe in his palm transformed into a pale blue light. In an instant, divine light spread out, enveloping the entire Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye within the barrier.

Not far away, Dugu Yan, with her purple hair, green eyes, and the lower half of her snake tail hidden among the spiritual herbs, was diligently refining the power of ice and fire. Poisonous mist surged around her, but she was firmly imprisoned by this sudden spatial power, unable to move her limbs, soul power, or even her snake tail.

She abruptly looked up, her emerald green pupils shrinking sharply, her eyes widening in horror, but she could only stand frozen in place, watching helplessly as Fang Yuan approached step by step, and then…

Ignoring Dugu Yan's almost tangible gaze, he lightly plucked the fragrant, pure white herb, which exuded a faint, exotic aroma. When he was within a hundred meters of the herb, a soft, clear light enveloped him, and the toxins in his body melted away layer by layer, slowly dissipating, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun.

Dugu Yan gritted her teeth, but couldn't utter a sound. She could only watch helplessly as her opponent used a divine medicine to cure her poison, trapped within the Vast Ocean Universe Cover.

After the poison was neutralized, Fang Yuan did not hesitate. He immediately found Xiao Wu, tied her up again since she was lying on the ground from the poison, and only after confirming that she could not escape did he help her detoxify.

Time was of the essence, so they immediately went to dig up any medicinal herbs they could find, such as the Phoenix Cockscomb and the Eight-Petaled Orchid.

After digging up the immortal herbs, he immediately packed them up, carried Xiao Wu on his back, spread his wings, and flew away, leaving Dugu Yan with only a back view that never looked back.

Fang Yuan actually felt a little regretful. He could have used the immortal herbs that Dugu Yan had consumed.

Although in the simulation, I awakened as the Dark Blue Silver Emperor by consuming a magical herb, and my Blue Silver Emperor martial soul now possesses effects like fire and water immunity, but...

Well, who wouldn't want more good things?

Dugu Yan, who was immobilized by the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, was completely ignored by Fang Yuan from beginning to end.

Fang Yuan did not harm Dugu Yan.

If Dugu Bo were to capture me again in the future, even with Dugu Yan by my side, I might encounter some unspeakable things, but at least I could save my life. This could be considered a backup plan to protect myself.

After a brief moment of thought, Fang Yuan decided to head to the Blue Silver Forest next.

For Fang Yuan, who has now awakened the Dark Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, the Blue Silver Forest is an excellent training ground, far more useful than the simulation devices in those Soul Master Academies.

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I just came out of Sunset Forest.

The sun was already setting in the west, and the dampness from the forest still clung to my clothes, carrying a faint, fishy smell unique to decaying vegetation.

Fang Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, checked the direction, and headed towards the nearest town to resupply.

As he walked, he suddenly slowed down.

Not far ahead, on the slope by the roadside, a large group of people were gathered. Hoes rose and fell, shovels flew, clods of earth were dug up and piled aside, and they seemed to be working hard.

Fang Yuan glanced at it indifferently, assuming it was just ordinary farmers clearing land.

These days, it's common for anyone with a bit of strength to cultivate more fields and grow more crops.

He didn't take it to heart and continued walking along the roadside.

But the further they walked, the more they felt something was wrong.

Those people's actions were too ruthless.

When the hoe is swung down, it doesn't turn the soil, it chisels; when the shovel is inserted, it doesn't loosen the ground, it pries it, and mud splatters everywhere.

This doesn't look like clearing land; it looks more like... venting anger!

Fang Yuan couldn't help but take a second look.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that there was nothing in the field.

No, it's not that there's nothing at all.

At their feet, clumps of fine grass lay scattered.

The grass blades were slender and shimmered with a faint blue-silver hue in the slanting sunlight. They were dug up by the roots and piled haphazardly to one side, some already wilted, others still covered in damp mud.

Blue Silver Grass.

He paused, stunned, and his steps involuntarily came to a stop.

Are these people digging for grass right now?

Fang Yuan stood there for a moment, but finally couldn't resist and took a few steps closer.

"What are you doing here—" he began, his tone curious, as if asking casually, "digging up all this Blue Silver Grass? Aren't it everywhere by the roadside?"

The people's hands did not stop for a moment, but instead became more forceful—the hoes cut hard into the soil, and with a strong pry, the blue-silver grass, roots and all, was thrown aside.

One of them looked up and his gaze swept strangely over Fang Yuan, from his forehead to his toes, and back to his face. His eyes didn't seem to be looking at a passerby, but rather as if he were looking at something rare.

However, he didn't think much of it. After all, while there were few people who weren't afraid of Blue Silver Grass, there were still some.

"You don't know?" the man asked, his voice a little dry. He swallowed before continuing, "I don't know what's wrong with me lately, but I get really scared whenever I see this Blue Silver Grass."

As he spoke, he glanced again at the pile of uprooted grass at his feet. The blades of grass shimmered quietly in the sunlight, but he looked away as if burned, his hands moving even faster. "It's not just me, many people around here feel the same way. I can't really explain why, it's just... it's uncomfortable to look at, it makes me feel uneasy, I feel uncomfortable all over. I might as well just dig it all up, out of sight, out of mind."

As soon as he finished speaking, several people around him echoed his words.

"Yes! I used to see this Blue Silver Grass all the time and never really noticed it, but lately I've been a little scared."

"Yes, my legs were shaking uncontrollably, it's so strange!"

Fang Yuan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.