Youyou gently swayed her blossom, radiating a strange light. A few tendrils extended, presenting a book to Zhou Sichen.
She smiled sweetly, "Here you go. Since you've passed the test, I always keep my word. Take a look—but remember to give it back once you're done!"
Zhou Sichen took the book and examined it closely.
The book was entirely snow-white, made of an unknown material. It was soft like silk but far more durable, and it had a faint, warm texture when touched.
There was no title or signature on the cover, but without a doubt, this was the last remaining copy of the Immortal Herb Record of this era.
In the month since becoming Elder Mu's disciple, Zhou Sichen had often browsed the ancient books of the archive, mainly to search for records on immortal herbs.
With his current status, Zhou Sichen could access any area of Shrek Academy. There were no restrictions for him.
But even so, he hadn't found a single mention of immortal herbs.
This could only mean one thing: a certain God King had wiped out all references to these herbs before leaving the continent—keeping them for himself. Only this one book remained, hidden in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Claiming it was "left for a fated one" was just a fancy way of saying it was reserved for his Tang family descendants.
Anyone else who entered without knowing the truth would probably be erased instantly by the Ten-thousand-year immortal herbs here.
Zhou Sichen set aside these distracting thoughts. He had the book now—all that was left was to memorize it and recreate it later.
He sat down cross-legged and gently opened the first page. The text was sparse but elegant, full of ancient grandeur.
"I am pleased someone has found my message. If you've passed the test of the Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal, then you are qualified to read this book."
"This book was authored by the founder of the Tang Sect, Tang San. It records the classifications and traits of various immortal and poisonous herbs, as well as some long-lost Tang Sect techniques for using poisons."
"After studying it, please return the book. Its knowledge must be used with caution."
Zhou Sichen skimmed the page. Though he didn't show it on his face, his mind was racing. Outwardly, however, he adopted a reverent expression, as if enlightened by some profound truth.
He knew how to put on a performance—there was no way he'd slip up over something so simple.
After a while, he flipped to the second page. The handwriting was delicate, with a faint golden glow:
"Greetings, fated one."
"I am Tang San, founder of the Tang Sect."
"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is a divine gift—born from the Cold Extreme Ice Spring and the Blazing Sun Spring, a fusion of yin and yang. It is one of the Three Great Treasuries of the Douluo Continent."
"When I first discovered this place, I did not hoard it alone. I shared its bounty with my comrades and replanted some of its rarest herbs here."
"Whoever you may be, if you've passed my test, you must curb your greed and desire. You may only take up to seven herbs from this place."
Reading this, Zhou Sichen felt a wave of speechlessness. Wasn't this treasure trove originally discovered by Dugu Bo?
That certain God King not only took herbs from here but ended up fully occupying the site. After Dugu Bo's death, even his descendants got nothing out of it.
According to what Xianmeng had told him, it was a real tragedy.
The Dugu Clan had long known of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It was their ancestor Dugu Bo's legacy. But after that whole scandal about him being cuckolded, their clan suffered from supposed "divine retribution."
Without the strength to guard the treasure, they retreated to live in seclusion elsewhere.
Over time, they tried to reclaim the land to suppress their inherited poison constitution, but the terrifying poison formation of the Jade Phosphor Ninefold Flowers blocked their way...
Xianmeng had even sensed a familiar presence within the poison fog, but the toxicity was too overwhelming for their weakened clan to pass through.
In short: the so-called righteous God King took over the place and then disavowed Dugu Bo's contributions, even publicly condemning him.
The Dugu Clan didn't dare speak out under divine pressure, but Xianmeng? She wasn't afraid of anything. In private, she'd curse the usurper endlessly and swore that one day she'd make him taste the Jade Phosphor Fivefold Poison!
Zhou Sichen didn't reveal any of this on his face. He continued reading with an expression of awe and reverence.
"Poison and medicine can both save and destroy lives. If one of impure heart gains this knowledge, disaster may follow."
"That's why I've left the Tang Sect's 'Mysterious Heaven Record – Herb and Poison Chapters' here. Only those with a virtuous heart and who pass the trial may study it."
"The Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal is a nemesis of all poisons. While it doesn't cure, it can suppress. Its delicate fragrance neutralizes toxins. Its petals are pink..."
"Snow Silkworms, the finest among worm-based herbs, appear gray-white with rings. Eight leg pairs, especially pronounced in the middle four. Brittle and easy to break, with a yellowish-white interior…"
"Nine-Grade Dragon Zhi, a celestial treasure born of concentrated spiritual energy, requires…"
"Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, white eight-petaled flower, icy crystal center, no scent. Grows at the core of the Cold Extreme Ice Spring…"
"Blazing Delicate Apricot…"
"Beautiful Silk Tulip…"
"Fiery Orchid Chrysanthemum…"
"Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone…"
"Phoenix Tail Lotus…"
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower…"
"Earth Dragon Golden Melon…"
"Black Jade Divine Bamboo…"
"Primordial Immortal Herb…"
…
Zhou Sichen calmly read and memorized the detailed information on each herb—its effects, function, and harvesting methods.
The descriptions were thorough, but he hadn't yet seen anything about Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons Manual or poison techniques.
As he reached the final pages, another note appeared:
"To learn from this record is to be a member of the Tang Sect. I hope you will protect it well. If you are unwilling to join, return the book. The Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal can still guide you to harvest herbs."
"Mysterious Heaven Record: Herb Chapter. Hidden Weapons Manual."
"Those who do join must not pass down the Herb or Poison Chapters to others. Use them for yourself only. Be cautious."
At this, Zhou Sichen narrowed his eyes. So only by joining the Tang Sect could he read the Hidden Weapons Manual and further poison techniques?
Just then, Youyou's voice called out:
"Hey, are you done with the first few pages? Do you want to join the Tang Sect? If not, you can't read any more."
She added apologetically, "I promised him I'd ask."
Zhou Sichen smiled, already prepared: "I already have my own sect and cannot join the Tang Sect. However, I am close friends with the current sect master, Tang Ya. So while I am not a member myself, I suppose I can be considered an ally. Would that be acceptable?"
Youyou hesitated, "Uh... well…"
Zhou Sichen continued, "Rules are dead things—you're alive. You're so smart and cute, surely you understand."
"Besides, how would you verify my Tang Sect membership? Likely through a core technique, right? I can perform Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks and Controlling Crane Catching Dragon—would that suffice?"
Youyou seemed to wrestle with herself, then finally said, "Alright, show me Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks."
Zhou Sichen smiled and began mimicking the footwork from memory. While his version wasn't authentic, he had seen Beibei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao use it. Though not formally trained, his mimicry was decent.
In Youyou's eyes, his form had the shape but not the essence—like a beginner.
Still, it was passable. After all, the current Tang Sect master was his friend—surely he would protect them. And only someone close to the Tang Sect could have known about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
She murmured, "Alright… I'll allow it. Keep reading."
With that, Zhou Sichen knew he had successfully bluffed his way through.
Truthfully, he hadn't been entirely confident, but even if he failed, it wasn't a major loss.
The remaining entries were mostly about Acacia Heartbroken Red, Tang Sect techniques, and poison methods.
What he needed most was the immortal herb record—the rest was a bonus.
He already knew how to harvest the Acacia Heartbroken Red, so it didn't matter much whether he read that section or not.
Now that he had the book in hand, Zhou Sichen had no reason to stop. He continued reading diligently, using his formidable memory to commit every detail to heart—whether he needed it or not could be decided later.
****
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