"Let me take a look at these medicinal herbs; they will be very helpful for our cultivation," Gu Chen said.
The first herb that caught his eye was a white medicinal plant. The top of this white herb looked like a large white flower with an octagonal shape, its center sparkling with ice-crystal-like petals. It emitted no fragrance. It was positioned at the center of one side of the Cold Extreme Yin Spring.
This herb was called the Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass, a rare cold flower that could chill the heart, paralyze the central nervous system, and freeze the body. Anyone within ten meters of it would feel the cold and be struck by the freezing poison, making it fatal with no cure. It was so dangerous that even being near it could bring misfortune. To pick it, one had to use a metal object, preferably gold or iron.
On the other side of the hot spring, there was a plant that resembled a cabbage but was completely fire-red.
In stark contrast to the extremely cold Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass, this plant was a fiery poisonous medicinal herb, a top-tier toxic elixir, the Flame-Red Apricot Blossom. This herb only grew in extremely hot places, able to survive even in magma. Its properties were the exact opposite of the Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass.
The Flame-Red Apricot Blossom could not be picked with metal, only jade would do to preserve its potency.
"Nana, if you take both of these herbs at the same time, it will have a body-tempering effect of ice and fire. Since your body is relatively weaker compared to mine, I suggest you undergo the Ice and Fire Body Refining technique with these herbs," Gu Chen said to Gu Yue Na.
"Okay, how should I do it?" Gu Yue Na nodded obediently and asked.
Gu Chen didn't answer directly but quickly walked over to the Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass, turning his left hand into a golden dragon claw.
The Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass had to be cut with a metal tool, and his golden dragon claw was naturally considered a metal object.
He slashed the root of the Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass with his golden dragon claw, and it fell immediately. Instantly, a chilling aura spread out, causing a faint layer of frost to form on the surrounding herbs.
After cutting the Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass, he quickly moved over to the Flame-Red Apricot Blossom. His hands turned white like jade, and with a swift movement, he dug it out from its root.
Thanks to his powerful physical strength, he didn't suffer from the burning sensation like Tang San would have.
Grabbing the Flame-Red Apricot Blossom, Gu Chen placed both herbs together. Their auras immediately clashed with each other, and after ten seconds, their effects would completely dissipate.
Seizing the brief window of time, Gu Chen quickly instructed, "Nana, take both of these herbs, and after their effects start to kick in, jump into the intersection of the hot and cold waters. Absorb the energy from the herbs."
Gu Yue Na trusted Gu Chen completely. Even though the temperature of the spring water was incredibly high, she didn't hesitate to swallow both herbs and jumped in after the effects began.
When the medicinal effects kicked in, she felt little external sensation, as the pain from the Eight-Pointed Xuan Ice Grass and the Flame-Red Apricot Blossom had already dulled her awareness.
As the power of the herbs erupted, Gu Chen watched closely from the shore. Pain occasionally flashed across Gu Yue Na's stunning face, which made him feel heartache. He wished he could bear this pain for her.
After a day and night, Gu Yue Na finally regained consciousness. Her clothes had been burned away by the extreme heat, exposing her soft, fair skin.
Gu Chen quickly turned his back.
Gu Yue Na, unaware of her state, saw Gu Chen facing away and curiously asked, "Why are you facing the other way, Chen Ge?"
Gu Chen, feeling a little awkward, replied, "Uh... your clothes..."
Clothes?
Gu Yue Na looked down, and her face turned bright red. She quickly climbed out of the spring, revealing her beautiful figure and flawless skin.
On the shore, Gu Chen had already prepared a set of clothes for her.
Gu Yue Na quickly dressed and turned to Gu Chen, her face flushed with embarrassment, "I'm done."
Gu Chen turned back around. Now dressed in a light white gown, Gu Yue Na looked incredibly beautiful.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"My body's strength has increased a lot!" Gu Yue Na giggled.
Gu Chen nodded, relieved, and continued walking through the valley.
Suddenly, Gu Chen spotted a fragrant eight-petaled orchid, and he exclaimed, "Is this the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid? This should be very helpful to Luo Chen."
"This is... the Chicken Crown Phoenix Tail Acalypha. Nana, you should refine this. You're skilled at controlling all elements, and this will enhance your control over fire," Gu Chen said.
"No need, I need to maintain the same level of mastery over all seven elements to maximize their power," Gu Yue Na, who had been following behind him, smiled and replied.
"Alright, I'll leave it for Little Three then," Gu Chen thought to himself.
"This is... the Charming Violet Tulip. It's more suitable for Little Nine. I'll keep this," Gu Chen said, using his Xuanyuan Hand to pick it up.
"Heartbroken Red? I'll leave this for Little Dance, after all, she's one of our own."
"Water Lily Skin Bone?" Gu Chen saw a flower resembling a pure white lotus and quickly dug it out.
"Nana, take this. It can help harmonize your body," Gu Chen handed her the Water Lily Skin Bone with a smile.
"Okay," Gu Yue Na smiled sweetly as she took it and began refining it.
She thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with Gu Chen.
Taking the Water Lily Skin Bone didn't pose any danger, so Gu Chen was at ease as he continued searching for herbs in the valley.
Suddenly, Gu Chen noticed a plant that looked like a snowy swan's neck, glistening white and elegant. He quickly dug it out, being careful not to touch it directly with his hands, and stored it in his system's bag.
This plant, Snow Swan's Kiss, was known for triggering a dangerous virus that even Gu Chen could not withstand.
"Hmm!"
Suddenly, a small green snake shot out from a nearby bush, hissing at Gu Chen.
The snake was almost transparent, about five inches long, with a faint green glow flowing through its body. Its small, red eyes made it look very cute. It had nine bamboo-like bands across its body.
This was a premium specimen of the Bamboo Leaf Green Snake, known as Nine-Section Emerald!
"This is... the pet of Poison Douluo?" Gu Chen pondered, surprised that it hadn't been taken with him. As the snake hissed at him, Gu Chen released his dragon might.
The overwhelming dragon pressure made the Nine-Section Emerald snake tremble on the ground.
Gu Chen grabbed the snake, intending to crush it.
"Wait!" Gu Yue Na called out to him.
"What's wrong?" Gu Chen asked, puzzled.
Gu Yue Na gently snatched the trembling Nine-Section Emerald snake from Gu Chen's hand and stroked its head lovingly, saying softly, "It's so cute. Can I keep it?"