Chapter 35: The Preparation of Immortal Herbs and Antidotes

The Fragrant Luo Immortal Herb grows along the banks where the spring waters meet. Its pale pink petals resemble a meteor streaking across the night sky, and its purple, crystal-like pistils emit a delicate, elegant fragrance. This immortal herb is the nemesis of all poisons; while it cannot directly neutralize toxins, it can suppress them, causing them to lose their effect within the range of its scent. This fragrance not only neutralizes toxins but also attracts powerful spirit beasts. Furthermore, it possesses certain restorative properties for one’s vitality and blood.

The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Blazing Apricot Silky are like binary stars of ice and fire. The former grows in the Extreme Cold Yin Spring, emitting a bone-chilling cold that can turn one’s heart cold; the latter grows in the Blazing Yang Spring, its body fiery red, its poison as fierce as a raging inferno. The Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is a neutral herb that, when consumed, circulates energy through the limbs and clears the eight extraordinary meridians, potentially forging a diamond-like, indestructible body. Then there is the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, a gentle herb that must be "harvested with gold and stored in jade"; kept in a jade vessel, it will not wither for a thousand years or fade for a hundred generations. Its rich, orchid-like scent instantly refreshes the spirit and restores energy. Additionally, there are the Tulip of Luo, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, the Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone, the Acacia Heartbroken Red, and the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, among others. Each is a supreme immortal herb, possessing astonishing properties.

Ning Xi did not hesitate and began to gather the herbs according to the recipe in her mind. As she gazed at the multitude of immortal herbs and other medicinal plants, their names surfaced in her mind, but she could not recall the very last ingredient. She was stuck on this final piece of the puzzle. "Strange, what exactly is the last ingredient?" Ning Xi murmured, her brows furrowed.

Jun Han noticed Ning Xi’s distress, walked over, and said softly, "Xi’er, don’t worry. Let’s think about it carefully." He pondered for a moment before saying, "Green Spirit Grass, Nether Flower, Heavenly Star Seed... these are all common herbs for detoxification, but their properties vary. The Green Spirit Grass is cold, the Nether Flower is hot, and the Heavenly Star Seed balances their effects. To completely neutralize the toxin, we need an ingredient that can harmonize them all."

Ning Xi’s eyes lit up as she understood. "You mean we need an ingredient that can act as a mediator?"

Jun Han nodded. "Exactly. This herb must not only harmonize the medicinal properties but also possess some detoxifying power itself. Based on the overall nature of the prescription, I suspect the final ingredient needed is—Dragon Scale Grass."

"Dragon Scale Grass?" Ning Xi asked doubtfully. "I have heard of it, but it is extremely rare. Can we find it?"

Jun Han smiled slightly. "Don't worry. This place is a treasure trove of rare herbs; we should be able to find it."

The two began searching near the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. After a careful hunt, they finally found the rare herb in a hidden corner. "Found it!" Ning Xi exclaimed excitedly. Jun Han nodded and plucked the Dragon Scale Grass. "This is the final ingredient we need." Ning Xi took it joyfully and began preparing the antidote, mixing the Green Spirit Grass, Nether Flower, Heavenly Star Seed, and Dragon Scale Grass in precise proportions, adding water, and letting it simmer slowly.

"The preparation of the antidote must be precise; there can be no room for error," Ning Xi said while working. Jun Han watched her, his eyes soft and filled with affection. *Sister Xi’er is truly so beautiful... so talented...* Without realizing it, his gaze was fixed solely on her.

At the cave entrance, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan waited nervously, filled with anticipation. After some time, the antidote was finally ready. Ning Xi carefully poured it into a clean container for storage. After all, there were so many immortal herbs here—the very ones she had dreamed of in her previous life!

"Jun Han, are there any immortal herbs you need?" Ning Xi asked. Jun Han turned to her, shook his head, and pointed to one among the many. "I remember you have two spirits. That Tulip of Luo looks good."

"I want to save that for Rongrong. Let me choose another," Ning Xi said, returning to the selection. Jun Han paused and said, "Then use the Dew of the Autumn Water. It will be good for you." Ning Xi smiled and nodded. "Alright." The Dew of the Autumn Water could enhance her spiritual power, which was exactly what she needed.

"Good, then I will take that one. You go ahead and look for the herbs you need," Jun Han said, nodding as he walked to the other side. He understood the properties of these herbs well, as his Body Spirit—his brain—was constantly active, making learning quite simple for him.

Ning Xi consumed the Dew of the Autumn Water and sat down to meditate. As she circulated her spirit power, a faint floral scent spread, refreshing the mind. As the medicinal effects took hold, she felt a warm and powerful energy surging within, nourishing and strengthening her entire body. She released her Seven-Kill Sword and Seven-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda spirits, which began to emit a dazzling, intensifying light that soon enveloped her.

Dugu Bo, waiting at the cave entrance, saw the glow and felt a surge of confusion. He assumed it was just the commotion from Ning Xi and Jun Han preparing the antidote; on the way, he had already agreed not to spy on their process or interfere. "I wonder what those two little monsters are up to, making such a racket," Dugu Bo muttered.

Dugu Yan, holding his arm, smiled playfully. "Grandpa, don't worry. Ning Xi and Jun Han are good people. They keep their promises; if they couldn't do it, they wouldn't have agreed." Over the past year, they had come to understand the pair’s character; despite their youth, they carried a sense of reliability. Dugu Bo smiled indulgently and patted her head. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Yan’er, and trust them." He no longer looked down on them because of their age.

Meanwhile, Jun Han reached the edge of the ice and fire, his gaze landing on a familiar herb. He paused. "Spirit Dragon Immortal Lotus?" This was a top-tier spiritual herb that could purify toxins, cleanse the marrow and meridians, and accelerate cultivation while enhancing the body in every aspect. Here, his own body could be strengthened, allowing him to hide his true strength from others. Without further thought, he plucked it, consumed it, and sat cross-legged to guide the powerful energy. His brain seemed to emit a dazzling light once more.

About an hour later, Ning Xi finished absorbing the herb. Her Seven-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda remained as it was. She suppressed her inner excitement; in her previous life, these things existed only in legends, and now she had finally consumed one, and her spiritual power had greatly improved. She sighed, regretting that there was only one Tulip of Luo, or she would have hoped to give one to Ning Fengzhi. With so many herbs, she decided to examine them one by one, using her knowledge from books to distinguish them, as there were many she did not even recognize. *It isn't necessarily just the Tulip of Luo that can evolve the Seven-Treasured Glazed Tile Pagoda; perhaps others could work too...*

Ink Jade Divine Bamboo: A treasure of the Douluo Continent; when absorbed as a spirit ring, it grants the spirit a more formidable edge and greatly enhances its combat power.

Purple Immortal Ganoderma: An important auxiliary material for cultivation, capable of enhancing a spirit master's potential, purifying impurities, and helping to break through bottlenecks.

Earth Dragon Golden Melon: A treasure of the Douluo Continent, possessing the earth-attribute power of an earth dragon; fusing with it allows the user to better control the power of the earth.