đż Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well â Inner Valley, Late Morning
Steam hissed gently from the dual pools, mist curling around rows of glistening herbs â some glowing faintly, others still as death, exuding ancient aura. Across the mossy floor, immortals swayed in the heat.
Dugu Bo stood near the edge, arms crossed, eyes scanning the spiritual flora like a vigilant guardian.
"I'm here to pick some immortal herbs," he said gruffly, tone formal, though there was no hostility in it. "Mei Rulan pick them, based on this⊠list."
He passed a thin parchment over, marked in sharp, flowing ink.
Mei Rulan took it with delicate fingers. Beside her, Lu Shen leaned in to read â and let out a low whistle.
"Whoa. This is not just a 'list.' This is⊠every Worshipper, every Titled Douluo and Soul Douluo in Spirit Hall. Their spiritual attributes, martial soul tendencies, internal conditions."
He raised a brow.
"Black Lily gave you this?"
Yusheng nodded once.
Lu Shen laughed, backing away. "Note to self â never, ever cross that woman."
Mei Rulan was already moving, steps light as dewfall between spirit roots and glowing blossoms. "Some of these will need precise handling. That White Sky Orchid for Jiang Long... it'll kill him if he uses it wrong. But done right, it could balance his flame devour trait."
Dugu Bo watched her with quiet admiration, then turned to Yusheng.
"They're all yours," he said. "You gave me this valley. But it never truly belonged to me"
Yusheng placed a hand briefly on the Poison Douluo's shoulder â a silent thank you.
As the team worked, Lu Shen looked up again, expression turning serious.
"But, Yusheng⊠if we're picking herbs for them â Spirit Hall elders â does that mean you're choosing Su Yan'er and Yan Duyi's path over Qiao Ming and Zhan Yefu's?"
He was referring to the internal divide among their Ringless Bloom allies â the two competing philosophies on how to confront the establishment.
Yusheng didn't answer right away.
He walked to the edge of the Ice Pool, kneeling to gather a root that pulsed with pale light â the Soul-Forgiving Lotus.
Then he stood and said:
"Yes. I'd rather we walk in without blood⊠than drown in it"
"Those with rings are not our enemies. And if they are â we forgive them."
"We are not gods to judge them. We've come not to punish their systemâŠ"
"...but to offer a new one."
Lu Shen opened his mouth â then paused. His smirk returned.
"But you are a god, technically."
Yusheng blinked.
Lu Shen laughed.
"You're on your eighth divine test, Yusheng. Don't give me that 'not a god' modesty."
Yusheng's smile was quiet. Warm. Not denying â but not indulging.
"Then let this god's first act be to kneel."he said.
And still â in the air above them, above the roots and mist and old regrets â a new future began to grow.
Not with conquest.
But with compassion, armed with knowledge and choice.
Even for Spirit Hall.