Gu Xuan's body plummeted into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, sinking steadily until he came to a halt nearly thirty meters below the surface, where the water met the air.
At this moment, red and blue light shimmered across the surface of his body. Even the color of his hair and pupils began to shift between blue and red; his originally grey-black pupils and black hair flickered back and forth between the two hues.
Having leaped into the well, Gu Xuan was currently in significant distress. His body was simultaneously enduring immense impact and agony from both the inside and the outside.
This was the result of two extreme powers clashing. Under this force, Gu Xuan's body was on the verge of collapsing, yet a unique power constantly worked to repair him. His physical form teetered between destruction and restoration, oscillating repeatedly; with every cycle, his body grew step by step more powerful.
It wasn't just his skin; Gu Xuan's transformation was total. His membranes, muscles, bones, and even his blood were being washed and strengthened by these two extreme forces.
Gu Xuan did not find this process easy; his willpower was being tested by the relentless pain. To become strong, one must pay a price.
However, Gu Xuan's willpower was now firm enough. He knew exactly what he wanted—as long as he could become stronger, what did this bit of pain matter?
Time flowed by, and by the next day, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan had already returned, but they saw no sign of Gu Xuan. Dugu Bo released his spiritual power to scan the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but found no trace of him.
For a moment, Dugu Yan panicked completely. Dugu Bo, having thought of something, rushed to the edge of the well and probed the depths with his spiritual power.
Sure enough, within these waters that even he dared not approach lightly, Dugu Bo sensed Gu Xuan's aura.
Seeing the expression on Dugu Bo's face, Dugu Yan understood instantly. 'Gu Xuan fell in? This was water that even Grandpa dared not touch casually, and Gu Xuan had fallen in?!'
She couldn't believe it. If Gu Xuan truly fell in, then wasn't he already dead?
In an instant, Dugu Yan wanted to rush in to see for herself; she didn't believe Gu Xuan could just be gone like that.
Dugu Bo was quick, grabbing Dugu Yan as his expression flickered uncertainly. "Xiao Xuan is indeed down there, but it's strange. His aura is very vigorous and is even continuing to grow stronger. I suspect he has some method of remaining inside, utilizing this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to become stronger."
Dugu Yan turned back to look at Dugu Bo in disbelief, her face already wet with tears. "Grandpa, really? Is that true?" she asked, her voice cracking.
Dugu Bo shook his head with some uncertainty. "I can't be sure, but Xiao Xuan's aura is unmistakable."
Seeing his precious granddaughter's emotional state, Dugu Bo comforted her. "You've spent quite a bit of time with Xiao Xuan; don't you know what kind of person he is? I don't believe he would be so reckless without confidence."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan felt slightly better. Yes, Gu Xuan certainly wouldn't do something without a plan. If he dared to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he must have something to rely on.
However, while Dugu Bo comforted Dugu Yan, he was also uncertain in his heart. He truly did not want anything to happen to Gu Xuan. Aside from anything else, Gu Xuan's status was a major problem. If the boy truly died here, he wouldn't be able to explain it to that old Bone Dragon even if he had ten mouths.
So, Dugu Bo was comforting himself just as much as he was comforting Dugu Yan.
Since Gu Xuan was currently within the well, there was no way to confirm if he would come out alive. But judging by the sensed aura, the kid hadn't kicked the bucket; instead, he was getting stronger bit by bit. Dugu Bo could only try his best to stay calm.
With a heavy heart, Dugu Yan helped Dugu Bo carve out several more stone rooms on the cliffside, tidying them up to serve as living quarters.
Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Gu Xuan was wholeheartedly refining the medicinal effects of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, maximizing the benefits to his body. It was a state of "painful bliss."
An entire week passed. On this day, Dugu Yan came to the edge of the well to observe the situation as she had for several days, hoping to see Gu Xuan emerge.
Just as she was watching closely, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well suddenly began to bubble, looking like a boiling split-pot soup.
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. She stared intently at the water and shouted loudly. "Grandpa! Grandpa! Something is happening!"
As her voice fell, the bubbles on the surface of the well churned even more violently, exactly like boiling water.
When Dugu Bo arrived at her side, he also stared intently at the well, his Titled Douluo-level spiritual power expanding. "Something is coming up. It should be Xiao Xuan!" Dugu Bo said suddenly.
Dugu Yan's body trembled at the news. "Xiao Xuan..."
They didn't have to wait long. As the waters churned, red and blue mist began to fill the surroundings. Indistinctly, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan saw a figure rise from within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Gu Xuan slowly opened his eyes. His originally grey-black pupils had turned into a pair of red and blue ones. His short black ponytail had also changed color; the two locks of hair in front—resembling dragon whiskers—had turned blue, while the rest of his hair had turned red.
The red and blue hair paired with his heterochromatic eyes gave him a unique charm; his handsome face now carried a hint of devilish mystery.
Gu Xuan slowly raised his hands. On the back of each hand was a mark—a dragon's head, ferocious and domineering yet not lacking in beauty. One was red, and one was blue, corresponding to his two eyes.
His left eye was red, and the dragon head on his left hand was also red. His right eye and right hand were the opposite, both being blue.
Gu Xuan looked up and saw Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan waiting anxiously at the edge, and his heart warmed. He had been too excited before and had forgotten to leave a letter; seeing their state, he knew they had worried quite a bit.
Though he didn't know exactly how much time had passed, judging by their appearance, it must have been a while.
Gu Xuan began to walk toward them. Without the mist obstructing their view, the two could see his face clearly. Although his hair and pupil colors had changed, the overall features hadn't changed much. After all, Gu Xuan's handsomeness was already at the human peak; there wasn't much room to go up.
"Xiao Xuan!" Dugu Yan shouted in excitement, but she quickly shrieked and covered her eyes. "Ah!"
Gu Xuan was startled by her scream as he approached. He asked with concern. "Yanzi, what's wrong?"
Dugu Bo didn't have such a big reaction. Seeing that Gu Xuan was fine, the weight in his heart finally lifted. However, looking at Gu Xuan's current state, he couldn't help but shake his head. With a flash of his soul tool, Dugu Bo threw a blanket toward him.
"Wrap yourself up, quickly!" Dugu Bo barked.
Gu Xuan caught the blanket, and combined with Dugu Bo's words, he suddenly felt a breeze down below. His face turned red instantly as he hurriedly wrapped the blanket around his waist.
"Hehe... I... I didn't realize the situation was like this." Gu Xuan chuckled sheepishly.
When his gaze turned back to Dugu Yan, he was left speechless. 'You covered your eyes, but what's with that massive gap between your fingers? Are you trying to fool yourself?! And why are you blushing so much?!'
(End of Chapter)
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