A_nobody
patreon
Chapter 37: Finally Found
🕑 Added 2024-10-03 05:11:32 +0000 UTCAt this moment, Yang Podi appeared somewhat serious. "Dad, although you might find this unbelievable, I genuinely feel a strong pull towards the Sunset Forest. I've always suspected that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is hidden within the Sunset Forest. Based on ancient records, my suspicions are even more certain."
"You have to trust my instincts and reasoning. I believe there's a great treasure in the Sunset Forest."
Yang Podi was forced to reveal the matter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, feeling that, at least, he could trust his own father.
Yang Zhentian became more serious. "Have you considered what the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well really is? The ancient records do mention it, but its formation is said to be almost impossible."
"If it's supposedly impossible, then why is it recorded in the ancient texts? Don't forget, the world of Douluo is a place full of miracles. Take, for example, the Lake of Life at the center of the Star Dou Forest. To many, that lake itself is a miracle of life."
"Alright, son, I can't argue with you. But have you thought about how exactly you're going to find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"I think the fact that there's no information about it across the continent indicates that it's in a very hidden or perhaps safe location. However, don't forget that based on its properties, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would be found in a place filled with deadly poison, especially in an area surrounded by natural toxic barriers."
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhentian pondered for a moment before pulling out a map of the Sunset Forest from his storage tool.
"If you've had a map of the Sunset Forest all this time, why didn't you bring it out earlier? This will make things much safer for us."
In a tone of instruction, Yang Zhentian replied, "The Sunset Forest has been explored by many already. Having a map is nothing special. But the forest is full of soul beasts, many of which don't stay in one place. The map is only for reference."
"Remember, in any soul beast forest, maps are only for general guidance. Aside from basic terrain, you shouldn't rely on them. Otherwise, you'll develop fixed thinking, believing that a certain place is safe or houses powerful soul beasts, and you'll overlook sudden attacks. The unpredictable ambushes of soul beasts in the forest are the most dangerous."
Listening to his father's words, Yang Podi reflected on their time in the Sunset Forest. Indeed, many soul beasts had attacked without warning, especially the Titan Giant Python, which wouldn't have been marked on any map. Otherwise, major sects would have long surrounded it. The same was true of the Purple-Eyed Devil Tiger that had suddenly appeared.
In high-level soul beast forests, it was the ever-changing and unpredictable beasts that were the most fearsome.
"I understand. From now on, I'll be much more cautious when entering any soul beast forest."
The two then began to study the map. The markings were very simple, only indicating rivers, mountains, and the like, with no specific markings of strong soul beasts.
Yang Podi couldn't help but grumble, realizing why his father hadn't shown the map earlier. If they followed it blindly, they'd surely end up lost in the forest, and the danger would increase significantly.
But after his father studied the map closely, he began to explain it to Yang Podi.
"Take a look here. The spots I've marked are places we've already passed through. As for the outer areas of the forest, there's no need to explore them. The only areas left to check are the unexplored parts, especially those that aren't clearly marked on the map."
"Isn't this map too vague? It's giving me a headache just looking at it. How did you even decide where to mark?"
Hearing this, Yang Zhentian chuckled. "Let me teach you something important. The only reliable point of reference in a soul beast forest is the sun in the sky. No matter which direction you go, always remember how far you've traveled. This way, you can form a rough outline in your mind. Otherwise, you'll definitely get lost in the forest."
"For example, from the swamp we passed earlier to where we are now, it's about three and a half kilometers, heading southeast at about 40 degrees. Based on our travel over the past few days, I estimate that we're around this spot on the map, with a margin of error no more than three kilometers."
With that, he pointed to a specific location on the map.
Hearing his father's explanation, Yang Podi couldn't help but feel exasperated. It turned out that traversing a soul beast forest involved so much knowledge. As someone who had once been a college graduate in his previous life, he now felt like an illiterate.
Then, Yang Zhentian spoke earnestly, "You're still young. There's a lot for you to learn, and you'll pick it up over time."
Seeing his father's proud expression, Yang Podi was speechless. He'd just been outsmarted by his own dad.
The two of them continued to explore the Sunset Forest, even encountering several poison-type soul beasts. One particularly notable encounter was with a Man-Faced Demon Spider that had lived for more than 40,000 years, which chased them for quite a while, leaving them in a rather sorry state. His father had even forgotten their direction.
When they finally stopped, they realized they had arrived in an unfamiliar place.
Yang Podi surveyed the surroundings. "Dad, doesn't this place feel a bit odd to you?"
"Son, don't jinx us. If we run into another high-level soul beast, we're in serious trouble."
Yang Podi was speechless. Why did it feel like they were acting like frightened birds?
"Dad, take a closer look at the environment. Doesn't something seem off here?"
Yang Zhentian activated his soul power to explore the surroundings. He noticed that his detection range was much shorter than usual, and there seemed to be something strange in the air that he hadn't sensed before.
He sniffed the air carefully and confirmed, "There's indeed a slight poison in the air."
"Dad, do you know what kind of poison it is? What are its properties?"
After carefully examining the poison, his father finally spoke up. "This poison is very strange. It contains both ice and fire attributes. How could these two be mixed together?"
Hearing this, Yang Podi was overjoyed. "Dad, don't forget what we're here to find!"
Hearing his son's words, Yang Zhentian couldn't help but swallow nervously. "You mean the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is nearby?"
"Dad, there's no soul beast that can produce poison with both ice and fire attributes at the same time. Our target, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, must be close."
