Early in the morning, after packing their belongings, Oscar and Dugu Yan set off with Gai Yue, heading north to the Far North, a place known as the forbidden zone for humans.
The Far North was called a forbidden zone for humans because of its extreme cold. Ordinary humans and beasts couldn't survive there. Only powerful soul beasts could live in such a harsh environment.
In most people's eyes, the dangers of the Far North were no less than those of the Star Dou Forest. In fact, this was true. The range and number of soul beast populations in the Far North were not inferior to those of the Star Dou Forest.
The only difference was that 99.9% of the soul beasts living there had water or ice attributes. Only a tiny, special fraction might have some variations.
The reason for Oscar's choice of the Far North, a bitter and cold land he had never visited before, was his own decision. This was because his target for the fourth soul ring was a special soul beast that only lived in the Far North.
Dugu Yan had been quite puzzled by Oscar's choice of the Far North. After all, given the relationship between Shrek Academy and Dugu Bo, they could have gone to the Sunset Forest to hunt a suitable soul beast for Oscar.
But Oscar didn't choose the Sunset Forest, nor did he opt for the nearest Star Dou Forest. Instead, he chose the Far North.
Although curious, Dugu Yan didn't question it further, as Oscar had a very clear plan for his own cultivation.
Gai Yue, however, knew about Oscar's target and didn't object. He also believed that the fourth soul beast Oscar had chosen was indeed suitable for him and a perfect match.
If Oscar could successfully absorb the soul ring from his target soul beast, it would bring a tremendous boost to his strength.
However, hunting the soul beast Oscar had targeted was not easy. After all, this was the Far North, and the soul beast Oscar had chosen basically lived in the core area of the region.
But with Gai Yue, an 88-level Soul Douluo, protecting him, there was basically no problem with Oscar moving around in the Far North.
As they traveled north, the latitude increased and the temperature gradually decreased. Due to her poison attribute, Dugu Yan was quite sensitive to the cold.
Although she had soul power protecting her, she was finding it increasingly difficult to withstand the dropping temperatures.
Fortunately, Oscar had prepared well before their departure. This northern journey wasn't just about hunting a soul beast for his fourth soul ring; it was also for a type of immortal herb—the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
Among the many immortal herbs of the Ice and Fire Eyes, the Yearning Heartbroken Red was the only one Oscar had left unpicked.
The requirements for harvesting and using the Yearning Heartbroken Red were extremely harsh, and Oscar himself didn't need it to enhance his talents. This was because he already had the medicinal properties of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fire Apricot Delicate Grass.
The combined effect of these two immortal herbs on talent enhancement wasn't much worse than that of the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
The reason Oscar brought the Yearning Heartbroken Red on this trip to the Far North was for Dugu Yan to take it. Besides greatly enhancing talent, the Yearning Heartbroken Red also possessed powerful effects such as body sculpting, beauty enhancement, toxin expulsion, and protection.
Dugu Yan carried the poison passed down from Dugu Bo. Although Dugu Bo had suppressed the poison over the years, it needed to be completely resolved, and the Yearning Heartbroken Red was the only solution.
Moreover, it could help sculpt Dugu Yan's body, qualitatively improving her constitution and greatly aiding her future cultivation.
However, the requirements for taking the Yearning Heartbroken Red were extremely harsh. It had to be picked by a loved one, and before consumption, one had to confess true feelings to the herb. Otherwise, it would wither instantly, completely losing its medicinal properties.
This was why Oscar hadn't let Dugu Yan take it before. He wanted to wait until his relationship with Dugu Yan deepened further, as this immortal herb was too precious to tolerate any mishaps.
After more than a year of being together, Oscar and Dugu Yan's feelings had grown deeper. Although not yet at the point of pledging their lives to each other, their bond was already quite strong.
Therefore, Oscar decided to let Dugu Yan take the Yearning Heartbroken Red during their journey to the Far North.
In reality, the reason Oscar was so eager to have Dugu Yan take the Yearning Heartbroken Red, besides the harsh environment of the Far North, was that he wanted her to have the power to protect herself.
After all, the Far North was not a safe place. Although they had Gai Yue, an 88-level Soul Douluo, if any unexpected occurred, the protective effects of the Yearning Heartbroken Red would at least ensure Dugu Yan's safety.
The protective effect of the Yearning Heartbroken Red was something even a Titled Douluo would envy. With it protecting her, unless Dugu Yan initiated an attack, no one could harm her. This was one of the most powerful effects of the Yearning Heartbroken Red—its protective ability!
Of course, to have Dugu Yan take the Yearning Heartbroken Red, Oscar naturally needed to pay a certain "price." For instance... confessing true feelings!
This wasn't a problem for Oscar, as he and Dugu Yan genuinely cared for each other. Although not yet at the point of pledging their lives, their feelings were sincere.
However, confessing true feelings to the herb in front of Dugu Yan was still somewhat embarrassing. But for Dugu Yan's safety, Oscar was willing to go all out.
After successfully having Dugu Yan take the Yearning Heartbroken Red, her entire aura underwent a tremendous transformation. Her skin, which had been somewhat dull due to toxin erosion, now became as white and smooth as jade, crystal clear.
Moreover, Dugu Yan's figure became even more perfect, and her already beautiful appearance became breathtakingly gorgeous.
Most importantly, the poison in Dugu Yan's body had been completely cleared by the Yearning Heartbroken Red, and her constitution had received a qualitative improvement.
This made Dugu Yan even more grateful and fond of Oscar, and their relationship was elevated to a new level.
After taking the Yearning Heartbroken Red, Dugu Yan no longer feared the extreme cold of the Far North, as the protective effects of the herb were no joke.
The trio continued northward. After more than a month of travel, they finally arrived at the periphery of the Far North.
And now, Oscar would begin hunting his target for the fourth soul ring—the Mirror Image Beast!
(End of Chapter)