Having hope is always better than persistent despair. Since childhood, Dugu Yan had been tormented by the Jade Phosphor Serpent poison to the point that her first two soul rings were skewed toward the auxiliary type.
Because her body could not yet withstand such intense toxins, although her first two soul skills had decent auxiliary capabilities, they significantly reduced her overall combat strength.
If her first two soul skills had also been offensive poison-attribute skills, her current Jade Phosphor Serpent poison would be even more terrifying, and her strength would have increased by more than just a little.
But as the saying goes, "Success is due to the Jade Phosphor Serpent, and failure is due to the Jade Phosphor Serpent." It was precisely because of this Martial Soul that she possessed unparalleled toxins, but it was also the reason she suffered such agony.
Although the medicinal ingredients were hard to find and treasure lands were even harder to track down, Dugu Yan still held onto a glimmer of hope.
Leaning against Gu Xuan's chest, Dugu Yan whispered. "Can you give me some information about those treasure lands? My grandpa is a Titled Douluo after all. Although he might not match the intelligence network of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he is powerful enough to search places others cannot reach. Maybe one day he'll find one."
Listening to Dugu Yan, Gu Xuan felt a pang of heartache, but he was also incredibly excited. This was exactly how he planned to reveal the information about the "Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well"—by acting as if he were mentioning it casually.
Dugu Yan had followed Dugu Bo since she was a child, so she had naturally been to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Even if she hadn't visited often, she would certainly have an impression of such a wonder. As long as he spoke of it, Dugu Yan would definitely realize what it was.
As for whether Dugu Yan would realize there were things inside the well that could cure the poison, Gu Xuan wasn't worried at all. After spending a month together and now having solidified their relationship, he believed in her character. Given their bond, Dugu Yan would never keep the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to herself.
If it were Dugu Bo, he might have tried to hoard it, but Dugu Yan definitely wouldn't. Besides, did anyone think Gu Xuan had been playing the "generous benefactor" all this time for nothing?
Even if Gu Xuan had misjudged her character, he wasn't afraid because he had already prepared a backup plan.
If Dugu Yan told Dugu Bo and the old man decided to pull something shady regarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Gu Xuan had plenty of ways to deal with him.
Gu Xuan was not a loner. Unlike many fan-fiction protagonists who are commoners yet dare to gamble with Dugu Bo, he had a massive backing.
The reason Dugu Bo chose to trust Tang San in the original story was not just because Tang San was capable, but also because Tang San had a Titled Douluo for a father.
If you're a commoner, why should someone negotiate with you? Because you're old? Because you don't shower?
But Gu Xuan wasn't alone; he had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan behind him. At worst, he could just say Dugu Bo was being dishonorable, weave a good reason, and have the clan's two Guardian Titled Douluos and Ning Fengzhi strike with overwhelming force.
Gu Xuan didn't believe that two Rank 96 Super Douluos plus a top-tier Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda couldn't crush the weakest Dugu Bo.
Sure, your poison is unparalleled and can slaughter everyone except other Titled Douluos, but that's only if you live long enough to release it.
Furthermore, Dugu Bo didn't even recognize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for what it was; otherwise, he would have used its contents to become a true powerhouse long ago.
Of course, these plans were only if the old man proved stubborn. To be honest, Gu Xuan really didn't want it to come to that.
He had truly developed feelings for Dugu Yan. If things reached that point, his relationship with her would be over.
The grudge of killing one's grandfather is irreconcilable. Dugu Yan might be a bit naive, but she wasn't so "love-brained" that she would stay with someone who murdered her grandfather.
Even if she were subdued by his "overwhelming aura," any continued affection would likely be a front for future revenge. Gu Xuan wasn't about to gamble on his "aura" if it came to that.
Besides, if Dugu Yan grew up to her potential, wouldn't she be the next Dugu Bo?
So if it really came to that, Gu Xuan would only be able to...
He wasn't a saint. If he had the means, he would eliminate all potential risks.
Naturally, all of this assumed Dugu Bo wouldn't know what was good for him. However, that was unlikely; Dugu Bo wasn't a fool.
Even if he knew the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had cures, he didn't know how to use them. Would he kidnap Gu Xuan?
Dugu Bo wasn't that stupid. If it were just him, maybe, but he had Dugu Yan to think about. If he kidnapped Gu Xuan and faced the wrath of the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, neither he nor his granddaughter would ever live a normal life again.
Moreover, since Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan were dating, Dugu Bo would surely make the perfect choice when weighing the options.
These thoughts flashed by in an instant. Gu Xuan explained to Dugu Yan. "Sure. Since Senior Dugu is a Titled Douluo, he can reach many more places, so the chances are higher."
Gu Xuan then described the features of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. "One such treasure land is called the 'Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.' It is formed by nature, a twin-spring eye—one of extreme ice and one of extreme fire. It's not just a miracle of nature but a rare beauty. It is said that herbs growing there can even become legendary Immortal Herbs. If we could find it..."
Before Gu Xuan could finish, Dugu Yan's expression froze. Her jade-like hands gripped his chest muscles tightly, causing him a slight bit of pain.
Gu Xuan asked with concern. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Hearing Gu Xuan's voice, Dugu Yan snapped out of her daze and said in disbelief. "Did you just say a twin-spring eye? One ice and one fire?"
Gu Xuan nodded with a confused look. "Yes, the place is called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If we can find it, there's a high probability it contains the herbs to solve your serpent poison."
At these words, Dugu Yan's gaze shifted from dazed to surprised, then to excited, and finally ecstatic.
She kept muttering. "Twin-spring eye, ice and fire, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... isn't that exactly like Grandpa's medicinal garden? Could that be the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?!"
Dugu Yan was sitting on his lap, so Gu Xuan naturally heard her muttering. He looked at her with a face full of feigned disbelief, cupped her cheeks, and said excitedly. "What did you say? What medicinal garden?!"
Dugu Yan's excitement boiled over. Held by her cheeks, she leaned in and gave Gu Xuan a firm kiss!
"Xiao Xuan! I... I think I know where the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is!" Dugu Yan's voice was trembling.
It was the excitement and joy that comes from experiencing despair, then hope, then the loss of hope, and finally its sudden return.
Gu Xuan maintained a look of complete shock, as if saying, 'How is that possible? That's a legendary treasure basin, and you know where it is, just like that?'
Gu Xuan didn't even realize his acting was good enough to win an Oscar. He had completely immersed himself in the emotion.
Though he felt a twinge of guilt for deceiving Dugu Yan, he told himself it was all for their future happiness. In his heart, he silently vowed to compensate her "hundreds of millions" of times later to beg for forgiveness...
(End of Chapter)
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