Gazing at Gu Xuan, Dugu Bo said indifferently. "I will say only this regarding you and Yan Yan: I do not interfere in the affairs of young people."
Dugu Bo paused for a moment before continuing. "However, I heard from Yan Yan that you, kid, have a way to resolve the poison in her body?"
Hearing this, Gu Xuan knew the main event had arrived. He replied with a natural expression. "That's correct. However, the necessary medicinal herbs are difficult to gather all at once. Yanzi told me that you have a medicinal garden that might be the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which is why we came here today."
"If it is real, as long as we can find the right herbs inside, Sister Yan's poison will absolutely not be a problem. It's even possible that your own condition could be improved, Senior."
At these words, Dugu Bo's eyes flickered slightly. Dugu Yan had already explained to him that Gu Xuan had deduced the Dugu Family's poisoning on his own, which ruled out the conclusion that the boy was a fraud.
Still, hearing this from a fifteen-year-old was hard to believe. After all, he had lived for nearly eighty years and had found no way to solve his toxic affliction, yet this brat before him spoke with such absolute certainty?
"Kid, do you know the consequences of deceiving me? Do not think you can use this method to trick Yan Yan and win her favor; you will have no such opportunity with me." Dugu Bo's tone brooked no argument; he was testing Gu Xuan.
Gu Xuan gave a helpless smile and said. "Senior, setting aside the matter between Yanzi and me, do you think I would rush over here so urgently if I didn't have absolute confidence?"
As he spoke, Gu Xuan recalled the dozen or so herbs he had glimpsed in the courtyard earlier and spoke calmly.
"Bone-Withering Corpse Poison Vine. Its toxicity is violent; an ordinary person taking even a bit would turn to dry bones in an instant. Even if a soul master consumes too much, there is no hope for recovery. It requires bones for nourishment."
"Crimson Jade Water Vine. Its toxicity is similar to the Bone-Withering Corpse Poison Vine, but it requires the first drop of morning dew every seven days, mixed with serpent venom for watering, to survive. It usually only grows in places infested with highly poisonous snakes and insects."
"Soul-Refining Grass..."
Gu Xuan listed the characteristics and effects of every poisonous herb one by one. With each one he named, Dugu Bo's secret astonishment grew.
It wasn't that he hadn't suspected Dugu Yan of telling Gu Xuan beforehand, but there were several herbs among them that even Dugu Yan didn't recognize, yet Gu Xuan identified them perfectly.
After finishing his description of all the poisonous plants, Gu Xuan smiled slightly. "Senior, you must have spent a great deal of effort to nurture these herbs."
Dugu Bo stared intensely at Gu Xuan for a long time before slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air. He said indifferently. "Fine, you truly are a little monster. To recognize these herbs at such an age is enough to prove your mastery of pharmacology."
Seeing the last trace of gloom vanish from Dugu Bo's face, Gu Xuan was inwardly delighted. At least the initial contact had cleared him of suspicion.
"Senior, I came for your medicinal garden. I'll be direct with you: Yanzi's poisoning cannot be delayed. The sooner it is resolved, the sooner she can escape the pain." Gu Xuan directly used Dugu Yan as his leverage, as she was the person the old man cared for most in the world.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo felt a slight warmth in his heart. He replied. "Yan Yan already told me about your situation. I suppose you already know—if there are no accidents, that place is surely the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well you mentioned. It is a pity this old man possessed a treasure without recognizing it."
"If you can truly use the things inside to resolve Yan Yan's poison, I shall agree to your marriage. If not, then you are nothing but a dishonest brat full of nonsense."
Dugu Bo's eyes flashed with wisdom as he continued. "I won't waste words with you. When you can neutralize the serpent poison in Yan Yan's body, I will agree to let you be together."
Dugu Bo could see Gu Xuan's feelings for Dugu Yan, which was why he said this. After all, only this would ensure Gu Xuan braved any danger to find the cure.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was wealthy and vast; they were far stronger than he was alone. Of course, it was very possible that, as Gu Xuan said, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contained the cure. If that were the case, he would have no more worries.
His only concern in this world was Dugu Yan. Once the trouble in her body was solved, he would have nothing left to fear. Furthermore, having made many enemies on his path to becoming a Titled Douluo, if Dugu Yan could be with Gu Xuan, the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would protect her from his foes. It was a win-win situation.
Naturally, the prerequisite for all of this was that Dugu Yan was willing. If she weren't, even the Heavens wouldn't be able to make it happen! But looking at how she treated Gu Xuan, the girl seemed more than willing!
Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Gu Xuan smiled confidently. "Then I shall wait for the day I can change how I address you and call you Grandfather-in-law."
Gu Xuan would have called Dugu Yan's father 'Father-in-law,' but since he was long gone, the title naturally passed to Dugu Bo as 'Grandfather-in-law.'
Dugu Bo gave a cold snort. "It's too early for that!"
"Tell me, from whom did you inherit your pharmacological teachings? I still need to test you. If you're just a half-baked amateur, bring your master here; I won't let you use Yan Yan as a medicine apprentice." Dugu Bo said.
A medicine apprentice referred to a poor soul used to test drugs for a pharmacist. Because they constantly consumed various toxins, their lifespans were usually short.
Gu Xuan was perfectly willing to let Dugu Bo test him. Whether it was refining medicine or pharmacology, he had received the core teachings of Yang Wudi. The only thing he lacked was seasoned experience.
"I studied under Yang Wudi, the Clan Head of the Breaking Clan." Gu Xuan replied.
"Yang Wudi? So it's him!" Hearing the name, Dugu Bo felt a sense of affirmation regarding Gu Xuan's lineage.
This was a world of soul masters; few people dedicated themselves to alchemy and pharmacology. The Breaking Clan was one of the few well-known families of master pharmacists.
"I heard the Breaking Clan joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, but how old are you? Pharmacology is vast and complex. How much of the essence could you have grasped at your young age?" Dugu Bo stared at Gu Xuan, but saw only confidence.
It wasn't blind arrogance, but the confidence of someone with a solid foundation.
"Senior, feel free to test me. The results will be the best explanation." Gu Xuan said confidently.
"Good kid. To have such spirit, you truly are a descendant of that old Bone Dragon." Dugu Bo couldn't help but praise him inwardly.
He wasn't close with Gu Rong, but they were both powerhouses of the older generation. Having reached the Titled Douluo realm, they'd had their share of contact.
On the surface, however, Dugu Bo said. "Fine. Let me see how much skill you have. If you can satisfy me, we shall set out for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well today. Otherwise, you'd better call your teacher."
"Fine." Gu Xuan replied, still brimming with confidence.
Dugu Bo didn't waste words. He held up three fingers and said directly. "Three tests."
"First: Within one hour, use the herbs in my garden outside to create a poison that will certainly kill a Soul Elder-level soul master upon consumption."
"Second: Create an antidote yourself. After consuming the poison you made, you must be able to neutralize it and ensure there are no side effects."
"Third: I have a creature here called the Nine Point Jade Snake. Let it bite you once. If you can neutralize the poison yourself, the test is considered passed."
After finishing, Dugu Bo added. "I must warn you—if you try to be a hero without the skill, I will not care whether you live or die."
Hearing these words and the proposed tests, Gu Xuan felt a sense of excitement. None of these were difficult.
Furthermore, since he knew from the original story that Dugu Bo had tested Tang San with the Nine Point Jade Snake, he had already prepared an antidote for it long ago. He hadn't expected it to actually come in handy!
"Senior, I assume I can use my own medicinal ingredients?" Gu Xuan asked his final question.
Dugu Bo nodded. "As a pharmacist, it is natural to use your own materials. However, for the first test, you may only use the herbs in my garden."
With that, Dugu Bo said no more. He pushed the door open and left, his voice drifting back. "I will return in one hour to inspect the poison."
(End of Chapter)
---
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.