With this thought in mind, Dugu Bo spoke directly. "If these two Immortal Herbs must be consumed, then let Yan Yan have them."
As Dugu Bo's words fell, Dugu Yan tugged at his clothes, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "Grandpa..."
If Dugu Bo could think of this, Dugu Yan naturally had as well; after all, she wasn't entirely ignorant of such matters. By saying this, wasn't Dugu Bo giving up the chance for her? Her heart was naturally filled with both gratitude and heartache.
Dugu Bo smiled frankly, patted her head, and said softly. "Yan Yan, you are my only concern in this world. Only when you are well can I have no worries for the future."
Watching the sentimental scene between the grandfather and granddaughter, Gu Xuan couldn't help but be moved. He explained. "Grandpa Dugu, the detoxification method I mentioned does indeed involve consuming these two Immortal Herbs. However, anyone else can take them—except for the two of you."
"Why?" Dugu Bo was puzzled.
Gu Xuan explained. "Because when these two highly toxic Immortal Herbs are neutralized together, they become the most perfect holy medicine for detoxification. They can even forge an Indestructible Golden Body and a body immune to all poisons."
"An 'Indestructible Golden Body' might be a bit of an exaggeration, but a body immune to all poisons is absolutely achievable."
"Both you and Yanzi rely on poison as your primary means of combat. If you consume these two Immortal Herbs, your poisoning will certainly be cured, but your entire poison cultivation will likely vanish along with it."
"Therefore, neither of you can consume these two Immortal Herbs."
Listening to Gu Xuan's explanation, Dugu Bo's brow furrowed slightly. Put that way, he truly couldn't take them. After all, his strength and reputation were built entirely upon his poison arts.
As for Dugu Yan, though she was in a similar position, she only had three soul rings. Even if she lost her poison cultivation by taking the herbs, she would still have six more soul rings to compensate for it if she reached the Titled Douluo realm in the future. Even if her strength was slightly lower, at least she would be free from the torment of the toxin.
Gu Xuan naturally saw what Dugu Bo was thinking. He smiled and continued. "But I have an even more perfect method. You won't need to consume these herbs, and you won't have to worry about your poison cultivation dissipating."
At these words, Dugu Yan's face immediately crumpled. She walked over to Gu Xuan and slapped him on the back. "Alright, Xiao Xuan, you had a method like that and didn't say it sooner? You made me worry for nothing!"
Gu Xuan chuckled and explained. "I had to explain the situation first, didn't I?"
Dugu Bo didn't mind the banter and focused on the outcome. "Then what is this method?"
Gu Xuan replied. "I will be the one to consume these two Immortal Herbs. The poison-immune body forged after consuming them isn't just limited to the physical form; my very blood will become a precious medicine for detoxification."
"Afterward, I will use my blood to refine the antidote for you. The effect will be the same, and you won't have to worry about being troubled by ice or fire toxins."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's brow relaxed. If that was the case, he had nothing to worry about. As for Gu Xuan consuming the two herbs, it didn't matter to him; Gu Xuan was already with Dugu Yan, so letting him take them was keeping the "fat water" within their own fields.
"In that case, we will do as you say. Yan Yan and I are not your equals in this field, nor do we recognize the Immortal Herbs here. We will simply wait for the result." Dugu Bo exhaled a long breath and spoke slowly.
"Thank you for your trust, Grandpa Dugu. I certainly won't fail the expectations of you and Yanzi. Trust me, the toxins in your bodies won't trouble you much longer." Gu Xuan promised.
Dugu Bo nodded. "Then what do Yan Yan and I need to do?"
Gu Xuan said. "Once I have recovered my soul power, I will consume the two Immortal Herbs. What you and Yanzi need to do is refine some pills to solidify your foundations and nurture your vitality to prepare your bodies."
Dugu Bo nodded in agreement. This was no difficult task for him.
Then Gu Xuan thought of something else and said to Dugu Bo. "Grandpa Dugu, there is one more thing I must trouble you with."
"Speak."
"Yanzi and I were given a seven-day break, and today is the second day. I estimate we won't be able to return within that time. I'll have to trouble you to go and request a leave of absence for us when you have the time." Gu Xuan said.
Dugu Bo waved his hand and replied. "That is simple. You focus on your research here; I will head back in a moment and pick up some supplies while I'm at it."
Gu Xuan smiled and added. "Someone should also notify my grandfather so the old man doesn't worry."
Dugu Bo nodded. "Rest assured, I will handle it all today."
Gu Xuan didn't hesitate. He immediately took out a pen and paper to write a letter, placed it inside the silver soul tool on his right index finger, then took the ring off and gave it to Dugu Bo. "Just give this to Grandpa when the time comes; it will prevent any misunderstandings."
Gu Xuan's words made Dugu Bo feel slightly awkward. Although Gu Xuan didn't say it explicitly, he understood the meaning. His reputation on the continent was indeed quite poor. Without a token, there was no telling what that old Bone Dragon might think.
"Ahem." Dugu Bo gave a dry cough and replied. "Fine."
Gu Xuan said no more and immediately sat cross-legged to begin recovering his soul power.
Dugu Bo was a man of action. He looked at Dugu Yan and said. "Yan Yan, why don't you come with me today? You can give some suggestions while we buy supplies, since we might be staying here for a while."
Dugu Yan looked at Gu Xuan, who had already entered a meditative state to recover his soul power, then nodded and replied. "Okay."
Gu Xuan needed to absorb the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, and later refine the antidote. She couldn't help with those things, so staying there served no purpose. She might as well go back and buy supplies; as a girl, she had a natural instinct for such things.
Although the environment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was excellent, there was only a single stone house on the cliff that Dugu Bo had carved out for refining medicine. There were no other supplies. Part of it was that she didn't want to suffer herself, and the other part was that she didn't want Gu Xuan to sleep on the ground.
By the time Gu Xuan had recovered his soul power, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan had already departed.
Stretching his limbs, a sharp light flickered in Gu Xuan's grey-black pupils as he stared at the two Immortal Herbs located at the two extremes of the spring. His heart began to race with excitement.
His innate soul power was only at Rank 8. While this wasn't low, there was a gap between him and those geniuses with innate full soul power—or even Qian Renxue, who had Rank 20 innate soul power.
Furthermore, he had spent most of the past six years training his physique, learning theoretical knowledge, and studying alchemy. Although he was already at Rank 33 at the age of twelve, he was not satisfied.
But none of that mattered now, because he was about to start his "cheat."
The third soul ring on his body lit up. Two long bone swords extended, slicing through the stems of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot. He pulled them before him and stuffed them into his mouth all at once.
The two Immortal Herbs were not small. Logically, one mouth shouldn't have been able to fit them, but strangely, they turned into a stream of heat and slid down his throat the moment they entered his mouth.
The two different powers exploded the instant they made contact, making Gu Xuan stumble. Before the medicinal effects could fully erupt, Gu Xuan jumped directly into the center of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
The first step of the "cheat": Ice and Fire Alchemy Body!
(End of Chapter)
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