Yin Xuan grinned. "Honestly, I don't know a ton about this place, but Yang Wudi from the Po Clan might. He's the one you want for this—I'd ask him."
Dugu Bo scoffed. "Yang Wudi again, huh? Everyone acts like he's unbeatable. You really think his skills with poison beat mine?" He sounded pretty annoyed.
Yin Xuan just laughed. "It's not about age, you know. The real expert is the teacher—doesn't matter if you've been around longer."
"You—you're calling me old now? Exploiting my age?" Dugu Bo's hand shook as he pointed at Yin Xuan, clearly riled up.
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes. "Grandpa, seriously, can you stop picking fights with Ah Xuan? How long are you gonna keep this up?"
Arguing at his age—what a headache.
Dugu Bo's lips quivered, and he went pale for a second, nearly losing his balance.
Above the spring, the air mixed cold and hot, swirling together and slowly dissipating as it drifted above the forest. One side of the pool glowed milky white, chilling straight to the bone. In the center grew a celestial herb that looked like it was carved from ice.
The other side was a fiery red hot spring, steaming hard enough to scorch anything in its path. At the center, a huge red herb, almost a cabbage, sat surrounded by waves of heat.
An invisible boundary split the two springs. Cold and heat slammed into each other right at the seam, but somehow, nothing tipped the balance.
All around, rare flowers and herbs thrived under the evening sunlight. Some absorbed both extremes, and reached celestial status. Others weren't quite there, but still, you didn't see herbs like these anywhere else.
Dugu Bo spoke, voice deep: "This place—heaven and earth made it. One year here equals ten outside. The spring's energy is wild: ice and fire tornados all over. Don't get too close, or it'll chew you up."
"Ah Xuan, look over there!"
"That big pink flower—is that the Fragrant Silk Immortal thing you mentioned?"
"I tried smothering it with poison. Didn't even faze the thing!"
Yin Xuan studied it, listening to Dugu Bo. "Yeah, that's the one—Fragrant Silk Immortal Item. Only this flower's got that kind of immunity."
"If it lives to 100,000 years, eating it makes your body totally immune to poison—every kind."
"But by that time, you're facing a 100,000-year-old plant soul beast. Not easy to pick."
Dugu Bo blinked. That just flipped his world upside down.
Lucky thing none of these celestial herbs hit 100,000 years yet.
He shivered imagining all these flowers and herbs suddenly turning into ancient, raging soul beasts.
"Ah Xuan, straight up—most of these flowers, I don't even recognize. I only know the ones I planted myself. Could you look them over? Tell me which ones are poisonous, which aren't? Honestly, I don't dare touch half of them—might just end up killing myself."
Dugu Bo let out a sigh, feeling pretty awkward asking a kid for help. But it's way better to be embarrassed than dead.
"I already said, I don't know much about this place. Just recognize a few things," Yin Xuan replied.
He took a quick look, then pointed at a handful of plants. "There are some herbs here that could turn an ordinary soul master into a genius. Even someone useless could become gifted, and if they already have talent, these could take them even higher."
Dugu Bo listened carefully, focused like a student. Yin Xuan almost felt like a teacher standing there.
"The Eight-Cornered Ice Grass is crazy cold—take it with the Blazing Apricot Blossom, which is extremely hot. The cold and heat balance out, making them easier to absorb.
"Together, they can cause massive changes to your body—might even give you immunity to both ice and fire.
"And here's the Love-Sickness Red. It's priceless. Enough power to revive the dying—or heal wounds. If the wild goose wins its favor and absorbs it, soul power jumps up ten levels at once. But getting the flower's approval? That's tough."
Yin Xuan's words came out honest and direct. After seeing him work, and talking yesterday, Dugu Bo felt he could trust this kid. Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo both crouched down, staring at the Acacia Heartbreak Red, totally hooked on Yin Xuan's explanation.
"So, how do we win it over?" Dugu Bo asked.
Dugu Yan waited, eager for the answer. Seriously, who wouldn't want a quick ten-level boost?
Yin Xuan replied calmly, "Just spit a mouthful of blood onto the flower, and think about the person you love. That's the trick."
"The Wang Chuan Qiu Shui Dew—it helps you develop 'fiery eyes,' lets you see through strange things, and mainly boosts mental strength.
"Fragrant Silk Fairy Product, you already know the story. No need to repeat.
"The Snow-White Swan's Kiss—activate it and your poison gets ten times stronger. If you touch it with no protection, you'll drop dead, just like that."
He shot a look at Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo's face went dark, mouth twitching. "Does it really have to be that intense?"
"Test it, if you want. You'll see," Yin Xuan shrugged.
Next, he nodded at another herb. "The Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King: powerful stuff. Eat it, and even someone without soul power can turn into a soul master."
Dugu Bo sucked in a breath.
Holy crap, this really was a treasure trove.
"The Qiluo Tulip, matured for ten thousand years off the sun and moon's essence, suits gem-type martial souls.
"Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum—eat it, Qi flows through your body, clears your meridians. Lets you build an indestructible body."
Dugu Bo perked up like a kid in class. "I know that one! The Spirit Hall has a soul master with crazy power—I swear it's this one!"
"Pervert? Who?" Dugu Yan piped up.
Dugu Bo said, "Grown-up stuff. Kids don't need to ask."
"I don't care, anyway," Dugu Yan sniffed, rolling her eyes.
Yin Xuan explained, "There's a Title Douluo in Spirit Hall named Yue Guan—his title is Ju. Likes dressing as a woman."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "How do you know all this?"
Dugu Yan shifted, grinning smugly beside Yin Xuan.
Yin Xuan just continued, "I hold a grudge against him. Someday, we'll settle it."
Dugu Bo chuckled. "Well, I've got a bone to pick with him too." He looked at Yin Xuan with approval in his eyes.
Yin Xuan moved on, not dwelling on that. Next herb: "Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower—the flames it produces are painful to withstand but perfect for bird-type martial spirits."
"Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid—boosts your cultivation speed, strengthens your foundation, clears impurities. Slow soul masters can catch up faster.
"Nine-grade purple ganoderma—eating this strengthens your body, fixes natural weaknesses.
"Narcissus Jade Skin and Bones—this one nourishes your tendons and bones, makes you stronger, unlocks your meridians, keeps you youthful, and makes you even prettier."
He glanced at Dugu Yan.
Her eyes sparkled. "Ah Xuan, can I eat that one?"
He nodded. "Yeah, it's safe—all those I mentioned, you can take. Except the Snow Swan Kiss. Don't eat too many at once, though—more doesn't always mean better results."
"And with the Eight-Cornered Ice Grass and Fiery Apricot Blossom—be careful. Those are dangerous. But if you manage, your body will clear out all poison."