"It can neutralize toxins!"
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, sharp and wild. He stared at the eight-cornered Xuanbing Grass and the Fiery Apricot Blossom by the spring like he was seeing hope for the first time.
Yin Xuan kept his tone calm. "Senior, I should warn you. The reason I said Yanzi could take it is because her cultivation's still weak, and she doesn't use snake venom to attack. She's not like you—right now, your strength depends on the Jade Phosphorus Serpent's poison."
"If you use these two herbs to detoxify, you'll probably clear every last bit of poison. But honestly, your strength will tank for a while, and it'll be tough to recover."
"I'm just guessing here," Yin Xuan admitted. "You decide for yourself."
The fire vanished from Dugu Bo's eyes. His brows drew together—he looked uncertain.
He really had no idea if this was the right move.
Yin Xuan let out a soft sigh. "You could talk to Yang Wudi from the Po Clan. He might have a better answer."
Dugu Bo's face twisted with annoyance. "Yang Wudi, again!" He snorted, "Fine, I'm heading straight to the Power Clan. I'll drag that old gorilla out and see what Yang Wudi's got."
Yin Xuan hesitated. "Senior, if you're going to see Yang Wudi, could you help me with something?"
Dugu Bo grinned, waving away the formalities. "Don't be so stiff. I find you pretty likable. Just tell me what you want."
Yin Xuan got serious. "I want their Yang Family Spear Technique. I need a stronger combat skill."
Dugu Bo looked puzzled. "Your martial soul's a plant, right? Why do you need spear techniques?"
Dugu Yan piped up, laughing quietly. "Grandpa, Ah Xuan's first soul skill can create a giant spear."
"Oh, that makes sense," Dugu Bo said, his eyes brightening. "I'll remember."
Staring at the two immortal herbs near the spring, Yin Xuan said, "If you're not planning to use them, could you let Yanzi and me take them together?"
Dugu Bo laughed, nodding. "No problem. Honestly, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even know what these are."
But then his face clouded over again. "Didn't you just say taking them could be dangerous?"
Yin Xuan's tone firmed up. "Yeah, but the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. For me, strength beats everything else."
Dugu Yan blinked, almost startled. She'd only known Yin Xuan a couple days, but she could feel how deep he was.
"My dear granddaughter, are you sure you want to use these herbs?" Dugu Bo asked, worried. He hated the thought of her risking it. There had to be a safer way.
Dugu Yan grinned. "If Ah Xuan's not scared, why should I be?"
Dugu Bo groaned. "Don't compare yourself to him! He's got nobody, but you—well, you've got your grandpa. If anything ever happened to you, how could I go on?"
Dugu Yan blushed, glancing at Yin Xuan. "Ah Xuan, don't mind grandpa. He's not the best with words."
Yin Xuan shrugged. "Senior, could you help us pick those two herbs?"
"The Fiery Apricot Blossom's gotta be picked with jade, and the Eight-Cornered Ice Grass, with metal. The cold and heat cancel each other when combined, so their power disappears. And you have to eat them within ten breaths, or the medicine fades completely."
"Oh—and if it's possible, I'd like to add that Snow Swan Kiss to my half."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "Didn't you say the Snow Swan Kiss would make the poison a thousand times stronger?"
Yin Xuan thought for a moment. "Yeah, but what if it could boost the herbs' effects a thousandfold too?"
Dugu Bo scoffed. "You really like to push your luck! Fine, I'll help you."
He stood in front of them, dagger in one hand, jade knife in the other. Two flashes of light sliced the herbs clean from their roots. With a surge of soul power, Dugu Bo launched the herbs toward himself, protecting his hands as he bundled the two together, letting their energies mix.
Just like Yin Xuan said—their auras vanished the moment they touched.
Yin Xuan used the Dark Blue Silver Overlord Spear to take the Snow Swan Kiss. As soon as Dugu Bo handed him half the celestial medicine, he added the Swan Kiss.
It felt like the medicine devoured the Swan Kiss instantly. A strange, rich fragrance rose up.
Dugu Bo's nose twitched at the smell. Tempting, honestly. But then he thought it through and sighed. There was no way he'd risk losing his Title Douluo strength for anything.
"Yanzi, after you take the medicine, wait for it to work, then jump into the spring. The ice and fire will baptize you—you two should be fine, the spring won't hurt you after you take the herbs."
Yin Xuan didn't hesitate. He swallowed the fragrant medicine. Almost immediately, his body felt like it was exploding. Just as he thought he'd pass out, he collapsed into the spring water.
Dugu Yan wasn't far behind. She took her medicine right after, and when it hit, she followed Yin Xuan into the spring.
Dugu Bo's face flickered from worry to regret. He opened his mouth, wanting to call them back, but they vanished into the water. He could only sigh.
This was Yin Xuan's only real shot. Unlike Tang San, who had techniques and knowledge for days, Yin Xuan had nothing but guts. If he didn't push through, he'd never catch up.
The Ice and Fire Alchemy Body was his best bet—a chance to rebuild himself from the ground up. If the Snow Swan Kiss really worked, even better.
Even with his consciousness slipping away, Yin Xuan's body stayed hungry, sucking in energy from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, forcing out impurities. Every pore worked overtime as night fell and the sun rose again.
Dugu Bo waited all day, tearing up, heart aching.
Because—
Yin Xuan and Dugu Yan didn't come up for a whole day and night.
"If the spring's energy didn't tear them apart, then they must've drowned in there!"
"My granddaughter!" His wails echoed across the valley, bouncing through the woods.
Suddenly—
"Grandfather!" Dugu Yan poked her head out. Yin Xuan surfaced right behind her.
"My dear granddaughter, you're alive!"
Dugu Bo burst into joy, laughing as he rushed to greet them.