"Grandpa, are the methods Xu Yang mentioned useful?!" Dugu Yan asked with uncertainty. Although she trusted Xu Yang, her own lack of experience made it difficult for her to assess the validity of the three methods, which is why she sought to confirm them with her grandfather.
"They are useful and quite practical. However, this kid's books might not be entirely accurate; after I condensed my Poison Dan, it didn't solve my poisoning problem. It's also possible that the Poison Dan I condensed is flawed!"
Dugu Bo had thought about his Poison Dan while listening earlier. His breakthrough was largely due to the unique environment of his medicinal garden, which had a certain degree of luck involved. Perhaps the Poison Dan he condensed wasn't complete, which is why it couldn't resolve his own issues.
"As for the latter two methods, using a soul bone can indeed solve our family's soul master's problems. I will research ways to force out the toxins in the coming days and find a soul bone for you, Yan Yan. That should resolve your toxin issue."
"As for the third method, I won't comment on it since I'm not sure about the existence of celestial herbs. I can't make a judgment based solely on a single Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum."
Thinking about the herbs in his medicinal garden, Dugu Bo was filled with regret. He had studied poisons and medicine for a lifetime and knew those herbs were extraordinary, yet he had never thought to gather information about those herbs from outside.
He was guarding a treasure mountain without realizing it.
...
Meanwhile, Xu Yang was writing information about the Earth Dragon Golden Melon in a new notebook. Although he didn't know what it looked like, he could still write some details based on his fragmented memories.
If he remembered correctly, the Earth Dragon Golden Melon resembled an ordinary sweet potato and could be consumed directly. He planned to let Dugu Bo find it in his medicinal garden based on this residual information.
Indeed, the Earth Dragon Golden Melon was the celestial herb Xu Yang prepared for Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. He believed that as long as Dugu Bo confirmed the information's authenticity and could cure himself and his granddaughter, he would certainly agree to help him by allowing him to take a few celestial herbs from his garden.
He didn't ask for much—just a few specific ones would suffice: Qirong Tulip, Wangchuan Qiushui Dew, Shuidian Yujin Bone, and Jiguang Phoenix Sunflower. As for others, he would leave them for Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
Of course, he would also try his best to persuade Dugu Yan to join Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School; this way, when Dugu Bo passed away in the future, the Eye of Ice and Fire would become an asset of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.
Xu Yang didn't know much about Earth Dragon Golden Melon, so he only filled one or two pages in his notes with all the content he had.
Afterward, he took out various metal materials and put on the single-lens glasses he had made. He began crafting a soul-guiding propeller according to what was written in the book.
As time passed by second by second, Xu Yang became completely immersed in making soul-guiding devices. He didn't notice that behind him stood a tall figure who had appeared without him realizing it—this person was clearly slender with sunken cheeks and green hair and pupils that looked quite abnormal.
It was none other than Dugu Bo, known as the Poison Douluo.
After hearing his granddaughter's account, he followed her to Tiandou Royal Academy to gather more information about celestial herbs from Xu Yang. Upon arriving, he saw Xu Yang hunched over at a table, continuously carving something into metal with a carving knife, completely focused and unaware of anyone behind him.
He chose not to interrupt; instead, he wanted to see what Xu Yang was doing.
"Damn!"
With one wrong stroke, Xu Yang cursed loudly as he shoved the carving knife into the table beside him. He had been so close to completing one component of the soul-guiding propeller but ended up failing at the last moment.
"You little brat! What are you doing?!"
Just as Xu Yang relaxed his body, a cold voice rang in his ear, startling him so much that he nearly jumped up. His Solar Martial Spirit instantly manifested; purple soul rings erupted with purple light as eight suns shot out like lightning toward his back. Without caring whether they hit or not, he dashed forward intending to break through the window and escape.
"Kid! Why are you running?!"
Dugu Bo hadn't expected Xu Yang to react so dramatically. He waved his hand; soul power erupted and extinguished the suns shooting toward him before swiftly moving in front of Xu Yang and grabbing his shoulder with a cold voice.
Xu Yang turned around to see that familiar face and lightly patted his chest while saying irritably: "Senior! Scaring people can kill them! I thought you were an enemy!"
Although Xu Yang had overreacted somewhat, this was Douluo Continent—assassinations against geniuses were common occurrences. He had read in books about how decades ago a genius from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family was assassinated by Spirit Hall while their family could do nothing about it.
He considered this possibility when reacting so strongly.
"You know me?!" Dugu Bo asked with some surprise.
"I do! Teacher Ning Fengzhi introduced you to me; I've also seen your portrait," Xu Yang replied with a smile.
"That makes sense; given Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School's influence, my information has probably been investigated thoroughly!" Dugu Bo recalled that long ago he had known Xu Yang was Ning Fengzhi's direct disciple. This was also why he hadn't acted immediately upon arriving.
Although he was a Title Douluo wandering between various factions, he wasn't completely alone; he still had a beloved granddaughter whom he felt guilty towards.
If he harmed Xu Yang while escaping himself, his granddaughter wouldn't be able to escape.
Thus, he couldn't afford to offend him.
Of course, under his poisonous aura deterrent, other factions also dared not easily provoke him.
Dugu Bo sized up Xu Yang; although he knew about him somewhat from before meeting face-to-face now revealed more—firstly was the pride in his eyes; this pride wasn't brought by family or faction but inherent within him.
Secondly was youth; Dugu Bo could tell at a glance that Xu Yang was indeed only eight or nine years old—just as rumored.
Finally was Xu Yang's earlier attack; its power was genuinely significant—those fireballs like suns were no less than an all-out strike from an ordinary Soul Master—but Xu Yang could unleash them effortlessly.
After finishing his appraisal of Xu Yang, Dugu Bo suddenly spoke: "Kid! You deliberately revealed information about celestial herbs to Yan Yan; your purpose is to lure me here? Has Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School discovered something?!"
"Huh?!"
Xu Yang looked confused; how did this get tied back to Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School? While he did have intentions of attracting Dugu Bo's attention, it absolutely had nothing to do with Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School!
"It seems my thoughts were somewhat off!"
Seeing Xu Yang's reaction clarified for Dugu Bo that he had overthought things. However, this was just part of his nature; he never intended to change it.
(End of Chapter)