"Kid, do you have information on any other celestial herbs?!"
"I do!" Xu Yang nodded and quickly handed over his notes on celestial herbs from his storage ring to Dugu Bo, saying, "This contains all the information I've found about celestial herbs, including a few that I'm particularly interested in and have been searching for."
"Mm!"
Dugu Bo nodded and focused his gaze on the notes in his hand. The records about celestial herbs were limited, with only a few illustrated descriptions; most were textual. However, he could identify corresponding celestial herbs in his medicinal garden based on their characteristics.
When he flipped to the last page and saw the introduction to the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Dugu Bo's pupils constricted, revealing a look of delight.
This celestial herb was perfect for their Green Scale Snake lineage. Not only could it allow their martial spirit to evolve with added earth attributes, but it could also enhance their resistance to toxins, ensuring that they wouldn't be in danger from potent toxins before reaching Title Douluo.
As for after reaching Title Douluo, condensing the Poison Dan would no longer be an issue.
Additionally, the Blood-colored Swan Kiss and the Fragrant Qirong Celestial Product were practically made for him. With these two herbs, his research on poison could advance significantly, and he might even shake off the title of the weakest Title Douluo.
"Kid, consider this a favor owed to you. I have those few celestial herbs recorded in your notes and can give them to you. In fact, if you find any other celestial herbs in the future, you must swear by your martial spirit not to disclose my possession of these celestial herbs to anyone else, including Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School." After staring at Xu Yang for a moment, Dugu Bo slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of threat.
"Senior, you actually have celestial herbs..." Xu Yang feigned shock at first but didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked, "But senior, what if my teacher finds out?! After all, I'm searching for these celestial herbs both for myself and for my teacher. You know about the deficiencies of soul masters from Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School; having these celestial herbs might just remedy that flaw."
"If my teacher and her family take them, they will notice changes in themselves. Even if I don't say anything, with my teacher's abilities, she can easily investigate. After all, among those I've interacted with recently, you're the only one who possesses such treasures."
"Can you guarantee that Ning Fengzhi won't leak information about the celestial herbs?! And that she won't disturb my life or cause me trouble?!" Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed as a glint of menace flashed through them. He realized he had become overly excited; while he wanted to repay this kid's favor well, he had forgotten that this kid was backed by the formidable Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.
If this kid refused to agree, he would have no choice but to risk offending Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School by eliminating him.
Xu Yang also recognized this point and smiled. "That shouldn't be a problem; after all, my teacher has a very good reputation in the soul master community."
"Good! Then swear!"
"I, Xu Yang, swear by my Solar Martial Spirit that I will never disclose to anyone other than Teacher Ning Fengzhi and her family that Senior Dugu possesses celestial herbs. I will also persuade my teacher and her family not to disclose it either. If I do so, may my martial spirit shatter and may I never progress again!"
Xu Yang quickly swore using his martial spirit. As soon as he finished his oath, he felt an additional binding force upon himself.
"Alright! Kid, follow me!"
Without waiting for Xu Yang's reaction, Dugu Bo grabbed him and took off into the air toward the direction of the Eye of Ice and Fire. He also sent a message to Dugu Yan to help Xu Yang request leave.
Flying through the air, Dugu Bo looked at Xu Yang—who felt like a little chick in his grasp—and asked with a smile: "Kid! What else do you know about those celestial herbs?"
"There are still a few more; however, they are only vaguely described in travelogues without details on how to harvest or use them. That's why I didn't include them in my notes. But I suspect some factions might have information on celestial herbs!"
Xu Yang adjusted himself as comfortably as possible while replying quickly upon hearing Dugu Bo's inquiry.
"Which factions?!"
"One is Elder Ju from Spirit Hall; it's rumored that he loves flowers and should have records on all celestial herbs. The other is one of the branches of the former Haotian Sect; this family not only pursues ultimate attack power but is also skilled in alchemy—they should have records on celestial herbs as well."
"Both are difficult to deal with!"
Upon hearing about these two factions, Dugu Bo's brows furrowed slightly. Leaving aside Elder Ju from Spirit Hall—who was himself a Title Douluo—Dugu Bo was not his match. The family from Haotian Sect might not have a Title Douluo among them but were known for their extreme attack capabilities; their clan leader Yang Wudi had records of battling on par with Title Douluos under Spirit Hall's blockade.
"Forget it; now that I have information about Earth Dragon Golden Melon, finding it should resolve my and Yan Yan's problems. The other celestial herbs can be pursued gradually."
Dugu Bo was reclusive by nature; as long as others didn't provoke him, he wouldn't randomly seek trouble—even if that person possessed what he needed.
Before long, they arrived near the Eye of Ice and Fire. After swallowing a detoxifying pill, Xu Yang entered its vicinity.
Even though he had prepared himself beforehand, Xu Yang was still awestruck by the unique scenery of the Eye of Ice and Fire—beyond just the enormous mandarin duck pot in the center; even the landscape made up of flowers and grasses was extraordinarily vibrant and beautiful.
Moreover, an energy permeated the air; after taking just a few breaths, Xu Yang felt exceptionally uncomfortable.
Instinctively drawn toward where the sun spring was located helped him feel somewhat better.
"It seems you've already noticed; these two springs emit rich ice and fire energy that envelops this area. Without soul sage-level cultivation or higher, one cannot stay here at all—it would cause their body to explode due to conflicting energies."
"However," Dugu Bo continued with a serious tone as they flew above this magical place," these two energies can also form a unique energy that helps me suppress toxins within me."
Yin-yang harmonizes; under heaven it reigns supreme.
Hearing Dugu Bo's words echoed a phrase in Xu Yang's mind.
The situation at Eye of Ice and Fire perfectly matched this saying—herein lay two extreme energies clashing endlessly; eventually part of their energy would beautifully merge together—yin-yang harmonizing into energy capable of giving rise to myriad things.
The abundance of celestial herbs here likely related directly to this energy capable of generating life.
"Kid! Eat this!" Seeing Xu Yang silent for too long, Dugu Bo tossed him a pill along with a pouch. "This medicine will temporarily smooth out both energies so you can stay here for half an hour. As for that pouch called Ruyi Hundred Treasures Bag—you can pick whatever celestial herb you want!"
After speaking, Dugu Bo turned around and began searching within Eye of Ice and Fire. He distinctly remembered having seen seedlings or leaves resembling sweet potatoes before—those should be what's referred to as Earth Dragon Golden Melon.
(End of Chapter)