Seeing that Dugu Bo was no longer paying attention to him, Xu Yang swallowed the detoxifying pill and began his search.
Based on his memories from the original work and the collected information on celestial herbs, Xu Yang selectively picked the following eight herbs: Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Qirong Tulip, Ink Jade Bamboo, Shuidian Yujin Bone, Nine-grade Purple Ganoderma, Eight-petal Celestial Orchid, Wangchuan Qiushui Dew, and Vermilion Lotus.
He refrained from picking any more, as he felt that even these eight were quite a lot. After all, this place had an owner, and he intended to have Ning Fengzhi prepare a few poison-type soul bones for Dugu Yan later.
"Kid, is this the Earth Dragon Golden Melon?!"
Before long, Dugu Bo came running over with a cluster of golden sweet potatoes in hand, presenting them to Xu Yang for inspection.
The sweet potatoes numbered seven, all entirely golden in color. The largest one was the size of a soccer ball while the smallest was only as big as a ping pong ball. As Dugu Bo handed them over, Xu Yang could smell a rich earthy aroma—not a raw soil scent but a fragrant one that refreshed him with each breath.
"Yes, it should be!" Xu Yang nodded in agreement. It seemed that the Eye of Ice and Fire only produced this type of sweet potato; there were no others. He then felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Senior, if you have any extras of this Earth Dragon Golden Melon, could you give me one?"
The Earth Dragon Golden Melon was not only suitable for Green Scale Snake soul masters but also for Bone Douluo Gu Rong. The dragon energy contained within might allow Gu Rong's martial spirit to evolve and grow to the same level as Sword Douluo.
"Sure! I only plan to use two of these seven; I'll replant the remaining five. Giving you one more is no problem!" Dugu Bo nodded and took the largest one in hand, beginning to eat it piece by piece.
Once he finished eating, Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on the ground to begin refining it.
As time passed, Dugu Bo's previously sunken cheeks began to fill out; his withered body regained some fleshiness and no longer resembled a skeleton. A faint aura of soul power radiated from him.
True to his title as Title Douluo, he absorbed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon in less than twenty minutes.
"Celestial herbs are indeed extraordinary! I can feel that the potent toxins within me are no longer a threat. Thanks to this Earth Dragon Golden Melon, my soul power has reached level ninety-three. Once I force the toxins into my soul bones, I believe I can quickly reach level ninety-five."
Dugu Bo felt ecstatic as he summoned his martial spirit, the Green Scale Snake Emperor. Compared to his previous form, the new Green Scale Snake Emperor showed little change except that its small horns had transformed into true dragon horns. Although it hadn't completely evolved into a poisonous dragon yet, it was now classified as a horned dragon—an elite dragon-type martial spirit.
The soul power emanating from him surged like a hurricane in all directions. Xu Yang felt like a leaf on an ocean wave—he could only let fate decide his course.
Seeing Dugu Bo's martial spirit transformation confirmed for Xu Yang that what he had just witnessed was indeed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. He focused his gaze on the remaining six melons in front of Dugu Bo; two were slightly smaller than the previous soccer-sized one. He planned to give one to Dugu Yan and take another for himself.
Dugu Bo unleashed years of pent-up frustration as his soul power erupted freely. However, he was aware of Xu Yang's presence and deliberately avoided affecting him with his outburst.
"So this is the power of a Title Douluo? It's truly more shocking each time! In the future, I will definitely become a Title Douluo myself."
Feeling this unfathomable depth of soul power made Xu Yang reflect deeply. Although he had seen Sword Bone and others unleash their soul power before, it had never been at such an unrestrained level as Dugu Bo's full force. This gave him a new understanding of what it meant to be a Title Douluo.
"Kid! Thank you! You've resolved my inner conflicts. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come find me; if I can help, I won't refuse." After releasing his pent-up emotions, Dugu Bo returned to calmness and looked at Xu Yang earnestly.
"Then thank you very much, senior!" Xu Yang replied respectfully.
Afterward, Xu Yang received one Earth Dragon Golden Melon from Dugu Bo while he took another for himself. They replanted them back in their original spots before preparing to leave the Eye of Ice and Fire.
Dugu Bo was eager to help Dugu Yan resolve her martial spirit issues while Xu Yang felt too weak to stay longer in such an intense environment.
Moreover, he needed to return to Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School to distribute the celestial herbs among Ning Fengzhi and others. He also intended to absorb the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower before leaving; just before departing, Xu Yang cast one last glance at the fiery apricot pepper vegetable located in the sun spring.
Although the fiery apricot pepper vegetable wasn't on par with celestial herbs like Heartbreak Red or Qirong Tulip—considered kings among celestial herbs—it was located at the center of Eye of Ice and Fire alongside Eight-petal Celestial Orchid; its current quality could be deemed among the best within this place.
Xu Yang chose not to absorb it due to his martial spirit's attributes; his Solar Martial Spirit aligned more closely with pure fire and light—better suited for Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Additionally, since fiery apricot pepper contained immense fire toxins without pairing it with Eight-petal Celestial Orchid first would guarantee certain death from toxicity.
His martial spirit also predetermined that he couldn't absorb Eight-petal Celestial Orchid either.
Thus, he would have to wait until his Solar Martial Spirit evolved enough not to fear fire toxins formed from extreme fire before considering absorbing fiery apricot pepper vegetable.
Dugu Bo noticed Xu Yang's lingering gaze and understood that Xu Yang had concealed knowledge about how those two celestial herbs at the center worked. However, he didn't mind; as long as this precious land remained intact, he allowed Xu Yang whatever actions he wished.
Upon returning to Tiandou Royal Academy, Xu Yang immediately requested leave from Qin Ming before heading over to Seven Treasures Hotel to find Ning Haiyan.
"Ning Uncle! Ning Uncle!" Upon entering Seven Treasures Hotel, Xu Yang shouted loudly with urgency in his voice.
"What happened?!" Ning Haiyan appeared instantly before Xu Yang with concern written all over his face.
"Ning Uncle! Take me back to the sect! I have urgent matters to discuss with Teacher—it's extremely urgent!"
Seeing that Xu Yang's expression seemed genuine and not fabricated made Ning Haiyan's demeanor turn serious. He quickly grabbed Xu Yang and tossed him onto his back before they transformed into a gust of wind racing toward Tiandou City's outskirts. Just after exiting Tiandou City, Ning Haiyan unleashed his Soul Sage-level cultivation fully; using an enhancement technique on himself turned him into a streak of fire that vanished into the horizon in an instant.
This was Ning Haiyan's fastest method; given that transportation across Douluo Continent was still quite primitive compared to soul masters' speed—Ning Haiyan chose this way instead.
What would have taken nearly half a day now took less than three hours thanks to their speed; however, it left Ning Haiyan utterly exhausted—his soul power nearly depleted by their journey.
(End of Chapter)