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The sun set in the west, casting a golden hue over Heaven Dou City. After bidding farewell to Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan sped towards Sunset Forest like a streak of emerald light. Her jade-like long hair fluttered in the wind, and her green eyes sparkled with complex emotions. The unprecedented feeling of lightness in her body left her both puzzled and uneasy—if there truly was some hidden ailment, why had her grandfather never mentioned it?
"Grandpa, what exactly have you been hiding from me?" she murmured softly, her toes lightly touching the treetops as she glided through the forest like a swallow.
Passing through the poisonous miasma of Sunset Forest, a rich medicinal scent wafted towards her. Dugu Yan lightly landed at the entrance of a secluded valley, where the sight before her was like a paradise—exotic flowers and rare herbs competed for beauty, and various treasures shimmered with a faint glow in the twilight. In the center of the valley, an ancient wooden house stood quietly, and in the medicinal garden in front of it, a familiar dark green figure was bending over, tending to the herbs.
"Grandpa!"
Dugu Bo looked up at the sound, a hint of surprise flashing in his green eyes. "Yan Yan? At this hour—" Before he could finish, the young girl had already rushed into his arms like a gust of wind.
The old man swayed slightly, then steadily caught his granddaughter. His slightly rough hand gently stroked his granddaughter's long hair, his voice unconsciously softening. "What's wrong? Did that brat Yu Tianheng make you angry again?"
"Grandpa, is there something wrong with my body?" Dugu Yan looked up, meeting her grandfather's eyes.
Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly contracted, and his withered fingers swiftly clasped his granddaughter's wrist. A moment later, his aged face suddenly bloomed with an unusual radiance. "The accumulated poison in your body… it's reduced by two-tenths?!" His voice trembled with excitement, then erupted into a hearty laugh. "Heaven bless my Dugu family! Yan Yan, this is a great blessing!"
A warm tear fell on Dugu Yan's cheek. She stared blankly at her grandfather—this Poison Douluo, known for his cold demeanor, was now weeping with joy.
"Grandpa," she called softly, her voice trembling slightly.
Dugu Bo suddenly came back to his senses, his hands tightly gripping his granddaughter's shoulders, his eyes bursting with eager light. "Quick, tell Grandpa, how did you do it?"
Dugu Yan recounted what had happened in the zither room that day. When she spoke of Feng Xiao's zither music, her green eyes unconsciously gleamed with an unusual brilliance. "The zither music was very special; it felt like it could penetrate my body… then I spat out a mouthful of poisonous blood."
"Zither music expelling poison… the power of vibration, why didn't I think of it?" Dugu Bo muttered to himself, his dark green hair moving without wind. He paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped, his expression solemn as he detailed the flaws of his Bi Lin Snake Spirit. When he spoke of his son and daughter-in-law's deaths, his voice choked several times. "Your parents also…"
Dugu Yan's face was pale, and her slender fingers unconsciously clutched the corner of her clothes.
"But it's different now!" Dugu Bo suddenly gripped his granddaughter's hand excitedly, his eyes bursting with hope. "This Feng Xiao… Yan Yan, bring Grandpa to see him tomorrow! No, let's go now!"
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan held back the excited old man. "It's late, there's no need to rush. Don't scare him."
Dugu Bo took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "You're right. Grandpa was too impatient." He affectionately stroked his granddaughter's hair. "Come, Grandpa will make you a bowl of blood-tonifying soup. Although expelling toxins is a good thing, forcing the poison out rashly might damage your meridians."
As he turned, a deep light flashed in the old man's eyes. Feng Xiao… who exactly was this young man who could cure Bi Lin Snake Venom? No matter what, he had to meet this young man in person.
The night was cool as water, and the bright moonlight filtered through the carved window lattice. Feng Xiao leaned lazily on the embroidered bed, his slender fingers tapping the bed frame idly, his gaze carelessly following the cloud shadows drifting outside the window.
"It seems I won't be waiting for that person tonight," he yawned lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Since they're polite," Feng Xiao mused, splitting a wisp of his mind in meditation, "then there won't be any danger tomorrow."
Feng Xiao stretched his limbs, his silk nightclothes rippling like water with his movements. He sat cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees, gradually entering a state of meditation. The moonlight cast a silver edge on his handsome profile, and his long eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes, making him appear like a silent jade sculpture.
Outside the window, the long clapper of the night watchman sounded—it was the third watch. Feng Xiao's breathing gradually became long and deep, and his spirit power slowly circulated through his meridians.
The next morning, the sky was faintly lit, and the morning dew had not yet dried.
Dugu Bo arrived very early with Dugu Yan at the inn where Feng Xiao was staying. For a Titled Douluo, finding Feng Xiao was simply too easy.
Dugu Yan had changed into a brand new emerald green fitted outfit, with a silver-threaded belt tied around her waist, accentuating her snow-white skin. She stood in front of Feng Xiao's room door, nervously twisting her fingers. "Grandpa, did we come too early?"
Dugu Bo had uncharacteristically changed out of his usual dark green robe today, wearing a deep blue brocade long gown instead. Even his perpetually loose dark green hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, trying to make himself appear more approachable. Hearing her, he slowly said, "Yan Yan, Grandpa only has you, this one granddaughter, now. Grandpa has truly waited too long for this day."
Just as he finished speaking, Feng Xiao's room door creaked open. Feng Xiao, dressed in a plain white long gown, stood in the doorway, looking at the grandfather and granddaughter with surprise. He paused slightly, then bowed gracefully. "Miss Dugu, Your Excellency Dugu, good morning to both of you."
Sunlight fell on Feng Xiao, casting a long silhouette in the hallway. A few wisps of hair on his forehead made him appear ethereal and refined.
Dugu Bo waved his sleeve, his green eyes directly meeting Feng Xiao's, getting straight to the point. "No need for all that pretense. Was it you who injured my Yan Yan yesterday?"
Dugu Yan, hearing this, couldn't help but blush. Her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes, but at this moment, she also didn't feel right about contradicting her own grandfather.
Feng Xiao smiled slightly and said, "If Senior is here for medical treatment, please speak frankly. As for yesterday's matter, Miss Dugu has already forgiven me."
"What a big tone!" Dugu Bo couldn't help but snort coldly. "Then tell me, what illness does my Yan Yan have?"
Feng Xiao unhurriedly raised his hand, his moon-white sleeves glowing softly in the morning light. "Senior woke up so early, you must not have had breakfast yet. How about I treat you, and we can talk while we eat?"
Dugu Bo looked a bit impatient and was about to erupt, but his granddaughter gently tugged his sleeve. Dugu Yan bowed gracefully. "Then we shall trouble Feng Yao."
In the elegant private room, exquisite breakfast items emitted an enticing aroma. Once the server had left, Dugu Bo impatiently tapped the table. "Now can you finally speak?"
"Miss Dugu is afflicted with a potent poison, hidden in her bloodline, originating from her spirit ring," Feng Xiao said, picking up a crystal shrimp dumpling, his tone as calm as if discussing the weather.
With a clatter, the teacup in Dugu Bo's hand fell to the ground. His face was gloomy, and he stared intently at the young man calmly eating before him, his slightly hoarse voice tightening. "How do you know?"
Feng Xiao elegantly put down his bamboo chopsticks, his fingertips lightly tracing the rim of the cup. "Senior is titled 'Poison', which is your most proud ability. If I'm not mistaken, the Spirit Beasts you chose were all highly venomous, right?"
Dugu Bo's expression changed abruptly, his green pupils contracting violently, his eyes filled with regret. His wrinkled hands trembled slightly, revealing a rare vulnerability for a Titled Douluo.
"A Spirit is the manifestation of a Spirit Master's bloodline, and the absorbed spirit ring is the bloodline power of the Spirit Beast," Feng Xiao's voice flowed like a clear spring. "When you used it to enhance the toxicity of your Spirit, this toxicity was also passed down to your descendants, hidden within their bloodline…"
"It was I… who harmed them…" Dugu Bo suddenly burst into tears, his hoarse voice filled with remorse.
"Grandpa…" Dugu Yan gently held the old man's trembling hand.
Feng Xiao handed over a plain handkerchief. "Senior needn't blame himself. In this Spirit Master's world, where the strong prey on the weak, without this strength, I'm afraid…" He didn't finish his sentence, but it conveyed a sense of vicissitude.
Dugu Bo took a deep breath, and hope rekindled in his eyes. "Is there a cure?"
"If I'm not mistaken, the intensity of Miss Dugu's poison is already far beyond that of her peers, isn't it?" Feng Xiao looked at Dugu Yan and said softly.
Dugu Bo sighed slightly and nodded. "Indeed. Actually, I never wanted Yan Yan to follow the same path as me, but if she doesn't absorb highly toxic Spirit Beasts, her resistance to poison might become even lower, leading to a threat to her life."
"It's too difficult to completely cure the accumulated poison of a Titled Douluo level," Feng Xiao gently shook his head. "It's better to change our approach. Not seeking a complete cure, but seeking to prolong life. Just like venomous snakes store venom in their venom sacs, if the potent poison can be guided into a Spirit Bone…"
As he spoke, Feng Xiao's smiling gaze slowly fell upon the grandfather and granddaughter.
"Brilliant!" Dugu Bo slammed the table, his eyes blazing with excitement. He paced back and forth, his dark green hair moving without wind. "How could this old man not have thought of it!"
"As for Miss Dugu…" Feng Xiao looked at the quietly seated young girl. "Currently, the poison is still shallow. With the guidance of zither music, and after acquiring a suitable Spirit Bone…"
Dugu Bo threw his head back and laughed heartily, his voice shaking the roof tiles. "Good! Good! Good!" He repeated "good" three times, making the leaves outside the courtyard rustle. "This old man has searched for a cure his entire life, and I never expected to find it in a zither player!"
Suddenly, Dugu Bo abruptly reined in his smile and solemnly cupped his hands in a bow. "Young friend Feng, this old man has an impertinent request…"
Feng Xiao quickly moved aside to avoid the bow. "Senior, you flatter this junior."
"Can you impart this method of expelling poison with zither music to this old man?" Dugu Bo's voice was low. "Whatever the condition, as long as this old man can do it…"
The teacup in Feng Xiao's hand trembled slightly. He thought he had misheard something, and said in disbelief, "Senior means… you want to learn the zither?"
The private room suddenly fell silent. Dugu Bo's old face flushed, while Dugu Yan had already covered her mouth, lightly chuckling.
Feng Xiao quickly rose and returned the bow. "This junior was rude. It is this junior's honor to be consulted by Senior." His eyes showed a sincere smile. "Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. Being able to exchange skills with Senior and discuss sound therapy methods will also greatly benefit this junior's zither playing."
Dugu Bo turned his face away like a pouting child, his dark green long hair swaying gently with his movement. He deliberately put on a stern face, but couldn't hide the slight upward curve of his lips. "Hmph, at least you're sensible, kid. But this old man never takes advantage of others. Whatever you ask for, as long as this old man can do it—"
Before he finished speaking, Feng Xiao had already taken over with a smile. "Coincidentally, this junior really does have an impertinent request."
This unceremonious attitude actually made Dugu Bo's eyes light up, and a great weight fell from his heart. He admired such straightforwardness. "Speak!"
"This junior has not yet enrolled in school. I would like to borrow Senior's influence to get access to a simulated cultivation environment at Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Feng Xiao blinked, smiling innocently.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened, staring at him as if he were a monster. "Is that all you amount to? You seek out a Titled Douluo for such a trivial matter?"
"Actually…" Feng Xiao feigned shyness and slowly said, "there's one more thing I'd like to ask…"
"What are you dawdling for!" Dugu Bo impatiently flicked his sleeve, a waft of medicinal scent accompanying the motion.
Feng Xiao took a deep breath, as if steeling his courage. "I heard Senior has a medicinal garden… this junior would like to ask for a few medicinal herbs…"
"You also know pharmacology?" Dugu Bo suspiciously scrutinized the seemingly delicate zither player, who was indeed quite handsome. Suddenly, he had an epiphany and understood. He narrowed his eyes mischievously, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Feng Xiao and his granddaughter. "Oh—this old man understands!"
"Senior is insightful." Feng Xiao's smile became even more obedient, like a fox begging for food.
Dugu Bo waved his hand. "Alright! I'll personally go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and tell them. From now on, you'll attend school with Yan Yan." Then he deliberately straightened his face and gave Feng Xiao a disdainful glance. "As for the medicinal herbs… come with this old man to the medicinal garden to get them. It'll be a good chance for me to witness your conditioning methods."
As the morning light emerged, the three of them stepped through the glistening morning dew and arrived deep within Sunset Forest. A faint, dark green glow emanated from Dugu Bo, his Titled Douluo-level spirit power forming an invisible barrier that completely isolated the poisonous mist and miasma along the way. He led the two of them over a cliff, and suddenly, their vision opened up—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well displayed a breathtakingly magnificent scene in the morning light.
The scorching Yang Spring and the extremely cold Yin Spring intertwined, giving rise to swirling mists. At the junction of the springs, rare medicinal herbs glowed brightly, nourished by the power of ice and fire. Various plants unfurled their emerald leaves, the Serene Splendor Immortal Herb bloomed with a dreamlike blue-violet halo, and there was even the Yearning Heartbroken Red, brilliant like a ruby all over, gently swaying in the breeze.
"What a place of natural creation," Feng Xiao couldn't help but praise softly, his eyes reflecting the magical scene.
Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, his dark green long hair fluttering in the morning breeze, his eyes gleaming with pride. He waved his hand, his sleeve bringing a waft of medicinal scent. "Kid, you can take any herbs here you want. The priority is to condition Yan Yan. As for picking herbs…" He paused meaningfully, "There will be plenty of time in the future."
Feng Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing the surging excitement in his heart. Any one of these Immortal Herbs before him could create a Titled Douluo. His fingertips trembled slightly, but quickly regained their composure. He turned to look at the green-haired girl beside him.
"Miss Dugu, please sit," Feng Xiao said gently.
Dugu Yan pursed her lips and smiled, a hint of slyness flashing in her green eyes. "No need to be so formal? Just call me Sister Yan." She gracefully sat cross-legged, her jade-like long hair falling over her shoulders, glowing softly in the morning light.
Feng Xiao smiled at her words and didn't decline. "Then I shall trouble Sister Yan." He sat on the ground, his hands resting lightly, and the ancient zither "Fuxi" slowly appeared before his knees, its body adorned with ancient patterns.
When the first note sounded, the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well fell silent. Feng Xiao's slender fingers danced gracefully on the zither strings, two yellow spirit rings alternately flashing, reflecting a magnificent radiance in the spring water. Strange sound waves spread out like ripples.
Dugu Bo's pupils constricted slightly, and he unconsciously held his breath. He clearly felt that the sound waves contained a profound power that resonated with his internal organs. The spring water began to boil slightly, and the surrounding Immortal Herbs also swayed gently with the music, as if responding to this beautiful melody.
Feng Xiao was completely immersed in the music, fine beads of sweat seeping from his temples. Each of his plucks was incredibly precise, and the sound waves, like threads, gently wrapped around Dugu Yan, guiding the toxins in her body to flow slowly.