A'man Is a True Gentleman

"Besides, most of the herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well possess icy properties, so their effects are likely too potent and unsuitable for conditioning the body. Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul isn't omnipotent either; its restorative effects should be limited. And without the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, safely extracting the poison and healing Dugu Bo's old internal injuries accumulated over so many years will probably still require ordinary medicinal herbs. Hmm, I'll need to spend some time carefully considering what combination of herbs and properties would work."

"And I can handle all of that at home."

With that thought, he raised his head and looked at Dugu Yan. "My apologies, Miss Yanzi. Though I know a little about pharmacology, I am still young and haven't studied it for long. I have a rough understanding of the poison in your body, but to devise a specific treatment, I'll need time to research it—both where to begin and what medicinal herbs to pair together."

"Besides, I have some personal matters to deal with, so I likely won't be able to travel far anytime soon. As for exactly when I can leave, I'll have to return home and assess the situation first." As he spoke, he turned to Shui Yue'er. "However, I've already promised Miss Yue'er and Bing'er that I'll head to Heaven Dou City within two years at most. I might even join an academy and participate in the Soul Master Competition then."

"That's right. A'man will be coming to my family to propose marriage someday." Shui Yue'er nodded repeatedly in addition.

Is it really alright for a girl to say something like that so directly? Everyone from Heaven Dou Academy was instantly speechless.

"You aren't traveling together?" Dugu Yan looked surprised.

"No. I only met Miss Yue'er and Miss Bing'er this time by chance." Lin Manshan smiled.

"I'll tell it, I'll tell it!" Shui Yue'er clearly enjoyed telling stories, especially when she could recount the bravery of the man she liked.

I never mentioned where I live anyway. My talent is poor, my Martial Soul has no Soul Rings or Soul Skills, and creating a Soul Skill myself is normal enough. Might as well let her say it... Lin Manshan smiled and did not interrupt.

"A few days ago, we encountered a Spirit Beast Riot in the area of the Star Dou Great Forest where Thousand-year Spirit Beasts lived—"

"Anyway, A'man was amazing." Shui Yue'er finished with a look of worship.

That awesome? A commoner with no family, no friends, and no background—practically a complete nobody. His Innate Soul Power was only rank 3, yet he cultivated so quickly that he had already reached the Soul Grandmaster realm at such a young age. And he even dared to gather herbs alone in the area of the Star Dou Great Forest inhabited by Thousand-year Spirit Beasts. Most importantly, he could actually create his own Soul Skills.

Damn it, not even fairy tales would dare make something like this up!

A medical student, venturing alone into the Star Dou Great Forest to gather herbs... While inwardly shocked, the members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy also began considering the matter. They had some knowledge of using medicinal baths to assist cultivation. In their view, Lin Manshan had studied medicine, risked his life gathering herbs, and reached the Soul Grandmaster realm at this age precisely because he had used this method to aid his cultivation.

Still, for someone so young to create his own Soul Skills was truly beyond their expectations.

Is this what a genius is? Several students looked Lin Manshan over as that thought arose in their hearts.

No. With no talent and no background, someone like him shouldn't be called a genius. He should be called a freakish talent. His brain really works. More importantly, he dared to put his ideas into action—he dared to think and dared to act. No wonder he possessed such extensive pharmacological knowledge at this age.

His methods were truly wild, but undeniably effective.

And they were so jealous. The male students' gazes drifted back and forth between Lin Manshan and Shui Bing'er. He had gone out to gather herbs and somehow rescued two girls, who had both taken a liking to him. Shui Yue'er was even throwing herself at him openly.

Moreover, by pointing out a method to remove Dugu Yan's poison, Lin Manshan had formed a bond of goodwill with her, regardless of whether he could cure her later. With that favor in hand, Poison Douluo would certainly not stand by idly if Lin Manshan encountered trouble in the future.

His status is about to soar straight into the heavens.

With a Titled Douluo backing him, he would be no different from a noble. Who would dare touch him?

Besides, given Shui Yue'er and Shui Bing'er's identities, along with the debt of saving their lives, how could the Shui Family and Skywater Academy possibly take him lightly?

The key was that although Lin Manshan's talent was not particularly good, his cultivation speed had not fallen behind. Perhaps in the future, their parents really would be willing to marry their daughters to him.

Thinking of that, they immediately grew sour with envy.

A'man really is kind-hearted and a true gentleman. Compared with his knowledge and intelligence, Dugu Yan admired Lin Manshan's character even more. Seeing the two sisters in danger, he had not only been willing to take the risk to save them, but he had also never taken advantage of their vulnerability throughout the treatment. Even when helping her suppress her poison and proposing various methods to remove it—including his promise just now to consider a specific medicinal formula—he had never once thought to ask about her background and seek the greatest possible reward for himself. It was as though he had simply happened upon them and lent a hand.

"He really is impressive." Dugu Yan nodded in agreement, then said, "A'man, could you leave me an address? I can have my grandfather visit your home personally."

No, no, no. Do you have no idea what kind of temper your grandfather has? I'm a commoner with absolutely no background. He'd definitely have no scruples about dealing with me and would tie me up and abduct me on the spot. Lin Manshan hurriedly shook his head. "That won't be necessary."

Having said that, he quickly changed the subject. "Miss Yanzi, what rank is your Soul Power now?"

"I just obtained my Third Soul Ring. I'm rank 31 now." Dugu Yan's expression darkened, but she answered truthfully.

According to Dugu Bo's account in the original story, her Innate Soul Power was rank 7. Yet she is only rank 31 now. It seems the deadly poison in her body has greatly affected her cultivation. Lin Manshan nodded slightly. "Good. Miss Yanzi, you still have quite some time before breaking through to your next major realm."

"As for the poison in your body, later I can apply needles to your cervical vertebrae, shoulders, wrists, elbows, ankles, soles, and the backs of your knees, just as I did before. That will suppress and block the poison from continuing to spread without affecting your cultivation. As long as you keep warm during cold weather, you should be able to ensure that during this period, if not completely eliminate it, then at least greatly ease the pain from the deadly poison's backlash, allowing you to cultivate peacefully and live normally."

As for pouring all of his Soul Power into Dugu Yan's body, that was impossible.

Without the support of his Soul Power, not only would his combat strength be greatly reduced, it would also affect the absorption limit of his Third Soul Ring.

Besides, there was no need. Even if the poison in Dugu Yan's body flared up, only those areas where poison could easily accumulate would suffer severe pain. The pain elsewhere should be mild. He only needed to work on those areas, suppressing and blocking the deadly poison.

As for Dugu Bo, with the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well helping suppress the poison, there was no need to worry at all.

Is he wary of me? Dugu Yan could not help recalling what Shui Yue'er had mentioned earlier: Lin Manshan had been born a commoner and had an Adoptive Father, an Adoptive Mother, and friends at home. Perhaps he had never heard of Poison Douluo, but Heaven Dou Royal Academy should know. Nobles bullying commoners was commonplace across the continent, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy did not have a good reputation among common-born students. It was only natural for Lin Manshan to be wary.