"So... what was the second plan?"
He asked eagerly.
"Second, Root Out the Evil."
Jiang Zhen swept his gaze across the Herb Garden before finally settling on a spot.
"Treating the symptoms is not as good as treating the root cause. The backlash from your Martial Soul's poison stems from an inherent flaw in the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor bloodline itself. It cannot perfectly control such powerful toxicity."
"If your Martial Soul can evolve, make up for that flaw, and even transform poison into energy, then the problem will naturally be solved."
"Martial Soul Evolution?"
Dugu Bo's breath caught. This was a legendary opportunity!
"Do you see that Immortal Herb shaped like an earth dragon, golden all over, with faint scale patterns on its leaves?"
Jiang Zhen pointed at a peculiar plant. "This is called the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It contains a trace of Ancient Earth Dragon bloodline essence."
"While its medicinal effect cannot turn you directly into a dragon, it is enough to stir the thin dragon bloodline within your Martial Soul and stimulate your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul to transform to a higher level."
"Once it succeeds, the essence of your Martial Soul will improve, and your control over poison will greatly increase. The backlash will naturally disappear. Moreover, it will be of great benefit to breakthroughs in your cultivation."
Watching Dugu Bo's eyes grow brighter and brighter, he added one final warning:
"But there is also risk. The Earth Dragon Golden Melon's medicinal properties are tyrannical, and the absorption process will be incomparably painful. No one can guarantee that Martial Soul Evolution will succeed. If it fails, the consequences will be unpredictable."
The two methods lay clearly before Dugu Bo: one was safe but only treated the symptoms, while the other was risky but addressed the root cause.
As for the even more exquisite, epoch-making method of "condensing a Poison-Attribute Soul Core," Jiang Zhen did not mention a single word about it.
This method was far too significant. Not only could it completely solve the poison problem, but it could also turn poison into something useful, condense a Soul Core, and bring a qualitative leap in both Soul Power and combat strength.
But he had only just met Dugu Bo. Though they were bound by an oath, they were nowhere near close enough for him to impart such a core secret technique.
Perhaps it could be used in the future as a means of further control and reward, but for now, it was too early.
Dugu Bo stood where he was, his expression shifting constantly as his inner heart plunged into fierce struggle.
The two choices concerned both his future and his granddaughter's.
The valley was silent, with only the spring water of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye gurgling softly, as though waiting for his decision.
A monumental choice stood before Dugu Bo. The two methods each had their advantages and drawbacks, clashing fiercely within his heart.
The expedient measure could prolong his life, but it carried endless future troubles. It was like fighting fire with firewood, never a lasting solution.
The method that could cure the root cause, though fraught with unpredictable danger, held the hope of completely escaping his fate and even reaching a higher level!
For Yan Yan, for the future of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Clan, he had to gamble!
The struggle in Dugu Bo's eyes gradually faded, replaced by an unwavering resolve.
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Jiang Zhen. "Young Master Jiang, I choose the second path! Rather than cling to life, I would rather gamble on a future!"
Jiang Zhen was not surprised by his choice.
A true strong person never lacked the courage to take risks, especially for the sake of those closest to him.
"Good."
Jiang Zhen nodded and walked over to the peculiar Earth Dragon Golden Melon.
The Immortal Herb was entirely golden, its thick leaves patterned like dragon scales. At its tip grew three fist-sized fruits shaped like miniature earth dragons, radiating a dense aura of pure yang strength.
Jiang Zhen picked all three fruits, wrapped them in Soul Power, then turned and handed the three golden melons to Dugu Bo.
"The three Earth Dragon Golden Melon fruits grow together, and their medicinal properties are linked. Not one can be missing. One is for you, one for your granddaughter, and the last one... keep it properly. It may have another use in the future."
Jiang Zhen instructed him.
Dugu Bo's hands trembled slightly as he accepted the three heavy objects that carried the hopes of both his and his granddaughter's futures. He was too excited to contain himself.
"Thank you!"
He bowed deeply, then said impatiently, "This old man will take it immediately!"
Desperate to save his granddaughter, he wished he could test the medicine's effects at once, then hurry back and give it to Yan Yan.
"Wait."
Jiang Zhen stopped him again.
"The Earth Dragon Golden Melon is incomparably fierce and domineering. The poison accumulated inside your body is already deep, and your meridians are fragile. If you take it directly, I fear you will suffer harm before gaining any benefit."
As he spoke, his figure flashed through the Herb Garden again. Before long, he returned with several auxiliary ten-thousand-year spirit herbs.
One resembled ganoderma, crimson all over and radiating a gentle Life Aura.
Another had deep blue leaves covered in condensed dew. It could calm the mind and protect the meridians.
"Take this Crimson Blood Ganoderma and Dew Condensing Blue Heart Grass together first. They will protect your heart meridians and major channels. Then take the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, and all will be safe."
Dugu Bo accepted the spirit herbs. Looking into Jiang Zhen's calm eyes, which seemed to see through everything, the last trace of doubt in his heart vanished, replaced by deep gratitude and admiration.
This young master's meticulousness and extraordinary methods far surpassed anything he had imagined.
He hesitated no longer. He immediately sat cross-legged and consumed the Crimson Blood Ganoderma and Dew Condensing Blue Heart Grass first.
Once he felt a warm current enveloping him from within and his condition had been adjusted to its peak, Dugu Bo took a deep breath. A trace of determination flashed through his eyes as he swallowed one Earth Dragon Golden Melon fruit in a single bite!
The fruit melted the moment it entered his mouth, as though he had swallowed a mouthful of molten lava!
An indescribably violent, scorching energy exploded inside his body in an instant, crazily washing through his limbs and bones!
"Ugh—ah!"
Dugu Bo could not help letting out a pained grunt. His skin instantly turned red, veins bulging as sweat evaporated into white vapor the moment it emerged.
He circulated his Soul Power with all his strength, guiding that violent medicinal force.
At that moment, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul inside his body was completely stirred by the Ancient Earth Dragon bloodline essence and emerged from his body on its own!
The enormous phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor raised its head and let out a silent roar toward the sky.
But instead of attacking, it suddenly curled back and wrapped the struggling Dugu Bo within layer after layer!
Emerald-green poisonous mist and golden earth dragon energy intertwined, collided, and fused madly, eventually forming a massive cocoon whose surface constantly bulged and flickered with green-gold light!
Within the cocoon came teeth-grinding cracking sounds and Dugu Bo's suppressed growls. The evolution process was clearly agonizing beyond measure.
Jiang Zhen and the Ice Empress watched quietly.
The Ice Empress curled her lips. "Hmph. That old man has some courage after all."
Time passed second by second. After a full two and a half hours—
Crack... crackle...
Fissures suddenly spread across the surface of the massive cocoon, and dazzling platinum light burst from within the cracks!
An aura far stronger and more majestic than before spread outward. It had shed its former cold, sinister strangeness and become far more upright and magnificent!
Boom!
The enormous cocoon exploded!
A figure leaped out from within. It was Dugu Bo!
Though still thin, he now had a ruddy complexion, sharp eyes gleaming with brilliance. The gloomy aura of death that had once lingered around him was completely gone, making him seem twenty years younger!
And behind him, his Martial Soul had already changed drastically!
It was no longer a vicious giant snake, but a majestic creature somewhere between a serpent and a dragon!
Its entire body remained jade-colored, but four sharp claws had grown from its abdomen, while a pair of somewhat illusory membrane wings formed from poison mist and energy unfurled from its back.
Its head had become even more imposing. A small bulge had even risen from its forehead, as though dragon horns were about to break through its skin!
Jade Phosphor Poison Dragon!
Though it was not a true dragon, its bloodline had undoubtedly undergone a heaven-shaking evolution!
That powerful Dragon Might still carried a terrifyingly poisonous attribute, yet it had become controllable and noble!
"Ha ha ha ha! I succeeded! This old man succeeded!"
Dugu Bo felt an unprecedented lightness and strength inside his body. The poison backlash that had plagued him for decades had vanished completely. His Soul Power flowed smoothly and naturally, and even his bottleneck had loosened somewhat!
He could not help throwing back his head and roaring, his voice shaking the surrounding wilderness with excitement and wild joy.
He abruptly turned to face Jiang Zhen. This time, he was no longer acting out of obligation to the oath. He bowed deeply from the bottom of his heart, his tone incomparably solemn.
"Dugu Bo thanks you, Young Master, for the grace of giving me new life! For the rest of my days, I will obey my master's commands. Through mountains of blades and seas of fire, even if I die ten thousand deaths, I will never refuse!"
He then saluted the Ice Empress beside him.
"Thank you... Lord Ice Empress, for making this possible!"
Though he did not know the Ice Empress's exact identity, he knew well how terrifying she was.
Jiang Zhen smiled faintly and made a small lifting gesture.
"Congratulations. Your Martial Soul has evolved, and your chronic ailment has been cured."
Dugu Bo straightened up, the excitement still clear on his face as he said eagerly:
"Young Master, this old man wishes to return to Heaven Dou City immediately and have my granddaughter take the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, so that she may escape her suffering!"
"This is this old man's address in Heaven Dou City. Should my master have any orders, you may come at any time!"
He quickly gave him a detailed address.
"Go."
Jiang Zhen nodded in permission.
Dugu Bo cupped his hands once more. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he shot into the sky and transformed into an emerald green streak of light, racing toward Heaven Dou City at a speed several times faster than when he had arrived!
Watching Dugu Bo vanish into the horizon, the Ice Empress, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke lazily.
"Hey, A Zhen, you went through all that trouble just to subdue an old man who plays with poison? What use is he?"
Before you continue