Gifting Medicine, Planting Seeds; Undercurrents on the Return Journey

Gifting Medicine, Planting Seeds; Undercurrents on the Return Journey

That strand of incomparably pure, strange energy fused with the origins of ice and fire and the Will of Judgment. Like the most potent antidote, the moment it entered Dugu Bo's Meridians, it reacted violently with the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison entrenched within him!

There was none of the expected conflict or pain! That strand of energy seemed to possess an innate power to purify and neutralize. Wherever it passed, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison's bone-chilling, corrosive toxicity—like a disease clinging to the bone—seemed to encounter its nemesis. It let out a silent wail and was swiftly... suppressed, with a small portion dissolved! Though it was only an exceedingly tiny portion, the relief and clarity in his Meridians were sensations Dugu Bo had never experienced in decades!

What delighted him even more was that after suppressing the poison, the strand of energy did not completely dissipate. Instead, like a warm, gentle current, it merged into his parched, damaged Meridians and origin, bringing a faint yet incomparably distinct sensation of life nourishing him! It was like a withered tree seeing spring!

"This... this..." Dugu Bo's fingers trembled slightly with excitement, and the wild joy in his dark green slit pupils nearly overflowed! It worked! It really worked! Although the effect was weak, that had only been a single strand of energy passed over by the other party! If there was more energy... if he could receive it over a long period... then there truly was hope for both him and Yan Yan's poison!

The way he looked at Ling Feng changed completely! The killing intent and rage from before vanished without a trace, replaced by an indescribable... burning fervor! It was as though he were looking at a rare treasure of the world! No, a lifeline!

"Kid... Ling Feng!" Dugu Bo's voice was hoarse from excitement, even somewhat... gentle? "This 'Medicinal Essence' of yours... truly is miraculous! I... wronged you!" He admitted his mistake without hesitation. Before such enormous benefits, what the hell did immortal herbs matter? "This thing truly has a remarkable effect on my poison! Can you... condense any more?" His gaze burned with desire.

Ghost Leopard Douluo stood to one side, dumbfounded! This Old Poison changed faces faster than flipping a page?! What exactly was that strand of energy Ling Feng had passed over? It had actually made this ill-tempered old man turn from enemy to friend in an instant?

Ling Feng sneered inwardly, but put on a "weakened" and "troubled" expression. "You flatter me, Senior. This 'essence' was an origin substance I accidentally refined while suppressing my cold poison. It is bound to my life. That single strand I gave you just now was already all I could manage, and it drained me greatly... If I wish to condense more, I fear... I will need a long period of recuperation, as well as... a large amount of heaven and earth energy." He deliberately made it sound difficult, raising the value of the Medicinal Essence while laying the groundwork for claiming benefits from the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass later.

"An origin substance... bound to his life..." The heat in Dugu Bo's eyes cooled slightly, replaced by gravity and understanding. He knew it. How could something so miraculous be easily obtained? This kid was apparently a "medicinal catalyst" himself and needed to be slowly "nurtured." Still, as long as there was hope, that was enough!

"I understand." Dugu Bo took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement. When he looked at Ling Feng now, there was unprecedented seriousness and a hint of... equality? "Little Friend Ling Feng, this place, the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass, is rich in energy and greatly benefits recovery and healing. Since you need to recuperate, stay here in peace! You may stay as long as you wish! As for replenishing your energy..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the immortal herbs deep in the valley, their treasure light flowing around them. A trace of pain flashed through his eyes, but when he considered Ling Feng's long-term value as a "living antidote," he gritted his teeth. "There are some herbs in my garden that contain pure energy. You may... take an appropriate amount! But remember, do not damage their foundations!" At last, he had relented! He was allowing Ling Feng limited access to the other immortal herbs!

Success! Ling Feng was overjoyed inwardly! This was an enormous gain! Not only could he remain at the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass openly and legitimately, but he could also "take an appropriate amount" of immortal herbs! Dugu Bo would certainly keep an eye on him, but that still left far too much room to maneuver!

"Thank you for your generous kindness, Senior!" Ling Feng showed an expression of "tearful gratitude." "I will never forget your great favor! Once I recover some energy, I will certainly do my utmost to condense more 'essence' for you!" He gave his promise, keeping Dugu Bo hooked.

Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction, his gaze at Ling Feng becoming even more "kindly." Turning to Ghost Leopard Douluo, his tone softened considerably. "Ghost Leopard, Little Friend Ling Feng needs to recuperate here for some time. If you are worried, you may remain as well. But remember, do not disturb his recovery, and do not set your sights on anything else in my herb garden!" The warning carried a trace of compromise.

Ghost Leopard Douluo's mouth twitched as he watched this dramatic scene, then looked at Ling Feng's "weak and innocent" face. He could no longer describe his assessment of this wicked kid in words. He had ruined two of the man's core immortal herbs, yet not only did nothing happen to him, he had become an honored guest and gained the right to take other immortal herbs at will? This was... simply heaven-defying!

"Hmph, my mission is complete. Since matters here are settled, I should return and report." Ghost Leopard Douluo did not want to linger. He was afraid that if he kept watching, Ling Feng would become a psychological shadow. "Kid, take care of yourself." He gave Ling Feng a deep look, as though asking: What kind of monster had His Eminence the Pope picked up?

"Farewell, Elder! Thank you for protecting me along the way!" Ling Feng bowed respectfully.

Ghost Leopard Douluo said no more. He leaped onto the pitch-black giant leopard and turned into a black shadow, swiftly vanishing into the dark forest.

At the mouth of the valley, only Ling Feng and Dugu Bo remained.

"Little Friend Ling Feng, come with me. I will find you a quiet place to recuperate." Dugu Bo's attitude could practically be called warm and kind as he personally led Ling Feng toward a stone cave near the Yang Spring, rich in energy and relatively safe.

Ling Feng followed behind him, a cold calculation flashing through his eyes as he watched Dugu Bo's back. The first step had been accomplished perfectly. Next, he would use this "recovery" period to openly fleece the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass clean! And while he was at it, he would prepare the "antidote" for Dugu Yan as well!

Over the following days, under Dugu Bo's "care," Ling Feng began his life of "recuperating" and "condensing Medicinal Essence." Each day, he "appropriately" picked some immortal herbs that were less central but just as potent to aid his cultivation. Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew enhanced eyesight and Spiritual Power? Drink it! Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid strengthened the foundation and replenished vitality? Chew it! Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone tempered the sinews and bones? Soak in it! Nourished by the blessed land of the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass and countless immortal herbs, his Soul Power soared like a rocket! His physique was tempered into becoming ever more formidable!

At the same time, he did not forget the main task. Using Gaze of Destiny and his exquisite perception of energy, he "appropriately" plucked several petals containing pure adamantine power from the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum; he then "carefully" collected a small cluster of peerless pollen from the Aromatic Silk Beauty, capable of neutralizing all poisons. Next, he used the Will of Judgment to highly purify and compress his Soul Power, mixed it with spring water from the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass, and cleverly fused and sealed these two ingredients into a pill the size of a longan. It emitted a faint golden-white glow and a strange fragrance.

An antidote? Not entirely. At its core, this pill contained the adamantine origin of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and the detoxifying properties of the Aromatic Silk Beauty. It could indeed greatly suppress, even temporarily "seal," the activity of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison. It would nourish Dugu Yan's body, delay the poison's onset, spare her suffering, and allow her cultivation to proceed unhindered. But... it could not eradicate the poison! To eradicate it? She would still have to rely on Ling Feng, the "living antidote"!

Half a month later.

Under the frenzied nourishment of immortal herbs and the environment of the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass, Ling Feng's Soul Power Level had astonishingly reached... Peak Level nineteen! He was only one step away from becoming a Soul Grandmaster! His entire aura had also undergone a complete transformation. He was steady and imposing as a mountain, while a restrained sharp light flickered in his eyes, carrying a faint dignity of judgment.

That day, he solemnly handed the carefully refined pill to Dugu Bo.

"Senior, this pill was refined by expending my origin and combining it with the essence of several herbs from this place." Ling Feng's face still bore a trace of "weak" pallor. It was an act. "From what I have observed, the poison within the person you care about has not yet seeped deep into the bones, but it is unusually active and has harmed her foundation. This pill may help temporarily suppress the poison, strengthen her foundation, replenish her vitality, and spare her the pain of a poison outbreak. Once her foundation is stabilized and her strength improves, with Senior's methods as well, there may be hope of eradicating it." He made it sound convincing, clearly emphasizing that the pill's purpose was "temporary suppression" and "strengthening the foundation," leaving plenty of room for future manipulation.

Dugu Bo accepted the fragrant pill with trembling hands. Given his mastery of poison, he could naturally sense the pure adamantine power and strange detoxifying, purifying aura contained within it! This was absolutely a treasure of immense use to Yan Yan! And Ling Feng's words, "spare her the pain of a poison outbreak," struck the softest place in his heart! The pain Yan Yan suffered every time the poison acted up was the greatest ache in his heart!

"Little Friend Ling Feng... I..." This ill-tempered Poison Douluo's voice actually choked up. Looking at Ling Feng's "weak" face, his heart filled with complicated emotions—gratitude, guilt, and a trace of genuine recognition. "Great kindness needs no words of thanks! I will remember this favor! If you need anything in the future, so long as it does not violate my principles, I will brave fire and water without hesitation!" This was a promise from a Titled Douluo! Worth more than a thousand pieces of gold!

Ling Feng laughed inwardly, though his face was full of "sincerity." "You overstate it, Senior. We are both wanderers fallen on hard times; helping each other is only right. My cold poison has been temporarily suppressed, and my Soul Power has improved somewhat. It is time for me to return to Spirit Hall, lest His Eminence the Pope worry."

"Return?" Dugu Bo paused, then nodded. "Very well. This place may be good, but it is ultimately cold, damp, and hot, unsuitable for a long stay. If you need anything in the future, Little Friend, you may come find me at any time!" At this point, he truly regarded Ling Feng as both his savior and a friend despite their age difference.

Dugu Bo personally escorted Ling Feng beyond the boundaries of the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass and gave him a dark green snake-shaped token as proof of identity. Watching Ling Feng's back vanish into the forest, Dugu Bo clenched the pill in his hand, his dark green slit pupils filled with hope. "Yan Yan... Grandpa has found hope!"

The return journey was exceptionally smooth. Ling Feng's Soul Power had increased tremendously, his physique was powerful, and his speed far surpassed what it had been on the way there. The power of the Spear of Judgment had also surged along with his Soul Power. Several days later, the majestic outline of Spirit City appeared in the distance.

However, just as he was about to enter Spirit City through its western gate, a cold, scrutinizing gaze locked onto him like an invisible shackle!

Above the city walls, a young woman in a simple golden palace dress stood by the railing, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall. Sunlight bestowed a divine radiance upon her, but her molten-gold eyes contained only coldness and... deeper scrutiny!

Qian Renxue!

Her gaze swept over Ling Feng, keenly detecting the earth-shaking changes in him! That condensed and heavy Soul Power—Peak Level nineteen! That calm, mountain-like aura with hidden sharpness, and that strange presence faintly emanating from him, one that even made her Angel Martial Soul feel a peculiar flutter—the origins of ice and fire, along with the Will of Judgment...

This was absolutely not an improvement that merely obtaining a first Soul Ring could bring!

During that trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, what exactly had this kid experienced?

A powerful unease and even deeper vigilance rose within Qian Renxue. This Son of Judgment, who had received the Pope's "special care," seemed to be... slipping further and further beyond control!

Ling Feng raised his head and met those cold golden eyes, a barely noticeable curve lifting at the corner of his lips.

Young Mistress, I'm back. It's time to muddy the waters of Spirit Hall even further!