Poison Douluo's Test: Soul Bone Relieves the Affliction, Gathering Herbs at Ice and Fire

Flender was just about to step forward at the valley entrance when Dugu Bo swept his cane sideways. Greenish-blue poisonous gas instantly formed a barrier across the entrance, blocking everyone outside. "I have a score to settle with this little fellow. Why are you all interfering?" Though his tone was harsh, he did not release any further pressure, clearly not intending to truly make enemies of the Shrek Group.

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward and said gravely, "Senior Dugu Bo, Tang San is my disciple. If he has offended you in any way, I will apologize on his behalf. But forcibly abducting him is somewhat beneath the bearing of a Titled Douluo."

Dugu Bo glanced at him, then turned to Tang San with a complicated smile curling across his lips. "Little fellow, look at all these people protecting you. But let me make this clear: today, I only want to test you. If you pass, not only will I let you go, but in Heaven Dou City, I can offer you some protection in the future." He pulled back his sleeve, revealing the bluish-black markings on his arm. "Do you see this? My Dugu Family's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul may be powerful, but it comes with backlash—every time I use poison, the serpent venom erodes my meridians. All these years, I have only avoided being devoured by poison through suppression. Aren't you skilled in detoxification? If you can think of a cure, you win."

Tang San stared at those bluish-black markings, his brow slightly furrowed. He had seen records of similar "martial soul backlash" in Tang Sect texts, but he had never expected the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's poison to be so tyrannical. Suddenly, he touched the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass Soul Bone at his chest, and a flash of insight passed through his eyes. "Senior, this junior may have a method."

"Oh? Let's hear it." Dugu Bo's interest was piqued.

"Your poison is innate to your martial soul, so it cannot be completely eradicated, but it can be transferred." Tang San pointed at his Soul Bone. "This junior's Soul Bone contains extreme cold energy and can store energy. If the excess serpent venom in your body can be guided into the Soul Bone and temporarily sealed there, then slowly balanced with medicinal herbs, it may ease the suffering caused by the backlash."

Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened as he carefully examined Tang San's Soul Bone. Then he burst into laughter. "Good boy! I never even considered such an idea! But transferring poison requires an exceptionally special environment and medicinal herbs. An ordinary place will not do." His tone shifted. "Come with me. I'll take you somewhere."

With that, he ignored the people at the valley entrance and led Tang San deeper into Poison Valley. As they passed the entrance, he told Flender and the others, "Rest assured, I will not harm him. In three days, I will send him back."

Though worried, Flender knew he could not stop a Titled Douluo. He could only remind Tang San, "Be careful. If you encounter danger, use the signal flare!"

Tang San nodded and followed Dugu Bo through a stretch of poisonous mist. The sight before him suddenly changed—an icy and fiery valley lay ahead. The spring on the left gave off steam, while the pool on the right was covered in a thin layer of ice. Between them grew dozens of strange flowers and herbs he had never seen before, their spiritual aura overwhelming.

"This is the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, the most extraordinary medicinal garden on the continent. It is also where I normally refine poison and treat my injuries," Dugu Bo said proudly. "Nearly every auxiliary herb you could need can be found here. But most of these herbs contain deadly poison, blazing fire energy, or extreme cold. Ordinary people would not even dare touch them."

Tang San's gaze was immediately drawn to the herbs, especially the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid with its eight snowy-white petals and the Infernal Delicate Apricot whose leaves resembled flames—these were all Immortal Grade Herbs recorded in Tang Sect texts! Suppressing his excitement, he took several jade boxes from his Soul Tool. "Senior, this junior boldly asks to take several herbs. Perhaps they may be used to help balance your poison in the future."

Dugu Bo waved a hand. "Take whatever you want, as long as you can harvest it alive."

Tang San took a deep breath, circulated his Soul Power to protect his body, and cautiously walked toward the medicinal garden. He first plucked the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid. This herb could strengthen one's foundation and restore vital energy, making it perfect for conditioning Xiao Wu's body. Next came the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, said to enhance Spiritual Power and greatly benefit Control System Soul Masters. Then there were the Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, one hot and one cold, capable of balancing the ice and fire energies within his body. There were also the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Snowy Swan Kiss, and Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma—each one a rare immortal herb. He carefully harvested them and stored them properly in jade boxes.

Watching his practiced harvesting technique, Dugu Bo's eyes were full of surprise. "You actually recognize these herbs? And you even know how to harvest them?"

Tang San smiled. "This junior has read some ancient texts and only knows a little." He did not mention that these were recorded in the Tang Sect's secret Record of a Hundred Herbs. After all, it would not be wise to expose the Tang Sect's existence.

After gathering the herbs, Dugu Bo brought Tang San to the center of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye. "All right. The spiritual aura is densest here, making it suitable for transferring the poison. Prepare yourself. I will guide the poison out now."

Tang San sat cross-legged, pressed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass Soul Bone against his chest, and took a deep breath. "Senior, this junior is ready."

Greenish-blue Soul Power appeared in Dugu Bo's palm as it slowly approached Tang San's arm, beginning to guide out the serpent venom within his body. The moment the icy Soul Bone came into contact with the venom, it erupted with extreme cold energy, firmly locking the poison away. Tang San felt a sharp pain in his arm, but he gritted his teeth and endured it—he knew this was not only to ensure that he could leave safely, but also to gain the support of a Titled Douluo in the future and help Shrek gain a firm foothold in the Elite Competition.

Within the mist of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, the figures of a man and a Douluo stood quietly facing one another. Far away at Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu sat on the stone steps, clutching the Lovesick Heartbreak Red seed Tang San had given her as she silently prayed for his safe return.