The courtyard was deathly silent.
Only the rustling of the poisonous grass in the wind could be heard.
Dugu Bo stood with his mouth agape, staring blankly at Xuan Hao.
He had lived for most of his life and considered himself well-traveled and knowledgeable, yet no one had ever explained Martial Soul Theory as thoroughly as this eight- or nine-year-old child before him.
Genetic factors? Directed mutation? Energy resonance?
These unheard-of terms seemed to form an entirely new worldview in Xuan Hao's mouth.
"You..."
After a long while, Dugu Bo finally swallowed with difficulty and looked at Xuan Hao with a complicated expression.
"You... understand Martial Soul Theory research too?"
Wasn't this kid a bandit who collected Protection Fees? Wasn't he a combat maniac with monstrous talent?
How had he suddenly transformed into a master of Martial Soul Theory?
"I know a little."
Xuan Hao smiled modestly, returning to his harmless appearance.
"I'm naturally curious and eager to learn."
"Whether it's fighting, making money, or studying, as long as it's useful, I try to learn a bit of it."
"After all, you can never have too many skills. The more trades you know, the more paths you have."
"Who knows when they might come in handy?"
"No, I've gone off-topic."
Xuan Hao waved his hand, set down his teacup, and brought the conversation back on track.
"Let's get back to the poison in you and your granddaughter."
"This isn't actually hard to solve. I have two methods, one slow and one fast."
"The slow method involves gradually conditioning your bodies with medicine. It's gentle, but it takes a long time—probably three to five years—and I'd have to spend all that time on it too."
"To be honest, I don't have that patience."
"So I recommend the fast one."
"The fast