Long Chen knew that Dugu Yan had been immersed in Green Lined Serpent Poison since before she was born.
When the poison flared up, it caused her extreme discomfort. She had always endured the steadily worsening pain through sheer willpower.
While studying at Guang'an Hall, Long Chen had specifically asked Manager Wang how to suppress Green Lined Serpent Poison, and had even developed Detoxification Pills for that purpose.
Dugu Yan took the pill, a flicker of surprise passing through her eyes.
"Long Chen, I didn't expect you to actually know medicine. But how did you know I was poisoned?"
Long Chen answered solemnly:
"I've seen you a few times over the past five years. From the first time I saw you until now, I've noticed your eyes gradually changing color—the green has grown darker. Others might not know, but I do. It's a sign that you're suffering a backlash from Green Lined Serpent Poison while cultivating."
Dugu Yan nodded.
"You're right. I have suffered a backlash from Green Lined Serpent Poison."
"I really admire you. You have tremendous willpower. If you weren't suffering from the poison's backlash, with your talent and dedication, your Soul Power would definitely be higher than mine by now. It's hard to imagine how much pain you've endured all these years to make it this far."
Long Chen's words flowed through Dugu Yan's cold heart like a warm current.
Dugu Yan came from a powerful family, possessed formidable Soul Power for someone her age, and had a rare Poison Control Ability. These things had always kept her at the top.
She had spent nearly all of her life sailing smoothly, apart from the poison that plagued her.
To her, Green Lined Serpent Poison was a double-edged sword. It gave her a poisonous ability that terrified her opponents, but it was also gradually leading her toward ruin.
Becoming a true powerhouse was every Soul Master's dream.
Dugu Yan had always been ambitious, and she was no exception.
So even though she knew the poison would turn against her, she had never deliberately slowed her cultivation.
During her years at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she had seemed to live a glamorous life, the big sister among the students.
But only she knew the pain she endured.
Long Chen's words were sincere. They warmed Dugu Yan's heart, making her feel as though she had received the care and approval of family.
Her eyes grew moist, and for a moment, she couldn't find the words to speak.
Ye Lingling gently nudged her.
"Sister Yan, I never knew until now that you've been suffering from the backlash of your own poison all this time."
Dugu Yan took a moment to compose herself.
"The poison has been inside me since I was in the womb. My grandfather has been researching medicines for years to solve this problem, and he's made some progress. Before, I relied on Detoxification Pills he developed to ease the pain. But as my Soul Power has increased, the poison seems to have grown more ferocious, and those pills have become less and less effective."
Dugu Yan's voice was low, tinged with helplessness.
Long Chen said:
"I developed these pills specifically for you. I can't promise they'll completely cure the poison, but they should at least ease your suffering. Try them first. I hope they help. If you're willing, we can also study how to better control or even remove the poison in your body. I know a little about medicine, so perhaps we can find a new approach."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes, but then hesitation crept in.
"Long Chen, I know you mean well, but this poison... Even my grandfather has been powerless against it. Do you really think we can do anything?"
Long Chen smiled faintly, his gaze resolute.
"How will we know if we don't try? At the very least, we shouldn't give up on any chance, right? Some rare Medicinal Herbs have miraculous detoxifying properties. We just haven't found them yet."
Moved by Long Chen's optimism and determination, Dugu Yan smiled.
"All right, I trust you. I'll try the pills."
The three of them chatted as they walked, and before long, they had reached the Girls Dormitory Building.
Long Chen waited until Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had gone upstairs before leaving.
The Detoxification Pills he had just given Dugu Yan did have some effect against the poison.
But they could only ease her pain temporarily.
The higher Dugu Yan's Soul Power grew, the less effective the pills would become.
Today, he had gained Dugu Yan's trust and taken an important first step.
As they became more familiar with each other, their relationship would grow closer.
Then he might get to meet Dugu Bo—or even enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
~~~~~~~
The next day, the seven members of the School Team gathered at the training ground.
Qin Ming's gaze swept over them before he spoke:
"Today, we'll officially begin training together. I've already gotten to know the seven of you to some extent, and I know your Martial Souls and Soul Power Levels. However, I still don't know your specific Soul Skills or how powerful they are. I want to learn more, and I want you to become more familiar with one another's Soul Skills, so we can plan our training accordingly."
The group exchanged glances, all understanding what Qin Ming meant.
Qin Ming looked at Ye Lingling and continued:
"Ye Lingling, your Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul is the most unusual, so let's start with you. Since all your Soul Skills are the same, you only need to demonstrate it once."
"Okay."
Ye Lingling stepped forward and released her Martial Soul along with two yellow Hundred-Year Soul Rings.
Her Martial Soul was a pink Begonia Flower, made up of white and pink petals. Its colors were vivid, and its blossoms graceful.
As her first Soul Ring suddenly lit up, beams of light like white petals flowed from the Nine Heart Begonia and drifted slowly downward.
Ye Lingling explained:
"I only have one Soul Skill: Group Healing over a wide area. In battle, when these lights enter my companions' bodies, they can quickly heal exposed wounds and even treat serious injuries such as broken bones. Its healing effect grows stronger as I do, but it can't restore my companions' Soul Power or detoxify them."
As soon as Ye Lingling finished speaking, Qin Ming and the others burst into enthusiastic applause.
"The Nine Heart Begonia truly is the best healing-type Martial Soul in the world. With Lingling here, we don't have to fear even the most serious injuries."
"More importantly, it's a group skill that can heal several people at once."
Everyone looked at Ye Lingling with admiration.
Qin Ming nodded, his gaze also carrying a measure of appreciation.
"Ye Lingling's powerful healing ability is crucial and irreplaceable in a Team Battle. However, as a Support Master, her attack power is weak. That's a shared weakness among all Support Masters. So in a Team Battle, you must keep her behind you."
"Understood."
Next, Osler, the Ghost Leopard Soul Master; Yu Feng, the Wind Chime Bird Soul Master; and Shi Mo, the Black Tortoise Soul Master, each demonstrated their Soul Skills and abilities.
Osler was fast and had impressive attack power.
Yu Feng could fly, giving him an advantage in aerial combat, and his attack power was equally impressive.
Shi Mo had formidable defense and strength, making him well suited to serve as a tank.
After that, it was Long Chen, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng's turn to demonstrate their Soul Skills.
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