Dugu Bo's Probe

Dugu Bo's Probe

Long Chen knew that Dugu Bo had an exceptionally strong sense of pride and a suspicious nature.

So when facing him, Long Chen deliberately put aside the youthful awkwardness and fear he should have shown, acting neither servile nor arrogant.

A flicker of surprise crossed Dugu Bo's eyes.

"Yanyan, you and Yu Tianheng go wait somewhere else. I have a few words to say to this kid."

"Grandpa, you won't give him a hard time, will you?"

"You silly girl, why would I give him a hard time? I just want to have a little chat with him."

"Fine."

Dugu Yan nodded at Long Chen.

Then she left with Yu Tianheng.

Now only Dugu Bo and Long Chen remained.

Dugu Bo said coldly,

"Kid, you're no relation to Yanyan. Why did you help detoxify her?"

"What? Do you think I have some ulterior motive?"

Long Chen smiled calmly, then continued,

"To be honest, Ye Lingling, who just obtained her third Soul Ring, is like family to me. When I was six, I took Lingling to the Royal Academy and met Dugu Yan there. I asked her to look after Lingling. The next time I saw Dugu Yan, I noticed signs that she had been poisoned. Later, I also went to the Royal Academy and became her teammate. I developed the Detoxification Pill for her simply to thank her for looking after Lingling."

Dugu Bo only half-believed Long Chen's explanation and asked,

"Then how sure are you that you can cure the poison in Yanyan's body?"

Long Chen smiled slightly, his eyes betraying confidence and composure.

"Senior, Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison was passed on to her in the womb. After accumulating over the years, some of the poison has already seeped into her bone marrow. But it can still be cured. Unfortunately, even the most capable cook can't make a meal without ingredients. I've been searching for a special medicinal herb."

"What medicinal herb?"

"Narcissus Jade Skin Bone."

"Narcissus Jade Skin Bone?"

At this, Dugu Bo raised his eyebrows, instantly intrigued.

"What does this Narcissus Jade Skin Bone you mentioned look like?"

"It's a crystalline white flower, as pure and spotless as a green lotus and white roots."

"A crystalline white flower..."

Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, as if something had occurred to him.

"With Narcissus Jade Skin Bone, you can cure the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison in Yanyan's body?"

"Of course. Dugu Yan is still young, and the poisoning isn't severe. If that herb is combined with other medicinal herbs, it can stop the poison in her body from spreading deeper. However, that herb can't cure the poison in your body."

At these words, Dugu Bo's expression changed, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Such an audacious kid, daring to claim I'm poisoned. I'm Poison Douluo, the forefather of poison users! Other people are the ones who get poisoned by me. Even Poison-type Soul Masters are no match for me. How could I possibly be poisoned?!"

"Is that so? You don't even realize that your own poison is turning against you. Your symptoms are more obvious than Dugu Yan's, and your condition is more dangerous."

"You arrogant brat! But I'd like to hear why you think I've been poisoned, and how you know my condition is worse than Yanyan's."

Long Chen met Dugu Bo's gaze directly and answered with complete seriousness,

"If I'm not mistaken, whenever the weather turns rainy, you'll feel an itching sensation beneath your ribs, and it'll gradually grow stronger. It happens once at noon and once at midnight, lasting over an hour each time. Around the third watch of the night, you'll feel pinprick-like pain on the top of your head and over your heart. Your whole body will convulse for at least half an hour. The poison has also penetrated your bone marrow, and even your powerful Soul Power can barely suppress it."

Dugu Bo was stunned.

"Y-You... how do you know?"

Long Chen had described it in such detail that it was as if he had personally witnessed Dugu Bo being poisoned.

Dugu Bo couldn't tolerate that.

This was his secret, and his greatest weakness. If an enemy found out, it could put him in mortal danger.

Yet this boy, only thirteen or fourteen years old, understood it all so clearly.

Killing Intent rose in Dugu Bo's heart.

If Long Chen hadn't developed the Detoxification Pill for Dugu Yan, he would have killed him without hesitation.

Long Chen also felt the Killing Intent radiating from Dugu Bo. The Soul Power inside him began to spill out uncontrollably, and a faint black light encircled him like an invisible barrier, protecting him completely.

Dugu Bo was startled once more. Only then did he come to his senses and rein in his Killing Intent.

"Kid, were you just trying to fight me?"

"I was just responding to your test. With your strength, if you really wanted to kill me, wouldn't it take just an instant?"

"Haha, you've got guts. But you're only thirteen or fourteen, and you act far too mature for your age. You're the strongest Soul Master your age I've ever met. I'm a little curious: what is your Martial Soul? What level is your Soul Power?"

Compared to his earlier hostility, Dugu Bo had clearly relaxed quite a bit.

Long Chen relaxed as well and answered,

"My Martial Soul is the Dark Night Demonic Lute, and my Soul Power is at level thirty-nine."

"The Dark Night Demonic Lute, a Mutated Martial Soul with the Evil Attribute? No wonder."

Dugu Bo muttered to himself, his gaze lingering on Long Chen for a moment.

"To reach level thirty-nine at such a young age, you really do have exceptional talent. You're quite a bit stronger than Yu Tianheng and Yanyan. You seem to know a lot about my poisoning. Can you cure the poison in my body?"

"As I said, even the most capable cook can't make a meal without ingredients. I first need to find those extremely rare medicinal herbs."

"What if you had those herbs?"

Long Chen answered confidently,

"If I had those herbs, I'd be one hundred percent certain I could control the poison in Dugu Yan's body. But the poison in your body has already penetrated your bone marrow. I can cure part of it and ease your suffering. Then we can use other methods to detoxify you. My plan is that once your symptoms lessen, you won't need to keep using Soul Power to suppress the poison. If you continue cultivating, your Soul Power should improve as well."

Dugu Bo was beginning to waver.

Not only could Long Chen cure the poison, he could also help improve his Soul Power. The plan was far too tempting.

But how could Dugu Bo easily trust the words of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy?

As he pondered, he suddenly heard a noise nearby.

It was Qin Ming and the others.

Ye Lingling had finished absorbing her Soul Ring. When she saw that Long Chen, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng hadn't returned, she followed the trail of marks Long Chen had left and came looking for them.

Long Chen said,

"Senior, Lingling should have finished absorbing her Soul Ring. I should go join them."

"Wait. Now that you know my secret, how could I let you leave so easily?"

"Don't worry, Senior. I'll keep it to myself."

Dugu Bo shook his head.

"In all my life, I've never trusted anyone easily. How about this? I'll take you to my Medicine Garden. There are many rare medicinal herbs there. I'll give you a chance to see if you can cure the poison in my body."

"Fine. But I should say goodbye to them first."

Dugu Bo nodded, then called out,

"Yanyan, you can come over now."