He had a Head Soul Bone. He could try transferring the poison into it.
"It really works! How did I never think of that?"
Dugu Bo stood rooted to the spot, channeling the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison into the Soul Bone. The poison in his body did decrease, and the poison stored in the Soul Bone not only caused him no harm, but could also be drawn upon at any time.
A bitter feeling welled up inside him. He had only ever focused on eliminating the poison, never considering temporarily transferring it elsewhere.
He regretted it. If he'd figured this out a decade earlier, the Dugu Clan wouldn't have been reduced to just him and Dugu Yan.
"Grandpa... is it really possible?"
Dugu Yan was stunned, too. The method was so simple.
Soul Bones were precious, but as long as her grandfather made a serious effort to search, he could surely find a Thousand-Year Soul Bone.
Seeing Dugu Bo nod, Su Wen suddenly added, "This method is good, but Soul Bones have a limited capacity. Once they reach their limit, there'll still be danger."
Dugu Bo suddenly felt like hitting him.
His emotions had been sent on a roller coaster.
Couldn't this kid explain everything all at once?
Dugu Yan's mood had also been swinging wildly. She stared intently at Su Wen.
She could tell now: although Su Wen was younger than her, his knowledge and experience far surpassed what one would expect at his age.
"Everything has its limits and can only withstand so much. Soul Bones are no exception. The higher the age of the Soul Bone, the more poison it can hold. So when you absorb one, it's best to use a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone or older. A top-grade Soul Bone would be even better."
"Once you've transferred all the poison into the Soul Bone and taken these antidotes, the poison in your bodies will be completely cleared. It won't cause any further harm or even affect your poison techniques."
Su Wen had already told them everything he knew.
"Thank you!"
While Dugu Bo was still thinking over and digesting what he'd heard, Dugu Yan spoke to Su Wen softly.
Su Wen shook his head. "This was just a deal between Senior Dugu and me. I've fulfilled my end of the agreement. I only hope Senior Dugu will keep his promise, so there's no need to thank me."
"Of course I'll keep my word..." Dugu Bo hesitated briefly, then asked, "If I join Spirit Hall outright, could I get a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone?"
Dugu Bo could find a Thousand-Year Soul Bone. It would only mean killing more lives and Spirit Beasts.
But even the Upper Three Sects had very few Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones.
They might not be able to offer one even if he joined them.
Spirit Hall was different. It had a foundation built over ten thousand years.
And this kid really wasn't bad.
As the Pope's disciple, his talent was bound to be outstanding. He also had a handsome face. Yanyan could spend more time with him.
"I'll have to ask my teacher about that."
"Before that, I believe I promised you an Immortal Herb as well."
"What's an Immortal Herb?"
"Grandpa, what's an Immortal Herb?"
Dugu Yan instinctively looked at Dugu Bo, who wore an awkward expression.
Dugu Bo had no idea what Immortal Herbs were.
He knew that the two herbs Su Wen had eaten had caused some unusual changes in his body.
Beyond that, he knew nothing.
"An Immortal Herb can instantly give someone with innate level five, level one, or even level 0.5 Soul Power the cultivation speed of someone with Innate Full Soul Power."
Seeing Dugu Bo's embarrassment, Su Wen stepped in to explain.
Dugu Yan was shocked. Dugu Bo's eyes widened even more. He'd known Immortal Herbs were powerful, but he hadn't realized they were this powerful.
According to Su Wen, didn't every Immortal Herb have the power to cultivate a Titled Douluo?
"How could that be...? How could anything so miraculous exist in this world?"
Dugu Yan found it hard to believe. What Su Wen said sounded too unbelievable.
Su Wen didn't elaborate.
He took a box out of his Soul Tool.
Inside, nestled in the box, was a flower with leaves of crystalline snow-white. A faint, watery sheen glimmered on each leaf, and the plant's curved, outstretched form resembled a swan's long, slender neck.
"This is called Snowy Swan Kiss. It contains no poison itself, but it can amplify poison hundreds or even thousands of times."
At his words, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan stood frozen.
How could such a small flower have such a remarkable ability?
"Boy... you're not lying to me, are you?"
Dugu Bo didn't believe him on the surface, but his heart was already stirred. He had seen the changes Su Wen underwent at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with his own eyes. Even if the truth wasn't quite as dramatic as Su Wen claimed, it still couldn't be underestimated.
Su Wen smiled. "Whether you believe me is up to you. Whether I tell you is up to me."
"You can't touch it yet. It would cause the poison in your bodies to multiply without limit. Once you've transferred all the poison into Soul Bones, you can use Snowy Swan Kiss alongside your poison techniques. I doubt anyone on this continent would be able to cure your poison."
"Of course, it would be dangerous for you, too. So if you want to use Snowy Swan Kiss or refine it, your Soul Bones need to be at least fifty thousand years old. That way, even if you accidentally amplify the poison in your bodies, the Soul Bones will be able to withstand it. As long as you expel it in time, you'll be safe."
As he spoke, Su Wen closed the box containing the Snowy Swan Kiss again. While Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan watched him eagerly, he put it back in his Soul Tool.
"Once you've resolved your problems, come to me and take this Immortal Herb."
Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. "Su Wen, I seem to remember you had quite a few Immortal Herbs on you."
He'd seen Su Wen strip the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well of its flowers and plants.
Not a single one had been left behind.
He'd even dug up the ground, and unearthed a big melon.
"Heh, Senior Dugu, that's our deal."
"I said I'd give you an Immortal Herb, and I will. My word is my bond. Of course, if you join Spirit Hall, then you'll be one of us, and that's a different matter."
Su Wen's meaning was clear, and Dugu Bo understood it perfectly.
Dugu Bo was willing to join Spirit Hall, but he wanted a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.
In other words, without one, he'd turn around and leave.
Their relationship was still based on mutual benefit.
Most importantly, Dugu Yan might end up with Yu Tianheng in the future.
Would she take an Immortal Herb and then join Yu Tianheng in attacking Spirit Hall?
This was the Love Continent, after all. Dugu Bo probably couldn't stop it even if he tried.
"Heh... I'll stay in Spirit City for a while. I'm sure a place as vast as Spirit Hall can come up with a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."
As Su Wen said goodbye to Dugu Bo, he wasn't feeling very confident.
Bibi Dong valued Soul Bones highly. He'd never heard of any Titled Douluo in the Elder Hall receiving one as a reward.
"Su Wen, that Old Poison didn't agree, did he?"
On the way back to Pope Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo noticed Su Wen's expression and immediately let out a cold snort. "If he didn't agree, all the better. We can kill him while he's still in Spirit City."
A trace of anticipation appeared on Chrysanthemum Douluo's face. He'd rather see Dugu Bo die here than join them.
"Elder Ju, let's wait until I've spoken with my teacher."
When they arrived at Pope Hall, Su Wen led Hu Liena into the hall with practiced ease.
Bibi Dong sat in the Pope Chair, handling Spirit Hall's affairs as usual.
"You're back!"
At the sight of them, the furrow in Bibi Dong's brow relaxed.
A hint of a smile appeared in her eyes. "Go wait for me in the courtyard. I'll come over once I've finished handling these matters."
"Teacher, we don't need to spar today. There's something I need to discuss."
Su Wen stepped closer and told Bibi Dong about Dugu Bo.
"How did you get involved with Dugu Bo?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly.
Su Wen was speechless.
Shouldn't she be asking about the Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone?
He answered casually, "I ran into him by chance when I was getting a Spirit Ring with Aunt Ye last time. He looked a little off, like he'd been poisoned..."
"Heh, so he really was poisoned?"
Bibi Dong looked at him with a smile, but inside she was astonished.
Xiao Wen had even noticed that?
"Teacher, do we have a Soul Bone?"
Su Wen got straight to the point.
Bibi Dong fell silent briefly. Exchanging a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone for the allegiance of a Titled Douluo was certainly worthwhile.
But once she set that precedent, every Titled Douluo who came to them afterward would expect a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. Spirit Hall couldn't afford to keep handing them out.
Most importantly, what would the other elders think?
As a leader, Bibi Dong had to consider many factors.
She pondered for a moment, then stood and vanished from the spot.
Su Wen and Hu Liena were wondering what was going on when Bibi Dong's voice sounded in their ears: "Go wait for me in the courtyard first."
Before you continue