After two trips, Xiao Qing learned his lesson. He carried Dugu Yan out of the stone cave.
He dropped her beside Tang San, then collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.
Smart move. One trip solved everything! Now I don't have to worry about that damn poison mist.
Protected by the Aromatic Silk Beauty, the poison mist circled the three of them. With no target left to attack, it retreated to Dugu Bo's side.
The mist was so thick that Xiao Qing could neither see inside it nor get a clear sense of Dugu Bo.
Now I can only wait for Master to form his Soul Core before I can collect the rest of the experimental data.
Sitting on the ground with his head propped on his left hand, Xiao Qing stared at the mist, trying to spot a change.
He had no idea how long he waited. His eyelids began to droop, and his vision blurred.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard someone cough up blood inside the mist.
Xiao Qing snapped awake and sprang to his feet. "Master! What happened?"
Dugu Bo had just spat out a mouthful of black blood. Breathing hard, he wiped his mouth.
So close. I was so close to succeeding!
Then he spat out another mouthful of black blood, and his strength suddenly ebbed away.
No. I can't collapse here. Dugu Yan and that boy Xiao Qing are waiting for me.
Dugu Bo forced himself into meditation, trying to regain control of the Soul Power and toxins that had run wild.
Before he could control even a tenth of his Soul Power, his consciousness began to fade. The power he had gathered scattered again.
Knowing there was nothing more he could do, Dugu Bo mocked himself inwardly.
*Dugu Bo, you're useless.