Snatching the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng? Dugu Bo: Could Yan Yan Also Condense a Soul Core?

"A Speed Clan?"

Dugu Bo furrowed his brow and asked in confusion within the Sea of Consciousness:

"Senior, what's so great about those Bai He fellows who do nothing but run away?

They're fast, sure, but their attack power is an absolute joke.

If it came to a real fight, one puff of my poison mist would wipe them all out.

They're such weaklings. Wouldn't bringing them in just make them a burden?"

In Dugu Bo's eyes, although the Breaking Clan had a foul temper, their attack power was formidable, and their alchemy skills were peerless.

They would make powerful allies.

But the Speed Clan... aside from delivering messages and running errands, what else could they do?

Besides, that old Bai He was a stubborn mule, guarding that so-called "family honor" of his every day. He was even harder to deal with than Yang Wudi.

"Who said anything about recruiting them?"

Yu Nan gave a mocking laugh, his tone laced with disdain:

"A clan that's good for nothing but speed really isn't much use.

And just as you said, they have countless ties to the Clear Sky Sect. That old Bai He is Tang San's great-uncle, after all.

With ties like that, how could they ever sincerely throw in their lot with us?"

"Then what do you mean, Senior...?"

Dugu Bo was even more confused.

"I want you to find out about them, especially where they're staying now."

Yu Nan spoke calmly:

"The Speed Clan has an Immortal Herb they treasure like a priceless jewel, yet have no idea how to use: the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng."

"The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng?!"

Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly contracted.

After leaving the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well,

Yu Nan had also given Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan a refresher course on Immortal Herbs.

The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng was a legendary, supreme tonic. It was said to bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones.

"That's right."

Yu Nan continued:

"Although it isn't essential for Yan Yan right now,

it could be of great use to you, or in certain situations we might face in the future."

"Besides, since it's an Immortal Herb, leaving it in the hands of those fellows who do nothing but run away would be a terrible waste.

We might as well take it while we're at it. That way, it'll be put to good use."

"As for the Divine Craftsman, Lou Gao..."

Yu Nan paused, and a trace of admiration entered his voice:

"That old fellow may be obsessed with forging, but there's no denying his skill.

If Yan Yan ever wants to have some divine weapons forged, or needs defensive fortifications built for the sect, we'll have to rely on him."

"So our objectives this time are clear:

Win Yang Wudi over, find out about Lou Gao and Bai He, and then... go to the Speed Clan and 'take' the herb."

As Dugu Bo listened, a look of understanding and sly amusement flashed across his eyes.

So that was it!

Senior planned to fleece all these single-attribute clans!

"Understood!"

Dugu Bo answered in his heart, then looked at Yang Wudi, who was excitedly cradling and examining the Aromatic Silk Beauty. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem. Brother Yang, since we're allies now, there's something else I'd like to ask you about."

Yang Wudi was in high spirits. Even Dugu Bo's old face looked much more agreeable to him now. He waved a large hand.

"Old Poison Freak, just ask!

If it's something I know, I won't hide a thing!"

"Do you happen to know anything about the Divine Craftsman, Lou Gao, and... that old Bai He of the Speed Clan?"

At the mention of those two names, Yang Wudi's hands stilled, and he furrowed his brow.

"Lou Gao?

That old fellow has been holed up at the Blacksmith Association's headquarters in Gengxin City. All he does all day is hammer away at things. He'll be easy enough to find."

"As for Bai He..."

Yang Wudi sighed, a complicated look flashing across his eyes:

"That old white bird has fallen on hard times."

"Ever since the Clear Sky Sect sealed its gates, the Speed Clan has had no attack power, and the Spirit Hall has been suppressing them. They've been living a truly miserable existence.

They were often harassed by other factions in the past, and had no choice but to move from place to place."

"But lately, I heard they settled in a small town near Dragon Rising City. It's not far from where I am."

"What?

Old Poison Freak, are you trying to recruit them too?"

Yang Wudi looked at Dugu Bo with some puzzlement:

"Forgive my bluntness, but although the Speed Clan is fast, when it comes to fighting, they really...

And that old Bai He has an even worse temper than me. On top of that, he's related to the Clear Sky Sect. Trying to recruit him would be harder than climbing to heaven."

Dugu Bo waved a hand and said with a look of distaste:

"Recruit them?

I don't have the time to feed a flock of birdmen who can do nothing but run."

"I just heard Bai He has a fine medicinal herb, and wanted to... take a look."

Yang Wudi's expression turned a little strange at that.

Take a look?

Wasn't he planning to steal it?

But thinking of the Speed Clan's miserable circumstances, and Bai He's stubborn, old-fashioned refusal to part with his treasure,

Yang Wudi merely shook his head without saying anything.

As long as the Breaking Clan's interests weren't involved, he couldn't be bothered with the rest.

"Since that's the case, I'll tell you their exact location."

Yang Wudi took a map from his pocket and pointed to an inconspicuous spot on it:

"Right here, about two hundred li from Dragon Rising City."

"But, Old Poison Freak, let me warn you: that old Bai He may not be very strong, but he's a first-rate escape artist.

If you really intend to use force, you'd better figure out how to trap him first."

Dugu Bo took the map and glanced at it, a cold, sinister smile curling his lips:

"Don't worry. In the face of my poison formation, even a bird will have to fold its wings and behave!"

"Yan Yan, let's go!"

"Let's pay that old white bird a visit!"

High above, Dugu Bo strode through the air, carrying the wing-beating Dugu Yan as they rode the wind.

Feeling the Soul Core in his dantian slowly turning and continuously supplying him with pure Soul Power, Dugu Bo's old face was full of contentment.

Ever since condensing this Soul Core under Yu Nan's guidance,

his Soul Power recovered much faster, and even his control over the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's poison had improved by a whole level.

The tangible benefits made him glance at his granddaughter beside him.

"Senior."

Dugu Bo tentatively asked within the Sea of Consciousness:

"This Soul Core method is truly wondrous. I've benefited immensely from it.

I wonder... could Yan Yan try condensing one too?

If she had this to rely on, her cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds."

In his eyes, good things were meant to be shared with his granddaughter.

"You're greedy, aren't you?"

Yu Nan's lazy voice rang out. There was no reproach in it; instead, it carried a hint of matter-of-factness:

"Don't worry. The Soul Core method is the path one must take to reach Limit Douluo and even godhood. Of course I'll teach it to Yan Yan."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo's heart leapt with joy.

However, Yu Nan's next words poured cold water on him:

"But now isn't the time."

"Why not?"

Dugu Bo was puzzled.

"Condensing a Soul Core requires an enormous amount of Soul Power and precise control over it.

You're a Titled Douluo, and your spiritual power and Soul Power have already liquefied. For you, it came naturally."