The medicinal herb before them was entirely jade green. Strangely, three snow-white leaves grew from its center, with several dewdrops resting in the middle of the leaves, like droplets left behind by the morning dew.
Xing Tian said, "Delicious things shouldn't be indulged in too much. You might end up bursting. The same goes for taking Immortal Herbs."
"To put it simply, the medicinal power of one Immortal Herb will occupy the house that is the human body and refuse to let other Immortal Herbs move in. The medicinal powers of two Immortal Herbs might even start fighting over the living space, which would cause them to backfire on the body."
"Although I took two Immortal Herbs earlier, their properties happened to counterbalance each other, and the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well helped harmonize them, so I was fine."
"The herb before us is also an Immortal Herb, called Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. Eating it can train your Fiery Golden Eyes, letting you see through all manner of rare treasures. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much."
"What sets it apart from other Immortal Herbs is that its medicinal properties are very mild. More importantly, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew isn't meant to transform the body or increase one's power. It specifically targets mental strength."
"So I can take it without suffering a backlash from its medicinal effects. My mental strength will also increase tremendously, enough to deal with the Soul Ring of a ten-thousand-year Dark Spirit Sacred Beast!"
Dugu Bo said scornfully, "Since when did you become so petty? It's just one Immortal Herb. Go ahead and eat it. Why do you need my permission? So fussy!"
Dugu Bo added silently, Besides, you're going to be my granddaughter's husband sooner or later. What's mine is yours anyway.
For a moment, Xing Tian didn't know whether to feel touched or speechless. All he could say was, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Xing Tian plucked the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew and held it before him, tilting it slightly. Several drops of clear liquid slid into his mouth.
As soon as the drops had left the leaves, the entire Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew withered in Xing Tian's hand, turning to dust and vanishing in the blink of an eye.
After swallowing the liquid, Xing Tian immediately sat down, legs crossed and palms facing upward, and began to cultivate.
Time passed second by second. A faint reddish-golden glow gradually enveloped Xing Tian's head, and threads of golden light continuously gathered toward his eyes.
About an hour later, Xing Tian finally awoke. A faint golden light still lingered in his eyes, even making the surroundings appear brighter. It was quite wondrous.
Dugu Bo had been guarding Xing Tian from nearby. When that dazzling light fell into his eyes, his vision turned white for a moment, and he couldn't help teasing, "Well, would you look at that! Have you grown light bulbs in your eyes?"
"What light bulbs?"
Xing Tian said, speechless, "I just took the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. My mental strength increased too quickly, so I couldn't control my eyesight for a moment."
Xing Tian immediately circulated his power. The light in his eyes quickly dimmed, and soon they returned to normal.
"Then I'll go get Yanyan."
Dugu Bo tossed out a sentence and flew off. Xing Tian began preparing the medicine for Dugu Yan.
When Dugu Yan arrived at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well and saw Xing Tian, she immediately rushed over and threw her arms around him. "Xiao Tian, do you know how much pain I was in back then? I was suffering so much. I was terrified, terrified that I'd never see you and Grandpa again."
"Grandpa told me about the poison, and I was struck as if by lightning. I was truly afraid that the poison might flare up one day and I'd never wake up again."
"While you were away these past three months, I missed you so, so much. At first, I was going to wait for Lingling, but I... I'm sorry to Lingling."
Dugu Yan slowly loosened her arms but kept holding on to Xing Tian. Her beautiful eyes glistened with tears and overflowed with affection as she looked at him. "I like you. I have to say it. I'm afraid the poison might kill me before I get the chance, so I have to say it... I'm sorry."
Xing Tian immediately understood. He glared at Dugu Bo, who stood behind Dugu Yan. Dugu Bo raised his brows and grinned.
Xing Tian thought, Just as I suspected. Dugu Bo hadn't told Dugu Yan the whole truth at all. He'd only told her about the poison, not that Xing Tian could already help them detoxify. He'd used it to spur Dugu Yan on. No wonder he hadn't changed his hair and beard back to their normal color.
That old fox had been plotting for three whole months. Looks like I'll have to make him pay!
Xing Tian gently broke free of Dugu Yan's embrace. The gesture left her feeling deeply disappointed; she thought he was rejecting her. But Xing Tian had only wanted a free hand to take out the medicine bottle he'd prepared.
Xing Tian held the bottle before Dugu Yan and said, "I've found a way to detoxify you. Senior Dugu has already cleared most of the poison from his body. This is for you. Take it once every day at midnight for seven days straight, then guide the poison into your Soul Bone. Senior Dugu has already prepared the Soul Bone."
Dugu Yan froze. Her big eyes blinked several times before she finally reacted. Her face flushed red, and she became a human steam engine.
"Grandpa—" Dugu Yan's furious shout rang throughout the entire Ice Fire Yin Yang Well.
"Oh, Yanyan, Grandpa was wrong. Just forgive me, please."
Dugu Bo darted from Dugu Yan's left to her right, wearing an ingratiating, fawning expression.
But wherever he went, Dugu Yan turned her head away and ignored him completely. She simply held up three fingers.
Dugu Bo didn't understand what she meant. Xing Tian came over with something in his hand and explained, "Sister Yan means that since you lied to her for three months, she's going to ignore you for three months too, Senior Dugu."
"What! Three months?"
Dugu Bo was beside himself. He frantically raised his brows at Xing Tian, making it almost painfully obvious that he wanted Xing Tian to plead for him.
Xing Tian had no intention of helping him. He simply handed the thing in his hand to Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan's face was still bright red. Along with her embarrassment and shyness, she also felt a little disappointed.
Xing Tian had barely reacted, as though nothing had happened. Dugu Yan thought he'd rejected her, but didn't want their relationship to become awkward, so he was pretending nothing had happened.
Dugu Yan could only change the subject. "What's this?"
In Xing Tian's hand was a purple mushroom as big as a fan. Its top was shaped like a canopy, while its stem below was dragon-shaped and jade-like. Nine leaves grew from it, and dragon patterns coiled all over it. Looking closely, one could even see specks of golden light.
Xing Tian explained, "This is the Immortal Herb Nine Grade Dragon Mushroom. It strengthens the body's foundation, replenishes vitality, increases power, and transforms the body. It evolved from a Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma that absorbed the aura of a true dragon over many years. Soul Masters with a non-draconic Martial Soul can gain dragon blood by taking it. If a Soul Master with a draconic Martial Soul absorbs it, they might even transform into a true dragon."
"I remember that the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul is a draconic Martial Soul. If you take it, Sister Yan, your Martial Soul will most likely evolve into a Jade Phosphorus Poison Dragon."
"Although it won't strengthen your Poison-type properties, the powerful body granted by a True Dragon Martial Soul will allow you to bear more potent poisons. It'll also greatly increase your chances of mastering the Ten Thousand Poisons Heart Sutra."
"It's that powerful! Wait, what's the Ten Thousand Poisons Heart Sutra?" Her excitement and confusion temporarily made Dugu Yan forget her embarrassment.
Dugu Bo hurriedly took out the Ten Thousand Poisons Heart Sutra and cut in, "It's this. It's also one of the methods Xiao Tian came up with to deal with the poison in our family, but it's extremely difficult to master."
Dugu Yan still ignored him. Blushing, she twiddled her fingers and asked Xing Tian, "How do I eat it?"
"Just chew it, then refine it with your Soul Power."
"Okay." Dugu Yan took the Nine Grade Dragon Mushroom, chewed a few times, and swallowed it. She calmed her mind, sat down where she was, and quietly began refining it.
Before you continue