"About that, I'm not sure..."
After hearing Ling Yun's idea, everyone shook their heads slightly. None of them had a Soul Bone, so they couldn't be sure whether one could be used to store serpent poison.
"Since we don't know, Miss Dugu, why not go back and ask your grandfather? It might work. Even if it doesn't, it's still worth considering."
Though he said that, Ling Yun knew this method would absolutely solve the urgent problem facing Dugu Bo and his granddaughter.
"I understand. I'll ask my grandfather." Dugu Yan nodded, looking downcast. Clearly, she didn't have much hope.
Seeing that Dugu Yan was feeling low, Ling Yun and the others didn't linger. They went to participate in the competition and test their strength.
Time passed quickly. The three of them went their separate ways, each returning home.
After returning to the manor, Dugu Yan found Dugu Bo and asked, "Grandpa, since Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison leaks out of the Martial Soul, do you think we could store the excess poison in a Soul Ring or Soul Bone?"
"A Soul Ring definitely won't work. Soul Rings are external objects. Storing the poison inside your body in an external Soul Ring is impossible. As for a Soul Bone... Hiss!"
At the mention of Soul Bones, Dugu Bo couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath. Then his eyes lit up, and he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Yan Yan, you really are Grandpa's precious granddaughter. Storing the serpent poison in a Soul Bone may only treat the symptoms, not the root cause, but it would solve our urgent problem!
Yan Yan, you're so clever. Tell Grandpa, how did you come up with this idea?"
"I didn't come up with it."
Dugu Yan shook her head. Seeing how excited her grandfather was, her eyes lit up too, bright with excitement. She hadn't expected that the method Ling Yun had casually suggested might actually work.
Then she explained, "I ran into that genius boy named Ling Yun again today. He saw what was happening to me and suggested that I try storing the serpent poison in a Soul Bone, then releasing it through a Soul Bone Skill. I didn't expect it to really work either..."
"Ling Yun. That boy again!"
Dugu Bo furrowed his brow, then chuckled. "He really did save the lives of both of us.
By the way, do you know where he lives? We'll visit him tomorrow and give him our heartfelt thanks."
Seeing her grandfather laughing so heartily, Dugu Yan smiled too. "I know he's a student at Blazing Academy. I think he should be there, right?"
"Hahaha, good! Then we'll go to Blazing Academy tomorrow."
Early the next morning, Dugu Bo took Dugu Yan with him and flew to Blazing Academy.
At the same time, Ling Yun was cultivating the Flame Meditation Method on Fire Cloud Mountain, increasing his strength.
After some time, Huo Wushuang suddenly came running over in a panic. Sweating profusely, he called out, "Ling Yun, my dad wants to see you. He said to get to his office right now—immediately!"
"Oh? The dean wants to see me?" Ling Yun paused, puzzled. "Did he say what it was about?"
Huo Wushuang shook his head. "No, but he seemed really anxious. Something must have happened."
"Got it. I'll go now."
Ling Yun stopped cultivating and headed for the dean's office. As soon as he entered, he saw a graceful purple figure before him. It was none other than Dugu Yan.
She waved at him and laughed like silver bells. "Hey, Ling Yun! We meet again."
"So it's Miss Dugu."
Ling Yun was curious. He couldn't figure out why Dugu Yan was here, but then he spotted an elderly figure in the office.
The old man had green eyes like Dugu Yan's, graying hair at his temples, and a face devoid of color, like a corpse.
He stood motionless by the window, while Huo Li beside him was already sweating coldly, bent over and staring at the old man in unease, his face filled with fear.
Someone who could make a Soul Douluo like Huo Li behave this way could only be Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. Ling Yun had already guessed his identity.
After looking away from Dugu Bo, Ling Yun turned to Dugu Yan and smiled. "By the way, Miss Dugu, what brings you here?
"And you look so happy. I take it your problem has been solved?"
"Hehe, it's not solved yet, but thanks to your suggestion, I've figured out a possible way forward. So Grandpa and I came especially to thank you."
As she spoke, Dugu Yan looked toward Dugu Bo and said with a smile, "Let me introduce you. This is my grandfather, the famed Poison Douluo!"
At that, Ling Yun placed a fist against his chest and bowed. "Greetings, Your Excellency Poison Douluo."
Dugu Bo nodded slightly, smiling. "Not bad, not bad. At such a young age, your Soul Power has already reached level thirty-five. You really are a genius, just as Yan Yan said."
"Thank you for the praise, Your Excellency!"
"You helped our family. It's no exaggeration to say you're the lifesaver of both me and my granddaughter. So I've prepared a feast at my home to thank you for saving our lives. Would you be willing to come to Dugu Manor?"
At that, Ling Yun smiled. "Since Your Excellency came all the way to invite me, of course I'm happy to go with you."
"Good. Then let's go."
With that, Dugu Bo released his Soul Power. It held Dugu Yan's delicate body like an invisible pair of hands, carrying her into the air and out the window.
After telling Huo Li not to worry, Ling Yun leaped straight down from the fifth floor. In the next instant, he transformed into a Flame Crane and soared into the sky!
When Dugu Bo saw Ling Yun's purple Second Soul Ring, he raised an eyebrow. Although he had already heard that Ling Yun possessed a thousand-year second ring, seeing it with his own eyes still shocked him a little.
Then the three traveled side by side toward Dugu Bo's manor.
Meanwhile, the servants at the manor had prepared a lavish feast. The table was laden with delicious dishes, all of them a feast for the eyes and the nose. Just looking at them from a distance made one's mouth water.
After entering Dugu Manor, Ling Yun followed Dugu Yan into the dining room and took a seat at the table. Dugu Bo immediately got straight to the point.
"Young man, you've probably heard from Yan Yan about our family's situation. I've spent more than ten years racking my brains to deal with the serpent poison in our bodies, yet I still haven't found a good solution.
"But the method you suggested yesterday opened my eyes.
"Storing the excess serpent poison in a Soul Bone may only be a stopgap measure, but it truly solves our immediate crisis and gives us hope of staying alive."
"Your Excellency is too kind. I only said it offhand."
Dugu Bo shook his head and smiled. "It may have been just an offhand remark to you, but to us, it's a lifesaving remedy!
"I, Dugu Bo, am no ingrate. Since you saved the lives of my granddaughter and me, I can promise you two favors, as long as they're within my power."
Before you continue