"One batch, five pills."
Qin Feng's lips curled into a faint, satisfied smile.
For his first attempt at refining a pill of this caliber, getting five was already a very good result.
The inheritance of Pill King Yao Chen really was extraordinary. In Douluo Continent, it was practically a dimensional strike.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were already staring in stunned silence.
"That's... it? It's done?"
Dugu Bo hurried forward, staring intently at the pills in Qin Feng's hand.
"Is this the Nine-Star Detoxification Pill you mentioned?"
Medicines in this form had never appeared in the history of Douluo Continent.
Qin Feng nodded and casually picked up two pills, handing one each to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
"Though the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's poison is overbearing, this Nine-Star Detoxification Pill was refined using the medicinal properties of Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass as a catalyst, blending them with several top-grade detoxifying herbs."
"It can not only remove poison but also strengthen the body, replenish its foundations, and cleanse the marrow."
Dugu Yan took the pill and was just about to put it in her mouth when Dugu Bo stopped her with a swift hand.
"Wait."
With a grave expression, Dugu Bo took the pill from Dugu Yan, then held both it and his own between his fingertips and examined them closely.
Though Qin Feng's pill-refining methods had astonished him, he had to be cautious when his granddaughter's life was at stake.
What if the pill was poisonous, or its medicinal properties were too potent? How could Yanyan withstand that?
"I'll try it first."
After saying that, Dugu Bo didn't hesitate. He tossed one pill straight into his mouth.
The pill dissolved as soon as it touched his tongue, turning into a warm current that slid down his throat.
Dugu Bo closed his eyes and immediately circulated his Soul Power to guide the medicinal energy.
In an instant, the warm current burst through his body.
It wasn't violent, as he had feared. Instead, it was gentle beyond belief, seeping into his meridians, bones, and organs like spring rain nourishing the earth.
The toxins that had plagued his body for decades, like maggots clinging to bone, began to rapidly dissolve beneath the wash of that medicinal energy.
Pain.
Then itching.
But right after came a relief he had never known before.
It was like carrying a thousand-pound burden for decades, only for someone to suddenly take it off his shoulders.
Dugu Bo's eyes snapped open, two beams of sharp light shooting from them.
His formerly stooped back straightened, while the dark green pallor that had shrouded his face for years visibly faded.
"Hahahaha! Good! Excellent!"
Dugu Bo threw his head back and laughed, his voice reverberating through the valley.
For decades, whenever the weather turned rainy, he had endured the agony of toxins rebelling inside him, as if ten thousand ants were gnawing at his heart.
He had thought he would carry that pain to his grave.
He never imagined that today he would truly be free of it!
"Grandpa..."
Dugu Yan stared blankly at Dugu Bo.
She noticed that her grandfather's ink-green hair seemed glossier, the wrinkles on his face had smoothed out, and he looked decades younger.
Dugu Bo's laughter gradually subsided, but he could hardly contain the excitement in his eyes.
He turned and grabbed Qin Feng by the shoulder, squeezing so hard Qin Feng's bones creaked.
"Young man... no, Qin Feng!"
"This pill of yours is miraculous!"
"You've saved my life!"
Qin Feng calmly freed himself from Dugu Bo's "iron pincers," rubbed his shoulder, and smiled.
"You're too kind, Senior. It was just a transaction."
Dugu Bo shook his head, his eyes reddening slightly.
He had killed countless people in his life. Everyone feared him as Poison Douluo.
But who knew the suffering he carried inside?
What he feared most was that his only granddaughter would follow in his footsteps and die young.
"Yanyan, quick, take the pill!"
Dugu Bo urged her, his voice trembling. "Once you've taken it, our Dugu Family will never have to suffer from this snake poison again!"
Seeing her grandfather's tear-streaked face, Dugu Yan felt a lump in her throat.
Without the slightest hesitation, she put the emerald-green pill in her mouth.
Its medicinal energy spread through her.
The sensation was indescribable.
The chill and stabbing pain inside her swiftly faded, replaced by a warm, soothing comfort.
She felt as if her Martial Soul were cheering. Her Soul Power, which had stalled under the pressure of the poison, even showed signs of breaking through.
A moment later, Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes. Her emerald gaze had never been so clear.
"It's gone... It really is gone..."
Dugu Yan wept with joy.
She suddenly turned toward the young man standing beside the rocks, his expression calm and unruffled.
In that moment, she forgot all restraint.
Dugu Yan threw herself into Qin Feng's arms, wrapped both arms tightly around his waist, and buried her face against his chest.
"Thank you... Qin Feng, thank you so much..."
The girl's soft body pressed against him, carrying her distinctive fragrance.
Qin Feng stiffened slightly, then relaxed. He even gave Dugu Yan's back a few easy pats.
You came to me yourself. I'd be a fool not to hug you.
Off to the side, Dugu Bo watched the two embracing. Not only was he not angry, but he stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly.
"Good, good."
"A talented man and a beautiful woman—a perfect match."
"Yanyan has an eye just like mine. Sharp!"
After confirming that Qin Feng truly had such heaven-defying abilities, Dugu Bo's heart had already swung completely in his favor.
A monstrously talented young man with such miraculous Pill Refining skills—if he became his granddaughter's husband, the Dugu Family's ancestors would be smiling in their graves!
Hearing her grandfather's words, Dugu Yan realized she was still in Qin Feng's arms. Blushing, she quickly let go and stepped back two paces, though her gaze remained fixed on Qin Feng, rippling with emotion.
Dugu Bo stepped forward and patted Qin Feng's shoulder, his tone unusually solemn.
"Qin Feng, I'm entrusting Yanyan to you from now on."
"Don't worry. I know how to judge people."
"As for the trouble you're worried that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone might bring..."
Dugu Bo let out a cold laugh, a sharp killing intent suddenly bursting from him.
"As long as a Titled Douluo doesn't come in person, I'll guarantee you can do whatever you please throughout the Heaven Dou Empire!"
"Even if a Titled Douluo does show up, I'm no pushover."
"If they really force me into a corner, I may not be able to beat them, but I can poison their whole family—or an entire city!"
"I'd like to see who on this continent is foolish enough to lay a hand on my granddaughter's future husband!"
That was the confidence of Poison Douluo.
In a one-on-one fight, he was at the bottom among the Titled Douluo.
But in terms of attacking crowds and making people think twice, he was a nightmare no faction wanted to provoke.
In his eyes, there were no morals or laws—only his own people and everyone else.
Qin Feng looked at the fiercely protective old man and smiled.
"Then I'm grateful, Senior."
Night fell.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, teachers' dormitory.
Qin Feng and Dugu Yan had returned to the academy.
At that moment, Qin Feng sat cross-legged on his bed, tallying the spoils from their trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Besides those few top-grade Immortal Herbs, he had also grabbed quite a few other rare medicinal ingredients, enough to refine all kinds of pills to aid cultivation.
"This trip was a real windfall."
Qin Feng was in high spirits.