"No, I don't know of any place like that."
Dugu Bo took a sip of tea and replied with a calm expression.
Yu Tianlong's face darkened. Given the circumstances, Dugu Bo had no reason to lie to him.
In other words, Dugu Bo hadn't discovered the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well yet.
Sunset Forest was the largest primeval forest within the Heaven Dou Empire. It wasn't as absurdly vast as the Star Dou Forest, but it was still enormous.
Searching for a hidden valley in there that even Dugu Bo hadn't found was, with his current abilities, no different from asking the impossible.
It seemed that this path was closed to him for now.
Although he felt disappointed, he quickly composed himself.
After all, according to the original story, Dugu Bo would eventually discover the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and claim it for himself.
What he needed to do now was build a good relationship with Dugu Bo, so that when the time came, he could naturally claim a share of the spoils. For now, he'd better hold on to the benefits right in front of him.
"In that case, perhaps the opportunity simply hasn't come my way yet. I shouldn't force it."
"Fair enough, fair enough." Dugu Bo waved a hand and was about to say more when he suddenly heard a series of "luo-luo" cries.
They both looked down and saw Little Silver squatting beside Yu Tianlong's feet. It gazed up at him with its head tilted, its glassy eyes brimming with tears. Then it patted its belly with a little paw, opened its mouth, and made a sucking motion.
"Is it... hungry again?" Dugu Bo asked, somewhat taken aback.
Yu Tianlong also felt a little awkward and scratched his head. "It seems so... It tasted the sweetness when it absorbed the poison in your son's body earlier, and now it wants more."
Dugu Bo was startled at first, then burst into laughter. "How interesting! Truly interesting! In all my years, I've never seen a Martial Soul that eats poison!" He laughed for a while, then a glint flashed in his eyes, as though he'd thought of something.
"But... since it likes poison, I can certainly indulge it."
With that, he held his breath and raised his right hand, fingers slightly curled. A mass of thick, jade-green mist slowly gathered in his palm, giving off a sickly-sweet stench that made one's heart tremble.
The mist churned and roiled in his palm, vaguely taking the shape of a little snake, baring its fangs and claws. Yet it remained firmly confined within his hand.
"This is the excess poison that has accumulated in my body over the years of cultivating the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul."
Dugu Bo looked at the mass of jade-green poison in his palm, a complex look flickering in his eyes.
"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul is undeniably powerful, but its poison is too potent. The deeper one cultivates, the more poison builds up inside. Over the years, I've had to devote a considerable amount of effort to suppressing it, lest it turn on me. That has also slowed my cultivation to some extent."
He extended his hand toward Little Silver. "Little fellow, since you like eating poison, you can have this 'stockpile' of mine."
Little Silver's eyes lit up. It eagerly moved closer, opened its little mouth, and sucked hard!
The jade-green poison mist seemed to have found an outlet. It turned into wisps of fine streams and poured into Little Silver's mouth without end.
Little Silver's body began changing color again. This time, the change was more pronounced. Its fur gradually shifted from silvery white to a deep, inky green, with a faint purplish-black sheen, like a piece of fine silk steeped in dye.
Its eyes, however, grew brighter and brighter, like two glass beads washed clean by the rain, gleaming brilliantly.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Little Silver had absorbed every last trace of the poison mist.
It let out a satisfied belch, puffing out a wisp of pale green smoke, then its whole body blazed with silver light!
Fine purple patterns mingled with the glow, winding through its fur like living things. At last, they gathered on its forehead, forming a small mark that resembled a snake scale.
Little Silver's aura had grown noticeably stronger. Excited, it raced around the living room, sometimes spraying a mouthful of poison mist, sometimes spitting out an ice spike, thoroughly enjoying itself.
Dugu Bo watched, filled with amazement. Then his expression shifted to deep contemplation.
"Little Friend Tianlong," he suddenly said, "I have a proposal."
"Please, go ahead, Senior."
"As you've seen, the accumulated poison in my body is quite a burden. It's not a problem for now, but given enough time, it will become a hidden danger.
"And your Silver Luo San Pao happens to feed on poison. It can help ease my burden while also promoting its growth."
Dugu Bo looked at Yu Tianlong, his gaze serious.
"How about this? From now on, you come to my manor once every half month and let this little fellow absorb the poison accumulated in my body. That way, I can stop wasting effort suppressing it and focus on my cultivation, while your Luo Sanpao can grow quickly. A win-win."
Yu Tianlong was overjoyed. This was practically a pie falling from the sky!
Not only could he regularly obtain high-quality poison to feed Little Silver, but he could also use the opportunity to strengthen his relationship with Dugu Bo and pave the way for his future plans regarding the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior. I'm deeply grateful!" Yu Tianlong immediately rose to his feet and bowed solemnly to Dugu Bo. "In that case, I'll gladly accept!"
"Hahaha! Good! Then it's settled!" Dugu Bo was in high spirits and clapped Yu Tianlong on the shoulder. "It's getting late. Stay at my manor tonight, and tomorrow I'll have someone escort you back."
That evening, Yu Tianlong enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at Dugu Manor.
Although most of the dishes had a somewhat medicinal quality to them, they really did taste quite good.
Dugu Bo also eagerly explained some basic knowledge about poisonous plants and poisonous creatures. It was only superficial, but it still opened Yu Tianlong's eyes.
Early the next morning, Dugu Bo sent a reliable guard to escort Yu Tianlong back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's residence.
Returning to the little courtyard he'd been away from for several days, Yu Tianlong felt as if he'd stepped into another world.
Before he could even sit down and catch his breath, a clan steward hurried over with a message from Yu Yuanzhen, asking him to come to the family Council Hall.
When Yu Tianlong arrived at the Council Hall, Yu Yuanzhen was seated in the place of honor, holding what looked like a ledger. When he saw Yu Tianlong enter, a rare smile appeared on his face.
"Tianlong, you're here. Sit."
Yu Tianlong sat as instructed, still somewhat puzzled. "Elder Uncle, what did you need me for?"
"Two things." Yu Yuanzhen held up two fingers. "First, as I said before, I'm doubling your monthly cultivation resources, starting this month. This is a voucher for ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. You can use it to redeem whatever you need from the clan's resource storehouse, including but not limited to Soul Beast meat, medicinal herbs, ores, and books."
He pushed a purple token carved with a dragon pattern across the table to Yu Tianlong.
"Second, in light of your outstanding performance in the Star Dou Forest, the clan has decided to provide you with an additional portion of high-grade Soul Beast meat every day, at least a thousand years old, with the species changing each time. This supply won't count toward your monthly allowance. Consider it an extra reward from the clan."
Yu Tianlong accepted the token, his heart filled with emotion. This was the value of strength.
Once he'd shown enough potential and worth, the clan had redirected its resources toward him without hesitation. Those who stayed where they were, clinging to their old ways, would only be left further and further behind.
"Thank you, Clan Head, and thank you for the clan's support. Tianlong won't disappoint you!" Yu Tianlong rose and bowed solemnly.
"Cultivate well. The future of the clan will ultimately depend on you young people." Yu Yuanzhen nodded with satisfaction, his eyes full of expectation.