"Ding. Detected that the host has reached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and encountered Dugu Bo!" "System mission activated: Detoxification." "The host must help Dugu Bo resolve the toxic flaw of his Martial Soul. Mission reward: the title of Alchemy Grandmaster." "Alchemy Grandmaster: Proficient in pill refinement and herb identification."
Qian Yufeng had not expected that encountering Dugu Bo within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would trigger a system mission.
This mission was not particularly difficult. At this point, Dugu Bo's poisoning was not yet severe. Compared to the state he had been in when he met Tang San in the original work, he was in far better condition.
After the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul evolved, the poison it produced would affect both the Spirit Master himself and those around him for extended periods.
The Spirit Master's own body could not provide the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison with a space to contain its toxins.
It was similar to Xiao Yixian's Woe Poison Body in Battle Through the Heavens. Once a special space was opened up, not only would the Woe Poison Body cease to be a problem, but it would also allow for steadier cultivation.
If Dugu Bo could solve this problem, reaching Level 95 should not be an issue. Beyond that, it would depend on his fortune.
Qian Yufeng looked at Dugu Bo and said, "The two poisons here have temporarily neutralized the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison in your body. You only broke through recently, so you can use this place to suppress it for now. But after ten or twenty years, I'm afraid it'll become difficult."
Dugu Bo's father, Dugu Qingtian, had been even more talented than Dugu Bo. Unfortunately, he had lacked a bit of luck in his youth. Otherwise, he would certainly have found another solution to the problem of Martial Soul backlash.
"Senior, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor produces poison every day. If I deliberately suppress it, it will backlash against me. If I don't control it, the poison will affect others."
"Staying here will at least give me time to focus on research. Whether it takes ten years or twenty, I'll definitely find a way to solve this problem."
Dugu Bo spoke, already mentally prepared for it.
Qian Yufeng already had a clear grasp of the herbs around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He was preparing to leave for the moment and put some pressure on Dugu Bo.
In terms of theoretical knowledge, after so many years of fighting and research, Qian Yufeng could be considered a master-level figure.
He knew what was recorded in Spirit Hall's library, and he knew what was not recorded as well.
Qian Lingxin and Qian Lingsu were the practitioners of his Martial Soul theories.
They looked young, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but they were actually nearly fifty.
As for Shui Ya, she was a monster among monsters.
Reaching Soul Douluo at twenty-eight was merely an exception.
Her Soul Power improved at an astonishing rate in the Mimicry Training Ground, something no one else could compare to. Calling her a human-shaped cultivation cheat would not have been an exaggeration.
Compared to Gangzi from the original work, Qian Yufeng did not know how many times greater he was.
Qian Yufeng spoke again. "This isn't a suitable place to talk. Let's go to your residence and discuss my thoughts on your Martial Soul's current condition."
Dugu Bo was delighted. This senior could be called a living fossil of the current Spirit Master world. Perhaps he truly could find a direction for research.
"Alright, Senior. Please follow me."
With that, he led the three of them away from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Ten minutes later, they were seated in front of Dugu Bo's wooden cabin.
Dugu Bo looked at Qian Yufeng and spoke first. "Senior, what are your thoughts on my Martial Soul's current condition?"
After thinking for a moment, Qian Yufeng said, "Your Martial Soul releases poison. This can be considered an innate Martial Soul talent, and it can produce unexpected results against enemies in battle. Its flaw is that you cannot control it."
"If we compare it to a water source, then your body is the container for that source."
"When the container reaches its limit, problems will arise. The water will overflow. That is also why you carry a faint fishy stench."
After speaking, he looked at Dugu Bo. The other man nodded repeatedly, clearly agreeing with his explanation.
"Senior, then how should I solve this problem?" Dugu Bo asked again.
He could not possibly cut off the source, since that would cause severe backlash against his body.
But was there some way to improve the container and bring his Martial Soul poison under control?
Qian Yufeng smiled faintly. "There actually is a way to improve the container, but it depends rather heavily on luck."
"A Spirit Master's constitution strengthens through cultivation, but compared to Soul Beasts, it is still much weaker. Take Soul Beasts over fifty thousand years old, for example—they possess extremely powerful immunity to all kinds of toxins."
"Therefore, absorbing a Soul Bone is a good way to strengthen your body. However, the drop rate of Soul Bones is extremely low."
"Your poison can be considered a special kind of Soul Power. If you store it within a Soul Bone, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"This method is similar to how some Tool Spirit Masters gain the poisonous traits of a poison-type Soul Beast after absorbing its Soul Ring."
These words made Dugu Bo's eyes light up. Soul Bones were extraordinary things. It might actually work.
He said excitedly, "Senior, this is an excellent method. It may truly work!"
Qian Yufeng motioned for him not to get too excited, then continued, "But you cannot be careless in choosing the Soul Bone. Skull Bones and torso bones are not only rare and difficult to obtain, but they are also unsuitable as storage locations."
After all, the head and torso were vital parts of the human body. If the poison could not be controlled and entered the brain or internal organs, then even a Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Master would be unable to save him.
"I think limb bones are more suitable. They can also play a critical role in battle."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo considered it and felt that Qian Yufeng was right.
Limb bones were the best choice. If something went wrong, he could simply sever an arm to survive. Losing twenty levels of Soul Power was still better than losing his life.
Qian Lingsu and Qian Lingxin remained calm, but they too were considering whether Qian Yufeng's idea was feasible.
Soul Bones possessed miraculous abilities. Each of them had one, dropped by Soul Beasts when they acquired their eighth and ninth Soul Rings.
Soul Power entering a Soul Bone was like entering a bottomless abyss, without stirring even the slightest ripple.
Now that things had been explained to this extent, Dugu Bo knew what he needed to do.
"Senior, I'll go look for a Soul Bone right away. The Heaven Dou Auction House holds a Soul Bone auction once a week. I can still obtain a thousand-year Soul Bone."
With that, he stood and bowed to Qian Yufeng.
Today's guidance was akin to a gift of rebirth. He, Dugu Bo, would remember it forever.
Qian Yufeng accepted it gladly and prepared to give Dugu Bo a small gift, something that could be considered a present for a junior.
"Don't rush. I obtained this when I killed a Fallen Spirit Master years ago. Perhaps it can help you."
He then took a lead box wrapped in iron sheet from his Storage Soul Tool and placed it on the table before him.
After Qian Yufeng opened it, Dugu Bo stared at the item in the box in astonishment.
"Senior, why does this Soul Bone look somewhat familiar?"
"That's right. This is a Soul Bone dropped by a ten-thousand-year Jade Phosphorous Serpent, and it is a left arm bone."
"This is far too precious. Please forgive this junior for being unable to accept it!"
Dugu Bo understood the value of a Soul Bone, but he also had his own principles.
Besides, he had already received an immense favor. Accepting the Soul Bone as well would have been inappropriate.
"I had originally intended to personally give this Soul Bone to your father, but unfortunately, I never saw him one last time."
"You are also the son of an old friend. Accept it without worry. I have only one request: show no mercy when facing Fallen Spirit Masters."
Qian Yufeng spoke. With a condition attached, it did not count as giving it away for nothing.
Seeing how insistent he was, Dugu Bo accepted it. "Senior, I swear here and now that when I encounter Fallen Spirit Masters, I will show no mercy. I will take it as my duty to safeguard the continent's stability!"
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