Researching Immortal Herbs

"Well, that starts with my analysis of their cells. I discovered that they have tremendous potential for Soul Beast Transformation. It is the result of their martial souls reshaping their bodies over a long period of time, and this poison is one manifestation of it."

Aizen only half understood Urahara Kisuke's explanation, then continued asking.

"If they undergo Soul Beast Transformation, will their bodies collapse?"

Urahara Kisuke shook his head. "I will not fully transform them—only halfway. That alone will allow their poison to be stored in another form without harming their bodies."

After pondering for a moment, Aizen continued, "In other words, they can undergo Soul Beast Transformation, but cannot fully transform."

"Mm, that's right. After all, many problems have yet to be solved. Now that we have lost Tang San as a specimen, many experiments cannot be carried out. At present, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan are both excellent subjects, well worth studying." Urahara Kisuke grew more excited as he spoke.

Previously, Urahara Kisuke had never dared lay a hand on Tang San, and it had left him itching for quite some time.

Now that he had encountered such a perfect opportunity, Urahara Kisuke was naturally delighted. If he succeeded, his understanding of martial souls would advance another step.

At the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Urahara Kisuke began researching Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo's Soul Beast Transformation, hoping to resolve the harm the poison inflicted upon their bodies.

Meanwhile, Aizen wandered around nearby, searching for the few herbs Tang San would need in the future.

Before long, Aizen stopped beside a white medicinal herb. He could feel the chill it radiated; a faint white mist formed over the surface of his skin.

Aizen drew his Zanpakuto and released Hyōrinmaru to withstand the cold it emitted.

At the top of the white herb was an eight-pointed white flower, its center sparkling like ice crystals.

This must be the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

Aizen used Hyōrinmaru to cut down the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. The moment it landed, frigid air spread out, coating the surroundings in a layer of white frost.

After cutting it down, Aizen swiftly informed Urahara Kisuke of its location, then hurried to the spot symmetrical to it across the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. There, he found the scarlet plant that resembled a cabbage—the Infernal Delicate Apricot.

Without hesitation, Aizen used Ryūjin Jakka to sever the fiery red herb, then informed Urahara Kisuke once more.

Finally, Aizen picked up the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass with Hyōrinmaru and placed it beside Urahara Kisuke's experimental table. In an instant, the entire table was frozen over.

Then, using Ryūjin Jakka, he released flames and placed the Infernal Delicate Apricot together with the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. The ice instantly vanished, returning the area to room temperature.

After witnessing the wonders of the two herbs, Urahara Kisuke exclaimed in amazement.

"One contains ice-element energy, while the other contains fire-element energy. If the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass were fused into Hyōrinmaru and the Infernal Delicate Apricot into Ryūjin Jakka, just how great a change would that bring?"

Aizen replied calmly, "I have no intention of doing that for now. I hope you can analyze the parts responsible for their medicinal effects, then mass-produce them. There may be only these two plants in the entire world. Once they are used, they will be gone. If you can analyze them after I hand them over, everyone will have a chance to use them. If you cannot, then we will simply treat them as though they never existed."

Urahara Kisuke looked deeply at Aizen, nodded, and began his research.

Aizen watched from the side, learning Urahara Kisuke's methods of analysis so that he could conduct research and development himself in the future. After all, some things could not be fully understood through explanation alone.

For every experiment, they took a petal from the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and a leaf from the Infernal Delicate Apricot, placing them together to preserve the balance of yin and yang before slowly analyzing them.

The process was dull and tedious, consisting of nothing more than separating the extracts and studying them one by one.

Occasionally, Urahara Kisuke had Aizen capture Soul Beasts from outside the mountain to use as test subjects and verify the accuracy of his analysis.

This kept them busy for an entire month.

During that time, Dugu Bo came several times to ask about their progress, only to be dismissed by Aizen each time.

"This deeply rooted poison cannot be resolved in such a short time. We will need to use many medicinal herbs from your Medicine Garden during the process. You do not mind, do you?"

Dugu Bo replied evenly, "Of course I do not mind. Use whatever you need!"

Finally, in the third month, Urahara Kisuke achieved a breakthrough.

"Whew, it is finally fully analyzed. Every experiment had to maintain the balance of yin and yang while studying both at the same time. Otherwise, the equipment would be damaged. What a bother."

Having finally relaxed, Urahara Kisuke lay on the grass in the Medicine Garden, gazing at the dim sky.

Aizen walked over and handed him a cup of tea. Urahara Kisuke accepted it and took a light sip.

"This Thousand-Year Dragon Well really is excellent. Drinking it makes my whole body feel refreshed, and I immediately feel much more alert."

Aizen smiled. "So, what results did you obtain?"

Urahara Kisuke grinned proudly, sat up, and said, "The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot actually contain the power of laws. This differs from the ice and fire abilities of Soul Power. Soul Power's ice and fire attributes function through the form of Soul Power itself.

"The power within these herbs can naturally alter the surrounding environment because they are mature laws that slowly evolved under special conditions. They can be used directly, without the slightest obstacle. If they were fused into Hyōrinmaru or Ryūjin Jakka, their power would increase tremendously."

"If consumed, eating either one alone requires an extreme elemental constitution. Otherwise, both herbs must be consumed together. Only then will their powers counterbalance each other, merge into the body, become source power, and circulate continuously within the body to create a stable balance.

"Poison works by disrupting the body's internal ecological balance. Ordinary poisons would find it nearly impossible to break such a stable balance, so consuming them grants immunity to all poisons. I have already mapped out this law and can use it at any time.

"There are three methods for creating this balance. The first is to consume these two herbs. The second is to circulate Soul Power to simulate the laws, continuously maintaining this balance within the body. The third is to formulate countless herbs into something with effects equal to those two plants, then consume it. I have already mastered the method of formulation."

After hearing this, Aizen was somewhat disappointed.

"Can they not be synthesized directly?"

Urahara Kisuke froze for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "No. This kind of evolved law power cannot simply be synthesized. It requires time and energy. It can be forcibly synthesized, but the cost would be far too great and not worth it. In truth, the most practical method is the second one: use Soul Power to simulate the circulation of laws and achieve the same result. Although it consumes Soul Power, it is convenient and flexible, and everyone can use it."

Aizen nodded in understanding.

The energy of these immortal herbs was secondary. The core was the power that altered the body's potential. If the same effect could be achieved through other methods, then the unique rarity of these immortal herbs would be lost.

For Urahara Kisuke to reach this point was already very impressive.

Urahara Kisuke continued, "This method can also balance the poison within Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. If I teach it to them, they will naturally be fine. There will be no need for the Soul Beast Transformation experiment."

Aizen stopped Urahara Kisuke's well-intentioned act. "Wait until we are certain they are companions before telling them."

Urahara Kisuke struggled for a moment, then nodded and agreed to Aizen's request.

A few days later, when Dugu Bo visited again, Aizen told him that everything was ready.

Overjoyed, Dugu Bo immediately returned and brought Dugu Yan back with him.

Urahara Kisuke did not stand on ceremony and directly began the Soul Beast Transformation experiment.

At Dugu Bo's request, he would go first. After all, he was a Titled Douluo, and his endurance was stronger than Dugu Yan's. Only if he completed the treatment without suffering any discomfort would he allow Dugu Yan to proceed.

Urahara Kisuke readily agreed. Using a Titled Douluo as an experimental subject would yield extremely valuable data and experience, which would certainly help with the second experiment.

After a series of injections, Dugu Bo's body began to change.