"Thank you, Grandpa Dugu!" Ning Xiaochun immediately seized the opportunity, his face lighting up with a smile. His words were so sweet they could make your teeth ache.
"I knew you were the most reasonable! Don't worry, your grandson may cherish his life, but I never fight a battle I can't win... Well, a battle I don't have a decent chance of winning! I'll do my best!"
At the sound of that clear, "Grandpa Dugu," Ning Fengzhi's face darkened further. He knew his son was trying to get closer to Dugu Bo, though, so he could only grit his teeth and stay quiet.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a glance. They saw helplessness and a hint of amusement in each other's eyes. That boy really was something.
Dugu Yan looked at her grandfather and this suddenly appeared "sworn little brother," her feelings complicated. More than anything, though, she felt the hope of someone who had just grabbed a lifeline.
"All right, enough sweet-talking." Dugu Bo waved a hand, but his tone had clearly softened, and even carried a hint of expectation he could barely conceal.
"Let's hear it. What's this 'approach' of yours?"
Ning Xiaochun cleared his throat, knowing they had reached the crucial part. He recalled the hazy but important fragments in his mind and carefully chose his words.
"Grandpa Dugu, the root of your poison lies in your Martial Soul. It has seeped deep into your bones and Soul Power. Completely removing it without damaging your foundation is almost impossible, unless you cripple your Martial Soul and start over. But that would come at too great a cost."
Dugu Bo nodded. That was the truth.
"So my approach is not to remove it, but to... transfer it and contain it."
"Transfer it? Contain it?" Dugu Bo frowned.
"Exactly!" Ning Xiaochun's eyes lit up. "You see, Soul Bones are energy crystals left behind when Soul Beasts die. They can merge with a Soul Master's body and become part of it, while also granting powerful Soul Skills. Soul Bones themselves have an exceptional capacity to bear and store energy."
"What if we found a way to guide the 'living poison' that has built up inside you and Sister Yan—poison that's difficult to control and turns against you—and force it into a suitable Soul Bone? What if we 'contained' the poison inside the Soul Bone?"
Ning Xiaochun's words were like a bolt of lightning splitting the darkness, illuminating Dugu Bo's mind in an instant!
"Force the poison into a Soul Bone?!" Dugu Bo repeated in disbelief, his green eyes blazing with astonishing light. He had never thought of that! A Soul Bone was an external vessel for energy. If he could channel the poison into one...
Wouldn't that be like putting a deadly bomb inside a specially made, sturdy safe? The poison would still be there, but its harm would be confined within the Soul Bone! Not only could it save his life, the Soul Bone might even undergo an unexpected mutation from bearing the deadly poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, becoming a powerful poison-type Soul Bone!
And this way, his cultivation in poison techniques wouldn't be greatly affected. The source of the poison would remain; only where it was stored and released would change!
"Brilliant! Brilliant!" Dugu Bo paced back and forth, so excited that even his withered fingers trembled.
"A Soul Bone! Of course—a Soul Bone! How did I not think of this? A Soul Bone merges with the body, yet it can exist independently! If I force the poison into it along with my Soul Power... Wait."
"This will require incredibly precise control, and the Soul Bone's properties will matter too. It would be best to find one compatible with poison or with an exceptional capacity to contain it... And the process will be dangerous. One small mistake..."
"That's why we need to prepare and experiment. More than that, we need someone with peak control over their own Soul Power and poison to take the lead," Ning Xiaochun interjected, excitement showing on his young face. "You're the best person for the job, Grandpa Dugu! You can try it on yourself first, carefully guiding the poison into a suitable Soul Bone. If you succeed, then we can find the right Soul Bone for Sister Yan. As for where to get the Soul Bones... our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may be able to help."
"Try it on myself..." Light flickered in Dugu Bo's eyes. He was clearly tempted. In theory, the plan was entirely feasible. The risks were manageable, and the potential reward was enormous!
He didn't hesitate. He immediately sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, inspecting his body from within. At the same time, he tried to stir a trace of the poison entangled with his Soul Power, sense its properties, and imagine guiding it toward the position of a hypothetical "Soul Bone."
The sitting room fell silent. Everyone held their breath as they watched Dugu Bo. Ning Xiaochun clenched his small fists, too.
He knew Dugu Bo had done something like this in the original story, but he didn't know the exact process or its risks. All he could do was pray that Dugu Bo was a born genius and would succeed on his first try.
Time passed, second by second. A faint, dark-green mist began to rise from Dugu Bo, carrying a sweet, fishy smell. His brow furrowed and relaxed by turns, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Suddenly, his body shuddered. He snapped his eyes open, his green eyes blazing with joy!
"It works! It really works! I only simulated guiding a tiny trace, but I could clearly feel the Soul Bone's ability to 'contain' and 'restrain' the poison! As long as I find a suitable Soul Bone, I'm seventy percent certain I can force most of the poison into it! Hahaha! Heaven hasn't forsaken me! Heaven hasn't forsaken me, Dugu Bo!"
He sprang to his feet, so excited he could barely contain himself, and crossed the room in a few strides. His large hand landed with a heavy slap on Ning Xiaochun's tender shoulder.
"You little rascal! You really are my lucky star! How did you get that head of yours? This kind of brilliant idea is simply... simply a life-saving kindness!"
Ning Xiaochun winced from the slap, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He hurriedly said:
"Go easy, Grandpa Dugu. My little body can't take a slap like that. I'm glad it works! As for Sister Yan..."
"Yan's poison hasn't taken root as deeply. Once I succeed, I'll personally find the best Soul Bone for her and make sure there's no chance of anything going wrong!"
Dugu Bo was in high spirits. The glimmer of a solution to the life-and-death crisis that had plagued him for years seemed to invigorate his whole being. He looked at Ning Xiaochun with undisguised affection and gratitude.
"As for that garden..." Dugu Bo waved his hand grandly.
"Why are we even talking about buying it? Since you've called me Grandpa, consider the garden a gift from your grandfather to his grandson! The place may be unusual, but what does it matter compared with the lives of me and Yan? Go whenever you like. Take whatever flowers or plants catch your eye! I mainly kept it to suppress the poison, but now that we have a better solution, it won't be of much use to me."
Ning Xiaochun stared for a moment, then was overjoyed! He was just... giving it to him outright? He didn't even want money? And Ning Xiaochun could take whatever he liked? Happiness had arrived so suddenly!
He had planned to trade the detoxification method and some Gold Soul Coins for partial access to the garden. He hadn't expected Dugu Bo to be so generous and hand it all over!
Indeed, sincerity was the ultimate trump card. He'd gained a grandfather and a garden in one fell swoop. What a steal!
"Thank you, Grandpa Dugu! You're the best!" Ning Xiaochun's words were as sweet as honey, and his face bloomed with a smile.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo exchanged smiles, relieved. At the same time, they were amazed by Ning Xiaochun's ability to "get something for nothing"—
—and somehow get a grandfather and a garden along with it. Watching Ning Xiaochun's undisguised grin of delight, Shui Bing'er's frozen lips seemed to twitch ever so slightly.
"Come on! There's no time to waste. I'll take you to see the garden right now!"
Dugu Bo was in an excellent mood. Eager to share his joy, he also wanted to show Ning Xiaochun his "gift."
Before you continue