Ning Xiaochun's first thought was simple.
As a transmigrator, he naturally knew who Shui Bing'er was.
The girl who, in the future Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, would wield her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul with breathtaking mastery and command the battlefield so brilliantly that she nearly toppled the protagonist's team single-handedly with the Skywater Academy girls!
A peerless genius, a dazzling star of her generation who would have shone brightest of all if Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others hadn't risen like they had cheats!
Innate Soul Power of level nine and a half, a top-tier Beast Martial Soul in the form of an Ice Phoenix, a steely heart, and first-rate tactical instincts... That was practically a perfect teammate tailor-made for Ning Xiaochun. No, a perfect wife... Ahem, a perfect bodyguard!
"So it was her... No wonder Dad was so confident, promising outright that he could protect me." Ning Xiaochun rubbed his chin, his eyes growing brighter.
"The Ice Phoenix is both an assault and control type. Once she grows stronger, she'll be a deadly weapon. And I remember she's cold on the outside but warm inside, loyal and devoted. Once she accepts someone, she'll risk her life to protect them. If I can raise her right and tie her to my side, my safety for the rest of my life... will be guaranteed!"
Living off a woman? Fine, he'd live off a woman! He used to think it was kind of... well, something. But now that he'd realized the woman supporting him might be Shui Bing'er, an Ice Phoenix who could become a Titled Douluo, or even a Super Douluo... Suddenly, this meal tasted delicious. It was downright mouthwatering!
But amid his excitement, Ning Xiaochun's brow furrowed slightly. His fragmented memories seemed to contain some worries about Shui Bing'er's Martial Soul.
The Ice Phoenix was undeniably a top-tier Martial Soul, but it seemed to have some kind of flaw or limitation, too? He couldn't quite remember what, but the feeling that it was "imperfect" remained clear.
"Could Immortal Herbs... fix it, too?"
A thought flashed through his mind. If the Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well could not only raise the sect's overall strength and cure Dugu Bo and his granddaughter's poison, but also help Shui Bing'er overcome her Martial Soul's flaw... Then he'd be killing three birds with one stone. This investment would be an absolute jackpot!
At the thought, Ning Xiaochun's longing for the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well reached its peak. He had to get that place—and quickly!
Without another moment's hesitation, he set off on his short legs and ran toward his father's study.
He knew his father usually acted on his promises right away, but Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo with a strange temper. Ning Xiaochun needed to give him another push and remind him of a few key points.
Ning Fengzhi had just settled Shui Bing'er in and returned to his study when his son charged inside like a little cannonball, "urgent business" written all over his face.
"Dad! I thought of something important about that land. I need to talk to you about it!" Ning Xiaochun clung to the edge of the desk, straining to stand on tiptoe.
"Oh? Go on, Xiaochun." Ning Fengzhi sat down at his ease and gestured for his son to take his time.
"Dad, the land I want is deep in Sunset Forest. There's a very special valley there, with springs of two opposing extremes, ice and fire. Together, they form a wonder called the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. It's a treasure trove where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathers, and countless rare flowers and herbs grow there—plants that have long since vanished everywhere else. Many possess the power to seize the workings of creation itself. Calling it a 'cornucopia' wouldn't be an exaggeration!"
Ning Xiaochun worked hard to make his explanation sound convincing. "But right now, it's occupied by Senior Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, who uses it as his private herb garden."
Ning Fengzhi's relaxed expression turned serious when he heard "Dugu Bo" and "private herb garden."
He knew that the Poison Douluo had a secluded residence in Sunset Forest, but he hadn't realized it was such a treasure trove.
And Xiaochun's description was so detailed... The boy seemed to know secrets that even the sect's intelligence network had never investigated thoroughly.
"The Poison Douluo's herb garden..." Ning Fengzhi tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
"That makes things a little difficult. If it were unclaimed land or belonged to an ordinary Soul Master, buying or trading for it in the name of our sect wouldn't be a problem. But Dugu Bo is proud and reclusive, his use of poison is uncanny and hard to defend against, and he must value that garden greatly. Buying it outright would probably..."
"I know it's difficult, Dad!" Ning Xiaochun cut in, his eyes shining with the confidence of a man who had everything under control.
"But the fact that it's an herb garden, and something Dugu Bo values, is exactly why we have a chance. I heard... Ahem, I mean, I've reasoned that Senior Dugu Bo's Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, itself a poisonous creature. He's lived among poisons for years, and though that earned him the name Poison Douluo, could he—and perhaps even his family—be suffering from the backlash of his own Martial Soul's poison?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and his gaze at his son grew more searching. The theory vaguely matched some scattered reports the sect had gathered: Dugu Bo's movements were strange, and he seemed to spend years searching for a way to cure poison. Xiaochun's ability to analyze things...
"You mean..."
"I mean that Senior Dugu Bo may have claimed the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well not just because it's suitable for growing poisonous herbs, but because its extreme environment helps suppress the poison inside him!"
The more Ning Xiaochun spoke, the clearer his thoughts became. "If we can solve the backlash from his and his granddaughter's poison cultivation, then we might be able to trade for part of the garden or some of its herbs. Wouldn't that give us a chance?"
"Cure the Poison Douluo's poison?" Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. "That's easier said than done. There aren't many people in the world who know more about poison than he does."
"Where there's a will, there's a way, Dad!" Ning Xiaochun gave him a knowing smile.
"We can approach him first and show our sincerity. And if nothing else, what is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect best at, if not solving problems with Gold Soul Coins? What problem in the world can't be solved with Gold Soul Coins? And if there is one, then we simply don't have enough!"
Ning Fengzhi laughed at his son's crooked logic, but on second thought... it did make some sense.
For most Soul Masters and factions, the friendship and wealth of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were indeed irresistible temptations. No matter how proud Dugu Bo was, he was still human, and he had needs.
"And Dad," Ning Xiaochun leaned closer and lowered his voice, his little face grave, "the herbs in that place are really, really important to me and the sect. They might determine whether the sect can withstand certain... major crises in the future."
He couldn't openly mention the Soul Hunting Operation, so he could only hint at it.
Seeing the gravity in his son's eyes—far beyond his years—Ning Fengzhi's heart stirred.
He remembered the strange things that had happened since his son awakened his Martial Soul: that excessive caution, and the occasional hints of inexplicable worry about the future. Could the boy really foresee, or know, something?
After thinking it over, Ning Fengzhi made his decision. Whether to fulfill his son's request or secure a possible "cornucopia" that could affect the sect's future, it was worth a try.
"Fine!" Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet, a shrewd merchant's glint flashing in his eyes. "Since my son values this so much, I'll make the trip myself and meet the Poison Douluo. Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone!"
"Here." Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo appeared at the study's entrance like ghosts. Clearly, they had been waiting there all along.
"Come with me to Sunset Forest to pay Dugu Bo a visit. Xiaochun, you're coming, too. And..." Ning Fengzhi paused. "Bring Miss Bing'er along as well. Since she's one of the family now, she should get to know everyone sooner."
"Yes, Dad!" Ning Xiaochun replied excitedly. Then he remembered something and added, "Dad, we're going to negotiate, not fight. We should be humble, show plenty of sincerity, but still stand firm! Safety first!"
"I know, you little clever clogs." Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly.
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