The Ninth Method

"Young Master," Dugu Xin stepped forward, his tone solemn. "My father is advanced in years, yet he remains just one step away from becoming a Title Douluo. Yan Yan is still young, and her spirit foundation has yet to solidify."

He took a deep breath, his gaze earnest. "I implore you, Young Master, to use these immortal herbs to improve their spirits and assist in their evolution." Having said this, he offered a carefree smile and waved his hand. "As for me, my talent is mediocre and my strength limited; I shouldn't waste such precious immortal herbs. That [Venom Spray] spirit bone is more than enough for me, and it would put my mind at ease."

Watching Feng Baiyu's gaze linger on the immortal herbs after landing, Dugu Xin immediately understood that these treasures had already caught his eye.

He had always been self-aware; the Dugu Family now lived under another's roof, and any display of insatiable greed would only invite the destruction of their house. It was better to take a step back voluntarily—it showed loyalty while securing opportunities for his father and daughter. This was the most prudent choice.

Hearing this, Feng Baiyu raised his eyes and swept a glance over Dugu Xin, a flicker of surprise passing through his pupils. This man was truly the clear-headed one of the Dugu Family; he knew when to advance and when to retreat, and his sense of propriety was so precise that Feng Baiyu couldn't find a single fault.

Yet, Dugu Xin still underestimated him. Being able to claim the vast majority of the immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was already a monumental opportunity. If he couldn't even satisfy the needs of the three members of the Dugu Family, that would be truly unsightly behavior.

However, Dugu Xin still underestimated his vision. Being able to take away most of the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was already an unexpected joy. To be stingy with the needs of the three Dugu family members would be far too petty.

"If Mr. Dugu and Miss Dugu are to evolve their spirits, your spirit should not be restricted either," Feng Baiyu said, his tone frank. "There are enough immortal herbs here; there is no need for you to have any reservations, young Mr. Dugu."

"Young Master," Dugu Xin gave a bitter laugh. "My innate spirit power is only level five; my talent is truly limited. It is already a great fortune to be alive; it is not worth wasting these immortal herbs and medicines. That spirit bone is enough to ensure my survival, and following your advice for future spirit rings will be sufficient for me!"

"Since you have your own ideas, I will not force you." Seeing that Dugu Xin had resisted even the temptation of the immortal herbs, Feng Baiyu plucked a fist-sized, bright red fruit covered in scales from nearby and spoke. "In that case, eat this [Fire Scale Fruit]."

"Do not refuse!" Feng Baiyu added. "This thing is a pure fire-attribute herb, not quite reaching the rank of an immortal herb. After you consume it, it will transform the poison attribute within your body into a fire attribute, turning your [Jade Phosphorus Snake] spirit into a [Fire Scale Snake]!"

Dugu Xin knew that while the quality of the [Jade Phosphorus Snake] was slightly higher than the [Fire Scale Snake], the [Fire Scale Snake] was a complete spirit without innate defects!

Once his spirit mutated, he would no longer need to worry about the accumulation of deadly toxins. As long as his spirit ring configuration was appropriate, he would have no bottlenecks whatsoever before reaching the Spirit Douluo level!

"Many thanks, Young Master." Dugu Xin expressed his gratitude and prepared to bite into it.

"Wait!" Feng Baiyu quickly stopped him. "You cannot eat the skin of the [Fire Scale Fruit]. Just cut an opening and suck out the juice and pulp inside. After you finish, use your spirit power to refine the medicinal effects."

Dugu Xin complied immediately. The fruit quickly shriveled up.

Watching his son's actions, Dugu Bo felt his eyes grow moist.

How could he not understand? Xin'er was doing this to ensure the Young Master did not develop a distaste for their Dugu Family. Since they had already pledged their allegiance, they shouldn't be too greedy.

"Mr. Dugu," Feng Baiyu looked at Dugu Bo and asked directly, "Regarding your spirit evolution, do you wish for it to possess both ice and fire powers, or to transform in the direction of a flood dragon?"

"Young Master," Dugu Bo took a deep breath. "I have used poison all my life; if I were to truly lose this deadly venom, I would feel quite uncomfortable. Is there any way to allow me to retain this toxicity?"

"The simplest way to retain the poison is to evolve into the [Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor]. However, that still wouldn't change the fact that the poison erodes your own body." Feng Baiyu shook his head and began to stroll around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

He activated his [Fire Phoenix True Sight], inspecting the function and effect of every immortal herb. This ability was more useful than memorizing them; one glance was all it took to understand everything.

Yet, while there were many immortal herbs and secondary medicinal plants here, not a single one could solve Dugu Bo's problem.

"Young Master," at this moment, Dugu Bo spoke up. "I don't necessarily have to use the immortal herbs here to solve the toxin problem in my body. Could the ninth spirit ring, according to your arrangements, also solve it?"

"I am reluctant to use spirit skills to lower my cultivation, but could the spirit ring of a [Blood-Stabbing Pufferfish] solve the snake venom problem?" Dugu Bo's eyes grew increasingly bright. "Add that [Venom Spray] spirit bone to the mix! I'm afraid I'd be wishing to absorb even more toxins by then!"

"That is indeed a method." Feng Baiyu paused at Dugu Bo's words and continued, "Back at the Feng Mansion, I only mentioned six solutions. There are three more!"

"The method your son Dugu Xin used with the [Snake Scale Fruit] doesn't count as spirit evolution, but it is a way to change the spirit and solve the problem at the root. That is the seventh!" Feng Baiyu said. "Using immortal herbs or absorbing specific spirit rings can both achieve this with a certain probability."

"The eighth method involves the inner core of a creature called the [Ten-Headed Fierce Sun Snake]!" Feng Baiyu continued. "That [Ten-Headed Fierce Sun Snake] is the supreme ruler of snakes. Absorbing its inner core can cause a spirit to evolve, derive fire-attribute power, and perfectly retain the poison attribute. The problem is, this thing is nowhere to be found, and I cannot obtain it right now."

Feng Baiyu knew there was a [Ten-Headed Fierce Sun Snake] in the Slaughter City, but it was unreachable; distant water could not quench a near thirst. Mentioning it was merely to round out the list.

Dugu Bo had never heard of a [Ten-Headed Fierce Sun Snake], let alone an "inner core." Hearing that even Feng Baiyu had no leads, he knew this method had no practical value for the time being.

"Mr. Dugu, your spirit power has already reached the level of an eighty-ninth-rank Spirit Douluo; evolving toward a flood dragon or dragon is almost impossible." Feng Baiyu looked at Dugu Bo. "Choosing the ninth spirit ring holds the hope of evolving your spirit into the [Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor], but not only will it fail to solve the toxicity, it might even make it worse."

Feng Baiyu observed the change in Dugu Bo's expression and said, "If you truly evolve your spirit into the [Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor], you will need another method to control the poison."

Dugu Bo was quite happy to hear that his spirit could evolve into the [Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor], but if the poison became even more severe, wouldn't he be finished anyway?

Dugu Bo placed his hope in the final method. If the ninth method couldn't solve it, he would choose to absorb the [Venom Spray] spirit bone and find a [Blood-Stabbing Pufferfish] spirit ring to solve the problem; that wouldn't be unacceptable.

"The final method carries a certain amount of risk, but once resolved, your poison can be perfectly preserved." Feng Baiyu said to Dugu Bo, "This method is—the Spirit Core!"

"As long as you condense a [Spirit Core], you will not only be able to step into the rank of Title Douluo, but you will also be able to solve the problem of the deadly toxins within your body!"