"Soul Core?"
Dugu Bo wasn't the only one puzzled; even Feng Qingluan was curious.
What exactly was this "Soul Core"? Even Feng Qingluan, a Level 97 Titled Douluo, had never heard of it!
But Feng Qingluan said nothing, merely acting as though it were nothing unusual.
Dugu Bo immediately "understood." This "Soul Core" was probably a secret art unique to the Spirit Hall or some family.
"A Soul Core is a core of energy." Feng Baiyu looked at Dugu Bo and explained, "It's formed when a Soul Master compresses liquid Soul Power into a solid state. It's stored in the dantian and can accelerate the recovery of Soul Power."
"Mr. Dugu could condense the poison in his body into a Soul Core," Feng Baiyu continued. "Your poison would remain, and even grow stronger. Your ninth Soul Ring wouldn't need to be restricted to any particular kind of Soul Ring, either."
After hearing him out, Dugu Bo felt that this "Soul Core" was the most suitable solution for him. He clasped his hands and bowed. "Young Master, may I ask how to condense a Soul Core?"
"A Poison-type Soul Core requires Mr. Dugu to compress the poison in his body into a solid state and condense it!" Feng Baiyu explained the principles and method behind Soul Cores. "You must be extremely careful throughout the entire process. The slightest mistake could lead to failure. If that happens, Mr. Dugu's condition might even get worse!"
"Haha, then that's what I'll do!" Dugu Bo replied after listening to Feng Baiyu. "If I succeed, I'll become a Titled Douluo. If I fail, I'll seek another method!"
Dugu Bo added, "Young Master, once Xin'er has finished absorbing the [Fire Scale Fruit], I'll take him back to condense a Soul Core. After he breaks through to Titled Douluo, we can see what happens with his Martial Soul. Perhaps we'll even have an Immortal Herb left over."
Dugu Bo still couldn't bring himself to abandon his poison. Now that there was an opportunity, he still wanted to make it flourish.
Feng Baiyu understood and supported his choice, raising no objection.
He had already explained the pros and cons of every option. If Dugu Bo chose not to use the safe method, that wasn't his fault.
"Young Master." Dugu Bo clasped his hands and bowed to Feng Baiyu. "I'm used to relying on poison, but Yan Yan has no need for that. What do you think would be the best way to improve her condition?"
"Of course, the sixth method I mentioned earlier!" Feng Baiyu replied. "Have her take the [Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass] and [Infernal Delicate Apricot] together! The worst outcome is that her poison arts will be neutralized; the best is that her ice, fire, and poison will reach a balance."
Feng Baiyu named the [Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass] and [Infernal Delicate Apricot] outright. Those two plants would be of little use to him or his grandfather.
Immunity to fire? Immunity to ice?
Feng Baiyu was already immune not only to fire and wind, but could also use attacks of those elements to strengthen himself! Once he grew stronger and absorbed more Phoenix Soul Rings, he would be able to resist several more elements.
His grandfather Feng Qingluan was the same. There was an Immortal Herb here that could raise his cultivation further, perhaps even allowing him to reach Level 98 as a Titled Douluo.
Rather than settle for immunity to both ice and fire, they had much better options.
"I-I'm supposed to eat both?" Dugu Yan stammered, incredulous. "I-is that really appropriate?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Feng Baiyu replied. "They belong to your family. What's wrong with you eating both?"
"Yan Yan, the Young Master has already made himself clear. Just listen to him." Dugu Bo looked at his granddaughter and spoke earnestly. "The poison in your father's Martial Soul has been neutralized, and I have a solution for my own condition. You're the only thing left weighing on my mind. It would be best if the poison in your body could be completely neutralized. But if you end up with ice, fire, and poison coexisting within you, that would be an extraordinary stroke of fortune!"
"Grandpa, I understand." Dugu Yan answered softly. Then she raised her eyes to Feng Baiyu, her gaze filled with sincere gratitude. "Young Master, thank you."
With that, Dugu Yan bent her knees and bowed slightly, then asked softly, "May I ask how I should eat these two Immortal Herbs?"
Hearing her question, Feng Baiyu explained, "These two Immortal Herbs are opposites: one is cold, the other hot, and their properties are extreme. Taking either one alone would cause its cold poison to attack your heart or its scorching heat to burn your body. Only if you take both at once within ten breaths of picking them can their powers clash inside you and turn into forces that complement each other."
Feng Baiyu turned to his grandfather. "The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass is extremely cold and must be cut with metal. The Infernal Delicate Apricot is extremely hot and must be cut with a jade knife. After being picked, the two plants will briefly neutralize each other's auras, but their medicinal effects last only ten breaths. They must be swallowed together within that time, or their potency will be lost."
Once he had finished explaining, Feng Baiyu turned to Dugu Yan. "After taking them, when their effects take hold, leap into the place where ice and fire meet in the [Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well]. Use the power of heaven and earth to temper your body."
"Once you've completed this step, your Martial Soul will evolve, and the poison from your Martial Soul that has built up inside you will be completely eradicated!"
Everyone exchanged baffled looks. No one had expected it to be so complicated. But they quickly came around: Immortal Herbs were extraordinary things, so how could they be easy to take?
Besides, she was taking two at once. It made sense that the process would be more involved!
"Miss Dugu." Feng Qingluan looked at Dugu Yan and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Senior Qingluan." Dugu Yan took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
"Good." Feng Qingluan gave a slight nod and instantly appeared beside the [Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass]. With a wave of his hand, he picked it and sent it flying toward Dugu Yan's feet. Before the [Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass] hit the ground, Feng Qingluan had already done the same with the [Infernal Delicate Apricot], picking it and tossing it over.
The two Immortal Herbs landed together, and their extreme cold and heat instantly vanished.
Seeing this, Feng Baiyu urged, "Quick, eat them!"
Dugu Yan didn't dare delay. She bent down, picked up both Immortal Herbs, and stuffed them into her mouth.
As soon as she swallowed them, she headed straight for the place where the forces met in the [Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well].
"Miss Dugu will need to stay in there for a while." Feng Baiyu watched Dugu Yan enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, then turned to Dugu Bo. "Mr. Dugu, I'll pick a few Immortal Herbs here as well."
"Think nothing of it, Young Master," Dugu Bo replied. "This place already belongs to you. You can take as many as you like."
Seeing that Dugu Bo meant it, Feng Baiyu didn't stand on ceremony.
First, he found a translucent, pale-blue Immortal Herb and carefully picked it.
[Wind-Fluff Dew-Condensing Flower]: Immortal Herb! Its blossom is translucent and pale blue. When its petals flutter in the wind, they condense into sparkling dewdrops. When the drops hit the ground, they turn into tiny whirlwinds. If consumed by a wind-attribute Soul Master, it can purify their Martial Soul and increase their Soul Ring's age.
This was the best Immortal Herb there for his grandfather, so Feng Baiyu naturally picked it first.
After picking it, Feng Baiyu found a second Immortal Herb—the [Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower]!
This one was meant for his grand-aunt, War Eagle, though only if she really married his grandfather.
If she didn't, Feng Baiyu would keep it for himself.
Before you continue