Luo Chen took a Gold Soul Coin from the Nightmare Ring and used his spiritual power to shape it into a golden knife.
He carefully cut through the stem of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Then he took a jade bottle from the ring and placed the Immortal Herb inside.
"Senior Dugu, I need to use the power of ice and fire here to bring out the medicinal effects of the Immortal Herb, while gradually helping An'an's body adapt to this environment."
Luo Chen looked up at Dugu Bo. "But before that, there's something I'd like to make clear to you."
"Go on. What is it?"
"The power of time I control can help you suppress the poison of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. But I can't promise to cure it outright; I can only slow it down. Though I can't do it just yet, I promise I'll be able to suppress your poison. As for your granddaughter, I may even be able to cure her completely! The code of the jianghu calls for an equal exchange. What do you say?"
Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back beside the spring, silent for a long while.
"You're a principled kid. Even if you couldn't cure either of us, just for that alone, I'd consider you a brother from today onward." He let out a laugh. "I agree. You and your sister can stay at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for as long as you like. I won't drive you away. And you can use any of these Immortal Herbs you want, as long as you don't waste them."
Luo Chen was delighted and bowed.
"Thank you, Senior Dugu."
"Enough, no need to thank me. And from now on, don't call me Senior. We're brothers." Dugu Bo waved a hand. "I'll be blunt: if you want to fully awaken your sister's Martial Soul, you'll probably need even purer energy to satisfy its devouring power. You may have to use the energy of those two Immortal Herbs to truly activate the devouring power inside her. The process will be extremely dangerous, so think it over carefully. If you need me, I can guard little An'an while she does it."
Luo Chen froze.
The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid strengthened the body and laid a solid foundation, while the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot were two utterly opposite extremes. Only by taking them together could one temper a body impervious to ice and fire.
He had simply assumed that if Tang San could withstand them, An'an could endure their medicinal effects too.
But An'an was only six years old. Even he wouldn't dare try it lightly right now. He would need to make every possible preparation.
An'an definitely couldn't take them directly.
"Then we'll build a solid foundation first. The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid will strengthen her body and help her grow stronger. That way, even if she has to face the power of ice and fire later, she won't be overwhelmed on the spot. I'll find a safer way."
Dugu Bo glanced at him but said nothing more. He walked over to the old tree, sat with his back against the trunk, and closed his eyes.
Luo Chen crouched down and rested both hands on Luo An'an's shoulders.
"An'an, in a moment, big brother is going to feed you this flower. You might feel a little hot and a little cold, but it won't be too uncomfortable. It'll be like the water in a bath changing temperature. Just hang in there. Once the flower's been digested, your body will be strong and healthy."
Luo An'an stared at the milky-white Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid on the rock, her little face taut with tension.
"Big brother, is this the flower that's like bitter melon?"
Luo Chen couldn't help laughing.
"You little rascal. I was just teasing you. This one isn't bitter."
"Really?"
"Really. When have I ever lied to you?"
"You just lied and said it was bitter."
Luo Chen: "..."
Luo An'an took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and opened her mouth wide.
"Ah—"
Luo Chen used the little knife to cut off the petals of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid one by one and placed them in Luo An'an's mouth.
Luo An'an chewed. Her brows furrowed for a moment. It wasn't sweet or bitter; the taste was faint, like chewing on a leaf with no flavor.
But once she swallowed, warmth rose from her stomach and flowed through her limbs and bones. Then came a wave of coolness—not cold, but like taking a sip of well water on a summer day.
The little girl's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, then shifted from relaxed to puzzled.
"Big brother, this is so fun. It feels so nice."
Luo Chen didn't let his guard down. He extended a hand, and silvery-white temporal power surged from his palm, enveloping the remaining petals of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Slowly, bit by bit, he drew out their medicinal power and sent it into Luo An'an's body.
Dugu Bo had been stealthily watching from beneath the old tree nearby. One hand rested on his knee. He seemed to be meditating with his eyes closed, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
"This kid isn't simple. He looks about the same age as Yan Yan. Should I introduce them? No, that won't do. I just called him my brother, and I still haven't figured out his background. I'll watch him a little longer. Mm!"
Dugu Bo nodded to himself, affirming his own judgment.
Luo Chen had no idea what was going through Dugu Bo's mind. He focused all his attention on dissolving the last petal of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid and sending it into Luo An'an's body.
Luo An'an let out a long breath and opened her eyes, which sparkled brightly.
"Big brother, I think I've gotten a tiny bit lighter."
"You haven't gotten lighter. An'an's just gotten stronger!" Luo Chen lifted her down from the rock and wiped the sweat from her forehead with his sleeve. "How do you feel? Does anything hurt?"
Luo An'an moved her arms and legs, then bounced twice. In a childish voice, she said, "Nothing hurts! I just feel warm all over! Big brother, can I catch Soul Beasts now?"
"Not yet. Let the medicinal power stay in your body for a few more days. Once you've absorbed it all, I'll help you wake up that little black ball. You might even get a really pretty outfit!"
"An outfit! Will I get a pretty outfit too?"
"Of course. It'll be the prettiest outfit, and only An'an will be able to wear it!"
"Yay!"
After celebrating, Luo An'an suddenly remembered something. She looked at Luo Chen nervously. "Big brother, you're not going to leave again, are you?"
"I'm not going anywhere." Luo Chen ruffled her hair. "I'll stay with you these next few days."
Luo An'an cheered up and turned to chase after a little frog that had hopped out of nowhere.
Only then did Dugu Bo slowly open his eyes and rise to his feet. He walked over to Luo Chen.
"And that's all?"
"That's right," Luo Chen said. "This Immortal Herb's effects are sustained."
"As long as you know what you're doing." Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, watching Luo An'an chase the frog in the distance. Then he suddenly asked, "Kid, how old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Seventeen, a Soul Ancestor, a strange Martial Soul that can capture Soul Beasts, and control over the power of time. There isn't anyone else with talent like yours in the entire Heaven Dou Empire—not even on the whole continent." Dugu Bo's gaze shifted from Luo An'an to Luo Chen, and a hint of probing entered his voice. "Who else is in your family?"
"My parents, and this sister."
"No fiancée?"
Luo Chen was taken aback. He hadn't expected Dugu Bo to ask him that.
"No."
"Oh." Dugu Bo nodded, his face expressionless, though the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "When you were studying at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, did you meet any female classmates?"
Luo Chen sensed something was off. Why had Old Poison suddenly taken an interest in his personal life? Could he have some sort of idea about him?
"I was at the academy for less than a year, then left school ten years ago. I didn't keep in touch with my classmates much." He answered truthfully, while quietly raising his guard.
"That's good. That's good." Dugu Bo muttered the words as if to himself.
Before you continue