"Teacher, there's a great deal of medicinal energy in my body. It may take several months to absorb it," Han Yu said.
Chen Xin sensed Han Yu's body with his spiritual power. The energy within him was vast and incredibly dense, and Chen Xin's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
It would probably take more than several months to absorb such a tremendous amount of pure energy.
"Old Bone, why don't you take Rongrong back first?" Chen Xin said, turning to Gu Rong.
Ning Rongrong immediately planted her hands on her hips and objected, "No! I don't want to go back."
Seeing this, Gu Rong spread his hands toward Chen Xin, a wry smile flashing across his face.
"Rongrong, your father hasn't seen you absorb a Soul Ring yet. Let Uncle Bone take me along so I can watch you, too." Ning Fengzhi gently stroked Ning Rongrong's head, his face full of affection and his voice soothing.
Ning Rongrong turned around, hesitation written all over her face. She stole a glance in Han Yu's direction and murmured, "But..."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and softly reassured her, "With your Grandpa Sword here, who could possibly hurt Han Yu?
"We'll be back soon. Once Han Yu finishes absorbing it, you can show him your new Soul Skill."
After everyone urged her, Ning Rongrong pouted, took Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi by the hand, and left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, looking back at every step.
Things were different now. From the moment Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul evolved, she had become the most important person in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi would sooner let himself be hurt than allow Ning Rongrong to suffer even the slightest injury.
So they used absorbing a Soul Ring as an excuse to trick Ning Rongrong into leaving. Then they could pretend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had come under attack, giving her a reason to return to the sect with them.
Watching Ning Fengzhi and the others leave, Han Yu guessed, "Teacher, the sect master is taking Rongrong back to the sect, right?"
"That's right. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is of great significance, and she'll be safer in the sect." Chen Xin nodded.
Han Yu's gaze flickered as he asked in puzzlement, "The sect master... isn't he going to take an Immortal Herb?"
Chen Xin sighed softly and shook his head, gazing after Ning Fengzhi as well.
Ning Fengzhi had given the only Aromatic Silk Beauty Immortal Herb to Ning Rongrong. With Gu Rong's Martial Soul already evolved by the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Ning Fengzhi had mastered himself and given up the opportunity.
There were many kinds of Immortal Herbs here, but each had its own particular properties. Absorbing one completely required meeting conditions that were nearly exacting. Ning Fengzhi had discovered this after studying the Ye Family Records, and resolutely decided against taking any of the other Immortal Herbs, leaving them for someone in the sect who was better suited.
Han Yu couldn't help nodding, genuinely impressed.
In his mind, Ning Fengzhi had been a sect leader with a merchant's nature, someone who put profit first. After what he'd seen today, he felt he hadn't understood him well enough.
Ning Fengzhi was clearly a greedy man—but one who put the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's interests above all else.
Perhaps someday, he could use his Second Martial Soul to help Ning Fengzhi evolve.
Han Yu drew his thoughts back and looked at Chen Xin, who had remained by his side. "Teacher, why don't you go take an Immortal Herb, too? That Ink Jade Divine Bamboo can help you break through your bottleneck."
Chen Xin's eyes lit up at this, but he still shook his head and refused.
"I'm not at ease leaving you."
Warmth bloomed in Han Yu's chest. He quietly glanced back and motioned for Chen Xin to come closer.
Chen Xin was amused by Han Yu's mischievous little gesture. He paused, then discreetly set up a soundproof Soul Power barrier and leaned toward Han Yu's ear.
"When did you become so knowledgeable about poison?" Chen Xin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Han Yu gave him an innocent smile and pointed elsewhere, answering with a guilty look, "Teacher Gu Rong secretly taught me."
"Hmph. He's teaching you all these dirty tricks." Chen Xin grumbled unhappily.
The soundproof Soul Power barrier quietly vanished. Chen Xin transmitted his voice to Dugu Bo in the distance, asking him to come over.
After settling his granddaughter, Dugu Bo calmly headed over.
If Bone Douluo had been here, he absolutely wouldn't have trusted him. But when Sword Douluo, whose Sword Heart Clarity was unmatched, called for him, he had no need to worry. Given Sword Douluo's character, he would never resort to underhanded tricks.
"Your Excellency, Chen Xin." Dugu Bo bowed respectfully.
Repeating the words Han Yu had just taught him, Chen Xin spoke with a grave, earnest expression. "Dugu Bo, have you taken the wrong path in your cultivation?"
"What... what do you mean?"
Chen Xin smiled and said, "On rainy days, both sides of your ribs go numb and itchy. It flares up once at noon and once at midnight. Late at night, you feel stabbing pains at the top of your head and the soles of your feet, followed by convulsions throughout your body. These are signs that poison has seeped into your marrow."
"How could you know that?!" Dugu Bo was utterly shocked. He stumbled backward several steps, his voice full of disbelief.
He was the only one who knew about this. He had never told anyone.
"Please, Your Excellency Chen Xin, save me! Save my granddaughter!" Dugu Bo dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice thick with emotion.
Chen Xin froze, at a loss, and glanced at the instigator. Han Yu looked just as stunned.
According to their plan, Chen Xin was supposed to tell Dugu Bo that he was poisoned. Dugu Bo would refuse to believe it, and then Han Yu would step in and win over this newly joined Titled Douluo.
Neither of them had expected Dugu Bo to believe it right away—and then keep begging Chen Xin to save him and his granddaughter.
Han Yu helplessly spread his hands and secretly gave Chen Xin a thumbs-up.
There was nothing for it. His teacher was practically a paragon of virtue; his personal charm was just that powerful.
Han Yu spoke softly. "Your Excellency Dugu Bo, I actually have a way to remove your poison."
Dugu Bo turned toward Han Yu, suspicion rising in his eyes.
"He can do it." Chen Xin sent out a thread of Soul Power to lift Dugu Bo to his feet.
"Holy Son Han, if you can save me and my granddaughter, I'll devote myself to serving you from now on."
Dugu Bo drew a deep breath, put aside his doubts, and looked at Han Yu with sincere determination.
Han Yu smiled faintly, coaxed a drop of blood glowing red and blue from his fingertip, and flicked it gently toward Dugu Bo.
"Swallow this drop of blood, then circulate your Soul Power and guide it through every part of your meridians. When the poison has completely enveloped it, merge it into your Soul Bone."
"Soul Bone..." Dugu Bo cupped the drop of blood in both hands, his eyes gradually brightening.
Driving the poison into his Soul Bone was a path he had never considered. Since his Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, was a Beast Martial Soul, he had always cultivated by fusing the deadly poison into his own body. As a result, the stronger his poison cultivation became, the more agonizing the backlash grew.
"Thank you." Dugu Bo smiled, gave Han Yu a long, deep look, then tipped his head back and swallowed the drop of blood.
A moment later.
Dugu Bo opened his eyes, his face alight with excitement. He bowed deeply to Han Yu, who was in the spring, joy shining in his eyes.
He had followed Han Yu's instructions, and he had truly managed to move the poison—which had nearly fused with his body—into his Soul Bone. If he kept doing this, one day he would be able to rid himself of the poison completely.
"Dugu Bo pays his respects to the Holy Son." Dugu Bo dropped to one knee, his voice utterly sincere.
Han Yu smiled warmly, his voice carrying a hint of temptation. "There's no need, Your Excellency. You've already joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; this is what I should do.
"Since that's the case, why not take the Snowy Swan Kiss and increase your strength, so you can better serve the sect?"