Mutation

Fang Yuan nodded and reached out to ruffle Tang San's hair.

"Little San, remember this: when facing enemies, we naturally have to use every means at our disposal and do whatever it takes to win. But if we decide to help someone, then we must show a healer's compassion and do everything we can to treat them.

"The method you proposed of storing the poison in Soul Bones is indeed good, but it has its flaws. At times like this, we cannot hide those flaws. We must clearly explain the pros and cons to the person who needs help and leave the final choice in their hands."

With his teacher's warm hand resting on his head, Tang San was somewhat dazed.

This was the first time an elder had gently taught him the principles of how to conduct himself.

His heart wrapped in a warm current, Tang San answered loudly, "I understand, Teacher."

The first lesson an elder had ever earnestly impressed upon him was naturally something Tang San would remember for the rest of his life.

Fang Yuan nodded, very satisfied with Tang San's performance. Smiling calmly, he asked, "Do you have any other methods?"

Having learned the principles of conduct from his teacher, Tang San naturally no longer held anything back. He continued to Dugu Bo:

"I have another method: consume the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass that grows near the Yin Spring together with the Infernal Delicate Apricot that grows near the Yang Spring. These two poisonous herbs counter and complement one another through ice and fire. Consuming them can neutralize all poisons in the world.

"However, this method also has a drawback: all of your poison arts will be completely dispelled."

After speaking, Tang San returned to Fang Yuan's side and stood with his hands hanging at his sides, indicating that he had finished explaining his methods.

After hearing him out, Dugu Bo's gaze shifted slightly as he began considering the method this child had proposed.

"Taking both herbs at once would eliminate both the backlash of the poison and all my poison arts. The cost is too severe. It can only be used to save one's life before things become irreversible.

"Forcing the poison into Soul Bones, on the other hand, treats the symptoms but not the root cause. Still, the impact would be smaller. With the strength of a Title Douluo, obtaining Soul Bones for Yan'er would not be difficult. But the descendants of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent lineage may not have Soul Bones to save their lives in every generation."

For a time, Dugu Bo repeatedly weighed the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods.

Personally, he was more inclined toward the second method.

The reason was simple: this method would not diminish his strength.

He, Dugu Bo, bore the title of Poison and had roamed the continent for many years. He had enemies beyond counting. If all his poison arts were dispelled, would he still possess enough strength to protect his beloved granddaughter?

Dugu Bo's thoughts raced.

But just as he was about to make up his mind and have Fang Yuan use that method to cure his poison, Fang Yuan spoke with a smile.

"Senior Dugu, my disciple is still young. Of his two methods, one would greatly weaken you, while the other only treats the symptoms, not the root cause.

"However, I have another method that can solve the problem once and for all, and not only keep your strength from declining but actually increase it. Would you be interested in hearing it?"

"What?"

Dugu Bo's eyes widened.

For a moment, he wondered whether he had misheard Fang Yuan. Solve it once and for all, and even increase his strength rather than reduce it?

Even just hearing it sounded far too fantastical.

It was like a goddess suddenly descending from the heavens and asking whether you wanted inexhaustible wealth or for your beloved to live happily and long.

Then, while you racked your brains over the choice, the goddess suddenly gave a sly smile and granted both wishes at once.

This wasn't a dream, was it?

Dugu Bo stared at Fang Yuan with round eyes, his voice trembling slightly. "Brat Fang, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Dugu Bo's state of mind was like being suddenly confessed to by the goddess he had secretly admired in class—overjoyed, yet unable to believe it.

It would be fine if it were true, but if the goddess later told him it had merely been her master's assignment, his Dao heart would probably shatter on the spot.

Seeing Dugu Bo look at him so eagerly, Fang Yuan could not help but laugh. "Of course it's true."

Dugu Bo asked impatiently, "Tell me quickly. What method?"

Fang Yuan said slowly, "The poison's backlash against your body ultimately stems from a flaw in the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul. There are many poisonous Martial Souls in the world, but not every one of them affects its wielder.

"Since it is a flaw in your Martial Soul, finding a way to alter your Martial Soul will solve the problem once and for all."

As he spoke, Soul Power rippled from his body, and a purple Soul Ring emerged.

Dugu Bo's expression immediately tightened.

He still remembered that this little monster before him had relied on one yellow and two purple Soul Rings to unleash combat power beyond the level of a Title Douluo.

However, Fang Yuan was not planning a second battle with Dugu Bo. His Soul Ring lit up, and a ray of light shone upon a medicinal herb on the ground.

Within the light, the herb swayed slightly before its entire body underwent a Mutation Gu. From an herb with cicada-wing-thin leaves and an emerald-green stem, it slowly transformed into a vine-like plant of twisted, entwined growth covered in dense hooked thorns.

"This, this is..."

The sight before him left Dugu Bo so shocked that his mouth fell open.

Fang Yuan smiled. "This is my third Soul Skill, Mutation Gu. As you can see, it can cause the affected object to undergo a certain degree of mutation. However, this Mutation Gu has its limits. It cannot turn a blade of grass into a powerful animal-type Soul Beast."

Dugu Bo swallowed, looking at Fang Yuan strangely. "Can you control this Mutation Gu? You're not planning to mutate me and my granddaughter into some kind of monsters, are you?"

Fang Yuan's mouth twitched. "What are you thinking? If I wanted to turn you into monsters, I would have done so during our earlier battle. I cannot fully control this Mutation Gu. The result might improve something, but it could also make it worse.

"However, if it is combined with the herbs here and refined into pills, then it can influence the general direction of the Martial Soul's mutation and guide it toward a favorable evolution."

Dugu Bo pondered for a long while before asking, "Most of the herbs here were not planted by me. They were already here before I came. Their medicinal properties are rather strange; even I have no way to make use of them. Can you refine them?"

Fang Yuan nodded slightly. "Alchemy? I only know a little."

After a brief hesitation, Dugu Bo finally made up his mind and nodded heavily. "Fine! Brat Fang, if you can mutate my and my granddaughter's Martial Souls and completely solve the problem of poison backlash, then you will be a great benefactor to me, Dugu Bo!

"Though with your strength, there should be little in this world that could trouble you, if you ever encounter any difficulty in the future, come find me!"

Fang Yuan laughed heartily. "It is an honor for this junior to receive Senior Dugu's promise. If Senior has made his decision, then I will begin refining the pills at once and first resolve the poison backlash in your body."