Mutation

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

"Remember this, Xiao San. When facing enemies, we should naturally use every means at our disposal and win by any means necessary. But if we decide to help someone, then we must show the compassion of a healer and do our utmost to save them.

"The method of storing poison in spirit bones that you proposed is indeed good, but it also has its flaws. At times like this, we cannot conceal 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.

Warmth flooded his heart, and Tang San answered loudly, "I understand, Teacher."

Naturally, Tang San would remember for the rest of his life the first teachings he had ever received so earnestly from an elder.

Fang Yuan nodded, greatly satisfied with Tang San's response. Smiling faintly, he asked, "Do you have any other methods?"

Having learned how to conduct himself from his teacher, Tang San naturally stopped holding back. He continued speaking to Dugu Bo.

"I have another method. Take the Star Anise Mysterious Ice Grass growing near the Yin Spring together with the Infernal Delicate Apricot growing near the Yang Spring. These two poisonous herbs counterbalance one another through ice and fire, complementing each other. Taking them can neutralize all poisons under heaven.

"However, this method also has a flaw: all of your poison-based cultivation will be completely eradicated."

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

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

"Taking two medicinal herbs at once to eliminate both the backlash poison and all my poison-based cultivation carries far too heavy a price. It can only be used to preserve one's life before matters become irreparable.

"Forcing the poison into spirit bones may treat the symptoms rather than the root cause, but at least the effects will be less severe. With my strength as a Titled Douluo, obtaining spirit bones for Yanzi would not be difficult. But the descendants of the Jade Phosphor Serpent line may not have spirit bones to save their lives in every generation."

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

For himself, he leaned more toward the second method.

There was no other reason. This method would not diminish his strength.

He, Dugu Bo, bore the title of Poison and had roamed the continent for many years. It could be said that he had countless enemies. If all his poison-based cultivation were erased, would he still have 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 this method to cure his poison, he heard Fang Yuan speak with a smile.

"Senior Dugu, my disciple is still young. Of his two methods, one would greatly reduce your strength, while the other only treats the symptoms rather than the root cause.

"However, I have another method that can solve the problem once and for all, while increasing your strength rather than reducing 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 instead of diminishing it?

Even 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 a happy, long life.

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

This isn't a dream, is it?

Dugu Bo stared wide-eyed at Fang Yuan, his voice trembling slightly. "Boy 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, his joy mixed with disbelief.

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

Dugu Bo asked impatiently, "Quick, tell me. What method?"

Fang Yuan said slowly, "The poison's backlash against your body ultimately stems from a flaw in the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul. There are quite a few poisonous martial souls in the world, but not every one of them affects its wielder.

"Since it is a flaw in your martial soul, then changing your martial soul will solve the problem once and for all."

As he spoke, soul power stirred around him, and a purple soul ring emerged.

Dugu Bo's expression immediately tightened.

He still remembered that this little monster before him had unleashed combat strength surpassing that of a Titled Douluo with three soul rings—one yellow and two purple.

But 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 undergoing a mutation throughout its entire body. From a herb with cicada-wing-thin leaves and an emerald-green stalk, it slowly transformed into a vine-like plant of twisted, intertwining growth covered in dense hooked thorns.

"Th-this is..."

The sight before him left Dugu Bo gaping in shock.

Fang Yuan smiled. "This is my third soul skill, Mutation. As you can see, it can cause affected objects to undergo a certain degree of mutation. However, such mutation has limits. It cannot turn a blade of grass into a powerful beast-type soul beast."

Dugu Bo swallowed and looked at Fang Yuan strangely. "Can you control this mutation? You're not planning to mutate my granddaughter and me 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 completely control this mutation. The result may become better, but it may also become worse.

"However, if it is combined with the herbs here to refine medicinal pills, then the general direction of the martial soul's mutation can be influenced, guiding it to evolve in a positive direction."

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 arrived. Their medicinal properties are rather strange, and even I cannot do much with 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. "Good! Boy Fang, if you can mutate my granddaughter's and my martial souls and completely resolve the problem of poison backlash, then you will be the great benefactor of me, Dugu Bo!

"Though with your strength, there should be little in this world that could be considered troublesome to you, if you ever face any difficulties in the future, come find me!"

Fang Yuan laughed heartily. "It is my honor to receive a promise from Senior Dugu. If Senior has made his decision, then I will begin refining the pills at once and prepare to first resolve the poison backlash in your body."