Condensing the Poison Core

The following day at noon.

Youquan and Dugu Bo came to the edge of the Yang Spring of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. During the time Dugu Bo had been away, Youquan had discovered the spring's wondrous properties. The Yang Spring's fire element was exceptionally abundant. Due to the unique nature of her martial soul and Bone Spirit Cold Flame, the spring's contrasting cold and heat greatly benefited her cultivation. Moreover, the Yang Spring's plentiful fire element happened to restrain Dugu Bo's snake venom, making it twice as effective to condense a Poison Core here.

Youquan and Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on the rocks beside the Yang Spring.

"Senior, please relax. First, fully release your natal snake venom. Don't worry about it harming me. Next, I'll use Heavenly Flames to force the poison in your body toward your right arm bone. The process will be somewhat painful, so you must endure it. Whatever you do, don't use Soul Power to resist. If this step fails, we won't be able to proceed, and both of us will suffer backlash." Youquan's expression was grave as she gave her instructions.

Dugu Bo nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. This little pain is nothing to me. As long as I can completely resolve the backlash from my poison body, what does a bit of suffering matter? Go ahead. I trust you."

Youquan took a deep breath, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame in her hand ready. "Senior, we're beginning."

Dugu Bo instantly completed Martial Soul Possession. Youquan felt as though the senior before her had transformed into a cold, sinister giant python, radiating danger.

Youquan forced herself to calm down. Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Soul Force wrapped tightly around her, preventing her from being poisoned before she could even control the venom.

Heavenly Flames truly lived up to their name. After Dugu Bo fully released his natal Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison, the surrounding area was shrouded in emerald green. Yet the instant the poison touched the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, it was burned into nothingness.

Seeing this, Dugu Bo finally relaxed and gained confidence in what was to come.

Youquan focused intently, extending her right hand. She clenched it into a fist and held out two fingers, forming a stream of pale, icy flame at their tips. Her gaze sharpened, and her fingers struck heavily against Dugu Bo's back like lightning. White smoke hissed out continuously, and Dugu Bo could not help letting out a muffled groan.

The jade-green snake venom erupted completely. Dugu Bo's previously normal complexion was stained green, while pain and struggle flickered faintly between his brows, showing that he was suffering the backlash of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison.

Time was pressing. If they did not quickly bring the poison under control and it invaded his organs, then even with the strength of a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo would be in grave danger.

Youquan drew a deep breath and fully unleashed her Soul Force to protect Dugu Bo's meridians, heart, and lungs. Pale flames surged forth, directly enveloping his entire body.

Hiss!

Once the flames wrapped around Dugu Bo, the dense jade-green snake venom seemed to have encountered its nemesis. It erupted with sharp hissing sounds, then recoiled like lightning and all rushed back into Dugu Bo's body.

"Senior, follow my Heavenly Flames and circulate your Soul Power. Slowly gather the poison inside your body into the Soul Bone, then condense it into a core," Youquan said.

"Alright!" Dugu Bo calmed his mind and focused all his attention on the meridians within his body. Following the guidance of Youquan's Heavenly Flames, he circulated his Soul Power and forced all the poison in his body toward the Soul Bone.

He circulated his Soul Power through cycle after cycle, finally gathering all the poison within his body into Dugu Bo's Soul Bone.

Blocked by Youquan's Bone Spirit Cold Flame, all the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison in Dugu Bo's body gathered in his right arm bone, causing his entire right arm to swell with a terrifying jade-green hue.

"Senior, after taking this Medicinal Pill, immediately enter the medicinal bath beside you. Once you have absorbed all the Medicinal Liquid in the tub, I'll withdraw the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. Then fuse the medicine's power with the poison. The pill's power will help you condense the Poison Core." Youquan took out a medicinal tub from her Soul Tool, filled with Medicinal Liquid she had prepared in advance.

"Alright." Dugu Bo immediately swallowed the Medicinal Pill, then flashed into the wooden tub.

As he continuously absorbed the Medicinal Liquid, the vitality that had been devoured by the snake venom instantly began to recover.

"Senior, circulate your Soul Power. Combine the medicine's power, compress the poison, and form the Poison Core."

Sensing the medicinal power and the poison in Dugu Bo's right arm devouring each other, Youquan immediately spoke.

Dugu Bo did not even have time to answer. At once, he began compressing the poison as Youquan had instructed. The jade-green poison spun at high speed, forming a vortex of poison, and the rudimentary shape of the Poison Core gradually emerged.

Whew, it's finally going smoothly. Feeling that the formation of the Poison Core inside Dugu Bo was proceeding without issue, Youquan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After withdrawing the Heavenly Flames, a wave of exhaustion washed over Youquan. Though her Soul Force was powerful, her Soul Power was still weak. Helping a Titled Douluo-level expert condense a Poison Core, even if she only needed to guide it with Heavenly Flames, had utterly drained her.

Although everything had gone smoothly, Youquan still forced herself to keep watching Dugu Bo's condition in case anything unexpected happened.

Three days later, Dugu Bo finally condensed the Poison Core into shape. With the poison that had been eroding his body resolved, along with the remaining medicinal power of the pill, Dugu Bo's Soul Power unexpectedly loosened after so long. He seized the chance and made a breakthrough in one go, only waking up three days later.

Seeing that Dugu Bo was safe and had even improved in strength, Youquan finally set her mind at ease and collapsed asleep nearby.

Dugu Bo had traveled thousands of miles to help her obtain the Bone Spirit Cold Flame. After all this time, she had finally repaid most of that debt.

Youquan drifted into dreams.

Looking at the exhausted little girl, Dugu Bo shook his head with a helpless smile, his eyes carrying a trace of affection.

"Though we were not fated to become master and disciple, from this day onward, you are this old man's granddaughter. You are just as important as Yanyan. This old man will not let anyone bully you so easily—not even the Flame Sect." Remembering what Yanyan had said about Youquan and the girl deliberately avoiding people from Blazing Fire Academy, a chilling killing intent flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes.

Dugu Bo carried Youquan back and settled her beneath a comfortable quilt, allowing her to get a good night's rest.

After sleeping for an entire day and night, Youquan finally woke up, fully recovered.

"You're awake? Do you want to rest a little longer?" Dugu Bo entered carrying a food box. He had specially gone to Heaven Dou City to buy delicious food for Youquan.

"I've rested enough. Thank you, Senior." Youquan felt somewhat embarrassed.

"Calling me Senior is far too distant. Just like Yanyan, call this old man Grandpa." Dugu Bo handed her the food with a smile.

"Alright, Grandpa Dugu." Youquan answered with a grin. "Grandpa Dugu, I've rested enough. When will Sister Yanzi come? I should probably head back soon, or Crown Prince Brother will worry about me."

"Rest a little more. Tomorrow, I'll go bring Yanyan here."

"Alright."