A Walking Fountain Joins the Team

Dugu Bo pulled Dugu Yan aside to a deserted spot before speaking.

"Yan Yan, Grandpa has kept something from you for a long time.

"In the Dugu Family, everyone who awakens the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul suffers a backlash from its poison. Your father was slowly consumed by the Jade Phosphorous Poison his own Martial Soul produced, and it eventually took his life."

Dugu Bo paused, his gaze settling on Dugu Yan.

"The same deadly poison has built up inside me. And you can't escape this fate either."

Dugu Yan froze. Her face gradually turned pale, and she couldn't keep the tremor from her voice.

"So... you brought me here to tell me I'll die from the poison someday too?"

Dugu Bo shook his head, a rare note of joy entering his voice.

"Quite the opposite. Grandpa found an expert who can fix this fatal flaw in our family's Martial Soul!"

He patted his chest, showing her how healthy he looked.

"Look at me. The poison inside me is under control now. Even my hair has gotten much darker."

"Grandpa, take me to him!"

Dugu Yan grabbed Dugu Bo and started dragging him away. But after only two steps, she stopped short, as though something important had just occurred to her.

"Grandpa, can that expert fix flaws in other Martial Souls too?"

Dugu Bo blinked. "He probably can. Why do you ask?"

"Wait here for me!"

With that, Dugu Yan turned and hurried toward the Training Ground.

"Lingling!"

Dugu Yan spotted Ye Lingling from afar and called out to her.

Ye Lingling, who was practicing teamwork with the others, stopped and turned to look at her in confusion.

"Yan? What is it?"

Without another word, Dugu Yan caught Ye Lingling by the wrist and pulled her away.

"Forget practice for now. I found an expert who might be able to fix the flaw in your Martial Soul."

Ye Lingling's eyes widened, excitement creeping into her voice. "Really?!"

"Yes! My grandpa has already proved it works!"

Dugu Yan nodded firmly, her expression earnest.

Ye Lingling trembled slightly. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she gripped Dugu Yan's hand, her voice catching.

"Thank you, Yan. I don't know how I can repay you... I..."

Dugu Yan smiled and patted the back of her hand.

"Since when do we need to talk like that? Come on, let's find Grandpa."

When the two of them reached Dugu Bo, he finally understood why his granddaughter had asked that question.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia. A bloodline passed down through a single heir. That family had suffered its share of misfortune too.

Ye Lingling bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior Dugu."

Dugu Bo nodded slightly, his expression grave as he spoke plainly.

"Girl, I should tell you this upfront. That man may be able to fix your Martial Soul, but the price could be steep. It might cost you the rest of your life."

Ye Lingling did not hesitate. Her gaze was resolute.

"Senior Dugu, the Nine-Hearted Begonia's fate has haunted my mother all her life. It's a burden our entire family has carried for generations.

"If this flaw in our Martial Soul can be fixed for good, I'm willing to pay any price."

Beside her, Dugu Yan caught the troubling implication in his words. She turned and eyed Dugu Bo suspiciously.

"Grandpa, what price did you pay to have that expert fix our Martial Soul?"

Dugu Bo coughed twice. Unwilling to discuss it, he brushed her off.

"Ahem... it was nothing serious. We should get moving. Let's not keep that expert waiting so long that he loses patience."

But the more he evaded the question, the more suspicious Dugu Yan became.

Then there was what he had said about Lingling giving up the rest of her life.

Wait... Grandpa didn't sell himself off, did he?!

Before long, Dugu Bo brought Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling straight to the Guest Room in the Crown Prince's Residence.

The room was clean and tasteful, its furnishings simple and orderly.

Lu Chuan sat inside. As the three entered, his gaze fell on the two young women, and he calmly looked them over.

Purple hair, green eyes, and all ten fingernails gray. She had clearly been poisoned for quite some time. This had to be Dugu Yan.

The other had short silver hair and an elegant, cool demeanor. Given how close she was to Dugu Yan, she was probably Ye Lingling.

Their looks, figures, and bearing were much as Lu Chuan remembered from the anime.

"Friend, this is my granddaughter. What do you think...?"

Lu Chuan nodded slightly. Without wasting words, he tossed a Poison-Locking Pill to Dugu Yan.

"Take it. I'll help guide the poison inside you in a moment."

Dugu Yan instinctively looked at her grandfather. When he nodded, she hesitated no longer and swallowed the pill.

Lu Chuan stepped forward and took her wrist. Soul Power flowed through his fingertips into Dugu Yan's body as he slowly began to guide and untangle the Jade Phosphorous Toxin that had accumulated over the years.

"Mmm~"

A moan of relief escaped Dugu Yan. The moment she realized what she had done, she hurriedly covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing scarlet.

Fortunately, she was still young, and little poison had accumulated in her body. Before long, the Poison Pill had formed.

During the process, her short purple hair gradually darkened to black, and her fingernails returned to normal.

Lu Chuan released her wrist. "There. It's done."

Dugu Yan let out a long breath, her face bright with delight.

"Thank you! I really do feel lighter all over."

Seeing the change in her friend, Ye Lingling looked on with envy. Her hopes rose, and she took a step forward.

"Senior, may I ask if the Nine-Hearted Begonia's curse can be lifted? And if it can, what price would I have to pay?"

She clasped her hands tightly, a faint tension in her voice.

Lu Chuan did not answer at once. Instead, he rubbed his chin and circled Ye Lingling, studying her.

That only made her more nervous. She stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move.

Dugu Yan held her breath too, silently awaiting Lu Chuan's verdict.

Lu Chuan thought for a moment.

Fixing the Nine-Hearted Begonia's problem was not particularly difficult. One of the Immortal Herbs was bound to help.

In truth, the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul already had exceptional healing power. Once its innate flaw was removed, that power would grow even stronger.

Besides, the effectiveness of her Spirit Ring abilities depended on the Soul Power she put into them and the ages of her Spirit Rings. With enough Soul Power, she could even save someone on the brink of death from severe wounds.

And if he replaced that Soul Power with Dou Qi...

Good grief. She really would become a walking fountain of healing.

Then he could not only buy and sell goods, but offer rapid healing on the side.

Lu Chuan's eyes lit up. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"I can fix your Martial Soul, but you'll have to become one of my people and work for me."

"I agree," Ye Lingling said without hesitation.

"Straight to the point. Sign this contract."

A golden contract took shape in front of Ye Lingling, and she signed it without hesitation.