"A secret art? What secret art!"
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. Of the three methods, this one sounded the most reliable. A secret art could be passed down. If it truly worked, the Dugu Family's flaw would be solved as easily as splitting bamboo.
Ji Hongchen hesitated, then said after a moment's thought, "Senior Dugu, this secret art is a technique handed down in my family. Under normal circumstances, we don't readily teach it to outsiders."
"So I'd like to ask you to provide Dao Protection for me from now on and ensure my safety. In exchange, I'll teach you the secret art. How does that sound?"
Dugu Bo barely hesitated. "Of course. I, Dugu Bo, swear on my own martial soul: if you truly solve the Dugu Family's problem, I will provide Dao Protection for you!"
He had actually sworn on his martial soul.
Dugu Bo really was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve.
Ji Hongchen no longer hesitated, but he glanced around with a troubled expression. "Senior Dugu, do you know somewhere with abundant soul power? That would improve our chances of success."
Dugu Bo patted his chest. "I know just the place. I have a Medicinal Garden with abundant soul power. It'll be perfect."
"All right, let's go now!"
With that, Dugu Bo made to grab Ji Hongchen and fly straight off.
But Ji Hongchen waved a hand.
Then he pushed open the door and summoned the Jinghong Sword.
Under everyone's gaze, he rose into the air on his sword.
"Senior Dugu, let's go."
A flicker of surprise crossed Dugu Bo's eyes as he watched Ji Hongchen flying on his sword, but he said nothing more. Resolving the martial soul's flaw came first.
Sunset Forest.
With Dugu Bo leading the way, they soon reached a valley deep within the forest. It lay beneath a sheer cliff, and the dense woods surrounding it made it difficult for ordinary people to discover.
They entered the valley.
White mist swirled before them, and a faint smell of sulfur hung in the air. At the valley's center lay the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, half deep crimson and half azure blue.
Even though he had seen it in the animation.
Standing before it in person was still breathtaking.
Ji Hongchen drew a deep breath, his voice filled with emotion. "Senior Dugu, everything in this treasure land of yours is precious. Even a single plant making its way into the outside world would be enough to shake the realm."
"Really?" Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, before regret crossed his face. "Unfortunately, all I've been doing is guarding a treasure land without knowing how to use any of these herbs."
"If you can resolve the Dugu Family's martial soul flaw, I can give you all these herbs to use."
Though tempted, Ji Hongchen didn't recognize most of the immortal herbs. He could only barely identify those that had appeared in the original story.
As for the other immortal herbs, he knew nothing about them.
Still, that was enough. After all, a person could consume two or three immortal herbs at most, and he had already made his choices. Naturally, he didn't need so many.
If all else fails, I'll seek out the Ye Family later and see if I can borrow their Herbal Compendium, so I don't end up eating myself to death.
"Come on. I'll help you resolve the hidden danger in your body first, Senior Dugu, and teach you the secret art along the way."
Ji Hongchen sat down nearby.
Dugu Bo immediately became fully alert, listening with his complete attention.
"The secret art I'm going to explain is the Soul Core Method. It can help you condense a soul core in your dantian to absorb the toxins, allowing you to turn them to your own use."
"Listen carefully."
"Do this and this, then that and that..."
Dugu Bo listened intently. Only after Ji Hongchen finished did understanding dawn on his face. "To think such a secret art exists. Truly profound."
He began condensing his soul core.
As a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo possessed immense soul power and ample experience. Under Ji Hongchen's guidance, a Jade-Green Poison Soul Core soon formed in his dantian.
Whoosh~
A wave of soul power spread outward.
Dugu Bo opened his eyes with a satisfied smile. As he felt the changes within his body, he found his toxins had grown even more potent. His strength had doubled, and he had reached rank ninety-three.
If he waited a few more years...
He might even reach rank ninety-five and experience the might of a Super Douluo. When that happened, that bastard Chrysanthemum Guan would fall to a single dose of poison!
Hahaha!!
Dugu Bo threw his head back and laughed. Then he noticed Ji Hongchen giving him a strange look from nearby and cleared his throat. "Ahem. Hongchen, you've done very well. My whole body feels much better."
"Pick whatever herbs you like from this Medicinal Garden. Whenever you want something in the future, just take it."
Ji Hongchen smiled and waved a hand. "There's no hurry, Senior Dugu. I plan to obtain my third soul ring first, then return to pick the immortal herbs."
Dugu Bo nodded. "That's fine. Since we're already in Sunset Forest, why don't I help you hunt for a soul ring right now?"
"My Rongrong has also reached rank twenty, so sorry for the trouble, but we'll need to go back first. I promised her we'd hunt for soul rings together." Ji Hongchen had no intention of breaking his word.
Besides, Ning Rongrong had a fairly good temper at present.
Other than being a little mischievous, she was fine.
As for the spoiled young lady's temper she had in the original story, he didn't know whether he was the reason Ning Rongrong had changed so much. Though she was still a little willful, she didn't make unreasonable scenes.
Besides, Ning Rongrong was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Being a little willful was perfectly normal.
"All right. I've got nothing else to do anyway."
Dugu Bo was in such high spirits that he wouldn't refuse such a small request. He also planned to teach Dugu Yan the Soul Core Method once he returned.
Now the Dugu Family was saved.
At the thought, Dugu Bo couldn't help humming softly.
They had just returned to Heaven Dou City.
Dugu Bo suddenly stopped in his tracks, casting a wary glance at Ning Rongrong's courtyard.
Ji Hongchen also sensed something amiss.
He detected two extremely powerful auras, both even a little stronger than Dugu Bo's. But when he realized they held no malice, he breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were here.
There was also a weaker aura. Unless he was mistaken, that would be Ning Fengzhi.
He flew into the courtyard on his sword.
Chen Xin looked over in bewilderment. Seeing the youth flying through the sky on a sword, he couldn't help staring in a daze.
Swords can be used like that?
Chen Xin sank into thought. Recalling the sight of Ji Hongchen in flowing white robes, graceful and poised atop his flying sword, he couldn't help yearning for it.
Wouldn't I look even more dashing if I did that too?
Now that's a true Sword Cultivator!
Seeing Ji Hongchen return, Ning Rongrong immediately went to greet him. "Brother Hongchen, you're finally back."
As Ning Rongrong threw herself into his arms, Ji Hongchen gently rubbed her head, his voice tender. "Yes, and I gained quite a lot."
"So you're Ji Hongchen, brat!"
Just then, Gu Rong's voice rang out. Ji Hongchen looked up and found Gu Rong glaring at him in fury.
Damn it!
His granddaughter Rongrong had actually thrown herself into a strange man's arms, and the man was another sword-wielder at that. How could he not be angry?
Ning Rongrong stepped in front of Ji Hongchen.
She watched Gu Rong warily, her tone carrying the protectiveness of a wife defending her husband. "Grandpa Gu, don't be so mean to Brother Hongchen. He treats me really well."
Seeing Ning Rongrong shielding Ji Hongchen.
Gu Rong grew even angrier, but there was nothing he could do.
He could only stew in silence.
Barely any time had passed, and his precious granddaughter had already been stolen away.
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