Tang San's Transformation!

Tang San changed tack and said gravely, "Martial Soul Evolution is an act that defies heaven to begin with. If a heavenly treasure's attributes are incompatible, or anything goes even slightly wrong during the process, it could very well trigger a malignant mutation of the martial soul."

"In milder cases, the martial soul goes out of control and the mind falls into chaos. In severe cases, the body explodes, resulting in death. And... the odds of malignant mutation are far greater than those of beneficial evolution."

Dugu Bo remained seated, his expression shifting uncertainly.

Both methods had their drawbacks, but the first was clearly a little safer.

As long as he could find other soul bones, he could keep prolonging his life.

But was there really any meaning... in living on like that?

He had watched his parents die from Jade Phosphorus Snake venom, then watched his son and daughter-in-law die from it. Was he supposed to cling to life until the day he watched his granddaughter die too?

What need was there to pass down a martial soul like this?

"I've made up my mind."

Dugu Bo raised his head, a measure of relief appearing in his green eyes. "I choose the second method."

Hearing Dugu Bo's choice, Tang Tianlin raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He had thought Dugu Bo would choose the first, more conservative treatment.

After all, reaching Titled Douluo rank was no easy feat. No one wanted to pin their hopes on elusive luck.

"Are you sure?"

Tang San could not help asking as well, "As I just said, the odds of malignant mutation are far greater than those of beneficial evolution. The slightest mistake could send your martial soul out of control and make your body explode."

Dugu Bo tugged at the corners of his mouth, producing a smile uglier than tears. "I've lived most of my life. This poison has kept me alive until now, but it has also made me bury one loved one after another. As long as this Jade Phosphorus Snake venom remains uncured, my descendants will only follow in our footsteps."

"Rather than keep clinging to life, I'd sooner gamble this old life of mine. At least that could bring my granddaughter a little hope."

He was doing all this both for himself and for his granddaughter.

Tang San fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "All right. I'll do everything I can to find a compatible heavenly treasure for you."

A Titled Douluo was willing to gamble his life just to escape an ancestral curse of poison. That courage alone was enough to earn his respect.

"Then thank you, young friend."

Dugu Bo cupped his hands in a salute, then removed the Ruyi Treasure Bag from his waist. "And stop calling me Senior. Just call me Old Poison."

"This is called the Ruyi Treasure Bag. It's a storage soul tool that can hold living things, and it also contains my life's savings."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo held the Ruyi Treasure Bag out to Tang Tianlin. "If I die, I hope you can help look after my granddaughter."

"Consider this medicinal garden and soul tool a small token of my gratitude."

Seeing Dugu Bo act as though he were entrusting an orphan to them, Tang Tianlin did not refuse. He reached out and took the soul tool. "Go in peace. I'll take good care of your granddaughter."

Dugu Bo: "..."

He was not dead yet. Couldn't Tang Tianlin hope for something better?

Soon, Tang San returned with several medicinal herbs in his arms. He laid them out on the stone platform one by one and explained, "Old Poison, these two herbs that look like sweet potatoes are called Sweet Potato Golden Dragon. They're the key to helping your martial soul evolve."

"As for the other two, they're called Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. They can replenish the soul power you and your granddaughter have lost to the poison over the years."

This was already the most conservative approach Tang San could think of.

Sweet Potato Golden Dragon had mild medicinal properties and would not cause any major adverse effects when swallowed.

Moreover, immortal herbs were precious. Even though Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo, consuming one would still be enough to make his martial soul evolve.

Had Dugu Bo not already submitted to his big brother, he would never have been willing to bring these out.

The instant Dugu Bo approached the herbs, he felt an urge to devour them rise from the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul within him.

He could sense that if he absorbed this herb, his martial soul would most likely evolve.

At that thought, Dugu Bo hurriedly said with reverence, "Thank you, young friend. Thank you, Young Master. If I survive this ordeal, then whether I must climb mountains of blades or descend into seas of fire, if I, Dugu Bo, so much as furrow my brow, I'll take my own life on the spot."

"Don't rush."

Tang Tianlin interrupted, "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well has a unique environment. Cultivating or consuming herbs here provides additional benefits. You'd better bring your granddaughter here first."

"That way, even if your evolution fails, you can give your last words right away."

At the first part, a flash of delight crossed Dugu Bo's face. At the second, his smile froze completely.

A moment later, he bowed. "As you command, Young Master. I'll bring Yanyan here at once."

Soon, only Tang Tianlin and his two companions remained at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"San, what sort of immortal herbs do you think would suit me?" Tang Tianlin asked tentatively.

Judging by Tang San's willingness to use immortal herbs in Dugu Bo's treatment, his disposition was changing for the better.

Even so, he still wanted to make sure.

Hearing the question, Tang San quickly considered how his big brother could take the immortal herbs to increase his strength as much as possible.

His big brother possessed extraordinarily powerful blood vitality and a formidable physique, as well as some kind of Dragon Ball bloodline. Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum could not have been more suitable.

Tang San had also noticed that his big brother seemed to have barely cultivated his spiritual power, making Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew an excellent choice as well.

As for blood vitality, he could take Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to temper it continuously. Forging an ice and fire golden body seemed like a good option too...

The more Tang San thought about it, the more troubled he became.

After consuming two immortal herbs, the effects of any subsequent ones would be greatly diminished. He had to work out the right combination and order carefully.

As for himself, he was not part of the consideration.

After all, without his big brother, he would never have found the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Even if his big brother claimed every immortal herb for himself, he would not utter a single complaint.

A moment later, Tang San said gravely, "Big Brother, I suggest you first absorb Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew and consume Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."

"The former can improve your spiritual power, while the latter can strengthen your physique to the greatest extent."

"And after absorbing those two immortal herbs, you can take Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot together. By cultivating with the aid of the Ice and Fire Spring Eye, you can forge an ice and fire golden body."

A flash of surprise crossed Tang Tianlin's face at Tang San's recommendation.

He knew how much Tang San coveted the ice and fire golden body.

Ever since entering the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang San had looked over no fewer than ten times.

Yet now, this little brother of his had actually restrained his greed and offered him the greatest opportunity?

Without a doubt, Tang Tianlin was pleased with Tang San's transformation.

How had such an obedient, considerate little brother been raised by Gangzi into the pure-as-ice-and-jade Buddha Tang?

Sure enough, it was all Gangzi's fault.

"San, what about me? What about me?"

After Dugu Bo left, Xiao Wu, who had been silent for a long time, finally regained her liveliness. She tugged at Tang San's hand as she asked.

"Well..."

Tang San was momentarily at a loss for words.

Without his big brother's permission, he did not dare offer Xiao Wu suggestions on his own.

Seeing Tang San's concern, Tang Tianlin smiled. "Don't worry. Pick whatever catches your eye."

"As for me, the plan San suggested is enough."

With that, Tang Tianlin ignored Tang San's admiring gaze, walked to the center of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, sat cross-legged, and activated his Child of Nature ability.