Chapter 19

"I have two ways to solve your problem.

"First, I can use Life Divine Power to transform the toxins and Soul Power in your body into another form of Soul Power. But your Martial Soul might mutate. In the future, you might lose your poison attribute, and your title of Poison Douluo might exist in name only."

Dugu Bo was startled to hear this. "Divine Power? Life Divine Power?" He finally understood why he could not see through Lan Changsheng. It turned out that the man was already a powerhouse who had set foot on the path to godhood. But this method... he thought of his family's centuries-old legacy...

Lan Changsheng merely smiled and nodded before continuing, "The second method is to use Divine Power to grow an organ inside your body and give it the ability to resist and store poison, just like a snake's venom sac. I would move all the toxins in your body into this Poison Gland.

"This way, you and your Martial Soul would be more closely attuned. You would still have the ability to use poison and could keep your title of Poison Douluo. Which would you choose?"

Dugu Bo recovered from his shock and sank into deep silence. Both methods had shaken him to his core.

He knew that the moment that would truly decide his fate had arrived: would he choose change or acceptance?

"Esteemed powerhouse, could you give this old man some time to consider?" Dugu Bo cupped his fists. "Is there anything else you need? The Immortal Herbs here and this spring are yours to use as you please."

Lan Changsheng also understood that such a major decision could not be made in a short while and required careful deliberation. Since Dugu Bo had said he could use everything freely, he might as well take this opportunity to plant Ah Yin first. That would put his mind at ease, too.

Leaving Dugu Bo there to ponder alone, Lan Changsheng went to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He planted Ah Yin at the junction of the two springs, where the Soul Power in this valley was most concentrated.

Lan Changsheng dug a hole, carefully placed Ah Yin's seed inside, placed Ah Yin's seed inside, and covered it with soil. Then a drop of golden blood brimming with Life Divine Power dripped onto it.

He sensed Ah Yin's seed beginning to draw on the energy in the blood, continually sending out roots and stems that burrowed underground.

Before long, a tender shoot poked through the soil and swayed gently.

"Brother, it feels so comfortable here."

"The Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King are buried deep underground here. Their energies meet as yin and yang, creating this wondrous place. With you here, and with my Life Divine Power as well, you'll recover very soon."

"Mm-hmm!" Ah Yin said no more and began concentrating on absorbing the surrounding Soul Power. Lan Changsheng sat cross-legged beside her to stand guard, continuously supplying her with Life Divine Power.

The sight reminded Dugu Bo of his wife and child. Though the poison of their Martial Souls had tormented them until they wished they were dead, they had still comforted him constantly, telling him not to worry, to test fewer poisons, and not to torment himself.

That was why he was so determined to find a way to neutralize the poison. He wanted his only remaining relative, his granddaughter Dugu Yan, to live well.

Feeling the pure, mighty force of Lan Changsheng's Life Divine Power, Dugu Bo seemed to finally make up his mind. He approached Lan Changsheng. "Esteemed powerhouse."

"Poison Douluo, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Lan Changsheng."

"On the path of a Soul Master, those who attain greater heights take precedence. You deserve that form of address."

"There really is no need. Although we've only known each other a short time, Poison Douluo, I can tell you're a sincere person. If you're willing, we can simply treat each other as friends."

"This old man is truly humbled. You look so young, so I'll take the liberty of calling you younger brother Lan."

Lan Changsheng's expression turned a little peculiar. If they really went by age, there were probably few people on this continent older than he was. But he did not correct him, merely nodding and replying, "All right."

"Younger brother Lan, I'd like to choose the second method. I've spent my whole life pursuing ways to use and neutralize poison. Now that I have your help and know I can keep living, I can properly study the ultimate poison I've always sought and continue exploring the path of poison."

After saying this, Dugu Bo suddenly grew a little bashful. His face, long eroded by deadly poison and tinged with the emerald green of the Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass of the Star Dou Great Forest, even began to show a little star-this sight reminded Dugu Bo of himself and his family. Though the poison of their Martial Souls had tormented them until they wished they were dead, they had all kept trying.

Feeling the pure force of Life Divine Power, Dugu Bo seemed to finally make up his mind.

"Younger brother, I have another presumptuous request."

"Go ahead, older brother."

"Could you transform the toxins inside my granddaughter's body? I've thought it over. Even if her Martial Soul mutates, so be it. Let the suffering caused by this Martial Soul end with my generation."

Lan Changsheng did not know how much resolve it had taken for Dugu Bo to willingly give up the Martial Soul passed down through his family for centuries.

"All right, it's a mere lift of the hand. Let me solve your problem first, older brother."

"Then what about here?" Dugu Bo pointed to where Ah Yin's seed was planted.

"Here, right away. The Life Divine Power I've left behind is enough for my younger sister to use for a long time."

"Your younger sister!" Dugu Bo stared at Lan Changsheng and Ah Yin in shock.

Knowing what Dugu Bo wanted to ask, Lan Changsheng nodded.

This made Dugu Bo's old face redden again. A transformed Soul Beast is at least a hundred thousand years old, yet I made him call me older brother. This really is...

"Please keep our secret, older brother."

"Old..."

"Just call me younger brother. It sounds more familiar."

"Rest assured, younger brother. Even setting aside the fact that my granddaughter and I still depend on you to save our lives, while I wouldn't boast about anything else, I, Dugu Bo, value loyalty and affection above all. I'll let your identities rot in my heart and won't reveal them even in death."

"You're taking this too seriously, older brother. Come, let's go over there and settle this."

The two returned to where they had been earlier. Lan Changsheng had Dugu Bo sit cross-legged, placed his hand on his back, and slowly channeled Life Divine Power into his body.

It circulated throughout his body, beginning with his bones and gradually wrapping around his bones, blood vessels, and internal organs. Bit by bit, Life Divine Power protected them all, and Dugu Bo radiated golden light from within.

Finally, more Divine Power gathered at the front of his liver. Slowly, beginning with a single cell, it grew into an oval "Poison Gland."

The toxins throughout his body began to be absorbed by this "Poison Gland." Unlike the golden light elsewhere in his body, the area around the Poison Gland was dark green, accompanied by the sound of thick liquid.

[Ding, the host's understanding of the Law of Life has deepened, reaching the level required for the second Divine Trial. Please complete the second trial as soon as possible. Withered Wood Meets Spring: use your own power to transform a region.]

The light faded, yet Dugu Bo still felt as though he were wrapped in a warm ocean. The wrinkles on his face had diminished, black hair had begun growing again beneath the hair on his head, and his pupils had changed from emerald green to dark green. He looked more than ten years younger.

His Soul Power had also risen straight from rank ninety-two to rank ninety-four! His Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, appeared behind Dugu Bo on its own, roaring!