Chen Mo froze for a moment. He had not expected Dugu Bo to ask this question.
Chen Mo thought it over. Although Dugu Bo had an eccentric temper, he was fairly upright.
Besides, they were working together now, and he could be said to hold the lifeline of both grandfather and granddaughter in his hands. There was no harm in telling them.
Moreover, if he did not explain clearly, Dugu Bo certainly would not take him to hunt for Soul Rings of greater age.
Chen Mo pondered for a moment, then said, "Senior, to tell you the truth, there are two main reasons I can absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring."
"What two reasons?" Dugu Bo pressed.
"First, I have Innate Level 20 Soul Power. My Soul Power is inherently more substantial than most people's, and it also nourishes my body."
"Ever since I awakened my Martial Soul, my Soul Power has been nourishing my body. It's far stronger than those of others my age," Chen Mo said earnestly.
Dugu Bo nodded.
Innate Level 20 Soul Power could indeed nourish the body.
"Second, I've taken essence gel," Chen Mo continued.
"Essence gel?"
Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then caught on and said:
"You mean the essence gel refined from the brain essence of deep-sea Soul Beasts?"
"Yes." Chen Mo nodded.
"Isn't that stuff used by nobles and wealthy people as an aphrodisiac? It can improve your physique?"
Dugu Bo frowned, feeling that Chen Mo was making a fool of him.
Hearing the word "aphrodisiac" beside them, Dugu Yan tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"Grandpa, what's an aphrodisiac?" Dugu Yan asked curiously.
"Ahem, ahem! You're a child. Don't ask about things like that!"
Dugu Bo's aged face reddened, and he hurriedly cut her off.
Dugu Yan stuck out her tongue and said nothing more, but her eyes were still full of curiosity.
Chen Mo smiled and said:
"Senior, essence gel does work as an aphrodisiac, but that's only its most basic use."
"If you cook it over a fierce flame until it becomes gelatinous, it can greatly improve your physique and temper your muscles and bones."
"What?! Essence gel can actually be used like that?!"
Dugu Bo's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.
"Yes, Senior. I happened to obtain an ancient book that recorded the proper way to use essence gel."
"Ordinary wealthy people only know to take it directly as an aphrodisiac. They don't know that after it's cooked over a fierce flame, its medicinal properties change from enhancing virility to tempering the body."
After "a little thought," Chen Mo spoke earnestly.
Dugu Bo now felt utterly dumbfounded.
In all his years, this was the first time he had heard that essence gel could be used this way.
Of course he knew about essence gel. He had even used it himself when he was young.
It was refined from the essence of deep-sea Soul Beasts, and its price was rather steep for commoners, so only nobles and wealthy people could afford it.
But everyone only knew essence gel as an aphrodisiac. No one had ever heard that it could temper the body.
"This... is this true?"
Even Dugu Bo's voice trembled as he asked again:
"Once essence gel is cooked until it's gelatinous, it really can temper the body?"
"Of course it's true."
"Aren't I a perfect example? It was taking the cooked essence gel that greatly improved my physique.
"Otherwise, how could a six-year-old child like me possibly absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"
Dugu Bo drew a deep breath and looked at Chen Mo, his eyes full of shock.
He finally understood why this six-year-old child could absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
Innate Level 20 Soul Power nourishing his body, combined with essence gel tempering it-with these two conditions together, absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring was indeed possible.
"So that's how it is..."
Dugu Bo murmured:
"In all my years, this is the first time I've heard that essence gel could be used this way. Young friend Chen Mo, could you lend me that ancient book?"
"Senior, I've already lost that ancient book."
Chen Mo spun a tale:
"But I still remember how to cook the essence gel. When there's an opportunity later, I can teach you, Senior."
"Good! Good! Good!" Dugu Bo said "good" three times in succession, so excited that even his hands shook.
A method of tempering the body with essence gel-this was a priceless treasure!
If he could learn it, his granddaughter Dugu Yan could take it too, greatly improving her physique. Her future achievements would be limitless.
Listening beside them, Dugu Yan did not quite understand why her grandfather was so excited, but she knew that what Chen Mo was talking about was impressive.
She looked at Chen Mo, her eyes full of admiration.
[Dugu Yan's affection: 35→40]
"Senior, do you believe me now?"
Chen Mo smiled. "Also, Senior, for my Second Soul Ring, I'd like a Plant-type Soul Beast around 4,000 years old."
Dugu Bo hesitated for a moment, then said:
"How about this? Help detoxify Yanyan first, then let me examine your physique."
"If you really have that ability, I'll take you to hunt a 4,000-year Soul Ring."
"No problem," Chen Mo agreed outright.
Chen Mo walked up to Dugu Yan and released his Divine Tree of Creation Martial Soul.
A small emerald-green sapling rose from his left hand, radiating a gentle green light.
That green light enveloped Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan felt a warm surge of life force flow into her body. The toxins that had tormented her for years were being removed little by little.
"It feels so good..." Dugu Yan closed her eyes, an expression of enjoyment appearing on her face.
Her body felt light and buoyant, as though she were soaking in a hot spring.
Dugu Bo watched from the side, his eyes full of anticipation.
He could sense the toxins in Dugu Yan's body diminishing.
A quarter of an hour later, Chen Mo withdrew his Martial Soul.
"Senior, the poison in Sister Yanyan's body has been alleviated by thirty percent. Once I'm a little stronger, I'll be able to detoxify her completely."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Dugu Bo said "good" three times in succession, so excited that even his hands shook.
"Young friend Chen Mo, words of thanks aren't enough for such a great kindness! If you ever need my help, just say the word!"
"You're too kind, Senior."
Chen Mo smiled and continued, "Then, about the Soul Hunting..."
"No problem!"
Dugu Bo thumped his chest and said:
"I can take you tomorrow! But first, you have to let me see just how strong your body is."
Chen Mo nodded and walked up to a large rock nearby.
The rock weighed at least five or six hundred jin. Its surface was smooth, and it looked heavy at a glance.
Chen Mo bent down, wrapped both arms around the rock, then heaved.
"Hah!"
Chen Mo lifted the five- or six-hundred-jin rock with ease!
Not only did he lift it, but he also held it up with one hand and bounced it up and down, as though he were holding a ball rather than a rock.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened.
A six-year-old child lifting a five- or six-hundred-jin rock with one hand?
That strength surpassed even an ordinary Soul Elder's!
"What do you think, Senior?"
Chen Mo put the rock down and dusted off his hands as he said:
"My physical strength is pretty good, isn't it?"
Dugu Bo took a deep breath and nodded.
"It is indeed impressive."
"But absorbing a Soul Ring doesn't depend on strength alone. It also depends on how much your meridians and Soul Power can withstand."
"How about this? I'll take you to hunt a 4,000-year Soul Beast first and give it a try. If you can absorb it easily, we'll consider ones of greater age."
Chen Mo smiled and did not argue.