Yue Guan circled the medicinal garden before finally returning to Lin Feng.
His gaze fell on the jade box. After a moment's hesitation, he finally asked, "Little fellow, how do you plan to use this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?"
Lin Feng glanced at him.
"You want it, Elder Ju?"
Yue Guan did not deny it.
"It is the same as my Martial Soul. Consuming it would greatly benefit my cultivation. If you are willing to let me have it..."
Lin Feng shook his head and casually closed the jade box.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible."
The smile on Yue Guan's face immediately froze.
"Why?"
Lin Feng explained:
"Because Teacher wants these immortal herbs."
Hearing this, Yue Guan was slightly taken aback.
Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "Why do you think I came here? Before I left, Teacher privately instructed me to keep an eye out for these herbs and bring them back to Spirit City once I found them."
"As for how they'll be distributed, that is naturally up to Teacher as well."
Of course, he had made all of that up on the spot. Pope Bibi Dong had no idea whatsoever that he had come to Sunset Forest for the immortal herbs.
But right now, using her name as a shield could not have been more fitting.
Yue Guan's face immediately darkened.
He had originally intended to trade some cultivation resources with Lin Feng, or promise to do a few things for him, in exchange for the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Who knew His Holiness the Pope had already made arrangements?
How was he supposed to ask now?
"I wouldn't dare disobey Teacher's instructions either."
Lin Feng spoke with utmost seriousness. "If you really like it that much, Elder Ju, you can ask Teacher for it yourself once we return."
The corner of Yue Guan's mouth twitched.
Once it actually fell into Bibi Dong's hands, how would he get a chance to choose anything? But however reluctant he was to part with it, he could only withdraw his gaze.
"Since Her Holiness wants it, I naturally won't touch it without permission."
Lin Feng laughed inwardly but let nothing show on his face.
"Also, I'm afraid you two elders will need to hide for now."
Gui Mei looked at him.
Lin Feng explained:
"Dugu Bo still doesn't know my identity, much less that you two are here. Especially since you and he have a longstanding feud, Elder Ju. If he sees you, I'm afraid this deal won't go any further."
"I'm not in any danger here for now. Just continue protecting me according to the original arrangements."
Yue Guan glanced at the jade box again. In the end, he could only give a sullen grunt of assent.
Soon, the two figures disappeared behind the rocks once more.
Only then did Lin Feng lower his head and open the jade box, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Want to take immortal herbs from me?
It won't be that easy.
Over the next three days, Lin Feng did not rush to pick any more immortal herbs. Instead, he began preparing the medicinal solution for Dugu Bo.
All the medicinal ingredients he needed could be found in the garden.
After picking them, Lin Feng carefully processed them, then used the equipment he had brought with him to mix them in different proportions.
This first medicinal solution was primarily meant to help Dugu Bo channel his toxins and lessen their backlash. He could not use overly potent medicine right from the start.
Whenever he finished a mixture, he would release the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor and have Bibi Dong help inspect it.
"This batch is still a little too potent." The green spider on his palm stopped beside the medicine bottle, its voice sounding only in his mind.
"The poison in Dugu Bo's body has accumulated over many years. The slightest carelessness could stir up the toxins elsewhere. You need to let him adjust first."
Lin Feng nodded and noted down what needed adjusting.
Rather than pouring the medicinal solutions away, he bottled the batches separately and kept them for comparison.
Over the three days, after several adjustments, he finally produced a relatively mild medicinal solution.
On the evening of the third day.
Dugu Bo returned to the valley as agreed. Only upon seeing Lin Feng still sitting beside the medicinal garden with several medicine bottles before him did his expression ease slightly.
"Is it ready?"
"Yes."
Lin Feng picked up one of the bottles and handed it over.
"This is the amount for the first trial. Take a look first. You can ask me if there's anything you don't understand."
Dugu Bo took the bottle, opened it, and sniffed it, then carefully asked about the quantities of several medicinal ingredients.
Only after confirming that they matched what had been discussed earlier did he put the bottle away.
He waited until the hour of midnight, when the familiar tingling itch began between his ribs, before finally drinking the medicinal solution.
Standing beside him, Lin Feng reminded him, "Don't rush to move large amounts of toxins yet. Follow the method we discussed and draw out only a small portion."
Dugu Bo closed his eyes and slowly circulated his Soul Power.
As the medicine gradually spread, a wisp of snake venom that had stagnated in his meridians proved easier to draw out than usual.
Suppressing his surprise, he carefully controlled that wisp of poison and gradually guided it toward his Soul Bone.
A little while later, the green light around Dugu Bo slowly faded. He did not open his eyes immediately, but carefully examined his condition again.
The tingling itch that had been unbearable during every attack had actually lessened! Although it had not disappeared completely, it was far more bearable than before.
"It works!"
Dugu Bo's eyes snapped open, and delight finally appeared on his face. The way he looked at Lin Feng was also completely different from three days ago.
This brat really can cure my poison!
"Where's the rest of the medicine?"
"You can't drink it all in one go." Lin Feng put the medicine bottles away and explained, "Today is only the beginning. After this, we'll still need to adjust the medication according to changes in the toxins inside you."
Dugu Bo nodded, then said, "As for Yanyan, I'll bring her here as soon as possible."
"That's fine. But we need to renegotiate what comes next."
Lin Feng pulled over the stool beside him and sat down.
"The immortal herbs here will be handled as we previously agreed. As for the ongoing treatment, including your granddaughter's poison, I have one more condition."
The smile gradually faded from Dugu Bo's face.
"What else do you want?"
"Two years." Lin Feng raised two fingers and said evenly, "I want you to stay by my side and serve as my bodyguard for two years, Senior."
Dugu Bo froze at first, then laughed in anger.
"You want me to act as a bodyguard for a mere Soul Elder like you? You've certainly got some nerve, brat!"
"Don't be so hasty, Senior."
Lin Feng's expression did not change.
"I can't stay here forever. I'll have to go out to train afterward. But your medicine needs constant adjustment according to your condition. You can't go searching the whole continent for me every time the poison flares up."
"If you stay by my side, I can help you deal with it at any time. I'll also take responsibility for your granddaughter's follow-up treatment."
Dugu Bo stared at him coldly.
"So following you for treatment means I have to be your bodyguard? You clearly just want a Titled Douluo to back you up."
Lin Feng smiled and said:
"I'm being honest about that too."
"You protect me for two years, and I'll take responsibility for treating the poison in you and your granddaughter. Those are my terms, Senior. Once the time is up, you can stay or leave as you please. I won't stop you."
Dugu Bo did not agree immediately. He glanced at the empty medicine bottle in his hand, then thought of Dugu Yan, his expression shifting several times.
If it were only for himself, he might not have been willing.
But Yanyan's poison could not wait any longer.
After a long while, Dugu Bo finally spoke:
"Two years, starting today."
"I'll only be responsible for your safety. If you intend to use me to run amok, put that thought out of your mind now."
Lin Feng immediately nodded.
"Deal!"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly and tossed him the empty medicine bottle.
"Also, if you can't cure Yanyan's poison, this agreement is void!"
"Rest assured, Senior."
Lin Feng caught the medicine bottle, no longer able to suppress the smile on his face. Not only were the immortal herbs secured, but he had also gained a Titled Douluo bodyguard.