Seeing Dugu Bo's reaction, Dugu Yan did not shrink back in the slightest. Instead, she nodded vigorously and declared with conviction:
"Grandpa! When have I ever lied to you? If you don't believe me, check for yourself and see if most of the poison accumulated in my body is gone!"
At her words, the suspicion in Dugu Bo's eyes wavered.
Still half-doubtful, he placed a hand on Dugu Yan's shoulder.
Hum!
Dugu Bo's Soul Power swiftly swept through Dugu Yan's extraordinary meridians.
Several breaths later.
Dugu Bo's body trembled violently!
Less?!
There really was less?!
It was true... What Yanyan had said was true!!
Dugu Bo slowly withdrew his hand. The ten fingers he held behind his back beneath his robe shook violently with excitement.
The vicious curse that had plagued their family for centuries and claimed the life of his own son had truly been mostly erased from his granddaughter's body!!
Dugu Bo slowly withdrew his hand. The ten fingers he held behind his back beneath his robe shook violently with excitement.
Dugu Bo's cloudy eyes glimmered in their deep-set sockets as he stared fixedly at Xiao Xuan. His voice trembled slightly with shock:
"Yanyan... Was it really this young friend who cured you?!"
Dugu Yan smiled. "How could it be false? Grandpa, didn't you check for yourself?"
Having received Dugu Yan's definite answer, Dugu Bo let out a long, turbid breath.
Dugu Bo strode over to Xiao Xuan and solemnly extended both his large, gaunt hands, setting them firmly on Xiao Xuan's shoulders:
"Young friend! From this day forth, you are the benefactor who gave my entire family a new lease on life!"
"Is there anything you desire, young friend? No matter what you want, even if I must cross mountains of blades and seas of fire, I will stake my life to fulfill my promise!"
Hearing those resolute words, Xiao Xuan was momentarily taken aback, then rejoiced inwardly.
It seemed he would not need to say the Immortal Herb redemption code after all.
Xiao Xuan smiled and cupped his fists. "You're too kind, Senior. Sister Yanyan has looked after me a great deal at the academy. It was only right that I help her."
At that moment, Dugu Yan stepped forward and tugged at her grandfather's robe.
"Grandpa, never mind the rest for now! Quickly, let Xiao Xuan take a careful look at you. He might be able to remove the poison accumulated in your body too!"
Dugu Bo smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Silly girl, removing most of the poison from your body was already a blessing from the heavens. As for me..."
"This Jade Phosphor Poison has tormented me for decades. It has long since seeped into my bone marrow and organs, and the poison accumulated in my body is worlds apart from yours. Why trouble young brother Xiao Xuan with such a stubborn affliction?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Xuan shook his head.
"There's no need to be so pessimistic, Senior."
"I wouldn't dare claim I can cure you with a dose of medicine, but I can at least attempt to examine you. If directly extracting the poison doesn't work, perhaps we can use other methods to find another path."
Dugu Bo went rigid and slowly turned his head.
"Is that true?!"
It was impossible for him not to want the snake venom removed!
The heart-rending agony that struck on every cold, rainy night had tormented him for half his life.
He had simply failed too many times to dare cling to such a fleeting hope again.
"I will do my utmost," Xiao Xuan said with a serious nod.
"Good! Good!"
The hope of living gradually returned to Dugu Bo's eyes.
"Then come inside with me, and we'll discuss it in detail!"
The three of them strode into the main hall.
Xiao Xuan then gestured for Dugu Bo to hold out his wrist.
He lightly rested five fingers on Dugu Bo's withered wrist and slowly channeled the breath of life within him through his fingertips and into Dugu Bo's meridians.
Dugu Bo was, after all, a Titled Douluo. His meridians had been nourished by Soul Power for years, and they were far broader than Dugu Yan's.
Once Xiao Xuan's Soul Power entered, it met no resistance and quickly found the place where the deadly poison had accumulated over the years.
Xiao Xuan attempted to dispel it with the breath of life.
At that moment, Dugu Bo's body suddenly jolted!
He could clearly feel that the cold, poisonous miasma lodged deep in the main meridian near his heart, which had been like solid ice for decades, had actually eased a little with Xiao Xuan's help!
But after several breaths, Xiao Xuan withdrew his hand and let out a long sigh.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan hurriedly asked, "Xiao Xuan, how is it?"
Xiao Xuan looked at Dugu Yan, then met Dugu Bo's anxious gaze. Shaking his head, he gave his assessment in a grave tone:
"The snake venom in your body has accumulated too deeply, Senior. It has long since fused with your internal organs."
"With my current methods alone, treatment would have little effect."
At his words, tears welled up in Dugu Yan's eyes, and their rims reddened.
Dugu Bo, on the other hand, smiled calmly and patted her back to comfort her.
"Don't cry, Yanyan. I'm used to this pain. As long as you're safe and sound, I'll be content."
"However..."
Xiao Xuan suddenly changed tack.
"As I said just now, if conventional methods won't work, we can certainly find another path with outside help!"
Dugu Yan wiped away her tears. "Is there really another way?!"
Dugu Bo's expression grew eager again as well. "Quickly, young friend, tell us. What kind of outside help do you need?!"
Xiao Xuan took a deep breath.
"If we can find one of the legendary spirit herbs to assist us... with the medicinal effects of such a spirit plant protecting your heart meridian and channels, I can then use my methods to eliminate your stubborn affliction completely!"
Xiao Xuan paused, then took the opportunity to describe the plant:
"As far as I know, that spirit herb has white petals and purple stamens, and its entire body gives off a delicate fragrance. Wherever its floral scent reaches, poisonous insects retreat and sinister filth melts away. Have you ever heard of such a plant, Senior?"
Xiao Xuan knew full well that he could use the Soul Bone method to rid him of the poison directly.
But if he did not bring up this Immortal Herb as a pretext, how could he have the old poison lead the way of his own accord to the treasure land in Sunset Forest without arousing suspicion?
After hearing Xiao Xuan's detailed description, Dugu Bo, who had been racking his brains, suddenly had his pupils contract. He cried out involuntarily:
"White petals and purple stamens... a fragrance that suppresses poisonous miasma?!"
The old man slapped the table, shock and sudden realization appearing on his aged face.
"I know where there's a plant like that!"
Dugu Bo sucked in a cold breath, his tone somewhat hurried and incredulous.
"To tell you the truth, I possess a secluded natural herb garden deep in Sunset Forest!"
"It's full of exotic flowers and plants, many of which even I can't identify! Beside one of the springs, there happens to be a strange plant that matches your description exactly, young friend!"
Here it comes!
Xiao Xuan rejoiced inwardly, though he maintained a look of shock on his face.
"Is that true, Senior? If so, all the deadly poison in your body can be eliminated!"
Dugu Yan, standing beside them, was delighted as well. "Grandpa! What are we waiting for? Hurry and take Xiao Xuan and me to see it!"
"Good! We'll set out right now!"
Dugu Bo nodded excitedly, and the three of them set off for Sunset Forest.