The original timeline...
The audience across the continent had practically erupted into an uproar.
"What? You're saying that the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, a hereditary Martial Soul, is actually the true culprit killing its Soul Masters? That's too outrageous, too absurd."
"Brother Nan's analysis makes so much sense. And look at Dugu Bo's terrified, convinced face. That proves he's absolutely right."
"If he's so accurate, then how has the present Dugu Bo survived? And if the Jade Phosphorous Serpent had no toxins, then as a hereditary Martial Soul, at least it wouldn't have only two people left. They could even have become a small clan."
The audience across the continent felt some sympathy for Dugu Bo.
He had lost his mother in childhood and his son in middle age. If Dugu Yan's condition wasn't handled properly, he would lose his granddaughter in his old age too.
Under blows like those, managing to cultivate to Titled Douluo was already no easy feat.
Shrek Academy
"Poison Douluo was already terminally ill? That's really surprising!"
"His hereditary Martial Soul was also the true culprit that killed the Dugu family!"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun were both utterly shocked.
If Dugu Bo didn't die, forming a small clan would be a certainty, as firmly fixed as a nail in a board.
"I wonder just what detoxification method Nan Huai'an was talking about. I'm really curious!"
Ning Rongrong very much wanted to know.
This poison alone probably couldn't be completely eradicated even by Nine Heart Begonia, the hereditary Martial Soul of the undying clan.
Just who was this person, to know everything?
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lifted slightly. "This Nan Huai'an does have some ability, but he's still far behind me."
Was a mere Poison Douluo as formidable as the Bibi Dong he knew?
Tang San still thought little of it. If he had the chance, he could easily handle it with the Tang Sect Secret Arts. This was nothing to fear at all.
Worship Hall
"Poison?"
"To think there's something in this world that even I don't know."
Qian Daoliu was quite surprised.
The Jade Phosphorus Snake Martial Soul could actually turn against its owner. No wonder there had always been only two people bearing the Dugu surname. So that was why.
Golden Crocodile Douluo rubbed his chin and said:
"Big brother, if this detoxification method truly is rare, we can recruit Dugu Bo when the time comes."
After hearing this, Qian Daoliu pondered for a moment. "That makes sense!"
Pope's Palace
"Poisoned?"
"I never expected the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul to have a drawback like this!"
Bibi Dong recovered from her embarrassment and began to think. It seemed her knowledge still needed supplementing.
"Teacher, I told you, when Nan Huai'an comes back, you can just call him teacher too."
Hu Liena continued muttering.
Bibi Dong's eyelids twitched. This disciple truly had heaven-defying audacity, actually chattering on and on about this!
Bibi Dong said sternly, "Nana, I think you're getting more and more out of line."
Hu Liena pouted. "Teacher, just tell me whether what I said makes sense."
"Then let's see whether your bottom can take it!"
"Teacher, you can't spank a fox's bottom!"
Elder Hall
Having fought Dugu Bo for nearly half his life, Yue Guan felt a jumble of emotions, to say the least, upon hearing that Dugu Bo was poisoned.
He couldn't exactly call himself happy. Aside from Gui Mei, Dugu Bo was the one person he had known the longest.
"For that old poison freak to get poisoned is truly a rare sight. He's used poison all his life, only for it to turn against him."
Yue Guan felt a little regretful.
"Serious as it is, he's not dead yet. Doesn't that mean he can still be saved?"
Gui Mei watched the sky screen. As long as Nan Huai'an revealed the detoxification method, this poison could be resolved as smoothly as a blade splitting bamboo.
Sunset Forest
"He really said it?"
Dugu Bo was as astonished as if he had seen a ghost.
He had never told anyone about this Jade Phosphorus Snake venom.
How could Nan Huai'an possibly describe it without a single word out of place?
"Grandpa, why didn't you die from the Jade Phosphorus Snake venom back then?"
Dugu Yan had heard Nan Huai'an describe how serious it was, yet her grandfather was still alive and well before her, clearly as vigorous as a dragon and lively as a tiger.
"What? Is it a bad thing that Grandpa's lived until now?" Dugu Bo was almost laughing in exasperation.
Dugu Yan shook her head, her voice tinged with lingering fear. "Of course it's good. It's just that whenever I think about experiencing the pain Nan Huai'an described in the future, I get scared."
Dugu Bo pointed at the sky screen. "Don't worry. Since Nan Huai'an can explain it, he must have a way to treat it!"
The sky screen timeline...
"Teacher is amazing!"
Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly, her face full of admiration as she clapped her little hands nervously.
"Father, please don't die!"
"If you die, I really won't have a dad anymore."
Dugu Xin clung to Dugu Bo's leg, weeping like pear blossoms drenched in rain.
Dugu Bo was speechless inside. He kicked Dugu Xin away. "You brat, your father isn't dead yet! What are you crying for? Aren't you embarrassed?"
Dugu Xin wiped his tears. "I'm just worried about you, Father!"
Dugu Bo covered his forehead and sighed helplessly.
This foolish son. Your father is as vigorous as a dragon and lively as a tiger. Where do you see any sign of me dying?
Nan Huai'an looked at Dugu Xin, who was wailing for his father and mother, shook his head, and continued:
"Dugu Bo, you should actually count as the most talented person in your Jade Phosphorous Serpent lineage. Evolving it into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor was truly no easy feat. And if you can't break through to Titled Douluo within the next twenty years, you'll die sooner or later. The older you get, the sooner the poison will flare up!"
"That's indeed how it is. Young Jade Phosphorous Serpent Soul Masters don't feel it yet, but it becomes increasingly obvious as they grow older." Dugu Bo agreed with this explanation.
"So treatment is also very simple. One option is to use a Soul Bone to store the toxins and release them at intervals, expelling the poison in turn."
"The second method requires a medicinal herb to neutralize the poison, and I know where to find this herb."
Dugu Bo began to ponder.
A Soul Bone was practically impossible.
Never mind how precious Soul Bones were-even a Thousand-Year Soul Bone was hard to obtain.
As a mere Soul Saint, how could he have the backing to get a Soul Bone for this?
Then the second option was the safest approach.
Still, to think there really was a medicinal herb in this world that could neutralize the poison.
Dugu Bo came back to himself and said:
"Where is that herb? Could you take me to see it?"
Nan Huai'an nodded. "Of course. It's not in Star Dou Great Forest, but in Sunset Forest."
The original timeline
Many viewers were puzzled.
"Sunset Forest has a medicinal herb that can neutralize the poison? That can't be possible, can it?"
"We don't know, but Brother Nan certainly does. Let's just watch closely."
Sunset Forest
"Grandpa, aren't we right here in Sunset Forest? We can take this chance to neutralize the poison. Nan Huai'an really is our lucky star!"
Dugu Yan spoke with a hint of delight on her little face.
They wouldn't have to travel at all. Once the scene appeared on the sky screen, they could neutralize the poison right away.
"That may be true, but why do I keep feeling that something's off?"
Dugu Bo felt uneasy, and that feeling kept growing stronger.
Could there be some problem?
Surely it couldn't actually be in this treasured spot of mine?