This concerned the rise and fall of the Dugu Clan—an issue of great importance—so Dugu Bo didn't dare take it lightly. He brought Dugu Yan to the perimeter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Standing atop a hill, they gazed down upon the miraculous spring.
Two opposing attributes, ice and fire, coexisted within a single spring. Despite their contradictory nature, the two sides of the spring were clearly separated and distinct.
Surrounding the spring were countless rare and exotic plants. Dugu Bo held Dugu Yan's hand and leaped down the cliff's edge, landing at the spring's border.
"Yes, this is exactly how it was described in the Sea God Chronicle," Dugu Yan confirmed. "According to legend, the Sea God and his six companions ascended to godhood precisely because of the celestial herbs they acquired from this very place."
"Ascended to godhood?" Dugu Bo furrowed his brow and turned to look at Dugu Yan.
"That's right. This place nurtures rare immortal herbs that can enhance a soul master's martial spirit talent, even increase their spirit power level, all without any side effects. The Sea God Chronicle summarizes these herbs in one sentence: *'These are treasures found only in the heavens, rarely seen on Earth.'" Dugu Yan explained.
Dugu Bo nodded and led Dugu Yan to a strange-looking chrysanthemum—the only plant around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well he actually recognized.
He asked, "Since you've read the Sea God Chronicle, you should know the name and effect of this flower, right?"
It was a large chrysanthemum, glowing with a rich violet hue. Each petal was fuzzy and adorable in appearance. Though the flower was whole and beautiful, it emitted no fragrance. The golden-tinted stamen protruded nearly half a foot above the petals.
Dugu Yan smiled, "Grandfather, are you testing me?"
"This flower is called the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, a neutral immortal herb. Consuming it invigorates the limbs and unblocks meridians, granting a near-invincible body. It's especially beneficial to power-type martial spirits like the White Tiger of the Star Luo Empire and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon of the eponymous clan. It's said a Titled Douluo who had this as their martial spirit could, if they absorbed this herb, break through their limits and perhaps even reach the realm of Ultimate Douluo."
"Unfortunately, that person was already a Titled Douluo. If they had obtained it earlier in life, they might have reached godhood."
"One of the Sea God's companions absorbed this herb early on, starting with innate spirit power level eight—and eventually ascended as the War God, a level-two deity."
Dugu Yan spoke with absolute certainty.
Those who could become Titled Douluo were all supremely gifted. Even someone with innate level-seven spirit power like Zhu Zhuqing could become a god after absorbing an immortal herb—let alone someone like Chrysanthemum Douluo!
Dugu Bo nodded. "Hmm, Old Chrysanthemum's martial spirit is this very flower. I never expected it to have such wondrous effects. What a shame... this flower is in my hands, so he'll never get it in his lifetime."
Then Dugu Yan led Dugu Bo to another section of the herb garden and pointed to another plant. "Grandfather, do you know the name of this one?"
It was an unusual herb. Its stem and leaves resembled draping vines, delicate and finely structured. But atop it grew a golden tulip, radiating an opulent fragrance.
Dugu Bo frowned and said, "Don't ask me, Yan Yan. Aside from Old Chrysanthemum's Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, I don't recognize any of the herbs around this spring."
"In the Sea God Chronicle, this one is called the Beautiful Silk Tulip. It's noble and magnificent. Absorbing it allows one to draw in the essence of the sun and moon, the energy of heaven and earth. It's especially beneficial to gem-type martial spirits. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan got their hands on this, they could cultivate a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Soul Master."
"The Sea God's companion who absorbed this herb eventually became the Nine-Colored Goddess, a level-two deity."
Dugu Bo nodded again.
Next, Dugu Yan led Dugu Bo around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, pointing out herbs one by one.
"Grandfather, this is the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower."
"This is the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid."
"This is the Ghost Bamboo Camellia."
"This is the Water Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone."
As grandfather and granddaughter wandered through the area, Dugu Yan's continuous explanations left Dugu Bo increasingly humbled. He realized that he had been sitting on a treasure trove without knowing how to make use of it.
Still, the Sea God Chronicle was Dugu Yan's opportunity—a stroke of fate. Dugu Bo was truly satisfied that she had encountered such fortune.
"So, Yan Yan, which herb do you want to absorb? These gentle ones—you can take them all if you'd like," Dugu Bo said.
One immortal herb could transform a gifted soul master into a genius. If Dugu Yan absorbed even one, she too might have the potential to become a god.
"Grandfather, one person can't absorb all the immortal herbs—that would be wasteful. More importantly, we should focus on solving our clan's poison problem first."
Saying that, Dugu Yan walked toward a particular plant. Dugu Bo asked, "Is this the one you mentioned that can resolve the poison problem in our Dugu Clan?"
It was a large, pale pink flower with no leaves and a three-foot stem. Its bloom was about a foot wide. Each petal looked like translucent crystal, and the stamen glittered like amethysts embedded in its core.
"This is the Fragrant Delicate Immortal Herb. It's the bane of all poisons. While it doesn't directly detoxify, it can neutralize toxins. If we absorb this herb, our Jade Phosphor Serpent poison would no longer be a problem," Dugu Yan explained.
"But the price is that it also neutralizes the venom in our martial spirit—making the Jade Phosphor Serpent lose its poisonous trait."
Dugu Bo frowned. "Even if this herb can cure the flaw in our martial spirit, if our Jade Phosphor Serpent loses its poison, is it even still the same spirit?"
Dugu Yan nodded. "That's why this is the only solution we have—for now."
"Is there nothing else within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Dugu Bo asked.
"There is—but it comes with great risk!" Dugu Yan replied. "We could attempt to consume the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot at the same time."
"The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot? What are those?"
"They grow at the very core of the ice spring and the fire spring respectively, each absorbing the purest essence of extreme yin and extreme yang. They are two of the most potent and dangerous toxic herbs," Dugu Yan said.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's mind flashed with recognition. "You mean those two herbs near the border of freezing and scorching extremes? You're saying… those can be eaten?"
(End of Chapter)
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