Chapter 167: Communication with Dugu Bo

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After the intellectual property rights of the Huo Family's medicinal bath formula were applied for, the Martial Soul City promptly dispatched a scout-type reconnaissance soul master to provide a response within three days.

The intellectual property rights of the medicinal bath formula were confirmed, stipulating that only the Huo Family or those authorized by them could produce and sell it. Unauthorized production and sale could be reported to the local Martial Soul Halls for enforcement by their law enforcement personnel.

In return, the Huo Family needed to pay the Martial Soul Hall one hundred thousand gold soul coins annually.

Furthermore, the Martial Soul Hall collaborated with the Huo Family, purchasing a ten-year authorization for the formula to be published in the "Martial Soul Times," showcasing the Martial Soul Hall's sincerity across the continent.

Following this, many small clans, having purchased a large wave of raw materials, promptly applied to the Martial Soul Hall for proof of the relevant medicinal bath formula.

Correspondingly, on the continent, the industries of herb collection and cultivation flourished, with even some elderly specialists dedicated to medicinal formula research taking on apprentices to study the effects of various plants, beginning to improve and create entirely new formulas.

Although it was best to keep the optimal formula proportions secret, within just a month, several thousand new formulas had been disseminated.

"As expected, it's through the collision of everyone's wisdom that we can usher in a brighter future." Tang San purchased a large pile of various finished medicinal bath formulas and began analyzing their compositions.

In this endeavor, Xiao Wu was of great help.

After all, she had undergone the transformation of a hundred thousand year soul beast. Although she knew nothing about formulas, she could instinctively sniff out what plants the medicinal powder was made from and in what proportions they were mixed to be more beneficial to the human body.

As a result, in just half a month, Tang San had concocted a brand new medicinal bath formula: Hundred Herbs Bath.

Tang San, based on his own physical condition, first used it and found it beneficial for cultivating Qi and consolidating bones. He then adjusted the corresponding water-to-powder ratio according to Xiao Wu and Guang Ling's physical conditions, allowing them to take the bath.

The speed of both girls' bone consolidation increased, and they were even slowly enhancing their soul power.

"San Ge, I also have a talent for blending medicines." Xiao Wu gained confidence in pharmacy with the successful concoction of the Hundred Herbs Bath.

Tang San was pleased to see this.

However, in Tang San's view, Xiao Wu might not be able to tolerate the current medical practices on the Douluo Continent. The dense and intricate characters in those medical books would test her endurance over a month, which remained uncertain.

"Interest is a good thing, but don't be inconsistent." Tang San encouraged her.

"Hehe, when did Sister Xiao Wu ever give up?" Xiao Wu patted her chest, made a promise, and then, seeing the densely packed characters in the medical book, she suddenly felt despondent. "Is this really a prescription and not some child's scribble?"

The prescriptions on the Douluo Continent were no different from those written by modern hospital doctors, with extremely abstract characters that ordinary people couldn't understand.

"Naturally, you'll learn in the future." Tang San handed Xiao Wu a notebook, which contained the comparison between the characters written by doctors and normal characters, summarized by him over the past half month.

Only in this way could Xiao Wu understand them.

Xiao Wu suddenly felt like she was back at the stage of learning to recognize characters at the Nuoding Academy. Everything had to start from scratch...

...

While Xiao Wu was earnestly studying, Tang San was summoned by Dugu Yan.

"Dugu Yan called San Ge out for what? Could she have developed feelings for him?" Xiao Wu noticed Dugu Yan's figure, feeling a bit nervous. "Really, one by one, they all lean towards San Ge. Zhuqing, Huo Wu, and now Dugu Yan. Wasn't she supposed to be with Yu Tianheng? Did they really break up?"

However, Dugu Yan coming to find Tang San was not as Xiao Wu had imagined. It was Dugu Bo who wanted to see Tang San.

"Dugu Bo, Senior?" Tang San was slightly surprised but quickly regained his composure. "It seems he's also aware of the effects after you absorbed the Pearl Snake Grass and wants to ask me about something."

Dugu Yan smiled helplessly. "Indeed, you can't hide anything from you. Also, if anyone else knew my grandfather wanted to see him, they'd probably be scared stiff. Even Yu Tianheng would be nervous. But you, you're not worried at all."

"Haha, I naturally have no reason to worry. After all, I have no conflicts with your grandfather. As a Titled Douluo, he wouldn't bully a Soul Ancestor like me," Tang San said casually. "Moreover, I think your grandfather might have some requests. After all, his martial soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent, and without knowledge of the Pearl Snake Grass, he must be deeply poisoned. Without a remedy, he wouldn't be able to suppress the poison of his martial soul."

"You guessed it right," Dugu Yan chuckled. "But my grandfather imitated the circulation of soul power in my fourth soul skill, condensing the poison of the martial soul into the poison beads created by the poison control method he experimented with in his early years. It's much easier now, but he's already a Titled Douluo, deeply poisoned. Although imitation is imitation, it's not as convenient as my fourth soul skill."

"Speaking of the fourth soul skill, I don't know what name you've given it," Tang San asked.

"Emerald Scale Bead." Dugu Yan opened her mouth, and a green bead was spat out, suspended in front of her, emitting misty energy in red, blue, and purple colors.

"Red is the toxin from my first soul skill, which can increase my attack and speed by twenty percent by stimulating nerves and muscles; blue is the toxin from my second soul skill, which can paralyze opponents and increase my defense by thirty percent; the toxin from the third soul skill is purple, which can stimulate internal organs, achieving an enhancement effect of about thirty-five percent on soul skills," Dugu Yan explained.

This was the first time Tang San had heard about the effects of Dugu Yan's two soul skills. "The degree of enhancement is a bit small, but the main function is poison, not amplification skills, right?"

"Exactly, the main focus is poison, not amplification. Therefore, the enhancement to oneself is far less than those skills primarily focused on amplification," Dugu Yan said with a smile.

"However, what I just said was the effect before adding the fourth soul ring. After obtaining the Emerald Scale Bead as a soul skill, the stimulating effects of the toxins from the first three soul skills on the body have greatly increased, reaching fifty percent. Moreover, due to the control of the bead, the damage of these toxins to my body is almost negligible. Even if my soul power is squeezed out, after resting for a night, I can recover. However, using this method of squeezing soul power may damage cells and reduce lifespan."

For now, Dugu Yan's martial soul poison had been completely resolved.

As for squeezing soul power... that was definitely a last resort and only done under extreme circumstances.

Arriving at the Dugu Manor, Tang San found it quite deserted, without any servants.

Dugu Yan explained, "Our family is different from other manors. We don't have servants. Daily cleaning is done by hiring relevant cleaning personnel from the city, and some places are off-limits... You know, those of us who play with poison always have some things that can't be seen in the light."

"Understood," Tang San didn't inquire further, just followed Dugu Yan into the living room.

"Haha, Grandmaster Tang San, I've heard so much about you. Meeting you today, you truly live up to your reputation," Dugu Bo rose from his seat and greeted Tang San with hearty laughter.

"Met Poison Douluo, Senior." Tang San clasped his fists and bowed respectfully in one fluid motion.

"These formalities are unnecessary. I don't like this kind of thing," Dugu Bo personally poured tea for Tang San and asked Dugu Yan to prepare some snacks. After she left the living room, he said, "The poison in my Dugu family's martial soul is unknown to ordinary people. I didn't expect Master to solve it. I'm truly ashamed."

"It's not exactly solved," Tang San shook his head. "After all, my knowledge of poison is only superficial. Being able to solve your granddaughter's problem was just luck. After all, the Pearl Snake Grass can only solve the snake poison of a martial soul. It can't solve other toxins."

"Then let me be frank. I wonder if the poison in my body can be cured?" Dugu Bo asked, "I imitated the flow of soul power in my granddaughter's fourth soul skill and found some effect. But the poison at the Titled Douluo level is too deep. I find it difficult to eradicate. Do you have any solutions, young friend?"

"If it can be treated, there will be thick gratitude!" Tang San pondered, considering Dugu Bo's character—both righteous and evil. In the original work, after Dugu Bo learned of the protagonist's identity, his first thought was to eliminate him.

He was also very loyal and honorable, but if he didn't gain approval, he would act directly.

Moreover, directly saying that he could detoxify would not make Dugu Bo believe him like in those fan fictions. Instead, he would first poison him to see if the other party could detoxify it.

In the original work, after Tang San described Dugu Bo's symptoms of poisoning, he still had to pass Dugu Bo's test with three types of poison before he could gain some trust from the original Tang San.

In reality, the situation where Dugu Bo would be astonished by the protagonist's detoxification method and choose to become sworn brothers is highly improbable.

Dugu Bo is proud and, even if the symptoms of his poisoning were described, he would likely test to see if the other party's claims are genuine or mere empty words.

Poisoning as a test would be the most effective method.

As for whether this reflects a plea for help... As a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo can be said to be unrestrained by societal norms; he may not necessarily adhere to conventions.

Therefore, Tang San cannot describe the symptoms of Dugu Bo as depicted in the original work.

Firstly, whether the original work can be used as a reference is uncertain.

Secondly, while he has formulated the Hundred Herb Bath, it was created with the assistance of various bath formulas and Xiao Wu's sense of smell.

He himself may not be as proficient in pharmacology as Dugu Bo.

Indeed, Dugu Bo might not recognize the exotic herbs like those used in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but there are medical practices on the continent. Comparatively, Tang San's knowledge in medicine might be amateurish compared to Dugu Bo.

Hence—

"I'm sorry, I don't understand medicine," Tang San said truthfully. "However, since Senior's poison originates from the martial soul, attaches to soul power, and affects the body, then from the perspective of martial soul cultivation, I may have a method to solve Senior's problem."

"What method?" Dugu Bo heard that Tang San didn't understand medicine, and though he didn't show any reaction on the surface, he felt somewhat disappointed. But when Tang San mentioned he could approach the problem from the angle of martial souls, it piqued his curiosity.

Even if Tang San were to claim he had a detoxification prescription, Dugu Bo wouldn't believe it. But coming from a martial soul theory expert like Tang San, who presumably has extensive research on martial souls and soul power, perhaps there might be some cultivation method that could alleviate the toxin.

After all, his granddaughter was a case in point.

Although it relied on soul rings...

But apart from soul rings, there were soul bones; perhaps the bones of certain special soul beasts could also resolve the poison in his body.

Tang San didn't know that Dugu Bo was speculating about a detoxification method. Instead, he said, "Senior's symptoms are simply due to an excess of toxins. So, forcing the toxins into the soul bones may provide relief."

This...

Dugu Bo pondered for a moment—

Indeed!

Soul bones could work!

Dugu Bo was somewhat excited and then asked, "Which soul beast's bones are suitable?"

"All soul bones are suitable."

"All?"

Dugu Bo was astonished.

"Yes, all of them. After all, soul bones are foreign objects that can store soul power and even store peculiar energies. Naturally, they can also store the toxins of soul beasts. However, the toxin-carrying capacity varies with different species and ages of soul beasts. It's best to use soul bones from ten thousand years old beasts with toxins. Furthermore, they should only be limb bones, not head or torso bones," Tang San explained.

"Why can't they be head or torso bones?" Dugu Bo frowned, as he himself possessed a head bone that he had already absorbed and was eager to try.

But now, Tang San was saying it wouldn't work?

"Soul bones also have limits to their toxin-carrying capacity. Once it reaches the limit, the soul bone will be corroded to nothing, and the backlash will be even more severe," Tang San explained. "However, limb bones are different. When the toxins fill up, they can be severed. With Senior's strength as a Titled Douluo, death is unlikely, at most a reduction of ten ranks in soul power."

"I roughly estimated that given Senior's age, he probably won't reach level ninety-five or above in the latter half of his life. By the time the soul bones are almost corroded, your granddaughter should be able to become a Soul Saint or even a Soul Douluo. Moreover, she is in a relationship with Yu Tianheng. By then, they probably will be married, and you need not worry about her safety."

"Moreover, even if you lose a hand, you'll still be a Soul Douluo."

Dugu Bo's eye twitched.

This Tang San...

Feels even more sinister than him.

Cut off limbs?

Really, he can think of such things.

No wonder torso bones and head bones won't work; those can't be cut off. Cutting them off means one thing: death.

"A ten-rank reduction in soul power is unacceptable for me, or for any Titled Douluo," Dugu Bo wanted to inquire about other solutions.

Tang San released his Blue Silver Emperor, and the rich vitality made Dugu Bo feel like all the toxins in his body were suppressed.

He then said, "Look, Senior, my martial soul possesses immense vitality. When I become a Titled Douluo in the future, it's not impossible for me to regenerate severed limbs."

Hmm—

This idea is even more outlandish. However, Dugu Bo felt a bit of affinity with Tang San. If he were a bit younger, or if Tang San were a bit older, he might have considered becoming sworn brothers with Tang San.

"Do I have to guard you until you become a Titled Douluo?" Dugu Bo spoke bluntly, indicating that he wouldn't be a bodyguard unless—

"You marry Yang Yang."

"Cough! Senior, you're joking. Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng are a match made in heaven. I don't want to snatch her love, which could breed resentment, leading to corruption, and falling into evil..."

"Stop!" Dugu Bo interrupted Tang San, "Are you playing idiom games here? Do you have any other methods?"

"There's one more method." Tang San stopped the playful expression and became extremely serious.

"What method?"

Dugu Bo's expression also became tense. "Speak. I am a Titled Douluo; there's hardly anything in the world that can stump me. If you can cure me, I'm not against guarding you until you truly grow up."

"This is an extraordinary method, not easily tolerated by gods or demons," Tang San spoke with the solemnity of a sage, "Condense a Soul Core!"

"Soul Core!"

Dugu Bo cooperated by feigning a shocked expression, then stared blankly and asked, "What is that?"

"It's a cultivation method," Tang San's gaze was heavy, "Given to me by a close friend. Once you condense a Soul Core, I estimate that not only can it prevent the poison of your martial soul from causing further damage to your body, but it can also allow you to control the poison while avoiding excessive bottlenecks in soul power until you reach level ninety-five."

Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, feeling that Tang San was joking.

Although Tang San was a martial soul theory expert, he was ultimately just a Soul Ancestor. He didn't know the depth of a Titled Douluo's power... Wait, could this kid be planning to experiment with whatever "Soul Core" he claimed to have received from his friend?

Compared to Tang San's claim of receiving it from some friend, he would rather believe that it was a theory created by Tang San himself. And for theories to be published, experimentation must precede.

If the practitioner is below Soul Ancestor level, Dugu Bo believed Tang San would experiment on his own. But if they were Soul Ancestor or above, he would need someone else, like himself, a Titled Douluo.

Moreover, it wasn't Tang San who sought him out; it was he who had Dugu Yan call Tang San over.

Wasn't this considered "reaping what you sow"?

"Are you serious?"

"Unprecedented seriousness. But this cultivation method is extremely precious. What can Senior offer in exchange?" Tang San inquired.

"What do you want?"

Dugu Bo decided to believe once, and if he couldn't cure himself, all conditions would naturally be off the table.

"Make Senior a guardian on my path to growth. Senior is accustomed to freedom, and I don't have the strength to dominate Senior. Therefore, I only need Senior to provide something or somewhere that can suppress the poison of my martial soul in exchange." Tang San laid out his requirements.

Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed. "Indeed, as a martial soul theory master, you can see at a glance. There must be a method to suppress my martial soul poison for me to live till now and become a Titled Douluo... Yes, I've found a precious land. The unique environment there can suppress my martial soul poison and even allow me to cultivate to the level of a Titled Douluo."

Revealing this secret also meant Dugu Bo conveyed another implication to Tang San: If he couldn't cure him, death awaited.

"Smart lad, you should know what I mean, right?"

"Hehe, this doesn't seem like the attitude of seeking medical treatment. But I accept it. If Senior's poison isn't relieved, I'll have to snatch love from Yu Tianheng." Tang San chuckled, "I believe even if Sister Yan resents me, love will eventually blossom."

Dugu Bo: "...Are you kidding me? Are kids nowadays this humorous?"

After calming down, Dugu Bo chuckled, "So you're not lacking, huh? But if you're willing to be my son-in-law, I won't bear to let you go. Not to mention your martial soul theory, just your ability to make money and your way of protecting yourself using the Martial Soul Hall's influence, I'm inferior."

Tang San casually waved his hand, "Not worth mentioning."

Dugu Bo changed his expression and said, "So, when will you give me that method?"

"You have to take me, my sister, and my disciple to see your precious land. After all, the Soul Core method was given to me by my sister. Although I've made some modifications, I still need her approval." Tang San said calmly.

(End of this chapter)