Chapter 271: The Special Use of the Scarlet Swan Kiss

Dugu Bo was a little puzzled by Su Ming's actions, watching him wander around the area. It seemed as though Su Ming was searching for something. He remained silent, merely observing as Su Ming stopped in front of a snow-white herb.

Su Ming's face lit up with excitement. Finally, he had found what he was looking for. He waved to Dugu Bo, saying, "Old Monster, do you want to take your strength to the next level?"

Dugu Bo, sounding a bit annoyed, replied, "Of course I do!"

He couldn't deny that his overall condition had improved since gaining control over his poison. His strength had increased, and his once completely gray hair now had hints of black.

Su Ming pointed at the herb on the ground. "This herb is your key to advancing in strength. It's called the Scarlet Swan Kiss. It doesn't have any inherent poison, but when it comes into contact with any toxic substance, it can increase the poison's potency tenfold, or even a hundredfold!"

Dugu Bo, a little skeptical, asked, "You don't expect me to eat it, do you? Are you sure it won't poison me to death?"

Su Ming, who had initially been unsure, believed that with Dugu Bo's strength and his assistance in neutralizing the poison, it should work out. He looked at Dugu Bo as though he were foolish. "Old Monster, I never said to eat the whole thing at once. You can try it a little at a time, gradually increasing the dosage. That's why I haven't plucked it completely yet."

"You can use the Heavenly Poison Scripture in combination with the Scarlet Swan Kiss for your cultivation. Not only will it enhance your poison, but the chaotic energy produced during the poison's surge can also boost your soul power—a win-win!"

"But this herb isn't suitable for Dugu Yan. She doesn't have your years of experience, and if she loses control, the backlash could be fatal."

Dugu Bo nodded in agreement. Su Ming's reasoning made sense. Dugu Yan didn't need to take such risks; she could improve her strength gradually through regular cultivation.

"Are there any herbs here suitable for Yan Yan?" Dugu Bo asked.

Su Ming nodded. "There should be. Let me search for one later. For now, Old Monster, don't you want to try this one?" Su Ming gave him a teasing look.

Dugu Bo, shaking his head with resignation, replied, "Fine, I'll give it a try."

He carefully plucked a small leaf from the Scarlet Swan Kiss and swallowed it.

As soon as the leaf entered his body, he immediately felt the poison within him become highly agitated and aggressive. Despite it being just a small leaf, the toxicity of his internal poison had increased several times over! Dugu Bo knew he had to act quickly. Without hesitation, he operated his technique, forcing the violent poison back into his poison core.

After a few moments, a gleam of excitement flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. It worked!

However, the process had indeed been dangerous. He hadn't expected such a small amount to have such a strong effect. But he could clearly feel that his soul power had increased significantly.

Su Ming, who had been prepared to help in case of trouble, breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like it had worked!

"How's it going? Did your soul power improve?" Su Ming asked with curiosity.

Dugu Bo replied calmly, "It's pretty good, but reaching rank 96 will still take some time. This herb's effects are too potent, so I'll need to absorb it slowly. During this time, I can also further study this cultivation technique."

He went on, "The Heavenly Poison Scripture truly is amazing. It not only provides methods to condense a poison core but also contains the life insights of a powerful expert, as well as knowledge of many herbs and poisons. It's a priceless treasure!"

Su Ming grinned and said, "Well, Old Monster, you keep cultivating. I'm going to gather some of these herbs. Don't worry, I'll find one suitable for your granddaughter. After all, you discovered this place first—it's basically yours."

Dugu Bo didn't mind. Su Ming had already given him such an incredible gift, and he knew he could never repay him fully, no matter what. A few herbs were nothing in comparison, and Su Ming had already mentioned finding one for Dugu Yan, which was enough for him. Consuming too many herbs could be detrimental to a soul master anyway.

With Dugu Bo's permission, Su Ming began harvesting the herbs he had identified from the original story, storing them in his soul tool.

At that moment, Dugu Bo tossed something to Su Ming. "Here, take this. It's called a Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch. It can store living things. Put the herbs you collect in there so they won't lose their potency."

Although Su Ming's soul tool could also store living things, he accepted the pouch as a gesture of goodwill. It would put Dugu Bo at ease, and besides, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra storage option.

Seeing Su Ming accept the pouch, Dugu Bo smiled in satisfaction.

However, Dugu Bo's smile faltered as he watched Su Ming enthusiastically gather herbs—at least ten of them! His mouth twitched slightly. Although he had told Su Ming he could take whatever he wanted, had Su Ming really needed that many?

"Uh... little monster, I don't mind you taking that many herbs, but can you actually use them all? You know, herbs take a long time to grow. If you leave them here to keep growing, their effects might become even better."

Su Ming smiled. "Of course I know that. The herbs I'm taking will definitely be put to good use. Besides, I'm only harvesting the parts I need, leaving the roots intact. Plus, I have something that can speed up the regrowth of these herbs. Combined with the energy of this place, they'll fully recover in just a few months."

As he spoke, Su Ming poured a few drops of an unknown liquid onto the remaining roots.

Dugu Bo trusted Su Ming's words, confident that the herbs would regrow as promised.

"Alright, I've also found a herb that will work for Dugu Yan. I'll give it to her once we return," Su Ming said. "For now, Old Monster, focus on cultivating. Try to reach rank 96 soon. Then, you'll truly be counted among the top powerhouses."

Dugu Bo nodded, realizing that with his increased strength, he could finally challenge that old chrysanthemum spirit master in a proper fight. If he could reach rank 96, he would have the upper hand!