"Hey, little monster, you've been searching for so long—did you finally find a herb that can detoxify the two of us?"
Just as Wu Tong was fantasizing about undergoing a second martial soul awakening after consuming the Enlightenment Bodhi Flower, an ill-timed voice interrupted his daydream.
Wu Tong turned his head and saw Dugu Bo walking toward him with Dugu Yan by his side.
Dugu Yan was being shielded by Dugu Bo's powerful soul power, which enveloped her body to filter out the extreme forces of ice and fire surrounding them.
"Of course I found it. But old man, if you hadn't shown up, how could I dare touch your stuff?" Wu Tong replied casually, glancing at Dugu Bo.
Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. He hadn't expected Wu Tong to be so considerate of his opinion, and he couldn't help feeling touched.
"Don't worry, just pick whatever you need. I trust your character, little monster. Besides, do I look like someone stingy? If you can solve the poison problem in our family's martial souls, giving up a few herbs is no big deal," Dugu Bo said sincerely.
"Come on, I never meant to imply you were stingy. It's just that these herbs are so rare that I thought it best to make things clear up front. That way we won't argue over it later," Wu Tong waved his hand and quickly explained.
"What's so precious about a few herbs?" Dugu Bo said indifferently—and Dugu Yan echoed his sentiment with a dismissive look.
Seeing the unconcerned expressions on their faces, Wu Tong suddenly felt eager to see their reactions once they learned the true effects of the immortal herbs.
Keeping a calm face, he secretly took out a recording soul tool from his storage and prepared to document what would soon become a hilarious bit of blackmail-worthy history.
"Ordinary herbs may be common, but immortal herbs are a different story. Like the saying goes, 'This thing only belongs in the heavens; how often can mortals even hear of it?'
Each immortal herb holds the power to completely transform someone—turning a waste into a genius, and a genius into a monster.
Not only do they raise soul power without side effects, but they may even allow a martial soul to evolve."
"Martial soul evolution?" The two of them were instantly shocked. Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Could a tiny herb really cause something as incredible as martial soul evolution?
Watching their faces shift from indifferent to stunned disbelief, Wu Tong narrowed his eyes and thought, Perfect. Excellent facial reactions. Now's my chance.
In one swift motion, he raised his hand and activated the recording soul tool with lightning speed.
With a blur of button presses, he captured every frame of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's dumbfounded expressions—successfully securing another round of blackmail material.
"Hey! Wu Tong! Hand that over right now!" Dugu Yan exploded when she saw what he was doing. A rage mark popped on her forehead as she roared.
She instantly activated her martial soul, twisting her slender waist like a water serpent as she lunged to grab the soul tool.
But no matter how she tried, Wu Tong slipped away like a slick eel—completely untouchable.
Just as Dugu Yan trembled with rage but still couldn't catch him, Dugu Bo finally lost his patience.
He raised his hand and smacked a huge lump onto Wu Tong's head before snatching the soul tool away.
"Pfft. Granddaughter simp," Wu Tong muttered, rubbing his head and glaring at Dugu Bo. He knew he'd never get the recording tool back now, but still couldn't help silently judging Dugu Bo for doting on Dugu Yan too much.
Dugu Bo pretended not to notice Wu Tong's disdainful look and waved a hand to stop their bickering.
"Alright, Yan'er, that's enough. Let the little monster finish explaining."
"Little monster, are you serious about this martial soul evolution stuff? Are you saying just these herbs alone can make it happen?"
Dugu Bo was still surprised—not because he doubted Wu Tong, but because it was hard to imagine something as extreme as martial soul evolution being achieved through a single herb.
"I'm not talking about regular herbs. These are immortal herbs. And even then, martial soul evolution depends on compatibility.
If the herb matches the martial soul well, evolution is possible. If not, the best it can do is boost soul power."
Wu Tong clarified Dugu Bo's misunderstanding while also answering his question.
Hearing this, both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan sighed in relief. So, it wasn't guaranteed.
No wonder they were so shocked—just the idea of an herb being able to evolve a martial soul had shaken them to their core.
"Besides, the method I've prepared for the two of you involves immortal herbs. Once your martial souls evolve, your poison will be resolved naturally."
As Wu Tong spoke, he led the two of them to a patch where he had found the herb most suitable for Dugu Yan.
His words didn't surprise them. From the moment Wu Tong had explained martial soul evolution and immortal herbs, they'd already guessed his plan.
"This is the immortal herb I chose specifically for Sister Yan—Earth Dragon Golden Melon."
Wu Tong suddenly thrust his hand into the soil and pulled out a golden melon, roughly the size of two fists.
The melon looked like a hybrid between a potato and a yam, but gleamed with a faint metallic luster.
Holding the melon, Wu Tong explained, "Earth Dragon Golden Melon—an immortal-grade herb. It's best suited for soul masters with dragon-type or earth-attribute martial souls.
After consuming it, it can strengthen your foundation, correct weaknesses in your martial soul, and evolve your Jade Phosphor Serpent into a dragon-type martial soul.
It likely won't raise your soul power by much, but it will repair your foundation and let you go farther in the future."
"Little monster, didn't you say this Earth Dragon Golden Melon is best for dragon-type or earth-attribute martial souls? Yan'er's martial soul is neither—how can you be sure it will evolve?"
Dugu Bo asked the question with confusion, echoing Dugu Yan, who tilted her head and stared at Wu Tong, clearly waiting for an answer.
"Old man, have you ever heard of the Dragon Serpent Duo?" Wu Tong suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.
Dugu Bo gave a small nod, and Dugu Yan also seemed to recall something as she fell into thought.
"The Dragon Serpent Duo—Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang—their snake and dragon martial souls could be fused into a martial soul fusion skill. This proves that on the Douluo Continent, dragon-type and serpent-type martial souls are closely related."
Wu Tong continued, "So when serpent-type soul masters consume supplements intended for dragon-type martial souls, not only are they not harmed, but the bloodlines of dragon and serpent may merge, resulting in a new evolved martial soul.
In this case, if the Jade Phosphor Serpent merges with the Earth Dragon bloodline, the resulting martial soul will inherit the strengths of both and surpass the original. After all, one plus one is greater than two."
The two seemed to understand somewhat, but still had concerns. "You said the martial soul will evolve—how does that solve the Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom backlash?"
"I'm sure you've both read my theory on martial soul evolution. The venom in your family's martial soul is a result of a flaw.
Most likely, one of your ancestors underwent a martial soul evolution after absorbing an exceptionally compatible soul ring. But due to lacking sufficient foundation, the evolution was incomplete. The evolved Jade Phosphor Serpent Queen lacked an organ to store the poison, forcing the soul master to bear it within their body—leading to the so-called venom backlash."
"As we know, martial souls are heritable through bloodline. This incomplete martial soul was passed down generation after generation within the Dugu Clan.
That incomplete evolution became a defect. If the martial soul can evolve again—finishing what the ancestor started—it should grow the missing organ and store its poison properly, fundamentally resolving the venom backlash."
After hearing Wu Tong's explanation, the two no longer had any doubts—but then another debate arose over who would get the Earth Dragon Golden Melon.
"Grandfather, you should take it. Your condition is more urgent."
"My good granddaughter, I can still hold on. Besides, Wu Tong will surely find another immortal herb for me. He even said this one was meant for you."
…
As the two argued, Wu Tong interrupted, "Sister Yan, this one is indeed prepared for you. I've got another immortal herb planned for the old man."
Hearing that, Dugu Yan finally closed her mouth and stopped trying to refuse. She picked up the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and walked into a wooden cabin beyond the mist of ice and fire.
"Alright, old man, come with me. The herb meant for you is over here."
After Dugu Yan entered the cabin, Wu Tong led Dugu Bo to a dark, damp hill shrouded in poisonous mist.
He pulled out a golden-handled spade and a jade plate. Carefully, he dug up the only immortal herb growing there and placed it gently onto the jade plate.
Raising the plate, Wu Tong introduced, "Ninefold Venom Dragon Vine. Nine dragon-like vines, each one a foot long, woven together. They're deep purple and give off a unique scent. This will absolutely allow your martial soul to evolve."
Dugu Bo stared at the vine coiled on the plate. Nine deep purple little dragons tangled together, radiating an intense allure that made his instincts crave it.
"According to the Complete Compendium of Immortal Herbs, the method for consuming this herb is to eat the main vine first, then swallow the nine venomous dragon vines in sequence.
They must be swallowed whole—not chewed.
Once they're consumed, you must support the evolution using a sufficient amount of poisonous herbs or toxins.
But based on my calculations, the amount of poison within a Titled Douluo like you should be more than enough to meet the requirements for martial soul evolution."
Wu Tong could tell from Dugu Bo's unwavering gaze that he had already made up his mind. So he calmly explained the full procedure.
After that, Wu Tong left the site and bid farewell to Dugu Bo, who was preparing to absorb the immortal herb.
He then made his way alone toward the place where the Enlightenment Bodhi Flower grew.
(End of Chapter)
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