Chapter 62

Staring at Gu Xuan, Dugu Bo said lightly: "I'll only say this much about you and Yan Yan; I won't interfere in young people's affairs."

Speaking, Dugu Bo paused, then continued: "But I heard Yan Yan say you brat have a way to cure the poison on her body?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuan knew the main event was coming, and he replied naturally: "Not bad, but the needed herbs are hard to gather quickly; however Yan Zi and I said you have a medicinal garden that might be the legendary Binghuo Liangyi Yan, so we came straight here today."

If that's true, as long as we can find suitable herbs from there, Yan Jie's poison will definitely be no problem, and it might even improve your poison.

Hearing these words, Dugu Bo's eyes twitched slightly; Du Gu Yan had already explained this to him—Gu Xuan had himself deduced the poison of their Emerald Scale Snake family—so he also ruled out the conclusion that this brat was a fraud.

But no matter what, hearing this from a fifteen-year-old child made him somewhat incredulous; after all, he had lived nearly eighty years and had never found a way to cure his own poison, yet this damned brat before him confidently claimed he had a solution.

"Brat, do you know the consequences of deceiving me? Don't think you can use this method to deceive Yan Yan, win her favor; here, you have no such chance." Dugu Bo's tone left no room for doubt; he was testing Gu Xuan.

Gu Xuan smiled wryly upon hearing this and said: "Senior, I won't talk about matters between me and Yan Zi for now; if I didn't have absolute confidence, do you think I would rush over here in such haste?"

Speaking, Gu Xuan began to recall the dozen or so herbs he had just seen simply in the courtyard, and he spoke lightly:

"Withered Bone Corpse Poison Vine, its poison is fierce; an ordinary person taking a bit will turn to withered bone in an instant; even if a Soul Master takes an overdose, they will be beyond help, requiring corpse bones to nurture."

Crimson Azure Water Vine, its poison is fierce, its effect similar to that of the Withered Bone Corpse Poison Vine; however, this plant requires taking the first drop of morning dew every seven days and watering it with snake venom to survive, and it generally only grows in places where highly poisonous snakes and insects abound.

Soul-refining grass...

Gu Xuan had already explained the properties of each poisonous plant one by one; each time he named one, Dugu Bo secretly admired him a bit more.

He wasn't without suspicion that Du Gu Yan had previously arranged this with Gu Xuan, but among them there were several medicinal herbs that even Du Gu Yan didn't recognize, yet Gu Xuan could name them all.

After finishing listing all the poisonous plants, Du Gu Yan smiled faintly: 'Senior, you must have put considerable effort into cultivating these herbs.'

Dugu Bo stared at Gu Xuan with a piercing gaze; after a long while he slowly exhaled a turbid breath and said calmly: 'Not bad, indeed a little monster; at your age, being able to recognize these medicinal ingredients is enough to prove your proficiency in pharmacology.'

Seeing the last trace of gloom fade from Dugu Bo's face, Gu Xuan felt very pleased inside; at least the initial contact had already made Dugu Bo Dugu Bo have no doubts.

'Senior, I came here for your medicinal garden; I only told you that, but Yanzi's poison cannot be delayed—if it can be cured a day earlier, she can be free of pain a day earlier.' Gu Xuan directly invoked Du Gu Yan, because Du Gu Yan is the person he cares about most in the world now.

Hearing Gu Xuan's words, Dugu Bo felt a warm flicker inside, then replied: 'Yan Yan has already told me about your matter; I suppose you already know that place—if nothing unexpected happens, it must be the Binghuo Liangyi Yan you mentioned; it's just a pity that I obtained the treasure but don't know how to use it.'

'If you can truly use what's inside to cure Yan Yan's poison, I will agree to your marriage; if not, then you brat are just full of nonsense, an dishonest fellow.'

Dugu Bo said, a flash of wisdom crossing his eyes, then continued: 'I won't waste words with you, kid; whenever you can remove the snake poison from Yan Yan's body, that's when I'll agree to you being together.'

Dugu Bo could see Gu Xuan's feelings for Du Gu Yan, which is why he said that; after all, only this could make Gu Xuan fear no hardship or obstacle in seeking the antidote herbs for Du Gu Yan.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Sect is a great house and mighty enterprise, far stronger than he alone.

Of course, it's quite possible that, as Gu Xuan said, the Binghuo Liangyi Yan contains herbs that can detoxify; if that's the case, then he would have no worries behind him.

Nowadays, his only concern in the world is Du Gu Yan; as long as her troubles are resolved, he has nothing else to worry about.

Moreover, his having come this far has earned him many enemies; if Du Gu Yan could have a result with Gu Xuan, relying on the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, she could also be protected from enemies' harm—this would also be a win-win.

Of course, all these premises depend on Du Gu Yan's willingness; if she is unwilling, not even the heavenly king and old master could make it happen!

However, judging from Du Gu Yan's demeanor toward Gu Xuan, this girl is probably quite willing!

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Gu Xuan smiled confidently and replied: 'Then I, the junior, will await the day I can address you as father-in-law.'

Du Gu Yan's father should be called father-in-law by Gu Xuan, but since her father is no longer alive, as her grandfather he naturally becomes the father-in-law.

Upon hearing that, Dugu Bo snorted coldly: 'Still early!'

'Let me ask you, who is your master in the inheritance of pharmacology? I still need to test you; if you're just a half-baked practitioner, I'll have your teacher come—I wouldn't dare use Yan Yan as your guinea pig for medicine.' Dugu Bo said.

A medicine test subject refers to the unlucky wretch who tries medicines for a pharmacist; because they ingest all kinds of drugs, their lifespan is generally short.

Gu Xuan naturally submitted to Dugu Bo's examination and instruction; whether in alchemy or pharmacology, he had received the true transmission of Yang Wudi, the only possible shortfall being some experience.

'My junior's master is the patriarch of the Po Breaking Clan, Yang Wudi.' Gu Xuan replied.

'Yang Wudi? That's him!' Upon hearing that name, Dugu Bo also affirmed Gu Xuan's lineage.

This world belongs to Soul Masters; few study alchemy and pharmacology, while the Po Breaking Clan is known as a major lineage of alchemical inheritance.

'I heard the Po Breaking Clan has affiliated with the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, but you're just a kid—pharmacology is so complex and intricate; how much of its essence could you possibly grasp at your young age?' Dugu Bo stared at Gu Xuan, but all he saw was confidence.

Such confidence is not blind, but rather well-founded.

'Senior, just go ahead and test me; the result will be the best explanation.' Gu Xuan said.

'Good lad, having such spirit truly does not disgrace being the descendant of the old Bone Dragon.' Dugu Bo couldn't help but praise inwardly.

He and Gu Rong aren't close, but both are senior-generation powerhouses; having reached the Titled Douluo level, they still have some acquaintance.

But Dugu Bo said outright: 'Fine, let me see how much ability you, kid, have, enough to satisfy me; today we shall set out for the Binghuo Liangyi Yan, otherwise let your teacher come.'

'Good.' Gu Xuan replied confidently, full of confidence.

Dugu Bo also didn't waste words, lightly extending three fingers and directly saying: 'Three trials.'

'One, within an hour, use the herbs from my medicinal garden outside to concoct a poison that at least would be fatal to a Soul Elder-level Soul Master if ingested.'

'Two, create your own antidote; after taking the poison you made, you must be able to neutralize it, ensuring no aftereffects.'

'Three, I have an item called the Nine-section Jade; let it bite you once, and if you can neutralize this poison yourself, the trial passes.'

Having said that, Dugu Bo continued: 'My reminder to you: if you lack the strength to play the hero, your life or death is none of my concern.'

Hearing these words and the proposed trials, Gu Xuan actually felt a surge of excitement, because these were not difficult tasks.

Moreover, knowing from the original story that Dugu Bo's trial of Tang San used the Nine-section Jade, he had already prepared an antidote for the Nine-section Jade in advance; he never expected it to actually come in handy now?

'Senior, may I use my own medicinal ingredients?' Gu Xuan raised his final question.

Dugu Bo nodded upon hearing that: 'As a pharmacist, naturally you would use your own medicinal ingredients, but for the first trial you may only use the herbs from my medicinal garden.'

After speaking, Dugu Bo said no more, pushed the door open and went out, his voice drifting: 'I'll come to inspect the poison in an hour.'

PS: Typos will be corrected later.