Chapter 64

Dugu Bo stepped out of the courtyard, just in time to meet the waiting Du Gu Yan; Du Gu Yan didn't look at Dugu Bo, but stretched her neck to glance behind him.

Not seeing Gu Xuan's figure, Du Gu Yan glared at Dugu Bo and said in a sweet voice, "Grandfather, where is Xiao Xuan?"

Not receiving the concern of his beloved granddaughter, and instead hearing these words, Dugu Bo felt his heart stop, his face showing bitterness—indeed, when a daughter grows up, she is no longer under her father's control!

Dugu Bo told Du Gu Yan about the three trials he had set for Gu Xuan, otherwise this girl might stir up some trouble.

The first two conditions were fine; Gu Xuan had also told her about his alchemy ability, so there shouldn't be any problem.

But upon hearing the third condition, Du Gu Yan immediately became agitated, staring at Dugu Bo in disbelief: "Grandfather, that's the Nine-Joint Jade Viper! Are you trying to kill Gu Xuan?"

The Nine-Joint Jade Viper is a highly poisonous snake, petite in stature, entirely emerald green; for an ordinary person, even a trace of its venom leaves them utterly helpless.

Even a Soul Master cannot withstand the venom of the Nine-Joint Jade Viper, and Dugu Bo's specimen has already reached a century in age, no longer an ordinary snake but a spirit beast.

Even a Soul Ancestor lacking poison resistance would surely not survive more than a moment after being bitten by the Nine-Joint Jade Viper.

Gu Xuan is only at rank thirty-three; if bitten by the Nine-Joint Jade Viper, he'd surely die on the spot!

Dugu Bo watched Du Gu Yan, who was worried about Gu Xuan like a puffed-up kitten, feeling a bit jealous, and softly explained: "Yanyan, Grandfather isn't someone who lacks discretion; I'm testing him this way to assess his ability—if his ability isn't enough, how could I dare entrust you to his care?"

"How domineering is the venom of our Bilin clan? A little carelessness could cause it to backfire; I'm doing this for your own good."

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Du Gu Yan felt warm inside; she naturally knew her grandfather did this for her, but she was also deeply worried about Gu Xuan: "But... but Gu Xuan is only rank thirty-three; if he can't neutralize the venom of the Nine-Joint Jade Viper, then... then wouldn't he..."

Seeing Du Gu Yan's worried expression, Dugu Bo also felt a twinge of jealousy, and explained: "Rest assured, this kid agreed without the slightest hesitation; although we've only known each other briefly, I can tell he's not someone who makes empty boasts—he won't undertake anything he isn't confident about."

"Besides, I'm here; even if, hypothetically, he truly lacks that ability, I will protect him completely."

Hearing this, Du Gu Yan also calmed down; what Dugu Bo said was correct—Gu Xuan never attempts anything he isn't sure of, and I was simply over-worrying.

…………

After Dugu Bo left, Gu Xuan came to the flowerbed in the courtyard, his martial soul manifesting, his second soul ring shining, his hands turning into dark gold bone claws as he began to gather poisonous herbs.

His bone claws actually possess a certain degree of resistance, being entirely bone, capable of repelling some low-level toxins.

Furthermore, after using his second soul skill, which is derived from the Dark Gold Terror Claw bear, it can fend off most toxins; unless it is an extremely corrosive deadly poison, Gu Xuan need not fear.

Concocting a poison capable of felling a Soul Elder is not difficult for Gu Xuan now; with sufficient materials, he can whip it up in minutes.

Having gathered the herbs, he went straight to the room in the courtyard where Dugu Bo usually prepared medicines, took out his own cauldron, and began compounding.

In less than thirty minutes, Gu Xuan had already finished the poison; without pausing, he took ingredients from his soul tool and refined an antidote pill.

His soul tool now routinely stores various herbs, both because he needs them regularly and to deepen his alchemy skills.

After merely an hour—half a traditional Chinese hour—Gu Xuan had completed the poison and antidote for the first and second trials.

Gu Xuan didn't wait for Dugu Bo to return; he went out straight away to look for him.

But as soon as he stepped outside the courtyard, he saw Du Gu Yan and Dugu Bo; Du Gu Yan rushed over upon seeing Gu Xuan, staring at him left and right.

"How are you? All right?" Du Gu Yan asked anxiously.

Gu Xuan shook his head and smiled: "I'm fine; the things are already prepared."

Saying this, Gu Xuan took out two porcelain bottles and handed them to Dugu Bo: "Senior, please inspect."

Dugu Bo took the bottles, opened them and gave them a light sniff; then his gaze toward Gu Xuan became bright and impressed, and he couldn't help praising: "Not bad—you made the poison and antidote in half a traditional hour; at your age, to have such attainments in alchemy, I acknowledge your ability."

But then Dugu Bo shifted tone, saying: "However, the hardest part is still the third trial; I'll remind you once more—I hope you think it through."

Hearing this, Gu Xuan smiled faintly, his soul tool glowing, he flipped his wrist and handed over another porcelain bottle.

"Senior, this is my part-time antidote; it can neutralize any snake venom up to rank fifty from a snake-type martial soul master, so it should be sufficient," Gu Xuan said with a slight smile.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo felt a slight surprise, took the bottle, opened it and gave it a sniff—his heart jolted.

"A Hundred Flowers Jade Dew pill? Indeed, heroes emerge from youth," Dugu Bo exclaimed.

"All right, no need to test it; with this Hundred Flowers Jade Dew pill, letting my Nine-Joint Jade Viper bite you would just waste its venom," Dugu Bo said, shaking his head slightly.

Who would have thought—this kid actually possesses genuine talent; Dugu Bo recalled that Du Gu Yan had told him earlier that Gu Xuan is only fifteen, yet at such a young age he already has such accomplishments—his future is promising.

Before Gu Xuan could even be happy, Du Gu Yan chuckled beside him: "Grandfather, I told you—Xiao Xuan truly has genuine talent."

Having passed the examination and earned recognition, Dugu Bo no longer looked down on Gu Xuan; alchemy, like a Soul Master cultivating soul power, favors the capable.

Now Gu Xuan's attainments in alchemy are already worthy of his attention.

"Yes, yes, Yanyan is right—I was blind," Dugu Bo said, smiling at Du Gu Yan.

Then he softly said to Gu Xuan: "Xiao Xuan, may I call you that?"

Gu Xuan nodded and smiled: "You are Yanzi's grandfather; it's perfectly fine, and an honor for this junior."

Hearing Gu Xuan's answer, Dugu Bo also laughed, saying: "Xiao Xuan, earlier I was blind, but that was also for Yanyan; I hope you don't take it to heart."

Hearing this, Gu Xuan felt a faint surprise—he never expected that a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo would become so affable in an instant, even if it was for Du Gu Yan, it seemed unnecessary.

But Gu Xuan didn't realize that, in fact, Dugu Bo was quite pleased inside; now that his strength had been acknowledged, he naturally greeted him with a smile—after all, this brat will someday be his granddaughter's husband.

That's just how Dugu Bo is—once he sincerely accepts and acknowledges someone, he puts on no airs.

ps: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)