"Kid, I'm in a good mood today, so I'm giving you this spirit tool. It's perfect for storing the herbs you need. If you don't want it, just give it back!"
At that moment, Ignaz gripped the deep blue hundred treasures pouch tightly in his right hand, treasuring it greatly.
"The great Poison Douluo's word is his bond—how could something given away ever be taken back?"
"Thank you, senior!"
Ignaz bowed to Dugu Bo to express his gratitude. Dugu Bo didn't care much for such formalities and returned to the temporary house built on the outskirts of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Although Dugu Bo didn't know how Ignaz had learned about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he still gave him a special warning:
"Kid, take what you want, but don't destroy my medicinal garden. And whatever you do, don't get close to the pool's edge—if you get poisoned, don't come begging me for an antidote."
"Yes, senior. I'll be careful."
Dugu Bo walked in front of the house as an extremely terrifying green python appeared on his back, surrounded by wisps of rising jade-green poisonous mist.
Guided by his spirit power, the toxic mist rapidly surged into the poison pearl. As all the poison cultivated within his body gathered at a single point, Dugu Bo began to lose his footing, his legs swaying as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
This was his second—and most desperate—attempt to gather all the toxins hidden throughout his body into the poison pearl. The jade-green pearl began emitting a strange, pale green glow.
Seeing this, Ignaz had nothing to worry about. He walked toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and, using his knowledge of immortal herbs, employed the most appropriate methods to harvest them one by one. Working from the outer edges inward, he first collected top-grade herbs like Snow Silkworm and Cinnabar Lotus, then carefully placed all twenty immortal herbs into his storage pouch.
He didn't harvest everything completely—he left some of the top-grade herbs like Snow Silkworm and Cinnabar Lotus, and for the immortal herbs, he only cut the stems, leaving the roots. After all, Dugu Bo had told him not to damage the medicinal garden—he couldn't strip it completely bare!
As long as the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well remained, these herbs would regrow within two to three thousand years.
"Only these last two remain—the most difficult immortal herbs to harvest!"
Ignaz looked at the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot growing closest to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He immediately summoned his Blood Thunder War Spear spirit and used his second self-created spirit technique to resist the extreme sensations of cold and heat as he advanced.
With a gentle sweeping motion, he used the metal spear blade to cut through the root stems of both immortal herbs, quickly storing them in his hundred treasures pouch.
At this moment, Dugu Bo's poison pearl had transformed into a dark green-to-black toxic bead. The toxins within, now further refined, were so potent that even the slightest leak could kill a Spirit Douluo instantly.
He surveyed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well below, where most of the medicinal herbs had already been harvested. Even some of the herbs he had transplanted there hadn't escaped Ignaz's clutches. Just as Dugu Bo was about to speak, Ignaz beat him to it:
"Senior, I've kept your medicinal garden in perfect order. I even pulled out some weeds for you and didn't damage your garden at all."
"You..."
Dugu Bo was about to lose his temper and teach this rule-ignorant kid a lesson, but after a moment's thought, he let it go.
"Fine. You've done the Dugu family a great service, so consider these herbs my compensation to you! Besides, you left the roots, and with this treasure land, they'll regrow."
"Senior, you should hurry up and eat the Land Dragon Golden Melon! I want to see what your spirit will look like after evolving into a dragon!"
Dugu Bo glared at Ignaz, but this glare was completely different from his earlier murderous looks—it carried a peaceful expression that said, Don't panic, let's take this step by step.
Dugu Bo first picked one or two herbs he had transplanted, then asked Ignaz to tell him more about Snow Silkworm, a top-grade herb that could strengthen one's foundation. Combined with other herbs to balance their medicinal properties, he soaked his body in the mixture.
Only then did he begin cutting open the Land Dragon Golden Melon, eating the yellow flesh piece by piece. Dugu Bo felt a tremendous energy gathering in his abdomen, warming the poison pearl.
He closed his eyes tightly, diverting half the yellow energy to his abdomen to continue nourishing the poison pearl, while using his spirit power to guide the remaining energy throughout his body.
"The Land Dragon Golden Melon's rind is good stuff—can't let it go to waste!"
Just as Ignaz was picking up the discarded rinds, a phantom of a robust Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor appeared, coiling around Dugu Bo.
Gradually, the jade-green snake scales vanished, replaced by dark brown ones. As the Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor continued coiling, these dark brown scales spread from the tail, and two hind legs began to emerge—each with only four toes.
The snake's head gradually reshaped into a dragon's head, with two medium-sized flesh bumps protruding from the top—the makings of prominent horns.
As Dugu Bo guided the remaining yellow energy through a complete circulation, he absorbed most of the energy stored in his abdomen into the poison pearl, letting it transform the bead. Suddenly, the pearl blazed with black light.
The Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor raised its head and roared toward the heavens. Its two front legs emerged, four toes became five claws, and the flesh bumps burst open—two forked black dragon horns rapidly sprouted from the dragon's head as its whiskers grew longer.
Ignaz looked at the majestic Eastern dragon before him—completely dark brown and supremely dignified—with great envy.
"The Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor jumped three levels directly, transforming from python to scaled dragon to true dragon. Judging by its earlier cry, the roar still carried some serpentine hissing. Even if this black dragon isn't a pure-blooded dragon species, it's at least a mixed dragon type."
At this moment, Dugu Bo's green hair had turned dark brown, and he looked as if he'd grown twenty years younger. He slowly opened his eyes, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief and joy.
"Forty years of toxic torment are finally gone! I feel incredibly strong. If that Chrysanthemum Pass comes to fight again, I won't fear him."
Now, Dugu Bo was very much looking forward to facing Chrysanthemum Pass and paying back all the years of humiliation and defeat.
"Senior, this dragon-type spirit probably isn't suitable to be called Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor anymore! It should have a new name."
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of a domineering name:
"Let's call it the Ink Domain Poison Dragon! Perfect for both earth and poison attributes!"
Although he wasn't quite used to his new, toxin-free body, that didn't matter. Most of the Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor's poison had been refined into the poison pearl—no, the dragon pearl. With a little adaptation, he'd soon be able to display his former poison mastery.
"Kid, would you be willing to take me as your master?"
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~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones