Oscar had originally planned to tell Dugu Bo about this method. So when Dugu Bo actively asked again, Oscar didn't hesitate to explain:
"This method... is as difficult as it is simple," Oscar looked at Dugu Bo and slowly said. "Senior, you must be familiar with venomous snakes, right?"
Dugu Bo was momentarily stunned. Despite his vast knowledge, he still couldn't figure out the connection. Left with no better option, he nodded and signaled Oscar to continue.
Oscar didn't beat around the bush:
"Since your martial spirit is the Jade Phosphor Serpent, why not emulate the biological mechanisms of venomous snakes? True, you lack a snake's venom sac but soul masters have something soul beasts don't: the ability to absorb soul bones to enhance their power."
"If you could treat a soul bone as a substitute venom sac and transfer all your poison into it, even if it doesn't completely remove the toxicity, it should drastically relieve the pain afflicting you and your granddaughter."
Dugu Bo fell silent, reflecting deeply. Then, his face flushed not with shame, but with excitement. His thoughts surged like a tide.
"Brilliant! Brilliant! Why didn't I ever think of this? This... this might just be the path forward for the Jade Phosphor Serpent!"
He began muttering ecstatically, eyes flashing with hope.
"Little Ao," he declared, "I'll personally test this method. If it works, no matter what troubles you face in the future, you can come to me Dugu Bo will have your back!"
He couldn't help cursing himself for being so blind to such an obvious solution. But to be fair, Dugu Bo wasn't entirely at fault soul masters on the Douluo Continent typically cultivated in rigid, traditional ways. Few ever focused on using soul bones in such innovative ways.
Hearing Oscar's idea sparked something within him. His suspicions of Oscar vanished after all, Oscar had offered this method with no personal gain. If he still doubted him, it would truly be baseless.
However, Dugu Bo began to ponder: Could this kid be after my granddaughter? Otherwise, why would a stranger go to such lengths to help?
Oscar had mentioned that he acted because he couldn't bear to see Dugu Yan suffer, but they were just passing acquaintances.
Still, Dugu Bo had been observing Oscar for several hours and could tell this boy was no fool. He clearly had motives.
And the most likely explanation? Oscar is interested in my granddaughter.
At some point, without anyone noticing, Oscar had already started referring to Dugu Yan as "sister Yan."
Oscar, unaware of Dugu Bo's musings, spoke up:
"Your Grace, as a Titled Douluo, you surely understand the value of soul bones. If possible, I hope you can help your granddaughter find one that's truly compatible with her."
Oscar wasn't questioning Dugu Bo's love for his grand daughter he just feared the old man might rush and use an inferior soul bone to ease her suffering. Though unlikely, it was a risk he wanted to hedge against. After all, soul bones are exceedingly rare.
Even for a Titled Douluo, finding a high grade, highly compatible soul bone wasn't simple.
Of course, Oscar had his own motivations. If possible, he truly wished to bond with Dugu Yanshe had strong potential, and came with a priceless bonus: a doting grandfather who was a walking a title douluo and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, one of the rarest medicinal sites in the world.
Although they'd only just met, Oscar felt a real chance.
And since he'd made his choice, he intended to move everything in the optimal direction for a better future between them.
Dugu Bo nodded solemnly.
"I understand. I'll find a suitable ten thousand year soul bone for Yan Yan as soon as I can."
A cold, resolute gleam flashed across Dugu Bo's eyes. He had clearly set a target already.
Having gotten the answer he needed, Dugu Bo was so excited that he started experimenting on the spot even though dawn was still two hours away.
He obviously couldn't complete the experiment in two hours, but the initial results gave him confidence. By sunrise, he looked visibly more energized.
It was the happiest he'd been in over a decade since breaking through Rank 90.
Now that he had a promising method, Dugu Bo craved a perfect solution. So at first light, he led Oscar and the others toward his private medicinal garden.
In his mind, that garden though full of herbs even he couldn't identify might hold the key. If even one plant proved usable to Oscar, it would justify cultivating the entire area.
Given the special properties of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo believed he could grow whatever herbs were needed.
That was his real goal.
Of course, the process might disturb Oscar but Dugu Bo didn't think the boy would refuse. After all, he was a Titled Douluo.
And Dugu Bo genuinely admired Oscar. If Oscar became his grand son in law, he'd be quite satisfied.
After all, Oscar was the first person in 15 years Dugu Yan had truly opened up to.
Though their acquaintance was brief, that very brevity made Dugu Bo trust Oscar more. He believed Oscar and Dugu Yan could truly connect.
Dugu Bo led the group at full speed, taking less than half a day to reach a deadly toxic formation deep within Sunset Forest.
He paused before entering and explained: to protect his garden, he had surrounded the mountain with poisonous formations made from his own venom.
These formations were deadly enough to kill any soul master below Titled Douluo within 15 minutes including someone as strong as Gai Yue, a Contra level expert.
This was Dugu Bo's terrifying strength.
But with Dugu Bo personally leading the way, the others had no fear of the toxins.
They followed him into the poisonous forest, climbing through dense woods until they reached the top of a 500meter hill.
Once at the summit, Shao Xin and Gai Yue were stunned.
Below them lay an inverted conical valley. They stood at the rim while thick, steamy mist rose from below humid and filled with a strange scent.
They had never seen or smelled anything like it.
Oscar had, though.
He knew exactly what this was.
But he didn't want to reveal too much, so to blend in, he said with mock surprise:
"Is that… a hot spring?"
Dugu Bo shot him a glance. "You're quite well informed."
Oscar replied:
"Well, I can at least recognize the smell of one. Your medicinal garden is it situated near a hot spring? That's actually a brilliant location."
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