Oscar gazed at the sharply divided spring not far away, his expression solemn as he said:
"If before I only had thirty percent confidence in curing your poison, then with the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well here, I can now raise that to fifty percent."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's face dimmed slightly.
"Only fifty percent…?"
Oscar nodded.
"Your body has been steeped in venom for so many years. For there to be a fifty percent chance of success is already very high. Even if I cannot completely cure it, I can at least ease your suffering."
He deliberately avoided speaking too absolutely, leaving himself a retreat. If he ultimately failed, at least Dugu Bo would not resent him for making bold promises.
Still, while he couldn't guarantee Dugu Bo's cure, Oscar was confident about Dugu Yan's. Looking at Dugu Bo's complicated expression, he added seriously:
"But as for Sister Dugu Yan's poison—I am confident I can completely purge it."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's expression finally relaxed. He said firmly:
"As long as you can cure Yan'er, this treasure ground shall be yours to use freely from now on. How about it?"
Oscar nodded earnestly.
"Your Majesty, you are too serious. I already promised this matter before. Even if you offered me nothing in return, I would still give it my all."
After saying this, he paused briefly, then smiled faintly:
"But since you have such generosity, I would indeed like to study this treasure ground carefully."
Listening to their exchange, Gai Yue and Shao Xin could only wear bewildered expressions. They didn't even recognize what the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was.
But they did know of Oscar's talent in medicinal studies. They had never imagined he could reach this level.
Dugu Yan, however, listened attentively. When Oscar said he could cure her poison, she couldn't help but feel a quiet joy in her heart. The only regret was that her grandfather's chances were only fifty percent, not certain.
Oscar then turned to Dugu Bo.
"Your Majesty, I'll need some time to familiarize myself with this environment and select the herbs I require."
Dugu Bo nodded solemnly.
"Then I leave this place to you. I will return to the stone hut atop the cliff to attempt the method you described—refining the toxins into my soul bone. If you need anything, just come find me."
He then looked toward Gai Yue and Shao Xin.
"The two of you, if you feel this place is inconvenient, you may return first. You can leave Little Ao to me without worry. Though my reputation in the soul master world may not be good, I am still a man of my word and gratitude."
"Since he will need to stay here some time for my granddaughter and me, rest assured—when the matter is done, I will not be stingy with rewards."
His words were serious and sincere.
Gai Yue and Shao Xin exchanged glances. They did trust Dugu Bo, yet still felt uneasy about leaving Oscar alone. But the truth was, since they knew nothing of alchemy, they would only be idle if they stayed.
At that moment, Oscar walked over.
"Teacher, Teacher Shao—how about this? You both return to the Academy first. Once I finish helping His Majesty and Sister Yan, I will return as well."
"With His Majesty here, no one can harm me. There's no need to worry about safety."
Hearing this, Gai Yue hesitated a moment, then finally reminded him:
"Always act within your limits. His Majesty has already said—even if you fail to cure him, he will understand. Put your own safety above all else."
Having said that, the two teachers prepared to leave, for indeed, they had no role to play here.
Oscar kept Gai Yue's reminder in his heart. After a brief farewell, Dugu Bo personally escorted the two out of the poison formation.
Now, at the cliff base, only Oscar and Dugu Yan remained.
Oscar looked at her and said:
"Your body likely cannot withstand the environment inside. Better not enter with me."
Dugu Yan nodded. He was right. At this outer edge, she could still bear it. But if she ventured closer to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the scorching heat and cold would immediately trigger backlash from her poison.
So she stayed behind, while Oscar advanced alone toward the Well.
What met his eyes was a paradise of plants. Around the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, countless rare herbs grew in profusion—exotic, strange, and breathtakingly beautiful.
And these were no ordinary herbs. At a single glance, nearly all were ten-thousand-year-grade spirit medicines.
Snow Silkworms, Vermilion Lotus…
But Oscar's gaze did not linger on them. His target was not merely rare spirit herbs. He was searching for—immortal-grade herbs.
Scanning carefully, his eyes finally fixed upon a large pale-pink flower. He stepped closer.
As he neared, a faint fragrance drifted toward him.
The flower had no excess leaves. Its stem was a meter long, its blossom broad, over a foot across. Each petal shone translucent like crystal, shimmering in pale pink hues. The flower swayed lightly in the mist rising from the Well, rooted precisely at the border where red and white waters met.
Its stamen gleamed soft purple, like tiny amethysts embedded within. Its fragrance was subtle, not overpowering—refreshing and soothing to the heart.
When Oscar leaned in and breathed gently on the stamen, the discomfort he had felt upon first entering the Well vanished instantly. He smiled in satisfaction.
With this flower, no poison in the world could affect him. With its miraculous effects, he could freely and without fear study every herb around the Well.
This flower's name was the Fragrant Silk Immortal.
Its aroma was clear and elegant, and within its range, no poison could take effect. Its fragrance neutralized all toxins in the air.
However, if one had already been poisoned before entering its range, then it was useless—it could not detoxify, only prevent poisoning.
But even so, it was invaluable. Oscar would never let himself be poisoned lightly in the first place.
This was precisely why, upon entering the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Oscar had sought this flower first—to safeguard himself against inhaling toxic vapors while studying the herbs within.
While the Well was one of the Three Great Treasure Basins, nurturing countless spirits and immortal herbs, at least half of them were poisonous. Just like the two opposing springs, they existed in stark duality.
Without hesitation, Oscar carefully harvested the Fragrant Silk Immortal, holding it as he began surveying the surroundings.
He wanted to see—just how many of these herbs he could recognize.