"As I said, I have a basic understanding of medicine.\n\nAnd I also have some special insights into Martial Soul research."
Nangong Lingyun chuckled softly, but this time, he was met with only silence.
Dugu Bo seemed to be pondering something, his expression flickering between shades of uncertainty.
Seeing this, Nangong Lingyun decided to lay his cards on the table.
"To be direct, I've taken a liking to your manor, especially the strange flowers and herbs growing inside. They're incredibly useful to me.\n\nAlthough it wouldn't take much effort to kill you, I'm a reasonable person. I'm not accustomed to killing people and seizing their belongings.\n\nSo, how about we make a deal?"
With his near-limitless strength, he no longer needed to be cautious in his actions, nor did he need to hide his intentions; he could simply follow his heart.
As soon as he spoke, Dugu Bo's pupils shrank. He had long sensed that the plants here were extraordinary, so much so that even he, a master of poisons, dared not touch them lightly.
He feared that if he was careless, he would die in this desolate and remote place.
Nangong Lingyun had shown covetousness at first sight and could accurately diagnose his poisoning symptoms. It was clear that his knowledge and experience were extraordinary, and he should have recognized what they were.
But he still asked, following the other party's words: "What's the deal?"
There was nothing he could do. Even in its prime, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger couldn't defeat him, let alone now, with the poison taking effect.
His strength was less than two-thirds of normal, even worse than usual.
Nangong Lingyun clapped his hands together. "I can help you solve the poison on you and your granddaughter, once and for all.
"Furthermore, some of these plants have the wondrous ability to evolve Martial Souls and enhance talent for Soul Masters, especially talented young Soul Masters.
I can help your granddaughter select a suitable one.
Her talent is already quite good; with innate soul power of level eight, she has the potential to reach the Title Douluo rank with normal cultivation. If she consumes a Celestial Herb, her future will be exceptionally bright.
As for the price, this separate manor will belong to me completely."
This condition greatly surprised Dugu Bo. He had originally thought Nangong Lingyun would use his remaining life as the bargaining chip.
A strong person is willing to spare the life of a weak person; who would dare to say it's not a gift? If he were in Nangong Lingyun's place, he would kill to silence the witness to maintain secrecy, making it impossible to let him go.
Yet, the other party not only didn't intend to kill him and seize his treasures, but also agreed to provide a solution to the poison that had plagued him for his entire life.
And even offered a Celestial Herb for his granddaughter.
It's just that, at the negotiating table, no matter how high the other party's price is, no matter how satisfactory it is, they must pretend to be dissatisfied.
On the one hand, it's because you shouldn't pass up a bargain, and on the other hand, it's to make people feel that it's worth it.
Dugu Bo studied the information revealed in the previous words and pondered, "Can you...?"
"No, the part of the talent that's improved also needs to be realized with soul rings. You already have nine soul rings. Using Celestial Herbs on you is like throwing pearls before swine.
Moreover, only one of them is barely suitable for the Azure Scale Serpent. If you want to steal your granddaughter's opportunities and bear to see her suffer in the future, I have no objections."
Dugu Bo immediately cooled down.
As a granddaughter fanatic, he almost killed the other party because Dugu Yan's soul skill was broken and she failed in a soul battle. How could he possibly do such a thing?
"I have another small request. Can you help Yan Yan obtain a few super-limit soul rings? Besides you, the soul rings of the other members of the Kaiyuan Team aren't standard either. This shouldn't be too core a secret, right?"
"We don't need to know the specifics, just like your teammates."
"Alright, have her come to Kaiyuan Academy as a visiting student for six months. This isn't something that can be done overnight."
One sheep is still a sheep, a whole herd is still a herd. This condition was nothing more than a trivial matter for Nangong Lingyun. Moreover, he could gain favorability and get points for it. In the end, it was him who benefited.
"Deal."
Dugu Bo let out a hearty laugh. Although the other party was sure to profit, he wasn't at a loss either.
The toxins that had plagued him for a lifetime were resolved, and his daughter's future was even brighter.
If he could also use this opportunity to forge a connection with Kaiyuan Academy…
Who would profit more was still uncertain.
Nangong Lingyun didn't waste any time. A dim green light immediately appeared on his right hand, like a layer of green mist clinging tightly to the surface of his palm.
Within this green light, a very pure life force emanated. Just by looking at it from afar, one could already feel a clear sense of comfort.
His own Martial Soul possessed the ultimate in life force, and Ah Yin's life attribute had also been completely purified to the extreme.
In terms of healing alone, even a fully-developed Nine Heart Begonia might not be able to surpass him.
While gathering his life energy, Nangong Lingyun said calmly:
"Sit cross-legged on the ground, focus on your Martial Soul, and circulate your soul power. I'll help you suppress and alleviate the pain first. As for a complete cure, that will take a few more days.
I have some things to take care of recently, and some preparations need time."
"No problem."
Dugu Bo didn't doubt for a moment that Nangong Lingyun was lying.
He sat down quickly, closed his eyes, and his Martial Soul vanished abruptly.
Even if the other party wanted to forcibly take it, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it; there was no need for lies.
Soon, he felt a pure life energy, exceeding all imagination, entering his body from his back and spreading to every limb and part of his body.
Wherever it went, the comfort was almost unbearable, making him want to moan.
Fortunately, he had endured the pain of poison corrosion for so many years, so a little "discomfort" was nothing. He didn't lose face.
The destructive and life-taking abilities of life and poison counteracted each other, canceling each other out.
Dugu Bo's complexion quickly became rosy at a speed visible to the naked eye, and even the deep, dark green in his pupils showed signs of fading.
He could clearly sense that the toxins accumulated in his body had been mostly resolved.
Although the portion that had penetrated deep into his bones and internal organs remained, and the fundamental problem of the Martial Soul's attachment causing the release of toxins hadn't been solved,
this undoubtedly gave him immense confidence.
A moment later, Dugu Bo stood up, curiously moving and feeling his brand-new body, now free of toxins. The smile on his face was impossible to hide.
"In that case, this medicinal garden is yours to keep. I'm always at Dugu Manor. Just send someone over to let me know if you need anything."
After Dugu Bo left, Nangong Lingyun immediately took down the Autumn Water Dew and, following the method Diaochan had instructed, squeezed the dew from it into his eyes. Then, he began circulating the Longevity Technique to refine the Yin engraving.
As an Overgod King-level Martial Soul, the Celestial Herb couldn't evolve his Martial Soul. Things like the Ice and Fire Golden Body were also completely useless, not even amounting to a thousandth of a percent of the Ancient Holy Body's original capabilities.
However, as a high-level spiritual medicine, it could still be used to increase his soul power level and strengthen his mental power.
Two hours later, when Nangong Lingyun woke up again,
the moment his eyelids opened, two sharp beams of light, almost tangible, shot out from them.
His Longevity Technique's progress and mental strength had both grown, and his soul power had also successfully reached level fifty.
(End of chapter)