On Ye Yu's notebook—
Most of the written content was derived from his extensive reading and logical deductions, all focused on solving the problem of the Jade Phosphor Poison.
In the end, the solution he proposed was surprisingly simple.
Through his research, Ye Yu had discovered:
The Jade Phosphor Poison afflicting Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit Masters stemmed from the overwhelming toxicity of their Martial Soul — the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Once Spirit Possession occurred, residual toxins remained in the Spirit Master's body.
However, their bodies lacked a specialized organ or method for storing that venom.
Over time—
As the toxic buildup from the Jade Phosphor Serpent accumulated within the host's flesh and bones—
The Spirit Master's body could no longer endure it, eventually leading to the hereditary illness known as Jade Phosphor Poison.
Thus, as long as a method could be found for safely storing the Jade Phosphor Poison within the body, the issue would be resolved!
If their own body couldn't store it—
Then a spirit bone could!
A fused spirit bone—
Though internal, it didn't truly belong to the Spirit Master's natural skeleton.
Thus, using it to store the poison wouldn't have much adverse effect.
As long as it wasn't a cranial spirit bone, it should be fine.
In theory—
All limb and torso spirit bones would be viable, though there may be upper limits.
The most ideal choice would be an external spirit bone.
Because it possessed the potential to evolve indefinitely alongside the Spirit Master's cultivation level—
It might just be able to continuously store the Jade Phosphor Poison.
After reading this section—
Dugu Yan's alluring and heroic face was filled with emotion and joy. Her delicate hands holding the notebook trembled ever so slightly.
"Yes! If this works, then the problem of our Jade Phosphor Clan's inherited poison can finally be resolved!"
Seeing Ye Yu's analysis of the true origin of the Jade Phosphor Poison, and the proposed solution involving spirit bone storage—
Dugu Yan was utterly convinced by the feasibility of it.
Her bright green eyes turned misty, and she threw herself into Ye Yu's arms once more, choking back tears as she said,
"Ye Yu, thank you!"
"Thank you for finding a way to cure our family's Jade Phosphor Poison!"
"No need to thank me. You're my girlfriend,"
Ye Yu said softly, gently brushing aside her violet hair with a warm smile.
"As a man, how could I just sit back and watch my girlfriend suffer?"
"But... it's a pity that I'm not strong enough yet,"
"If I were, I'd go out and hunt a spirit beast myself to get you a spirit bone."
As he spoke, Ye Yu shook his head and sighed in mild self-blame.
Dugu Yan quickly comforted him.
"Ye Yu, you've already done something incredible by discovering a potential solution to our clan's curse!"
"Spirit bones are priceless treasures. Even those with immense strength can't just obtain them at will."
"Don't pressure yourself too much."
"With the solution you've found, Grandpa will definitely agree to us being together!"
However, even as she said this, Dugu Yan felt uneasy inside.
Whether her grandfather would truly approve or not—
She had already made her decision.
She had chosen Ye Yu. She would never let him go!
If Grandpa really refused—
Then she'd threaten him with her life if she had to!
She silently steeled herself.
"Yan Yan, I understand,"
Ye Yu smiled slightly.
"But actually, I think I've recently discovered something about how spirit bones drop. I'm not sure if it's correct yet..."
Based on knowledge from his previous life, Ye Yu had some understanding of the mechanics behind spirit bone drop rates.
Two main factors influenced the odds:
First, the bloodline strength of the spirit beast.
Before reaching the 100,000-year level, the higher the bloodline, the more likely it was to drop a spirit bone.
Second, the state of death.
To maximize the drop rate, either the beast must willingly offer itself—
Or be slain in a state of extreme rage, hatred, or unwillingness.
Either way, the odds increased.
These two factors could even be combined.
But Ye Yu hadn't written any of this in the notebook.
He intended to keep it as a trump card.
Even though he had successfully won over Dugu Yan and provided a viable solution to the Jade Phosphor Poison—
He still wasn't fully confident about earning Dugu Bo's approval.
If Dugu Bo stubbornly resisted, even under threat of losing his granddaughter—
And tried to kill Ye Yu—
Then Ye Yu could offer this secret knowledge about improving spirit bone drop rates as leverage.
At worst, he would be willing to let go of Dugu Yan—
So long as Dugu Bo agreed to make a deal.
He'd endure temporary humiliation if it meant surviving.
After Ye Yu confessed, he and Dugu Yan officially became a couple—
Earning her deep love and absolute loyalty, even to the death.
But as night fell—
The two still had to part reluctantly.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingling stood to the side, silent, her head lowered—
Even colder and quieter than usual.
After they parted—
Dugu Yan returned home and hung Ye Yu's painting on the wall across from her bed.
Her heart filled with bliss, sweetness, and joy.
Elsewhere—
After a training session at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a tall, slender man in a green robe with long green hair and a sinister aura returned to the Heaven Dou City.
This was Dugu Bo.
He intended to spend some time at the Dugu Estate to keep his granddaughter company.
In his younger years, he had devoted himself entirely to cultivation in pursuit of the Title Douluo realm.
As a result, he rarely spent time with his granddaughter.
Even when his son Dugu Xin died from an outbreak of the Jade Phosphor Poison—
He had been in the midst of a critical breakthrough and didn't attend the funeral.
After learning the news—
He was overcome with grief and remorse.
Now, with Dugu Yan being the only family he had left in this world—
Dugu Bo cherished her deeply.
He treated her like the most fragile treasure—afraid she would melt if held in his mouth, or shatter if held too tightly.
"Yan Yan! Grandpa's home!"
Since the Jade Phosphor Clan had few members left, only Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan remained.
Thus, the Dugu Estate had only a few maids and servants.
Upon returning—
Dugu Bo, hands clasped behind his back, called out loudly with a rare smile on his sinister face.
"Welcome back, Old Master. The young miss is attending class at the Imperial Academy."
One of the maids respectfully replied.
"She's at school, huh..."
Dugu Bo felt slightly disappointed, but not surprised.
His time training at the exotic herb garden often left him unaware of the current day or time.
It was morning now—
So it was only natural that his granddaughter would be at the Imperial Academy.
However, when he entered her room to see if anything had changed—
He was immediately stunned by a portrait hanging on the wall across from her bed—
The one Ye Yu had gifted her.
"This resemblance is uncanny…"
"How could anyone paint such a lifelike image?"
He murmured in disbelief.
Back when he was conferred the Title Douluo title at Spirit Hall and later refused their invitation—
He was pursued by Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, and barely survived.
He owed his life to Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire, who had rescued him.
As a result, Dugu Bo now served as an honorary guest elder of the Heaven Dou City Family.
But even within the Heaven Dou City—
He had never seen a court painter capable of producing such vivid and realistic artwork.
His curiosity piqued—
He decided to ask his granddaughter about it when she returned.
"Grandpa! You're back!"
That night, Dugu Yan finally returned home, much later than usual.
Dugu Bo had waited so long he was starting to doze off, wondering why she came back so late—
Normally, she was home well before sunset.
When he asked, Dugu Yan blushed and hesitantly replied—
She had been out shopping with Ye Lingling and lost track of time.
Since she still didn't know how to convince her grandfather to accept Ye Yu—
She could only stall for now.
"I see…"
Seeing her blushing, shy demeanor—
Dugu Bo nodded thoughtfully.
But deep down—
His instincts as a grandfather were screaming.
Something was definitely off! Very off!