Chapter 16: Gaining Trust
Seeing Dugu Bo looking at him with a suspicious gaze, Ning Bei had no choice but to bring out his background.
"Senior, regarding my identity, I come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Upon hearing Ning Bei mention his background, Dugu Bo's expression shifted slightly.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? What's your relationship with Ning Fengzhi and the two Title Douluo, Sword and Bone?"
Seeing that Dugu Bo was starting to show some caution, Ning Bei immediately straightened his back.
"Ning Fengzhi is my father, and Sword and Bone are my grandfathers."
It must be said that Ning Bei played the "fox borrowing the tiger's might" tactic quite well. However, Dugu Bo's next words nearly made him trip.
"Oh? No wonder there are two Soul Saints guarding outside. So, tell me, what does your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School want?"
Ning Bei gave Dugu Bo a speechless look, thinking, "Does this old guy have some sort of persecution complex?"
As for the two Soul Saints guarding, Ning Bei wasn't surprised. It would be strange if Ning Fengzhi let him wander around alone.
"Senior, must I have a purpose? Can't I just genuinely want to be friends with Yan Zi?"
"Let's take it a step further. As the son of the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, making friends with powerful soul masters like you doesn't seem like a problem, does it?"
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's expression indeed softened quite a bit. Ning Bei was right. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, being the gathering place for the world's best auxiliary soul masters, it was understandable for the Sect Master's son to seek to befriend powerful battle soul masters.
But Dugu Bo's expression quickly turned serious again.
"Then tell me, what methods do you have to solve Yan Zi's toxin problem?"
Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Dugu Yan also looked at Ning Bei with anticipation.
Seeing both their gazes on him, Ning Bei cleared his throat. This was his moment to act.
Clears throat "Senior Dugu Bo, I have thought of three methods."
"Oh? What are the three?"
Before Ning Bei could elaborate, Dugu Bo directly interrupted him. Ning Bei gave him a speechless look.
Dugu Bo, rarely embarrassed, blushed slightly.
"Ahem... you can continue, I won't interrupt."
"The first method is to take advantage of Yan Zi's low cultivation and relatively shallow poisoning and remove the toxins from her martial soul now. However, if we do this, her martial soul will lose its toxicity and become mediocre."
After saying that, Ning Bei looked at Dugu Bo, waiting for his response.
Dugu Yan also looked at her grandfather, torn. This method made it very difficult for her to make a decision.
After thinking for a while, Dugu Bo looked at Ning Bei.
"To be honest, if the toxin in Yan Zi's body deepens further and I can't find a solution, I was prepared to do this. At least I could save her life. I've already lost my son and daughter-in-law, I can't lose..."
He paused here, his gaze falling on Dugu Yan, who remained silent.
"Grandfather..."
Just as the scene seemed about to take a sentimental turn between grandfather and granddaughter, Ning Bei quickly interrupted.
"Ah, well, if that doesn't work, there's always the second method. We can condense the toxins from her martial soul into a poison pill, which would allow her to use the toxins without having to rely on martial soul possession."
Dugu Bo gave Ning Bei a deep look.
"Kid, you really have quite the skill in using poison. That's the method I've used, but it's still just a temporary solution. The poison pill doesn't eliminate the toxins in the body, and over time, Yan Zi will still be at risk of the toxin backlash."
"And if the poison pill explodes, it will be far more dangerous than usual."
Hearing Dugu Bo's compliment, Ning Bei scratched his head, embarrassed. I don't know anything about using poison. I just read the original novel.
"Well, in that case, the only option left is the third method. We can find a suitable soul bone for Yan Zi and force the toxins into the soul bone. Then, during battle, the toxin can be released. This way, we can prevent the toxins from harming the body while ensuring the power of her martial soul."
Upon hearing Ning Bei's third method, Dugu Bo's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes, why didn't I think of such a simple method? This is definitely feasible." He turned to Dugu Yan excitedly and said, "Yan Zi, you're saved! And without losing the toxicity in your martial soul."
Dugu Yan nodded excitedly, but her expression soon darkened again.
"Soul bones are so precious. Where are we going to find one?"
Dugu Bo casually waved his hand.
"As a Title Douluo, it's hard to find a 10,000-year soul bone, but I can easily get my hands on a 1,000-year soul bone. Even if I have to wipe out all the soul beasts in the Sunset Forest, I'll get the right soul bone for you."
"But Grandpa... isn't this a bit too much?"
Listening to Dugu Bo's words, Ning Bei couldn't help but feel nervous for the soul beasts in the Sunset Forest.
"Senior Dugu Bo, don't rush. Please hear me out. A 1,000-year soul bone is indeed enough for Yan Zi for now, but as her cultivation improves, there's a risk that the growing toxin will overwhelm it."
"That's why I suggest going for a 10,000-year soul bone, specifically one from a limb. Forget about considering spine or head soul bones."
Dugu Bo understood the benefits of a 10,000-year soul bone, but that was something rare and nearly impossible to find. Even with his current cultivation of level 91, he only managed to obtain a Medusa head soul bone.
The grandfather and granddaughter exchanged a look and fell silent.
Seeing this, Ning Bei knew it was time for him to act again. He cleared his throat to attract their attention.
Ahem... "Did you two forget my identity? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can still provide a 10,000-year soul bone."
Dugu Yan was pleasantly surprised by this but was interrupted by Dugu Bo.
"Kid, I know the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has 10,000-year soul bones, since your family is so powerful, but why would you give a soul bone to Yan Zi? Just the reason that you're befriending powerful soul masters doesn't hold water."
Ning Bei thought to himself, As expected, this old fox is sharp.
"Senior Dugu Bo, I've heard you have a medicinal garden. I've studied herbs as well and would like to get a few plants from you. Would you mind parting with some?"
Hearing that Ning Bei had a request, Dugu Bo's mood lifted. Having a request made it easier to handle, as the biggest worry was not being able to repay a favor. Free things were the most expensive.
"This is easy. Follow me," he said, waving his hand. Using his soul power, he lifted Ning Bei and flew towards the interior of the Sunset Forest, leaving Dugu Yan standing angrily behind.
"Hmph, that old man actually left me behind. Let's see if I'll even talk to him when he comes back."
The two Soul Saints guarding outside exchanged glances. One of them nodded and ran off towards the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
The forest sped by as Ning Bei flew through it. Before long, they arrived deep within the Sunset Forest and found a valley filled with a green poisonous mist.
Dugu Bo spat out a poison pill from his mouth and handed it to Ning Bei.
"Hold this. It will protect you from the toxins."
Ning Bei looked at the poison pill Dugu Bo spat out, feeling repulsed. You hold it first. I'll hold it after you.
"No need, Senior Dugu Bo."
With that, Ning Bei summoned his Pill Tower, and the pill fragrance instantly enveloped his body. He took two steps into the poisonous mist, and as the mist came into contact with the halo formed by the pill fragrance, it scattered to the sides as if it had met its natural enemy.
(END CHAPTER)
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