Dugu Residence.
As expected.
Seeing Dugu Bo's enthusiastic attitude, Tang Chuan felt everything was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated.
After the Heavenly Canopy revealed his future as the dual inheritor of the God of Life and the God of Destruction, there was no way Dugu Bo would choose hostility over alliance.
"Thank you, Senior Dugu!"
Tang Chuan stood and spoke sincerely.
"I have indeed come with a request. I've heard that you possess a medicinal garden filled with rare spirit herbs. I hope to visit it and obtain a few plants."
"In return, I have a method that may resolve the Bilin poison afflicting your family."
"Moreover, unlike Tang San, I distinguish clearly between gratitude and resentment. Any kindness shown to me will be repaid."
"Senior Dugu's help today will be remembered, and I will certainly return it in the future."
After speaking, Tang Chuan cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
"Is this true? You really have a way to solve our Bilin poison?"
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up with excitement as he stepped forward, unable to conceal his anticipation.
"Theoretically, yes."
Tang Chuan nodded and calmly explained the method of using a spirit bone as a container to store the poison, isolating it from the body.
As Dugu Bo listened, his breathing grew heavier, his thoughts racing.
"That's right… if the poison is forced into a spirit bone after each possession, then it would no longer harm the body…"
His voice trembled with realization.
Taking a deep breath, Dugu Bo suddenly bowed in return.
"Young Master Tang Chuan, you have saved my entire Green Phosphorus Clan!"
"From this moment onward, your matters are my matters!"
"Senior Dugu, there is no need for such formality."
Tang Chuan quickly stepped forward to help him up.
With both the solution to the poison and Tang Chuan's future potential as a god, Dugu Bo had no hesitation left.
He immediately decided to bring Tang Chuan to his medicinal garden in the Sunset Forest, taking Dugu Yan along as well.
Under Dugu Bo's guidance, the group entered deep into the Sunset Forest.
After passing through layers of poison arrays, they arrived at a towering mountain, its peak wrapped in dense white mist.
"Little Chuan, my garden is on top. Can you make it up?" Dugu Bo asked with a faint smile, stroking his beard.
"Grandpa Dugu, please take Yan Zi up first. I'll follow on my own."
Tang Chuan replied confidently.
"Good!"
With that, Dugu Bo carried Dugu Yan and rose directly into the air.
Tang Chuan activated his Fleeting Shadow movement technique, leaping upward with swift and agile steps, gliding along the steep cliff like a swallow in flight as he followed closely behind.
Soon, they reached a small valley halfway up the mountain.
The mist here was even denser, and within it flickered alternating icy blue and fiery red lights.
"Follow me."
Dugu Bo led them forward.
As they passed through the thick mist, the scenery suddenly opened up.
Before them lay a strange pond about ten meters wide.
One half was icy blue, emitting bone-chilling cold, while the other burned crimson, radiating intense heat. The two forces intertwined like a perfect yin-yang diagram.
Around the pond, countless rare herbs and exotic plants flourished.
"Exquisite Tulip… Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower… Yearning Heartbroken Red…"
Tang Chuan's gaze swept across the area, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Ink Jade Divine Bamboo… Star Luo Spirit Pearl… and the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd…"
The knowledge from the Immortal Herb compendium surged through his mind. Soon, he located the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, and a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face.
After calming himself, Tang Chuan turned to Dugu Bo with admiration.
"Grandpa Dugu, this is indeed the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Dugu Bo asked, slightly puzzled.
"This is an extremely rare treasure land," Tang Chuan explained.
"Plants here grow at ten or even a hundred times the normal rate. More importantly, it nurtures top-tier spirit medicines and Immortal Herbs that surpass even ten-thousand-year ginseng kings."
"Among them, Immortal Herbs are the highest grade. They can help spirit masters break through bottlenecks, and some can even evolve martial souls."
"Evolve martial souls?"
Dugu Bo's expression changed instantly as excitement surged through him.
"Are there any here that can evolve my Bilin Snake martial soul?"
"Let me see."
Tang Chuan scanned the area once more before his gaze settled on several jade-green plants covered in dragon-scale patterns, their fruits shaped like dragon heads with delicate whiskers.
"Yes. And more than one."
He stepped forward and pointed to one of them.
"This is Dragon Blood Grass. It grows where dragons or sub-dragons have fallen and has the ability to evolve dragon-type martial souls."
"Haha! Excellent! Truly excellent!"
Dugu Bo burst into laughter, unable to contain his joy.
"Little Chuan, since meeting you, my Dugu family has been blessed with great fortune!"
"Not only have we found a solution to the poison, but now we have discovered herbs capable of evolving martial souls!"
Looking at Tang Chuan, his tone became even more generous.
"You have done our family a great service. I have little else to offer."
"From now on, half of this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well belongs to you. Take whatever herbs you need."
"Thank you, Grandpa Dugu."
Tang Chuan cupped his fists and accepted without hesitation.
"But I still need your help with one more matter."
His gaze shifted toward the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd.
"What is it? Speak freely."
Tang Chuan then explained that mature Immortal Herbs were essentially equivalent to hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, only suppressed by the unique environment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Once transplanted outside, they could gradually develop intelligence and transform into true spirit beasts.
He revealed his plan to transplant the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, allow it to evolve, and eventually force it into performing a sacrifice.
For this, he would require Dugu Bo's assistance.
"That's simple!"
Dugu Bo agreed without hesitation.
Soon after, Tang Chuan carefully dug up the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd and carried it to a location several kilometers away from the mountain.
Once planted in ordinary terrain, he stepped back and waited.
The moment it left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's influence, the change began.
The Earth Dragon Golden Gourd started transforming from a spirit herb into a plant-type spirit beast.
Powerful fluctuations of spirit energy surged outward, and faint spiritual awareness slowly emerged, growing stronger with each passing moment.
The surrounding air trembled as its aura expanded.
Finally, the spiritual presence reached a level comparable to human intelligence.
A proud and resounding voice echoed forth:
"Rejoice!"
"The great Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, Master of Earth Control, Emperor among Plants… has been born!"