Chapter 33: Acquired

Thank you to our new Patrons: Joshua Desouza, Mohanad Tamimi, ar4ngel, Savagesmiley, w1212m, Raingori, DTShadow, nicholas berenguer, Noah Thomas, Brian Ramsey, Duoc, Chimera, Josh Wells, Orion Chung, Braydon Delgado, Gary Manus and [GLD]Guto! You are what makes this possible! We are up to Chapter 100: Zhu Zhuqing's Resolve on Patreon!

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"What do you say? Will you trade or not?"

Dugu Bo continued speaking in a calm, emotionless tone.

"Trade, definitely trade! Not only the Herb Record and formulas, but even our clan's forbidden poisons—all of it can be handed over to Your Excellency. Everything we have is yours to exchange.

It's still not enough, though. I'll kowtow to you. If one bow isn't enough, I'll do more."

Yang Wudi looked as if he was ready to kneel and kowtow if necessary.

"Hmph, I have no interest in your head. Hurry up and gather everything. Once you're done, I'll take it, and this flower is yours."

Dugu Bo didn't want to waste any more time talking to Yang Wudi. He felt that being around this man for too long might be contagious. With a flick of his hand, he tossed the Aromatic Silk Beauty to Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi carefully caught the Fragrant Fairy Herb, sniffed its fragrance, and trembled all over, tears streaming down his face.

Dugu Bo found this utterly ridiculous and shouted, "Hurry up and prepare everything for me! Once I'm gone, you'll have plenty of time to spend with it."

"Ah? Oh, yes, yes! I'll prepare everything right away, Your Excellency. Please wait a moment—I'll go fetch it immediately!"

Yang Wudi rushed off in a panic, heading straight to the storerooms. He gathered the clan's secret poisons, the Herb Record, and copies of their medicinal formulas, placing them all into a storage soul tool ring.

About an hour later, Yang Wudi handed the prepared items to Dugu Bo. Believing that this simple-minded man wouldn't dare deceive him, Dugu Bo turned and left without looking back.

"Your Excellency, esteemed elder, please excuse me for not seeing you off!"

Yang Wudi bid farewell to Dugu Bo's retreating figure. Truthfully, he wanted to kowtow to him—this man was truly a blessing in his life.

"Hahahaha! With the Aromatic Silk Beauty, what poison am I afraid to refine now? I must hurry and refine medicines to resolve the hidden dangers in my body caused by years of alchemy.

I'll strive to break through to Spirit Douluo within three years. With the Aromatic Silk Beauty, the rare treasures I obtained recently will finally have their use. Once I reach Spirit Douluo, let's see how Spirit Hall can continue oppressing us!"

Yang Wudi immediately entered the alchemy room, beginning a long period of medicine refinement.

Meanwhile…

Dugu Bo found lodging and began flipping through the Herb Record.

"Yearning Heartbroken Red, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Origin Energy Immortal Grass, Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Beautiful Silk Tulip, Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, Purple Spirit Ganoderma…

So many immortal herbs! Their uses… I've been sitting on a treasure trove without even realizing it. The Earth Dragon Golden Melon is perfect for Yan Yan and me. Didn't Luochen mention that there were two ripe ones?

Heaven truly favors me, Dugu Bo! I lost my parents in my youth, my wife in middle age, and my son in my later years. Is this finally my time to turn things around? Hahahaha! Thanks to that boy, thank you, Li Luochen—you're like a grandson to me now.

Anyone who wants to harm you will have to get through me first!"

Dugu Bo vowed to protect Li Luochen at all costs. Not only had the boy helped detoxify his family, but he had also enhanced both his and his granddaughter's strength. Most importantly, he would become Dugu Bo's future grandson-in-law—a relationship worth safeguarding.

Next, Dugu Bo began reviewing the medicinal formulas, specifically searching for remedies to heal internal injuries. Both he and Dugu Yan had been soaked in toxins for too long, and their bodies needed repair.

As he flipped through the pages, Dugu Bo couldn't help but marvel at the Breaking Clan's talent. Though their clan leader was somewhat lacking, such a useful clan had been abandoned by the Hao Tian Sect.

Thinking about this, Dugu Bo sneered. 'Being suppressed by Spirit Hall and closing themselves off—short-sighted and arrogant. That's my evaluation of the Hao Tian Sect.'

Dugu Bo thoroughly reviewed everything he had collected from the Breaking Clan. With the memory of a Title Douluo, he quickly memorized everything.

"So this is called mixed poison? My previous use of poisons was far too crude. Seven-colored brilliance, huh? Hmm, I wonder if I can master such multi-layered mixed poisons. If I succeed, I won't be the weakest Title Douluo anymore."

After reviewing all the knowledge he had gained from the Breaking Clan, Dugu Bo set off to return to Tian Dou City. This trip had been highly fruitful, and he couldn't wait to return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to enhance himself, his granddaughter, and his future grandson-in-law.

And so, Dugu Bo began his journey back.

After many days, nearly a month, Dugu Bo returned to Tian Dou City.

The first thing he did was return to his residence. As soon as he entered, he saw Dugu Yan and Li Luochen studying books—specifically, texts on Dugu Bo's poison-making techniques.

Originally, Dugu Yan hadn't been interested in learning these things, but Li Luochen was enthusiastic about it, believing that acquiring another skill was always beneficial. As Li Luochen pored over Dugu Bo's poison manuals, Dugu Yan had no choice but to join him.

"Cough, cough." Dugu Bo cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"Ah! Grandpa's back!" Dugu Yan rushed over and hugged Dugu Bo tightly. It had been nearly a month since she last saw him, and she had missed him dearly.

"Grandpa Dugu, welcome back. Judging by your expression, it seems you've had quite the harvest."

Li Luochen closed his book and smiled at Dugu Bo. Indeed, Dugu Bo was in high spirits. After not seeing him for some time, his once silver-gray hair had turned jet black, a sign that the residual toxins in his body could no longer affect his vitality.

"Hahaha! This time, my harvest was indeed bountiful. Luochen, the place you directed me to—the Breaking Clan's pharmaceutical skills are truly unparalleled. Even I can't match them. I've obtained the Herb Record, and they even gave me their clan's secret core poisons.

Their clan leader may not be the sharpest tool in the shed—he acted as if he'd seen his own grandfather when he saw the Aromatic Silk Beauty. I don't understand him."

Dugu Bo briefly recounted his gains from the Star Luo Empire. He had gained new insights into poison-making. Having made a living through poison and earned the title "Poison," poison was his signature skill. Now, with the Breaking Clan's multi-layered mixed poisons, his offensive capabilities had become even more formidable (A/N: Danger!!!).

"Then, Grandpa Dugu, let's head to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Bring some barrels along. Since both you and Yan Yan have had toxins seep into your bones, there are bound to be residual toxins and hidden injuries in your bodies. Let's address those before consuming the immortal herbs."

Li Luochen outlined the next steps. Dugu Bo understood that the final stage of detoxification was to evolve their martial souls. By using the immortal herbs wisely, they could permanently retire the Jade Phosphorous Snake martial soul.

Dugu Bo instructed Wang, the steward, to look after the residence (Wang: I understand, leave it to me). Then, Dugu Bo, accompanied by Li Luochen and Dugu Yan, set off once again for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

More than a month had passed since they last left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Returning now, Li Luochen was still filled with excitement. This time, they were fully prepared. With the Herb Record in hand, they could significantly strengthen themselves.

------------------------------------------------------

Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow