The poison duel between Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi wasn't as intense as their previous confrontation at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but it was by no means mild.
After several rounds, even Dugu Bo couldn't help but admire Yang Wudi's profound knowledge in both medicine and poison. Dugu Bo released five different poisons — Yang Wudi successfully neutralized three of them.
At this moment, Dugu Bo, Yun Yibai, and Yang Wudi were walking toward the Yang Clan's Archive Pavilion.
This archive dates back to before the Yang clan's calamity at the hands of Spirit Hall. That event cost them many clan members — and a significant amount of their ancestral knowledge.
"Here — take a look. Is any of these the one you saw before?" Yang Wudi asked, quickly approaching Yun Yibai with a book that looked neither old nor new.
Yang Wudi cared deeply about celestial-grade spiritual herbs — so much so that he no longer cared whether this kind of knowledge was considered secret or exclusive.
Truthfully, he hoped that through Yun Yibai's memory, he could track down the source. Where one celestial treasure grew, there was often more than one. Not always — but sometimes. And he was willing to take a chance on that possibility.
Yun Yibai took the book, opening to the first page. Yang Wudi stood right beside him, and Dugu Bo watched with arms crossed.
Page one: Jiao Coral Flower, a marine-origin spirit herb.
Page two: Dragonscale Emerald Blossom, usually found near dragon remains.
Page three: …
"You do have some good stuff here."
"No wonder you were able to counter my poison," Dugu Bo said.
Yang Wudi sighed softly. For the first time, he shed the image of the proud clan leader.
The Yang clan had always claimed to specialize in alchemy, but in truth, Yang Wudi himself was just as obsessed with poison-a — fixation driven by deep-seated hatred.
"Your poisons are indeed extraordinary, Your Grace," Yang Wudi said respectfully to Dugu Bo.
"But all things in nature follow the law of balance — where there is poison, there is also its antidote."
"Had I possessed the right medicines at the time, I might have countered the rest of your toxins too."
"If I could obtain the same herb that this boy once consumed, I might not only solve your poisons — I could even cure the girl."
His tone softened unconsciously, but his words accidentally revealed something: he had noticed that Dugu Yan was poisoned.
At the mention of his granddaughter, Dugu Bo's expression instantly sharpened. A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes.
Now that Yang Wudi had directly pointed out the toxin inside Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo's demeanor turned outright cold.
Yang Wudi felt the shift and realized he had overstepped. Still, this time, he didn't back down — not because he was confrontational, but because he knew he wasn't wrong.
"Hmph! Are you suggesting that — I-I-I-the Poison Douluo — can't cure my own granddaughter's poison?!" Dugu Bo growled.
Yang Wudi thought to himself,
"As expected — this man's temper is unpredictable."
"It's not just the girl, Your Grace," Yang Wudi said calmly.
"Even — you are also deeply poisoned."
"Green hair, green eyes — no one is born like that naturally on this continent."
"You can even see it in your granddaughter. Her hair color is not as purely emerald as yours… yet."
"But she's already starting to resemble you. If things continue this way, then someday..."
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
Dugu Bo understood what he meant.
"You have a solution?" Dugu Bo asked. "You're talking about the same herb this kid consumed?"
Yang Wudi nodded.
"As I said — nature creates balance. That boy is practically a living antidote. His blood…"
"Found it!" Yun Yibai suddenly called out.
While Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi had been bickering, Yun Yibai had been rapidly flipping through the pages — pressured by the rising tension. He hadn't wanted to get dragged into their argument, especially once Yang Wudi's attention turned toward him.
He quickly skimmed past entries like Fiery Apricot Petal and Eight-Spoked Ice Grass, until finally — he landed on the right one.
"Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma! It is the Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma!"
Whether it qualified as a celestial-grade herb or not could be debated. But in Yang Wudi's eyes, it was — and that was all that mattered.
While Yang Wudi was visibly ecstatic, Dugu Bo's expression turned a little… odd.
"Huh. I think I've seen this somewhere before…"
As the owner of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo had explored every corner of his medicinal paradise. He knew what was planted there — but the issue was, he didn't recognize everything he'd seen.
"Wait, what? You've seen it before?!" Yang Wudi's eyes widened with excitement — more joy than shock.
"Do you remember where?"
Now Yang Wudi's proud demeanor completely vanished — he was almost begging.
Dugu Bo shot him a sideways glance.
Honestly, he preferred Yang Wudi's earlier arrogance. He could already see through the man's intentions.
Before, he hadn't known the herb's true value. But now that he did, why on earth would he share it so easily?
He ignored Yang Wudi and turned to Yun Yibai instead.
"Kid, hand me the book. Let me take a closer look."
Yun Yibai handed it over obediently.
Dugu Bo scrutinized the illustration of the Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma, not missing a single detail.
"Yes. That's the one. Without a doubt."
"Tsk tsk… I never imagined this thing would be so useful."
He shook his head with a sigh.
It had been in his backyard this whole time, and he'd never known what it truly was.
Yang Wudi stood nearby with a greedy glint in his eye — though he tried to hide it. Still, he had been smart: he'd included precise illustrations and thorough annotations in the book, making it invaluable. That's why he hadn't minded showing it openly.
"Hmm?"
Dugu Bo continued flipping through the book. A few pages later, he let out a curious hum.
Yang Wudi's ears twitched at the sound.
Something's up, he thought.
But before he could ask, he noticed Dugu Bo's expression shift — from intrigued to serious. His pace quickened as he flipped through more pages.
Sensing the moment, Yun Yibai cut in:
"Senior Dugu, have you seen many of the herbs listed in that book?"
Hearing this, Yang Wudi also turned his gaze expectantly toward Dugu Bo.
The Poison Douluo didn't answer immediately. He finished flipping through the entire volume, then paused in thought.
After a long silence, Dugu Bo finally sighed.
"Yes... several of the celestial herbs recorded here — I've seen them with my own eyes."