Chapter 96: Sister Yin's Strategy of Feigned Retreat
"Boom!"
Su Yun's words struck Dugu Bo like a thunderclap. He looked at his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, who was temporarily recovering and being helped by Ning Rongrong to adjust her clothes. The usually cold-hearted Dugu Bo felt a sense of powerlessness, reminiscent of the time he lost his son, Dugu Xin.
The atmosphere in the room became oppressively tense. Hearing Su Yun's pronouncement, which sounded almost like a death sentence for Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng froze, like a statue. The several Title Douluo present also remained silent.
Sword Bone Douluo said nothing. Yu Yuanzhen's eyes flickered. Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, though long at odds with Dugu Bo, couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness for the old man who was about to lose his granddaughter. Everyone who was older knew of Dugu Bo's loss of his son. If he were to lose his granddaughter in old age, who knew what the old poison would do in his frenzy?
Ning Fengzhi pondered and finally decided to speak to Dugu Bo, "Senior Dugu, is there really no way to solve this? As the 'Poison' Title Douluo, can't you resolve the toxin of the Bi Lin Snake Emperor spirit?"
Ning Fengzhi's inquiry was devoid of any mockery; he hoped Dugu Bo could find a way to save his granddaughter. The thought of a young girl like Dugu Yan withering away under her spirit's toxin was too regrettable.
However, for Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi's words felt like sharp knives in his heart. Yes, he was known as 'Poison', renowned for his toxic abilities, yet he couldn't cure his own poison. How ironic!
Recalling this, Dugu Bo stood up and looked at Su Yun, his emotions churning. He remembered the words he had spoken to Su Yun that night. Now, he wished he could slap himself for his pride in refusing Su Yun's request. The conditions Su Yun had offered weren't unreasonable, but he had declined due to his pride. And now, Su Yun had once again saved his granddaughter without holding grudges.
Dugu Bo had never felt so powerless. He had overestimated himself and underestimated this disciple of the Pope. Ning Fengzhi, noticing Dugu Bo's gaze toward Su Yun, guessed his thoughts. Having seen Su Yun's abilities, he lamented the fact that such a talent was discovered by the Spirit Hall first.
Though sighing inwardly, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward to mediate, "Su Yun, I saw your methods just now. Do you have any insights? Is there any way to treat this young lady Dugu Yan? If you need help, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is willing to assist."
Ning Fengzhi, as the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, skillfully offered assistance, bridging the gap with Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo, seeing Ning Fengzhi's gesture, gained a trace of respect for him. Yu Tianheng also looked expectantly at Su Yun, a few years his junior, hoping for a positive answer. Only Su Yun's affirmation could save Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan, now awake and leaning on her grandfather, looked at Su Yun with eyes full of the desire to live. She knew that even her grandfather couldn't save her. It was Su Yun's spirit's life force that had pulled her back from the brink of death.
Feeling everyone's gaze, Su Yun finally spoke, "Indeed, I have a method. But it's just a suggestion, for your reference."
Everyone's faces lit up at the words "I have a method," but then turned anxious as Su Yun continued.
Su Yun raised a finger, speaking calmly, "I have three methods. The first is to dissipate the poison power, effectively destroying your granddaughter's spirit. Though her spirit evolved into the Bi-Phosphorous Snake Emperor prematurely, it's only a recent development. Her soul power level isn't high, and the accumulation of toxins isn't as severe as Senior Dugu's."
"Removing the spirit and supporting it with heavenly treasures should cleanse the toxins before long," Su Yun looked at Dugu Bo, "Senior Dugu has experienced the evolution of the Bi-Lin Snake Emperor's toxin, so you should know better how to remove the initial toxins."
Everyone was shocked by the suggestion of destroying the spirit. They had thought of it, and their reasoning aligned with Su Yun's. Compared to Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan was actually salvageable.
But destroying one's spirit is the biggest blow to a soul master, especially for a genius from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy like Dugu Yan. It's something she could hardly accept! After all the hardships she endured and the effort she put in to reach this point in her cultivation, how could she willingly give up her spirit?
Dugu Bo looked at his granddaughter Dugu Yan, whose eyes fluctuated between hope and despair upon hearing Su Yun's first method. Her face turned deathly pale.
Dugu Bo clenched his fists tightly. In fact, since last night, he had contemplated this drastic measure: to remove the source of the problem. Without her spirit, Dugu Yan would no longer accumulate toxins in her body. With his current ability, curing her wouldn't be easy, but it was achievable with some time and effort.
However, for his extremely proud granddaughter, losing her spirit would be too cruel a fate. That's why he had been hesitant to make this decision. But after hearing Su Yun's words, the thought resurfaced in his mind. If Su Yun's other two methods were not feasible, he would rather have his granddaughter hate him for the rest of her life than let her lose her life. With the protection of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, even if he were gone, she could live a peaceful life.
"That's the first method. What about the other two?" asked Dugu Yan, unsure how to address Su Yun, and thus calling him "classmate Su" weakly.
"The second method is for me to take action," Su Yun unfolded his left hand, revealing a small Blue Silver Emperor tree shimmering with noble golden light, radiating an overwhelming life force as if the origin of all life began in the palm of his hand.
This life force was so potent that even Sword Bone Douluo and Yu Yuanzhen felt rejuvenated upon sensing it. They looked at Su Yun with astonishment and admiration in their eyes. However, seeing Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo nearby, they also felt a sense of regret. Such an exceptional seed had fallen into the hands of the Spirit Hall.
"You can help me?" Dugu Yan couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise at Su Yun's confident demeanor.
"I can," Su Yun affirmed. "That's my second method. From today, you'll stay by my side, and I will use my spirit periodically to expel the toxins and restore vitality to your body. With my method, you can continue cultivating your spirit power, albeit at a slower pace, to prevent a sudden burst of toxins. As my soul power strengthens, it will become easier to prevent the toxin from invading your body, confining it only to the soul power. Over time, once you become a Title Douluo yourself and can control the toxin freely, you won't need my assistance anymore."
Su Yun's second method visibly relieved everyone in the room. However, they quickly realized a problem: Su Yun's identity. He was the disciple of the Pope of the Spirit Hall! Dugu Yan might be Dugu Bo's granddaughter with a relatively high status, but she was still not significant enough compared to Su Yun. Asking him to treat her for the next decade or so until she became a Title Douluo was nothing short of a daydream.
Yu Tianheng looked hopefully at his grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, hoping he would offer assistance. However, Yu Yuanzhen subtly shook his head and telepathically communicated, "Even Dugu Bo hasn't spoken yet, what's the rush, boy?"
Hearing Su Yun's words, Yu Yuanzhen had no choice but to suppress his urge to act.
"Grandpa, I..." Dugu Yan turned to her grandfather Dugu Bo, trying to speak but unable to find the words. Asking Su Yun, a disciple of the Spirit Hall's Pope, to treat her for years to come seemed impossible. Even if the Dugu family could request it, would he be willing? And if the Pope of the Spirit Hall heard of this, would she allow her disciple to waste time treating an outsider? Definitely not!
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Bone Douluo, standing nearby, remained silent as well. They could help with money, but Su Yun's status was something they couldn't influence. Forcing him to save someone? Just the two guards following Su Yun indicated his importance to the Pope of the Spirit Hall.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense. In Su Yun's heart, Sister Yin watched Dugu Yan's forlorn attempt at smiling, feeling her maternal instincts well up, feeling sad and heartbroken for her.
"Little Su Yun, why don't you just help that young girl?" Sister Yin suggested after a moment's thought. "If it's really necessary, we can use my soul origin..."
"Absolutely not!" Su Yun immediately objected to Sister Yin's proposal. Using her soul origin could indeed enhance the power of his Blue Silver Emperor in the short term, allowing Dugu Yan to live toxin-free for about ten years, long enough for her to reach a high level of soul power and suppress the toxin like Dugu Bo. However, the consequence would be the splitting of Sister Yin's soul, an irreversible process until Su Yun attained godhood.
"But that poor girl..."
Sister Yin, always tender-hearted towards the weak and helpless, sighed, but Su Yun reassured her, "If there's really no other way, I'll step in."
Energized by his commitment, Sister Yin playfully praised him, "Our Little Su Yun is the best, so kind-hearted! I knew you wouldn't let such a pretty girl die."
Realizing Sister Yin's playful manipulation, Su Yun grumbled internally, "Sister Yin, you're playing hard to get!"
"Giggle, you caught me, Little Su Yun. But it's because you have a kind heart," Sister Yin's laughter rang in his heart.{Fuk This Mary Sue mc}
Though internally agreeing to help, Su Yun wasn't going to make it easy for Dugu Yan. He wasn't a charity worker, after all. His initial plan was to use the treatment as leverage to sway Dugu Bo. Now, with Dugu Yan as another bargaining chip, he wasn't going to miss this opportunity.
Without waiting for Dugu Bo or Dugu Yan to respond, Su Yun proposed a third method, "There's a third way, which will also require a long time. It's the least burdensome for you both, not as effective as my direct intervention, but a milder and safer approach."
Dugu Yan, rekindling hope in her eyes, eagerly asked, "What is it?"
(End of Chapter 96)
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