Not long after, Dugu Bo returned with a Ruyi Baibao Pouch in hand. The pouch contained all the common medicinal ingredients and tools that Nan Feihuang had requested for refining medicine.
However, upon returning, Dugu Bo realized something was amiss—Nan Feihuang was nowhere to be seen. Panic quickly overtook him.
"Little Flying General! Where are you?" Dugu Bo bellowed, his voice echoing through the area.
"Damn it! This kid wouldn't have wandered off, would he? A child is still a child—no sense of caution. What if something happened? No, I must find him immediately!"
Just as Dugu Bo was about to set off in search, the still waters of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well began to churn violently. Suddenly, a figure shot out from the center, ascending high into the air before landing gracefully on solid ground.
"Old Poison, no need to look for me. I'm right here!" Nan Feihuang's voice rang clear as he wiped water from his face.
"You... you were in the spring?! And you're still alive?!" Dugu Bo stared, eyes wide with disbelief. "Do you know what kind of place that is? Even I don't dare touch that water lightly, yet you…"
Nan Feihuang waved his hand casually. "Relax, Old Poison. It's not a big deal. I just consumed the two most potent plants from the center of your Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—Eight-Petal Ice Crystal and Blazing Delicate Apricot—and refined them into my body. Now, I'm immune to extreme heat and cold. Oh, and it seems my Fangtian Halberd has undergone some notable changes as well."
"You ate both of them?!" Dugu Bo's voice shot up an octave, a rare tremble in his tone. "Do you have any idea how deadly those herbs are? Even I, who deals in poisons daily, wouldn't dare try that. You reckless little brat! Come here—let me check you for residual toxins before it's too late!"
"Thank you for worrying, Old Poison, but I'm perfectly fine," Nan Feihuang assured him, a smile tugging at his lips. "In fact, let me show you the results of my little gamble. Fangtian Halberd!"
With a flash of light, Nan Feihuang's martial soul materialized in his hands. The mighty dual-edged halberd, adorned with intricate branches on each blade, looked much the same as before—except now, it radiated an aura unlike anything from before.
On the left blade, a fierce crimson flame flickered, radiating scorching heat. On the right, frost gathered, exuding bone-chilling cold. With a casual sweep, Nan Feihuang slashed the ground. A fiery line scorched the earth to the left, while frost glazed over everything to the right.
Dugu Bo's jaw tightened as he processed what he was witnessing. "Your halberd… its attributes have changed?"
Nan Feihuang nodded. "Not exactly. The attributes were always there, buried deep in my bloodline. The herbs I consumed merely awakened them. My mother's martial soul embodies the pinnacle of ice, while my father's abilities lean heavily toward fire. The clash of these elements left my martial soul dormant and attribute-neutral for years."
Dugu Bo stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, so it's the result of your parents' incompatible attributes balancing out. But with those two herbs, the ice and fire within you have reached harmony and fully awakened. Remarkable. Truly remarkable!"
Nan Feihuang chuckled. "Yes, but there's more. I believe both my ice and fire attributes have the potential to reach their ultimate forms. I'll just need time and effort to fully refine the remaining medicinal energy in my body."
Dugu Bo let out a low whistle. "The Flying General, huh? Your martial soul might already surpass the so-called strongest tool souls like the Clear Sky Hammer. And to think you're only just getting started…"
"Thanks for the praise, Old Poison," Nan Feihuang said humbly before shifting topics. "Now that I've completed my preparations, shall we begin your detox?"
Dugu Bo's expression turned serious. "You're ready now?"
Nan Feihuang nodded. "Yes. Let me explain the process. First, we'll use your soul bone as a vessel to transfer and suppress the majority of the toxins in your body. After that, we'll focus on reshaping your constitution using the Taoist Golden Body Art I taught you. With this dual approach, we'll cure the root of the problem while strengthening you in the process."
Dugu Bo's lips curled into a rare smile. "Transfer the toxins to a soul bone and alter my constitution… Genius! If this works, not only will I be free of my ailments, but my poison abilities will also reach unprecedented heights. I might even…"
He trailed off, eyes glinting with ambition. Nan Feihuang didn't need him to finish to understand. Dugu Bo was envisioning his rise to Super Douluo, unshackled by the limitations of his poisoned body.
"Then it's settled. We'll start the detox tomorrow," Nan Feihuang declared.
---
That evening, Nan Feihuang began instructing Dugu Bo on the first steps of the Taoist Golden Body Art. Sitting cross-legged by the spring, the two pressed their palms together, soul power intertwining as Nan Feihuang guided Dugu Bo through the cultivation process.
"Breathe as one; the spirit and qi must remain in harmony… Allow the energies to circulate freely, nourishing the core…"
Time passed unnoticed as Dugu Bo practiced. The serene atmosphere of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was interrupted only when his body began to shudder violently.
Nan Feihuang's eyes snapped open in alarm. "Old Poison, are you alright?!"
Dugu Bo waved him off with a trembling hand, sweat pouring down his face. "It's fine… It's just… the poison… It's midnight, my usual flare-up…"
Realization dawned on Nan Feihuang. It wasn't a problem with the technique—it was the daily resurgence of Dugu Bo's poison.
"Hold on. Let me help suppress it."
Nan Feihuang bit his thumb, letting two drops of his blood fall into Dugu Bo's mouth. The medicinal properties of the herbs he consumed earlier surged through Dugu Bo's body, providing immediate relief.
"Sit tight. I'll assist with my soul power," Nan Feihuang said, positioning himself behind Dugu Bo and channeling his remaining strength to stabilize him.
Though his soul power was quickly exhausted, the combined effort left Dugu Bo visibly more at ease.
"How do you feel now?" Nan Feihuang asked.
Dugu Bo exhaled deeply, his usual composure returning. "Much better. Your blood… it has remarkable effects. Thank you, Little Flying General. You've truly given this old man a glimmer of hope."
Nan Feihuang smiled. "Rest easy, Old Poison. Tomorrow, we'll officially begin curing you—for good this time."