"You scoundrel! You lowly commoner! How dare you hit a prince! Do you not wish to live? Dugu Bo, is this the person you're recommending? I don't agree!" Xue Beng shouted furiously, his face twisted with rage.
Su Ming's strike had caused Xue Beng's face to bleed, with half of it swollen and disfigured.
Xue Beng had never imagined that after just teasing a couple of beauties, this mere commoner would dare to strike him. How could Su Ming be so bold?
Dugu Yan, holding her face in her hand with exasperation, muttered to herself. She had just warned Su Ming not to provoke Xue Beng, but the foolish prince had gone and antagonized the people Su Ming cared about. Who else would get hit but him?
From Dugu Yan's perspective, although Zhu Zhuqing didn't share the same close relationship with Su Ming as Xiao Wu, it was likely only a matter of time before that changed.
Dugu Bo's low, raspy voice sounded, "Fourth Prince, you were in the wrong here. I won't be listening to you. Su Ming is my granddaughter's savior!"
Ignoring Xue Beng entirely, Dugu Bo led Su Ming and the others toward the academy to find the three deans.
Though Xue Beng's uncle, Prince Xue Xing, had saved his life before, Dugu Bo had already done much for him over the years. This time, no matter what, he would side with Su Ming. His granddaughter's well-being mattered far more, and Su Ming had saved her. On top of that, Yan Yan had mentioned that Su Ming might be able to cure their poison, which was worth exploring, even if it seemed far-fetched.
Xue Beng couldn't believe Dugu Bo had refused him—it was the first time! Still sitting on the ground, clutching his swollen face, Xue Beng was in shock. Su Ming was Dugu Yan's savior? But had Dugu Bo forgotten that his uncle had once saved his life too?
He needed to visit his uncle soon, but first, he would head to Xue Qinghe. This injury was the perfect excuse.
Without further interruptions, Su Ming and his companions were quickly granted admission to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, thanks to the approval of the three deans.
Afterward, Dugu Bo escorted Su Ming to his assigned dormitory, while Dugu Yan led Xiao Wu and the others to theirs.
There was no doubt about the opulence of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The luxurious single dormitory Su Ming received was incredibly spacious, fully equipped with excellent soundproofing and every possible amenity. Su Ming was thoroughly satisfied, and though he didn't need many of the facilities, their presence gave him a sense of comfort and peace.
Once Su Ming had unpacked, Dugu Bo couldn't hold back any longer.
"Su Ming, first of all, I must thank you for saving Yan Yan. If not for you, I might have lost my only family."
"I didn't expect Yu Tianheng to turn out to be such a person. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—I won't forget this!" Dugu Bo said darkly.
Su Ming shook his head. "It was nothing. I had to protect myself too. Helping your granddaughter was just part of that."
Dugu Bo knew Su Ming was downplaying it. "Regardless, I owe you a favor."
Su Ming smiled. "Dugu Bo, surely you didn't come here just to thank me? If you don't have anything else to ask, I'll be on my way."
With that, Su Ming pretended to head for the door, but Dugu Bo quickly stopped him. "Wait!"
The corner of Su Ming's mouth twitched upward as he stopped.
"You sly little brat," Dugu Bo said, sounding helpless. "You know full well what I want to ask, yet you pretend not to. I want to know if you truly have a way to cure me and Yan Yan of our poison. Even I, who am highly knowledgeable about poisons, can't deal with the side effects of my own spirit."
Su Ming responded, "I imagine the reason you were late earlier was due to your poison acting up, right? The poison has deeply affected you."
"If I'm not mistaken, you forced your way to the Title Douluo level, which worsened the poison in your body. It's a miracle you're still alive—likely thanks to some external force that's helping you suppress it."
Dugu Bo was surprised that Su Ming had guessed correctly. Indeed, his rapid advancement, along with the effects of the poison, had left him stuck at his current level, with no way to suppress the poison without external help.
Su Ming continued, "Dugu Yan likely told you I can help detoxify you both, but whether you believe me is up to you. And why should I help you in the first place?"
Su Ming knew that Dugu Bo was a man of principle. Having saved Dugu Yan, there was no way Dugu Bo would try to force him.
Dugu Bo, in a low voice, said, "To be honest, I'm not entirely convinced. But there's something special about you. You may have a way. As for what you want in return, name it, and I'll give you anything—just help us rid ourselves of this poison."
Seeing that he had piqued Dugu Bo's interest, Su Ming replied, "Dugu Bo, you should start by telling me what external force you're using to suppress the poison. Maybe it could help in the detoxification process."
Dugu Bo admitted, "A few years ago, I discovered a special place deep within the Sunset Forest. Thanks to it, I was able to break through to Title Douluo and temporarily suppress the poison. If only I had found it sooner, Yan Yan's parents might still be alive…"
Su Ming nodded thoughtfully. "Then, let's go there. You can even test me along the way if you like—it'll help ease your mind."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Dugu Bo decided to take Su Ming to the place. Normally, he wouldn't bring anyone there, given the precious herbs it housed. But now, he felt it was worth the risk.
"Alright. But first, let's say goodbye to your friends. This will take some time."
Su Ming nodded. Detoxifying Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan wasn't a quick process. It would likely take a month at least. The "Heavenly Poison Scripture" from his system seemed perfectly tailored for this task.
After a short wait, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing emerged from the girls' dormitory, their faces beaming with satisfaction—clearly pleased with their accommodations.
Su Ming called them over. "I need to leave with Dugu Bo for a while. During this time, you should focus on your cultivation and take full advantage of the academy's resources. Catch up to me if you can!"
Xiao Wu, feeling reluctant, asked, "How long will you be gone, brother? Can't I come with you?"
Ever since meeting Su Ming, Xiao Wu had never been apart from him for more than a day. Now, not knowing how long he'd be gone, she couldn't help but feel sad.
Su Ming comforted her. "I'm not sure how long it will take, but at least a month. I'll return as soon as I can. In the meantime, train hard with Rongrong and Zhuqing—I don't want to see you slacking off when I get back."
He whispered in her ear, "I'll reward you when I return."
Turning to Dugu Bo, Su Ming said, "Let's go."
This journey would determine whether he could win Dugu Bo's allegiance and secure the rare medicinal herbs.
Dugu Yan watched Su Ming leave with a sense of hope. "Please succeed…"
After a period of travel, Dugu Bo finally brought Su Ming to his hidden location in the Sunset Forest, through layers of poisonous barriers.
"Here, take this antidote pill. It will protect you from the poison I've set up here," Dugu Bo said, handing Su Ming a pill.
Without hesitation, Su Ming swallowed it.
Dugu Bo led him through the poison barriers until they arrived at a striking sight: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, surrounded by numerous rare medicinal plants.
Thankfully, Su Ming had the medicinal herb compendium from his system, or he would have struggled to identify many of the plants.
Casually, Su Ming asked, "Dugu Bo, with so many herbs here, haven't you tried using any of them to detoxify yourself?"
Dugu Bo's lips twitched at the question. He wished he could! But he didn't recognize most of the herbs here. What if one killed him instead of curing him? He couldn't risk leaving Yan Yan alone in the world.
Seeing Dugu Bo's expression, Su Ming held back a chuckle. Dugu Bo had been sitting on a treasure trove without realizing it.
Still, Su Ming knew the truth: aside from a few non-toxic herbs, most plants here were poisonous and required special methods of absorption.
After some thought, Su Ming said, "Dugu Bo, give me a few days to prepare. I'll use some of these herbs to create a basic antidote. Then you can test me as much as you want."
Dugu Bo agreed. "Alright. Use whatever you need. But if it doesn't work, don't push it."
Dugu Bo understood that Su Ming was trying to gain his trust, but Su Ming's main goal was to test out the Ice and Fire body refinement for himself.
He wondered how much his enhanced physique would benefit from it.
In the original story, even after Tang San underwent the refinement, he could only barely absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. But Su Ming's body could likely handle a seventy-thousand-year spirit ring!
Without hesitation, Su Ming stepped toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, positioning himself between the two special herbs: the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Inferno Delicate Apricot.
Dugu Bo, confused, watched Su Ming closely. Though the well helped suppress his poison, he never dared get too close for too long, as it would worsen his condition.
"Su Ming, be careful! That pool is no joke!" Dugu Bo warned.
With a thought, Su Ming used his Wooden Lance Technique, growing two thick vines from his shoulders that reached out to both herbs.
With precision, he plucked three leaves from each plant, allowing the opposing properties to neutralize each other before swallowing them.
Given his strong constitution, Su Ming decided to take six leaves instead of the usual two, curious to see the effects.
Though the body refinement was important, what mattered most was gaining a body immune to poisons and potentially acquiring resistance to both fire and water.
He wasn't sure if his wood-element spirit would gain these resistances, given that it was summoned rather than part of him.
Dugu Bo, seeing Su Ming's boldness, was shocked. If something went wrong, how would Su Ming survive?
Just as Dugu Bo moved to intervene, Su Ming's voice called out, "Dugu Bo, I'm fine. Please wait for me."
With that, Su Ming dove into the pool.
He immediately felt his body alternating between scorching heat and icy cold, a discomfort that wasn't unbearable. As for the pain of the body refinement, it was mild, likely thanks to his enhanced physique.
After an hour, Dugu Bo, growing increasingly anxious, wondered if Su Ming had met some disaster.
Suddenly, Su Ming's eyes shot open, and he leaped out of the pool, landing gracefully on the ground. He felt refreshed, as though his body had been thoroughly purified.
Ding! Congratulations, host. You have gained a body immune to all poisons. Your summoned spirit creatures now possess resistance to both fire and water.
Su Ming, curious, asked, "System, with this poison immunity, can I resist Bibi Dong's poison?"
The system fell silent.
Ding! Host, please stop harboring such unrealistic fantasies. You're making me question your intelligence.
Su Ming: …
Alright, it was just a casual question. He hadn't expected much. After all, his poison immunity wasn't absolute. Bibi Dong's poison, known to be the deadliest in the world, wasn't something he could resist.
Dugu Bo coughed twice. "Uh, Su Ming… maybe you should put some clothes on. I'm not interested in seeing you like this."