Su Ming stood up nonchalantly and said, "Senior Dugu Bo, if I couldn't handle your life poison, how could I even help you detoxify yourself?"
"You should know that the reason you're suffering from backlash is because you can't control your own life poison."
Dugu Bo blushed slightly, realizing Su Ming had a point. Then, he heard Su Ming say, "Senior Dugu Bo, I have two methods to detoxify you. You can choose which one you want."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo was overjoyed and quickly asked, "What are they?"
He hadn't been able to think of even one solution, and now Su Ming had two!
Su Ming explained, "The first method is to find a few high-quality soul bones, preferably an external poison-type soul bone. If you can't find one, that's fine too. Then, both you and Dugu Yan can absorb them and transfer your life poison into the bones."
"Since your poison is so deeply embedded, I would need to use my life energy to help dissolve some of it."
"This method is relatively simple, but there is a fatal flaw."
Dugu Bo asked, puzzled, "What's the flaw? Is it because soul bones are hard to find?"
Su Ming shook his head. "You're half right. More specifically, it's difficult to find an external poison-type soul bone. You should know that an external soul bone can evolve as a soul master's strength increases."
"If you manage to find a suitable poison-type external soul bone and continuously transfer your poison into it, the bone will eventually undergo a qualitative transformation."
"But with other soul bones, no matter how high their age, there's a limit to how much poison they can bear. And if that limit is exceeded..."
Dugu Bo's voice turned serious, "If the soul bone's limit is exceeded, the soul master will die, unable to bear the dual burden of the bone breaking and the poison erupting!"
Su Ming continued with a sly smile, "So, this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Without a special opportunity, the broken soul bone can't be repaired. I take it, Senior Dugu Bo, you'd prefer the second method?"
Dugu Bo quickly responded, "Of course, I'll choose the second method. You just said the first one only treats the symptoms, and finding an external soul bone isn't that easy."
As they discussed, Dugu Bo casually asked, "By the way, kid, Yan Yan mentioned you had a classmate who recently got a poison-type external soul bone. Is that true?"
Seeing that his subtle hint worked, Su Ming nodded, "Yes, it's true. Why, Senior Dugu Bo, are you interested? If so, you'd better act fast. He's only recently acquired it, so it likely hasn't fully fused with him yet."
Dugu Bo grew suspicious. "Kid, I see what you're up to. You've been mentioning external soul bones this whole time. Are you trying to get me to take that bone from him? It seems like you don't get along with this person."
Su Ming smiled faintly. He knew he couldn't hide anything from Dugu Bo, a man with years of experience. After all, Dugu Bo had lived long enough to figure out people's intentions.
Su Ming replied, unconcerned, "I'm not planning anything. I'm just providing you with information about the soul bone. Whether you act on it or not is up to you—it has no impact on me."
Dugu Bo studied Su Ming's expression and realized he was telling the truth. Indeed, a poison-type external soul bone would be perfect for Yan Yan.
Dugu Bo then asked, "So, what's the story between you and this person? Tell me everything."
Su Ming spent a little time explaining his conflicts with Tang San. Dugu Bo finally understood. It seemed that Tang San had been the one provoking Su Ming all along. Likely, part of it was because of a woman, but it was also due to Tang San's pride. He couldn't accept that his natural talent, which should have made him stronger than Su Ming, hadn't translated into better results.
Dugu Bo frowned. "So, Senior, are you tempted? But let me warn you, Tang San's other martial soul is the Clear Sky Hammer."
"What? The Clear Sky Hammer? And his surname is Tang? Could he be related to that man?"
Dugu Bo had initially been considering taking action, but now he hesitated. If Tang Hao discovered this, both he and Yan Yan could be in danger.
Su Ming was genuine in his desire to befriend Dugu Bo, hoping they could become good friends—perhaps even close allies. That was why Su Ming revealed Tang San's background. He didn't want to deceive him; he aimed for a friendship built on sincerity.
"Alright, whether you go after that soul bone is your decision. Now, let me explain the second method. I have a poison cultivation technique that's perfect for both you and Dugu Yan. However, whether you can grasp it depends on your own abilities."
With that, Su Ming pulled out the Heavenly Poison Scripture, a manual created by a poison master from another continent. It contained cultivation techniques, poison concoctions, and knowledge of medicinal herbs. The system had adapted it to this world, making it perfectly compatible.
Dugu Bo was shocked after hearing Su Ming's offer. "Are you serious about giving me this technique? You realize how precious this is, right?"
Su Ming nodded. "Of course. I obtained it by chance. However, I'm not giving it away for free. In exchange, I'll need your help in the future if I encounter trouble. After all, I'm still just a humble Soul Elder. My strength is too weak."
Dugu Bo:
At first, Dugu Bo was touched, but when Su Ming said, "Just a humble Soul Elder," it annoyed him.
Dugu Bo couldn't help but retort, "What kind of Soul Elder are you, kid? You're practically a little monster! Have you ever seen a Soul Elder who can fight high-level Soul Douluos or even novice Title Douluos?"
Su Ming, without a hint of shame, replied, "Senior, that's just what you've seen. Using soul skills far beyond my level comes with a cost!"
Dugu Bo immediately asked, "What cost? Is it serious? Does it harm your foundation?"
Clearly concerned, Dugu Bo fired off three questions in a row, realizing he had come to like Su Ming's personality. After all, Su Ming had saved his granddaughter's life.
Su Ming casually explained, "Well, it consumes a lot of my soul power, and some soul skills can't be maintained for long."
Dugu Bo:
Dugu Bo's face turned green and then pale. He felt like he'd been tricked. That hardly seemed like a "cost" at all!