Upon learning that Chen Ming had managed to win over Dugu Bo's granddaughter within just a few days and even gained Dugu Bo's approval, Chen Tianyun and Chen Shijie both started looking at Chen Ming with a peculiar expression.
Previously, they had always thought Chen Ming was a somewhat introverted child due to his family environment and the early loss of his parents. They had even worried about how he would handle lifelong matters, yet unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out, he pulled off something big.
However, after receiving confirmation from Dugu Bo about the engagement between Chen Ming and Dugu Yan, both Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun were very pleased.
Chen Shijie sent Chen Tianyun out to handle some tasks and then sat down with Dugu Bo for a conversation. He spared no effort in introducing Chen Ming's past and praising his child's talent and diligence.
Although the Chen family's martial soul defect was something they couldn't openly discuss, in this situation, Chen Shijie didn't hold anything back. He directly shared the family's history and the details of the Jade Phosphorus Seven Absolute Flowers.
Even though Dugu Bo had already heard about the Chen family's story from Chen Ming, hearing it again still left him marveling at how similar it was to the situation in his own family.
Before long, Chen Tianyun returned to the house after taking care of some matters. Shortly after, a full spread of specialty dishes from Biluochen City was served.
This meal wasn't just prepared by the Chen family's cooks; it was a collaborative effort involving private chefs, renowned chefs, and master cooks from all over Biluochen City.
When the news spread that Dugu Bo had entered the Chen family's residence, all the factions, including the City Lord's Manor, began sending gifts to the Chen family in droves. The reason Chen Tianyun had gone out earlier was to handle this wave of offerings.
Once it was revealed that the Poison Douluo would be dining at the Chen residence, these factions even sent their chefs to assist in preparing the meal.
The dishes on the table were all specialty cuisines of Biluochen City, crafted from poison-type soul beasts. The unique preparation methods and the exotic ingredients even piqued Dugu Bo's interest.
After the feast, Chen Shijie personally led Dugu Bo to the Jade Phosphorus Seven Absolute Flower cave. This cave had always been off-limits to anyone outside the Chen family's direct bloodline who possessed the Emerald Scorpion martial soul.
The Jade Phosphorus Seven Absolute Flowers were of exceptional quality, standing at the pinnacle of poisonous plants. Seeing an entire cave filled with these flowers, even Dugu Bo, a titled Douluo known as the Poison Douluo, couldn't help but admit that the world was full of wonders.
The Jade Phosphorus Seven Absolute Flowers, cultivated over hundreds of years by dozens of generations of the Chen family, was enough to astonish anyone.
As for this rare, deadly treasure that Dugu Bo had previously only seen mentioned in ancient texts, he was deeply fascinated. Therefore, he decided to stay in the cave for a few days to study this rare plant thoroughly.
During Dugu Bo's research, Chen Ming brought out herbs he had retrieved earlier from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well that were suitable for Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun.
The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, known for its ability to stabilize one's foundation and nourish vitality, was a relatively mild type of immortal herb. It could enhance potential when consumed, so Chen Ming prepared it for his second uncle, Chen Tianyun, to help compensate for the defects in his martial soul.
As for his grandfather, Chen Shijie, Chen Ming hadn't found any truly suitable immortal herbs for him. Instead, he gathered some vitality-enhancing medicinal plants with stabilizing effects.
After all, Chen Shijie was already over seventy years old. Despite having the strength of a Soul King, his physical condition was in decline. At this age, expecting him to reach higher realms of cultivation was a bit unrealistic.
Immortal herbs that were too potent would be too much for his body to handle, while milder ones wouldn't have much effect. Faced with this dilemma, Chen Ming ultimately chose some vitality-enhancing and life-prolonging herbs for Chen Shijie.
Back when Chen Ming first awakened his martial soul, Chen Shijie's soul power level was at 54. After Chen Ming absorbed the Jade Phosphorus Seven Absolute Flower, the Chen family mastered the technique of using its extract to create cultivation medicines, which allowed Chen Shijie to break through to level 55.
After consuming the vitality-enhancing herbs Chen Ming prepared, Chen Shijie's soul power quickly advanced to level 56.
If he took all the herbs Chen Ming had prepared and spent some time fully absorbing them, it was estimated that Chen Shijie could reach level 57 or 58. Furthermore, his lifespan would likely be extended by about twenty years.
Chen Tianyun, on the other hand, had only broken through to level 47 last year. After consuming the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, his soul power immediately rose to level 49. Although his martial soul didn't appear to change, the herb replenished his previously lacking essence.
Considering his current age of nearly fifty, reaching the level of a Titled Douluo seemed somewhat out of reach. However, becoming a Soul Douluo was well within the realm of possibility.
If Chen Ming made breakthroughs in certain areas in the future, such as developing unique cultivation techniques, there was even a chance that Chen Tianyun could break through to the Titled Douluo level.
After staying for several days, Dugu Bo left Biluochen City with a few Jade Phosphorus Seven Absolute Flowers and Chen Ming. On the day of their departure, Dugu Bo had a conversation with Chen Shijie at the city gates.
From that point onward, the Chen family's status in Biluochen City soared to unprecedented heights. Chen Ming, too, could temporarily set aside his concerns about his family.
When the two returned to Heaven Dou City, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was already in its enrollment season. All the students had officially arrived and begun their classes.
However, Dugu Bo didn't concern himself with such matters. Although both Dugu Yan and Chen Ming were students, it was clear that they had more pressing priorities than attending school.
After sending a leave request to the academy, Dugu Bo took Dugu Yan and Chen Ming to the depths of the Sunset Forest, to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Since Dugu Yan was temporarily unable to withstand the aura of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo expanded the poison formation, creating a space outside the well's influence. He built a house there for Dugu Yan to stay in.
Meanwhile, he and Chen Ming settled closer to the core of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Over several months, Chen Ming worked on detoxifying Dugu Bo and preparing medicines for Dugu Yan, gradually neutralizing the toxins in their bodies and allowing their innate talents to be tamed. At the same time, he observed the various immortal herbs and began planning their use.
Some herbs could only be consumed once, while others could be used multiple times, and there were some that Chen Ming hadn't yet figured out how to use.
Three months later, Chen Ming's soul power reached level 30, and his physical and mental strength increased significantly. Even his understanding of his special abilities deepened further.
Just half a year earlier, he had broken through to level 20, absorbed his second thousand-year soul ring, and resolved the defect in his martial soul. Now, only six months later, Chen Ming was already preparing to absorb his third soul ring.