Dugu Bo swept a cold glance over him. "I won't hide it from you — this is the Dan Pearl condensed when my Emerald Serpent evolved into the Serpent Emperor. You could say half my strength is contained in this single bead. If I die, it will detonate directly inside your body. Forget about you — even a Titled Douluo couldn't survive an explosion from within. You little monster are far too cunning, so this old man has to keep a trump card."
Tang San popped the Dan Pearl straight into his mouth and swallowed it. A warm current slid down his throat, and his dantian thrummed with heat. Not only was there no discomfort whatsoever — the warmth actually dispersed throughout his limbs and bones, bringing a sensation of indescribable comfort.
Dugu Bo said flatly, "Feel that? As long as you don't try anything, the Dan Pearl will only benefit your cultivation. It will help condense your Soul Power. Once you've cured me, I'll draw it back out."
"Old Monster, I have a condition of my own." Tang San knew Dugu Bo hadn't lied about this. He didn't press the matter further — for now, at least, he was in no immediate danger. Judging from how much Dugu Bo cared about Dugu Yan, as long as Tang San hadn't yet removed the poison threat from her body, the old monster before him wouldn't bear to kill him.
Dugu Bo furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of amusement crossing his face. "Little Monster, do you realize you're the only person in decades who's dared to negotiate conditions with me like this? Even the Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire is polite and deferential when he sees me."
Tang San smiled faintly. "Then isn't the treatment I'm enjoying right now comparable to an emperor's? Old Monster, my condition is simple. While I prepare your medicine, you are not allowed to peek. I'll use this place as my laboratory. All you need to do is bring me some food and water each day. Then every night at the hour of the Pig — one hour before your flare-up — come here to take your medicine. I don't know how long the treatment will take. A conservative estimate is at least half a year."
Dugu Bo nodded. He knew perfectly well that Tang San feared he would learn the detoxification method and then kill him straightaway. Regarding this meticulous youth before him, he couldn't tell whether he felt more hatred or admiration. "Tang San, would you be willing to take this old man as your master?"
Had this been an ordinary Soul Master, hearing Dugu Bo's offer would likely have moved them to tears of gratitude as they dropped to their knees in discipleship. But Tang San merely glanced at Dugu Bo and said, "Old Monster, I think that title suits you just fine. I have no desire to change how I address you. Besides, what exactly do you think you could teach me about the use of poison? If anything, there are certain things you might need to learn from me."
"You…! Fine, fine, little monster — we'll see about that." Dugu Bo swallowed his fury, glared fiercely at Tang San, then launched himself into the air and headed up the mountain. After a few leaps, his figure vanished entirely.
The moment Dugu Bo left, Tang San seemed to lose all strength in his body. He collapsed to the ground with a thud, gasping for air in great gulps. Only now did he realize his back had been drenched in sweat and gone ice-cold.
Although he had successfully read Dugu Bo's psychology, deep down he hadn't been completely certain. If the old monster had truly gone mad and thrown caution to the wind, he would have become a corpse on the spot.
He looked around at the lush, rare medicinal herbs surrounding him, and a smile touched the corner of his mouth. Dugu Bo, oh Dugu Bo — it seems I really should thank you. There couldn't be a more perfect place than this.
He reached into his robe and pulled out the Nine-Sectioned Jade. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it straight toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes.
This Nine-Sectioned Jade had fed on his blood. Without the assistance of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes, even its own formidable venom would kill it. And his ability to shelter within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes was Tang San's closely guarded survival secret — something he naturally would not reveal in front of Dugu Bo.
He rubbed his lower abdomen and couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. He knew there was nothing he could do to resist the Dan Pearl. Setting aside the fact that it was impossible to extract, even if he could, he wouldn't dare.
The Dan Pearl was linked to Dugu Bo's heartbeat and vital essence. Any attempt to tamper with it would be detected instantly — nothing but suicide.
What a waste. Truly a waste. Tang San looked at the herbs around him, heart aching with regret. Every single one of these supreme-grade specimens was a peerless treasure, but as the saying goes, even the finest delicacies must not be overindulged.
Tang San knew that if he greedily consumed any more of these supremely nourishing herbs, it wouldn't help him at all — it would likely bring disaster immediately.
He would have to wait until he had absorbed as much of the Eight-Angle Frost Ice Grass and Blazing Fire Apricot Spirit already inside him as possible before reconsidering.
Among the supreme-grade herbs here, at least seven or eight could dramatically boost his power — enough to raise his current Soul Power by at least five full ranks, possibly even more.
No matter. If I can't eat them, can't I still take them?
A gleam of amusement appeared in Tang San's eyes. He reached down to his waist and, after a short while, had spread an assortment of odds and ends across the ground. Most of these items were small boxes, bottles, and the like. Each one was made of a different material.
Gold, silver, copper, iron, jade — all manner of boxes and bottles littered the ground.