Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi, and the Bone Douluo once again entered the Sunset Forest, navigating their way with practiced ease until they arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
The three of them spotted Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan cultivating near the well.
"Huh?"
Ning Rongrong was taken aback when she saw Dugu Yan's appearance, her expression flickering with surprise. "Sister Yan, your hair... did something happen?"
The last time Ning Rongrong had been unconscious, Ning Fengzhi had come with the Sword Douluo to deliver the Eight Spider Lances to Dugu Yan, so the Bone Douluo was unaware of the situation. However, the look of astonishment on Ning Fengzhi's face suggested that even he hadn't expected this change in Dugu Yan.
At this moment, Dugu Yan's hair was a silvery-white, cascading like fine silk over her shoulders. Even her originally slightly tanned skin had turned snow-white, though it didn't appear sickly just giving her an overall unique aura.
"Something did happen," Dugu Yan replied, unsure how to explain. "A few days ago, the toxins in my body went out of control for a while. It wasn't a big problem, but I'm a little worried about Grandpa."
Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo recounted the events of the past few days to Ning Rongrong and the others.
After listening, Ning Rongrong exchanged glances with her companions.
"So, because the toxins in your body went out of control, they were accidentally absorbed by Elder Dugu's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul, which allowed him to break through?"
"That's exactly it. I don't feel any discomfort in my body," Dugu Yan sighed. "But I still can't fully control my power yet."
"Still, I hope you can check on Grandpa for me, Rongrong. Make sure he's alright."
To Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo's well-being was of utmost importance.
Due to her own cultivation instability, Dugu Bo had accidentally come into contact with the toxins of the Misfortune Poison Body. Though she had quickly reabsorbed them, it seemed to have caused some changes in his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
As for her hair it had inexplicably turned from purple to silvery-white after that incident, and had also grown longer.
"I see..." Ning Rongrong pondered, then turned her gaze to Dugu Bo. "Elder Dugu, do you feel any discomfort?"
In Ning Rongrong's opinion, there shouldn't be any major issues.
Dugu Bo had accidentally broken through due to Dugu Yan's toxins, advancing to the 94th rank as a Title Douluo.
If there were any problems, they would likely be related to drained potential or slow soul erosion.
But Dugu Bo looked perfectly healthy his complexion was rosy, and he seemed to be in high spirits. There were no signs of exhaustion or soul instability.
"I'm fine," Dugu Bo waved dismissively. "Don't listen to Yan'er's worries. Though absorbing the Misfortune Poison Body's toxins was uncomfortable at first, after she took them back, my resistance actually improved."
"The fact that I reached the 94th rank is proof enough."
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind absorbing more of her toxins, but Yan'er refuses, saying she's worried about me."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily.
"Elder Dugu, you should still be careful. Sister Yan is right," Ning Rongrong said, somewhat exasperated by Dugu Bo's eagerness.
At present, Dugu Yan's toxins couldn't fully affect a Title Douluo.
But that didn't mean a Title Douluo could recklessly absorb the Misfortune Poison Body's toxins without consequences.
Once the Misfortune Poison Body fully manifested, its toxins wouldn't just affect the body they would also erode the soul.
Martial souls were inherently connected to the soul.
Though Dugu Yan had reabsorbed the toxins from Dugu Bo, traces must have remained in his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, which was poison-based to begin with.
As Dugu Bo had mentioned, advancing a rank due to Dugu Yan's toxins was actually a very dangerous phenomenon.
Not all poisons were equal.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan both possessed the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, but Dugu Bo relied on his martial soul to release toxins, while Dugu Yan had now become a poison entity herself.
To put it in more scientific terms
Dugu Yan possessed the strongest poison, but also the strongest antibodies. It was like carrying both the virus and its inactivated vaccine.
"Elder Dugu, you don't seem to have any immediate issues, but I still recommend you take more spirit herbs or immortal-grade medicines that can boost your mental strength and stabilize your soul."
"The Misfortune Poison Body's toxins don't just affect the physique they can also damage the soul."
"Ah... understood." Seeing Ning Rongrong's seriousness, Dugu Bo stopped laughing and nodded.
Over the past half-year, he had witnessed firsthand just how terrifying Dugu Yan's toxins could be.
At just the 55th rank, the poison she unintentionally released could affect him, a former 93rd-ranked Title Douluo.
Though he hadn't resisted much even wanting to analyze the Misfortune Poison Body it was still frightening.
Dugu Bo had also vaguely noticed some minor issues with his mental power, but since they weren't severe, he hadn't paid them much attention.
"Sister Yan, give me your hand." Ning Rongrong turned her attention back to Dugu Yan, who was still worried about Dugu Bo.
Dugu Yan blinked in surprise but instinctively extended her right wrist to Ning Rongrong.
Without another word, Ning Rongrong placed her fingers on Dugu Yan's pulse.
Using her own spiritual power, she probed inward through their contact.
Time passed silently as Ning Rongrong focused with closed eyes.
Ning Fengzhi and the others waited quietly, not daring to disturb her.
After a long while, Ning Rongrong slowly opened her eyes.
"Sister Yan's condition isn't serious. The loss of control was likely caused by fluctuations in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's energy."
Her gaze flickered toward the distant lake where blue and red waters intertwined.
The Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King...?
Dugu Yan's Misfortune Poison Body had gone out of control due to the chaotic energy of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Dugu Yan's state was closer to a natural elemental affinity similar to how Ning Rongrong absorbed external energy for cultivation, differing from standard meditation.
For example, ordinary Soul Masters couldn't stay long near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well even Title Douluo had to be cautious. But neither Ning Rongrong nor Dugu Yan had such restrictions.
In simple terms, that was the case.
Though Dugu Yan still cultivated spirit power, hers was now a special variant enhanced by toxins.
Ning Rongrong withdrew her fingers from Dugu Yan's wrist and clapped her hands together.
"Congratulations, Sister Yan. You've successfully consolidated the Misfortune Poison Body. As for side effects, don't worry your earlier loss of control was due to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's energy anomalies, not your own issues."
"As long as you strengthen your soul and mental power, this won't happen again."
"Does that mean... I can leave now?" Dugu Yan asked excitedly.
Only she knew how frustrating it had been to stay here for nearly half a year!
Her grandfather, Dugu Bo, could at least go out occasionally for supplies, but she had been confined to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, training her mental power to avoid accidentally harming others.
"Yes, absolutely."
Seeing the excitement in Dugu Yan's eyes, Ning Rongrong nodded firmly.
"By the way, we came here for another reason the matter regarding Tang San and his group that you and Elder Dugu mentioned."