"Grandpa, that's wonderful!"
Dugu Yan finally let go of her worry and cried tears of joy as she threw her arms around her grandfather.
Lin Feng, meanwhile, wasn't used to this level of enthusiasm—he felt a bit awkward.
He glanced at Dugu Bo and pulled up his trait panel.
[Innate Soul Power: Rank 9]
[Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor]
[Soul Power: Rank 92]
[Traits: [Keeps Promises (White)], [Old Poison Master (Green)], [Outstanding Talent (Purple)], [Blessed by a Benefactor (Purple)]
[Keeps Promises (White)]: You are the kind of person who always honors your word and repays kindness.
No wonder his attitude toward Lin Feng had changed so drastically—it made sense now.
[Old Poison Master (Green)]: You are highly skilled in poison and will achieve significant mastery in it.
[Blessed by a Benefactor (Purple)]: You are fated to encounter someone who will help you through your most difficult moments.
So that "Benefactor" was probably him, huh?
This counted as a purple-tier trait? It sounded like a one-time-use effect.
Now that they had met, wasn't that trait basically useless?
Lin Feng made up his mind—it needed to be replaced.
"System, refresh Dugu Bo's traits for me."
Lin Feng waved his hand.
Traits like [Keeps Promises] and [Old Poison Master] were core to Dugu Bo's character. Replacing them might do more harm than good.
But the others were fair game.
[Ding! Traits refreshed.]
The panel updated with twelve new options. Lin Feng scrolled past the first six and quickly spotted one.
[Innate Full Soul Power(Purple)]
Innate Full Soul Power + immortal herbs? Top-tier combination.
This old man must be piggybacking off his Child of Destiny trait.
Guess I'll reluctantly accept a few more herbs from you, Lin Feng thought with a gentle "generous" smile.
Now for the last purple trait.
[Ding! Please choose one from the following three traits:]
[Laughing Madman Quartet (Purple) – Your wild, boisterous laughter boosts your physical stats. The louder and more dramatic, the greater the effect.]
[Grandfather Status (Purple) – For each grandchild you have, your soul ring age increases by 1,000 years (can be applied to any ring).]
[Innate +2 (Purple) – Your soul power is permanently increased by 2 levels.]
Yikes—[Laughing Madman Quartet]? That immediately reminded him of four very familiar meme faces.
Sunny skies. The rain's stopped. The old man feels like he's young again?
Just picturing this ninety-something grandpa laughing wildly with hands on hips made Lin Feng shudder.
Definitely not choosing that one.
Grandfather Status? What a trash perk.
"Choose [Innate +2]."
Lin Feng made his pick. He'd seen this one before. There was also a golden version called [Innate +3].
But that was for much later—right now, this was more than enough.
Dugu Bo was still celebrating with Yan'er when he suddenly froze in surprise.
"Oh no… I think I'm about to break through again."
A surge of soul power rippled outward, and Dugu Bo's level inexplicably jumped to Rank 94.
"It's fine," Lin Feng said before Yan'er could ask. "Totally normal. Probably just some leftover medicinal effects kicking in all at once."
Dugu Bo was skeptical, but… it did sound plausible.
"In any case, Lin Feng—this time you helped me purge my body of poison."
"You're now officially my grandson-in-law."
"I owe you another favor."
He gave Lin Feng a satisfied nod.
"Ahem, Old Man… don't forget that Crimson Blaze Yang Essence you promised me."
Lin Feng coughed, gently reminding him.
"You little brat! Take it."
Dugu Bo handed over the precious herb, which Lin Feng promptly stored in his belt.
"Lin Feng, about that Poison Core you mentioned earlier for Yan'er—are you sure it'll work?"
Dugu Bo sounded nervous.
"Grandpa, come on now."
"If Lin Feng could purge your decades-old poison…"
"Why wouldn't he be able to help me too?"
Dugu Yan looked at Lin Feng with eyes full of gratitude and trust.
Lin Feng nodded with full confidence.
He soon found a natural hot spring not far off.
He began tossing in various toxic herbs he'd collected, turning the waters into a medicinal bath.
"What are you doing?" Dugu Bo asked.
"If Yan'er wants to successfully condense a Poison Core in her body…"
"Just relying on the toxins from the two immortal herbs won't be enough."
"She needs to absorb a large quantity of poison, or the core might not form properly. Worse, she could be consumed by the conflicting toxins."
"Old man, go fetch more poisons."
As he stirred the toxic brew, Lin Feng issued instructions without looking up.
"So that's how it is…"
"Lin Feng, here—these are all my lifetime's poisons and resources."
"Take whatever you need."
Without hesitation, Dugu Bo handed Lin Feng a soul tool stored deep in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Lin Feng opened it and gawked.
There were hundreds of poisons, rare herbs, and even a few additional immortal-grade plants.
If he hadn't already looted so much earlier, he might've taken it all without shame.
"No need for that much."
"Immortal herbs can only be used one at a time, unless their properties complement each other."
He selected a few poisonous and soul power-enhancing herbs and threw them into the spring.
"Yan'er, strip and get in."
"Old man, you stay back. I'll call when I need you."
Lin Feng wiped his brow and addressed them both.
Dugu Bo grumbled, but he obediently went off to meditate.
Dugu Yan removed her clothes and stepped into the bath, her skin glowing faintly with radiant luster.
Though it wasn't her first time being seen by Lin Feng, doing this out in the wilderness still made her blush.
Lin Feng handed her the Five Poison Immortal Herb and Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia to consume.
"Yan'er, steady your breathing. Focus on your dantian."
"Draw the surrounding poison into your body. Channel your soul power to guide the toxins to your core."
He spoke gently and patiently.
A moment later, the two herbs took effect.
Dugu Yan broke out in a cold sweat, her face twisted in pain.
She felt as if her soul power was being drained into her dantian—and with it, her very life.
The poison from the Five Poison Immortal Herb was beginning to overwhelm her.
If she couldn't endure it, this process could kill her.