Chapter 31: The Value of Knowledge
At the edge of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Li Chang'an was carefully explaining each immortal herb he recognized to Dugu Bo.
"Grandpa, this one is the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. It must be stored in jade to preserve its potency—it won't wither for a thousand years or fade over generations," he said, gesturing toward a graceful orchid blooming with ethereal glow. "According to ancient texts, its medicinal properties are gentle yet profound. It's easily absorbed by the body but digests slowly, tempering the constitution over time. It strengthens the foundation, purges impurities, and enhances a soul master's innate aptitude. It's compatible with virtually all soul masters."
"If its effects are real, then it's perfect for Yan Yan," Dugu Bo remarked, stroking his beard. Though his granddaughter's cultivation wasn't weak, she still lagged behind true prodigies. If this herb could improve her aptitude, it could help close the gap.
Li Chang'an then pointed to a vibrant flower surrounded by a faint pink halo. "This one is the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb—the bane of all poisons. Within its fragrance field, toxins become inert. Its scent neutralizes poisons in the air and on contact."
Dugu Bo's eyes sparkled. "Neutralizes poison?"
"Not quite," Li Chang'an corrected. "It can suppress poison, but it doesn't detoxify what's already in your system. That pink light forms its effective range—within that, no poison can exert its effect. But if someone's already poisoned before entering its range, it's useless. So it's the ultimate anti-poison herb, not a cure."
"A shame," Dugu Bo muttered, disappointed. The poison rooted in their martial soul wasn't external—it was tied to their very bloodline. This herb might not help at all.
They continued along the rim of the well. Li Chang'an crouched near a striking flower with comb-shaped leaves.
"This is the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," he said with reverence. "It's a fire-type immortal herb—intensely Yang in nature. It greatly refines flame-type soul power, enhancing both purity and potency. If the martial soul is a fire-aligned avian, it may even trigger a benign evolution."
"A top-tier treasure for fire-types," Dugu Bo admitted, then shook his head. "But not for us. Our Green Phosphor Serpent lineage is aligned with poison and Yin—consuming this might cause backlash instead."
Just as Li Chang'an was about to introduce another, Dugu Bo raised a hand.
"This one I know," he said, pointing to a massive chrysanthemum radiating light. "The Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. Wasn't there a Titled Douluo with this as his martial soul?"
"Correct," Li Chang'an nodded. "This is a neutral-type herb. According to what I read, it channels Qi through the meridians, strengthening the body and refining vitality. It's said to help form an indestructible physique."
Dugu Bo raised a skeptical brow. "Indestructible? That old chrysanthemum didn't look that tough."
Li Chang'an laughed. "It's an exaggeration. The herb strengthens meridians and enhances physical durability. More importantly, it boosts cultivation efficiency and raises the safe absorption limit for higher-age soul rings."
"That powerful?" Dugu Bo looked stunned. "I've been more surprised today than in the last ten years combined!"
Li Chang'an continued listing herbs:
"This is the Snow-Colored Swan Kiss—perfect for ice-type cultivators."
"This one is Narcissus Jade Flesh Bone, it tempers muscles and marrow."
"This… Lovesick Heartbroken Red," his voice lowered slightly, "it's said to only bloom for one person in a lifetime."
"And here—Fiery Apricot Sun Delicate. It enhances explosive-type soul skills."
After circling the well and introducing every herb he recognized, the three returned to the cave where they often gathered to rest and drink tea. Dugu Bo sat down and flipped through the small, handwritten booklet where he'd recorded everything Li Chang'an said.
"If even half of this is accurate…" he murmured, "the value of this knowledge is immeasurable. Enough to be passed down as a clan heirloom."
The number of immortal herbs was limited, and their usage conditions varied. But with proper guidance, each one was a guaranteed path to becoming a Titled Douluo. Without detailed knowledge of their effects and how to safely consume them, even he—someone with vast medicinal expertise—wouldn't dare touch them. Without this knowledge, he would've stood guard over a mountain of treasure he couldn't use.
Now, with each passing moment, Dugu Bo grew more impressed with Li Chang'an. The boy had revealed everything without hesitation. He could have withheld the truth and secretly harvested the herbs for himself. After all, without knowing their true value, Dugu Bo wouldn't have stopped him. He might've assumed they were just rare but mundane plants.
But Li Chang'an had told him everything.
That honesty and trust moved Dugu Bo deeply. For the first time, he began to fully accept Li Chang'an—not just as an outsider or guest, but as a future family member.
Now came the most critical step—verification.
Until the effects of the herbs were proven, everything was still theory. Records could be wrong. Ancient books could lie.
To that end, Li Chang'an stepped forward.
"I'll try one of them first," he volunteered. "If the effects match the texts, then you and Yan Yan can safely take the others."
"No!" Dugu Yan immediately objected. "It's too dangerous. There's no guarantee those books are real. The effects are too absurd—if immortal herbs like these really existed, how could there be no record of them in all of Douluo history?"
Her logic was sound. How could such miraculous herbs exist, yet not be known to the world?
She couldn't trust the legends—at least, not yet.
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