The Jade Phosphor Snake's entire body was covered in purplish patterns, though its main color was green.
Looking at the ten-meter-long serpent, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but marvel:
"Truly worthy of being a thousand-year spirit beast. Its aura alone is incomparable to hundred-year spirit beasts."
Even a single additional year made a dimensional difference between thousand-year and 999-year spirit beasts of the same type.
Moreover, this Jade Phosphor Snake had reached 1,100 years.
"Hmph."
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, releasing immense pressure that made his grayish robes flutter slightly under the influence of his soul power.
"Crack—"
A loud noise came from the tree trunk entwined by the serpent.
Unable to withstand Dugu Bo's oppressive soul power, both the Jade Phosphor Snake and the forked trunk it coiled around came crashing down.
The snake landed without attacking, flicking its tongue while emitting hoarse hisses to intimidate the trio.
Yet the next moment—
The serpent's head seemed to suffer a heavy blow. Its long body convulsed violently as the raised front half swayed before collapsing limply.
"Yan'er, finish it." Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Yan.
Nodding, Dugu Yan drew a prepared dagger and approached the unconscious snake.
Without hesitation, she severed its seven-inch vital point, then stabbed its head multiple times.
As snake blood seeped out, a slightly pungent metallic scent filled the air.
Dugu Yan retreated several steps to a cleaner spot, only relaxing when she saw the purple soul ring slowly rising from the corpse. She sheathed her dagger.
Sitting cross-legged, she began absorbing her first purple soul ring.
After over a month of medicinal baths and clearing her spirit's side effects,
Dugu Yan's physique had improved significantly compared to before joining Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The 1,100-year soul ring only caused slight pain to flicker across her face before vanishing completely.
"She's absorbing faster than I expected." Ning Rongrong observed the gradually forming purple ring around Dugu Yan's spirit.
Before long, Dugu Yan opened her eyes and exhaled deeply:
"I'm finally a Soul Elder too!"
Heaven knew how much pressure Ning Rongrong had exerted. Perhaps she was somewhat deceiving herself, but now they were peers.
"Congratulations, Sister Yan." Ning Rongrong smiled. "Now you're a powerful three-ringed Soul Elder."
"Hehe, I could absorb so quickly thanks to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Dugu Yan scratched her head. Had she reached level 30 months earlier, absorbing a thousand-year ring would've been far more arduous.
"Yan'er, what soul skill did you get?" Dugu Bo was more curious about this.
"Spraying green Jade Phosphor venom forward—similar to Grandfather's third skill, though obviously weaker."
Despite both using Jade Phosphor venom, her grandfather's spirit was the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. Even at equal levels, the spirit quality difference would manifest in skill potency.
After chatting, the group headed toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Since these were trusted companions, Dugu Bo naturally didn't need to climb the peak and jump down this time.
Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the valley containing the miraculous spring.
A massive hot spring emitting steam came into view.
"Incredible. Only Your Excellency could discover such a place." Reading descriptions paled compared to witnessing this spectacle firsthand.
"I am Dugu Bo after all." Noticing Ning Rongrong's expression, he smiled smugly—finally regaining some pride.
During their pharmacological discussions at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he'd been thoroughly outmatched except regarding poisons.
With Ning Rongrong's help, they'd even developed affordable, mass-producible antidotes for Jade Phosphor venom.
Some might mistake him for a benevolent healer rather than the feared Poison Douluo.
"Follow me." Using soul power to carry both girls, Dugu Bo swiftly brought them near the spring.
"I have many special herbs here! Their effects were too unusual to harvest recklessly." His eyes grew nostalgic. "Most spiritual herbs traded with Sect Master Ning originated here."
While uncertain about immortal herbs, Dugu Bo had refrained from touching the singular specimens.
But the more common spiritual herbs could be sampled for Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's appraisal to confirm properties.
Years of transactions had verified numerous herbs' efficacy.
Though aware the clan likely withheld some information, prices remained fair—making his recruitment painless.
He now hoped to gain their trust and understand this garden's rarer specimens.
What did supreme efficacy matter?
As a clan member now, would they really silence him?
Thus, only after ensuring his poison could be cured did Dugu Bo reveal this garden—effectively gifting it to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
While Dugu Bo's thoughts wandered, Ning Rongrong surveyed the garden. After a long while, she inhaled deeply.
"Your Excellency, I estimate this garden's value could purchase all three Upper Sects combined."
Her words stunned both Dugus.
"Purchase all three?" Dugu Yan looked shocked. While unsure about Clear Sky and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clans, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's wealth rivaled nations!
This garden's worth was incomprehensible.
"Your Excellency, recall the Misfortune Poison Body I mentioned?" Ning Rongrong continued,
"Several immortal herbs here can serve as primary ingredients, drastically increasing success rates to 60-70%."
"Hiss—" Dugu Bo inhaled sharply.
He'd inquired repeatedly about this terrifying physique.
"Additionally..." Ning Rongrong paused. "There's an immortal herb here that can evolve Seven Treasure Glazed Pagodas into Nine Treasure Glazed Pagodas."
"Evolve... Seven to Nine?"
The Dugus' shock intensified.
"Is this true?" Dugu Bo's voice trembled.
"Indeed. This single 'Qiluo Yujinxiang' immortal herb could repay all debts Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan owes Your Excellency."
Ning Rongrong's eyes narrowed slightly as she fully activated her senses, her right hand lifting the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
Unconsciously, her address for Dugu Bo had shifted.