Chapter 39: Duel with Yu Tian Heng and Studying Antidotes - Douluo's spirit bead sword

Chapter 39: Duel with Yu Tian Heng and Studying Antidotes "Tian Heng, your offensive power definitely rivals the defensive strength of a great stone, but your lightning attacks are too scattered. You need to learn to concentrate your power, pierce through a point to break the surface." "Yan Zi, while your poison is indeed formidable, its offensive capacity is lacking. If you encounter a defensive-type soul master like Shi Mo who can resist toxins, you'll need to explore alternative strategies. Just now, you should have immediately used your snake tail to pull Tian Heng over, relying on his attack power to break Shi Mo’s defenses, or you should have directed your focus towards attacking Shi Mo yourself. Never become dazed on the field from a single failed attack. Remember, you are a control-type soul master, the brain of the team. If the brain ceases to function, how can the limbs act correctly?" Qin Ming offered guidance from the sidelines, markedly serious, unlike his usual gentle demeanor. Perhaps this was a tradition from Shrek Academy in the past. "You all are working very hard!" Tian Lin approached them with a smile. Seeing Tian Lin return, the group immediately halted their sparring. Oslo, the fastest among them, appeared beside Tian Lin in a flash. "Hey, our little Tian Tian is back! Check out my new hairstyle." Oslo, at some point, had donned a hairstyle resembling a pompadour and was proudly showing it off to Tian Lin. "Oslo, I think you look better bald. If you don't mind, I can help you with that. I assure you, my sword is exceptionally sharp; I can cleanly shave it off for you," Tian Lin suggested mischievously. "Uh, better not. What if your hand slips and you chop my head off?" Oslo took a few steps back, fearful. "No worries. If I accidentally cut it off, I'll definitely apologize. However, at the banquet, I'd like to sit with Ye Senior Sister and Yan Zi," Tian Lin casually uttered such chilling words, causing Oslo to hide directly behind the Shi brothers, feeling secure only with these two big guys protecting him. "Ah, what a pair of jokers," Qin Ming sighed helplessly. Tian Lin was barely eight years old, but Oslo, at twelve, still behaved like a child on a lark. Strong in strength but lacking in sense, Qin Ming worried that one day, in group battles, Oslo might charge into the fray against strong offensive soul masters instead of targeting the auxiliary support in the enemy's rear. "Did you get your second spirit ring?" Yu Tian Heng approached Tian Lin. "Yes, Tian Heng, you remember our agreement, right? When shall we have our battle?" Tian Lin eagerly wanted to witness the prowess of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Now that he also had a second spirit ring, despite having a slightly lower level, he didn't think he would lose. "I've already used up a lot of soul power today. How about tomorrow at noon? Meeting at the Royal Academy's Battle Arena, you representing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and I the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, for a fair fight." Yu Tian Heng promptly set the time and place, to which Tian Lin had no objections. Qin Ming didn't say much either, knowing that the two children had a sense of moderation. Moreover, this wasn't a fight to the death. Sparring among friends was quite common, and some friendships only grew stronger with each clash. After arranging the battle, Tian Lin turned to look at Dugu Yan beside Yu Tian Heng. "By the way, Yan Zi, it seems your eyes have become greener since I last saw you." "Hmm, perhaps it's because I've leveled up by one in the past few days. It's a sign that my poison has become stronger," Dugu Yan remarked nonchalantly. Her grandfather and deceased father from her family also expected this. However, Tian Lin knew this wasn't a good omen. As Dugu Yan's poison became stronger, it would damage her body more severely. According to original accounts, her father died from his own poison. It seemed Dugu Bo, fearing it might upset or scare her, never mentioned it, so Dugu Yan remained unaware of the seriousness. It was time to hasten his study of the Yuheng Hundred Herb Codex, focusing on the detoxification section. This wasn't just about the celestial herbs but also striving to rid Dugu Yan of her severe toxin, enabling her to harness her strength more effectively. Upon returning to his room, Tian Lin entered his mental sea, where his focus sharpened, enhancing his learning efficiency. The Yuheng Hundred Herb Codex contained numerous methods for neutralizing potent toxins, along with Cao Gu's notes. As one of the Seven Sages of Shu Mountain, Cao Gu dedicated his life to the healing arts, saving countless people, among whom included those who suffered from self-inflicted toxin backlash due to poison cultivation. In most cases, Cao Gu would detoxify them entirely because those who practiced poison arts often harbored malicious intent. This way, he could save a life while preventing further harm. Of course, Tian Lin couldn't resort to such measures because, for a soul master, losing all their power felt worse than death itself, and Dugu Yan would certainly refuse. Exceptions exist, however. Cao Gu knew that the goodness or evil of an art lay in its use. When encountering someone pure-hearted in their cultivation, he devised alternative methods. One such method resembled how Tang San treated Dugu Bo: finding a medium to transfer all toxins, preventing them from eroding one's body. In the universe of the Immortal Sword, mediums included various treasures, which, once choosing their master, became indistinguishable from a body part. In the Douluo world, spirit bones took their place. Upon reviewing his options, Tian Lin found no more reliable approach. However, transferring toxins wasn't simple. It required a special guidance method and medicinal treatment. These existed in Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Treasures and naturally within Tian Lin's Yuheng Hundred Herb Codex as well. In roughly six months, Tian Lin estimated he could thoroughly comprehend this section and begin detoxifying Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, thus saving their lives and earning his entitlement to the celestial herbs. Although he could seek Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to seize treasures from Dugu Bo, undoing his single-combat advantage, stealing didn’t suit Tian Lin. The celestial herbs should belong to the virtuous. But could one who stole others’ treasures be deemed virtuous? Moreover, Dugu Yan was now a friend, and maintaining principles was important. Perhaps, he'd leave some celestial herbs for both Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo.