Ning Rongrong plucked the two immortal herbs growing by the opposing springs. The others noticed but didn't inquire since she offered no explanation.
Dugu Yan now sat cross-legged at the junction between the icy and fiery springs.
Though her constitution had greatly improved after consuming 100,000-year whale glue, the alternating extreme temperatures still made her uncomfortable.
"Begin now. Consume the Tenderness Xian Immortal Herb and Snow White Swan Kiss simultaneously."
"Remember - you must maintain consciousness."
Dugu Yan nodded slightly, looking down at the two herbs in her hands. These mutually repelling immortal herbs now appeared complementary under the influence of the dual springs.
Following the ingestion method in her mind, she ate both herbs together.
Instantly, extreme cold and heat permeated her being as the herbs' properties activated.
The moment she swallowed them, Dugu Yan sat in meditation while her Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul manifested uncontrollably under the Snow White Swan Kiss's stimulation, emitting green toxic mist.
Her blue hair gained faint green streaks as her expression twisted in agony. Yet she clenched her teeth, maintaining deep meditation and clear awareness.
"Ughhh..." Whimpers escaped her lips.
Dugu Yan felt her bones and skin being eroded by invading toxins, as if countless ants were gnawing her alive. Yet a strange energy simultaneously repaired her poisoned meridians and bones, barely maintaining balance.
Her clothes became drenched with sweat, clinging to her curvaceous figure - though the fabric remained opaque, preventing exposure.
Ning Fengzhi summoned his Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, preparing to buff her.
"Don't." Ning Rongrong stopped him. "Unlike absorbing soul rings, external energy during physique cultivation risks disrupting equilibrium."
"Unless you understand this process intimately, avoid interference."
"Such principles exist?" Ning Fengzhi sighed. "So we can only rely on Dugu Yan herself now?"
"How long will this state last?" he asked the question everyone wanted answered.
"Half a day. Maybe a full day. Possibly longer."
"Absorbing immortal herbs takes that long?" Dugu Bo's face showed deep concern.
"That's not it." After a pause, Ning Rongrong explained, "Condensing a physique means reconstructing bones, meridians, even cells."
"Though her bloodline remains unchanged - even after succeeding, she'll still be Elder Dugu's granddaughter."
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong's pupils contracted. "Now of all times..."
Seeing her expression change, Dugu Bo panicked: "What happened?"
Receiving no immediate answer, he grew frantic: "Rongrong! Speak! Is my Yan Yan alright?"
"Martial Soul evolution."
"Martial Soul?!"
Following her cue, everyone observed the pale Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul hovering at Dugu Yan's wrist.
As minutes passed, her Martial Soul visibly transformed - growing larger with clearly defined scales, gradually resembling Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
"Rongrong, what does Martial Soul evolution imply?" Ning Fengzhi asked the critical question. During physique condensation, stronger serpent venom would...
Others realized it too. Dugu Bo paled.
If the Jade Phosphor Serpent became an Emperor variant with deadlier venom, didn't that make Dugu Yan's situation more perilous?
Though he'd prepared for worst-case scenarios, facing reality was different.
Watching his granddaughter by the springs, Dugu Bo saw her suppressed toxins erupt violently as her Martial Soul evolved.
Augmented by Snow White Swan Kiss, the venom's potency could even corrode a Title Douluo's spirit power.
As the toxins spread, even Bone Douluo felt alarmed when his emitted spirit power got contaminated.
Dugu Yan was only level 50!
As a 96th-ranked Title Douluo, he could only forcibly neutralize the encroaching poison.
If Dugu Yan reached Title Douluo...
He shuddered involuntarily.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan's condition worsened - her purple-tinged hair turned deep green, lips purpling.
"Rongrong! Is there any way? Please save Yan Yan!" Dugu Bo suddenly knelt, shocking everyone.
"Elder Dugu, rise! We won't fail." Ning Rongrong helped him up forcefully.
"R-really?" He feared mishearing.
"I prepared for contingencies. While condensing the Misfortune Poison Body, I'll assist Dugu Yan. We'll return safely."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo felt overwhelmed.
But Ning Fengzhi frowned uneasily. "Rongrong, is there no danger?"
"Well, one must take responsibility for their actions." She smiled. "I can't just laze around as a pampered young mistress - how pathetic would that be?"
As Ning Fengzhi tried to speak, Ning Rongrong walked toward Dugu Yan.
"Should we stop her?" Bone Douluo asked.
After glancing between Dugu Yan and the distraught Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi shook his head:
"Let her go."
Having Dugu Yan meditate by the springs while carrying those herbs...
Clearly Ning Rongrong had planned from the start to intervene if complications arose.
"Even a Soul Emperor or Soul Sage would risk death approaching Dugu Yan now," Bone Douluo cautioned.
His warning proved ineffective as Ning Fengzhi shook his head again:
"We understood Rongrong's personality years ago when her Martial Soul awakened. Stopping her now would make her resent me forever."
"If things become irreparable, we'll follow her earlier suggestion - have another child."
"Uncle Bone, you didn't really think Rongrong's previous comments were just teasing me, did you?"
"You mean..." Bone Douluo's face showed dawning horror.
Encouraging Ning Fengzhi to nurture Nine Treasure Glazed Tile successors while finding advancement methods...
Settling affairs?!
The phrase flashed through his mind terrifyingly.
His alarmed gaze met Ning Fengzhi's slight nod.
However, Ning Fengzhi's interpretation differed - he suspected Ning Rongrong might use this opportunity to achieve something beyond helping Dugu Yan.
She surely had her own hidden objectives.
What exactly, only Ning Rongrong herself knew.