Chapter 4: Rebirth, the Ghostfire Youth
After Dugu Bo left, Yue Guan could no longer contain his excitement.
"Old Ghost is going to stay in this spring for a few more days… perfect! I can finally take a good look at these immortal herbs!"
He stepped aside, his gaze immediately locking onto the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
"By the heavens! It really is the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum! I must be dreaming…"
His fingers gently brushed the fuzzy petals of the flower, as if he could feel the mysterious power hidden within every fiber.
This immortal herb had no scent, yet it seemed capable of purifying the soul, washing away all worldly dust and troubles.
Yue Guan had always been obsessed with plants.
Every immortal herb was a treasure in his eyes.
To see, and perhaps even possess, a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum like his own soul skill—it was an honor beyond compare.
And the valley offered more than just this one treasure. Around the Ice-and-Fire Twin Springs grew a dazzling array of exotic herbs: Aromatic Silk Beauty, Yearning Heartbroken Red, Beautiful Silk Tulip, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Snow Swan Kiss, Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Land Dragon Golden Melon, and many more.
He had already noticed them upon arrival, which explained why he had asked Dugu Bo for permission to pick a dozen herbs earlier.
Yue Guan felt as though he were in a dream.
So many rare herbs together—it seemed almost unreal.
"Old Poison… you've hoarded this garden for so many years, yet you never knew its value. Now, all these herbs belong to us! I'll take them all before they fall into someone else's hands—hahaha!"
Yue Guan knew few could truly identify immortal herbs. Besides him, there were only the alchemy-savvy Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang brothers of the Breaking Clan.
Since Dugu Bo had discovered this place, it clearly wasn't completely hidden. Others might stumble upon it by chance in the future. Better to secure the treasures now.
Yue Guan began carefully collecting the herbs, placing them in his pouch.
Around the Ice-and-Fire Twin Springs grew many other exotic herbs, which Dugu Bo had also transplanted here.
But since they were not true immortal herbs, Yue Guan left them untouched.
Time quietly passed. Day turned to night, and night to day.
A few days later, Ghost Douluo suddenly awoke.
"Pff!"
With a powerful splash, he leapt from the Twin Springs onto the shore.
Yue Guan's joy knew no bounds. He dashed down from the cliff in a blur.
"Old Ghost! You're finally awake!"
Seeing Ghost Douluo, Yue Guan's eyes widened in shock.
"Old Ghost… is this the state of your second martial soul?"
"I haven't released my martial soul yet. What's the matter?"
"Your… appearance has changed!"
Through the refinement of the Ice-and-Fire Twin Springs, Ghost Douluo felt his body undergo a complete transformation.
His body had become stronger and more resilient, and within him, the extreme heat and cold energies were now integrated into his soul power.
Instinctively, he reached to touch his own face—and was stunned.
The floating, ghostly visage was gone. His face now looked fully human.
"Old Ghost, take a look at yourself."
Yue Guan handed him a small mirror.
Ghost Douluo examined his reflection carefully.
It was his face from his previous life.
A handsome youth of sixteen or seventeen.
Suddenly, Ghost Douluo released his first martial soul, transforming into a ghostly figure for a moment, before retracting it once more.
"This is the real me. Only when I release my martial soul does my body take on the ghostly form."
He was quietly contemplating this when Yue Guan suddenly spoke with a smile:
"Old Ghost, it seems the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot Herb, and these Twin Springs have had a tremendous effect on your body. They've essentially reshaped you, causing this dramatic transformation. From now on, you're no longer a mere ghostly apparition—you've been reborn as a living person."
"Perhaps… It's truly miraculous," Ghost Douluo replied.
"You look about sixteen or seventeen now. Calling you 'Old Ghost' seems off—'Little Ghost' might suit you better."
Ghost Douluo shook his head.
"Keep calling me Old Ghost. I'd feel too strange otherwise."
"Alright. Even if you've changed so much, you're still my old partner, Old Ghost."
The two shared a knowing smile.
Ghost Douluo glanced around, sensing something missing.
"Old Chrysanthemum, did you pick the immortal herbs?"
Yue Guan nodded with a smile.
"I never imagined your dream would come true. I didn't expect to encounter so many genuine immortal herbs."
As they spoke, a green figure descended from above—it was Dugu Bo.
After several days, seeing Ghost Douluo again left Dugu Bo utterly shocked.
"This… this is…"
Ghost Douluo grinned.
"Old Poison, has it really been only a few days that you don't recognize me?"
"You are… Old Ghost?!"
"Yes. It's me."
Dugu Bo's eyes locked onto Ghost Douluo's youthful face, still struggling to believe it. He had never truly seen Ghost Douluo's true appearance before, and now the elder who had always seemed older looked like a teenager.
"Could this transformation be caused by those two herbs?"
"I don't really know how to explain it… perhaps. How did the Nine-Grade Purple Lingzhi affect you?"
Dugu Bo cracked a faint smile.
"You two are merciful, at least. That Purple Lingzhi truly helped—my poison outbreaks are far less painful, and they happen less frequently."
"Good. Rest assured, since we chose to help you, we won't harm you. Your poison is deep; it can't be solved immediately. But Old Chrysanthemum said he has a fifty to sixty percent chance… We'll do our best."
"Thank you."
Dugu Bo nodded slightly and turned to Yue Guan.
"Yue Guan, we may have started as enemies, but let's call a truce. Past grievances… wiped clean."
"Haha! Old Poison, without you as an opponent, I suddenly lose a lot of fun," Yue Guan said with a laugh.
"Same here! Haha!"
The two laughed heartily.
"By the way, what's your granddaughter's soul power level now?"
"About rank thirty-eight, I think. Why?"
"Rank Thirty-eight… excellent. I will be a good person to the end. Let me give you a little extra gift."
Yue Guan reached into his storage and pulled out an herb.
It resembled a pure white lotus root, flawless, with a faint jade-like glow.
"Old Poison, this is Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. It nourishes essence, strengthens bones, opens the eight meridians, and beautifies. Perfect for your granddaughter—it will not only detoxify her body but also boost her soul power. Conservatively, it should raise her soul level by at least five ranks."
"Detox and increase her soul power by five ranks?"
Dugu Bo froze, astonished that such a small herb could be so powerful.
"Your granddaughter is young, so she can absorb its effect better. When taking it, just eat the petals, then suck on the core, and cultivate soul power to absorb its effects."
"Understood. Thank you."
—
End of Chapter