"So many herbs grow in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well," said Dugu Bo, "but unfortunately, half of them are poisonous. Are you planning to remove all the poisonous plants, Lady Ye?"
Despite being a mighty Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo now looked more like a farmer as he dug through the ground, hoe slung over his shoulder.
As he worked, he asked Ye Qingxian the question with a hint of apprehension.
Lady Ye... do you perhaps hold some prejudice against poisonous herbs?
Dugu Bo, of course, didn't want the poisonous plants removed. Even though he didn't recognize many of them, and didn't know how to use half of them...
He just loved poison.
Anything even remotely related to toxins naturally won his favor—his title as "Poison Douluo" was evidence enough.
That's why he feared Ye Qingxian might rip them all out and replace them with more conventional medicinal herbs.
But Ye Qingxian, sleeves rolled up and mud on her pale arms, didn't seem the least bit concerned. She was fully focused on how to optimize the Yin-Yang Well's potential.
When she finally heard Dugu Bo's question, she looked momentarily surprised.
Then, noticing his cautious demeanor, she couldn't help but laugh lightly.
"Poison Douluo, are you afraid I'll remove all the poisonous herbs?"
"You really do underestimate me."
"To most people—poison masters included—there is a clear line between herbs and poisons. But to a true healer, there is no such thing as poisonous grass."
"The problem isn't the herbs—it's the people who don't understand them."
There is no such thing as poisonous grass.
Though her tone was calm, her words thundered in Dugu Bo's ears like a sudden explosion, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Ye Qingxian continued explaining, with measured logic:
"Take aconite, for example. It's highly toxic—but when properly prepared, it becomes medicine. It can be processed with salt, ginger, or by steaming."
"Even after processing, it still carries poison. Just 30 grams is enough to kill a healthy person. But for the critically ill, I start at 70 grams minimum—and it works wonders."
"What is poison to one may be a cure to another."
"A grave illness calls for strong medicine. But most healers today either don't dare or don't have the skill. That's why true healing arts are in decline."
Dugu Bo slowly nodded as he listened. He had spent his whole life obsessed with poison—yet his understanding of poisonous herbs didn't come close to Ye Qingxian's.
Her logic is flawless. Her reasoning, impeccable.
"What is poison to one may be a cure to another… Truly words of gold. I am humbled, Lady Ye."
With a long sigh, he bowed his head slightly.
Ye Qingxian smiled.
"Poisonous substances can still be excellent medicine."
"Did you know that arsenic, though incredibly toxic, can also cure disease? It can remove necrotic tissue, kill parasites, treat phlegm-related disorders, and even help with hemorrhoids, abscesses, ulcers, tooth decay, scabies, asthma, and dysentery."
"On the other hand, ginseng—which nourishes qi and blood—can kill someone if their constitution can't handle it."
"Take Gyromitra mushrooms: highly poisonous raw, but perfectly edible when cooked."
"All of this proves one simple truth."
"There is no such thing as poisonous grass. It's just that too many people who didn't understand them… died."
Dugu Bo: "..."
Crude, but… not wrong.
Still… does she have to put it like that?
Lady Ye carried herself with elegant grace and beauty—something clearly passed down to Ye Lingling. But her personality… was definitely unrestrained.
What a bold woman.
Ye Qingxian clapped her hands.
"So to me, there's no such thing as poisonous herbs—they're all medicinal."
"Once I finish reorganizing this garden, I'll brew up a real concoction for Lin Xiao. Let's see if that boy can handle my true skills!"
Right then, Lin Xiao emerged from the core of the Ice and Fire Well.
He raised an eyebrow. "What concoction?"
"Nothing." Ye Qingxian waved it off, then asked, "Did you find any immortal herbs?"
Lin Xiao listed all the immortal herbs he had spotted.
After a moment of thought, Ye Qingxian said:
"Dragonleaf Ganoderma and Earth Dragon Melon would be perfect for Poison Douluo and Yan Yan. The Lovelace Tulip suits Lingling best. As for you… the Fiery Apricot Delicate Branch could work, but I don't recommend using it just yet."
"Why not?"
"Your Destruction Phoenix hasn't fully evolved. You should use the Primordial Immortal Herb instead. Save the Apricot Branch for later when you actually need it."
Lin Xiao hesitated. "But the ancient text I found says immortal herbs are the product of heaven and earth. They can't be consumed recklessly. Only the Fiery Apricot and the Ice Grass can be taken together without backlash."
"That's nonsense," Ye Qingxian replied bluntly. "There's no such logic in the world. The issue isn't overconsumption—it's diminishing returns. Most immortal herbs grant major transformation with just one dose, so taking more has little effect. That's why the ancients made up such rules—so no one would greedily hoard and waste them."
"If the only reason the two can be taken together is that they counter each other, why can't other herbs be paired with balance in mind? True healing lies in synergy."
She paused in thought.
"Don't rush to consume the herbs just yet. If we pair them with ten-thousand-year spiritual herbs, the effect will be even greater."
"Whether for healing or body enhancement, using a single herb is wasteful. The body absorbs less, and much is lost. We'll blend their effects until we achieve the best results."
"I'll think about the best combinations later."
"I'm not claiming I'm absolutely right—but it's worth a try. If it works, we'll proceed in stages. If not, then we go back to taking them directly."
Lin Xiao nodded.
Everyone has their field of expertise—this was hers.
He would let her handle it.
Dugu Bo stood awkwardly nearby.
Technically, as a Titled Douluo, he should be taking the lead.
But he couldn't deny it—when it came to herbal knowledge, he couldn't hold a candle to Lin Xiao or Ye Qingxian.
All he could do was watch eagerly and hope she figured out the best course.
The Ice and Fire Spring was beneficial to Lin Xiao's cultivation.
Each day, he trained his Five Animal Frolics and Eight Brocade near the waters, steadily making progress.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo humbly studied under Ye Qingxian, learning about the uses and combinations of poisonous herbs.
Seven days passed like this.
Ye Qingxian tested the properties of each herb in the Yin-Yang Well, memorizing their traits and effects. At last, she finalized a complete, optimized prescription.
"At last, it's done!"
"The Jade Phosphor Serpent loves cold, and its poison is intense. I'll use Dragonleaf Ganoderma to neutralize the toxins, Swan Kiss Leaf to retain poison power, and Earth Dragon Melon to stimulate the bloodline—this will trigger martial soul evolution and significantly boost soul power!"
"For Nine-Heart Begonia, cursed by the heavens, Lovelace Tulip can help break the limitation, supported by Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng Root to nourish spiritual essence. Add Ice Silkworm Herb, and the breakthrough is nearly guaranteed!"
"And Lin Xiao—you're right in the middle of your Destruction Phoenix evolution. The Primordial Immortal Herb and Obsidian Divine Bamboo suit you best. Take both, then supplement with other ten-thousand-year herbs for nourishment. If we're lucky, your Phoenix form might advance even further!"