Time passed minute by minute.
The retracted Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor spirit reappeared.
Though extremely similar to Dugu Bo's version, subtle differences existed.
Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor was pure green, somewhat cobra-like. Dugu Yan's current spirit or rather, her mutated Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor had pale green skin with white and red patterns on its head, clearly influenced by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Even the toxic mist it exhaled carried traces of icy chill and scorching heat.
As the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor materialized, Dugu Yan's spirit rings emerged sequentially first two yellow hundred-year rings, then two purple thousand-year rings.
Finally, black hues dyed the serpent's poisonous mist as a pitch-black ten-thousand-year ring slowly manifested, hovering nearby.
"A ten-thousand-year spirit ring?!" Dugu Bo and the others gasped sharply.
Dugu Bo especially couldn't help staring at Ning Rongrong.
"It's a spirit ring condensed from her own toxins different from those obtained by hunting spirit beasts. The key distinction is its growth potential."
"Rongrong, are you saying spirit rings can level up? Like yours?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
That Ning Rongrong's rings could evolve from ten-year to ten-thousand-year while changing colors was understandable as her cultivation method's unique effect.
But Dugu Yan's situation?
Not only had she condensed a ten-thousand-year ring, it seemed upgradable too? If this could be replicated...
"Dad, don't fantasize. It's not replicable." Ning Rongrong sighed, guessing his thoughts.
"Dugu Yan's ring is tied to her Misfortune Poison Body's toxins. Its sole ability is amplifying poison potency."
"The principle involves using Snow White Swan Kiss to activate toxic power, making all spirit ring-released toxins grow exponentially."
"The ring's color represents her control over her physique starting from ten-thousand-year level and rising until 99,999 years."
"A hundred-thousand-year level isn't impossible, but I currently lack ideas for that breakthrough."
"So it just enhances poison, but needs spirit ring manifestation to avoid rejection?" Ning Fengzhi quickly grasped the implications.
In Douluo Continent, spirit skills couldn't be unleashed without spirit rings except via spirit bones.
"Correct." Ning Rongrong nodded.
"I see..." Ning Fengzhi fell deep in thought.
"Rongrong, I have a question." Now that Dugu Yan was safe, Dugu Bo grew curious about the Misfortune Poison Body.
"Ask away, Elder Dugu. No need for formalities."
"If Yan Yan's fifth ring only amplifies toxins, could my Jade Phosphor Serpent poison receive the same boost?"
"Theoretically yes, but I don't recommend it."
"Because while Dugu Yan would be fine with her Misfortune Poison Body, you'd likely die instantly."
Dugu Yan's fifth ring functioned similarly to Snow White Swan Kiss activating toxins that she could then reabsorb. But controlling this wasn't easy.
Rustling sounds came from Dugu Yan near the springs.
Her Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor spirit turned translucent as all five rings vanished simultaneously.
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes.
Her ear-length hair, formerly dark green, had lightened considerably purple strands with faint green streaks creating a punkish aesthetic.
Her eyes now shone vivid green, pupils radiating an eerie allure.
"I succeeded!" Dugu Yan exclaimed excitedly, almost dancing especially upon seeing Ning Rongrong unharmed, her joy unrestrained.
In her consciousness, Ning Rongrong had used mental energy to shield her from invasive toxins, buying time to fully control her poison core and bodily toxins to condense the Misfortune Poison Body.
"Stay there don't come closer." Ning Rongrong's sudden warning startled Dugu Yan.
Confused but obedient, Dugu Yan froze mid-step.
"Look at the ground around you."
Glancing down, Dugu Yan shuddered violently her enhanced senses now clearly detecting the surrounding toxin concentrations.
Poison. With each step she'd taken, the contaminated area had expanded.
"This..." As Dugu Yan began questioning, Ning Rongrong explained first:
"The toxins won't affect you now that the critical phase has passed. But that doesn't mean you've mastered controlling the Misfortune Poison Body."
"Only the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's presence here suppresses partial toxin emissions. Leaving would poison all rare herbs here."
Dugu Yan silently looked to Ning Rongrong: "What should I do then?"
"Wait until you can fully revert to your pre-condensation appearance. That... will mark complete success."
"Specific methods?" Dugu Yan frowned. Truthfully, her understanding of the Misfortune Poison Body remained limited.
"Reach Five Aperture Dispersed Heart in Split Spirit Control at least until you can consciously control toxin release and retraction. Only then have you truly mastered it."
"I see..."
Dugu Yan returned to the springs, sitting cross-legged not to cultivate, but to avoid contaminating the precious herbs.
"Elder Dugu, you'll likely need to stay here awhile," Ning Rongrong said.
"Understood." Dugu Bo nodded gravely.
Letting current Dugu Yan wander freely was unthinkable.
Given her emission levels, even Soul Sages would struggle to endure she was essentially a walking catastrophe.
"Perhaps six months to a year," Ning Rongrong estimated. "During this period, avoid spirit power cultivation just focus on mental strength and poison control."
"Compared to me, you should have better insights here."
"Nonsense this old man still has much to learn from you."
After further discussions...
"We'll take our leave now. My current state makes staying here inadvisable."
Only then did Dugu Bo notice Ning Rongrong's sickly pallor his earlier concern for Dugu Yan having overshadowed this.
"Understood. I'll return to the clan first. Matters here hardly require my presence..."
"Young Mistress, rest now. Leave this to me," Dugu Bo insisted.
"I've already explained everything to Sister Yan in her consciousness. No further issues should arise."
After final arrangements, Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo departed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Though Bone Douluo carried them in flight, Ning Fengzhi finally voiced his concerns about Ning Rongrong's visibly poor condition:
"Rongrong, condensing the Misfortune Poison Body wasn't as simple as described, was it? You seem severely affected."
"There were complications, but remedies exist. No need for worry." After a pause, she added, "Let's hurry back. I need quiet for recovery."