Just as Wang Zhong was surprised, Dugu Bo spoke, "Alright, Ju Hua Guan, I, an old man, will not go back on my word to you! There's no need for you to remind me repeatedly."
Listening to their conversation, Wang Zhong asked, "Elder Ju, do you two know each other?"
Yue Guan chuckled, "Know each other? Of course, we know each other! Decades of a karmic entanglement."
"Little Wang Zhong, staying here all the time is not necessarily a good thing. Why don't you and this old poison master go out and see the entire continent?"
"Furthermore, I see that this old poison master appreciates you. You can also take this opportunity to learn some knowledge about poisons and plants from him. When it comes to these things, no one dares to claim to be second to this old poison master. Learning from him will also be a part of your growth."
In response, Wang Zhong nodded and replied, "Okay, Elder Ju, I understand."
Nodding with satisfaction at Wang Zhong, Yue Guan glanced at Dugu Bo and smiled as he left. Dugu Bo, on the other hand, only snorted coldly and did not express his stance.
"Good, good!"
Dugu Yan was unusually happy about this. She had never expected Wang Zhong to return with her.
"Let's go, little fellow."
"Since Ju Hua Guan has agreed, you probably have no reason to refuse."
Wang Zhong could only shrug his shoulders and say, "Okay."
Since Yue Guan had appeared and expressed his agreement, Bibi Dong naturally also tacitly approved.
Just as Yue Guan had said, Bibi Dong also agreed. The reason was also to let Wang Zhong go out and see the world. With Dugu Bo's promise and guarantee, there was no need to worry about safety.
Being able to learn some knowledge and theories about poisons from Dugu Bo was also a very good opportunity.
Moreover, Bibi Dong couldn't possibly keep Wang Zhong tied to her side forever. If she did that, even if Wang Zhong became much stronger in the future, he would only be a child who had never experienced wind and rain or the baptism of the outside world.
One month later.
In a secluded cultivation spot in the central part of the Sunset Forest, where Dugu Bo resided, Wang Zhong was holding a book and racking his brain, reciting it diligently, memorizing every word and every phrase.
After he had memorized the knowledge in the book, he set it aside and gazed intently at Dugu Bo in front of him.
"I'm ready!"
Dugu Bo stroked the beard on his chin, his face a mixture of a smile and seriousness.
With a flip of his palm, a small flower appeared in his hand.
"What is this?"
Wang Zhong reached out, took the small flower, and examined it carefully.
The small flower was white with a pink hue. Its central stamen was curled, while the surrounding stamens were wavy. The calyx had six petals, with a stem as thick as a little finger below.
Holding the stem towards himself, Wang Zhong examined it thoroughly. The inside was hollow, with six visible tiny tubes directly connected to the calyx.
After observing the appearance for a while, Wang Zhong brought his nose closer and sniffed gently. The small pinkish-white flower had no scent. He tore off a small piece and placed it in his mouth; it was tasteless, not astringent, and had no unusual properties.
"Is this a Six-Star Flower?"
Recalling the so-called Materia Medica he had been reading for a whole month, Wang Zhong frowned, and the name popped into his mind.
The central stamen is curled, the other stamens are wavy, six calyxes, six hollow conduits, no fragrance, no taste – these were clearly the characteristics of a Six-Star Flower.
Six-Star Flowers have the effect of clearing meridians, facilitating qi and blood circulation, and calming the mind.
However, Wang Zhong did not immediately name the flower. Instead, he examined it repeatedly and carefully.
At this moment, he discovered a detail he had not noticed before. In the center of the small flower, there was a tiny, undeveloped stamen. This stamen was neither curled nor wavy; it was straight.
This discovery made him blink sharply. The stamens of a Six-Star Flower, except for the central one which is curled, should all be wavy. Yet, this flower had grown a straight stamen.
"This is not a Six-Star Flower!"
He clicked his tongue and looked up at Dugu Bo, whose old face was beaming with a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum. Wang Zhong felt an overwhelming sense of annoyance.
Ever since he had arrived a month ago, this guy had given Wang Zhong a set of nineteen volumes of Materia Medica and would frequently bring out strange flowers and plants for him to identify.
He said there were no rewards for getting it right, but no punishment for getting it wrong either.
Yet, Dugu Bo was clearly enjoying himself, and Wang Zhong always gave his insights and answers earnestly.
"This should be just an ordinary small wild flower. It's just that its growing environment has changed, making it extremely similar to the Six-Star Flower!"
Frowning, Wang Zhong gave his explanation, which made Dugu Bo nod repeatedly.
The satisfaction and admiration in his expression were unconcealed.
In just one month, Wang Zhong had memorized nearly five thousand pages of Materia Medica, and each time he could analyze the herbs Dugu Bo brought with clear reasoning. Although his conclusions might sometimes be wrong, it was due to lack of experience. His theoretical knowledge was memorized perfectly.
This scene truly amazed Dugu Bo.
Not only was Wang Zhong's spirit power cultivation far beyond that of ordinary people, but his memory, thinking, judgment, and eyesight also far surpassed those so-called prodigies by dozens or even hundreds of streets.
He had originally thought that bringing Wang Zhong here and teaching him some basic herbal knowledge would be sufficient.
But Wang Zhong's talent truly made Dugu Bo feel an urge to take him as a disciple and pass on his extensive knowledge of poisons. However, it was a pity.
Wang Zhong was already a disciple of the Pope. No matter how tempted he was, he could not snatch him away, nor would he dare to.
"Yes, your analysis is very accurate. This is indeed an ordinary small wild flower I found by the roadside that is extremely similar to the Six-Star Flower. I thought it would stump you, but I didn't expect you to have already reached this level."
"Amazing, truly amazing!"
"Even Yan Yan took six full years to memorize five volumes of that Materia Medica! And then it took her another year to combine theory with practice and reach a level where she could barely identify them."
"And you accomplished it in just one month! Such monstrous talent, I have never heard of or seen anything like it."
Dugu Bo did not spare his amazement and praise.
"Alas, what a pity! If I had met you earlier, I would have definitely taken you as my successor and taught you everything I know."
"But I was a step too late!"
Sighing heavily, Dugu Bo was also quite helpless. Such an excellent prospect, he truly didn't know where the people of the Spirit Hall found him; it made one's eyes burn with envy.
Wang Zhong casually shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't console the man on this matter.
He was now Bibi Dong's disciple, and he always would be!
Shaking off the helplessness in his heart, Dugu Bo took out a dark green object resembling a treasure bag from his embrace and placed it in front of Wang Zhong.
"This is a reward for you for having memorized this Materia Medica and perfectly identifying medicinal herbs!"
"Senior, your teaching me pharmacology has already benefited me immensely. How can I accept such a reward?"
Wang Zhong pushed the item back. With Dugu Bo's understanding of poisons and pharmacology, anyone in the world would be incredibly lucky to receive his tutelage. Wang Zhong had already received such a great benefit for free, so how could he accept more of his things?
But Dugu Bo forcefully stuffed it into Wang Zhong's embrace and said solemnly, "You and Yan Yan are of similar age. Although you've only known each other for about two months, your deep bond is like that of real siblings. As her grandfather, I haven't seen Yan Yan so happy and joyful in a long time."
"Given your relationship, I wouldn't mind even if you called me Grandpa."
"But your status prevents me from accepting that title."
"This Ruyi Treasure Bag can store living things. Although the Spirit Hall is a wealthy and powerful organization, such an item is still rare. I am gifting it to you, firstly because of Yan Yan's affection for you, and secondly because your talent has stirred my admiration for talent."
"During these four months, I will teach you everything I know without reservation. Learn as much as you can. Consider it a gift from me, as a grandfather, to Yan Yan's dearest friend!"
His words were sincere and heartfelt, without a shred of falsehood.
"I understand! Thank you, senior!"
Wang Zhong also responded with equal solemnity.