Journey to Dugu Bo's Residence

Ling Qianyue nodded.

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and his tone quickened slightly. "Come, come, hurry up. Purify this poison."

As he spoke, he condensed a drop of ominous liquid shimmering with an eerie violet hue in his palm and suspended it in midair.

"To tell you the truth, I am Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. This is my Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor's Poison, far more potent than Yan Yan's Jade Phosphor Purple Poison. Let me see just how strong your martial soul's purification ability is."

After hearing Dugu Bo's words, Dugu Yan finally understood and gave Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing an apologetic look.

"Well, my grandfather has always dealt with poison. He probably heard about what happened to me, so he came to cause trouble for you. I'm sorry—I really didn't expect this. I hope you don't mind."

Dugu Bo gave a light cough, cutting Dugu Yan off. His gaze settled on Ling Qianyue again, filled with both anticipation and scrutiny.

"Kid, stop dragging your feet. Let me see what you're capable of. If you can neutralize my Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor's Poison, this old man may consider letting the matter between you and Yan Yan slide."

Ling Qianyue nodded. Dugu Bo had come even sooner than he expected. As one of the two great granddaughters-obsessed Douluo, he seemed to care for Dugu Yan even more deeply than Ling Qianyue had imagined. Dugu Yan had only just fought in the Soul Arena, yet he already knew everything that had happened.

Ling Qianyue summoned the Shattered Star Sword. The Azure Dragon Constellation on its guard gleamed as he slashed at the droplet of poison.

The moment the sword tip touched it, the ominous violet drop began turning into Crystal Dust at a visible rate.

The purple glow gradually faded, replaced by clarity and purity. The Crystal Dust scattered through the air before finally dissolving into invisible ambient energy, as though it had never existed.

A trace of surprise flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes. He had not expected Ling Qianyue's martial soul to possess such powerful purification abilities, capable of effortlessly neutralizing even his Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor's Poison. He gave Ling Qianyue a long, deep look.

"Good lad, your martial soul's purification ability truly is extraordinary!" Dugu Bo praised. "This old man keeps his word. Since you neutralized my Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor's Poison, I won't pursue the matter of you kicking Yan Yan before."

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes.

Then he changed the subject. "I heard you're enrolling here, right?"

"Yes."

"Mm." Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Yan beside him, his gaze shifting faintly. "You know I enjoy researching poison. Your ability would be quite useful when I prepare toxins. If this old man asks for your help from time to time, you wouldn't refuse, would you?"

"Is there compensation?"

Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then chuckled. "Yes, of course there is. Kid, you know how things work!"

Laughing, he patted Ling Qianyue on the shoulder. "As long as you help me, and do a good job, your reward certainly won't be lacking. Whether it's rare medicinal herbs or Gold Soul Coins, this old man won't be stingy."

"Then this junior accepts the job. If Your Excellency needs anything later, you may send Miss Dugu Yan to find me," Ling Qianyue replied.

"Mm, fine." Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, firmly committing Ling Qianyue to memory. "We'll meet again."

The next day.

Just as dawn broke, Dugu Yan came running over with sleepy eyes and happened to see Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing sparring in the courtyard.

She opened her mouth. "Shouldn't you still be resting at a time like this?"

After entering the courtyard, Dugu Yan conveyed Dugu Bo's message, inviting Ling Qianyue to Dugu Bo's residence in Heaven Dou City.

After exchanging a look with Zhu Zhuqing, Ling Qianyue nodded. "Don't worry."

Before leaving, he specifically informed Chief Meng Shenji of their destination.

When Meng Shenji heard that they were going to Dugu Bo's residence, his brows tightened slightly, but he still nodded.

"What happened at the academy yesterday has already reached the imperial family. After His Highness the Crown Prince heard of your performance, he said he would come to the academy in the next couple of days to make your acquaintance.

"It was still early, so I hadn't had time to tell you before Poison Douluo got there first.

"But Dugu Bo has an eccentric temperament. I am somewhat worried..."

"Please accompany us on this trip," Ling Qianyue said with a bow.

Meng Shenji's gaze shifted as he looked at Ling Qianyue and smiled. "I thought you feared neither heaven nor earth. So you do have some caution after all. Fine, this old man will accompany you. Dugu Bo wouldn't dare drive me away."

Just as Meng Shenji was about to leave, Ling Qianyue spoke. "Should we also inform His Highness the Crown Prince of today's situation?"

"That makes sense." Meng Shenji nodded after a brief pause. He opened his mouth toward a certain direction, but made no sound.

"Alright, let's go."

Ling Qianyue felt somewhat reassured. Accompanied by Meng Shenji, he followed Dugu Yan to a relatively secluded residence within Heaven Dou City.

"Meng Shenji? Why are you here? I don't recall inviting you."

Dugu Bo frowned upon seeing the group.

Meng Shenji chuckled amiably. "Please don't misunderstand, Poison Douluo. Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing have special identities. They are future elites of our Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. We were somewhat uneasy about letting them visit Your Excellency alone."

"Hmph." Dugu Bo first looked at Meng Shenji, then glanced at Ling Qianyue and snorted. "Come in, all of you."

The group followed Dugu Bo into the residence. The interior was arranged in a manner that was both mysterious and faintly sinister. All sorts of strange flowers and plants were placed everywhere, and the air carried a light medicinal fragrance mixed with an almost imperceptible poisonous aura.

"Sit wherever you like." Dugu Bo waved a hand and took the seat of honor himself. After sending Dugu Yan away, he let out a cold laugh.

"Kid Ling, you've got quite a few tricks up your sleeve. Did you think I would make a move against you or something?"

Ling Qianyue tilted his head. "What do you mean, Senior? This junior doesn't understand."

"Hmph, you don't understand? If you don't understand, then I'll seal my own cultivation and jump from Heaven Dou City's walls." Blowing his beard and glaring, he looked at Meng Shenji. "It's true this old man does things according to his own preferences, but since this kid now has ties to both Heaven Dou and the Zhu Family of Star Luo, I won't touch him.

"Besides, he carries the secret of a Thousand-Year Second Soul Ring. I, Dugu Bo, don't want to invite a mountain of trouble, nor am I some madman with no scruples whatsoever."

Meng Shenji looked slightly embarrassed. "Haha, Senior Dugu is joking."

"Enough, enough. Come in with me, Kid Ling." As he spoke, he headed toward the Medicine Garden. "Meng Shenji, stay outside. Don't worry, you'll be able to sense this kid's aura."

Meng Shenji's gaze flickered, and he nodded at Ling Qianyue.

Upon entering the Medicine Garden, Dugu Bo closed the door and sealed off the sound within.

"Come here." He beckoned to Ling Qianyue, then sat cross-legged atop a platform and swallowed a black bead.

"Come. Let me see the limit of your martial soul's purification ability."