Recruitment

With Zhao Lei protecting them, Ye Han and the others had no fear of the poisonous mist and entered Dugu Bo's territory with ease.

Entering so openly naturally left nothing to hide. Sure enough, as soon as they stepped into the poisonous mist, they saw Dugu Bo watching them warily.

"Hehe! Poison Douluo, long time no see!" Ye Han greeted him as though they were old friends, but Dugu Bo merely glanced at Ye Han before ignoring him and staring intently at Zhao Lei instead.

Being ignored like that made Ye Han's expression stiffen. He kept grumbling inwardly, What kind of bullshit first impression is this? Just wait, Dugu Bo! Today, I'll make you my tool!

"May I ask what brings Your Excellency Zhao Lei to my territory?" Dugu Bo was relatively polite toward Zhao Lei.

One reason was that Zhao Lei was stronger than him. Another was that their relationship amounted to a single meeting; it was neither good nor bad, so there was no need to make an enemy of him.

Zhao Lei yawned and said helplessly, "He's the one who wants to talk to you! Don't look at me!"

After Zhao Lei said that, Dugu Bo turned toward the Ye Han he had ignored earlier. There was no trace of a smile on Ye Han's face now; he looked utterly serious.

"Ahem! Are you joking, Your Excellency? What could a child possibly want with me?" Dugu Bo looked awkwardly at Zhao Lei, hoping he would offer an explanation.

Zhao Lei spread his hands and said with certainty, "He's in charge. Talk to him! I'm just an emotionless bodyguard!"

Upon hearing that, Dugu Bo could only think, Holy shit. Is this brat really that important?

He ran every major sect and family he knew through his mind, trying to match them with Ye Han, but none fit the bill. Yet Ye Han could command a Titled Douluo. That was no joke.

"Young friend, what do you need from this old man?" Unable to figure it out, Dugu Bo could only force himself to ask.

Ye Han revealed a faint smile and said calmly, "Our purpose is simple. I want the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"

Dugu Bo looked puzzled and asked in confusion, "What Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? I don't have such a thing!"

Only then did Ye Han remember that Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was the name Tang San had come up with. He could only clarify, "The place inside this poisonous mist!"

At that, Dugu Bo understood, and his gaze became unfriendly.

Although he did not know what most of the things inside were for, they were definitely valuable. More importantly, he needed the aura there to suppress the poison in his body.

"If that's the case, then you are not welcome here!" Dugu Bo was no longer polite.

Ye Han merely smiled. "Getting old really does make one hot-tempered. You won't even let me finish. We can cure your poison!"

Dugu Bo's pupils contracted, and his aura immediately surged. Zhao Lei stepped in front of Ye Han and the others just in time, blocking Dugu Bo's pressure.

"You insolent brat, haven't you ever asked around about who I am? I am the Poison Douluo, and you're saying I've been poisoned? How ridiculous!"

Ye Han was in no hurry as he looked at Dugu Bo, who was forcing himself to keep up appearances. He said calmly, "Are you really not poisoned?"

"Of course not!" Dugu Bo said coldly.

Ye Han nodded in understanding and said indifferently, "Uncle Zhao, let's go! Since the Poison Douluo insists on keeping up appearances, there's no need for us to force ourselves on someone who doesn't want us. I had originally planned to take a look at Dugu Yan's condition as well."

Dugu Bo, who had not cared in the slightest before, erupted with aura again when he heard his granddaughter's name. "Come back!"

"What is it now?" Ye Han asked impatiently.

"Can you really cure the poison in my granddaughter's body?" Dugu Bo asked with a conflicted expression.

Seeing that Dugu Bo had taken the bait, Ye Han said disdainfully, "Since you aren't poisoned, then your granddaughter certainly isn't either. Besides, who are you? Let me ask around—you are the Poison Douluo! How could your granddaughter possibly be poisoned? Ridiculous!"

Hearing his own words thrown back at him, Dugu Bo's old face reddened. But when he thought of his granddaughter, he decided to put aside his pride.

"If you can truly cure Yan Yan's poison, this old man will apologize for what happened earlier!" This time, Dugu Bo lowered himself considerably.

The situation was different from when he dealt with Tang San. Dugu Bo could use force to pressure others then, but Ye Han and his group had a genuine Titled Douluo behind them.

As far as Dugu Bo was concerned, as long as there was even the slightest chance of curing Dugu Yan, he would not give it up, even if Ye Han and the others were deceiving him.

"I can naturally cure the poison. I can even cure the poison in your body, but can you accept my condition?" Ye Han revealed a meaningful smile.

"The poison in my body doesn't matter. As long as you can cure Yan Yan, anything is acceptable!" Dugu Bo hurriedly said.

"If I were only curing you, I would merely want the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. But if Dugu Yan wants to be cured, then you must join my academy!" Ye Han said with a smile.

Dugu Bo hesitated. To be honest, he had never been willing to serve under anyone in his life. He had even rejected invitations from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and Spirit Hall, and he had only recently received the inheritance of the Soul God.

Now he was suddenly being asked to join someone else's faction. Naturally, he was unwilling. But if he did not join, Dugu Yan could not be cured.

Dugu Bo knew perfectly well what kind of poison he and Dugu Yan carried. Once Dugu Yan's rank grew higher, it would become even harder to cure.

Watching Dugu Bo's ever-changing expression, Ye Han understood what he was worried about and said with a smile, "If you think joining our academy means losing your so-called freedom, then rest assured. Our academy has more teachers than students. The people standing before you are all our students! And you can ask Zhao Lei whether anyone has restricted him!"

That did make Dugu Bo somewhat tempted. But when he thought of his divine position, he could only sigh. "Thank you for your invitation! But you must have heard something about the previous incident!"

Ye Han nearly laughed and held back his amusement. "I know a little."

"To be honest, I did obtain something in the Soul God's temple back then, but I don't understand what it is. If something happens after I join your academy, I would surely bring disaster upon you! It would be terrible if I dragged you down with me!"

Seeing Dugu Bo's serious expression, everyone behind Ye Han had to hold back their laughter.

Ye Han composed himself and said with absolute certainty, "Believe me, that will never happen!"

To be honest, Dugu Bo was moved by Ye Han's youthful yet earnest expression. But that only made him less willing to bring disaster upon others.

"Young friend, please name another condition! As long as I can fulfill it, I certainly will!"

Seeing Dugu Bo suddenly become so resolute, Ye Han immediately understood why. He had not wanted to tell him before, since it was simply too cruel.

"Don't you want to know why I'm so certain?" Ye Han looked at Dugu Bo in a coaxing manner. Thinking Ye Han was about to try recruiting him again, Dugu Bo hurriedly said, "Thank you for your kindness, young friend. Precisely because of that, I cannot drag you down even more!"

After saying that, Dugu Bo even praised himself inwardly for his noble character.

"The golden light in the box flew into your body. So much time has passed, and you still haven't realized it?" Ye Han was somewhat speechless. Why was Dugu Bo so foolish?

"Although this old man hasn't figured it out either, but..." Seemingly realizing something, Dugu Bo suddenly stared at Ye Han in shock. "How do you know what happened then?"

Ye Han revealed a mysterious smile, then said ominously, "Want to know? I can tell you! But you must join our academy. Otherwise, even if you learn the truth, you'll be a dead man. Believe me!"

Hearing Ye Han's certain tone, Dugu Bo subconsciously swallowed. Uneasiness thumped in his heart, and he felt as though he had stumbled upon some enormous secret.

Ye Han knew Dugu Bo was tempted, so he added another heavy blow. "If you join us, our academy will not force Dugu Yan to do anything, and we will protect her! That naturally includes Uncle Zhao!"

That struck right at Dugu Bo's heart. Although he was also a Titled Douluo, he was already old, while Zhao Lei had become a Titled Douluo at such a young age. Even if Dugu Bo died, Dugu Yan would still be protected.

"Fine! I will join your academy!" Dugu Bo said through gritted teeth.

Ye Han also heard the information he wanted.

Congratulations to the host for completing the Side Quest: Recruit Poison Douluo Dugu Bo

Reward: The academy has opened up a Secret Realm Area

Dugu Bo has been assimilated into the academy's range

The academy has automatically expanded. The Secret Realm may be collected by the host. Target detected: Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Collect it?

After hearing the system's words, Ye Han understood the Secret Realm's purpose. It was simply a way to move the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well elsewhere.

"Not for now!"

With that settled, Ye Han raised his head and smiled at Dugu Bo. "Welcome, Poison Douluo, to our Second Dimension Academy!"

"Now that I have joined, can I know about Yan Yan's poison and this secret?" Dugu Bo asked anxiously.

Ye Han naturally would not go back on his word. After all, Dugu Bo was one of them now. "Of course, but let's discuss the detoxification first! Go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and bring Dugu Yan here. We'll wait for you here!"

Although Dugu Bo did not know how Ye Han intended to cure the poison, he would not easily give up as long as there was hope. He quickly got up. "Then I shall return shortly. Please wait here, everyone!"

After watching Dugu Bo leave, Zhao Lei hurriedly leaned closer. "Say, Xiao Han, won't Dugu Bo kill you once he learns the truth?"

Ye Han said uncertainly, "Probably not! But help support him later. I'm afraid Dugu Bo might suffer a heart attack!"

The others all looked somewhat sympathetically at Poison Douluo Dugu Bo as he departed.