Chapter 18

Li Tianlan and Dugu Yan moved stealthily and swiftly, continuously venturing deeper into Sunset Forest.

Along the way, they encountered many powerful soul beasts, including a Man Faced Demon Spider with ten thousand years of cultivation. It was far stronger than the one Li Tianlan had encountered before.

Li Tianlan and Dugu Yan had to take a long detour to avoid that ten-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider.

When Li Tianlan told Dugu Yan about his past, about how he had once killed a hundred-year Man Faced Demon Spider alone, she mocked him mercilessly.

Naturally, she did not believe him. Man Faced Demon Spiders were an exceptionally powerful race among soul beasts. A hundred-year specimen was no weaker than some ordinary Thousand Year Soul Beasts.

Li Tianlan did not say much or offer any further explanation. He simply continued on his way and stopped arguing with Dugu Yan.

Around noon, the two arrived before a bank of Poison Mist. Li Tianlan personally saw a ten-year Gale Wolf touch the slightest wisp of it, only to collapse instantly as its body slowly began to rot.

"We should keep our distance from this poison. Let's take a detour."

Just as Li Tianlan was about to leave, Dugu Yan grabbed his arm.

"Why are you running? All this poison was set up by my grandfather. This is his private cultivation site."

Li Tianlan's face immediately filled with shock as he looked at the poisonous mist blanketing the sky. "This is your grandfather's private cultivation site? Isn't this too outrageous? This Poison Mist is incredibly toxic. Your grandfather cultivates in there?"

Dugu Yan glanced at Li Tianlan and said with complete sincerity, "Yes. My grandfather is inside. There's a treasured cultivation ground within. You'll understand when we get there."

After that, Dugu Yan said nothing more. She took out a Signal Arrow from her robes, infused it with her Soul Power, and fired it toward the depths of the Poison Mist.

The Signal Arrow carried a faint green glow as it flew into the depths of the Poison Mist and vanished without a trace.

Li Tianlan asked in confusion, "Is this how you notify your grandfather?"

"Yep."

After firing the Signal Arrow, Dugu Yan leaped onto the branch of a nearby tree. Her two slender, fair legs, clad in dark green stockings, swung adorably beneath her.

"Then why didn't you fire one of these Signal Arrows when you were in danger and have your grandfather come save you?" Li Tianlan asked, puzzled.

"You think I didn't want to? This kind of Signal Arrow only works when I'm close enough for my grandfather to sense it. If it had worked, I would have used it long ago. I wouldn't have needed your escort at all." Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at Li Tianlan.

Li Tianlan also jumped onto a tree, landing lightly on a somewhat thicker branch. Watching the poisonous mist filling the air, he asked curiously, "Teacher, do you think I can collect some of this poisonous gas? It might be useful someday."

"In theory, yes. Gathering some of this poisonous gas for self-defense would be possible..."

As the two waited patiently, a dark green streak of light shot out from the Poison Mist. A voice came from within that dark green radiance. "Yan Yan!"

Hearing the call, Dugu Yan, who had been leisurely swinging her feet from the tree, immediately broke into a broad smile and happily called out, "Grandfather, I'm here!"

The dark green light swiftly burst out of the Poison Mist. The newcomer was tall and thin, as straight as a javelin. His hair and beard were both dark green, while his eyes shone like emeralds.

His entire person gave off an illusory feeling, as if he were nothing more than a phantom.

He wore no expression, or rather, his expression was completely stiff. His cheeks were deeply sunken, his green hair was a disheveled mess, and he wore only a simple gray robe.

The dark green figure swiftly pulled his beloved granddaughter, Dugu Yan, tightly into his arms. At that moment, Xiao Yan, within the Sea of Consciousness, observed Dugu Bo and said in shock, "That old fellow is poisoned so deeply, yet he still dares to use his Soul Power so recklessly?"

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Li Tianlan said in disbelief, "Poisoned? He's a Titled Douluo, and his title is even Poison. How could he possibly poison himself?"

Li Tianlan then turned his gaze toward Dugu Bo. At that moment, Lugu Lake naturally noticed Li Tianlan as well. He released Dugu Yan and asked suspiciously, "Yan Yan, who is he?"

Dugu Yan then left Dugu Bo's embrace and walked happily over to Li Tianlan's side. She cheerfully introduced him to her grandfather, "Grandfather, his name is Li Tianlan. He escorted me all the way here."

Dugu Bo eyed Li Tianlan warily and asked in confusion, "He escorted you? If I'm not mistaken, he's even younger than you. How could he escort you? Yan Yan, don't tell me he tricked you?"

Dugu Yan hurriedly explained, "It's true, Grandfather. I'm not lying to you. He escorted me all the way here, helping me avoid both pursuers and soul beasts. Without him, I wouldn't have reached this place safely."

Dugu Bo looked at the young man beside Dugu Yan in disbelief and thought, This child is definitely younger than Yan Yan, yet she says his strength far surpasses hers, and that he escorted her all the way here. Could this brat be a genius disciple from some great clan? But how much strength could a child who has only just awakened his martial soul possess?

While Dugu Bo was thinking, Li Tianlan stepped forward and said respectfully, "Greetings, Your Excellency Dugu!"

Dugu Bo looked at the humble Li Tianlan. "No need for formalities. Are you a disciple of some great clan or sect?"

"No." Li Tianlan shook his head.

Dugu Bo became even more puzzled. Children in such circumstances were usually geniuses secretly cultivated by major sects, waiting to make contributions to their sects at crucial moments.

At that moment, Dugu Yan looked at the two of them. "Grandfather, let's not keep standing around here. Hurry up and take us inside."

Only then did Dugu Bo remember. "Haha, Yan Yan, Grandfather was inconsiderate. Let's go."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo circulated his Soul Power and condensed a ball of Soul Power in his right hand.

As his Soul Power flowed, the sphere continuously expanded until it was large enough to encompass all three of them, then stopped.

"Yan Yan, hurry inside. And you too, brat."

Hearing this, Li Tianlan entered the Soul Power barrier as well and followed Dugu Bo deeper inside.

Seeing the Poison Mist outside completely blocked by the Soul Power barrier, he found it rather miraculous. Earlier, when he had tried to send his own Soul Power into the Poison Mist, it had been corroded by the highly toxic mist.

Dugu Bo noticed Li Tianlan's expression and said, "Brat, did you also try to send your Soul Power into the Poison Mist just now, only for it to be corroded?"

Li Tianlan answered seriously, "Yes."