The Dugu Family Martial Soul's Flaw

Oscar was so frightened by him that his voice trembled:

"K-Know. I know, you're Senior Poison Douluo."

"Good that you know."

Dugu Bo lifted his teacup and took another sip. His tone softened slightly as he continued:

"I don't care whether you truly fell in love with Yanyan at first sight. But if you want to pursue my granddaughter, it won't be so easy. You're a Food System Soul Master. Without sufficient strength, you won't be able to protect her."

Seeing that Dugu Bo had not flown into a rage, Xue Tianxing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly struck while the iron was hot:

"Lord Poison Douluo, rest assured! Although Oscar is a Food System Soul Master, his talent is exceptional. He has Innate Full Soul Power, and he's already a level twenty-two Soul Master at only nine years old! He'll definitely become a powerful Support Spirit Master in the future—he may even break through to Titled Douluo! He's sincere about Sister Yanyan. Why not give them a chance to get to know each other?"

Dugu Bo raised a brow. He was clearly somewhat surprised by the three pieces of information: "Innate Full Soul Power," "level twenty-two Soul Master," and "Food System Soul Master."

Then Dugu Bo looked Oscar over again. There was less scrutiny in his eyes now, replaced by curiosity and appreciation.

"Innate Full Soul Power? Level twenty-two? Most importantly, a Food System Martial Soul. You've got decent talent, kid. But talent alone isn't enough..."

Before Dugu Bo could finish, Dugu Yan at the doorway suddenly coughed lightly. Blushing, she walked in and said shyly:

"Grandpa, don't make things difficult for them... Oscar and I have only just met. We can talk about this later."

When Dugu Bo heard his granddaughter speak up, the sternness on his face immediately faded somewhat. The corners of his mouth even curled into a nearly imperceptible smile.

"Fine. Since Yanyan has said so, Grandpa won't make things difficult for you. But kid, if you dare treat Yanyan poorly, don't blame me for being rude!"

Oscar hurriedly nodded, though his head was still spinning—he had never imagined that he would somehow become "Dugu Yan's suitor."

Xue Tianxing secretly sighed in relief from the side and gave Oscar a look that said, "It's settled." He thought to himself:

The first step finally succeeded. Next, I can slowly get close to Dugu Bo and find an opportunity to bring up the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.

Oscar felt somewhat uncomfortable under Dugu Yan's gaze and subconsciously looked up at her. There she stood, her pale green dress making her skin seem as white as snow. Her brows carried the charming liveliness unique to a noble young lady, a distinctive air cultivated by a childhood of fine clothes, rich food, and exquisite living. She was utterly unlike the country girls Oscar had met before.

Although Oscar was now a viscount of the Balak Kingdom, dressed in fine clothes and living in a manor, the youthful awkwardness born of the countryside had not yet completely faded from his bones.

Thus, seeing Oscar face Dugu Yan like this, Xue Tianxing inexplicably thought of how Oscar had looked when he first met Ning Rongrong in the original story.

Then Xue Tianxing watched Oscar's cheeks instantly turn burning hot. His gaze became flustered, and he hurriedly lowered his head again, but even the tips of his ears had turned bright red.

Seeing him like this, Dugu Yan secretly curled her lips into a faint smile and withdrew her gaze. Yet her fingers gently twisted the hem of her skirt, showing that she was embarrassed as well.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Dugu Bo took in the sight of the two staring at each other with flushed faces. He could not help finding it amusing, though he also felt the awkward discomfort of his own cabbage being rooted up by a pig.

Dugu Bo then gave a light cough, breaking the delicate silence as he said to Dugu Yan:

"Yanyan, take Little Oscar around the manor. Let him familiarize himself with the place."

Dugu Yan quickly answered. She lifted her chin at Oscar and said in a brisk tone that was somewhat deliberately composed:

"Come on, little brother. I'll show you around Dugu Manor."

"O-Okay."

Oscar's voice still trembled slightly. He stood up and followed closely behind Dugu Yan as they headed outside. Before leaving, he did not forget to secretly give Xue Tianxing a pleading look—but unfortunately, Xue Tianxing was too busy dealing with Dugu Bo to notice his little gesture.

Once the two of them had completely vanished from outside the hall, the smile on Dugu Bo's face instantly disappeared. His gaze settled on Xue Tianxing again, gaining a sharper edge.

"Kid, stop pretending. If I'm not mistaken, you should be that little prince of the Balak Kingdom—the one whose name spread across the continent over a year ago after awakening Innate Full Soul Power, with an Ice Phoenix Martial Soul. Xue Tianxing, right?"

Xue Tianxing's heart tightened—he had not expected Dugu Bo to recognize his identity after all.

He stopped pretending and smiled openly, cupping his hands toward Dugu Bo.

"As expected of Senior Poison Douluo. Your eye is sharp enough to recognize me at a glance."

"You're rather frank."

Dugu Bo lifted his teacup, his fingertips lightly tracing the rim. However, his tone suddenly turned stern as he addressed Xue Tianxing:

"But you two came all the way from the Balak Kingdom to Heaven Dou. I'm afraid it wasn't merely to let Little Oscar pursue Yanyan, was it? Speak. What is your true purpose?"

Xue Tianxing knew that there was no use beating around the bush before an old fox like Dugu Bo.

Xue Tianxing took a deep breath and slowly began:

"Senior, your insight is impeccable. There was indeed more than one purpose. After Little Oscar decided to pursue Sister Yanyan, we specifically investigated the Dugu Family's circumstances and discovered something that concerned us—the Dugu Family members seem to suffer from a strange poison after reaching middle age because of their Martial Souls, eventually dying when the poison flares up."

He paused, his gaze falling on Dugu Bo's signature green hair. His tone was grave.

"Senior, your hair has already begun to turn green. Presumably, you too have been afflicted by this strange poison inherited by your family?"

The moment those words left his mouth, the hall fell silent.

Dugu Bo's hand clenched tightly around the teacup, nearly crushing its rim.

He raised his head, his eyes filled with shock and vigilance—the Dugu Family's Inherited Poison was a family secret. Few besides the core family members knew of it. Xue Tianxing was merely a young prince from the Balak Kingdom, so how could he know so much?

"Y-You... how do you know these things?"

Dugu Bo's voice carried a faint, barely noticeable tremor. Xue Tianxing's words had clearly struck at his weak point.

Xue Tianxing had long anticipated this reaction, and his tone remained calm.

"Senior, there is no need for surprise. We only learned of it by chance. I know this poison has plagued the Dugu Family for many years, and I may have a way to help you remove it."

"You have a way to cure the poison?"

Dugu Bo abruptly rose to his feet, his eyes filled with disbelief.

To cure this strange hereditary poison, he had sought out renowned doctors across the continent and tried countless methods, yet none had been able to eradicate it. Now a seven-year-old child was claiming to have a way to cure it. How could he not be shocked?