Each of these three conditions struck right at Dugu Bo's weak spot. The Poison Scripture was the work of his lifetime, and he naturally did not wish to part with it. Not to mention that he would have to serve as Chen Chu's enforcer for several years, likely offending quite a few factions in the process. But whenever he thought of his granddaughter curling up in agony when her poison flared up in the future, he could not refuse.
"I agree to the first and third conditions," Dugu Bo said through gritted teeth. "But not the Poison Scripture. It is the inheritance of my Dugu family and cannot be passed on."
"It is not being passed on. It is being borrowed for reference," Chen Chu sharply corrected. "I will only read the sections on identifying poisons and methods of detoxification. I will return it once I am done and will not keep a copy. Besides, I can give you Snow Soul Exquisite Grass to suppress the poison within your body."
Before he could answer, Ao Tian suddenly spoke from the side, his voice imposing. "You have no room to bargain. If Chen Chu had not considered your service in guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, you would not even be qualified to make a deal."
Dugu Bo's face alternated between green and white. In the end, he could only let out a long sigh and lower his hand. "Fine, I agree. But you must guarantee that you can completely cure Yan'er's illness. If you dare deceive me..."
Before he could finish, Chen Chu interrupted him. "I would never deceive you. Dugu Yan is also my student. Rest assured, not only will I not harm her, she may even turn this misfortune into a blessing!"
"Enough. Go back. Dugu Yan must be anxiously waiting for you by now. But remember, you are not allowed to leak a single word about what happened during this time. Otherwise, hmph!"
Chen Chu narrowed his eyes. After a cold shout, he and Ao Tian transformed into two streaks of light and shot into the distance, vanishing from the forest in the blink of an eye.
"I will definitely keep the secret," Dugu Bo muttered. After watching the two leave, he too flew toward Heaven Dou City.
"Why let that man go? He did not look like a good person. With such an important secret, the fewer people who know, the better."
Along the way, Ao Tian recalled the subtle emotions Dugu Bo had tried to conceal and could not help asking.
Chen Chu glanced at him and patiently explained, "He can be considered a Heaven Dou retainer, and he does have some ability. He is worth using. Besides, even if you gave him ten times the courage, he would not dare reveal the secret. In the end, he still has to think of his granddaughter."
Ao Tian nodded in understanding. "Where are we going now? How old a spirit ring do you intend to obtain for your seventh?"
"To the Star Dou Great Forest. There are two decent spirit beasts there, just right as candidates for my spirit ring."
"But before that, come with me to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It is time for me to show some of my strength."
The Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were both good Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast choices. Their age was sufficient, and their bloodlines were extraordinary. The only thing to note was that he would only kill one this time and leave the other in case of future need.
Relying on Ao Tian alone would be somewhat difficult. After all, his strength had weakened too much, and he was injured as well. He might manage in a one-on-one fight, but facing two at once would indeed be troublesome.
Besides, Sword Douluo had previously claimed to owe him a favor. This was the perfect chance to use it.
Several days later
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's reception hall, Ning Fengzhi sat in the seat of honor, with Sword Bone seated beside him. Of course, there was also a mischievous little girl in the hall.
"Our sect has finally been able to welcome Young Friend Chen. Ever since we parted at the imperial palace, I have missed you greatly. I was even hoping to discuss cultivation insights with you."
"Have some tea." Ning Fengzhi truly was the model of nobility. Every gesture and every word was elegant and dignified, giving others the feeling of a spring breeze. He truly deserved his reputation as the Douluo world's enchanting demon.
"Sect Master Ning, I have come this time because of an urgent matter. I would like to trouble Senior Sword Douluo."
Chen Chu picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and explained the purpose of his visit.
"Oh? What do you need me for? Have you encountered some trouble and need me to resolve it?" Hearing that this boy had come specifically for him, Sword Douluo opened his tightly shut eyes and stared at him as he asked.
Chen Chu set down his teacup and met his gaze. "Senior Sword Douluo, you said in the imperial palace last time that you owed me a favor. I have come today to ask you to accompany me to the Star Dou Great Forest and help me hunt a spirit beast."
Sword Douluo raised a brow, surprise flashing in his eyes. "The Star Dou Great Forest? You are already at seven rings? How long has it been? Besides, with your current strength and the three education committee members, you should be able to handle ordinary spirit beasts. Why come to me? Do you know how valuable this promise of mine is?"
"It is not an ordinary spirit beast." Chen Chu shook his head. "It is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Of the forest overlords, the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, I intend to hunt one as my Seventh Spirit Ring."
The hall instantly fell silent. Ning Fengzhi's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. Bone Douluo's half-lidded eyes abruptly flew open. Even Ning Rongrong, who had been playing with her hair ribbon, stopped and stared at Chen Chu in shock.
"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring? Have you gone mad? Do you know the maximum age limit a Seventh Spirit Ring can withstand?"
"Young man, do not aim too high. Keep your feet on the ground."
Chen Xin shook his head, feeling that Chen Chu was being far too rash. What is too rigid is easily broken.
"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? Do you know what kind of existences the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape are? They are the overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest. Even Titled Douluo would not casually provoke them. You are merely a Soul Sage, yet you dare set your sights on them?"
"What that bastard said is right. You are aiming too high, boy."
Gu Rong was also inwardly startled, but he quickly recovered and began lecturing him.
"Senior Bone Douluo, I naturally know their strength." Chen Chu's expression did not change. "If I were not confident, I would not have brought it up rashly."
"What I need is only for Senior Sword Douluo to restrain the Sky Azure Bull Python and ensure that I will not be disturbed by the other spirit beast or other factions while I absorb the spirit ring."
"As for how to kill the Titan Giant Ape, I have other helpers."
Other helpers? Ning Fengzhi keenly caught the key point in those words and could not help asking, "Who could possibly kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape alone? As far as I know, there is no such expert within the Heaven Dou Empire. Could it be an expert from another major faction?"
At those words, everyone present frowned. The only faction capable of possessing such strength and helping a commoner spirit master was probably that faction—Spirit Hall!
But upon further thought, it seemed unlikely. If Chen Chu had truly defected to Spirit Hall, why would he come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for help? Spirit Hall did not seem to lack Titled Douluo experts.
Chen Chu had no interest in guessing what they were imagining. He clapped his hands, and Ao Tian's figure descended from the sky.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's expressions changed as they abruptly rose to their feet. This man had actually entered their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect without their noticing in the slightest. How could this be possible?
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with wariness as they looked at Ao Tian.
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