Joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

These three conditions each struck Dugu Bo's soft spot. The Poison Scripture was the culmination of his life's work, and he naturally didn't want to part with it, let alone serve as his subordinate for a few years, which would likely provoke many factions. But when he thought of his granddaughter's pained, curled-up form when her poison flared in the future, he couldn't refuse.

"I agree to the first and third conditions," Dugu Bo gritted his teeth. "But the Poison Scripture is out of the question. It's the inheritance of my Dugu family and cannot be passed on."

"It's not being passed on, it's being borrowed," Chen Chu corrected sternly. "I only need to read the section on identifying and detoxifying poisons. I'll return it to you after I'm done, and I won't keep any copies. Moreover, I can give you the Snow Soul Exquisite Grass to suppress your own toxicity."

Before he could answer, Ao Tian, standing beside Chen Chu, suddenly spoke with a commanding voice, "You have no room to bargain. If it weren't for Chen Chu's consideration of your service in guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, you wouldn't even qualify for this transaction."

Dugu Bo's face turned from green to white. Finally, he could only sigh and lower his hands. "Fine, I agree. But you must guarantee that you can completely cure Yan'er's illness. If you dare to deceive me..."

Before he could finish, Chen Chu interrupted him, "I would never deceive you. Dugu Yan is, in a way, my student. Rest assured, not only will I not harm her, but perhaps she can even turn misfortune into a blessing!"

"Alright, you can go back. I imagine Dugu Yan is getting anxious waiting for you. However, you must remember not to let a single word of what happened here leak out. Otherwise, hmph!"

Chen Chu narrowed his eyes slightly, let out a cold command, and then, along with Ao Tian, transformed into two streams of light, soaring away and disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye.

"I will certainly keep this secret," Dugu Bo murmured to himself. After watching the two leave, he also flew towards Heaven Dou City.

"Why did you let that person go? He doesn't seem like a good person. The fewer people who know such an important secret, the better."

On the road, Ao Tian recalled the subtle emotions hidden by Dugu Bo and couldn't help but ask.

Chen Chu glanced at him and patiently explained, "He's considered a retainer of Heaven Dou, and he does have some skills. He has value for utilization. Besides, even if you gave him ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare leak the secret. After all, he still has to think about his granddaughter."

Ao Tian nodded in understanding. "Where are we going now? How many years of cultivation does the seventh Soul Ring you're going to obtain need to be?"

"To the Star Dou Great Forest. There are two good Soul Beasts there that can serve as my preliminary choices for Soul Rings."

"But before that, you need to accompany me to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It's time for me to show some of my strength."

The Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape – these two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are both excellent choices. Their age meets the requirements, and their bloodlines are extraordinary. The only thing to note is that we'll only kill one this time, leaving the other as a backup.

And relying solely on Ao Tian might be a bit strenuous, as his strength has weakened considerably, and he's also injured. He might be able to handle a one-on-one fight, but a two-on-one would indeed be difficult.

Earlier, Sword Douluo claimed to owe me a favor, which is perfect for this occasion.

A few days later

In the reception hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi sat at the head seat, with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo seated beside him. Of course, a mischievous little girl was also present in the hall.

"This Sect Master has finally welcomed Young Friend Chen. Since our last meeting at the palace, I've missed you dearly, Young Friend. I've been wanting to discuss cultivation insights with you."

"Have some tea." Ning Fengzhi was truly a model of nobility. Every movement, every word, was elegant and dignified, giving people a feeling of warmth and comfort, truly living up to his reputation as the "Charm Demon of Douluo."

"Sect Master Ning, I've come today with an urgent matter and would like to trouble Senior Sword Douluo."

Chen Chu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and stated the specific purpose of his visit.

"Oh? What do you need me for? Have you encountered trouble and need me to resolve it?" Sword Douluo heard that the young man was looking for him, opened his tightly closed eyes, and stared at him as he asked.

Chen Chu put down his teacup, met his gaze, and said solemnly, "Senior Sword Douluo, at the palace last time, you said you owed me a favor. I've come today precisely to ask you to accompany me to the Star Dou Great Forest to help me hunt a Soul Beast."

Sword Douluo's brows twitched, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Star Dou Great Forest? You're already a Rank Seven Soul Master? How long has it been? Moreover, with your current strength, plus the three Instructors, you should be able to handle ordinary Soul Beasts. Why come to me? Do you know how valuable this promise of mine is?"

"It's not an ordinary Soul Beast," Chen Chu shook his head. "It's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. I want to hunt either the Sky Azure Bull Python or the Titan Giant Ape, the overlords of that forest, to be my seventh Soul Ring."

As soon as he said this, the hall fell silent. Ning Fengzhi's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. Bone Douluo's originally half-closed eyes snapped open. Even Ning Rongrong, who was playing with her hair tie, stopped her movements and looked at Chen Chu with a shocked expression.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring? Are you crazy? Do you know the maximum year limit a seventh Soul Ring can withstand?"

"Young man, don't aim too high; be practical."

Chen Xin shook his head, feeling that Chen Chu was being too reckless. Pride comes before a fall.

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? Do you know what the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape are? They are the overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest. Even Titled Douluo wouldn't dare provoke them lightly. You're only a Soul Sage now, yet you dare to set your sights on them?"

"The old man is right. You're aiming too high, kid."

Gu Rong was also startled, but he quickly reacted and began to admonish.

"Senior Bone Douluo, I naturally know their strength," Chen Chu said with an unchanged expression. "If I weren't confident, I wouldn't have spoken rashly. All I need is for Sword Douluo to keep the Sky Azure Bull Python occupied, ensuring that while I absorb the Soul Ring, I won't be disturbed by another Soul Beast or any other faction. As for how to kill the Titan Giant Ape, I have other helpers."

Other helpers? Ning Fengzhi keenly caught the emphasis in this sentence and couldn't help but ask, "Who could single-handedly kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape? I don't recall any such expert within the Heaven Dou Empire. Could it be an expert from another major power?"

As soon as he said this, everyone in the hall frowned. Someone with such strength, helping a civilian Soul Master, could only be that organization – the Martial Soul Hall! But upon closer thought, it seemed unlikely. If Chen Chu had truly defected to the Martial Soul Hall, why would he come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for help? The Martial Soul Hall didn't seem to be lacking Titled Douluo.

Chen Chu didn't have the energy to guess what they were thinking. He clapped his hands, and Ao Tian's figure descended from the sky.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's expressions changed, and they suddenly stood up. "This person actually entered our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect without us noticing. We didn't detect anything. This is alarming."

The two exchanged glances, and their gazes towards Ao Tian were filled with apprehension.