Dugu Yan

Everyone knew Poison Douluo Dugu Bo's temperament—proud and untamed like a lone wolf. Let alone bowing his head to others, even the Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall could hardly earn a proper glance from him.

Yet at this moment, this Titled Douluo famed for his sinister ruthlessness was walking half a step behind that seven-year-old child. Though his gaunt face still carried a trace of aloofness, there was not the slightest hint of hostility. Instead, he seemed to be deliberately restraining his aura, afraid of disturbing the youth before him.

"Th-this... is that really Poison Douluo?"

A newly arrived student rubbed his eyes, suspecting that he was hallucinating. An older student beside him gave him a hard pinch, making him bare his teeth in pain before he finally believed that the sight before him was not a dream.

"Other than His Excellency, who else could possess that poisonous miasma that even soul beasts dared not approach?"

Shen Tianchen turned a deaf ear to the surrounding discussion. His gaze swept across the crowd before finally settling on the anxious figure at the edge of the training ground.

Dugu Yan wore the academy's light purple uniform, its skirt hem stained with dust from her hurried run. Her face, usually carrying a touch of pride, was now filled with worry, and tears shimmered in her lively eyes. Clearly, she had been waiting for a long time.

"Old Monster, go back and make preparations first." Shen Tianchen's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable force. "Wait for me at my residence in half an hour."

Dugu Bo did not hesitate in the slightest. His gaunt fingers flicked lightly within his sleeve, and three emerald poison needles silently embedded themselves in the nearby parasol tree, startling several birds into fluttering away.

"I'll see to it at once." He answered, his figure turning into a streak of green light as he shot toward the academy's rear mountain. He was thirty percent faster than when he had arrived, clearly treating this matter as his top priority.

This scene made the onlookers suck in cold breaths.

Dugu Bo had always done as he pleased in the academy. Even when Prince Xue Xing personally gave him an order, he would weigh it carefully. Yet now, he obeyed the command of a child so readily. It was truly incomprehensible.

Shen Tianchen slowly walked toward Dugu Yan. The youth's pace was unhurried, yet it carried an unusual rhythm, as though every step landed upon the heartstrings of the crowd.

"Sister Yanzi, don't worry."

When he reached her, he took out a clean handkerchief from his Soul Tool and naturally handed it to the girl. "Not only is your grandfather fine, he has even broken through to Level 94."

Dugu Yan's fingers trembled slightly as she accepted the handkerchief. She gripped the cloth embroidered with orchid patterns tightly.

"You were gone for far too long. If I'd known, I would have gone with you." Her voice carried both anxiety and irritation, though she stubbornly held herself together. "My grandfather's poison..."

"We'll discuss the detoxification in detail later." Shen Tianchen raised a hand and rubbed the girl's hair, the gesture as natural as if he had done it countless times.

"Come with me to my residence first. There are some things you need to prepare in advance." Dugu Yan's cheeks reddened slightly. She clenched her fists and followed Shen Tianchen's footsteps.

The two passed through winding corridors. When they went by the library, they happened to run into Yu Tianheng approaching with the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team's first squad.

The team members had just been about to greet them when Yu Tianheng secretly signaled for them to stay quiet.

Yu Tianheng could vaguely sense a faint gold-and-red glow lingering around Shen Tianchen's body. It was a sign of power tempered to the extreme, something no ordinary Soul King could possess.

"Brother Shen, congratulations on your return." Yu Tianheng stepped forward, the aura of his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul flickering around him. "I heard that you traveled with Poison Douluo. Did you gain anything from this trip?"

Shen Tianchen glanced at him, a faintly amused smile curling at his lips. "The gains were naturally considerable. At the very least, I learned that some opportunities aren't for just anyone to encounter."

His gaze swept over the group. "For example, certain powers require time and accumulation. Being too eager for quick success will only backfire."

Yu Tianheng and the others' expressions shifted slightly. Though they did not fully understand his meaning, they could still sense the deeper implication in his words.

"We have important matters to attend to. Excuse us."

Shen Tianchen said no more and led Dugu Yan directly toward his residence.

His residence had been exceptionally granted by the academy. Located in a secluded area on the academy's western side, it was built from valuable stone materials and was quite suitable for him to cultivate alone.

Whenever some students complained to the academy about this "unfair" treatment, the academy's teachers would usually say, "If you want this kind of private residence, you may have one. Either demonstrate greater talent than his, or challenge him."

Upon hearing this, the students fell silent. Most of them were descendants of imperial nobles, spoiled and indolent by nature, attending the academy only for a peaceful life.

Challenge Shen Tianchen to a duel? They were not fools.

A short while later, Shen Tianchen pushed open the gates to his residence. In the center of the courtyard stood a three-legged cauldron, its body carved with intricate flame patterns. It was the tool Dugu Bo usually used to refine Poison Pills, and Dugu Bo had already been waiting there for quite some time.

"Grandfather!"

The moment Dugu Yan saw Dugu Bo, she threw herself directly into his arms, her small fists repeatedly pounding his chest.

Dugu Bo gently patted his granddaughter's shoulder, then said, "All right, Yan Yan. Don't you see there are other people here? Are you trying to make a spectacle of yourself?"

"Sit here." Shen Tianchen smiled and pointed to the cushion in front of the cauldron, taking out a jade box and two bottles of pills from the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch.

The instant he opened the lid, a milky-white glow shot into the air. Accompanied by an elegant fragrance, the air throughout the stone room seemed to become fresh and pure.

Inside the jade box lay an entirely white immortal herb. Its eight petals overlapped in layers, their edges gleaming with a faint silver radiance. It was the Narcissus Jade Bone that Shen Tianchen had brought back from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Sister Yanzi, the toxins in your body have not penetrated too deeply, so treating them will be much simpler. This is called Narcissus Jade Bone. It is an immortal-grade herb that nourishes the tendons, strengthens the bones, and opens the eight meridians. After consuming it, your Soul Power will increase without any side effects."

"Also, as a Control Type soul master, Sister Yanzi, your Mental Strength consumption is exceptionally high. This is called Autumn Water Dew, and it can greatly enhance your Mental Strength."

"Your grandfather has already perfected the detoxification method for you. He'll tell you about it personally in a moment."

With that, Shen Tianchen handed Dugu Bo a Fragrant Brocade Pill. "Old Monster, after Sister Yanzi finishes refining the immortal herb, have her take this Fragrant Brocade Pill. You should know the rest of the process. Tell her yourself."

After speaking, Shen Tianchen turned and found a spot in the corner of the courtyard. He sat down cross-legged on the ground and began cultivating while considering his future plans.

With Sister Xue's abilities, she must have known the moment he entered the gates of Heaven Dou City. If I don't go see her now, I'll be in for another scolding later.

There are some immortal herbs here that suit him. It would be more appropriate to send someone to notify the people of the Worship Hall after she finishes absorbing them.