Dugu Bo's Submission

Three days had passed since Dugu Yan began absorbing the Detoxifying Pill's medicinal power. By now, all the toxins in her body had been neutralized, and the remaining medicinal power was enhancing her Soul Power and some of her body's functions.

Zhao Xiaotian had not slacked off during these three days. After giving the other two Detoxifying Pills to Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo, he began a second round of pill refinement. This time, he planned to refine several Spirit Gathering Pills, which could gather the surrounding Spirit Energy for cultivation.

This type of pill did not take too long to refine. It would be completed in roughly three days, though the process consumed a great deal of Spirit Energy.

One morning, Dugu Yan finished absorbing the Detoxifying Pill's medicinal power, and her body had undergone tremendous changes. Her skin became smoother and snow-white, while her emerald-green pupils returned to the color of an ordinary person's eyes.

Dugu Yan's short purple hair had turned black like that of an ordinary person. When Dugu Bo saw his precious granddaughter awaken, he rushed to her side in a single stride.

"Yan Yan, quickly circulate your Soul Power and see whether your Soul Power Level has changed!"

Dugu Yan nodded and casually circulated her Soul Power. In an instant, her eyes widened as she exclaimed in delight, "Grandpa, my Soul Power has broken through to Level 35! It increased by a full three levels!"

Dugu Bo nodded calmly. "Ahahaha! You broke through to Level 35, an increase of three whole levels."

Then Dugu Bo suddenly came to his senses and said in disbelief, "What? Your Soul Power increased to Level 35?"

Dugu Yan proudly raised her chin. "That's right! What do you think, Grandpa?"

Zhao Xiaotian was currently refining pills in the scorching area of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Dugu Bo's loud laughter disrupted his state of mind while refining.

Today was the day the pills were to be completed. Zhao Xiaotian had prepared twelve Spirit Gathering Pills before beginning the refinement, but Dugu Bo's booming laughter interfered with the Spirit Energy flow he used to control the flames' temperature.

As a result, seven Spirit Gathering Pills failed on the day of completion. In other words, he had prepared twelve pills, yet only five succeeded after refinement.

Each person could only take one of these pills. Zhao Xiaotian had originally intended to take one himself and give one each to his master, grandfather, and older sister Qian Renxue.

Yet seven had failed on the day of completion. When Qian Renxue caught the fragrance of the completed pills, she stepped out from a nearby tent.

Zhao Xiaotian said regretfully, "What a pity. Such fine ingredients, and only five pills were refined."

Qian Renxue stepped forward and asked, "Are these pills very powerful?"

Zhao Xiaotian smiled faintly. "I call these Soul Gathering Pills. They can raise any Soul Master's level by one, as long as they are below Level 99."

After speaking, Zhao Xiaotian handed one pill to Qian Renxue. "Sister, this Soul Gathering Pill is for you. I hope you'll take it when you break through Level 90."

Qian Renxue nodded at this. "All right. In that case, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Zhao Xiaotian nodded and stored the remaining four pills in his Soul Tool. Qian Renxue was very curious about the necklace Soul Tool hanging around Zhao Xiaotian's neck.

However, Zhao Xiaotian openly told her that it was a gift from his grandfather Liu Ming when they first met, making Qian Renxue gaze at his necklace with great envy.

Dugu Bo, who had just been laughing loudly, stepped forward. "Hehe! Um, Holy Son, my granddaughter has successfully absorbed the medicinal power. Can I let her return to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to study now?"

At those words, Zhao Xiaotian's previously calm face instantly turned cold. "Your laughter just interrupted the Spirit Energy flow I was using to refine pills. Out of twelve pills, only five succeeded!"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Dugu Bo's forehead, because five powerful auras had already locked onto him.

Thud!

Dugu Bo suddenly dropped to both knees and kowtowed respectfully. "Holy Son! I, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, am willing to submit to you. Please do not be angered!"

It was not that Dugu Bo lacked backbone. No matter how much backbone one had, they still had to fear the powerful figures behind Zhao Xiaotian.

Zhao Xiaotian said coldly, "Guard this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well properly. Since you have submitted to me, I will not treat you poorly. But you must not harbor any thoughts of betrayal. Otherwise..."

Before he could finish, the Soul Power pressure from the hidden Liu Jin began to intensify. Dugu Bo kowtowed again, expressing absolute submission and swearing that he would not dare harbor even the slightest thought of betrayal.

Another month soon passed, and Dugu Yan left Sunset Forest with Zhao Xiaotian. During that month, Zhao Xiaotian refined many pills.

Qian Renxue had originally planned to return to Spirit City with Zhao Xiaotian and Dugu Yan, but she said she still had matters to attend to and did not leave with them.

On the road back to Spirit City, Dugu Yan asked, "Holy Son, why isn't Miss Xue returning with us?"

That was an excellent question! Dugu Yan's question stumped Zhao Xiaotian as well. He did not know why his sister was not returning to Spirit City with them. He only knew that, before leaving, she had said she had matters to attend to and would not be going back with them.

Zhao Xiaotian said, "Cultivate properly. Don't ask so many questions. Once we return to Spirit City, you'll join Spirit Hall Advanced Academy. The education there will be even better than at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Dugu Yan gave an "oh," then turned her head away. Looking out of the carriage window, she murmured to herself, "Tianheng, we can't be together anymore."

Zhao Xiaotian had clearly heard those words, but he said nothing. He simply sat quietly in the carriage with his eyes closed, resting.

Four days later, the carriage successfully arrived in Spirit City. Zhao Xiaotian instructed someone to take Dugu Yan and handle her enrollment at the advanced Soul Master academy.

He himself headed alone to the Papal Palace. He intended to speak with his adoptive mother, Bibi Dong, about going out to gain experience.

Some time later...

"What! You want to leave Spirit City and go out to gain experience!"

Zhao Xiaotian nodded. "Yes, Mother! I plan to travel across the continent for a while. It will also benefit my growth on the path of a Soul Master."

Bibi Dong gently rubbed her brow. It was not that she did not want Zhao Xiaotian to go out and gain experience. She was worried that if Zhao Xiaotian met Yu Xiaogang, he would mercilessly kill him.

Although Zhao Xiaotian had spent the past few days with Dugu Bo, helping the so-called Poison Douluo with treatment, Bibi Dong was the Pope, and her intelligence network covered the entire continent.

During the two months Zhao Xiaotian had spent with Dugu Bo, he had not forgotten to continue investigating Yu Xiaogang. Bibi Dong did not know what she would do once Zhao Xiaotian finally made a move against Yu Xiaogang.

At that moment, Qian Daoliu suddenly appeared in the Papal Palace and looked at Bibi Dong. "This old man has also approved Xiaotian's journey. Bibi Dong, focus on being your Pope. Don't try any little tricks. This old man's eyes have been watching you all along."

"Qian Daoliu!"

Bibi Dong gritted her silver teeth, her fury reaching its limit. Yet she could do nothing to Qian Daoliu and could only watch as he allowed her son to leave and gain experience.

"Fine! I approve your request to go out and gain experience. In addition, I will send Ghost Douluo Ghost Charm to protect you from the shadows. Unless you encounter mortal danger, he will not step in to help."

On one hand, Bibi Dong wanted Ghost Charm to keep Zhao Xiaotian in check and prevent him from attacking Yu Xiaogang. On the other hand, she had already begun to doubt Ghost Charm's loyalty, so she would also send another female Titled Douluo to secretly watch them.

Zhao Xiaotian clasped his hands in salute. "Thank you, Mother, for granting permission!"

Seeing this, Bibi Dong still had faith in the son she had raised for so long. She believed her son would not attack Yu Xiaogang. She still wanted to try, hoping that Zhao Xiaotian's first impression of Yu Xiaogang would be favorable.

Thus, Bibi Dong said, "Xiaotian! When you travel outside, you can visit Suotuo City in the Balak Kingdom. There is an academy there called Shrek, which claims to recruit only monsters. You can go take a look!"

"Understood!"