"Don't!"
"Grandpa!!"
Watching Dugu Bo get utterly beaten down, Dugu Yan had already cried herself into a panic, tears streaming down her face.
"Yan Yan...!"
Dugu Bo was filled with regret as well. Had he known Tang Tian was this powerful, he would never have wanted those Immortal Herbs. He should have immediately fled with his granddaughter.
But now, both he and his granddaughter would likely die here.
Because Dugu Bo could clearly sense that Tang Tian intended to kill him.
"Graceful as a phantom, vanishing in an instant!"
"Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, Instant Form!"
"Die!!"
Killing intent surged from Tang Tian as he prepared to kill Dugu Bo with this strike.
"It's over..." Dugu Bo's heart went cold, and despair filled his face.
He knew he was doomed. At that moment, rather than resist, he dropped to his knees. "Please! Could you spare my granddaughter!"
"No! Grandpa!!"
At that moment, Tang Yu spoke up to stop him. "Father! Spare him!"
"Yu'er, in the Soul Master World, misplaced mercy can sometimes bring harm upon yourself." Tang Tian paused, but he had no intention of showing mercy.
Tang Yu understood what Tang Tian meant.
He believed that Dugu Bo had already been thoroughly offended. If they spared his life, he might not only fail to feel grateful, but could even seek revenge in secret someday.
After all, Dugu Bo's reputation in the Soul Master World was far from good.
Such mercy would therefore only harm themselves.
Moreover, Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo. He remained a considerable threat.
But in Tang Yu's view, killing Dugu Bo like this would be a pity. Rather than kill him, it would be better to gain another powerful friend.
Besides, turning Dugu Bo from an enemy into an ally would not be difficult.
"Father! This is not misplaced mercy. Sparing his life may be of great use to us."
Tang Yu's firm tone made Tang Tian hesitate. In the end, just as he was about to kill Dugu Bo, he withdrew his power.
Puzzled, he asked, "Yu'er, do you want me to spare him because you wish to recruit Poison Douluo and have him submit to our Clear Sky Sect?"
Having survived the ordeal, Dugu Bo finally let out a long breath of relief.
But if the price of survival was submitting to the Clear Sky Sect, obeying others, and serving them loyally, Dugu Bo would rather die.
Because what he hated most in his life was having his freedom restricted.
Back then, even when Spirit Hall demanded that he join them, Dugu Bo had not yielded, despite being hunted nearly to death by Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
Dugu Bo said weakly, "If you want me to submit to the Clear Sky Sect, then kill me instead."
"Did you hear that, Yu'er? He will never submit to our sect." Tang Tian had expected this. Killing intent rose in his eyes once more.
"It is not necessary for him to submit to our Clear Sky Sect." Holding Dugu Yan hostage, Tang Yu walked before Dugu Bo with a calm expression. "Senior Dugu Bo, whenever the weather turns overcast or rainy, you feel numbness beneath your ribs, while the crown of your head and the soles of your feet feel as though they are being pierced by needles. Your entire body spasms, and the pain becomes unbearable, correct?"
"You! How do you know that!?" Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically, and he was utterly shocked.
No one besides himself knew about this. He had not even mentioned it to his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
Tang Yu did not answer and continued, "You are peerless in the use of poison and have spent your life playing with it, yet you are helpless against the backlash of your own poison. However, I can solve the problem of poison backlash from your Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul."
"What! You... you can solve it?" Dugu Bo stared at Tang Yu in disbelief.
Tang Tian also glanced at Tang Yu in considerable surprise.
"I can." Tang Yu smiled and said seriously, "If I solve the issue of your poison backlash, would Senior Dugu Bo be willing to serve my father and me?"
Tang Yu meant the two of them, not the entire Clear Sky Sect.
"Of course, you only need to serve us for ten years. During that time, we will not restrict your freedom, nor will we make you do anything that crosses your personal bottom line. You only need to appear whenever we need you."
Dugu Bo fell silent, weighing it in his heart.
Tang Yu continued, "Your granddaughter has been soaked in poison since she was in her mother's womb. Once her poison flares up, it will only be more severe than yours."
"Even if you are determined to die, and even if we agree to spare your granddaughter, she will not live past thirty."
"Will you live and resolve the poison backlash, or will you and your granddaughter die together?"
"I believe Senior Dugu Bo understands which is the correct choice."
If he agreed, they could detoxify themselves. If he refused, they would both die.
Dugu Bo knew he had no choice. Serving for ten years was still acceptable. He took a deep breath. "Fine! If you can truly resolve the issue of our poison backlash, this old man is willing to serve you two for ten years!"
"I, Dugu Bo, am no good man, and I have always acted according to my own preferences. But I keep my promises. If I agree to something, I will certainly do it!"
Tang Yu looked toward Tang Tian. "Father, what do you think?"
"Heh, good kid. Then spare his life." Tang Tian shook his head with a smile and withdrew his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul.
Tang Yu also released Dugu Yan, then directly offered the classic Soul Bone solution. "Senior Dugu Bo, to resolve the poison backlash of your Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul, you only need to find a vessel. This vessel can be a Soul Bone."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "You mean I should force the poison within my body into a Soul Bone!?"
"Correct. That way, the poison will no longer backlash against your body."
"However, a Soul Bone is a limited vessel. Sooner or later, it will become full. Furthermore, injecting poison into a Soul Bone carries risks. If that part of the Soul Bone suffers a powerful external impact and the poison suddenly erupts, it could prove fatal in battle."
"So this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause."
"However, I have another method that can completely resolve the problem of poison backlash. But that will depend on Senior Dugu Bo's performance over the next ten years." A faint confidence showed on Tang Yu's face.
This was the art of balance, and Dugu Bo understood it.
But being able to temporarily resolve the poison backlash was already enough to leave Dugu Bo exhilarated and satisfied.
He also kept his promise, lowered his stance, and cupped his hands with a bow. "Dugu Bo greets my two masters! For the next ten years, whatever instructions you have, this old man will carry them out immediately."
"Good. Then let us part ways for now, Senior Dugu Bo. We will meet again very soon." Tang Yu smiled, then left together with Tang Tian.
"Hey! Wait, you... what is your name!" With a hint of shy embarrassment on her face, Dugu Yan called out to Tang Yu.
He turned around and smiled at Dugu Yan. "My name is Tang Yu."
"Tang Yu..." Dugu Yan murmured his name. Then she bit her lower lip, her eyes carrying a trace of resentment. "Fine! Tang Yu, I'll remember you!"
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Dugu Bo felt a complicated mix of emotions. "Those two clearly took the rare herbs I loved most and gave me a brutal beating, yet in the end... I somehow feel as though I have received an immense favor..."
Before you continue