Second Granduncle, It's Time for Your Medicine

The bowl of soup was still bubbling.

Purple bubbles burst, releasing wisps of black smoke that seemed to warp the very space around them.

Qian Renxue's eyes were filled with anticipation. Her beautiful golden orbs clearly read: "Hurry up and praise me, hurry up and eat it, or I'll cry for you to see."

Qian Mo's Adam's apple bobbed.

This wasn't soup; this was clearly the foot-washing water Meng Po had forgotten on the Bridge of Helplessness back in the day.

If he drank this, never mind a constitution of auspicious omens—even if the Angel God descended to the mortal realm in person, he'd have to check into the emergency room overnight.

"Sister, this is too precious."

Qian Mo wore a solemn expression. He held the bowl—which was potent enough to poison a Titled Douluo—with both hands, his eyes so sincere they could move a person to tears.

"As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father, and an elder is like the heavens. How could I, a junior, enjoy this first mouthful of 'God-Bestowed Essence' all by myself?"

Qian Renxue was stunned. "Huh?"

Just at that moment.

A robust figure passed by outside the hall, humming a little tune.

The Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, had just finished inspecting the city defenses. He was in a good mood and was preparing to head back to the Worship Hall to play chess with the First Worship.

The fluctuations of his level 98 soul power made him walk with a swagger, his stride powerful and imposing.

Qian Mo's eyes instantly lit up like two giant lightbulbs.

[Passive Skill: Better You Than Me, activated!]

"Second Grandfather!"

Qian Mo's shout carried the tone of a long-lost grandson reunited with his kin.

He held the bowl and scrambled out on his short legs, directly blocking Golden Crocodile Douluo's path.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was taken aback, then his aged face blossomed into a smile. "Yo, isn't this our Holy Son? What's the matter? Did you miss your Second Grandfather?"

"Second Grandfather, you've worked so hard!"

Qian Mo thrust the bowl toward Golden Crocodile Douluo, declaring with righteous indignation, "To reward you for your tireless labor day and night, Sister specifically used the Angel Holy Fire to brew this 'Ten Thousand Longevity Great Tonic Soup'! I wanted to drink it, but the moment I thought of your hunched back (which didn't exist), my heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife! You must be the first to drink this soup!"

Qian Renxue, who had chased after him, paused in her tracks upon hearing this.

So... her younger brother was this sensible?

Her eyes turned red.

What a wonderful younger brother! He wouldn't even bear to drink it himself, wanting instead to show filial piety to his elders!

"Xue'er made this herself?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo was flattered.

The Young Master cooked in person? This was an immense honor!

He lowered his head to look at the contents of the bowl.

The color was a bit strange, the smell was quite pungent, and it was even emitting purple smoke...

But this was the Young Master's sentiment! It was the Holy Son's filial heart!

"Good! Good child!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo was filled with heroic spirit as he snatched the large bowl. "Then this old man won't stand on ceremony!"

He tilted his head back.

Gulp.

He downed it in one go.

Qian Mo silently made the sign of the cross in his heart.

Amen.

Three seconds of dead silence.

Golden Crocodile Douluo's complexion began to change in a spectacular fashion.

First, it turned rosy—that was the blood rushing to his head.

Next, it went deathly pale—that was his stomach spasming.

Finally, it shifted to an eerie, sickly green—that was his soul leaving his body.

"This taste... is a bit... potent..."

Golden Crocodile Douluo opened his mouth, and a plume of black smoke drifted out from his throat.

Immediately after, a thunderous, muffled rumble erupted from his gut.

Gurgle—!!!

His peerless cultivation of level ninety-eight couldn't even suppress that torrential, primordial force!

"Mo'er... Xue'er... this old man... this old man just remembered I didn't turn off the gas at home..."

Golden Crocodile Douluo clutched his buttocks, golden light exploding from his entire body.

He did not use the door.

Because there was no time.

This world-renowned Second Worship smashed directly through three reinforced palace walls, transforming into a shrill streak of golden light as he bolted straight for the latrine.

He left a trail of terrifying sonic booms in his wake.

Qian Renxue was moved to tears: "Second Grandpa is running so fast, he must be full of energy from drinking that soup! Xiao Mo, there's still some left in the pot..."

"Sister! I just remembered Grandpa needs me for something urgent!"

Qian Mo grabbed the stunned Zhu Zhuqing, greased his heels, and vanished in an instant.

That afternoon.

Qian Daoliu, his face dark, personally plastered a seal onto the kitchen door.

Written upon it were eight large characters:

[Qian Renxue and dogs, forbidden from entering].

Spring passed and autumn came; time flew like a white horse passing a crevice.

For a Spirit Master, three years was nothing more than a snap of the fingers.

But for certain people on the Douluo Continent, these three years were a time when their worldviews collapsed.

Martial Soul City, Royal Martial Arts Arena.

The massive arena was surrounded by the elite of the younger generation.

Even the trio known as the "Golden Generation"—Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan—stood at the edge of the field, their expressions as grave as if they were watching gods battle.

In the center of the arena.

Two figures were clashing at high speed.

No, to be precise, a bolt of black lightning was frantically attacking a golden speck of light.

"Netherworld Hundred Claws!"

A cold, delicate shout rang out.

Zhu Zhuqing was nine years old now.

Unlike her peers who still possessed the immaturity of youth, thanks to the nourishment of countless heavenly treasures, her development was somewhat "unfair."

A tight-fitting black leather suit outlined the budding curves of the

This isn't scientific!

"Who said I was dodging?"

A mischievous smirk curled the corners of Qian Mo's mouth.

In the split second when Zhu Zhuqing's old strength had been spent and her new strength had yet to arise.

He moved.

There were no flashy movements.

Just a simple step forward, yet it was as if he had shrunk the earth under his feet.

"Caught you."

A low voice rang in her ear.

Zhu Zhuqing felt a tightening around her waist.

Her entire world spun.

The next second.

She was already scooped up by Qian Mo, her feet leaving the ground as she was pressed firmly against his chest.

That long, powerful hand was mischievously clamped onto her slender waist.

The sky full of claw shadows dissipated in an instant.

The training ground fell into a deathly silence.

"Let... let go!"

Zhu Zhuqing's cold, aloof face flushed bright red instantly, and she struggled in his arms like a startled kitten.

"So many people are watching!"

"If you lose, you have to accept the punishment. Peel grapes for me tonight."

Not only did Qian Mo not let go, he leaned in even closer, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe.

At the edge of the field.

"Snap."

The railing in Hu Liena's hand was crushed into powder.

She bit her red lips tightly, her eyes filled with three parts envy, three parts jealousy, and four parts bitterness.

"That position... it should have been mine..."

Yan, standing beside her, scratched his head. "Nana, do you want to practice wrestling? I can spar with you."

"Get lost!"

Just then.

A graceful and luxurious figure appeared out of thin air on the high platform.

Bibi Dong.

Time seemed to have left no mark on her face; if anything, it only added to her charm.

She looked at the two monstrously talented children in the arena, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in the depths of her eyes.

"Alright, that's enough."

Bibi Dong spoke. Though her voice was soft, it carried across the entire arena.

Only then did Qian Mo reluctantly loosen his grip and set Zhu Zhuqing down.

Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly straightened her clothes, standing before Bibi Dong with her head bowed, as obedient as a quail.

"Mo'er, Zhuqing."

Bibi Dong walked down from the platform, her gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"Both of your soul power levels have reached a bottleneck."

"Especially you, Zhuqing. You've reached level 40. It is time to hunt for your fourth soul ring."

Upon hearing "fourth soul ring," the corners of the surrounding soul masters' mouths twitched.

Nine years old.

A Soul Ancestor.

If this were to get out, the geniuses of the two great empires would probably all hang themselves in despair.

"This time, I intend to take you both to the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest."

Bibi Dong paused, her gaze suddenly turning playful as she stared straight at Zhu Zhuqing.

"But before that..."

"Zhuqing, come with me to my imperial bedchamber."

Qian Mo's heart skipped a beat.

That look...

How could it be even more bizarre than when Qian Renxue held that bowl of poisoned soup back then?

It was a fanatical gaze that could only be described as "treating you like a doll to be dressed up."

"W-what are you doing?" Zhu Zhuqing also sensed that something was wrong and instinctively shrank behind Qian Mo.

"Giving you a reward."

Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly, revealing an inscrutable smile.

"Mo'er, you go back and wait first."

"Come to my palace tonight to inspect the results. I have a surprise for you."

With that said.

Bibi Dong flicked her long sleeves, and with a surge of soul power, she swept up the bewildered Zhu Zhuqing and vanished from the spot.

Leaving only Qian Mo standing there, ruffled by the wind.

A surprise?

As long as it wasn't a shock, that would be fine.

Meanwhile.

In the distant Nuoding City, on the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest.

A ragged youth was crawling out of the bushes, his face covered in mud.

In his hand, he held a half-dead Mandala Snake.

"Teacher! I did it!"

Tang San excitedly raised his trophy and shouted at the middle-aged man who was still retching by the side of the road.

"I've finally broken through to level 20! This is a four-hundred-year-old Mandala Snake!"

Yu Xiaogang wiped the bile from the corner of his mouth and nodded with gratification. "Good! Very good, Little San! A nine-year-old Soul Grand Master—such talent is rare in this world!"

"Once you absorb this soul ring, you will be a true genius!"

The master and disciple wept in each other's arms, feeling as though they were standing at the pinnacle of the world.

Completely unaware.

That on the other side of this world.

Someone was preparing to treat a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast like a snack, picking and choosing them at will.