Golden Crocodile Douluo Had Quite a Story

"Do you want to be completely cured, or would you rather leave a little poison behind to keep you company?" Qian Renyu asked.

Dugu Bo knew that was a ridiculous question. Of course he wanted to be cured!

"I have three plans—one best, one middle, and one worst. It's up to you to choose."

"The worst plan is to tough it out. Whether you can endure it, and for how long, will depend on your luck."

"The middle plan is to find a few Soul Bones and force the poison in your body into them. But that would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Soul Bones can only store so much poison. Once they're full, they'll be useless. It might be manageable if they're limb bones, but head and torso bones are another matter."

"As for the best plan, it's this."

As he spoke, Qian Renyu handed Dugu Bo the Five Poisons Technique.

Dugu Bo took it, and his eyes lit up. He had a feeling that this cultivation technique could rid his body of the poison.

He tried circulating the poison in his body according to the technique. It really worked—and even the bottleneck that had kept him at Level 91 for years began to loosen.

"I keep my word. From this day forth, my life belongs to Spirit Hall."

"Old Poison, now you're talking. Back when Old Ghost and I asked you to join Spirit Hall, you weren't willing," Chrysanthemum Douluo said.

"Since that's settled, we're family from now on. Let's put our past grievances behind us."

As he spoke, Qian Renyu handed Dugu Bo the token signifying his status as an elder of Spirit Hall.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, please harvest all the Immortal Herbs here. Be careful to leave the roots intact so they can grow again. They might benefit future generations."

"Then choose an Immortal Herb suited to each person here. As for that Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, it's yours, Chrysanthemum Douluo."

"Yes, Young Master," Chrysanthemum Douluo said happily.

Soon, all the Immortal Herbs had been harvested, except for Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

"Young Master, this flower is called Lovesick Heartbreak Red. It chooses its own master. The person picking it must think of their beloved, then spit blood onto its petals. Only if the flower accepts them will they become its master. Otherwise, it can't be picked," Chrysanthemum Douluo explained.

"I see. Would any of you like to give it a try?" Qian Renyu asked, looking around.

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one stepped forward.

Golden Crocodile Douluo wanted to try, but when he saw that none of these children in their eighties and nineties had volunteered, he felt even more awkward about doing so.

Seeing how eager Golden Crocodile Douluo looked, Qian Renyu said, "Grandpa Golden Crocodile, why don't you give it a try?"

"Fine. I'll show you all how it's done."

Golden Crocodile Douluo thought of his first wife and spat a mouthful of blood onto Lovesick Heartbreak Red. It didn't work.

Then Golden Crocodile Douluo thought of his second wife and spat another mouthful of blood. Still no luck.

Next, Golden Crocodile Douluo thought of his favorite concubine and spat yet another mouthful of blood. It still didn't work.

After that, Golden Crocodile Douluo thought of his confidante and spat yet another mouthful of blood. No luck again.

And after that...

Golden Crocodile Douluo spat out blood more than twenty times, and not one attempt worked.

"I refuse to believe this thing!"

And then, again and again...

If Golden Crocodile Douluo hadn't been a little anemic, he might have kept trying.

Everyone stared blankly at Golden Crocodile Douluo. He'd spat out so much blood—just how many lovers did he have?

Who would've thought Golden Crocodile Douluo had quite a story?

Dugu Bo recognized him now. Wasn't this Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship of Spirit Hall? He'd presided over Dugu Bo's Titled Douluo inauguration ceremony all those years ago. He had to be over a hundred and fifty by now, yet he was still throwing himself into all this romance with such gusto.

The Second Worship really was shameless—he didn't even blush.

Of course, that was all in Dugu Bo's head. He wouldn't dare say it aloud.

Seeing that even Golden Crocodile Douluo had failed, no one else felt like trying.

"If no one can do it, then we'll take the flower along with the soil," Qian Renyu said.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, now that you've finished harvesting, see which Immortal Herbs suit everyone and hand them out."

"Yes, Young Master," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied.

Chrysanthemum Douluo first handed the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma to Golden Crocodile Douluo.

"Second Worship, this Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma can strengthen your foundation, replenish your energy, and improve your cultivation. You've been stuck at Level 98 for many years. If you take it, you'll surely advance another step."

Golden Crocodile Douluo could no longer contain his excitement. He, too, had been born with Innate Full Soul Power, and possessed the top-tier Golden Crocodile King Martial Soul. His ninth Soul Ring was even a hundred-thousand-year one. Yet he'd been stuck at Level 98, unable to advance. He'd never thought he might live to become a Peerless Douluo.

Golden Crocodile Douluo hurriedly swallowed the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma. The moment he did, he felt the bottleneck that had held him back for years begin to loosen, and he quickly sat down to cultivate.

Three hours later

"Hahaha! I never thought that at a hundred and fifty, I, Golden Crocodile, would become a Level 99 Peerless Douluo!"

"Congratulations, Second Worship, on breaking through to Peerless Douluo!"

"Congratulations, Grandpa Golden Crocodile!"

After witnessing Golden Crocodile Douluo's breakthrough, everyone suddenly became much more enthusiastic toward Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.

"Elder Ju, could you see which Immortal Herb suits me?" Demon Bear Douluo asked.

"Right, right! Check for me, too," Ghost Leopard Douluo said.

Ghost Douluo gave Chrysanthemum Douluo a look that said, "You know what I mean."

"Don't rush. There's enough for everyone."

Chrysanthemum Douluo probably hadn't expected to be this popular one day.

In the end, Ghost Douluo received Nether Night Shadow Grass, Demon Bear Douluo received Red Rock Jade Base Fruit, Ghost Leopard Douluo received Secret Shadow Plain Ink Orchid, Golden Spear Douluo received Dark Gold Water-Soluble Pine, and Silver Blade Douluo received Jun Jade White Crystal Grass.

(Note: The names of the Immortal Herbs are all made up, and the same goes for those that follow.)

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood guard while they cultivated.

After the Douluos swallowed the herbs, they all broke through. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo advanced to Level 96; Demon Bear Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo advanced to Level 95; and Golden Spear Douluo and Silver Blade Douluo advanced to Level 94.

While everyone else celebrated, Dugu Bo looked thoroughly vexed. He'd been sitting on such a vast treasure trove without even knowing it. He wanted to slap himself twice.

"Senior Dugu, there's no need to be upset. Chrysanthemum Douluo, take out the Immortal Herb you picked for Poison Douluo."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Old Poison, this Blood Crystal Jade Dark Flower is the best choice for you. After taking it, breaking through to Super Douluo should be no problem."

"And this Cyan Jade Shadow Fruit is for your granddaughter."

"These were specially selected at the Young Master's request. Take them."

Dugu Bo accepted the two Immortal Herbs and gave Qian Renyu a grateful look. Then he swallowed the Blood Crystal Jade Dark Flower and successfully broke through to Level 93.

Naturally, Qian Renyu wouldn't do what Tang San had and deny Dugu Bo even a single Immortal Herb. Besides, these had belonged to Dugu Bo in the first place.

Qian Renyu hadn't chosen an Immortal Herb for himself, because the moment he'd considered taking one, his Qingshuang Sword Martial Soul had clearly refused.

The reason was simple: Those weeds weren't worthy.

Thinking about it, the Qingshuang Sword had been Emperor Gaozu of Han's personal sword. Calling those herbs weeds was already giving them too much credit.

After Dugu Bo finished breaking through, Qian Renyu said to him, "Senior Dugu, now that you've joined Spirit Hall, you'll need to keep an eye on your granddaughter and that Yu Tianheng."

"I understand."

"I wonder, Young Master, are you married?"

"My granddaughter is quite pretty, you know."

"I'm still young. Still young."

"Twelve isn't that young. You should meet her sometime."

"The continent hasn't been unified yet. How can I concern myself with romance?"

"We'll talk about that later. Later."