"Two conditions."
"Forget two conditions—if His Holiness the Holy Son can save my Dugu Clan, I'll agree to even two hundred conditions," Dugu Bo readily agreed.
Shang An shook his head with a laugh. "These two conditions won't be easy."
Dugu Bo thought so too. If there were only two conditions, they were surely anything but simple. Yet with his and his granddaughter's lives at stake, he still said, "His Holiness the Holy Son, please state your conditions."
Shang An took a sip of fragrant tea and said slowly, "First, Mr. Dugu joins Spirit Hall. Second, I want Mr. Dugu's Herb Garden."
"This... let me think about it."
The second condition was not much of an issue. His Herb Garden was precious, but if it could solve the problem plaguing him, it would be worth it.
But as for the first condition, he still owed Xue Xing a favor. In recent years, the friction between Spirit Hall and the Two Great Empires had intensified, and they had become enemies. If he joined Spirit Hall, he would truly be letting Prince Xue Xing down.
In truth, Dugu Bo very much wanted to agree. If joining Spirit Hall could save his clan and his precious granddaughter, he would naturally be willing, but...
Shang An revealed an understanding smile. He knew that although Dugu Bo was ruthless, he was a man who valued loyalty and affection. Otherwise, he would not have become Tang San's friend despite their age difference in the original story, nor would he have helped Tang San so many times.
"I understand Mr. Dugu's difficulties. Before you repay Prince Xue Xing's favor, I will not ask you to leave Heaven Dou."
To be honest, Spirit Hall did not truly lack a single Title Douluo. Shang An only wanted to bring Dugu Bo over to prevent him from using wide-area attacks against Spirit Hall.
Seeing that Dugu Bo was still somewhat hesitant, Shang An's tone grew heavier. "Mr. Dugu, you don't want your granddaughter to die young, do you?"
In the end, Dugu Bo was persuaded by Shang An.
"Fine, fine. From now on, this old life of mine belongs to Spirit Hall, and to His Holiness the Holy Son."
As he spoke, he dropped to one knee. "Greetings, His Holiness the Holy Son."
Seeing Dugu Bo agree, Shang An nodded in satisfaction and took a scroll from his ring.
"This is the method for resolving your clan's Martial Soul defect."
With that, he tossed it toward Dugu Bo.
Hearing that it was a method to resolve his clan's Martial Soul defect, Dugu Bo immediately circulated his Soul Power and carefully caught it. Afraid that the scroll might be damaged in the slightest, he held it as though he had received a heavenly tome, his hands trembling as he slowly unrolled it.
None of Shang An's group mocked Dugu Bo. When one's lifelong wish was about to come true, who could remain calm?
"This... there is actually such a miraculous cultivation method in this world."
Looking at the contents of the scroll, Dugu Bo's eyes filled with shock, followed by reverence. This cultivation method called the Poison Scripture could actually fuse the poison within one's body with Soul Power and condense it into a genuine Poison Core.
This Poison Core was far beyond the forcibly condensed Poison Core Dugu Bo had created. Not only could it absorb the toxins within his body, it could also increase the power of his poison and improve his cultivation speed.
Moreover, with this Poison Scripture, the Dugu Clan's Martial Soul defect would no longer be a defect. This was a foundation that could allow the Dugu Clan to endure for generations!
"This, His Holiness the Holy Son, who was the senior who wrote this book? I hope to take that senior as my master." Dugu Bo's eyes burned with fervor. The writer had utterly crushed him in the path of poison, the field he excelled in most, and what followed was profound admiration.
"Cough, Mr. Dugu, the person who wrote it passed away over a hundred years ago." This Poison Scripture had been written by a demonic-path senior from the Song Dynasty. By now, even the writer's ashes had probably scattered, so Shang An naturally could not find the author.
"What a pity. If only I had been born a hundred years earlier, I could have listened to this senior's teachings under his tutelage." Dugu Bo looked regretful.
"This is only the first volume. The poison arts in the second volume are even more extraordinary."
Shang An mentioned it as if in passing, but it set Dugu Bo's heart ablaze. The first volume was already this incredible. If he could obtain the second volume, then...
Shang An intended to whet Dugu Bo's appetite. Moreover, the Poison Scripture he had given Dugu Bo had been modified. Not only had he replaced spiritual power with Soul Power, but he had also left behind a hidden safeguard.
Though the chances of Dugu Bo betraying him were extremely low given his character, one still had to take precautions. If Dugu Bo did not betray him, all would be well. If he did, then heh.
"Grandfather."
A clear, pleasant voice rang out.
"Grandfather, I heard we have guests. Who are they?"
A graceful young woman stepped lightly into the hall. It was Dugu Yan, who had parted with Shang An and the others yesterday.
"Yan Yan, do not disturb our honored guest."
"Shang An, it's you!"
Dugu Bo's scolding voice and Dugu Yan's delighted cry rang out at the same time.
"Uh, you know each other?" Dugu Bo had just been worried that his granddaughter might offend Spirit Hall's Holy Son. He had not expected the two to know each other.
"Yan Yan, you're back." Shang An greeted Dugu Yan with a faint smile.
"Yes. Oh, right, Shang An, why are you here? Did you come to see me?"
Dugu Yan asked expectantly.
"Of course. I came to see you, and while I was at it, discuss some matters with Mr. Dugu." Shang An naturally would not disappoint a beautiful woman's expectations. He walked over to Dugu Yan's side as he spoke.
Hearing the hidden ambiguity in their words, Dugu Bo began pondering in secret. It seemed this Holy Son of Spirit Hall had a good relationship with Yan Yan. If... that would be a good thing too.
Leaving Dugu Bo's little thoughts aside, Dugu Yan and Shang An had already begun chatting. Dugu Yan left Dugu Bo standing off to the side, and as he watched the two unconsciously draw closer and closer, Dugu Bo's eyelid twitched. He could not help letting out a low shout.
"Yan Yan, do not be disrespectful to the Holy Son."
"Oh." Dugu Yan hurriedly pulled back a little, then stuck out her tongue at Dugu Bo.
"Grandfather just loves meddling in everything."
Dugu Bo felt a pang in his chest. Grandfather was doing this for your own good! What was he supposed to do when his little padded jacket leaked air?
Of course, he had to forgive her. After all, she was his only little padded jacket. Even if she leaked air, he still had to wear her.
"By the way, Shang An, grandfather said just now that you're the Holy Son?" Dugu Yan looked at Shang An curiously.
"That's right. I am Spirit Hall's Holy Son. Sorry I didn't tell you my identity back then."
Shang An said with slight apology.
"It's fine. We had only just met then."
Dugu Yan waved her hand, indicating that she did not mind.
"By the way, I heard Spirit Hall has many Title Douluo. Is that true?"
"It's all right. Just an ordinary amount."
"Let me tell you, I don't know how my grandfather cultivates, but he turned himself all green. He doesn't have any of the bearing of a Title Douluo at all."
It was over. The little padded jacket had turned into black-hearted cotton. He could not wear it anymore.
"Cough, cough, Yan Yan." Dugu Bo reminded her.
"I know, Grandfather. I wasn't badmouthing you." Dugu Yan replied without turning around, then turned back to Shang An and whispered, "Let's go talk in the back courtyard. Let me tell you, my grandfather has actually always disliked Spirit Hall, but it's okay. I'll protect you."
Dugu Bo's face went completely dark.
"Haha, Yan Yan, Mr. Dugu and I actually had a very pleasant talk earlier. Mr. Dugu has already agreed to join Spirit Hall."
"Really? How did you convince my grandfather, that old fossil?"
With Dugu Bo's face darkening further, Shang An began explaining the whole matter to Dugu Yan.
In the courtyard,
"So that's how it is."
"Then does that mean I count as one of your subordinates from now on?"
"Mm, if you want to see it that way, you can." Shang An thought for a moment and nodded.
"Hmph, I refuse to be your subordinate."
Dugu Yan snorted and turned her head away. Seemingly thinking of something, her cheeks reddened slightly.
As a God King among the seas, Shang An naturally knew that this was the time to strike while the iron was hot and throw the enemy's heart into disarray.
He stepped forward and slowly approached Dugu Yan, his eyes fearlessly fixed on hers.
Looking into Shang An's beautiful, dazzling eyes, Dugu Yan felt her heart pound wildly. She instinctively retreated, but the courtyard had its limits, and she soon backed into a wall.
Shang An did not stop. He continued walking toward Dugu Yan.
"Y-you, what are you doing?" Dugu Yan was like a little white rabbit spotted by a big bad wolf. Startled, she pressed herself desperately against the wall, completely forgetting that she was a Spirit Master and that this was her own home.
"What am I doing? What do you think?"
Shang An braced both hands against the wall, blocking Dugu Yan in from both sides. Feeling Shang An so close, she caught a fragrance drifting on the wind, so sweet it made her heart flutter in confusion. Was it his natural scent?
Dugu Yan felt her heartbeat accelerate again, as though her heart were about to leap out of her body and start dancing. She could not help saying, "Don't be like this."
"How am I being? Little Yan Yan, it makes me very sad that you don't want to be my subordinate."
As he spoke, Shang An even put on a sorrowful expression. Dugu Yan was fooled by his playboy-level acting and was just about to explain when Shang An said:
"To keep you by my side, I suppose I'll have to turn you into my darling little wife."
At those words, Dugu Yan's mind instantly went blank. Darling little wife? Did Shang An want her to be his wife? Was he confessing to her? It was too, too fast... Dugu Yan panicked, yet at the same time, she felt joy rising from the depths of her heart.
She wanted to say, "I'm willing," but a girl's reserve kept her from saying it. She was also afraid Shang An would think she was frivolous for accepting his confession after knowing him for only two days.
Then, the small streak of pride in her heart flared up, and so—
"What darling little wife? I don't want to be your wife!"
The moment she said it, she wanted to slap herself. What if Shang An misunderstood and thought she did not like him? Wouldn't that hurt his feelings? She hurriedly tried to explain.
"I didn't mean that, I... mmph!"
Before you continue