Dugu Bo: Bu Hao, My Granddaughter!

Dugu Yan was swift and decisive. Upon hearing Yu Tianjiao's grave assessment that both her grandfather and she might be poisoned, she was overcome with anxiety and immediately pulled Yu Tianjiao and Ye Lingling toward the academy gates.

The three of them barely delayed, hailing a carriage directly to the secluded residence of Dugu Bo deep within the Sunset Forest.

Dugu Bo's residence was tucked away in a mountain hollow.

Even with Dugu Yan, who was intimately familiar with the path, leading the way, it still took the trio a full hour of trekking through the mountains to reach the estate.

The residence was not large, exuding a sense of coldness and solitude.

"Grandfather!"

Dugu Yan called out from a distance, her voice laced with obvious urgency.

An elderly man with a lean frame, ink-green hair and beard, and dressed in an ink-green robe was seen stooping before a strange medicinal herb. He straightened up at the sound; it was none other than the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.

A trace of annoyance at being disturbed crossed his face, but when he saw it was his granddaughter Dugu Yan, followed by Yu Tianjiao and Ye Lingling, that annoyance melted into a face full of smiles, with a hint of surprise deep in his eyes.

This was the first time his precious granddaughter had brought anyone home.

"Yanzi? Why have you returned so suddenly? And you brought people with you?"

As Dugu Bo spoke, his gaze lingered on Yu Tianjiao for a moment, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"Yu Tianjiao? You've finally returned after three years. Hmm? Your soul power has recovered somewhat?"

His tone was not exactly warm, but there was no obvious hostility either. After all, Dugu Yan had stolen those herbs for this boy back then, and the boy had refused quite decisively, not wasting his treasures.

Seeing now that Yu Tianjiao's soul power was not the mere level three as rumored, he realized the boy must have recovered!

"Grandfather!" Dugu Yan hurried forward, grabbing Dugu Bo's arm, her tone anxious. "Tianjiao says you are poisoned, that it's a problem with your martial soul. Is this true? Why haven't you ever told me?"

"Hmm?" Dugu Bo's brows locked instantly, his eyes sharp as knives as they shot toward Yu Tianjiao. A powerful pressure belonging to a Title Douluo emanated, faint yet palpable. "Boy, what are you saying? This old man has played with poison his entire life; how could I be poisoned by my own martial soul? I keep a constant watch over Yanzi's health, so where does this talk of poison come from? If you are spouting nonsense, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"

Yet, despite his words, he was secretly shocked, for what Yu Tianjiao said was not false—he was indeed poisoned.

Ye Lingling felt the pressure and her body tensed slightly, but seeing Yu Tianjiao's calm and composed demeanor, she felt a little more at ease.

"Grandfather, how can you treat Tianjiao like this? If you don't tell the truth, I won't talk to you anymore!"

The moment Dugu Yan spoke, she effectively "killed" Dugu Bo's filial piety.

It wasn't that she was intentionally undermining him.

As Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan had been raised by him since she was small and naturally understood her grandfather quite well.

She could tell at a glance that Dugu Bo's current demeanor was clearly a case of being fierce on the outside but weak on the inside!

Yu Tianjiao seemed oblivious to Dugu Bo's pressure, a gentle and indifferent smile remaining on his face.

He stepped forward, meeting Dugu Bo's sharp gaze with a calm expression:

"Senior Dugu, this junior is not spouting nonsense. That lingering trace of black qi between your brows, and your dark, purplish-black lips, are both signs of the late stages where toxins have penetrated the marrow and eroded the internal organs. As for Yanzi..."

He turned to the worried Dugu Yan, his eyes becoming soft and pitying:

"The toxins accumulated in her body are not as severe as yours, but her poison was brought from the womb. There is no way she could have lasted to this age like you have. You should know how she has been toward me all these years.

Therefore, I cannot watch her wither away in pain, nor will I ever watch her lose you, her closest family member."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's expression shifted as his secret was laid bare, but he immediately noticed that the relationship between Yu Tianjiao and his granddaughter seemed a bit off, and he felt as if the sky were collapsing.

Oh no!

My granddaughter!

"You... you two are together?"

Even in the days when he was kept awake at night by the excruciating poison in his body, Dugu Bo had never felt as uncomfortable as he did at this moment.

His granddaughter was going to be snatched away by a yellow-haired... er, black-haired brat after all!

"Mm..."

Dugu Yan's pretty face flushed at the words, and she nodded softly, stealing a glance at Yu Tianjiao.

!!!

Dugu Bo flashed and appeared directly in front of Yu Tianjiao, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him violently.

"Damn it, my granddaughter was swindled away by you brat after all! If you dare let Yanzi shed a single tear or suffer the slightest grievance, this old man will make sure you wish for death but cannot find it, do you hear me!!!"

As Dugu Bo spoke, his face looked somewhat ferocious.

"Grandfather, don't scare Tianjiao, Tianjiao would never bully me!"

Dugu Yan's "love-struck" brain was in full effect, her loyalty completely biased toward him.

"Hmph..."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo felt as if his heart had been struck by a heavy hammer; he let out a muffled groan and plopped down onto the ground.

What is so good about this kid anyway!

Isn't he just a bit handsome, a bit talented, and a bit gentle in nature, and his family background is also...

Hmm?

He really isn't bad at all!

Thinking of this, Dugu Bo felt even more depressed and looked up at the sky.

"Sigh, forget it. Since Yanzi has taken a fancy to you, this old man won't say anything more. Let it be!"

A moment later, having calmed down slightly, Dugu Bo sighed and waved his hand.

"Hehe, Senior Dugu, please rest assured. I will absolutely use my own life to protect Yanzi. How could I ever let her suffer or shed tears?"

As Yu Tianjiao said this, he helped Dugu Bo up and made his promise with a sincere expression.

"Good, this old man will trust you for now. I shall judge you by your future actions!"

Dugu Bo nodded upon hearing this, regaining the poise and cultivation of a Title Douluo, and gently patted Yu Tianjiao's shoulder like an elder.

If nothing else, the fact that Yu Tianjiao did not collapse when his soul power dropped to level three, but instead continued to cultivate as usual, was a tenacity and indifference that even surprised him.

Now that Yu Tianjiao's talent seemed to have recovered, with such past experiences and such a resilient heart, he would surely become a true powerhouse in the future; perhaps surpassing him would not be difficult at all.

By then, even if something were to happen to him, Yanzi would have someone reliable to lean on.

That wasn't bad at all!

"By the way, is this young lady the good friend you often mention who possesses the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul?"

Dugu Bo shifted his gaze to Ye Lingling and asked his granddaughter.

"Yes, Grandpa, she is my best sister!"

Dugu Yan stepped forward, took Ye Lingling's arm, and said with great affection.

"Greetings, Senior Dugu, I am Ye Lingling."

Ye Lingling performed a proper bow and said with a smile.

"Hehe, since you are Yanzi's good sister, then from now on, you can call me Grandpa just like Yanzi does. From now on, Grandpa will look after you!"

Dugu Bo's favoritism toward his granddaughter had clearly reached its peak.

Loving the house and its crow, he treated Ye Lingling as his own granddaughter as well.

"Grandpa Dugu."

Ye Lingling naturally changed her form of address quite readily.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo laughed heartily.

In reality, given his personality, he wouldn't usually care much for outsiders, but since Ye Lingling possessed the Nine Heart Begonia and his granddaughter was so close to her, he was willing to restrain his temper for her sake.

Of course, that didn't apply to Yu Tianjiao.

He understood the nature of someone like Yu Tianjiao too well.

A genius like him would never be short of women.

But he couldn't order Yu Tianjiao to be with only his granddaughter.

After all, in terms of background, Yu Tianjiao was the adopted son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan head. Although that old shameless man wouldn't admit it, the Ancient Void Dragon martial soul, which had clearly mutated from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, was undoubtedly of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's bloodline.

Coupled with a terrifying talent that could leave a heavy mark on the soul master world, Yu Tianjiao was an peerless genius who absolutely had the chance to challenge the hundredth level and reach the realm of gods.

To be honest, Dugu Bo didn't want to give up such a grandson-in-law.

Since Dugu Yan was also deeply in love with him, Dugu Bo had no choice but to accept it.

But for him to fully approve of Yu Tianjiao, it would certainly not be a matter of a single day.

Before that, he still had to be strict with Yu Tianjiao, lest this brat get things too easily and fail to cherish his precious granddaughter.

"Senior, why don't you let me take your pulse? If I can correctly identify your symptoms, then you must listen to my method and undergo detoxification."

Yu Tianjiao said with a smile.

"Fine! This old man will let you try!"

Dugu Bo gave a light snort and extended his hand directly.

The Seven-Colored Poison Manual had not bestowed medical skills upon Yu Tianjiao.

However, the First-Grade Alchemy he had previously acquired included methods for alchemists to probe the human body using soul power.

On his way here, Yu Tianjiao had already successfully claimed the First-Grade Alchemy.

Therefore, he was now truly able to probe Dugu Bo's condition using soul perception.

After a full quarter of an hour, by which time Dugu Bo was becoming impatient, Yu Tianjiao finally spoke slowly:

"Senior, is it true that every time it is overcast or raining, at the hours of Wu and Zi, you experience a numbing itch in your ribs? This sensation gradually intensifies and lasts for a full hour."

"Furthermore, every time at the third watch, you experience needle-like stabs at the crown of your head and the soles of your feet, with your entire body convulsing for at least half an hour."

Yu Tianjiao's words were like heavy hammers, striking Dugu Bo's heart with every syllable.

The symptoms Yu Tianjiao described were exactly the same as his own physical condition, without the slightest discrepancy!

Dugu Bo's expression changed instantly, the arrogance and skepticism in his eyes replaced by shock and gravity.

He stared fixedly at Yu Tianjiao:

"You can actually see it?"

Hearing Dugu Bo say this, Dugu Yan grew anxious:

"Grandfather, are you really poisoned?"

Hearing this, Dugu Bo did not know how to face his granddaughter and remained silent.

Over these years, although his strength had improved, he had endured unimaginable torture behind that formidable power, a life that could be described as worse than death.

He dared not let Dugu Yan know about this, nor did he dare let her see him in such a wretched, tormented state.

"Because I obtained the complete poison legacy of a Title Douluo from the ancient era who attained the Dao through poison and suppressed an entire age," Yu Tianjiao said in a steady tone, continuing his bluff. "This legacy is called the Seven-Colored Poison Manual, and its contents encompass everything, delving deep into the origin of poison. This humble one has studied it intently for several years, only just catching a glimpse of its mysteries."

He scanned the herb garden, filled with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, his gaze sweeping over the immortal herbs radiating astonishing energy before finally landing back on Dugu Bo:

"Senior, your problem is not a simple case of poisoning, but a fundamental conflict arising from the symbiosis between your martial soul and your life essence.

The powerful venom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor is indeed your sharpest weapon, but it is also a double-edged sword, constantly eroding the vessel that carries it—which is the body of both you and Yanzi.

This poison originates from your martial soul and is rooted in your bloodline; ordinary detoxification methods are completely ineffective and might even shatter that fragile balance, accelerating the collapse of your body."

Dugu Bo's expression had turned extremely grim. He looked at Dugu Yan, and the concern for him in his granddaughter's eyes, combined with her trust in Yu Tianjiao's words, sent a massive shock through his heart.

In his days of boundless glory, he had never imagined that the martial soul he took such pride in would become a sword hanging over his granddaughter's head!

Over these years, he had searched endlessly for a way to detoxify, but in the end, he had gained nothing.

Now that his granddaughter's boyfriend had identified his problem, he could no longer keep it hidden.

"I'm sorry, Yanyan, Grandfather has never told you about this."

He sighed and reached out to ruffle Dugu Yan's hair.

"Tianjiao, you must have a way to save Grandfather, right?"

Hearing this, Dugu Yan's eyes turned red. She turned to look at Yu Tianjiao and asked pleadingly.

Just as Yu Tianjiao was about to reply, a familiar system panel appeared before his eyes.

[During your journey, you encountered the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, one of the ten strongest experts of the Jia Ma Empire, at an ancient map shop!

You discovered a treasure vital to you in his possession. To obtain it, you agreed to help him break the seal left in his body by Queen Medusa.]

[Task: Refine a medicinal pill to resolve the hidden danger in Hai Bodong's body.]

[Task Reward: The friendship and gift of Hai Bodong.]

[Temporary Task Buff: Method for refining the Break Calamity Pill, Grade 6 Alchemist Experience Card *1.]

So, I need to refine medicine for Dugu Bo?

Yu Tianjiao paused for a moment before realizing that this so-called Break Calamity Pill would likely be automatically adapted by the system into a detoxification pill.

However, the task reward was somewhat vague...

Forget it, it was a simple task anyway, and he happened to want to experience just how profound Grade 6 alchemy could be.

"Tianjiao? Is there really no way?"

Seeing Yu Tianjiao remain silent, a flicker of despair crossed Dugu Yan's eyes, and she asked with a trembling voice.

Hearing this, Yu Tianjiao snapped back to reality. Seeing Dugu Yan on the verge of tears, he stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and—ignoring Dugu Bo, who was glaring at him as if trying to kill him with his eyes—spoke with extreme gentleness:

"Don't worry, I was just thinking about how to detoxify it. I have some leads now."

Hearing this, Dugu Yan immediately broke into a smile through her tears, even excitedly kissing Yu Tianjiao on the lips.

"That's great! I knew you could do it!"

Dugu Bo: (╬ಠ益ಠ)