Don't Cause a Death

As the words fell, Dugu Bo looked sharply at Yu Tianjiao. The scrutiny and dissatisfaction in his eyes had vanished, replaced by deep gratitude, appreciation, and the satisfaction of a man looking at his own prized treasure.

"Kid! Great kindness needs no thanks!"

Dugu Bo strode over to Yu Tianjiao and patted his shoulder firmly.

"From this day forward, you are the grandson-in-law recognized by me, Dugu Bo!

Everything here is my granddaughter's dowry. Since you are capable of refining pills of that caliber, only by handing these medicinal herbs to you can their effects be maximized.

So, from now on, everything here belongs to you. If anyone dares to touch a single blade of grass here, I'll skin them alive!"

If it weren't for the fact that Yu Tianjiao was the man his granddaughter loved, he would have wanted to strike up a friendship across generations and call him brother.

Dugu Yan was already teary-eyed with excitement. Hearing her grandfather's words, she felt both shy and overjoyed. Unable to hold back any longer, she flew into Yu Tianjiao's arms.

"Tianjiao! Thank you! Truly, thank you!"

Ye Lingling stood to the side, watching this scene with a gentle smile on her face.

Yu Tianjiao reached out to hold Dugu Yan, feeling her excited, trembling body, and smiled at Dugu Bo.

"Senior, you are too kind. I am happy to be of help to you. There are many treasures in this herb garden; it is only thanks to your care that they have grown so well."

"What 'Senior'!" Dugu Bo waved his hand, feigning displeasure. "Call me Grandfather! We are all one family from now on!"

He looked at the two embracing, then at the vibrant immortal herbs in the garden and the mist-filled Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well nearby, feeling a sense of comfort and ease he had never known before.

The hidden danger that had plagued him for years was eliminated, his granddaughter had found the most reliable partner, and even his martial soul had evolved. His soul power had also taken this opportunity to rise significantly.

Dugu Bo felt that today was the most gratifying day of his life!

"Grandfather."

Yu Tianjiao had been waiting for him to say that, so he changed his address immediately.

"Haha, good child! From now on, Grandfather will be your strongest backing. If anyone dares to touch you, I will poison their entire family!"

Dugu Bo threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the valley, lingering for a long time.

A moment later, as the laughter subsided, he clenched his fist. His soul power surged out like a tidal wave—no longer the cold, sluggish energy of the past, but something vast, boundless, and incomparably domineering.

A brilliant light flared in his eyes as he looked at Yu Tianjiao and said with a smile:

"Kid, thanks to you, this old man's martial soul has truly evolved!"

Before the words were finished, Dugu Bo's soul power vibrated violently, and a jade-green radiance shot into the sky.

Behind him, a massive phantom suddenly condensed.

It was no longer the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor of the past, but a giant serpent covered from head to tail in glass-like green scales.

The serpent's body was thicker and more majestic, its pupils as warm as emeralds yet filled with an ancient, primordial aura. Its fangs were as sharp as heavenly blades, and it radiated a suffocating, ancient pressure.

"This martial soul now... it seems to be called the Ancient Sky Serpent?"

As Dugu Bo said this, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

This Ancient Sky Serpent martial soul not only possessed a poison far surpassing that of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, but it also possessed formidable close-combat capabilities. It exerted a significant bloodline suppression effect on most soul beasts, which had greatly enhanced his own combat strength.

Now he could unleash poison in group battles and engage in one-on-one melee combat; within the same rank, he feared no opponent!

"This is the Ancient Sky Serpent?!"

Yu Tianjiao's pupils constricted at these words, and a look of astonishment appeared on his weary face.

Although he knew martial souls could mutate, he never expected it to mutate into such a legendary level!

Dugu Yan, nestled in his arms, looked at the Ancient Sky Serpent martial soul—which radiated the aura of a powerhouse just by being looked at—her beautiful eyes filled with joy.

Her grandfather's martial soul had evolved, so what about her own?

Could she also evolve hers just like her grandfather?

Dugu Bo continued with a smile:

"And it's not just the martial soul! My soul power has also had a significant breakthrough!"

With a thought, nine soul rings rose from beneath his feet—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black.

His soul power, which had been stagnant at level 91 due to the suppression of the poison, was now climbing steadily like a volcanic eruption.

The light of the soul rings flared brilliantly, the soul power fluctuations in the air churning wildly until they finally stabilized at the level of 93.

"With my current strength, even if I encounter a level 94 Title Douluo, I can put up a fight!"

Dugu Bo said with full confidence.

"Congratulations to Grandfather for such a great increase in strength!"

Dugu Yan said with a beaming smile.

Yu Tianjiao and Ye Lingling followed suit.

Dugu Bo nodded with a smile, then retracted his martial soul. He walked over to Yu Tianjiao and Dugu Yan, took their hands, and solemnly stacked them together, gripping them tightly.

"Grandfather?"

Dugu Yan blushed, but she felt a secret joy.

"Kid, I trust you one hundred percent. You saved my life, so I won't repeat those threats about what I'd do if you treated Yanzi poorly. I know your temperament; you're the type who responds to soft persuasion rather than force."

"So, I'll leave Yanzi in your care from now on. This girl has a wild streak, so you'll have to be patient with her. Just get along well with each other."

Dugu Bo's gaze was solemn, yet his tone was incredibly gentle. At this moment, he was not the Poison Douluo; he was merely a grandfather hoping his granddaughter would live a happy and fulfilling life.

"Rest assured, Grandfather, I will treat Yanzi well. As for the toxins in her body, I will handle them. I will ensure the Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison in her system never affects the next generation."

Yu Tianjiao wore a serious expression, but his words caused both Dugu Yan and the nearby Ye Lingling to flush a deep crimson.

Affect the next generation?

Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but instead of flying into a rage or showing dissatisfaction, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha, you've got quite the nerve, saying such things right to my face! But I must say, I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of genius great-grandchild you two might produce once Yanzi's martial soul evolves like mine and combines with your Ancient Void Dragon martial soul."

Hearing this, Dugu Yan's face turned even redder, as if it might drip blood. She stomped her small foot on the ground and pouted, "Grandfather! You... you really are being indecent!"

Dugu Bo didn't stop laughing; he had never felt as happy in his entire life as he did today.

"Haha, our Yanzi is actually shy? You're a grown woman now, though. Tianjiao is still young, so make sure you don't bully him."

Dugu Bo continued to tease his granddaughter with a mischievous smile.

"I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Dugu Yan, face burning, ran straight toward the nearby house.

Ye Lingling, standing to the side, felt as though her eyes had been opened.

So, this is what Grandpa Dugu is like in private?

He's actually quite lively...

"Lingling, what I said to Yanzi applies to you as well. After all, you are my granddaughter too. In terms of age, you two are Tianjiao's older sisters, so you mustn't tempt him into making mistakes."

Dugu Bo said with a chuckle.

"Grandpa Dugu..."

Ye Lingling turned bright red in an instant.

What did he mean by them tempting Tianjiao into making mistakes!

But upon closer reflection, she and Dugu Yan had indeed both initiated kisses last night...

Thinking of this, Ye Lingling couldn't hold her composure any longer and fled in a panic.

"Grandfather..."

Watching his two girlfriends flee one after the other, Yu Tianjiao looked at Dugu Bo with a helpless expression.

"Haha, you'd better keep your own impulses in check, kid. I don't want to interfere in you young people's business, but you are still young. If you were to create a life now, it would affect your cultivation and waste your talents."

Dugu Bo smiled, but his expression soon turned serious.

"Rest assured, Grandfather, I know my limits."

Yu Tianjiao replied with a faint smile.