"Patriarch, that Su Yuntao said he wanted to spend a few days sightseeing in Star Luo City. He'll come visit again in a few days."
"The guard said that Su Yuntao wanted to spend a few days sightseeing in Star Luo City, then come pay us a visit in a few days."
"A few days?" Yang Wudi barked. "Exactly which day is that supposed to be?!"
"A few days?" Yang Wudi barked. "Which day, exactly?"
"Patriarch, Su Yuntao didn't say exactly."
"Clan Chief, well... Su Yuntao didn't say."
"Useless! You're all useless!" Yang Wudi roared. "Get everyone out there searching, and if you can't find him, I'll use you to test my medicine!"
"Useless! Every last one of you!" Yang Wudi roared. "Get everyone out there looking for him. If you can't find him, I'll test my medicine on you!"
The gatekeeper could only swallow his bitter pill in silence. With no way to voice his grievances, he reluctantly withdrew.
The guard could only swallow his bitterness in silence and retreat dejectedly.
From that moment on, Yang Wudi could neither eat nor sleep. He had no appetite for food or drink, and stood silently by the gate, gazing down the street ahead.
From that moment on, Yang Wudi could neither sleep nor eat. He stood silently at the gate, gazing down the street.
"Patriarch, your favorite dishes are ready."
"Clan Chief, your favorite dishes are ready."
"I'm not eating!"
"I'm not eating!"
"Patriarch, it's time to practice martial arts."
"Clan Chief, it's time to train."
"I'm not practicing!"
"I'm not training!"
"Patriarch, the medicinal herbs you requested are ready."
"Clan Chief, the medicinal ingredients you need are ready."
"Get out!"
"Get out!"
While Yang Wudi agonized and pined for him day and night, Su Yuntao was eating hotpot and singing, enjoying himself immensely.
While Yang Wudi spent his days pining and suffering, Su Yuntao was enjoying hot pot and a song, carefree as could be.
Three whole days passed. Yang Wudi, worn out from waiting until his eyes nearly popped out of his head, finally saw a young figure slowly walking toward him.
Three whole days passed. At last, Yang Wudi, worn out from waiting and straining his eyes, saw a young figure slowly approaching.
The young man was tall and slender, with long, dark hair and an extraordinary bearing.
The young man was tall and slender, with long, dark hair and an extraordinary air about him.
Though he wore a blue-and-gold mask, one glance was enough to tell that he was no ordinary man.
Though he wore a Blue-Gold Mask, one glance was enough to tell he was no ordinary man.
Yang Wudi was overcome with excitement. His heart swelled with emotion, and a thousand words became one question.
Yang Wudi was overcome with emotion. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but they all came down to one question.
"Young friend Su Yuntao, is that you?"
"Young friend Su Yuntao, is that you?"
Su Yuntao looked at Yang Wudi before him and felt a flicker of surprise. "Patriarch Yang, it's our first time meeting. I am Su Yuntao."
Su Yuntao was a little surprised to see Yang Wudi. "Clan Chief Yang, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Su Yuntao."
Yang Wudi burst into laughter, his eyes shining. He looked at Su Yuntao as if he were a long-lost brother, though they had different parents.
Yang Wudi laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Su Yuntao as if he were a long-lost brother from another mother and father.
"Young friend Su, I feel as if we've known each other forever. Tell me, did you bring that Nine-Hearted Flowering Apple with you?"
"Young friend Su, I feel we've known each other forever. Do you happen to have that Aromatic Silk Beauty with you?"
Su Yuntao smiled at his words. "Patriarch Yang, you're speaking as if we were old friends."
Su Yuntao smiled. "Clan Chief Yang, you certainly don't stand on ceremony."
Yang Wudi's face reddened slightly. Then, somewhat awkwardly, he said, "Young friend Su, what do you mean by that? Come, please, let's go inside."
Yang Wudi's face flushed. A little awkwardly, he said, "What do you mean by that, young friend Su? Come, please, after you."
Yang Wudi quickly turned and shouted, "You lot, bring out the finest food and wine our Clear Sky Clan has! Your patriarch is hosting an honored guest!"
Yang Wudi quickly turned and shouted, "Everyone, bring out the Breaking Clan's finest food and wine! I'm entertaining an honored guest!"
At the banquet, Su Yuntao and Yang Wudi toasted each other and drank merrily. The two seemed to have hit it off at first sight, becoming friends despite their age difference.
At the banquet, Su Yuntao and Yang Wudi clinked cups and drank merrily. They seemed to have hit it off at first sight, becoming friends despite their age difference.
Yet beneath Yang Wudi's composed exterior, his heart itched as if a cat were clawing at it.
But beneath Yang Wudi's calm exterior, his heart itched like a cat was scratching at it.
Seeing him like this, Su Yuntao secretly found it amusing.
Seeing him like that, Su Yuntao couldn't help finding it amusing.
"Patriarch Yang, to be honest, I've come here because I have a favor to ask."
"Clan Chief Yang, to be honest, I came here because I have a favor to ask."
Yang Wudi's expression brightened. He waved a hand grandly. "Young friend Su, speak plainly. If it's within my power, I won't refuse!"
Yang Wudi's expression sharpened. With a grand sweep of his hand, he said, "Young friend Su, speak plainly. If it's within my power, I won't refuse!"
Su Yuntao began slowly, "Patriarch Yang, have you heard of the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo?"
Su Yuntao spoke slowly. "Clan Chief Yang, have you heard of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo?"
"Of course I've heard of Dugu Bo. He's a guest elder of the Heaven Dou Empire and one of the current Titled Douluo."
"Of course I've heard of Dugu Bo. He's a guest official of the Heaven Dou Empire and one of the titled Douluos of our time."
Su Yuntao nodded. "That's right. I've come here because of Dugu Bo. I'd like to ask you to help cure his poison."
Su Yuntao nodded. "That's right. I came here for Dugu Bo. I'd like to ask Clan Chief Yang to help detoxify him."
"Cure his poison?" Yang Wudi looked perplexed. "Young friend Su, don't joke around. Dugu Bo is known as the greatest poison spirit master under heaven. His Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor spirit already has nine spirit rings, and his cultivation has reached such a level. How could he possibly be poisoned?"
"Detoxify him?" Yang Wudi gave him a strange look. "Don't joke, young friend Su. Dugu Bo is hailed as the greatest poison Soul Master under heaven. His Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul already has nine Soul Rings, and his cultivation has reached such heights. How could he possibly be poisoned?"
Su Yuntao smiled. "The problem actually lies with his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor spirit. Dugu Bo's poison comes from his spirit. It poisons others, but also himself. The more spirit masters of the Jade Phosphor Serpent lineage cultivate, the more poison builds up inside them."
Su Yuntao smiled. "The problem actually lies with his Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul. Dugu Bo's poison comes from his Martial Soul. It poisons others, but also himself. The more Soul Masters of the Jade Scale Serpent lineage cultivate, the more poison builds up in their bodies."
"Even though Dugu Bo became the first Titled Douluo of the Jade Phosphor Serpent lineage, he still couldn't solve this problem!"
"Even after becoming the first titled Douluo of the Jade Scale Serpent lineage, Dugu Bo still couldn't solve this problem!"
"So that's how it is," Yang Wudi said, looking thoughtful.
"I see!" Yang Wudi said, looking thoughtful.
"Patriarch Yang, as far as I know, no one on the continent today is more skilled than you at refining medicine and curing poison. That's why I came to visit you."
"Clan Chief Yang, as far as I know, no one on the continent today is better than you at making medicine and detoxifying people. That's why I came to visit you."
Yang Wudi replied at once, "Young friend Su, rest assured. I'll do everything in my power!"
Yang Wudi replied at once, "Young friend Su, rest assured. I'll do everything in my power!"
"In that case, Patriarch Yang, let's get started right away!"
"In that case, Clan Chief Yang, let's get started right away!"
"Good! I like your spirit!" Yang Wudi drained his bowl of wine and laughed.
"Good! That's the spirit!" Yang Wudi downed the bowl in his hand and laughed.
Su Yuntao saw this and gave a strange little smile. Then he stood up at once, and Yang Wudi hurriedly rose to follow.
Su Yuntao gave a strange smile, then immediately rose to his feet. Yang Wudi quickly stood as well, ready to leave.
Just then, Yang Wudi suddenly realized that something was amiss.
Just then, Yang Wudi suddenly realized something was wrong.
Su Yuntao pretended not to notice. "Patriarch Yang, what's wrong?"
Su Yuntao asked deliberately, "Clan Chief Yang, what's the matter?"
Yang Wudi gave an awkward laugh. "I was wondering what reward I might receive for this."
Yang Wudi gave an awkward laugh. "What might I receive in return for this?"
"What? You already agreed to help. Are you going back on your word?"
"What? Are you going back on your word after agreeing just now?"
Yang Wudi's face began to turn livid. This young man he'd never met before seemed to know his character inside and out, as if he'd already got him right where he wanted him.
Yang Wudi's face began to turn livid. This young man he'd just met seemed to know his character inside and out, as if he had him completely figured out.
Yang Wudi did take his oaths very seriously, but he was a man of principle, too. He wouldn't let himself be taken advantage of!
Yang Wudi did take oaths very seriously, but he was a man of passion, too. He wouldn't let himself be taken advantage of!
"Patriarch Yang, I know where the Nine-Hearted Flowering Apple is. I can guarantee that once this is done, you'll get what you want."
"Clan Chief Yang, I know where the Aromatic Silk Beauty is. I can guarantee you'll get what you want once the job is done."
"Young friend!" Yang Wudi had calmed down by now. "It's not that I don't trust you, but this is a serious matter. I need some assurance."
"Young friend!" Yang Wudi had calmed down by now. "It's not that I don't believe you, but this matter is too important. I need some assurance."
"Oh?" Su Yuntao smiled. "You're worried you won't get the Nine-Hearted Flowering Apple. You're also afraid I'm with the Spirit Hall and that this is a trap—that once you enter the encirclement they've set up, you won't be able to escape. Isn't that right?"
"Oh?" Su Yuntao smiled. "You're simply afraid you won't get the Aromatic Silk Beauty. And you're worried I'm with Spirit Hall, and that this is a trap—that once you walk into the encirclement Spirit Hall has prepared, you won't be able to get out. Isn't that right?"
Yang Wudi nodded. "Young friend Su, you're certainly no ordinary person. To be honest, I haven't even seen your true face. How can I possibly trust what you say?"
Yang Wudi nodded. "Young friend Su, you're certainly no ordinary person. Honestly, I haven't even seen your true face. How can I trust your words?"
Su Yuntao smiled. "It's very simple to put your worries to rest."
Su Yuntao smiled. "It's very simple to put your worries to rest."
Before he had even finished speaking, Su Yuntao removed the blue-and-gold mask from his face.
Before Su Yuntao had finished speaking, he had already removed the Blue Gold Mask from his face.
Yang Wudi's pupils shrank. Shock was written all over his face. The face before him was not only incomparably handsome, but so striking it made others feel ashamed of themselves.
Yang Wudi's pupils contracted. Shock was written all over his face. The young man's face was so handsome it put others to shame.
But the most terrifying thing was that this young man looked no older than sixteen or seventeen! A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old Soul King! It was simply terrifying!
But the most astonishing thing was that this young man looked no more than sixteen or seventeen! A Soul King at sixteen or seventeen—absolutely terrifying!
One had to know that on the Douluo Continent, anyone who became a Soul Ancestor before the age of twenty could already be called a genius. The gatekeeper's earlier report had said he was in his early twenties, so Yang Wudi had assumed Su Yuntao merely looked young and was actually over twenty. A Soul King in his twenties was shocking enough, but not entirely unbelievable.
On Douluo Continent, anyone who became a Soul Ancestor before the age of twenty could already be called a genius. The guard's earlier report had said Su Yuntao was in his early twenties, so Yang Wudi had assumed he merely looked young and was actually over twenty. A Soul King in his twenties would still be astonishing, but not entirely beyond belief.
But seeing Su Yuntao's uncovered face, Yang Wudi felt as if he'd stepped into a fantasy.
But seeing Su Yuntao's uncovered face, Yang Wudi felt as if he had stepped into a fantasy!
Yang Wudi suddenly grabbed Su Yuntao by the arm, and his body began to tremble.
Yang Wudi suddenly seized Su Yuntao's arm with his right hand. Then his body began to tremble.
"Y-you... you really are a Soul King?"
"Y-you... you're really a Soul King?"
Su Yuntao's lips curled slightly upward. Beneath his feet, five enormous spirit rings lit up: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Su Yuntao's lips curled slightly as five enormous Soul Rings lit up beneath his feet: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Yang Wudi felt that the whole world had become absurd. Everything before him was shattering his established understanding of the world.
Yang Wudi felt the world had gone completely mad. Everything before him shattered his understanding of what was possible.
"Fourteen years old. Fourteen years old—a fourteen-year-old Soul King!" Yang Wudi murmured.
"Fourteen... Fourteen years old... a Soul King at fourteen!" Yang Wudi murmured.
Before you continue