The Old Man Will Grant Any Request

"Little friend Lin Nuo, there is something I wonder if you know."

Dugu Bo reined in his earlier joking manner, and his tone turned serious.

"For Soul Masters with venomous beast Martial Souls, as their Soul Power continuously increases, the toxins within their bodies may lose control at any time, triggering a fatal backlash."

"I simply wonder whether your top-tier Spider Martial Soul has developed such a problem as well."

Dugu Bo fixed Lin Nuo with an intense gaze.

"I heard from Yanyan that your second Soul Ring was truly at the thousand-year level.

"This life-or-death trial of toxic backlash—I am truly curious how you managed to survive it unharmed."

Hearing this, Lin Nuo inwardly thought, Just as I expected.

Immediately afterward, a trace of triumphant amusement quietly flashed through his heart, though none of it showed on his face. Instead, he put on an exceedingly sincere expression.

"How could this junior not know of the hidden danger Senior Dugu mentioned?"

Lin Nuo sighed and slowly explained,

"When this junior had just finished absorbing my first Soul Ring, I noticed a faint pain in the meridians within my body.

"Now that I have heard what you said, I fear that was when the toxin backlash first began.

"Later, while in the wilderness, this junior followed the instinctive sensations of my Martial Soul and accidentally ate a peculiar medicinal herb.

"Only after that did the strange sensation of toxins corroding my body completely disappear."

"After coming to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, this junior was fortunate enough to borrow some ancient illustrated manuals His Highness the Crown Prince had provided. Only then did I suddenly understand.

"The herb I accidentally consumed back then happened to perfectly neutralize the toxic backlash caused by my Martial Soul."

Lin Nuo showed a regretful expression.

"Unfortunately, the information in those manuals was far too complicated. This junior was unable to copy it all down at the time and only remembered a rough appearance from memory."

The moment those words fell, Dugu Bo's pair of dark green eyes instantly lit up.

Premium medicinal herbs? Dugu Bo had them!

In that peculiar treasure land where he lived in seclusion within Sunset Forest, countless exotic flowers and rare herbs grew.

Even if he could not identify all those herbs by name, he could still sense the astonishing medicinal properties contained within them through the intuition of a Title Douluo.

Since this little monster before him could resolve the backlash with medicinal herbs, that meant this path would absolutely work!

Even if he himself was poisoned too deeply and his cultivation was too high for the hidden danger to be completely eradicated, as long as he found the appropriate herb and used it on his granddaughter Dugu Yan, the cure would surely take effect immediately!

"Is what you say true, little friend?"

Even Dugu Bo's voice could not help trembling slightly.

"There is not a word of falsehood."

After receiving that affirmative answer, Dugu Bo's breathing became increasingly hurried.

"Little friend, to be frank, my Jade Phosphorous Serpent Lineage has suffered from this toxic backlash generation after generation."

Dugu Bo simply laid everything out in the open.

"As it happens, I possess an excellent private medicinal garden, where countless exotic flowers and rare herbs grow. Perhaps the antidotal herb you consumed back then is among them!"

"I would like to invite you to accompany me there.

"If you can truly help find a solution and eliminate this grave hidden danger for my Jade Phosphorous Serpent Lineage,

"I promise you: whatever requests you may have in the future, the old man will grant them all!"

Hearing this weighty promise, Lin Nuo nearly failed to suppress the upward curve of his lips.

This Old Poison was the one eagerly begging him to go. No one had forced him.

With things having reached this point, if he still hesitated and declined, that would seem rather impolite.

"Since Senior has extended the invitation, this junior is naturally willing to be of service."

Lin Nuo nodded, then changed the subject.

"However, this junior must first inform His Highness the Crown Prince, lest my sudden disappearance cause the Eastern Palace needless concern."

Dugu Bo did not care in the slightest.

He stepped forward, seized Lin Nuo by the shoulder, and with a flash, vanished directly from the dormitory.

When the two appeared again, they had already crossed more than half the city without obstruction and landed steadily within the Eastern Palace study.

Seeing the two figures suddenly appear out of thin air, Qian Renxue, who had been handling official affairs, was slightly startled and immediately asked in confusion,

"Senior Poison Douluo, what is this?"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this boy and I hit it off at first sight.

"I plan to take him back to my residence for a period of focused cultivation, so I came especially to inform you."

Hearing Dugu Bo's unquestionable words, Qian Renxue's previously anxious heart finally settled somewhat.

She immediately put on that refined and gentle mask, answering with a smile,

"To receive personal guidance from Your Excellency Poison Douluo is truly a blessing for Brother Lin Nuo.

"If any cultivation resources are needed in the future, Your Excellency Poison Douluo need only ask.

"My Eastern Palace will certainly provide its full support and grant any request."

Dugu Bo merely gave an indifferent "Mm." He could not even be bothered with further empty pleasantries before lifting Lin Nuo again and turning into a streak of green light that vanished from the spot.

After confirming that the two had completely departed, the gentle smile on Qian Renxue's face instantly vanished without a trace.

In its place was a chilling frostiness that inspired fear.

She turned around and sternly ordered the empty shadows of the study.

"Uncle Pufferfish, Uncle Snake Lance!

"Until Lin Nuo returns safely, keep a close watch on Dugu Yan's movements for me!"

A cold glint flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes, and her voice was as icy as frost.

"If anything happens to Lin Nuo at Dugu Bo's hands, I will make the entire Dugu Family accompany him in death!"

"Understood, Young Master."

Pufferfish and Snake Lance answered and departed.

The night wind howled as Dugu Bo carried Lin Nuo through the night sky above Heaven Dou City.

While traveling, the Poison Douluo casually sent out a strand of Soul Power and silently circulated it once through Lin Nuo's body.

Had he not investigated, it would have been one thing. But the moment he did, a raging storm surged through Dugu Bo's heart.

A child not even nine years old had not only broad and resilient meridians, but vigorous blood and vitality, as well as astonishingly sturdy bones and muscles—far beyond all common sense in the world of Soul Masters!

"Little friend, I see that the Soul Power within your body is extremely abundant. It should not be long before you break through to the great threshold of level thirty."

As Dugu Bo skimmed over the rooftops, he made a generous promise.

"Well? Do you have any desired target for your third Soul Ring?

"Whether today's matter succeeds or fails, I will handle the hunting of your third Soul Ring for you. Consider it payment for accompanying me on this trip!"

Lin Nuo did not decline. He immediately began considering it inwardly.

According to his plan, once he successfully entered the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and used the Immortal Herbs within to temper his body, this body's strength would surely rise by another major level.

With the enormous medicinal power of the Immortal Herbs washing over him, breaking through the level-thirty bottleneck in Soul Power would be only natural.

Thinking of this, Lin Nuo slowly spoke.

"Then this junior will not stand on ceremony."

"If possible, I would ask Senior Poison Douluo to help me find a Death Demon Spider of a suitable age then."

"By hunting and absorbing a Soul Beast from the same origin, I imagine it would provide the greatest enhancement to my own foundation."