Dugu Bo's Midnight Visit

Ling Feng recognized the herbs in Dugu Bo's hand. Even the lowest-grade ones were at least a thousand years old.

Even Spirit Hall did not possess many herbs like these, yet Dugu Bo had casually produced so many. It was obvious that he had already found the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Though it was somewhat troublesome, it was not difficult for Ling Feng.

"So you're Spirit Hall's young lady. A small gift, please accept it."

Qian Renxue accepted the herbs. "Thank you, Grandpa Dugu."

Then, Dugu Bo focused his attention on Hu Liena and the other two.

"Your Excellency Dugu, what is wrong with these three children?"

Qian Xunji asked.

"Alas... losing both parents at such a young age, how pitiful..."

"My son and daughter-in-law also passed away not long after giving birth to my granddaughter."

"Seeing these three children today feels like seeing my granddaughter."

Dugu Bo spoke with genuine emotion, unable to keep himself from sighing.

At the side, Ling Feng spotted an opportunity.

"Grandpa Dugu, it's all right. Nana and the other two have already been taken in as my mother's godchildren. She treats them even better than she treats me."

"Yes, yes, Grandpa, my mother is really good to me."

Hu Liena chattered away beside him, making Dugu Bo feel rather sour inside.

He was no longer young and had little to talk about with his granddaughter. Moreover, his fierce reputation and solitary nature meant that few people dared befriend his granddaughter.

Three-year-old Dugu Yan did not have a single playmate and had become quite withdrawn as well.

"Grandpa Dugu, why don't you bring your granddaughter to Spirit Hall to play with us?"

"That's right, that's right. Nana really wants a new friend too."

Qian Xunji and the Grand Elder exchanged a glance as they watched Ling Feng and Hu Liena, seeing the delight in each other's eyes.

"This..."

Dugu Bo hesitated.

There was hope?

For a loner like Dugu Bo, appealing to his emotions was indeed much easier than tempting him with benefits.

Qian Xunji was overjoyed. Winning over a Titled Douluo who was invincible in group battles would bring Spirit Hall considerable benefits.

Dugu Bo did not guard against Ling Feng and Hu Liena's words, since they were merely the innocent remarks of two children.

To be honest, Dugu Bo was tempted.

He might not join Spirit Hall, but what about his granddaughter?

Yanyan was still young. How could she go without playmates?

Besides, these people all came from Spirit Hall's upper ranks, and each had at least one Titled Douluo behind them.

He was a Titled Douluo himself, so they belonged to the same circle. Moreover, Spirit Hall had treated him with such courtesy. He was not an unreasonable man.

At that thought, Dugu Bo forced a stiff smile onto his face.

"Sure. After some time, I'll bring Yanyan to play with you."

"She is three years old this year. She will definitely enjoy playing with you."

Hearing this, Qian Xunji and the Grand Elder immediately changed the subject, drawing Dugu Bo into a discussion of interesting events across the continent without mentioning any attempt to recruit him.

After all, too much was as bad as too little.

Dugu Bo had already relented. After spending some time together, once Dugu Yan grew accustomed to Spirit Hall, Dugu Bo would naturally remain here.

After chatting for a while, it was time. Dugu Bo rose to undergo the investiture ceremony.

Ling Feng and the others stood on the viewing platform above. Faced with such a grand ceremony, they could not help but feel exhilarated.

Though they were used to seeing Titled Douluo, this was the first time they had so clearly witnessed the influence a Titled Douluo could wield.

Below the platform, countless Spirit Hall members and visiting soul masters looked up at the thin figure standing as straight as bamboo.

Dugu Bo climbed one step at a time. Every time he advanced a certain distance, another Soul Ring appeared around him. By the time he reached the summit, nine Soul Rings with the optimal configuration had appeared beneath his feet, fully displaying the might of a Titled Douluo.

"Dugu Bo, Level 91 Titled Douluo, title: Poison!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo personally presided over the investiture ceremony and handed Dugu Bo the robe exclusive to Titled Douluo.

The robe was primarily purple and gold, symbolizing absolute nobility. On its back was a lifelike Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor embroidered in golden thread.

This robe was not merely a symbol of status; it also had the effect of calming the mind and gathering energy.

"Dugu Bo, are you willing to join Spirit Hall and become an elder of Spirit Hall?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo asked.

This time, Dugu Bo did not refuse as he had in the original story. Instead, he gave a seemingly unrelated reply.

"The children are very adorable. This junior will often bring Yanyan here to play. I hope I will not trouble you, Senior."

"Mm."

Golden Crocodile Douluo smiled.

After the investiture ceremony came all manner of routine formalities. It was not until deep into the night that the grand event finally came to an end.

Only then did Ling Feng have the chance to approach Dugu Bo.

"Uncle Qian, can I say a few private words to Grandpa Dugu?"

Ling Feng asked at the dinner table.

Dugu Bo had a favorable impression of this clever, bright child. Since he was seated nearby, he directly turned his head toward him.

Ling Feng put on the appearance of an innocent child and whispered into his ear.

"Grandpa Dugu, my martial soul can sense that something is wrong with your martial soul. It seems to be poisoned."

"No, it seems that you are poisoned too. Remember to detoxify yourself in time."

These two sentences would neither embarrass Dugu Bo nor make him wary of Ling Feng.

Upon hearing them, Dugu Bo was struck as though by lightning.

"How does this child know? This is this old man's greatest secret. Not even Yanyan knows it."

"His martial soul told him? Then how terrifying must this child's martial soul be?"

"Since he has seen through it, does that mean he has a way to ease it, or even detoxify it?"

Three questions in quick succession immediately occupied all of Dugu Bo's thoughts.

"Your Holiness the Pope, forgive my presumption, but what martial soul does this child Ling Feng possess?"

"Oh, Xiao Feng? He has the Coiling Dragon Staff inherited by the Qiangu Family, though what he inherited was his father's Dark Coiling Dragon Staff. His Innate Soul Power is Rank Nine."

"By the way, he is deeply favored by several consecrates. His future achievements are impossible to measure."

Qian Xunji told Dugu Bo the martial soul and Innate Soul Power they had agreed upon beforehand.

Qian Daoliu had personally concealed the Soul Power Levels of Ling Feng, Qian Renxue, and Jin Chen, so Dugu Bo could not detect their true strength.

"Oh? He truly is a genius among geniuses."

Dugu Bo was an old hand at reading people and naturally knew that Qian Xunji had not told him the truth.

It seemed he needed to find an opportunity to speak with this child alone.

If he could truly find a method to relieve, or even cure, the poison, it would bring him nothing but benefits.

Dugu Bo ate the entire banquet in a gloomy mood.

Even when the gathering ended, he had not found an opportunity to be alone with Ling Feng.

By the time Ling Feng returned home, it was already late at night. He did not rush to sleep. Instead, he pretended to be desperate to relieve himself and went to urinate in the courtyard.

Because this was within the Qiangu Family's courtyard, Tuoba Yunhai had not entered.

In other words, if Dugu Bo dared to follow him, he would have an opportunity to be alone with Ling Feng.

Sure enough, just as Ling Feng was about to pull down his pants with his little hands, he heard a voice.

"Young Master Ling Feng, this old man Dugu Bo has come to visit late at night. I hope you will not take offense."

"What did you mean at the banquet when you said my martial soul was poisoned?"

Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. He had taken the bait!

P.S. Please send some votes, everyone.