Jade Phosphorus Douluo, Grandpa and Granddaughter Dugu

"Dugu Bo's martial soul was originally one of the five great poisons, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, but he later cultivated it into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, known as the ancestor of all serpents. He is peerless in the world when it comes to poison; on the surface, there is no Title Douluo more adept at using toxins than him, which is why the world prefers to call him the 'Poison Douluo'."

"Although he is my friend, his personality is actually difficult to deal with. He is solitary by nature, neither strictly good nor evil, and has always acted solely according to his whims. He is impervious to both soft and hard tactics and can even set aside his pride to bully the weak, but as long as you do not threaten or offend him, he will not actively seek trouble."

"If it weren't for the fact that he begged me back then, allowing me to keep his son alive for a year, we might never have had any friendship in this lifetime. It is a pity that his son passed away regardless, sigh..."

Ye Renxin seemed to fall into his memories, appearing somewhat sorrowful.

"Dugu Bo is the type of person who repays a drop of kindness with a gushing spring. It shouldn't be a problem for me to ask him to guide you, but you must watch your words and never provoke him. Furthermore, he only has one relative left now, his granddaughter Dugu Yan. Dugu Bo treats her like the apple of his eye, so you must never provoke her."

"Rest assured, sir!"

Xing Tian felt his anticipation growing. The Poison Douluo who dominates the world with toxins—I wonder how his poison arts compare to the Ten Thousand Poisons Heart Sutra? Could he refine poisons even more lethal than the Thousand Blades Ten Thousand Ants Pill, the Ice Fire Bliss Pill, or the Soul-Melting Drunken Dream Death? If there is an opportunity, I must spar with him on the principles of toxicology.

The next day, just as Ye Renxin was directing the servants to arrange the dishes, a deep but slightly aged voice drifted in from outside the estate, "Old Brother Ye, I have come to attend the banquet!"

Ye Renxin immediately led Ye Lingling, Xing Tian, and the clan elders to welcome him. By this time, Dugu Bo had already stepped through the door.

Xing Tian finally saw this Title Douluo. Compared to the fearful expressions of the other elders and Ye Lingling, he appeared much bolder.

Dugu Bo was tall and thin, looking like a javelin. His eyes shone like emeralds, and his entire presence gave off an illusory feeling, as if he were a phantom.

Dugu Bo did not come alone; his right hand was holding a girl with short, deep purple hair who was taller than Ye Lingling. This must be his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan was not very old, but she already possessed a heroic spirit and even a kind of bewitching charm. Her eyes were also green.

Xing Tian frowned slightly, feeling very puzzled in his heart: Both her hair color and eye color are wrong, and there is a fishy stench on her body. Coupled with this appearance, aura, and gait... could it be that they are poisoned?

Although it is common for those who play with poison to be poisoned themselves, the toxins usually suffered by a poison master are negligible. Yet, the poison these two are suffering from is far too intense. Is it a special poison art? Or are all poison-attribute soul masters on the Douluo Continent like this?

Xing Tian felt somewhat annoyed. Damn it, my theoretical knowledge of soul master cultivation is still too lacking. Moreover, my cultivation is too low, and I haven't started practicing the Ten Thousand Poisons Heart Sutra yet. Otherwise, I could analyze it just by smelling the trace amounts of poison gas leaking from them.

"Old Brother Ye, long time no see. You are still as spirited as ever."

Dugu Bo first exchanged pleasantries with Ye Renxin, then his gaze fell on Ye Lingling. "This girl must be Lingling, right? I remember the first time I saw her was at her hundred-day banquet. She has grown so much."

"Hello, Grandpa Dugu." Although Ye Lingling was a bit nervous, she still greeted him.

"Good, good." Dugu Bo pushed Dugu Yan toward Ye Lingling. "She is my granddaughter, one year older than you. You will be studying together at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, so get to know each other."

Dugu Yan, who had originally been attracted by the cold, eerie look in Xing Tian's eyes, finally snapped back to reality after being pushed by Dugu Bo.

"Lingling, my name is Dugu Yan. My martial soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, and I am currently level 18." Dugu Yan was a cheerful girl, and her self-introduction was quite generous, though her movements were a bit too forward.

Not only did she lean directly against Ye Lingling, but her hands moved like two snakes—one wrapped around Ye Lingling, the other resting on her shoulder. She reached through the veil, pinching, poking, and tracing Ye Lingling's face.

The usually aloof Ye Lingling was caught off guard by her actions. "Hello, my martial soul is the Nine-Heart Begonia, level 15."

"You are so cute!" Seeing Ye Lingling's reaction, Dugu Yan smiled even more brightly. "But since you are so pretty, why are you wearing a veil?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Ye Lingling's composure instantly returned, and Dugu Bo showed a rare flash of anger toward Dugu Yan. "Yan Yan, do not be rude!"

"Oh!"

Dugu Yan pouted. Although she didn't know why her grandfather was suddenly angry or where she had been impolite, she still acted as if she were obediently admitting her mistake and moved away from Ye Lingling.

Dugu Bo apologized, "Lingling, Yan Yan is just like this; sometimes she is too careless. Please don't take offense."

"It's fine." Ye Lingling shook her head faintly.

Watching everything that had just transpired, Xing Tian had a vague guess, while Ye Renxin hurriedly invited everyone to take their seats.

As he passed by Xing Tian, Dugu Bo glanced at him, his eyes complex.

Surprise, confusion, curiosity, and even appreciation.

After the banquet ended, Ye Renxin led them into the study to sit down.

Dugu Bo looked at Xing Tian and asked, "Old Brother Ye, actually, I wanted to ask earlier: who is this child? I don't recall Lingling having a younger brother."

Since he needed Dugu Bo's help, Ye Renxin did not hide Xing Tian's background, which was something he had already consulted with Xing Tian about.

Hearing Xing Tian's ordeal, the grandfather and granddaughter were deeply moved. They hadn't expected a child who had just awakened his martial soul to have already experienced death.

"Resurrected from the dead, and the martial soul reassembled after shattering—how is this so similar to that old Ghost!"

Ye Renxin said, "It is somewhat similar to Ghost Douluo, but Little Tian's martial soul is currently unstable, and the hidden dangers are too great. Do you have any solution?"

Xing Tian immediately said respectfully, "I beg Your Excellency Dugu to impart your wisdom. This junior would be eternally grateful."

"Very well. Since Old Brother Ye has asked, I will help you. Release your martial soul."

Xing Tian immediately released his martial soul. Dark purple mist rose up, and the flickering phantom of the Mantis appeared behind him once more. A cold aura spread out, and the light seemed to be swallowed by the purple mist, causing the room to instantly darken.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan felt their souls trembling under this cold aura. It was a sense of dread in the face of eternal night and death, though the two felt it quite differently.

Ye Lingling could not help but feel conflicted, both repelled and drawn to it; she could not understand why she had such a feeling.

Dugu Yan, however, felt pure terror due to the powerful danger-sensing ability of her serpent martial soul. Goosebumps rose all over her body, and she only wanted to get as far away as possible.

"What a terrifying martial soul. Even in this form, it possesses such might. Is this the Innate Full Soul Power?"

Dugu Bo put away his slightly flustered expression and said calmly, "Put it away. You are lucky, kid; it just so happens that I know how to solve your problem."