Dugu Bo Swears to Die in Loyalty, Bringing Calamity to the Nation and Harm to the People

"I have read many books, so naturally, I know quite a bit about things like immortal herbs."

Ye Yunxi continued, "Senior Dugu, you only need to gather your toxins into this bead."

As she spoke, Ye Yunxi took a bead out from her robes.

"Once the toxins are gathered inside, there is a high probability that your poison power can be stored."

Dugu Bo did not doubt her. Since Dugu Yan had already undergone Martial Soul Evolution into a dragon, how could he not believe her? He swallowed the bead and the Earth Dragon Golden Melon directly, then sat cross-legged to begin absorbing them.

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor venom deposited within his body surged forth under the guidance of the medicinal power, transforming into wisps of ink-black mist that gathered entirely into the precious bead.

As the source of the poison was extracted from his meridians, the bone-gnawing pain vanished without a trace. The warm medicinal power of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon exploded in its wake, while the lingering essence of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well nourished his internal organs, causing his soul power to climb frantically like a rising tide.

BOOM!

A majestic surge of soul power shot straight into the clouds. A cyan-green Martial Soul phantom suddenly emerged; as the serpent body trembled, scales shed and dragon scales sprouted in their place. The serpent head transformed into a dragon, dragon whiskers flared, and the dragon tail became covered in dark gold patterns.

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul had completely evolved into the Jade Scale Poison Dragon!

The poison and earth attributes merged into one. The dragon's might was vast, and the essence of his deadly poison became condensed and pure, leaving no further fear of backlash.

His soul power surged level by level, reaching ninety-two.

His soul power stabilized firmly at the ninety-second level of a Titled Douluo. The shackles were completely broken; both the poison affliction and the bottleneck in his cultivation were resolved in a single stroke!

Dugu Bo slowly opened his eyes. A brilliant light shone within them. His withered frame stood tall like a pine, his complexion was ruddy, and there was no longer a trace of sickness. His aura was complete and refined, and he felt an extreme comfort throughout his limbs and bones—he had not felt this relaxed in decades.

He stood up abruptly and bowed deeply to Ye Yunxi. His aged voice was filled with respect and sincerity as he bowed to the end: "This great kindness is a gift of rebirth! I, Dugu Bo, shall follow your lead for the rest of my life!"

Dugu Yan also hurriedly bowed, her eyes overflowing with awe.

Ye Yunxi, her face covered by a light veil, curled her lips into a faint, indifferent smile. She waved her hand, her tone clear and cold: "A mere trifle, do not take it to heart."

As her words fell, she turned to step toward the dense forest outside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, preparing to return.

However, her foot caught on the root of an immortal herb in a crevice of the stone. Losing her center of gravity, she stumbled forward and fell heavily onto the bluestone ground.

With a thud, the force of the impact flipped the moon-white veil, leaving only a corner clinging to her temple. Half of her stunning face was completely exposed to the daylight.

Her peach-blossom eyes were shimmering and luminous, her lashes long and slender, her nose delicate and straight, her lips a rosy red, and her skin as white as snow. That half-face, blending coldness with a seductive charm, was breathtakingly beautiful, like a celestial being descending to the mortal realm.

Dugu Yan's pupils shrank, her heart pounding wildly. She felt that such an ultimate beauty existed in the world, enough to make even a woman tremble.

Dugu Bo was even more shaken. His withered eyes stared fixedly at that half-face, his pupils churning with overwhelming shock, and the blood in his entire body rushed to his head.

He could never mistake this face!

His aged voice, filled with extreme shock and reverence, trembled as he blurted out:

"Your, Your Highness the Imperial Concubine!!"

"What? Grandfather, is she the Crown Prince's concubine???" Dugu Yan asked, surprised and somewhat envious of the other woman's appearance.

"Ouch."

Ye Yunxi rubbed her backside. "That really hurt. I didn't expect to be discovered again."

"Your Highness, I will remember this kindness to the Dugu family for a lifetime. I, Dugu, am willing to become your aid, Your Highness."

Seeing that it was Ye Yunxi, Dugu Bo immediately knelt on one knee. If she were an ordinary girl, it would be one thing, but since she was the Imperial Concubine, he dared not be disrespectful.

The Martial Soul Evolution into a dragon had allowed their Dugu family to completely rid themselves of the poison that had plagued them for generations. This great kindness was something he would never forget.

Dugu Yan followed Dugu Bo's example.

"Don't be so formal. In private, I am just an ordinary girl. I wore the veil specifically for that reason."

Seeing this, Ye Yunxi spread her hands. "You two may rise."

Dugu Bo looked at Ye Yunxi's slightly flushed cheeks, and his heart actually skipped a beat.

As a Titled Douluo, he was actually... no wonder the Crown Prince wanted to marry this woman.

This woman could be considered the definition of a beauty who could topple kingdoms.

Ye Yunxi rubbed her bruised hip with her jade fingers, a trace of helplessness flashing in her peach-blossom eyes. Her tone was light: "Very well, since my identity has been revealed, there is no need to hide it."

Her stunning face was fully revealed, a mix of coldness and seductive charm. As her gaze shifted, the faint allure of the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox radiated outward, and the surrounding vegetation seemed to take on a softer hue.

Dugu Bo bowed his head, not daring to breathe, while Dugu Yan stared unblinkingly, her heart filled only with awe and reverence.

Just then, a cold, mechanical voice exploded in Ye Yunxi's mind.

[Ding! Main quest triggered: Bond with the Poison Douluo]

[Congratulations to the Host for completing the quest: Assisted Dugu Bo and his granddaughter in detoxifying and breaking through their limits, gaining the Poison Douluo's oath of allegiance.]

[Quest Reward: One 30,000-year top-grade soul ring, soul power affinity +20%, attribute can be chosen!]

As the system prompt faded, a wisp of warm soul ring origin power condensed in Ye Yunxi's dantian. Golden-red light swirled around it, and the aura was incredibly rich—it was a power-attack soul ring that perfectly matched her Nine-Tailed Sky Fox Martial Soul.

A flash of brilliance crossed Ye Yunxi's eyes. She was secretly pleased, though her expression remained as calm and tranquil as an ancient well.

As a level fifty Soul King, she was just one soul ring away from condensing her fifth soul skill. This 30,000-year soul ring had come at the perfect time!

Dugu Bo raised his eyes and, seeing Ye Yunxi's indifferent expression, hurriedly said in a deep voice: "Dugu Bo will never forget the kindness of the Imperial Concubine! From now on, the Sunset Forest is your backyard. You may take as many of the immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well as you wish! My granddaughter and I are willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!"

Dugu Yan nodded heavily as well, her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul trembling slightly, her tone firm: "I am as well!"

Ye Yunxi nodded slightly, a faint arc touching the corners of her lips: "There is no need to be so restrained. Consider today's events a mere coincidence."

"I have taken two immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, which is enough. The rest shall remain under your care."

As her voice faded, her soul power stirred, the aura of her thirty-thousand-year soul ring quietly receding. She curled her fingers, feeling the soul power within her meridians surging more vigorously than ever; the prototype of her fifth soul skill had already begun to take shape.

Falling down had cost her her dignity, but it had gained her a monumental opportunity.

This was a deal that guaranteed profit without loss.

Ye Yunxi brushed the dust from her skirt and stepped toward the edge of the dense forest. Her gait was light, and as she unleashed the Lingbo Microsteps, her figure quickly dissolved into a faint shadow.

"Senior Dugu Bo, until we meet again."

Her cold, clear voice drifted on the wind, the lingering resonance slow to fade.

Dugu Bo and his granddaughter bowed in farewell, only straightening their backs once that stunning figure had completely vanished into the depths of the woods.

Dugu Bo gazed in the direction of her departure, his withered eyes filled with awe, and said in a low voice: "This girl possesses heaven-sent talent. Her future achievements will be limitless."