Red Flame Nine-Headed Cypress

Qian Xunji slowly turned around.

"Poison Douluo, what an imposing presence."

Boom—

Without any warning, Qian Xunji stomped his foot. Nine Spirit Rings instantly rose from beneath his feet!

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black... and finally, a terrifying scarlet Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring!

The terrifying pressure of a level ninety-five Super Douluo, coupled with the absolute suppressive sacred aura of the superior Six-Winged Angel, crashed down upon Dugu Bo like Haotian Mountain bearing down on him.

Dugu Bo's arrogant air was instantly extinguished. He let out a muffled groan as the phantom of the Red Phosphorus Snake Emperor behind him trembled violently. He was forcibly crushed from midair to the ground by that pressure, his legs weakening as he nearly fell to his knees.

"Six-Winged Angel! A Su... Super Douluo?" Dugu Bo stared at the man before him in horror. Hadn't the Angel Sect sealed off its mountain? Could this man be...

Qian Xunji withdrew his pressure and said blandly, "I came here only to seek medicine. Of course, in exchange, I can help you resolve the backlash from the fire poison of the Red Phosphorus Snake Emperor within your body."

Dugu Bo's entire body shook, and he fixed his eyes on Qian Xunji.

"You...! How did you know I was poisoned?"

"Your fire poison has already seeped into your bones. Whenever it rains, it feels as though blazing flames are burning through your body, leaving you wishing for death, doesn't it?" Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back, his tone certain.

"Your granddaughter, Dugu Yan, must have inherited that overbearing fire poison as well. If you don't want her to die young, you'd best put away that ridiculous pride of yours."

The deterrence of force, combined with a blow to his weak point, completely took the wind out of Dugu Bo. He was a smart man and knew that resistance before absolute strength led only to death. Besides, the bait the other man had thrown out was the chronic affliction he had dreamed of curing all his life.

"Fine! As long as Your Excellency can cure my granddaughter and me, you may take any of the immortal herbs in this garden!" Dugu Bo gritted his teeth and lowered his head. "I will also submit to Your Excellency's commands."

Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction. He walked to the spring of the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye, sweeping his gaze across the immortal herbs before quickly locking onto two plants.

One grew at the edge of the dark spring, yet its entire body shone brightly like a miniature sun. It was called Octagonal Sun Grass.

The other grew at the edge of the light spring, pitch-black as ink. It was called Dark Nether Apricot.

Qian Xunji wrapped his hands in Soul Power and carefully plucked both immortal herbs at once. The instant their auras intertwined and their toxic properties neutralized each other, he unhesitatingly stuffed both herbs into his mouth and swallowed them whole.

Splash!

The instant he swallowed the immortal herbs, Qian Xunji leaped directly into the very center of the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye.

Dugu Bo watched from the shore, his scalp tingling. This man had actually jumped straight in? He was completely insane!

Yet only half a day passed.

Boom!

A brilliant golden light mixed with the violent energy of the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye shot into the sky from the spring!

Qian Xunji emerged from the water bare-chested. The tempering of the two extremes of light and dark, combined with the immense medicinal power of the immortal herbs, allowed his cultivation to break through the bottleneck of level ninety-six without the slightest obstruction!

Feeling the power within him so full it seemed ready to overflow, Qian Xunji clenched his fist. He was confident that he would soon be able to challenge level ninety-seven!

"Congratulations on your great advancement in cultivation, Your Excellency." Dugu Bo watched with his heart pounding, his attitude becoming even more respectful.

Qian Xunji turned around, took out a brand-new robe from his storage ring, and draped it over himself. He walked up to an immortal herb wreathed in crimson flames, plucked it, and tossed it to Dugu Bo.

"This immortal herb is called Red Flame Nine-Headed Cypress. It is an exceptional immortal herb of utmost yang and fire. Once you consume it, not only will it dissolve the fire poison in your body, it will also allow your Martial Soul to undergo a complete evolution."

Dugu Bo accepted the immortal herb with trembling hands, his eyes filled with excitement. But after hesitating for a moment, he still said, "Senior, this immortal herb is so precious. I want to... save it for my granddaughter, Dugu Yan."

"Put away that misplaced doting." Qian Xunji sneered.

"There are gentler immortal herbs better suited for your granddaughter. The medicinal power of this Red Flame Nine-Headed Cypress is too overbearing. If she eats it, her body will only explode and she will die. Take it first and raise your strength. Only then will you be qualified to protect her."

Dugu Bo suddenly understood. No longer putting on airs, he immediately sat down cross-legged and swallowed the Red Flame Nine-Headed Cypress.

Two days later,

The phantom of the Red Phosphorus Snake Emperor behind Dugu Bo underwent a frenzied transformation amid blazing flames. Its originally fine crimson scales became hard dark-red scales, and its body grew even larger. That sinister fire poison aura vanished completely, replaced by a terrifying flame that was grand, domineering, supremely firm, and supremely yang!

Martial Soul Evolution—Red Heaven Python Emperor!

Not only that, under the accumulation of the immortal herb's immense medicinal power, Dugu Bo's stagnant Soul Power finally broke through, soaring directly from level ninety-one to level ninety-three!

"Thank you, Senior, for granting me a new life!" Dugu Bo was so overcome that tears welled in his eyes. He heavily dropped to one knee and deeply lowered his head.

"Senior not only cured the poison backlash within this old man's body, but also bestowed such a heaven-defying opportunity! From this day onward, I am willing to offer this herb garden of the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye with both hands. It shall be entirely at Senior's disposal!"

Qian Xunji looked at this straightforward and loyal Old Poison, smiled faintly, and sent out a gentle stream of Soul Power to lift him up.

"You are a man of temperament. For now, I will only pick a few useful immortal herbs from this garden. The rest will remain here to grow. In the future, sorry for the trouble, Poison Douluo, but continue watching over this treasure land for me."

"Rest assured, Senior! So long as I, Dugu Bo, still draw breath, not even a fly will be allowed to enter this herb garden in Falling Moon Forest!" Dugu Bo clasped his hands and swore solemnly.

Qian Xunji nodded slightly, then abruptly changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of casualness.

"There is one more matter. I will soon enter seclusion to consolidate my realm. Unfortunately, my son is currently at the golden stage of cultivation. If he needs to hunt Spirit Rings in the future..."

Before Qian Xunji could finish, Dugu Bo immediately understood and decisively cut in. "Please enter seclusion without concern, Senior! Your son's matters are my, Dugu Bo's, matters! Whatever soul beast he sets his sights on, this old man will certainly give his all and keep him safe!"

"Very good. Talking to a smart person really is effortless." Qian Xunji smiled in satisfaction. With a flip of his wrist, he handed over a beast-hide scroll filled with types and ages of soul beasts, along with a golden feather that emitted a faint glow.

"This is the Spirit Ring route I planned for him. When he needs Spirit Rings, he will contact you through this feather. Since you have nothing to do lately, you can scout out the locations for him first."

At this point, Qian Xunji's gaze instantly turned cold, and the Soul Power of level ninety-six pressed directly onto Dugu Bo's shoulders.

"Let me make this clear first. Once I leave seclusion, I will personally help your granddaughter completely remove her fire poison. However... my son has a nonhuman companion of special status by his side. I hope Poison Douluo knows his place and keeps his eyes and greed under control. Otherwise... don't blame me for being merciless!"