----Murong Mansion.
Everyone returned to Murong Mansion and laid Murong Chayue and Xiao Qingmei on a Cold Ice Jade Marrow Bed, which would help slow the worsening of their injuries.
A little later, after several of them had reached the main hall, Qian Daoliu had nearly finished arranging the army's next steps. He came over with two men, one dressed in a red robe and the other in a blue robe. Their appearances were strikingly similar.
"Huai'er, you said before that there were many precious natural treasures in Sunset Forest. Is that true?"
Hearing Qian Daoliu's question, Murong Huai nodded.
"That's right. There's a treasure trove in Sunset Forest, where many Immortal Grade Herbs grow. However, those herbs are extremely rare, and harvesting them requires a particular method. Harvest them carelessly, and you could easily destroy the treasures, so ordinary people aren't up to the task."
"Oh? Is there anyone who knows about these Immortal Grade Herbs?" Murong Fuhai asked.
"There is. Yue Guan." Murong Huai called toward the door. Yue Guan walked in, and Murong Huai introduced him to the others:
"Yue Guan's Martial Soul is the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, one of the Immortal Grade Herbs. He knows a great deal about medicinal properties and is practically among the best on the continent."
At that, everyone turned to look at Yue Guan. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said:
"Your Highness the Holy Son flatters me. I do know a little about medicinal properties, but I hardly deserve to be called one of the best."
"Teacher, Father, Mother, this time I plan to take Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the others with me. We shouldn't bring too many people, or the other forces are sure to notice."
"Mm, good. We'll do as you say, Huai'er." Qian Daoliu nodded, then gestured to the two men behind him.
"Huai'er, Sunset Forest is home to many Soul Beasts. Though it can't compare to the Star Dou Great Forest, it's still a dangerous place. Take these two with you for protection."
At that, the two men behind Qian Daoliu stepped forward and cupped their hands toward Murong Huai.
"Qian Jun and Jiang Mo pay their respects to Your Highness the Holy Son."
Qian Jun, Jiang Mo—
Hearing their names, Murong Huai's eyes lit up. These two were the future sixth and seventh elders of the Worship Hall, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo. They were brothers, both level ninety-six Super Douluos, and both wielded Coiling Dragon Staffs. Their coordination was impeccable.
Though they weren't as powerful as they would become in the future, they had already reached level ninety-three in Soul Power. Working together, they were nearly a match for any Super Douluo.
"Please, elders, there's no need for formalities. Time is short, so let's set out now. The sooner we get the Immortal Grade Herbs, the sooner Grandpa and Grandma can recover."
"Yes."
Qian Daoliu then had several of the fastest, sturdiest carriages prepared. The seven climbed aboard and set off toward Sunset Forest.
After they left, Qian Daoliu also returned to the Pope Palace. Spirit Hall had been badly weakened this time, and he had plenty of official business to attend to, including comforting the families of the fallen soldiers...
----Sunset Forest.
The three carriages stopped at the entrance to Sunset Forest. After the seven climbed down, they set off at once. With two Titled Douluos in their party, they could practically run rampant through the forest.
So Murong Huai had them head straight for the Core Circle. Any Soul Beast foolish enough to get in their way was beaten to death with staffs by Qian Jun and Jiang Mo.
Their journey was "smooth sailing," because anything that got in their way had already been flattened.
In less than half an hour, they stopped in a certain area. A dense green poisonous mist blanketed the place before them.
"Has Dugu Bo already claimed the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well at this point? He's moved pretty fast." Murong Huai looked at the poisonous mist and thought.
"Oh, a whole cloud of poisonous mist. Looks like someone put it there." Yue Guan held out a hand to sense it. Seeming to realize something, he slapped Old Poison Master on the shoulder and said:
"Old Ghost, doesn't this poison seem familiar?"
Gui Mei sensed the poison, then recalled something. "This is the poison of the Jade Phosphorous Seven Absolute Flowers, but the way it's being used seems like the work of that Old Poison Master, Dugu Bo."
"Elder Jiang Mo, sorry to trouble you. Please open a path for us." Murong Huai turned to Jiang Mo. The latter nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness."
With that, Jiang Mo stepped forward, and a Coiling Dragon Staff appeared in his hand. Red light flowed over it. Then he swung the staff, and everywhere it passed, the poisonous mist scattered, revealing a broad passage.
"Let's go." Seeing this, they entered through the passage.
After crossing the poison formation, they reached the edge of a mountain valley. Yue Guan, whose Martial Soul was the Immortal Grade Herb Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, immediately sensed a strange energy. His Martial Soul seemed to stir with excitement.
"This... the energy here is so rich."
Murong Huai looked toward the valley and said:
"Let's go. The Immortal Grade Herbs should be growing inside. Gui Mei, Yue Guan, you two scout ahead."
"Yes."
Gui Mei and Yue Guan nodded, then transformed into streaks of gold and black and flew into the valley to scout ahead.
The others immediately started toward the valley. Just as the two had entered, a deep, ominous voice suddenly rang out.
"Who dares trespass in this old man's secluded home?!"
Everyone stopped. A gaunt figure, thin as a bamboo stalk and dressed in a dark green robe, descended and blocked their way. His ashen-gray skin was covered in web-like purple-black markings, and his slit pupils gleamed with the cold light of a snake's eyes.
"Oh, Dugu Bo?"
Hearing Murong Huai, Dugu Bo gave a sinister laugh and spread his hands. Two clumps of dark green energy gathered in his palms.
"Hmph! Since you know my name, boy, get on your knees and await your death! If I'm in a good mood, I might even make it quick!"
Murong Huai rolled his eyes. In the original story, Dugu Bo was undeniably loyal and devoted, but he was also a loner, unwilling to associate with others and always doing whatever he pleased.
Unfortunately, he bore the poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. It built up in his body and passed down to his descendants. If he hadn't met Tang San and learned to store the poison in a Spirit Bone, he likely wouldn't have lived much longer.
Yet he had a treasure trove and handed it over to Tang San. Dozens of rare Immortal Grade Herbs ended up going to Tang San, who gave Dugu Bo nothing but a lousy Spirit Bone method for storing poison—a treatment that only addressed the symptoms, not the cause.
He didn't give Dugu Bo even a single Immortal Grade Herb. He took what belonged to someone else and handed it over, guilt-free, to his classmates—and that pig, too.
Come to think of it, Dugu Bo was a pitiful man, but he had decent talent as well. Even with poison accumulated throughout his body, he'd still managed to reach Titled Douluo. Without the poison, he might even have become a Super Douluo.
But his mouth really was...
"What if I don't leave? What will you do?"
Hearing Murong Huai, Dugu Bo laughed instead of getting angry. A gigantic emerald-green snake appeared behind him, and eight Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—descended.
"Ha ha ha! You insolent brat! I'll teach you what a Soul Douluo's wrath is—Wrath of the Spirit Douluo!!!"
At that, Murong Huai simply waved his hand. Jiang Mo charged forward, Coiling Dragon Staff in hand.
At first, Dugu Bo didn't pay him any mind. But as nine Spirit Rings appeared around Jiang Mo and began revolving in unison, Dugu Bo cried out in shock.
"Holy crap, a Titled Douluo... Wait a second!"
Bang!
"Ah...!"
Bang!
"Senior, please go easy!"
Bang!
"Pfft—"
"Elder Jiang Mo, leave him alive. Don't beat him to death." Seeing Dugu Bo being ground into the dirt, Murong Huai couldn't help speaking up. Then he added, "Half-dead is fine. Be gentle."
Bang! Bang! Bang!!!
"Ah—"
Before you continue