"Do you know what's going on with that girl?"
Radiant Douluo frowned.
As a Worship Hall elder, he knew very well why the previous Pope had met his end.
"That girl is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form. What's your relationship with her? Could it be that you..."
Radiant Douluo didn't finish, but Han Xing understood what he meant.
If they had a decent relationship, perhaps they could arrange things so the girl would sacrifice herself for him.
If Han Xing could obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring while he was still a Soul Emperor or Soul Saint, his combat strength would skyrocket.
"Though I'd like that too, unfortunately, she and I don't get along," Han Xing said, shaking his head.
"You could even say there's nothing but hatred between us. I've given her a good beating more than once."
At that, Radiant Douluo furrowed his brows, and his aura fluctuated slightly.
"Easy, Master," Han Xing said, waving a hand.
"How could I stay calm? She's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!" Radiant Douluo said urgently.
"If we could take her Soul Ring and Soul Bone, the boost to you would be almost as great as an Immortal Herb."
"Heaven Dou City's waters run deep. Leaving her here invites trouble. We'd be better off abducting her and keeping her captive."
"There are others watching her, too," Han Xing said gravely.
"Clear Sky Douluo is that Tang San's father. If we act rashly, it could backfire on us."
At this, Radiant Douluo's pupils narrowed.
If that was true, then Tang Hao had probably had his eye on the girl for a long time.
Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect were enemies, but in truth, their hatred wasn't all that deep.
Ordinary disciples might have hated the Clear Sky Sect, but the elders of the Worship Hall didn't feel such deep resentment.
Though Tang Hao had played a part in Qian Xunji's death, that had only been the spark that lit the fuse.
Before the incident with Qian Xunji, the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall had always been on good terms.
Now that the Clear Sky Sect had sealed itself off from the world, it had at least offered an appropriate explanation.
"If it really is Tang Hao, then abducting her could be difficult," Radiant Douluo murmured.
"He has a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, which greatly enhances the Clear Sky Sect's Exploding Ring Ultimate Skill."
"Master, there's no need to worry," Han Xing said, shaking his head.
"Since Tang Hao hasn't taken Xiao Wu away and kept her captive, it means he's saving her for Tang San."
"Besides, with him keeping an eye on her, Xiao Wu won't be in any danger before Tang San can withstand a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring."
At that, Radiant Douluo breathed a sigh of relief.
Though a Soul Beast's willing sacrifice allowed a Soul Master to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring without any burden, getting a Soul Beast to willingly sacrifice itself for someone wasn't easy. That kind of bond couldn't be built in just a few years.
"Then why have you brought me here to watch them?" Radiant Douluo asked.
"Master knows they've been targeted by Poison Douluo, right?" Han Xing replied with a question.
"I could sense it vaguely at the time," Radiant Douluo said with a nod.
"I looked into why Dugu Yan was so downcast. It was because she'd suffered a defeat," Han Xing continued.
"Tang San is skilled with poison, and Poison Douluo targeted them. That means Tang San broke through Dugu Yan's poison."
"As a Titled Douluo, if you heard that a junior with the same Martial Soul as you had seen her proudest technique overcome, how would you react?"
"I'd naturally go see for myself what kind of person had such ability," Radiant Douluo answered without hesitation.
"Exactly," Han Xing said. "Just as you said, I'm sure Dugu Bo is likely to make another move."
"When he does, we can follow them from a distance and find the place where Dugu Bo usually hides his Immortal Herbs."
"That's also why I asked Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo to take over your duties."
At that, Radiant Douluo's eyes lit up.
The two hid in the shadows, watching Tang San and the others.
Meanwhile, to boost his popularity, Han Xing had deliberately prepared a striking, handsome outfit.
After all, he wasn't Tang San, who wore the same blue outfit day in and day out.
He might not be one of the protagonists or supporting characters established in the anime, but he did have an advantage of his own: he could change his clothes whenever he wanted.
After changing, the two even witnessed Yu Xiaogang's forbidden love.
The audience was deeply moved by the relationship, and countless viewers were swept up in it.
That was, until Tang San saw the two elders talking and quietly slipped away...
Dugu Bo made his move.
In the blink of an eye, he knocked Tang San unconscious and carried him off.
Seeing this, Radiant Douluo immediately grabbed Han Xing and followed them.
The two soon reached Sunset Forest, trailing Dugu Bo.
But when they arrived, Radiant Douluo stopped.
"What's wrong?" Han Xing asked, puzzled.
"Dugu Bo has set up a Poison Array in this area," Radiant Douluo said gravely.
"I can go in, but taking you with me isn't realistic."
At that, Han Xing took out the small porcelain bottle Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo had given him earlier and poured out two pills.
"These are Detox Pills that Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo made specifically for Dugu Bo. They can neutralize most poisons."
"You came well prepared. In that case, let's go in."
Radiant Douluo swallowed a pill, then immediately took Han Xing into the Poison Array.
They had just crossed a valley when they heard voices ahead.
At the same time, Han Xing could tell from the comments that Tang San had probably woken up by now.
"Master, just make your move and drive Poison Douluo away."
Han Xing said gravely, "If he asks, tell him he meddled with someone he shouldn't have."
"Why? Why not just get rid of Tang San?" Radiant Douluo frowned.
"No need. Tang San is the only restraint on Tang Hao right now," Han Xing said, shaking his head.
"If we kill Tang San, a Titled Douluo who's gone mad will be a huge problem."
Radiant Douluo nodded thoughtfully.
Though he was powerful, he was playful by nature. Even now, in his nineties, he was still as impulsive as a child.
Since Han Xing had his own plans and arrangements, Radiant Douluo wouldn't go out of his way to do anything unnecessary.
At that moment,
inside the valley, Tang San was talking with Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo was curious how Tang San had broken Dugu Yan's third Soul Skill.
Searching for a way to survive, Tang San immediately provoked him, mocking him for being Poison Douluo in name only.
At that, Dugu Bo was about to poison Tang San and test their respective knowledge of poisons.
But right then,
Dugu Bo suddenly stiffened and stopped what he was doing.
"Who's there? How did you get through my Poison Array?"
Dugu Bo released five Soul Rings and looked around.
"Your strength must be considerable. Why have you attacked me?"
At Dugu Bo's sudden change, the comments began to scroll rapidly.
One guess after another appeared about what would happen next, and everyone speculated about who had broken in to rescue Tang San.
[Could Tang San's dad have made his move?]
[Even Zhao Wuji, who beat Tang San up, got taught a lesson.]
[Now that Poison Douluo has abducted Tang San, surely Tang Hao stepping in is fair game?]