The Showdown

"We shall see if you have the ability to do so." Tuoba Xuan did not yield in the slightest; possessing the divine skill 'Wanderer of the Dragon Clan', he had no reason to fear anyone.

Even if he could not win, he could always hide—hide until he had grown strong enough.

Dugu Bo's hand, poised to crush Tuoba Xuan, froze in mid-air. He sneered, "A mere Soul Elder? I could extinguish you with a flick of my finger!"

Tuoba Xuan closed his eyes, ignoring Dugu Bo's remark entirely, and countered with another question: "Are you not curious how I, an outsider, came to know the secrets of the Dugu Family?"

Dugu Bo was stunned. Indeed, how could Tuoba Xuan know the secrets of his family? Even Dugu Yan had only just learned of the flaws inherent in the Jade Scale Snake.

"You had better give me an explanation!" Dugu Bo felt a sudden chill run down his spine; Tuoba Xuan's identity had suddenly become shrouded in mystery.

To possess such considerable Soul Power at such a young age, combined with knowledge of such classified secrets, suggested that the power behind Tuoba Xuan must be immense.

"Spirit Hall? The Clear Sky Sect? Or perhaps the Star Luo Empire?" Dugu Bo's mind raced, cycling through every possibility.

Tuoba Xuan slumped weakly to the ground, dispelling Dugu Bo's suspicions. "You may have heard my name: Tuoba Xuan!"

"Tuoba Xuan?" This was truly unexpected for Dugu Bo; he had indeed heard that name before.

It was said that after Yu Xiaogang, the trash Master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan who awakened a purple pig, the young sect master of the Sacred Dragon Sect had also awakened a trash pig, albeit of a different color.

However, Tuoba Xuan's situation was even worse than Yu Xiaogang's; despite having innate Soul Power of level three, it was rumored that his power had not progressed for five whole years.

It was said that Tuoba Xuan's mental state had collapsed, unable to accept the reality of being a failure, and he had left the sect a year ago. Now, no one knew if he was dead or alive.

"You are that piece of trash?" Dugu Bo found it hard to believe.

"Trash?" Tuoba Xuan sneered. "If I am trash, then what does that make your granddaughter and Yu Tianheng?"

"Hmph, what does that have to do with you knowing the secrets of the Jade Scale Snake?" Dugu Bo's pupils dilated as he barked in anger.

"You should be able to sense my current strength," Tuoba Xuan said slowly.

"Are you not curious about what kind of opportunity I have obtained?"

Dugu Bo's body trembled slightly.

How could he have overlooked this?

If the two were indeed the same person, it was terrifying; in less than a year, he had increased his Soul Power by a full 35 levels.

Dugu Bo's eyes darted around, and he felt the poison within his body begin to boil.

If he could obtain Tuoba Xuan's fortune, perhaps he could truly break the flaws of the Jade Scale Snake martial soul, and even help himself and his granddaughter become Super Douluo.

Killing someone to seize their treasure was, to Dugu Bo, a trivial matter.

"I advise you to put away those unrealistic thoughts." Tuoba Xuan's sharp voice instantly interrupted Dugu Bo's train of thought.

"The fact that I dared to bring this up means I have a way to protect myself." Tuoba Xuan's voice was as cold as ice. "If you strike at me, I will not die. And with my talent, I will reach the Title Douluo rank within ten years. You would do well to think that through carefully."

Dugu Bo felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him; the poison in his body turned into freezing liquid nitrogen.

Indeed, a 12-year-old, level 38 Soul Elder with unimaginable combat prowess.

Such talent—looking across the entire continent, perhaps even that woman could not hope to compare.

Dugu Bo suddenly shuddered, realizing just how foolish his previous thoughts had been.

Most importantly, Dugu Bo dared not gamble. If Tuoba Xuan were to escape, the consequences would be unthinkable. Even if he could escape, what about his granddaughter?

"Well? Consider it," Tuoba Xuan continued. "Attacking me brings you no benefit. Why don't we make a deal?"

Dugu Bo lifted his eyes slightly, having completely set aside his contempt for Tuoba Xuan. "I am listening!"

"I will help you resolve the flaws in yourself and your granddaughter, and in return, you must agree to three conditions."

"If you can truly do it, never mind three conditions—I would agree to ten or a hundred," Dugu Bo paused, adding a caveat, "provided, of course, that it does not violate my personal principles."

"Good! Then a hundred conditions it is!" Tuoba Xuan laughed heartily. "As expected of the Poison Douluo, you are truly straightforward."

Dugu Bo: ?

Then, Tuoba Xuan suddenly changed the subject: "However, before that, sigh." Tuoba Xuan let out a heavy, regretful sigh.

Tuoba Xuan's confident tone, powerful talent, and heaven-defying fortune had truly stimulated Dugu Bo, leading him to fully believe that Tuoba Xuan could resolve his martial soul's flaws.

Seeing hope within reach, Dugu Bo grew anxious and clenched his fists. "What? Are you trying to go back on your word?"

"That is not it!" Tuoba Xuan chuckled. "It is just..."

Tuoba Xuan hesitated, unable to bring himself to finish the sentence.

Dugu Bo's brows furrowed, his heart filled with extreme anxiety. "Oh, speak up! Just what?"

Seeing Dugu Bo's emotions flare and fall completely into his trap, Tuoba Xuan said softly, "It is just that I once read in an ancient book that there is a magical treasure land on this continent, containing two springs—one of extreme cold and one of extreme heat."

"To break the flaws in your bodies, we need the help of that treasure land."

"But, I do not know where that treasure land is." Tuoba Xuan sighed with feigned regret. "I was hoping that with your experience and knowledge as a Title Douluo, you might know some details."

Dugu Bo was stunned. He had to admit, Tuoba Xuan's tactic of building him up only to pull him down suited his temperament perfectly.

"Two springs of extreme cold and extreme heat..." Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, murmuring to himself as if in deep thought.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Dugu Bo's mind: "Boy, this treasure land you speak of—does it have a circular lake, with two distinct waters of extreme cold and heat, surrounded by some peculiar flowers and grasses?"

Tuoba Xuan feigned surprise. "Your Excellency is right. Could it be that you know the location of this treasure land?"

Dugu Bo was inwardly overjoyed; he had not expected that he would have to take action himself in the end. "If I am not mistaken, that treasure land belongs to this old man."

"Then I must trouble Your Excellency to lead the way." Tuoba Xuan bowed slightly.

Dugu Bo felt a surge of immense satisfaction and held his head high, feeling completely at ease with Tuoba Xuan now.

"Very well. Since that is the case, time waits for no one. You shall come with me now."

With a wicked smirk, Dugu Bo soared into the air, his feet buoyed by dark green Soul Power, and sped off in the direction of the Sunset Forest.

"Hahahaha, kid, before that, let this old man see what you're made of. You had better be able to keep up!"

"What an old rascal." Tuoba Xuan rubbed his forehead helplessly, knowing this was Dugu Bo's petty revenge for what had happened earlier.

"So be it." Tuoba Xuan chuckled. "Let this world see how a dragon spreads its wings!"