Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West

Soon, the three of them finalized the treatment plan for Dugu Yan.

Upon learning that she could be saved, Dugu Yan appeared incredibly excited.

Dugu Bo, meanwhile, stroked his beard with a cheerful expression.

Suddenly, a figure walked into the hall.

It was a guard from the Dugu Family.

Just as Tuoba Xuan had anticipated, the Shrek group had arrived at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and clashed with Xue Beng.

Prince Xue Xing had come to request Dugu Bo's intervention.

In his early years, Dugu Bo had been hunted by Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, and it was only thanks to Prince Xue Xing's assistance that he had managed to survive.

Therefore, although Dugu Bo held no high regard for Xue Xing as a person, he felt obligated by past favors to help whenever the Prince came calling.

Dugu Bo agreed with a sense of helplessness; he had originally intended for Dugu Yan to stay at the estate to host Tuoba Xuan.

However, Tuoba Xuan refused, indicating that he wished to go as well.

Now that his strength had recovered, he was no longer the man he once was.

The bullying he had endured back then was something Tuoba Xuan naturally intended to settle, debt by debt.

And so, he would start with that "purple swine," Yu Xiaogang.

Since they both possessed swine-type martial spirits, how could they not have crossed paths?

Tuoba Xuan still remembered how Yu Xiaogang had once attempted to turn him into a test subject for his martial spirit theories.

After being rejected, Yu Xiaogang had flown into a rage, spewing cold mockery with an arrogant, holier-than-thou attitude.

Back then, he had endured it due to his lack of strength, but now that his power had returned, what would be the point of becoming stronger if he continued to swallow such insults?

Although Prince Xue Xing was curious about Tuoba Xuan's identity, the urgency of the situation meant he did not press for details.

The group marched toward the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in a grand, imposing procession.

The journey was anything but peaceful, leaving the common folk resentful and complaining, though these grievances were all brushed aside by the Prince's personal guards.

Tuoba Xuan observed it all, etching every detail into his mind.

The Douluo Continent of this era was in utter chaos; internally, the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire were locked in constant warfare, while Spirit Hall's ambitions were plain for all to see.

Externally, there were the machinations of the God Kings and the lurking threat of fallen spirit masters.

Inside the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"Haha, what a talented child, truly impressive. Dean Flender, I believe we can discuss the matter of your group joining our academy."

Meng Shenji said with a hearty laugh. Having just witnessed Tang San's talent, he had already decided to enroll the entire Shrek group into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Just as the Shrek members were laughing and chatting, an ill-timed voice cut through the air.

"Headmaster Meng, is that really appropriate?" Prince Xue Xing walked in with a cold sneer.

Dugu Bo stood in the center of the group, eyes closed in silence.

Tuoba Xuan's gaze, however, went straight to the trembling Xiao Wu.

I truly don't understand how Dugu Bo failed to discover Xiao Wu's identity in the original story.

Tuoba Xuan was puzzled, yet he suddenly noticed Dugu Bo's body give a subtle tremor.

One had to realize that the Dugu Bo of this moment was no longer the weakest Title Douluo from the original tale.

With the toxins in his body purged, Dugu Bo could not only fight at full strength, but his spirit power and martial spirit had even advanced a step further.

Even without external aid, the current Dugu Bo could easily suppress Chrysanthemum Guan. It was worth noting that Dugu Bo had only just cleared the toxins, and his spirit power had yet to fully stabilize.

Once it did, his strength might improve even further.

It was clear that Dugu Bo had discovered Xiao Wu's identity as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, which was why he had trembled.

A chill instantly crept up Tuoba Xuan's back; he was unsure if Tang Hao was nearby.

More importantly, Tang Hao was likely even more furious—and perhaps even irrational—due to the disappearance of the hundred-thousand-year spirit bone.

If Dugu Bo made a move against Xiao Wu, he himself might be able to escape, but Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, grandfather and granddaughter, would likely be hammered to death on the spot by Tang Hao.

The Heaven Dou Empire could not intervene in a battle between Title Douluos.

And Spirit Hall would certainly be delighted to see two Title Douluos who did not belong to them fight until both were crippled, as Spirit Hall would be the ultimate beneficiary.

After all, even if Dugu Bo had grown stronger, he was still no match for Tang Hao.

"Old Poison, stop," Tuoba Xuan transmitted his voice urgently.

Dugu Bo heard the transmission, his brows furrowing tightly for a second before he returned to his usual composure.

Dugu Bo held immense trust in Tuoba Xuan at this point, so he showed no further signs of abnormality.

Tuoba Xuan said, "I know you discovered that the little girl is a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, but do not act. Pretend you noticed nothing. Once this is over, I will explain everything to you."

Dugu Bo did not make a scene, merely withdrawing his gaze from Xiao Wu.

Tuoba Xuan let out a long sigh of relief in his heart; fortunately, this old poison-master was not a stubborn mule, which had effectively saved his own life and that of his granddaughter.

At the same time, Prince Xue Xing had completely torn off the mask of civility with Meng Shenji and the other two.

"Your Excellency, I must trouble you to take action."

Prince Xue Xing bowed slightly and stepped aside, revealing Dugu Bo's previously hidden figure to the eyes of everyone from Shrek.

"I will count to three. Get out."

Dugu Bo's aura, unique to a Title Douluo, spread outward, causing the flowers and plants throughout the room to wither in an instant.

The mere shockwave of his aura was enough to strike terror into the hearts of the Shrek group.

"A... a Title Douluo!" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in shock.

At this moment, nine dazzling spirit rings pulsed rhythmically beneath Dugu Bo's feet.

"I presume you must be Your Excellency Dugu Bo, titled 'Poison', right?"

Flender said in a deep voice.

"You have some modicum of insight. Since you know my name, why haven't you scrambled away yet?"

Dugu Bo's voice brooked no argument.

Flender felt a bead of cold sweat seep from the corner of his eye. "Your Excellency, isn't this going a bit too far?"

The remaining Shrek teachers stepped forward one after another, staring at Dugu Bo with grave expressions.

"Good, very good. Since you won't leave, then all of you can stay."

Dugu Bo snorted coldly, his aura growing increasingly heavy.

In an instant, the Shrek party felt their very souls trembling.

"Is this the power of a Title Douluo?" Tang San, struggling to remain upright, knelt on one knee and gritted his teeth.

"Fine, Your Excellency Poison, we will leave, but this matter will not end here."

Yu Xiaogang begged for mercy with great difficulty, yet he did not forget to leave behind a harsh threat.

Dugu Bo was aware of Yu Xiaogang's background, and since this matter had nothing to do with him—he was merely a hired hand—there was no need to offend that old dragon, Yu Yuanzhen.

Therefore, Dugu Bo did not flare up again, merely watching the disheveled Shrek group with a playful gaze.

"Going too far!" Tang San, for some reason, flew into a rage.

"Your Excellency, please remember: the river flows east for thirty years, and west for thirty years. This junior has marked this day down."

A cold sneer curled the corner of Tuoba Xuan's mouth; this scene did not exist in the original story. It was likely that seeing Dugu Yan behind Dugu Bo had reminded Tang San of the humiliating way she had eliminated him that night.

Having been toyed with by this grandfather and granddaughter in succession, Tang San had finally snapped.

Dugu Bo swept a cold glance over him. "Oh? And what kind of thing are you, to dare speak to this old man like that?"

"Your Excellency, Xiao San's talent is rare throughout the ages; he was merely overcome by shame and anger just now. I hope Your Excellency can be magnanimous." Yu Xiaogang was terrified out of his wits to see Tang San reprimanding Dugu Bo.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the tension between the two sides reached a breaking point, a crisp voice shattered the atmosphere.

"The river flows east for thirty years, and west for thirty years?" Tuoba Xuan walked right in front of Dugu Bo.

"Yu Xiaogang!"

"I return those words to you in full!"