Before long, the three of them had settled on a treatment plan for Dugu Yan.
When Dugu Yan learned she could be saved, she was incredibly excited.
Dugu Bo, meanwhile, happily stroked his beard.
Suddenly, a figure walked into the hall.
It was a guard from the Dugu Family.
Just as Tuoba Xuan had expected, the Shrek group had arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and clashed with Xue Beng.
Prince Xue Xing had come to ask Dugu Bo to step in.
In his early years, Dugu Bo had been hunted by Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo. He had only survived thanks to Prince Xue Xing's help.
So, although Dugu Bo couldn't stand Xue Xing as a person, he owed him a favor. Whenever Xue Xing came asking for help, Dugu Bo would lend a hand.
Dugu Bo reluctantly agreed. He had originally planned to leave Dugu Yan at the estate to keep Tuoba Xuan company.
But Tuoba Xuan refused, saying he was going too.
His strength had recovered, and he was no longer the man he had been.
Tuoba Xuan naturally intended to settle every score for the bullying he had suffered back then.
And he would start with Yu Xiaogang, that "purple pig."
They both had Pig Martial Souls. How could they never have crossed paths?
Tuoba Xuan still remembered how Yu Xiaogang had once tried to make him a test subject for his Martial Soul Theory.
When Tuoba Xuan refused, Yu Xiaogang had flown into a rage, sneering at him with cold contempt, acting as if he were furious and thought himself above everyone else.
Back then, Tuoba Xuan had endured it because he wasn't strong enough. Now his strength had returned.
If he kept putting up with it, what would have been the point of getting stronger?
Prince Xue Xing was curious about Tuoba Xuan's identity, but with things so urgent, he didn't press him for details.
The group hurried toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy in a grand procession.
The journey was nothing but chaos. The crowds were up in arms, but Xue Xing's personal guards kept pushing them back.
Tuoba Xuan took note of every detail and kept it in mind.
Douluo Continent in this era was in utter turmoil. Within its borders, war raged between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, while Spirit Hall made no secret of its ambitions.
Beyond that, there were the God Kings' schemes and the Fallen Soul Masters lying in wait.
Inside Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Haha, what a talented child! Truly impressive. Dean Flender, I think we can discuss having your group join our academy."
Meng Shenji spoke with a hearty laugh. He had just witnessed Tang San's talent and had already decided to bring the entire Shrek group into Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Just as everyone from Shrek was laughing and talking, an ill-timed voice rang out.
"Chief Meng, surely this isn't appropriate?" Prince Xue Xing said with a sneer as he walked in.
Dugu Bo stood silently in the middle of the group, eyes closed.
Tuoba Xuan's gaze went straight to Xiao Wu, who was trembling with fear.
"I really can't understand how Dugu Bo failed to notice Xiao Wu's identity in the original story."
Tuoba Xuan was puzzled. Then he suddenly saw Dugu Bo's body tremble ever so slightly.
The Dugu Bo of this moment was nothing like the weakest Titled Douluo in the original story.
With the poison in his body resolved, Dugu Bo could not only fight at full strength, his Soul Power and Martial Soul had also advanced further.
Even without relying on outside help, Dugu Bo could now easily suppress Chrysanthemum Guan. And he had only just dealt with the poison; the Soul Power in his body hadn't even stabilized yet.
Once it did, his strength might advance yet again.
It was obvious: Dugu Bo had detected that Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and that was why he had trembled.
Tuoba Xuan felt a chill shoot up his back. He wasn't sure whether Tang Hao was nearby.
More importantly, Tang Hao was even more furious now that the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone had disappeared. He might have already lost his reason.
If Dugu Bo attacked Xiao Wu, Tuoba Xuan could escape, but Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan would likely be beaten to death on the spot by Tang Hao.
The Heaven Dou Empire couldn't interfere in a battle between Titled Douluo.
Spirit Hall would surely be delighted to see two Titled Douluo unaffiliated with them fight until both were badly wounded. Spirit Hall would be the one to profit.
After all, even if Dugu Bo had grown stronger, he was still no match for Tang Hao.
"Old Poison, stop," Tuoba Xuan hurriedly sent him a voice transmission.
Dugu Bo heard Tuoba Xuan's message. His brows knitted tightly for a second, then his expression returned to normal.
Dugu Bo trusted Tuoba Xuan completely at this point, so he showed no sign that anything was amiss.
Tuoba Xuan said, "I know you've realized that little girl is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. But don't attack her. Just act as if you haven't noticed. Once this is over, I'll explain everything."
Dugu Bo didn't say a word. He simply took his eyes off Xiao Wu.
Tuoba Xuan let out a long breath of relief. Fortunately, Old Poison wasn't stubborn; he had just saved both Tuoba Xuan and his granddaughter's lives.
At the same time, Prince Xue Xing had completely fallen out with Meng Shenji and the other two.
"Your Excellency, I'll have to trouble you to step in."
Prince Xue Xing bowed slightly and moved aside. Dugu Bo, who had been standing out of sight, now appeared before the Shrek group.
"I'll count to three. Get out."
The aura unique to a Titled Douluo spread from Dugu Bo, and the flowers and plants throughout the room withered in an instant.
The mere aftershock of his aura left everyone from Shrek stunned.
"A T-Titled Douluo!" Yu Xiaogang cried out in shock.
At that moment, nine dazzling Soul Rings revolved beneath Dugu Bo.
"You must be Your Excellency Dugu Bo, titled Poison, yes?" Flender said in a low voice.
"At least you have some sense. Since you know who I am, why haven't you left?"
Dugu Bo's tone left no room for argument.
A bead of cold sweat formed at the corner of Flender's eye. "Your Excellency, you're going too far."
The other Shrek teachers stepped forward one after another, staring at Dugu Bo with grave expressions.
"Fine, fine. If you won't leave, then you can all stay."
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, and the pressure of his aura grew heavier.
In an instant, everyone from Shrek felt their very souls trembling.
"So this is the strength of a Titled Douluo?" Tang San said through gritted teeth, struggling to kneel on one knee.
"Fine, Lord Poison, we'll leave. But this matter isn't over."
Yu Xiaogang begged for mercy with difficulty, yet still made sure to leave a threat behind.
Dugu Bo knew who Yu Xiaogang was, and this matter didn't really concern him. He was only the muscle here; there was no need to offend that old dragon, Yu Yuanzhen.
So Dugu Bo didn't lose his temper again. He simply watched the battered Shrek group with amusement.
"You've gone too far!" For some reason, Tang San suddenly went berserk.
"Your Excellency, remember this: thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. I'll remember what happened today."
A cold smile tugged at Tuoba Xuan's lips. That scene hadn't happened in the original story. He suspected Tang San had spotted Dugu Yan behind Dugu Bo and remembered the humiliating night she had knocked him out of the competition.
After being toyed with by this grandfather-granddaughter pair one after another, Tang San had finally snapped.
Dugu Bo gave him a cold glance. "Oh? And what are you supposed to be, daring to speak to me like that?"
"Your Excellency, Xiao San's talent is beyond compare. He only spoke out of shame and anger. I hope you'll forgive him." Seeing Tang San scold Dugu Bo, Yu Xiaogang was instantly terrified.
"Wait!"
Just as tensions reached a boiling point, a crisp voice broke the strained silence.
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river?" Tuoba Xuan had actually stepped in front of Dugu Bo.
"Yu Xiaogang!"
"I return those words to you, exactly as you said them!"