Poisonous Fog and Miasma, Strange Flowers and Medicinal Herbs

Qian Lingche stood before an area shrouded in dense poisonous mist and miasma, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

He stared ahead, where the green toxic gas hung like a heavy curtain, obscuring the scene within.

Guang Ling stood beside Qian Lingche, arms crossed over his chest, and said, "Xiao Che, it seems we've walked right into Dugu Bo's territory."

Hearing this, Qian Lingche raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Guang Ling: "Dugu Bo?"

Guang Ling nodded: "Mm, this poisonous mist and miasma is likely his handiwork."

Memories of his previous experience in Heaven Dou City flashed through Qian Lingche's mind, and his eyes gradually turned cold.

He raised his hand, and a frigid aura erupted from his body, blue light rippling outward.

Without the master's reinforcement, this poisonous mist was no match for his domain.

Wherever the light passed, the toxic mist seemed to freeze, hanging stagnant in mid-air before shattering with a crisp crack, turning into fine ice crystals that dissipated into nothingness.

With the barrier of mist forcibly pulverized, Qian Lingche withdrew his hand and turned to Guang Ling: "Let's go, Brother Ling, let's go in and take a look."

Guang Ling raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Yo, Xiao Che, your Angel Domain is getting more and more overbearing. It looks like Dugu Bo is going to have a headache this time."

Qian Lingche waved his hand helplessly: "He followed Xue Xing last time, so consider this a lesson."

As the two stepped into Dugu Bo's garden, a strange fragrance wafted toward them—rich, yet not pungent, carrying instead a sense of tranquility and comfort.

Qian Lingche and Guang Ling stopped simultaneously and looked around to see a dense expanse of medicinal herbs and exotic flowers.

"Tsk tsk, this Dugu Bo's garden is actually quite interesting." Guang Ling looked around with great interest, a trace of amazement in his eyes.

"Though I don't recognize them, they all look like rare treasures."

Qian Lingche's gaze was also drawn in; he walked up to a herb emitting a faint blue glow and examined it carefully for a moment.

Judging by the fluctuations of soul power, it should have decent effects, but unfortunately, he didn't recognize it—though Chrysanthemum Douluo might have.

However, Dugu Bo hadn't actually attacked him, so would it be a bit much to just strip the place bare?

Just as Qian Lingche was lost in thought, a hoarse and slightly wary voice drifted out from a nearby cave: "You two..." The voice cut off abruptly as soon as the words were spoken.

Dugu Bo's figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the cave.

When he saw the faces of the intruders, his pupils contracted sharply, and a flash of apprehension crossed his face.

Guang Ling stood beside Qian Lingche, arms crossed, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Though his aura was restrained, the faint, lingering pressure made Dugu Bo's heart tremble.

He had never met Guang Ling, but his intuition told him that this person before him was definitely not someone he could easily provoke.

And when his gaze shifted to Qian Lingche, his expression turned even uglier.

He was all too familiar with this face—last time in Heaven Dou City, it was this very young man who had led others to beat him into a state of severe injury.

The shadow of that battle still lingered in his heart; every time he recalled it, he felt a lingering fear.

Dugu Bo swallowed hard, his tone laced with wariness: "It's you... what business do you have coming to my place?"

Qian Lingche spoke calmly: "We were just passing by and came in out of curiosity. I didn't expect you to be so good at enjoying life."

Dugu Bo's expression darkened further, but he dared not be too aggressive in his tone: "This is my private territory. If you two have no business here, please..."

Guang Ling narrowed his eyes slightly, observing Dugu Bo with interest: "Yo, suffering from the backlash of your own poison? Not long for this world, are you?"

Dugu Bo's face changed abruptly at these words. He instinctively took a step back, his voice filled with thinly veiled anger: "You... what nonsense are you spouting!"

Guang Ling chuckled, his tone tinged with mockery: "What, am I wrong? The poison in your body has already seeped into your marrow, and even your Martial Soul has begun to turn against you."

"Tsk tsk, a dignified Poison Douluo, actually forced into such a state by his own poison—how ironic."

Dugu Bo's face grew even more unsightly, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

In reality, any Title Douluo could likely see Dugu Bo's current condition.

Qian Lingche tilted his head slightly and lowered his voice to ask Guang Ling: "Is he... curable?"

Guang Ling glanced at Dugu Bo, then leaned close to Qian Lingche's ear, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear: "It's possible, but it requires..."

Qian Lingche nodded, looked at the herbs nearby, and weighed the value of both in his mind.

After a long silence, he looked at Dugu Bo and said: "I hear you have a granddaughter. Your poison has already invaded your marrow; surely she, sharing your Martial Soul, will suffer the same fate in the future."

"I'll give you a chance: I want the herbs in this garden, and both you and your granddaughter will join the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall. In exchange, I will resolve your backlash."

Dugu Bo's pupils dilated as he stared fixedly at Qian Lingche, his voice trembling: "You... what did you say?"

Qian Lingche's expression remained indifferent as he looked at him calmly: "I have no reason to lie to you."

Dugu Bo's breathing grew rapid, his fists clenching and unclenching; clearly, he was undergoing a massive internal struggle.

He stared hard at Qian Lingche, trying to find some flaw in his expression.

Yet, Qian Lingche's eyes remained as calm as water, without the slightest evasion.

A moment later, Dugu Bo's voice dropped low: "You... what makes you say that? My poison, even I am helpless against it—how could you possibly have a way?"

Qian Lingche shook his head: "That is my business. You only need to decide whether you agree or not."

Dugu Bo's expression flickered between light and shadow. He stared at Qian Lingche, his eyes filled with both suspicion and a trace of expectation he could not quite conceal.

After all, this was the first time in many years he had heard someone claim they could resolve his predicament, however slim that hope might seem.

He was already at his age; what did it matter if he died? But his granddaughter...

In the end, Dugu Bo let out a long sigh, the complex emotions in his eyes gradually settling.

He took one last deep look at Qian Lingche, then slowly raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, his tone carrying a note of compromise: "These herbs, please, help yourself."

Seeing this, Qian Lingche knew that Dugu Bo had agreed to his proposal. By having his granddaughter join the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall as well, he figured Dugu Bo would work even harder in the future.

Guang Ling chuckled from the side: "Yo, Dugu Bo, it seems you aren't a fool after all. Rest assured, you won't be coming out on the losing end."

Dugu Bo let out a cold snort and turned his head away, clearly having no desire to say anything more.