Confrontation of the Titles, Another Duel

"I didn't misperceive it. I confirmed it three times just now—the poison in your body has truly decreased!"

Dugu Bo smiled and ruffled Dugu Yan's hair, his voice softening.

Upon receiving this confirmation, Dugu Yan's eyes reddened. From the time she was small until now, the poison in her body had only ever increased, never once receding.

Dugu Yan had witnessed her father's death in her childhood and had seen Dugu Bo sink into a long, sorrowful depression because of it; she did not want her grandfather to have to witness her own death as well.

This was one of the reasons Dugu Yan had always strived to grow stronger.

"Yan'er, try to recall carefully: what did you do during the few days I was away from home? Think about whether those things were any different from your usual routine."

Dugu Bo took out a handkerchief and wiped Dugu Yan's face.

After calming her emotions, Dugu Yan began to recount everything she had done during the three days Dugu Bo had been away.

"So, you're saying that aside from getting into a fight with that boy from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, you only went out shopping and bought a few jade bracelets?"

After hearing the itinerary of Dugu Yan's past three days, Dugu Bo subconsciously furrowed his brows.

Eliminate all the impossible answers, and whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth!

After all, Dugu Bo had already inspected the jade bracelets Dugu Yan bought, and there was nothing special about them.

"Yan'er, stay in the room. I'm going out for a while."

Dugu Bo glanced out the window; the sun was about to set. If he didn't handle this today, he feared two people would be suffering from insomnia by tonight.

"Alright, Grandfather! I'll be at home waiting for you to come back for dinner."

Dugu Yan didn't press for details regarding Dugu Bo's departure; she understood what her grandfather intended to do.

Yu Yuanzhen, having finished dinner with Yu Hengqing, sat in his study attending to sect affairs.

"Poison Douluo, have you run out of places to eat? Why have you come running to my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?"

Facing the sudden appearance of Dugu Bo, Yu Yuanzhen didn't even lift his head, continuing to process the files in his hands.

In the face of Yu Yuanzhen's sarcasm, Dugu Bo showed no reaction. He poured himself a cup of tea and sat down opposite Yu Yuanzhen to drink it.

"So, the dignified Poison Douluo breaks into someone else's study at night just to pour himself a cup of tea!"

Yu Yuanzhen set aside the files he had finished processing and looked up at Dugu Bo, who was sipping his tea leisurely.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Sect Master Yu. The price is negotiable."

Dugu Bo took a sip of tea, met Yu Yuanzhen's gaze, and spoke unhurriedly.

Seeing that Dugu Bo actually had a request for him, Yu Yuanzhen was quite surprised; one had to know that Dugu Bo was famous for being reclusive and arrogant.

However, Yu Yuanzhen still didn't respond. He was very curious about what Dugu Bo could possibly offer.

After waiting for a long time without a response from Yu Yuanzhen, Dugu Bo let out a cold snort in his heart. Yu Yuanzhen was truly the type who wouldn't release the hawk until he saw the rabbit!

Dugu Bo placed a jade box on the table, inside of which lay a pale purple medicinal herb.

"I heard that the third young master of your house, Sect Master Yu, suffers from a congenital deficiency. I believe this heaven-sent treasure should satisfy your requirements."

Yu Yuanzhen waved his hand, and the jade box flew before him. He opened it.

Upon seeing the contents, Yu Yuanzhen's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was already surging with waves.

I never expected Dugu Bo to possess such a heaven-sent treasure!

"Since the Poison Douluo has come in person to seek my help, as a fellow Title Douluo, it would be improper for me to refuse you."

Seeing Yu Yuanzhen calmly tuck the jade box into his robes, Dugu Bo's mouth twitched.

Is he really this thick-skinned? Did I say I was giving it to you? You just took it!

An hour later.

A smiling Yu Yuanzhen watched as a furious Dugu Bo departed from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.

"I never expected the Poison Douluo's foundation to be so deep. Indeed, one must never underestimate anyone who has cultivated to the Title Douluo level on their own!"

Once Dugu Bo's aura had completely vanished from the vicinity of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Yu Yuanzhen's expression turned very serious.

"Hengqing shouldn't be asleep yet. I'll go tell him he doesn't need to go to school tomorrow!"

The next morning.

"Leiyi, we shouldn't have hurt Dugu Yan yesterday, right? Why would Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, want to see me?"

Last night, while Yu Hengqing was cultivating, Yu Yuanzhen had suddenly come to tell him that Dugu Bo was coming to see him today.

"The force you used in your soul skill yesterday would never have hurt that little girl. As for why that Dugu Bo wants to come, there must be another reason."

Ever since he had ended his slumber, Leiyi had been teaching Yu Hengqing how to control the power of his first soul skill; at Yu Hengqing's current progress, he would never have injured Dugu Yan.

After a long while, Yu Hengqing and Leiyi still couldn't deduce the purpose of Dugu Bo's visit.

"Forget it, forget it! Soldiers come, block them; water comes, earth covers it. I don't believe this Dugu Bo would dare pull any tricks right under my old man's nose."

Giving up on the deduction, Yu Hengqing stood up and headed toward the reception hall.

"Greetings, Poison Douluo! I am the junior, Yu Hengqing. I heard you have something to discuss with me?"

Although he didn't know what the Poison Douluo wanted with him, the proper etiquette still had to be observed; after all, the man hadn't burned bridges with him yet.

"I'm not one for beating around the bush, so I'll be direct: I've come to see you today for the sake of my granddaughter, Dugu Yan."

Looking at Yu Hengqing, Dugu Bo was immediately reminded of the medicinal herbs Yu Yuanzhen had extorted from him the previous night, and he felt his heart bleeding.

For Dugu Yan? Could it be that this Dugu Bo is trying to play matchmaker?!

Hearing that Dugu Bo had come for Dugu Yan, Yu Hengqing was startled.

"The Poison Douluo told me that after his granddaughter sparred with you yesterday, her martial soul showed signs of evolution. He would like to trouble you to spar with Dugu Yan once more, in front of both him and me."

Fearing that Yu Hengqing might misunderstand Dugu Bo's intentions, Yu Yuanzhen immediately spoke up to explain.

"Martial soul evolution?"

Yu Hengqing's confusion only deepened.

How could Dugu Yan show signs of martial soul evolution after sparring with him? If you're going to lie, at least come up with a better excuse!

"Correct. Therefore, I wish to confirm whether this martial soul evolution is related to you."

Dugu Bo chimed in immediately; he had no intention of telling Yu Hengqing the truth and deliberately kept his words vague.

Dugu Bo did not want outsiders like Yu Hengqing to know that the Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor caused toxins to accumulate within its host's body.

Besides, as long as Dugu Yan and he didn't say anything, who would ever know whether Dugu Yan's martial soul had actually evolved or not?

"If I can be of help to my senior, I am naturally more than willing."

Yu Hengqing glanced at Dugu Yan, who was sitting beside Dugu Bo, and noticed that she was deliberately keeping a cold face, as if trying to hide something.

"Since that is the case, let us begin at once!"

Under Dugu Bo's urging, the spar began quickly on the training grounds of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.

Because he did not know Dugu Bo's true objective, Yu Hengqing sparred with Dugu Yan using the same intensity as the day before.

Yet, for some reason, Dugu Yan seemed to be deliberately forcing Yu Hengqing to use his soul skills during the match, and this intent became even more pronounced once she realized he was intentionally avoiding them.

"I concede, Senior!"

In the end, Yu Hengqing still used his soul skills to defeat Dugu Yan.

With a Title Douluo backing her, there was no point in blindly dodging; it was better to face her head-on.

Seeing Dugu Yan defeated, Dugu Bo appeared on the arena in an instant to help her up.

"Sect Master Yu, I have obtained the result I wanted, so I shall no longer disturb you here."

Dugu Bo took Dugu Yan by the hand and walked off the arena, looking up at Yu Yuanzhen, who was seated in the viewing gallery.

"Of course. I will consider the conditions you proposed."

"Is that so? Then I shall await your good news, Poison Douluo!"

Yu Yuanzhen watched as the figures of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan disappeared beyond the gates.