The only Titled Douluo who could appear in Sunset Forest, especially one who was merely rank ninety-one, could be none other than Dugu Bo, who had come to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to suppress the backlash of his toxins.
Seeing Xie Biyan approach, the near-tangible killing intent made every hair on Dugu Bo's body stand on end. He immediately activated Martial Soul Possession.
A massive jade-green serpent phantom surged into the sky. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—nine soul rings lit up in an instant, and the pressure of a Titled Douluo erupted without restraint!
The next moment, Dugu Bo's fourth soul ring blazed brightly. He whirled around and spewed out a thick, ink-black green toxic mist. Wherever it passed, trees were instantly corroded into pools of black water.
At the same time, an eerie white light flashed in his eyes, and two petrifying rays shot forth!
"Azure Serpent Emperor Poison, Medusa's Gaze."
This was his hidden trump card. With a surprise attack, even a Titled Douluo of the same rank would be left scrambling. At the very least, it could delay them for a while.
Unfortunately, he had encountered an expert in poison—Xie Biyan, inheritor of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect's generations of knowledge.
Facing this poison, potent enough to wipe out an entire army in an instant, Xie Biyan did not even shift his feet. He merely flicked the strangely shaped scorpion-head staff in his hand.
The next instant, an unbelievable scene unfolded. The surging Azure Serpent Emperor Poison mist seemed to have encountered its sovereign. It instantly broke free of Dugu Bo's control, transforming into a green dragon that was wholly swallowed by the tiny scorpion-head staff like fledglings returning to their nest!
At the same time, a dark-purple barrier formed from venom condensed before Xie Biyan's chest, steadily blocking the two white petrifying rays. It gave off sizzling sounds as they dissolved, eventually dispersing into two wisps of blue smoke.
"What?!"
At the sight, Dugu Bo's heart sank straight to the bottom.
He had never imagined that he would run into such a terrifying enemy merely because he had been curious why the nearby Spirit Beasts were gathering here and had come to investigate.
Most importantly, the other man was not only far stronger than him, but also a top expert in poison! The deadly poison Dugu Bo had always been so proud of was like child's play before this man, toyed with at will. How could that not horrify him?
Seeing Xie Biyan about to attack again, Dugu Bo decisively backed down. He clasped his hands toward Xie Biyan and said in a dry voice,
"Your Excellency, I had no intention of offending you. I only came to investigate because the Spirit Beasts here were acting strangely. I have absolutely no intention of prying into anything."
Unfortunately, Xie Biyan could not be bothered to listen to Dugu Bo's nonsense. In his view, the man had witnessed the Young Master absorbing his second millennium soul ring. Intentional or not, he had to be captured first.
Seeing Xie Biyan charging directly at him without pause, Dugu Bo prepared to risk his life. He refused to believe Xie Biyan could simply ignore even his ninth soul skill.
"Ninth soul skill, Azure Phosphorus God—"
"Old Xie, stop!"
Just as Dugu Bo was about to use his ninth soul skill regardless of the consequences, a calm, steady voice suddenly came from below.
Hearing Bai Shu's words, Xie Biyan immediately halted. He slowly withdrew his aura, though his eyes remained locked firmly on Dugu Bo, guarding against any sudden move.
When Dugu Bo saw Xie Biyan stop, he broke out in a cold sweat. He hurriedly interrupted the soul skill he had been about to release, and the backlash of Soul Power made his blood churn in his chest.
He truly had no confidence in dealing with this old monster, who looked even older than he was. It was best if they did not have to fight.
While the two remained wary of one another, Bai Shu hurried over with Xiao Wu.
After taking a rough look at the situation, Bai Shu understood most of what had happened. He cupped his hands slightly toward Dugu Bo and called out,
"Are you Senior Dugu, known as the Poison Douluo?"
Seeing that Bai Shu could make Xie Biyan obey him so readily, Dugu Bo knew that Bai Shu's status was clearly higher. He did not dare show any disrespect and voluntarily descended.
He first glanced warily at Xie Biyan. Only after seeing no reaction from him did he turn his gaze to Bai Shu and say in a deep voice,
"That is correct. I am Dugu Bo. I did not know this young master was absorbing a soul ring here, and I have disturbed you through my recklessness. However, I can guarantee with my life that I will not reveal a single word of what happened today!"
Bai Shu smiled. "Senior Dugu, you are too polite. Making such a commotion on your territory was an oversight on my part."
Though Bai Shu's words sounded courteous, Dugu Bo was startled. The other party had called this place his territory, which clearly meant he knew something.
However, he could not yet be sure whether those words carried some hidden meaning, so he could only pretend to remain calm.
"Young Master, you jest. Sunset Forest is unclaimed land. Though I am a Titled Douluo, I would not dare commit such an outrage as claiming this place for myself."
Seeing that Dugu Bo was still probing him, Bai Shu did not expose him. Instead, he changed the subject.
"Senior Dugu, as far as I know, you have not joined any faction yet, correct?"
Dugu Bo naturally understood what Bai Shu meant. Over the years, quite a few factions had invited him to join them.
"That is true. I am free by nature and cannot stand being bound by so-called rules. Nor will I join any faction. So if you mean to invite me, Young Master, you need not say another word."
Bai Shu had not expected Dugu Bo to remain so unyielding even when he was already fish on the chopping block.
However, since Bai Shu had brought it up, he naturally had absolute confidence. He did not mind Dugu Bo's words in the slightest; the smile on his lips only deepened.
"Senior, do not rush to refuse. Why not hear my offer before making your decision?"
"My terms are simple." Bai Shu raised one finger, his tone assured. "I will completely solve the toxin backlash caused by the martial souls of both you and your granddaughter, Dugu Yan. At the same time, I will do my best to ensure that both of your martial souls evolve."
The moment those words were spoken, the calmness on Dugu Bo's face crumbled completely. He shouted at Bai Shu, "Who exactly are you? How do you know about my martial soul?"
He had never told a second person about the backlash from his martial soul. Even Dugu Yan, the granddaughter he loved most, still did not know the fate awaiting her! This was his greatest secret and his deepest pain!
"Hmph!"
Unfortunately, Dugu Bo's surging emotions were instantly cut short by Xie Biyan's cold snort. That terrifying killing intent locked onto him once more, forcing him to calm down at once. Only then did Dugu Bo remember that his life was still in the hands of the powerful man beside him.
Bai Shu watched the scene with a smile and said unhurriedly, "Senior, do not get agitated. We did not investigate you deliberately. As for your poisoning... heh, in the eyes of someone truly proficient in this field, it is hardly a secret. Besides..."
As he spoke, Bai Shu glanced at Xie Biyan. The meaning was obvious: their skill with poison far surpassed his.
Dugu Bo fell into a fierce inner struggle.
If it were only himself, that would be fine. At worst, he could fight to the death—live freely and die gloriously.
But the crucial thing was that he did not want his only granddaughter to follow his old path, tormented day and night by deadly poison until she eventually died in agony!
At the thought of Dugu Yan's innocent, radiant smile possibly becoming twisted by pain in the future because of martial soul backlash, his heart clenched painfully.
What was more, this toxin could be passed down through generations. One misstep, and the Dugu Family might be completely extinguished!
Seeing Dugu Bo pondering with a conflicted expression, Bai Shu did not urge him. He believed that, for Dugu Yan's sake, Dugu Bo had no second choice.
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