A Deal with Dugu Bo

At the very center of the valley, a spring caught Tang San's attention.

Half of it was milky white, shimmering with an icy blue glow. A layer of unmelting frost covered the surface, and the cold was bone-piercing; anyone who approached would find their skin freezing over.

The other half was crimson like molten lava, with billowing heat waves and the pungent scent of sulfur in the air. Its temperature was enough to melt gold and iron, and getting close would make one's flesh sting with pain.

A small whirlpool continuously turned at the center of the spring. The waters of the two utterly opposing attributes flowed backward into it from either side, cycling endlessly.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was like the heart of this place, beating day and night to sustain the life of every plant.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!?"

Tang San truly couldn't stay calm now. These were all things recorded in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. If they belonged to them...

Shaking his head, Tang San hurriedly dismissed the thought. This place did not belong to them yet, because a Title Douluo still occupied it.

"One of the world's three greatest treasure basins, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Little San, find a place to plant your mother later."

The moment he finished speaking, Tang Chuan's Forest of Myriad Phenomena sensed a powerful aura rapidly flying toward them from afar.

"Someone's coming!"

Without hesitation, Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and shot toward the rear while carrying Ah Yin's potted plant.

His father had told him this: if that Dugu Bo truly came, he was to find somewhere to hide so he would not be caught up in the battle that might follow.

"Good brat, daring to trespass into this old man's territory so late at night?"

An old man in green robes floated in midair. He appeared composed, yet it was impossible to conceal the agony of illness tormenting him.

Tang Chuan narrowed his eyes. Dugu Bo clearly looked terminally ill. He had come here now because his condition was likely about to flare up.

Tang San behind him also activated his Purple Demon Eye to observe the man. Once he discovered the root of his illness, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. Perhaps they could make use of this.

"Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. Meeting you today, your reputation is indeed well deserved."

"Since you recognize this old man, you still dared enter this place? But I am curious—how did you pass through the Jade Phosphorous Poison Miasma?"

"I merely took advantage of my martial soul."

"Hmph!"

Dugu Bo said no more. Nine soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—rose beneath his feet. Behind him, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor appeared in midair, its entire body emerald green. Its golden vertical pupils stared fixedly at Tang Chuan below, its tongue flicking from its mouth.

The pressure of a Title Douluo crashed down upon them. Even Tang San, standing some distance away, felt as if his breathing had slowed by half a beat. Too terrifying. Was this the difference in strength?

Boom!

The Blue Silver Emperor within Tang Chuan emerged as well. Blue-gold Soul Power collided with Dugu Bo's Soul Power, and a tremendous shockwave swept outward.

"A Soul Douluo?!"

Dugu Bo was greatly startled. Although the other party's cultivation was lower than his, he looked no more than sixteen or seventeen. To have reached Soul Douluo at such an age—if he developed for a few more years, Tang Hao's title as the youngest Title Douluo would truly be replaced.

"The younger generation is truly full of talent. How old are you to have already become a Soul Douluo?"

"Your Excellency Poison Douluo, how about we make a deal?"

"We can treat the illness in your body, but in exchange, this herb garden belongs to us."

At those words, killing intent immediately burst forth in Dugu Bo's eyes. Only he knew about his illness, yet this brat before him had actually seen through it.

"This is this old man's secret. Since you know it, don't even think of leaving alive!"

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor charged at Tang Chuan. Eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—rose beneath the latter's feet. His seventh soul ring flashed, and a massive blue phantom appeared behind him, identical to Tang Chuan in appearance.

Seventh Soul Skill, Blue Silver True Body!

Boom!

The blue figure's enormous hand firmly pinned down the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. Dugu Bo's face also showed shock. He was a Title Douluo—no matter how strong this opponent was, he should not have been able to block his attack so easily.

Tang San, watching the scene from the side, was equally filled with astonishment. Was this how the elders fought?

"Your Excellency Poison Douluo, if you truly want to fight, then find a better place. It would be such a shame to damage all these flowers and plants here."

"Brat, you have quite the sharp tongue. Since you know of this old man's condition and speak with such confidence, could it be that you truly have a way to cure me?"

"If I dared say it, then I naturally have confidence."

Only then did Dugu Bo withdraw his martial soul and slowly descend to the ground. At that moment, he finally noticed Tang San behind Tang Chuan.

Judging by their appearances, the two looked surprisingly alike. The same hair color, the same pupils, even somewhat similar facial contours.

And when he sensed their auras again, both carried the dense life aura unique to Blue Silver Grass!

"This brat is your son?"

"And your martial soul... couldn't also be Blue Silver Grass, could it?"

There was a trace of uncertainty in Dugu Bo's tone. They looked far too alike, as though they had been carved from the same mold.

At those words, Tang San also released his martial soul. Two soul rings, yellow and purple, rose beneath his feet, leaving Dugu Bo dumbfounded once more.

Was this even reasonable? Wasn't Blue Silver Grass a useless martial soul? Yet today, he had encountered two people capable of cultivating it, and both possessed such monstrous talent!

"Your Excellency Poison Douluo, Tang Chuan is my father. There's no need for you to doubt it!"

Tang San hurriedly explained, speaking so quickly that it seemed he feared Dugu Bo would not understand their relationship.

"I know, I know. You two really are monsters."

"Your illness, Your Majesty Poison Douluo, isn't something that affects only you. It's hereditary—in other words, your descendants will suffer from it too."

"Indeed. My son and daughter-in-law also died from this illness. Now, only my granddaughter and I have each other."

Granddaughter?

Upon hearing this, Tang San's thoughts began to stir again. He glanced at his father, then at Dugu Bo, but ultimately said nothing.

"If you want to cure it, I suggest bringing your granddaughter here as well. Curing both of you together would naturally be the best outcome."

Dugu Bo nodded subconsciously, but then he suddenly realized—would his granddaughter's illness really become as severe as his in the future?

Noticing Dugu Bo's puzzled gaze, Tang Chuan remained calm. He knew Dugu Bo had far too much confidence in his granddaughter.

Because he himself could suppress the poison with the strength of a Title Douluo, he believed his granddaughter could do the same.

"You wouldn't happen to think your granddaughter's cultivation talent is exceptionally high, would you? Just look at your martial souls and the difference will be obvious. One is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, while the other should be the Jade Phosphorous Serpent, right?"

"You even know that?"

Dugu Bo looked somewhat dazed. By that logic, was his granddaughter destined to leave him too? A Title Douluo's lifespan was incredibly long. Though Dugu Bo was ill, he could still hold on for quite some time with his cultivation and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

But Dugu Yan could not. She might not even reach the Title Douluo level before being poisoned to death by her own venom.