Dugu Bo Appears

For three years, Qi Dao had never taken the initiative to discuss the matter of toxin backlash with Dugu Yan.

Mainly because he felt the time was not right.

If he had laid everything bare to Dugu Yan three years ago and told her that she and her grandfather were suffering from toxin backlash and their lives were in danger,

Dugu Yan might have taken him for a lunatic on the spot.

After all, she herself did not know that she and Dugu Bo had been "poisoned."

Even if she had told Dugu Bo about it, given Dugu Bo's morally ambiguous nature, he might have captured Qi Dao outright and subjected him to a harsh interrogation.

Even if Qi Dao ultimately cured Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, he would most likely not receive the same treatment Tang San had in the original story.

Why had Tang San won Dugu Bo's favor in the original story?

Besides saving the grandfather and granddaughter, Tang San was also skilled in poisons and had common ground with Dugu Bo.

Furthermore, the talent and Twin Martial Souls Tang San displayed had also made Dugu Bo think highly of him.

Of course, there was another very important reason.

Tang San had Tang Hao behind him!

Although Qi Dao had Xue Qinghe behind him, Xue Qinghe's public identity alone was not enough to intimidate Dugu Bo.

That was precisely why Qi Dao had waited until now.

He and Dugu Yan had spent three years together, after all. With that bond between them, Dugu Bo would not treat him the way he had treated Tang San in the original story, would he?

On the other side, Dugu Yan said with a smile, "I know you're concerned about me, but you're undoubtedly worrying too much."

"My grandfather is the greatest poison expert on the continent. If I were suffering from toxin backlash, how could he possibly fail to notice?"

Qi Dao's expression turned somewhat solemn. "There is no harm in being careful. Senior Sister, you should consider your own safety."

Although she did not believe she was suffering from toxin backlash, seeing Qi Dao's serious expression, Dugu Yan still smiled and agreed. "All right, I'll tell Grandpa about it."

Qi Dao nodded slightly at her words.

As long as Dugu Yan conveyed what he had just said to Dugu Bo,

even if Dugu Bo did not believe that a mere Soul Grandmaster like him could solve Dugu Yan's problem, he would probably still meet him out of desperation.

After that brief interlude, Qi Dao spent the afternoon strolling with Dugu Yan before returning to the academy.

After returning to the academy, Qi Dao parted ways with Dugu Yan and headed to the Mimicry Zone to cultivate as usual.

Although he had guessed that Dugu Bo would come looking for him within a few days, he was still in no rush.

Over the past three years, he had already devised a way to handle this.

Tang San in the original story had already provided the answer. For the current Qi Dao, it was the safest method, and there was no need for him to complicate matters unnecessarily.

There had been much debate online in his previous life about Tang San's method of treating Dugu Bo.

The greatest point of contention was undoubtedly the claim that forcing the toxins into the Soul Bones treated only the symptoms, not the root cause.

The reason was that some believed this method could temporarily ease the pain while leaving behind a fatal hidden danger.

For example, there was a limit to how much poison a Soul Bone could contain.

As Dugu Bo continued cultivating and using poison techniques, new toxins would continue to accumulate within his body.

Once the Soul Bones reached their limit, the poison stored for years might erupt in an instant. Not only would it directly backfire on Dugu Bo himself, but the poisonous zone created by the explosion might also become a barren deadland where not a blade of grass could grow, bringing endless harm.

But regardless of its drawbacks, at least until the original story's ending, those drawbacks had yet to erupt.

That gave Qi Dao ample room to work with.

As long as he could resolve the hidden dangers afflicting Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan before they erupted, it would be enough.

Of course, besides Tang San's method from the original story, Qi Dao also had other backup plans.

For instance, the Earth Dragon Golden Melon mentioned in the original story.

The Earth Dragon Golden Melon was one of the Immortal Herbs. It was remarkably effective for serpent-type and draconic martial souls, able to promote their evolution and strengthen the purity of their bloodline.

If Dugu Bo or Dugu Yan consumed it, it might give their martial souls a chance to transform.

In that case, it might solve the problem of toxin backlash.

Besides that, there was another method suited to Dugu Bo: having him condense a Poison Core.

But that method carried high risks and high rewards. With Dugu Bo's abilities, he might not necessarily be able to pull it off.

All things considered, Tang San's method was the safest one for Qi Dao.

Within a sparse forest.

Qi Dao swung his sword freely, his posture graceful and unrestrained.

With every motion of his hand, sword qi crisscrossed the air and sword light flashed.

With one slash, sword qi tore through the sky.

He lunged forward with a thrust, and sword light burst in every direction.

His form was as graceful as a startled swan, as supple as a wandering dragon.

His sword flashed like a startled swan's fleeting shadow, while his body coiled like a roaming dragon.

When the final streak of sword light fell, Qi Dao sheathed Peerless and stood where he was.

His left hand rested on the hilt as a humming sword cry rang through the air.

It was the Peerless Sword trembling!

Qi Dao smiled calmly and called out, "Since Senior has come, why not show yourself?"

Though he could not see anyone, Peerless could sense them.

"Heh heh~"

"What a Qi Dao. No wonder Yan Yan praised you to the skies. You truly have some ability."

A sinister, hoarse voice suddenly echoed through the sparse woods. Then, a dark green figure drifted out from afar like Gui Mei, appearing before Qi Dao in the blink of an eye.

The man was tall and thin, with sunken cheeks and harsh facial features. His most distinctive traits were undoubtedly his dark green hair and green eyes.

Seeing the newcomer, Qi Dao immediately said respectfully, "This junior, Qi Dao, greets Your Excellency Poison Douluo."

Dugu Bo casually examined Qi Dao. Seeing that he remained neither servile nor overbearing, and that he showed no fear despite recognizing his identity, Dugu Bo could not help feeling a touch more appreciation and satisfaction.

He casually waved a hand and asked indifferently, "How did you discover me?"

Qi Dao shook his head. "This junior did not discover Your Excellency, but my sword did."

Hearing that, Dugu Bo instinctively looked toward the sword at Qi Dao's waist.

The moment the sword noticed his gaze, it let out another tremulous cry.

A flash of surprise crossed Dugu Bo's face at the sight.

"What a spiritual martial soul!"

Qi Dao said calmly, "In terms of quality, Peerless may not yet be among the very best. But in terms of spirituality, there may not be another martial soul in this world capable of standing beside it."

If one truly had to name one, Yu Xiaogang's Luo Sanpao might qualify.

But unfortunately, Luo Sanpao had now been raised into nothing more than a pig that only knew how to fart.

After hearing him out, Dugu Bo actually agreed with Qi Dao.

"That is true. Other soul masters' martial souls are nothing more than soulless tools, but your sword is different."

"How did you accomplish that?"

Qi Dao answered, "From the day I awakened my martial soul, I have kept Peerless by my side at all times and constantly polished it."

"After several years, it has already become one with my heart and mind, naturally developing spirituality."

"That's all?" Dugu Bo was somewhat unconvinced.

Qi Dao's eyes shone with confidence. "It would naturally be impossible for someone else, but I am an exception."

Facing Dugu Bo now, Qi Dao was even sharper than usual.

Because he knew very well that before an old monster who was neither wholly righteous nor wholly evil, showing weakness would only make the other party look down on him.

Only by displaying his value could he earn Dugu Bo's respect.