Bone Douluo and the others chased after Tang Hao in the direction he had fled.
Only Sword Douluo and the others remained.
"Jiuxiao, was it you who fought Tang Hao just now?"
Ning Fengzhi came up to Qin Jiuxiao and asked hesitantly.
It wasn't that he didn't believe him. It was just too shocking to imagine.
They had only been apart for a short while, yet Qin Jiuxiao could already fight a Titled Douluo. If word got out, wouldn't people who had spent their whole lives cultivating have their hearts of the Dao shattered?
"I just relied on a few trump cards. It's a pity I couldn't keep him here."
Ning Fengzhi was speechless. He felt like this kid was showing off.
That was the renowned Clear Sky Douluo, yet Qin Jiuxiao spoke of him as though he were a Soul Ancestor.
Meanwhile, Qin Jiuxiao turned his attention to Sword Douluo.
He was hailed as the continent's number-one attack-type Douluo.
A level 96 powerhouse. If Qin Jiuxiao made contact with him, what kind of trait would he gain?
And making contact with such a powerful expert would surely boost his Soul Power by quite a bit. He could break through level 50 in one go.
Then he would be able to condense his fifth Soul Ring.
Qin Jiuxiao bowed slightly to Sword Douluo.
"Grandpa Sword, I've long admired your reputation. Seeing you today, I can tell it's well deserved."
As he spoke, he moved in to give Chen Xin a hug.
But as soon as he drew near, a sharp aura brushed past his shoulder, leaving a faint white mark.
"Hmm! What a formidable body. You actually managed to withstand a sliver of sword qi from my domain."
Chen Xin raised an eyebrow.
His Seven Kill Domain was saturated with Seven Kill Sword Qi. Even ordinary Titled Douluo wouldn't dare approach.
Moreover, he had traveled far along the path of the sword, reaching the realm where man and sword became one.
He saw things more clearly than most.
Qin Jiuxiao's strength was already beyond the bounds of common sense.
"Even that old Bone Douluo in his prime couldn't match your physique."
"No wonder he mentioned you as soon as he got back. He said he wanted to take you as his disciple."
"Now it seems the old fellow is in for a disappointment. Hahaha!"
Chen Xin laughed. Seeing Qin Jiuxiao still approaching, he decided to test him.
The sword qi in the Seven Kill Domain grew sharper and sharper.
Qin Jiuxiao was now only a few steps away from Sword Douluo.
But those few steps were like a heavenly chasm. With each step closer, the pressure doubled.
Facing Chen Xin's Seven Kill Domain, Qin Jiuxiao slowly activated his own Domain of the Ten Fiends.
The devouring power it contained swallowed every bit of Seven Kill Sword Qi that came near him. Even Chen Xin himself felt suppressed.
Step by step, Qin Jiuxiao came before Chen Xin. He straightened his back and clasped his hands.
"You flatter me, Senior. It's my honor to have won the favor of both of you."
"But I still think it's better to cultivate on my own. I'd hate to break Senior Bone Douluo's confidence if I advanced too quickly."
Chen Xin was taken aback by the audacious remark, then burst into laughter.
"Good, good, good! The young should have ambition."
"But what surprises me most is that you actually possess a domain, and such a strange one at that."
"Not only can it devour my sword qi, it can even suppress my Seven Kill Sword. Your Martial Soul must be extraordinary."
Chen Xin approved of Qin Jiuxiao. He withdrew his Seven Kill Domain and patted him on the shoulder.
[ Ding! Contact with Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Obtained trait [Innate Sword Body (Red)]: Without a sword, yet as if wielding one; all things can become swords. Every move carries sword qi. Born the supreme master of the sword! ]
A flash of sword light flickered in Qin Jiuxiao's eyes.
After obtaining the trait, his Soul Power finally rose to level 50.
All he needed now was an opportunity to condense his fifth Soul Ring. Then he would be a genuine Soul King.
Chen Xin was exceptionally sensitive to sword qi.
That fleeting flash of sword light hadn't escaped his notice.
He looked at Qin Jiuxiao with uncertainty. Could this kid have a talent for cultivating the sword, too?
That couldn't be!
A Soul Master devoted most of his energy to following a single path. How could anyone cultivate another path at the same time?
With a physique as powerful as Qin Jiuxiao's, he must have followed the path of defense. How could he also have cultivated sword qi?
Chen Xin decided he must have imagined it. There was no one else on the path of the sword to accompany him, and it was making him see things.
Then his gaze shifted between Qin Jiuxiao and Ning Rongrong. At last, he nodded.
"He'd make a fine match for our Rongrong. He's worthy of being her fiancé."
Ning Rongrong heard him and murmured shyly:
"Grandpa Sword, what are you saying?"
"If you keep saying things like that, Rongrong won't talk to you anymore."
But despite her words, she couldn't hide the smile on her face.
She also suddenly felt closer to Qin Jiuxiao. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda inside her stirred restlessly.
But she paid it no mind, assuming her heart was racing because her feelings for Qin Jiuxiao had been brought up.
Nearby, Dugu Bo saw the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had beaten him to the punch and sighed inwardly.
It seemed he had arrived a little too late.
Still, even if he couldn't make such a promising young man his granddaughter's husband, there was nothing wrong with befriending him.
Besides, given the way Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Yun looked, his granddaughter might still have a chance.
Qin Jiuxiao now turned his gaze to Dugu Bo.
He clasped his hands slightly, smiling warmly.
"Poison Douluo, I've long admired your reputation."
"Thank you for your help with Tang Hao."
Dugu Bo waved a hand casually, looking quite carefree.
Ning Fengzhi also slowly clasped his hands. A Titled Douluo deserved a basic measure of respect, even if he was the weakest among them.
Dugu Bo might not be much in a one-on-one fight, but the poison coursing through him was impossible to guard against.
In terms of intimidation, he was no less formidable than the other Titled Douluo. If anything, he surpassed them.
After all, powerful factions had countless disciples under their protection. Who wouldn't fear a Titled Douluo who could poison them at any moment?
"Poison Douluo, actually, the first moment I saw you, I noticed a few little problems."
"Would you mind if we stepped aside and talked?"
A hint of amusement glimmered in Qin Jiuxiao's eyes.
Dugu Bo was puzzled, but he nodded all the same.
He certainly wouldn't turn down a chance to build a friendship one-on-one.
After walking a short distance, Qin Jiuxiao stopped.
First he looked around, then he finally spoke:
"Poison Douluo, it seems you've been poisoned."
At those words, Dugu Bo's pupils contracted, and Soul Power surged through him on instinct.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin looked over. Only then did Dugu Bo hurriedly suppress his Soul Power.
"Senior, there's no need to be nervous. I'm the only one who knows."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have called you aside to speak with you privately."
Dugu Bo slowly relaxed, but his gaze remained sharp.
"Tch!"
"Qin boy, I'm Poison Douluo. How could I be poisoned? You must have seen wrong."
Seeing that he was still denying it, Qin Jiuxiao chuckled.
"I can cure it!"
Dugu Bo: ?!!
His eyes flickered. Clearly, he was tempted.
But he still had his doubts. He wouldn't claim his knowledge of poison was the best in the world, but he was unquestionably among the continent's top three.
Could Qin Jiuxiao solve a problem that had stumped even him?
This wasn't cultivation, something one could overcome with talent alone.
Seeing this, Qin Jiuxiao went straight to the symptoms.
"Your Excellency, when the weather turns cloudy or rainy, do you feel numbness and itching in your ribs? Does it gradually grow worse and last for more than an hour?"
"And does it flare up once at noon and once at midnight every day, with the pain growing more severe?"
"Late at night, around the third watch, do you feel stabbing pains at the Baihui point on the crown of your head and the Yongquan points on the soles of your feet? Do you also suffer whole-body convulsions that last at least half an hour and leave you wishing you were dead?"
When Qin Jiuxiao finished speaking, Dugu Bo was horrified.
Even Dugu Yan didn't know about these things, yet he had seen them all.
Could he really have a way to solve the problem?
And did that mean Yanyan could be saved, too?
At the thought, Dugu Bo's breathing grew heavy.
He gripped Qin Jiuxiao's shoulders tightly, eyes wide, staring at him with burning intensity.
"Can you really cure it?"
"If you can, I'll follow you through fire and water from now on. I won't even furrow my brow!"
Before you continue