"But you will also be restrained by me. Although the Dark Night Mark cannot control your body or consciousness, I can activate it to torment you, making it difficult for you to wield your strength in battle."
"By then, even a mere Soul Elder could kill you."
"So this is also one means by which I control you. But as long as you sincerely pledge loyalty to me, this ability to control you will be practically useless."
"I... understand." Dugu Bo took a deep breath and dropped to one knee before Qian Xunye. "Dugu Bo pays respects to my lord!"
"Rise. As long as your performance satisfies me, I may even consider helping you resolve the poisonous backlash issue of your Jade-Scaled Serpent martial soul."
"Wh... what! My lord, you can cure my poison?" Dugu Bo was thrilled.
"What is so difficult about that?"
Qian Xunye had two methods of detoxification. The first was the conventional soul bone container method, but it only treated the symptoms, not the root cause.
There was another method that could completely eradicate the backlash poison afflicting Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo was so excited he nearly burst into tears. "If my lord can truly cure my granddaughter's and my poison, I, Dugu Bo, will swear loyalty to my lord unto death and never harbor a second thought!"
"Anyone can say pretty words. You need to prove them through your actions."
"I have three tasks for you now. If you can complete each one properly, not only can I greatly increase your strength, but I can also cure your poison."
Dugu Bo hurriedly said, "Please give your orders, my lord!"
"The first task: bring your granddaughter here."
Dugu Bo's expression changed. He guessed that Qian Xunye intended to plant a Dark Night Mark in his granddaughter as well. "My lord, could you perhaps not let my granddaughter..."
"Do you think I want to plant a Dark Night Mark in your granddaughter to control you further?" Qian Xunye glanced at him. "If you betray me, I can simply kill both of you. Why would I need to control you?"
"Bring your granddaughter here. This will only benefit her, never harm her."
Dugu Yan had decent talent, at least Innate Soul Power Level 8. Anyone who reached Innate Soul Power Level 8 was qualified to receive a Dark Night Mark.
And Dugu Yan was only seven years old. Her path as a soul master had just begun. If he planted the mark now, every level she gained would provide Qian Xunye with energy. As she advanced all the way to the Title Douluo realm in the future, she would continuously bring him benefits.
Thus, in order to plant marks in more young genius soul masters and have them provide him with Soul Power to speed up his own breakthroughs—
Qian Xunye planned to create his own faction.
As for Spirit Hall, if not for his niece Qian Renxue, he would never return there.
Even if Qian Daoliu wanted to place him in the position of Pope, Qian Xunye would not care.
Qian Xunye had already decided on the name of this new faction.
"Yes, my lord. I will bring my granddaughter here."
Qian Xunye continued, "The second task: I want to establish a new faction called the Night Temple. I will be its Temple Master, while you will temporarily serve as the Grand Elder."
"The Night Temple will be located here in Sunset Forest. Find a suitable site and arrange for a construction crew to build it."
"Recruit a batch of obedient soul masters for me in the short term. Also recruit talented young soul masters from the public, requiring at least Innate Soul Power Level 8. The slogan will be: A Title Douluo is not a dream!"
"The Night Temple? A new faction... A Title Douluo is not a dream!?" Dugu Bo hesitated briefly before immediately replying, "Yes!"
"The third task: go to the sea and hunt down a batch of Whale Rubber for me. The older the better."
As a subordinate, he should speak less and do more.
Dugu Bo did not ask what Qian Xunye wanted Whale Rubber for. He answered, "Yes, my lord!"
"I'll give you one year to complete these three tasks. Go now, and bring your granddaughter here."
"Alright!"
Dugu Bo immediately vanished.
It was time to pick some Immortal Grass for his niece, Qian Renxue.
Qian Xunye had once obtained an ancient scroll in Slaughter City, which contained detailed records of various Immortal Grasses.
There was more Immortal Grass in this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well than he had imagined.
There were over a hundred mature Immortal Grasses alone, including several excellent ones for tempering the body.
Among the body-tempering Immortal Grasses, the most outstanding was undoubtedly Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
However, without someone she loved, Qian Renxue would be unable to absorb that Immortal Grass.
Drawing on his knowledge, Qian Xunye quickly found two Immortal Grasses for his niece: one to temper her body, and another to consolidate her foundation, nourish her vitality, and improve her level and aptitude.
He then picked several more Immortal Grasses and stored them on his person.
Qian Xunye smiled faintly. "Xiaoxue is currently a Level 34 Soul Elder. After absorbing the Immortal Grasses, her Soul Power may directly break through to Level 40. Once she has her fourth ring, I can also gain one level of Soul Power and break through to Level 92."
"Then I'll head to Holy Soul Village and kill that little bastard Tang Hao first!"
Several hours later.
Dugu Bo arrived with a seven-year-old girl.
The little girl had short dark-purple hair, green eyes, and a round, chubby little face. She was quite adorable.
This little girl was Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
She was seven years old this year, had Innate Soul Power Level 8, and was currently a Level 12 one-ring soul master.
"Yanyan, hurry. Pay respects to my lord."
Seeing someone her Title Douluo grandfather treated with such reverence, Dugu Yan did not dare be negligent. She bowed and said, "This junior, Dugu Yan, pays respects to my lord!"
"Come here, little girl."
Qian Xunye crooked a finger at her.
"Mm."
Feeling somewhat uneasy, Dugu Yan stepped forward.
"Dark Night Mark!"
Qian Xunye decisively planted it in her at once.
"Mmgh, ah!~"
Dugu Yan screamed as well, her delicate body trembling violently as fear filled her face. "Grandpa, what is happening? Yanyan hurts so much!~"
Dugu Bo hurriedly comforted her. "Yanyan, don't be afraid. This is normal. It will be over soon."
A moment later, Dugu Yan no longer felt any pain.
She had successfully received the Dark Night Mark.
Qian Xunye was now somewhat eager to find out how much energy a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo and a one-ring soul master like Dugu Yan would each provide whenever they advanced a level.
Current remaining Dark Night Mark slots: 90.
"Alright, Dugu Bo. Complete the tasks I assigned you. I will return in one year."
Dugu Bo clasped his fists with both hands. "Farewell, my lord!"
Qian Xunye transformed into a black shadow and vanished.
Dugu Bo could not wait to test the power of the Dark Night Mark. His face was filled with anticipation. "Dark Night Mark, first seal, release!"
Dark Night Power surged forth.
Dugu Bo's martial soul instantly darkened, transforming directly into the Dark Jade-Scaled Serpent Emperor.
His face lit up with delight. "The power of my martial soul has clearly grown stronger!"
"With my current strength, I should be able to fight a Level 92 Title Douluo!"
Dugu Bo's combat strength had originally been hindered by the poisonous backlash, preventing him from fully displaying the strength of a Level 91 Title Douluo. This change delighted him immensely.
"My lord said the second seal cannot remain open for long, or I will lose my sanity."
"I'll just feel it out and withdraw it right away!"
"Second seal, release!"
The dark moon pattern on Dugu Bo's back began emitting darkness, corroding his entire body. Soon, all his skin turned black, and even his eerie green hair became black.
His entire body exuded a dark, sinister aura.
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