Planting the Dark Night Mark! Founding a New Faction? Night Temple

"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."

"At that time, even a mere Soul Elder could kill you."

"So this is also one of my means of controlling you. But as long as you sincerely pledge loyalty to me, this ability to control you will be no different from 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 can also consider helping you solve the problem of the poisonous backlash from your Jade-Scaled Serpent martial soul."

"W-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 method of using soul bones as containers, 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 that tears nearly welled up in his eyes. "If my lord can truly cure the poison in both me and my granddaughter, I, Dugu Bo, will pledge my life in loyalty to you and never harbor a second thought!"

"Anyone can say pretty words. You must prove them through your actions."

"I will now assign you three tasks. If you can complete every one of them properly, not only can I greatly increase your strength, 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 further control you?" Qian Xunye shot him a glance. "If you betray me, I can simply kill both of you. Why would I need control?"

"Bring your granddaughter here. This will bring her nothing but benefits."

Dugu Yan possessed decent talent, at least Innate Soul Power Rank 8. Anyone who reached Innate Soul Power Rank 8 was qualified to receive a Dark Night Mark.

Moreover, Dugu Yan was only seven years old, and her path as a soul master had only just begun. If the mark were planted now, every level she gained would provide Qian Xunye with energy. In the future, as she steadily advanced to the realm of a Titled Douluo, she would continue bringing 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 found a faction of his own.

As for Spirit Hall, if not for his niece Qian Renxue, he would never return there.

Even if Qian Daoliu wanted him to take the position of Pope, Qian Xunye would not care for it.

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 master, and you will temporarily serve as the Grand Elder."

"The Night Temple will be built here in Sunset Forest. Find a suitable location and arrange for a construction crew to begin building."

"Within a short time, recruit a group of obedient soul masters for me. Also recruit talented teenage soul masters from outside. They must have at least Innate Soul Power Rank 8. The slogan will be: A Titled Douluo is not a dream!"

"Night Temple? A new faction... A Titled Douluo is not a dream!?" Dugu Bo hesitated for a moment 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, one should speak less and do more.

Dugu Bo did not ask what Qian Xunye wanted Whale Rubber for and simply answered, "Yes, my lord!"

"I am giving you one year to complete these three tasks. Go now, and bring your granddaughter here."

"Understood!"

Dugu Bo immediately vanished.

It was now time to pick immortal herbs for his niece Qian Renxue.

Qian Xunye had once obtained an ancient scroll in Slaughter City, which contained detailed records of various immortal herbs.

There were even more immortal herbs in this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well than he had imagined.

There were over a hundred mature immortal herbs alone, including several highly effective body-tempering herbs.

Among the body-tempering immortal herbs, the finest was undoubtedly the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

However, without someone she loved, Qian Renxue would be unable to absorb this immortal herb.

Based on his knowledge, Qian Xunye quickly selected two immortal herbs for his niece: one for tempering her body, and one for strengthening her foundation, nourishing her vitality, and improving her level and aptitude.

He then picked several more immortal herbs and carried them on him.

Qian Xunye smiled faintly. "Xiaoxue is currently a Rank 34 Soul Elder. After absorbing the immortal herbs, her Soul Power may directly break through to Rank 40. Once she obtains her fourth soul ring, I can also gain another level of Soul Power and break through to Rank 92."

"Then, I will head to Holy Soul Village and slaughter that little bastard Tang Hao first!"

A few hours later.

Dugu Bo arrived with a seven-year-old girl.

The little girl had short dark-purple hair, a pair of green eyes, and a round, chubby little face. She was rather adorable.

This little girl was Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

She was seven years old this year, possessed Innate Soul Power Rank 8, and was currently a Rank 12 one-ring soul master.

"Yanyan, quickly, pay respects to my lord."

Seeing how respectful her Titled Douluo grandfather was toward this person, Dugu Yan did not dare be negligent. She bowed and saluted him. "This junior, Dugu Yan, pays respects to my lord!"

"Come here, little girl."

Qian Xunye crooked a finger at her.

"Mm."

Dugu Yan stepped forward with some unease.

"Dark Night Mark!"

Qian Xunye decisively planted it in her at once.

"Mmgh, ah!~"

Dugu Yan cried out in pain as well. Her delicate body trembled violently, and her face was filled with fear. "Grandpa, what is happening? Yanyan feels terrible!~"

Dugu Bo hurriedly comforted her. "Yanyan, don't be afraid. This is normal. It will be over soon."

A moment later, Dugu Yan was no longer in pain.

The Dark Night Mark had successfully been planted in her as well.

Qian Xunye was now rather curious. How much energy would Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, provide when he advanced one level, and how much would Dugu Yan, a one-ring soul master, provide when she advanced one 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 hands and bowed. "Farewell, my lord!"

Qian Xunye turned into a black shadow and vanished.

Dugu Bo could not wait to test the power of the Dark Night Mark. His face was full of anticipation. "Dark Night Mark, first seal, release!"

Dark Night Power surged forth.

Dugu Bo's martial soul instantly darkened, directly transforming into the Dark Jade-Scaled Serpent Emperor.

His face was filled with delight. "The power of my martial soul has clearly grown stronger!"

"With my current strength, I should be capable of fighting a Rank 92 Titled Douluo!"

Dugu Bo's combat strength had originally been hindered by the poisonous backlash, preventing him from fully displaying the combat power of a Rank 91 Titled Douluo. This change delighted him immensely.

"My lord said that the second seal cannot remain open for long, or I will lose my mind."

"I'll just experience it for a moment, then immediately withdraw it!"

"Second seal, release!"

The dark moon pattern on Dugu Bo's back began radiating darkness, corroding his entire body. Soon, all the skin on his body turned black, and even his eerie green hair became black.

His entire body exuded a dark, sinister aura.