Dugu Bo, Heartbroken Qian Renxue

Shen Qingling looked at him, his tone calm:

"You've been poisoned by the Jade Phosphor Serpent toxin, originating from your martial soul itself. The poison has accumulated in your organs and meridians over the years and has long since seeped into your bones.

If not for your Title Douluo cultivation suppressing it, you would likely have met the same fate as your ancestors and died from a poison outbreak long ago. Am I right, Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo?"

The smile on Dugu Bo's face instantly froze, and his emerald-green pupils suddenly contracted.

A storm surged in his heart. Both his identity and the source of his poison were secrets. Ordinary people only knew that he was skilled with poison; they had no idea of the backlash suffered by the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul.

This young man did not look old, yet he had seen through the source of the poison at a glance and even called out his title in one breath. He was definitely no ordinary soul master. Dugu Bo was wary, but also found it hard to believe.

Tang San stood behind Shen Qingling with his eyes wide open, his heart full of shock. He had not even recognized who the other party was, yet his teacher knew both the man's name and the poison in his body, explaining it all so clearly.

Tang San silently marveled. His teacher was too invincible. He knew so much and took such meticulous care of him.

It would be wonderful if Teacher could really be my father. As soon as the thought surfaced, he hurriedly suppressed it. Being able to become his teacher's disciple was already an immense blessing; he absolutely could not ask for more.

Xiao Wu also clutched the corner of her clothes tightly and quietly edged closer to Tang San. After hearing that the old man opposite them was a Title Douluo, she became extremely frightened by the aura she could sense from him. Normally, she would have fled far away already, but since their auras were concealed, what the hell was there to fear?

Dugu Bo took a deep breath and completely put away his previously dismissive senior's attitude. He stepped forward half a pace, his tone becoming much more solemn:

"You have sharp eyes, young friend. You even recognized this old man's identity. Since you can see through the root of my condition at a glance, then you must know the cure as well?"

He had spent half his life searching for a way to detoxify himself, trying countless medicinal herbs with little effect. Seeing Shen Qingling's confident expression now, a long-lost anticipation arose in his heart.

Shen Qingling spoke unhurriedly:

"Of course there is a cure. The Jade Phosphor Serpent toxin appears unsolvable, but in truth, all you need is a soul bone and a medicinal catalyst to force the poison out, gathering it all into a single soul bone for storage."

"The soul bone can store it, and it can also be used in battle to catch your opponent off guard."

Dugu Bo suddenly understood, feeling that the person before him was an exceptionally rare genius.

"Young friend, this truly is an excellent method."

Shen Qingling added, "The detoxification requires a medicinal catalyst, and it also requires the power of my wife and me."

Acupuncture could also be used, but the power of the Golden and Silver Dragon Kings could accomplish it completely. At worst, Bi Ji was still in Heaven Dou City and could lend a hand as well.

Dugu Bo nodded. "No problem. I have a place with quite a few immortal herbs. I believe you'll find them useful, young friend."

Of course, he also needed to bring Yanyan along. Yanyan happened to be at the residence.

Dugu Bo merely took one look at Shen Qingling's appearance. Calling him a peerlessly handsome man was no exaggeration at all, and he and his wife truly were a perfect match.

Without further delay, Dugu Bo led the way. They would first head to his residence, then to the herb garden in Sunset Forest.

Tang San continued holding Shen Qingling's large hand as they walked forward.

Gu Yuena had originally wanted to snuggle up to him, but when she saw Tang San's hand, her body stiffened.

This Little San is being far too direct. I need to remind him—I'm the wife, while you're the disciple, not the son!

Meanwhile, in the study of the Crown Prince's residence in Heaven Dou City.

Qian Renxue, dressed in the Crown Prince's usual attire, sat upright behind her desk, her brows carrying some of a young man's handsome dignity.

She had just finished handling two memorials and gently rubbed her brow with her jade-like fingers. "This is really exhausting."

The recently returned Porcupinefish Douluo entered carrying a food box and arranged the dishes from Heavenly Fragrance House on the table one by one.

"Young Master, the meal has been brought back."

Porcupinefish Douluo stood with his hands lowered at his sides, his tone somewhat hesitant.

Qian Renxue raised her eyes and said blandly, "Put it down."

She had just picked up her chopsticks when Porcupinefish Douluo spoke again.

"Young Master, I saw that person at Heavenly Fragrance House today."

Qian Renxue paused and looked up at him. "Who?"

Who was he talking about so mysteriously, as if he could say it but also couldn't?

"Young Master Shen—the Young Master Shen you often mention."

The chopsticks in Qian Renxue's hand lightly tapped against the rim of her bowl. She abruptly sat straighter, undisguised delight appearing on her normally composed face as her voice rose several notes. "What did you say? Big Brother? He's in Heaven Dou City?"

Over the years, she had infiltrated the Heaven Dou imperial palace. On the surface, she was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, but in secret, she had never stopped searching for Shen Qingling's whereabouts.

That brief time together in her childhood had been one of the few bright colors in her bleak youth. She had searched for him for seven or eight full years, believing that he had long vanished into the sea of people. She never expected news of him to suddenly arrive.

"Yes, I absolutely could not be mistaken." Porcupinefish Douluo nodded, though his tone grew even more hesitant. "Young Master Shen remains as graceful as ever and seems to be doing well, but..."

"But what?" Qian Renxue's heart tightened, and an ominous premonition faintly arose. "Speak plainly. Don't hesitate."

Porcupinefish Douluo bowed, lowering his voice further:

"Young Master, there was also a woman by Young Master Shen's side. I heard him personally introduce her as his wife, surnamed Gu. That madam is extremely powerful. She merely glanced at me, and I could barely catch my breath."

As soon as the words fell, the study instantly went silent.

The smile on Qian Renxue's face froze completely. She sat there as if turned to stone, her fingertips growing slightly cold.

Her mind was blank, with the two words "his wife" echoing over and over.

She had searched for him for so many years and thought of him for so many years. At long last, there was news of him, yet what awaited her was the fact that he had already married. It felt as though something had lodged in her chest, leaving her suffocated and flustered.

She had always believed that once she found Big Brother, they could at least be close as they had been in childhood. She never imagined that someone else had long since taken her place by his side.

Porcupinefish Douluo lowered his head and did not dare speak, afraid of angering his young master.

He had followed his young master for many years and naturally knew Shen Qingling's place in her heart. Learning so suddenly that the man had started a family would be difficult for anyone to accept.

After a long while, Qian Renxue slowly withdrew her gaze and picked up her chopsticks again, though her fingertips trembled faintly.

Her voice returned to its usual calm, without the slightest trace of emotion. "Understood. Where is he now?"

"When I left, they had just finished their meal and were heading toward the western side of the city."

"Leave." Qian Renxue lowered her eyes, concealing the tumultuous emotions in them. "Do not spread word of this."

"Yes." Porcupinefish Douluo bowed and withdrew.

Only Qian Renxue remained in the study. She looked at the table full of exquisite dishes, yet had no appetite at all.

Big Brother, why did you marry so soon?

Xue'er still wanted to complete her infiltration and personally tell you the truth. Even if I had to offer the Heaven Dou Empire as a betrothal gift, I would be willing!