Dugu Bo's Submission? Qian Renxue's Shock!

Dugu Bo looked up at the two of them.

"I am an offering of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"If I go missing, the imperial family will certainly investigate."

Tang Chen said, "Xue Xing saw Grandfather take you away with his own eyes."

"If the imperial family had the ability to save you, they would have followed long ago."

"You don't really think Xue Xing would offend a level ninety-five Super Douluo for your sake, do you?"

Dugu Bo fell silent.

Prince Xue Xing truly would not do that.

A Titled Douluo offering was extremely important.

But going to war with a level ninety-five Super Douluo would cost the Heaven Dou Imperial Family even more.

Tang Chen continued, "You also have a granddaughter."

"Dugu Yan."

Dugu Bo suddenly raised his head.

"This has nothing to do with Yan Yan!"

"If you want the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I can discuss it with you."

"Don't touch her."

Tang Chen's expression did not change.

"Whether it has anything to do with her depends on your choice."

"If you die here, then after Dugu Yan loses your protection, you should know better than I do what she will face."

Dugu Bo's fingers slowly clenched.

The golden chains gave a faint rattle.

He had no shortage of enemies.

They did not dare act now only because they feared the Poison Douluo's strength.

Once he died, Dugu Yan would inevitably be implicated.

Tang Yuan stepped forward.

Behind the old man, the massive phantom of a Golden-Clawed Bear slowly rose.

Its golden claws spread open.

The air around the wooden cabin swiftly solidified.

"Grandfather."

Tang Chen spoke.

"Don't kill him yet."

Tang Yuan stopped.

"Fine."

The Golden-Clawed Bear remained behind the old man.

Its five claws were only a few meters away from Dugu Bo.

As long as Tang Yuan raised his palm, both this wooden cabin and Dugu Bo would vanish together.

Dugu Bo looked at the Golden-Clawed Bear.

After a moment, he closed his eyes.

"I agree."

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well can be given to you."

"The herbs and spring in the valley will all be yours."

He opened his eyes again.

"But you must guarantee that Yan Yan will not be harmed."

Tang Chen nodded.

"As long as you honor the agreement, I won't touch her."

Dugu Bo looked at the chains around his limbs.

"Can you release me now?"

"Not yet."

Tang Chen rose to his feet.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is extremely valuable."

"I won't let you hand it over for nothing."

Dugu Bo froze for a moment.

He had thought Tang Chen would continue making demands.

"What do you intend to exchange for it?"

Tang Chen walked over to him.

"I can detoxify you."

Dugu Bo frowned.

"Detoxify me?"

"I am one of the strongest poison Soul Masters on the continent."

"What poison do you intend to cure me of?"

Tang Chen raised his hand.

A jade-green glow emerged from his palm.

The phantom of the Life Ancient Tree slowly condensed behind him.

A dense life aura filled the wooden cabin.

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison lying dormant within Dugu Bo's body immediately stirred upon coming into contact with the life aura.

The poison that had long entrenched itself in his meridians and bones began contracting toward the area around his dantian.

Dugu Bo lowered his head and sensed the changes within his body.

His expression swiftly changed.

"You know there is poison in my body?"

Tang Chen withdrew his life energy.

"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul cultivates poison arts, and toxins continuously accumulate as Soul Power increases."

"Your Martial Soul has already evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor."

"But the deadly poison within your Martial Soul has not truly fused with your body."

"Whenever the weather is cold and rainy, numbness and itching appear beneath your ribs."

"It flares up once at noon and once at midnight."

"Each episode lasts for more than an hour."

Dugu Bo did not speak.

There was not the slightest error in what Tang Chen had said.

"You also feel needle-like pain at the top of your head and the soles of your feet."

"The higher your cultivation, the deeper the poison accumulates."

"The agony during each flare-up will grow worse as well."

"This poison does not exist only in your body."

"The descendants of the Dugu Family's bloodline are affected too."

Tang Chen looked at him.

"Dugu Yan is still young, so her symptoms are not as severe as yours."

"Once her Soul Power continues to rise, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison will gradually invade her internal organs and bone marrow."

Dugu Bo's breathing became hurried.

"You even know Yan Yan's condition?"

"This poison comes from the Martial Soul and bloodline."

Tang Chen said, "As long as she inherits the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, she cannot avoid it."

Dugu Bo lowered his head and looked at his hands.

He had researched poison for many years.

Naturally, he had long noticed these changes in his body.

His children had failed to live peacefully into old age precisely because they had been affected by the Martial Soul's poison.

Now, Dugu Yan had become his only concern.

Over the years, he had constantly sought a way to resolve the bloodline poison.

Yet whether herbs or soul skills, they could only suppress it temporarily.

The herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were incomparably precious.

But Dugu Bo did not understand their true effects.

He did not dare let Dugu Yan consume them carelessly, much less gamble with his granddaughter's life to test their medicinal properties.

"Can you really cure it?"

Dugu Bo raised his head again.

Tang Chen said, "I can."

"Your poison has already seeped deep into your bone marrow."

"Removing it all at once is unrealistic."

"But with the Life Ancient Tree, I can gradually separate the poison from your meridians and internal organs."

"Then force the remaining poison into your Soul Bones."

"That way, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison will not disappear."

"Nor will your poison arts be affected."

"But your body will no longer need to endure the poison's backlash."

Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened.

"Force it into Soul Bones?"

"Soul Bones can store Soul Power, so naturally they can also bear toxins."

Tang Chen said, "As long as the Soul Bones are turned into vessels for the poison, you can continue cultivating."

"Dugu Yan's condition is simpler."

"The poison accumulated in her body is not yet severe."

"With life energy and suitable herbs, it can gradually be removed."

Dugu Bo gazed at the Life Ancient Tree behind Tang Chen.

During their earlier battle, he had already witnessed this power firsthand.

When the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison approached Tang Chen, it was swiftly purified.

That was no ordinary detoxification ability.

The Life Ancient Tree truly possessed an extremely powerful restraining effect against poison.

"How long will you need?"

"That depends first on how much poison has accumulated in your body."

Tang Chen said, "We'll decide the specific treatment once we reach the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Dugu Bo remained silent for a long time.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was indeed precious.

But he did not recognize most of the herbs in that valley at all.

Over the years, the valley's greatest use to him had merely been its special environment near the spring, which suppressed his poison.

If Tang Chen could truly resolve the bloodline poison, handing over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was not entirely unacceptable.

Dugu Bo raised his head and looked at Tang Chen.

"What is your condition?"

"Submit."

Tang Chen withdrew the Life Ancient Tree.

"From the day I detoxify you, you must submit to me completely."

"From then on, without my permission, you may not disobey my orders."

"If you agree, I will resolve the poison in both you and Dugu Yan."

"If you refuse, you will still hand over the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Dugu Bo's expression kept changing.

"You want a Titled Douluo to become your subordinate?"

Tang Chen looked at him.

"You may refuse."

The golden light outside the door brightened once more.

Tang Yuan gripped his wooden staff.

The Golden-Clawed Bear raised its massive paw.

Dugu Bo glanced at the old man, then looked back at Tang Chen.

"How do I know you are not deceiving me?"

"I can suppress your poison once first."

Tang Chen raised his right hand.

Life energy condensed into a jade-green leaf.

A leaf fell onto Dugu Bo's chest.

A jade-green glow swiftly entered his meridians.

The Serpent Emperor Poison that had accumulated over many years was immediately drawn forth.

Strands of poison seeped from his organs and bones, converging toward his right arm.

Dugu Bo could clearly feel the numb, itching sensation that had long plagued his ribs weakening.

The spots atop his head that frequently sent stabbing pain through him were also covered by a cool force of life.

In just a few breaths.

The pain that had tormented him for decades had actually eased somewhat.

Tang Chen withdrew his hand.

The jade-green leaf turned into motes of light and vanished.

"This is only the first suppression."

"To completely remove the poison, we will still need Soul Bones and the herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Dugu Bo examined his body again.

The poison that had just been drawn into his right arm had not disappeared.

But it had temporarily left his internal organs.

This proved that Tang Chen had not lied.

The Life Ancient Tree truly could separate the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison.

"Yan Yan can be cured too?"

Dugu Bo sought confirmation once more.

"Yes."

Tang Chen replied, "She has been poisoned for less time than you. Treating her will only be easier."

Dugu Bo closed his eyes.

After a moment, he slowly lowered his head.

"As long as you can cure this old man and Yan Yan."

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is yours."

"This old man's life is yours as well."

Tang Chen looked at Dugu Bo, who had lowered his head before him.

"Remember what you said today."

Dugu Bo raised his head.

"This old man will not go back on his word."

"If you can truly remove the poison from my bloodline, then whatever you ask this old man to do in the future, I will agree."

Tang Chen turned to Tang Yuan.

"Grandfather."

"Remove his chains first."

Tang Yuan raised his wooden staff.

The golden Soul Power binding Dugu Bo's limbs swiftly dissipated.

Dugu Bo regained his freedom.

He moved his arms, but did not summon his Martial Soul.

Tang Yuan remained standing before the wooden cabin.

Level ninety-five Soul Power had locked onto Dugu Bo's body.

Should Dugu Bo make any unusual move, the Golden-Clawed Bear would immediately bring down its paw.

Tang Chen looked at Dugu Bo again.

"Take me to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Dugu Bo rose to his feet.

"Alright."

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

A courtyard halfway up the mountain.

Tang Chen had just finished cultivating.

Three black Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet, then merged back into his body one by one.

He opened his eyes and slowly exhaled.

The Soul Power within him had returned to its peak.

Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

An academy teacher stopped at the entrance.

"Tang Chen, His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to see you."

Tang Chen stood up.

"Xue Qinghe?"

"That is correct."

The teacher nodded.

"His Highness is waiting for you beside Clear Lake in the academy's rear mountain."

Tang Chen looked toward Zhu Zhuqing beside him.

Zhu Zhuqing had just withdrawn her Nether Civet Martial Soul.

She wore black training clothes, her long hair tied behind her head, with several strands clinging to the sides of her face.

"I'll go with you."

Tang Chen shook his head.

"His Highness wishes to see only me."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him for a moment.

"I'll wait for you in the courtyard."

"Alright."

Tang Chen left the courtyard.

The academy's rear mountain.

Beside Clear Lake.

A man in a golden robe stood by the lakeshore.

He had long golden hair, handsome features, and a straight back.

He was Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Hearing the footsteps, Xue Qinghe turned around.

She saw Tang Chen approaching.

He wore white robes, with black hair falling across his forehead.

Tang Chen was tall and slender, with refined features and calm eyes.

Compared to the noble students in the academy dressed in luxurious attire, he carried less ostentation and more composure.

Xue Qinghe's gaze lingered on him for a moment.

She had initially only heard that a newcomer had arrived at the academy.

Fourteen years old, with level forty Soul Power.

All three Soul Rings were ten thousand years old.

He had even lasted five minutes under Poison Douluo's assault.

Yet after truly seeing Tang Chen, she still felt something unusual stir within her.

A person like this was indeed worth recruiting.

"Tang Chen?"

Xue Qinghe spoke first.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Tang Chen stopped by the lake.

Xue Qinghe raised her hand.

"There are no outsiders here. There is no need for such formality."

Tang Chen did not continue bowing.

Xue Qinghe looked at him.

"Do you know why I summoned you?"

"Because I endured Dugu Bo's attacks for five minutes."

"News travels quickly within the academy."

Xue Qinghe walked to the stone table by the lake and sat down.

"I heard that not only did you hold out until the end, you even blocked Senior Dugu's third soul skill."

"Just luck."

"Lasting five minutes against a Titled Douluo cannot be explained by luck alone."

Xue Qinghe pointed to the stone stool opposite her.

"Sit. Let us talk."

Tang Chen walked over and sat at the stone table.

A stone table stood between them.

The lake water rippled in the autumn wind.

Xue Qinghe looked at Tang Chen.

"I already know about your conflict with Xue Beng."

"Xue Beng is arrogant by nature and enjoys causing trouble."

"He lost face today, so he will not let this go easily."

Tang Chen picked up the teacup on the table.

"If he comes again, I'll deal with him."

Xue Qinghe's brow shifted slightly.

"You are not worried about the Heaven Dou Imperial Family?"

"The matter between Xue Beng and me is an internal dispute within the academy."

"As long as the imperial family is willing to follow the rules, I naturally will not provoke them first."

Tang Chen set down his teacup.

"If the imperial family refuses to follow the rules, then worrying will be useless."

Xue Qinghe looked at the person before her.

That calmness was not an act.

Tang Chen truly did not regard Xue Beng as a threat.

"The elder behind you is that level ninety-five Super Douluo?"

"He is my grandfather, Tang Yuan."

"The Golden-Clawed Bear Martial Soul?"

"Your Highness has heard of him?"

"Such a major event occurred in Heaven Dou City. Naturally, I needed to understand it."

Xue Qinghe did not continue asking how Tang Yuan had attained his cultivation.

She merely looked at Tang Chen.

"Why would a powerful figure like your grandfather sever ties with the Clear Sky Sect?"

Tang Chen fell silent for a moment.

"The Clear Sky Sect drove us out back then."

"My parents died for the sect, and my grandfather was injured for the sect as well."

"The sect did not investigate the truth before driving us out."

"Later, the sect even sent people to hunt us down."

Xue Qinghe's expression gradually turned serious.

"The Clear Sky Sect actually made such a decision?"

"They abandoned a Super Douluo, and they abandoned a genius like you."

Her finger landed on the stone table and lightly tapped it.

"The elders of the Clear Sky Sect are indeed shortsighted."

"They did not abandon me."

Tang Chen looked toward the lake.

"They merely believed that I was not worth keeping."

Xue Qinghe watched Tang Chen's profile.

The lake's light fell over his white sleeve, swaying softly with the rippling water.

When Tang Chen spoke of the Clear Sky Sect, his expression did not change much.

But precisely because of that, Xue Qinghe understood even more clearly what those experiences had left in his heart.

"What do you intend to do?"