Poison Douluo Dugu Bo

Li Xun surveyed the hard-to-find treasure trove before him.

The spring was divided in two. One half was blood-red, sending up rolling waves of heat that scorched his face. The other was icy blue and clear as a mirror, its chill waters veiled in wisps of white mist.

The red and blue waters met at the center of the pool, yet a sharp boundary held them apart. Neither seeped into the other. Neither mingled. It was a marvel.

A natural herb garden spread around the spring. Countless rare flowers and plants grew freely, their vivid blossoms vying for attention.

A crimson lingzhi grew beside the pool, its whole body fiery red, faint flame patterns drifting across its petals. Not far away, a cluster of snow-white orchids bloomed quietly. Their petals were lustrous and translucent, releasing threads of cold air. Farther off, a golden herb rose from the earth like an exquisite pagoda, its leaves covered in fine, mysterious natural markings.

Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Snow-Colored Swan Kiss, Narcissus Jade-Muscle Bone...

Many Immortal Herbs Li Xun knew by name came into view, though there were even more he had never seen and could not identify.

A rich medicinal fragrance filled the valley. As he breathed it in, a warm, gentle force seemed to flow through his entire body. Even his Soul Power rose slightly without his noticing.

While the three of them were absorbed in the wondrous sight of Immortal Herbs everywhere, an aged voice echoed through the valley, edged with menace.

"Let me see who's so reckless that they dare trespass on the Poison Douluo's territory."

As the words faded, a thin, hunched figure emerged in the distance.

He wore a dark green robe, with disheveled gray hair hanging loose and a gaunt face. His eyes glowed faintly green, and wisps of poisonous mist flickered around him. It was Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo swept a cold gaze over Tang Hao, Li Xun, and Tang San. Soul Power surged quietly within him as green Jade Phosphorous Serpent venom spread around his body. His eyes were full of hostility.

"Is the Poison Douluo supposed to be strong?"

Tang Hao looked at Dugu Bo calmly, a contemptuous smile tugging at his lips.

Before the words had faded, immense black Soul Power erupted from him. A massive, heavy Clear Sky Hammer appeared out of thin air, gripped firmly in his hand.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red. Nine Soul Rings rose one after another beneath his feet and circled him. When the blazing red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring appeared, the might of a Super Douluo swept violently through the valley, bending the surrounding herbs beneath its pressure.

At the sight of the famous Clear Sky Hammer and that dazzling red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, Dugu Bo's heart sank.

He recognized the newcomer at once—Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao.

This is bad. Dugu Bo knew he had run into someone he could not beat. If they fought, he would be no match for Tang Hao. But his pride as a Titled Douluo would not let him back down, and he refused to show weakness.

Green venom coiled around him. His gaze turned icy as he said in a low voice:

"Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao! Why have you trespassed on my territory in the middle of the night? If you don't give me an explanation, then even if I can't beat you, those two youngsters beside you..."

He let the threat hang. His eyes shifted pointedly toward Tang San and Li Xun, leaving little doubt about what he meant.

"Dugu Bo, don't you dare!"

At Dugu Bo's threat against Tang San and Li Xun, fury flashed in Tang Hao's eyes.

He raised his arm, lifting the weighty Clear Sky Hammer above his shoulder. Layers of dark golden light gathered across its head as terrifying power built within it. Fierce winds whipped through the valley.

Tang Hao was preparing to strike in earnest. The Clear Sky Hammer was already gathering force, and the overwhelming pressure rushing toward him made Dugu Bo's heart race.

But the Poison Douluo's pride would not let him retreat. Without hesitation, he summoned his Martial Soul.

Brilliant green light flared as the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul appeared, its chilling, venomous aura surging upward.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black. Nine Soul Rings rose in succession beneath his feet and revolved around him. Green poisonous mist churned as he resisted the crushing might pouring from Tang Hao.

The two sides stood on the brink of battle. Li Xun's heart tightened.

He could not let Tang Hao and Dugu Bo actually fight. Tang Hao was immensely strong, but the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's venom was almost impossible to guard against. If a fight broke out, Dugu Bo's survival was uncertain, but Li Xun and Tang San would definitely be poisoned to death.

Li Xun immediately stepped forward and called out:

"Uncle Hao, wait!"

Tang Hao paused with the Clear Sky Hammer raised, and the immense power he had gathered slowly subsided.

Every gaze fell on Li Xun. Facing Dugu Bo and the poisonous mist surrounding him, he cupped his fists in greeting. Calm and composed, he said:

"My name is Li Xun. I expect you've heard of me, Senior Poison Douluo!"

"Li Xun?"

Dugu Bo frowned in confusion. How does this boy dare step in while two Titled Douluo face off?

Then a name struck him. His pupils contracted. "You're Li Xun, the future Asura God?"

The situation seemed absurd. He had been planning to track the boy down, only for Li Xun to come straight to him.

He turned his gaze to Tang San and quickly reached a conclusion. Then this must be Sea God Tang San from the Heavenly Screen.

"That's right, Senior Poison Douluo. I'm the Li Xun shown on the Heavenly Screen."

Li Xun answered calmly. Rather than say more, he summoned his Martial Soul to prove his identity.

Four beams of sword light shot skyward. The Immortal Executing Sword, Immortal Trapping Sword, Immortal Severing Sword, and Immortal Slaying Sword floated behind him. Sword energy swept through the air, cutting apart even the poisonous mist around them.

The four swords hung behind Li Xun, radiating the faint, overwhelming killing intent of weapons that could hold down the ages. They were the inherited Martial Soul already revealed on the Heavenly Screen: the Four Swords of Zhu Xian.

Dugu Bo's pupils narrowed. He had no doubts left about Li Xun's identity. Much of his hostility and wariness vanished at once, and the poisonous mist around him quietly receded.

He withdrew his poison arts and spoke in a gentler tone. "Since it's you, young friend Li Xun, I won't ask any more questions. What brings you here so late? If it's within my power, just say the word."

He knew the boy before him was the future Asura God foretold by the Heavenly Screen, as well as the one his granddaughter Dugu Yan would one day fall for. He saw no reason to stand on his dignity as a Titled Douluo when he could do the boy a favor.

Hearing Dugu Bo's tone soften, Li Xun breathed a sigh of relief. He came straight to the point.

"Senior Poison Douluo, I know there's a flaw in the Dugu family's Martial Soul. I can help you fix it."