The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Is Mine

"Fine, I'll eat it, all right? Ouch, young friend, one look at you tells me you're destined for great things. Don't hold a grudge against an old man like me..."

Dugu Bo pleaded and wheedled for ages before Lu Chuan reluctantly tossed the Poison-Locking Pill back to him.

Dugu Bo snatched up the pill and swallowed it without the slightest hesitation.

The pill dissolved as soon as it passed his throat. A potent yet gentle medicinal force surged through his body, swirling in his lower abdomen before slowly flowing into every limb and bone.

Before he could savor the feeling, Lu Chuan raised a hand, channeled his Soul Power, and cast his poison-guiding technique.

Pale Soul Power slowly enveloped Dugu Bo, guiding the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison raging inside him toward a single point.

Feeling the poison drawn from his body, Dugu Bo shuddered with pleasure.

It was as though he had been brought to the brink for decades and had finally found release.

"Ahh~~"

Half an hour later, all the poison in Dugu Bo's body had been absorbed into the Poison-Locking Pill.

A dark green bead slowly revolved within his Dantian.

"Phew—done. From now on, the Poison-Locking Pill will keep absorbing the poison in your body."

Ding! Congratulations to the host on completing client Dugu Bo's commission.

Dugu Bo will work under the host: he cannot harm the host in any way and is compelled to carry out the host's orders.

Whoa. So this was the reward for making someone work for me.

Wasn't this basically a Command Spell from the Holy Grail War? And a permanent one at that.

Lu Chuan rubbed his chin and tested it with an order.

"Dugu Bo, squat down and turn in a circle."

"What? Brat, you think... H-hey?!"

Dugu Bo was about to berate him, but before he could finish, his body slipped beyond his control.

His knees bent, and he squatted obediently on the ground. Then he shuffled in a circle on the spot.

He desperately summoned his Soul Power to regain control. It circulated normally, but his body refused to obey.

"What did you do to me?! Why can't I control my body?!"

Dugu Bo was shocked and furious. Horror filled his eyes as he shouted while helplessly turning in circles.

Lu Chuan smiled faintly.

"Remember the contract you signed? It's governed by rules. Once both parties complete the transaction, they have to abide by it.

"Didn't Xue Qinghe tell you? He already knew when he traded with me."

Dugu Bo froze. Then anger shot straight to his head.

He finally realized Xue Qinghe had done it on purpose! Xue Qinghe had used him to test this brat and watched him jump straight into the fire pit.

"Damn that Xue Qinghe! How dare he set me up!"

Dugu Bo growled through gritted teeth, furious and full of regret.

He had finally escaped the torment of the poison in his bloodline, only to find himself shackled and at Lu Chuan's beck and call.

"All right, stop. Now I order you not to harm me or anyone close to me, directly or indirectly, in any form. You can't even speak ill of us, and you can't... (another twenty thousand words omitted)"

Lu Chuan counted off his fingers. Only when he was sure he had blocked every possible loophole did he nod in satisfaction.

"That's all."

Dugu Bo nearly coughed up blood in anger. Lu Chuan hadn't left him a single opening!

He took a deep breath, forced down his despair, and swallowed his pride to plead through gritted teeth.

"I accept it! But can we agree to leave my granddaughter out of this?"

Lu Chuan waved a hand and gave Dugu Bo a reassuring look.

"Don't worry. I'm an honest businessman. Why would I go after your granddaughter?"

"Good! You have my thanks!"

Dugu Bo's feelings were a tangled mess. He hated this so much he wanted to go back and slap his past self twice.

If he had known the contract had this kind of binding power, he would have haggled for a fixed term of service no matter what.

Instead, he had signed away the rest of his life.

The mighty Poison Douluo would have to obey a young man's every whim from now on. The thought left Dugu Bo seething, yet he had no way to resist.

Lu Chuan smiled and patted Dugu Bo on the shoulder.

Dugu Bo would be useful. His cultivation might not be especially high, but his ability to spread poison was a terrifying deterrent on Douluo Continent.

Your sect's Titled Douluo is powerful? Fine. He can leave your sect with nothing but that Titled Douluo alive.

"Oh, and bring your granddaughter over later. I'll cure her poison."

At those words, Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. All his resentment and frustration vanished.

His granddaughter's life was at stake. He refused to waste another second.

"Why wait? I'll go right now!"

Afraid Lu Chuan might change his mind, he unleashed his Titled Douluo Soul Power and shot toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy with a sharp rush of wind, moving at top speed.

Lu Chuan shook his head. The old man really was impatient.

Zhu Qing's safety was now assured, and he had gained the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and its Immortal Herbs.

All that remained was to find the Immortal Herb Illustrated Catalog.

Should I get it from Little Scumbag or Chrysanthemum Douluo?

With the trade contract, neither could give him a fake or incomplete copy. Either would do.

But he already had a grudge against Little Scumbag. He absolutely couldn't give the brat anything useful. He could trade information about the brat's mother for it, or trick him into accepting some junk.

Heh heh heh~

Meanwhile.

At the Crown Prince's Residence, Xue Qinghe frowned at Snake Lance Douluo.

"Uncle She, what happened with Dugu Bo? Did something go wrong with his Martial Soul?"

Snake Lance Douluo shook his head and answered honestly.

"I don't know. I didn't dare get close enough to eavesdrop, but I clearly heard Dugu Bo shout at the end that you had set him up, Young Master."

Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow. His grave expression relaxed at once, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Heh. Looks like that crooked merchant got Dugu Bo too. Leave him be. The moment I used him, this outcome was inevitable."

Not only had he tested Lu Chuan's strength, he had dragged Dugu Bo down with him.

Ah, watching someone else suffer a loss too feels wonderful.

Then he put away his smile and ordered,

"Go to Spirit Hall in my name and request Spirit Bones. The more, the better. Get some precious herbs too. That crooked merchant must have plenty of good things."

Snake Lance Douluo paused, then cupped his hands.

"Young Master, the Pope might..."

Xue Qinghe's gaze turned cold.

"Uncle She, Spirit Hall belongs to my Qian Family. She doesn't get to call the shots! If she refuses, go to my grandfather!"

"Yes. I'll go at once."

Snake Lance Douluo bowed to accept the order. Not daring to say more, he flickered into the hall's shadows and departed without a sound.

Xue Qinghe was left alone in the hall.

He slowly closed his eyes and let out a long breath, releasing the anger pent up in his chest. His fingers loosened.

The two halves of a broken writing brush fell with a clatter and rolled across the brocade-covered desk.

Hands clasped behind his back, he stood silently before the window and gazed at the scenery outside.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Dugu Yan was training with her teammates.

A figure descended through the air, and Dugu Bo's voice rang out.

"Yanyan! Come with me, quickly!"

Dugu Yan froze at the sound and turned toward Dugu Bo, who had arrived in a rush.

She could clearly sense that her grandfather's entire bearing had changed.

"Grandpa? What happened? Why the hurry?"