A defiant pride immediately surged across Dugu Fu's face, and his voice rose a little. "Young Master, if we run into them in the semifinals, just wait and see."
"I'll show them what real strength looks like."
Chen Xiaojun did not grow angry. The amusement in his eyes merely deepened as he reminded him, "A Fu, I think obtaining your fourth soul ring has gone to your head."
"Remember, an arrogant army is bound to lose."
Dugu Fu's eyes darted, and he broke into a broad, ingratiating smile. "You're right to reprimand me, Young Master. I'll engrave every word you say deep in my heart. You're like a lighthouse on my journey, lighting the way ahead..."
"All right, all right, stop." Chen Xiaojun raised a hand to interrupt his flattery, one eyebrow lifting slightly. "Stop putting a tall hat on my head. Get to the point. What exactly are you trying to say?"
Dugu Fu chuckled and hurried behind Chen Xiaojun, eagerly kneading his shoulders and massaging his back as he wheedled, "Young Master, didn't you promise me that once I obtained my fourth soul ring, you'd help me exchange for the Ice-Crystal Star-Anise Stamen?"
Desire and anticipation flashed in his eyes. "With that treasure, my cold poison will definitely reach another level."
"Then I won't capsize when I face Ji Bingyan again, right?"
Chen Xiaojun chuckled. "You little rascal. Your head really is full of crafty schemes."
Zhu Wuneng also sidled over and chimed in with a grin. "Exactly, exactly, Young Master. This brat's belly is full of bad water. He's a sneaky bastard, a sly piece of work."
The Ice-Crystal Star-Anise Stamen Dugu Fu mentioned was like the Ninth-Grade Treasure Medicine he had previously consumed, the Flame-Heart Apricot-Jiao Spirit: both were derived from Bing Huo immortal herbs, and