The council hall.
Long Aoyu and the other two pushed the door open and entered.
Du Busi sat at the head of the table, with ten elders arrayed on either side. A rough, hand-drawn terrain map lay spread across the tabletop.
Elder Wei and Elder Zhao stood beside the table, still bearing the dust and weariness of travel.
The other elders were much the same, having just returned.
"Xiao Yu, Aotian, Na'er, come and sit." Du Busi beckoned.
Elder Wei glanced up at them, then lowered his head and pointed to a mark on the map. "A few disciples discovered this place first. They sent word to me and Old Zhao, and only then did we rush over."
Long Aoyu and the other two stepped forward to look at the map.
Elder Wei had circled that area with charcoal, with densely packed markings around it indicating the extent of the poisonous miasma.
"They didn't dare go inside."
Elder Wei looked serious. "A thick ring of poisonous miasma surrounds that valley. Its toxicity is extremely potent. After Old Zhao and I arrived, we discovered that someone had deliberately laid it down."
"Exactly!"
Elder Zhao nodded in agreement beside him. "Anyone capable of laying down a poison formation like that is definitely a Titled Douluo, so we came back first."
After hearing them out, Du Busi nodded.
"You're both Titled Douluo, but the other party's strength is unknown. You were right not to barge in. Alerting them rashly would only beat the grass and startle the snake."
"Xiao Yu, what do you think?"
Long Aoyu barely hesitated. "Since we've already found the place, let's just go straight there."
"No matter how potent that poison formation is, could it be stronger than your body's poison? Even if the person who laid it down came in person, what could they do?"
Du Busi's body Martial Soul contained extremely powerful toxins, far beyond anything the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's poison could compare to.
"Hahaha!"
Du Busi froze for a moment at his words, then burst into laughter, his deep voice resonating like a bell.
The ten elders laughed along with him.
"Xiao Yu is right." Jin Peng stroked his beard with one hand.
Elder Wei slapped the table outright. "Exactly! The sect master is a Level 98 Super Douluo. That little bit of poison isn't worth mentioning."
Satisfaction showed on Du Busi's strong-featured face as he swept his hand:
"Well said! That's my disciple for you!"
Du Busi paused. "All right, since we've found it, let's stop dawdling. Make your preparations. We leave in an hour."
"Old Wei and Old Zhao will lead the way. The other elders will stay and guard the sect."
"Yes!"
Jin Peng and the other elders answered in unison, then dispersed to prepare.
"Aotian, Na'er, do you two want to come along?" Du Busi looked at Long Aotian and Vina.
Long Aotian and Vina exchanged a glance.
They had long been burning with curiosity about the Immortal Herbs. Now that Du Busi had asked, they nodded almost simultaneously.
Long Aotian spoke first. "Yes! Of course!"
Vina stood beside him, clear anticipation showing on her cool face for once.
"I'd like to see them for myself too."
Seeing their expressions, Du Busi smiled and nodded, leaning his burly frame back against his chair. "All right, we'll go together, then. That'll spare you two an anxious wait here in the sect."
"All right, go get ready. Gather at the mountain pass in an hour."
"Yes!"
Long Aotian and Vina answered, then turned and hurried out of the council hall.
Only Du Busi and his disciple Long Aoyu remained in the council hall.
Du Busi stood, rolled his shoulders, and turned to Long Aoyu. "Come on. Take me to the infirmary to see that little girl."
Long Aoyu blinked. "Master, why are you going to the infirmary?"
"To see how her injuries are healing." Du Busi strode outside. "Besides, you still haven't told your master where that girl came from. Don't tell me you don't know."
Long Aoyu followed, briefly recounting Zhu Zhuqing's story as they walked.
"Her name is Zhu Zhuqing..."
Du Busi froze for a moment. "Zhu Zhuqing? Zhu Zhuqing, the God of Speed?!"
Long Aoyu nodded. "She's the second daughter of the Nether Duke's Mansion in the Star Luo Empire... The Zhu Family has intermarried with the Star Luo Imperial Family for generations and possesses an inherited Martial Soul Fusion Skill-the Hell White Tiger."
"You little rascal, you actually picked up a god and brought her home. You've got a good eye!"
Du Busi's face was wreathed in smiles.
As for whether the Star Luo Empire would retaliate after learning the news...
Du Busi did not take it to heart at all.
Was the Star Luo Empire strong?
An empire that vast did not even have a Titled Douluo. Even its Soul Douluos' Martial Soul Fusion Skill could, at most, rival an ordinary Titled Douluo.
Without the slightest exaggeration, he could suppress it with a single finger!
The infirmary.
Zhu Zhuqing had already woken and was leaning against the headboard, holding the bowl of medicine the old physician had just brought her.
"You're here." Hearing the door open, Zhu Zhuqing raised her head. When she saw Long Aoyu enter, the corners of her lips had only just begun to curve upward.
Immediately afterward.
Zhu Zhuqing saw a burly, strong-featured old man follow Long Aoyu inside. Her smile faltered slightly, and she quickly put down her medicine bowl and sat up straight.
Long Aoyu spoke first. "This is my master, Du Busi, the sect master of the Body Sect."
"I am Zhu Zhuqing. Thank you for saving my life, Senior."
Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly bowed her head in respect.
Du Busi walked to the bedside and looked her up and down. "Your injuries are healing well."
"Xiao Yu just told me about your situation. As for that Star Luo Empire nonsense, if you don't want to go back, then don't. The Body Sect can afford another mouth to feed." Du Busi's tone was very kind.
Zhu Zhuqing froze.
She had not expected this imposing old man to speak to her so kindly.
"...Thank you, Senior."
Du Busi waved his hand. "I-I only came to have a look. You two chat."
He turned to leave, then looked back at the doorway to add, "Xiao Yu, gather at the mountain pass in an hour. Don't be late."
With that, he strode away.
The infirmary fell quiet. Zhu Zhuqing looked at Long Aoyu and hesitated.
"You... are going out?"
"Yes, to Sunset Forest. There's something I need to do." Long Aoyu walked to the bedside. "If it's quick, I'll be back in two or three days."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Be careful, then."
Looking into her amber eyes, Long Aoyu smiled. "Don't worry. My master and two elders are coming too. It'll be perfectly safe."
"Is your master a Titled Douluo?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked hesitantly.
"You guessed right."
Long Aoyu smiled. "And not just my master. Both elders are Titled Douluos too."
"What?!"
Zhu Zhuqing was astonished.
As a legitimate daughter of the Nether Duke's Mansion, she knew all too well how powerful and rare Titled Douluos were.
The Star Luo Empire occupied half the territory of the Douluo Continent, yet did not have a single Titled Douluo. This Body Sect actually had at least three!
Zhu Zhuqing did not dare imagine any more.
"So your sect is that powerful..." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head.
She suddenly felt as though she was not worthy of Long Aoyu.
Hearing her words and seeing her lowered head and the fingers clenched around the bedsheet, Long Aoyu had a rough idea of what she was thinking.
"Don't let your thoughts run wild."
Long Aoyu sat on the edge of the bed and gently took Zhu Zhuqing's slender little hand.
"Focus on recovering. When I get back, I'll take you to Suotuo City."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him and remained silent for a while before softly murmuring, "Mm."
Although she said nothing else, her fingers loosened their grip on the bedsheet, and her shoulders were no longer as tense as before.
Long Aoyu stood. "I have to go. Remember to take your medicine on time."
"I will."
Before you continue