Heaven Dou City!

"I would like to ask Chrysanthemum Douluo to accompany me."

Bibi Dong fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Granted."

"I'll have Chrysanthemum Douluo prepare. You'll leave first thing tomorrow morning-remember, do not force the matter. If he has no interest, just find out his background."

"Yes, Teacher! I dare to ask that you accompany me to Heaven Dou City as well!"

"Hmm?"

At this, Bibi Dong's fingers abruptly stopped moving. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes before turning into scrutiny. "You want me to go with you?"

She leaned forward slightly, her splendid papal robes rippling with a dark golden sheen. Her voice was quiet, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Heaven Dou City lies in the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire, with a branch stationed there. For ordinary matters, Chrysanthemum Douluo's company is more than sufficient."

"You should know that if I went in person, it would cause too great a stir. It would only put the Heaven Dou Imperial Family on guard, and the losses would outweigh the gains."

She paused, her gaze settling on Su Yu with a hint of inquiry. "Do you think Chrysanthemum Douluo alone cannot hold the situation in check? Or do you have something else in mind?"

The air in the hall seemed to congeal a little. Shadows cast by the candlelight swayed faintly across the walls, making their silhouettes brighten and dim.

"Teacher, you are the Pope. If you came along, Dugu Bo would feel how highly we at Spirit Hall value him. Perhaps that would increase the chances of him joining us!"

After hearing him out, Bibi Dong lightly tapped the armrest, a thoughtful glimmer passing through her eyes.

She slowly shook her head, her tone calm but allowing no argument. "Your thinking is not wrong, but you must learn to weigh your actions."

"As Pope, every word I speak and every move I make concerns Spirit Hall's standing and plans."

"Heaven Dou City is the foundation of the Heaven Dou Empire. If I acted rashly, it would inevitably touch the nerves of every faction-the Heaven Dou Imperial Family,

"the Upper Three Sects' covert agents, and even the Star Luo Empire would turn their eyes toward us."

"Stirring up the continent's political situation to recruit a single person would cost more than it gained."

She raised her eyes to Su Yu, her gaze deep. "Showing someone that we value him does not necessarily require the highest-ranking person to appear in person."

"Chrysanthemum Douluo is a Titled Douluo. Having him accompany you already gives all the honor Spirit Hall can offer."

"Besides, Dugu Bo is aloof and proud. What he dislikes most is elaborate ceremony and people using authority to pressure him."

"If I went, he might not take it as a sign of respect. Instead, he might grow resistant and think we were using our power to force his hand."

O

"You need only remember that the way to recruit someone is to appeal to his tastes, not flaunt your strength." Bibi Dong's voice softened a little.

"Go. Take your sincerity with you. If he refuses, do as I said and find his weakness. There is no need to rush."

Su Yu bowed. "I understand. I will follow your teachings, Teacher."

"Good. You may leave. Chrysanthemum Douluo will come find you tomorrow morning!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

The next morning-

"Your Highness Su Yu! It's time to depart!"

"Uncle Ju, let's go!"

Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo boarded the carriage and set off for Heaven Dou City. In just one day, they arrived.

The carriage rolled steadily into Heaven Dou City. The jolts of the flagstone road traveled through the carriage, carrying something of the old city's distinctive weight.

Shops lined both sides of the streets, and pedestrians wove back and forth like shuttles. Compared with Spirit City's solemn grandeur, this place had more of the bustle of everyday life.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan waved his folding fan as he surveyed the streets through the carriage window, his usual faint smile on his lips. "Heaven Dou City is livelier than the rumors suggested. A pity there are so many undercurrents beneath all this prosperity."

Su Yu nodded. "It is the imperial capital, after all. The various factions' roots and branches are tangled together. We must act more cautiously."

The carriage stopped outside the Spirit Hall Branch. Though the branch was not as magnificent as the main hall, it was imposing nonetheless.

The guards at the entrance immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo's token.

"Prepare a visiting card and have it delivered to Dugu Bo's residence!" Su Yu instructed the branch steward.

"Say that Su Yu of Spirit Hall has come expressly to pay Senior Dugu Bo a visit."

Not daring to delay, the steward promptly agreed.

A short while later, the gilt visiting card was ready, its respectful wording written in tiny, precise regular script.

"Have someone deliver it to Dugu Manor." Su Yu handed the visiting card to the steward.

"There's no need to press him. Just wait for his reply."

Back in their temporary guest quarters, Chrysanthemum Douluo poured himself a cup of tea and drawled, "That old poison's temperament is strange. He might not see us. If he leaves us hanging, what do you intend to do?"

Su Yu sat by the window, looking out at the street. "Wait. If he won't see us, it means he still has reservations."

"If he does, that will be our opportunity. We have plenty of time. There's no need to rush."

"Uncle Ju, whether we can get Dugu Bo to join Spirit Hall will depend on you!"

"Me? Your Highness Su Yu, I really don't quite understand what you mean!"

"Uncle Ju, you've fought Dugu Bo a few times. Haven't you noticed what's wrong with him?"

"Your Highness, do you mean that old poison's body?"

"Yes, Uncle Ju. Although the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor is a powerful martial soul, it carries toxins of its own."

"Every time he uses Martial Soul Possession, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's toxins enter its user's body!"

"Dugu Bo has used his martial soul for so many years. Those toxins have probably spread throughout his entire body by now!"

He paused, as though recalling something, and a meaningful smile curved his lips. "I fought him a few times in previous years. Although he pretended nothing was wrong,

"I could smell that foul, poisonous scent he couldn't suppress from a long way away."

"That smell only appears when the toxins turn against their user. That old bastard certainly knows how to endure it."

"It's not that the old fellow can endure it. He probably has something that can suppress the toxins in his body!"

"But we'll have to meet him before we can find out what it is."

Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo settled into the Spirit Hall Branch. Meanwhile, at the Second Imperial Prince's Residence in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Ci Xue and Yu Long walked up to a room and knocked on the door.

"What is it?"

A gentle male voice came from inside.

"Young Master, someone has come from the Holy City!"

The moment the door opened, a faint fragrance of ink mingled with the scent of books greeted them.

The young man wore a moon-white brocade robe. He had handsome features, and a composure beyond his years rested between his brows.

His eyes were clear yet deep, as though they could see through people's hearts. He stepped aside, his voice still gentle. "Come in. Close the door."

Ci Xue and Yu Long bowed as they entered, reaching behind them to close the door.

The room was simply furnished: a table, a chair, and a couch. An unfinished landscape painting hung on the wall.

The ink in the inkstone was still steaming. Clearly, the young man had just been practicing calligraphy.

"Who came from the Holy City?"

The young man walked to the table, picked up a paperweight, and placed it on the rice paper, his movements unhurried.

Ci Xue stepped forward and said quietly, "His Highness Su Yu, accompanied by Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.

"They have already settled into the Spirit Hall Branch. Yesterday, they also sent a visiting card to Dugu Manor. They seem to intend to recruit Poison Douluo."