Half a Year, Dugu Bo

Time passed peacefully, and before he knew it, Ning Bei had been enrolled for half a year.

During this time, Ning Bei had not slacked off. His cultivation had reached Level 26. Of course, whenever anyone asked about his Soul Power, Ning Bei only said that he was at Level 23. After all, during Soul Battles, he only needed to release two soul beasts, so there was no risk of exposing himself.

Ever since Yu Tianheng obtained his Second Spirit Ring two months ago, he had begun challenging Ning Bei again. However, every time he faced Ning Bei's two soul beasts, he ended up beaten black and blue.

Yet he enjoyed it immensely, because his combat skills had improved by leaps and bounds through fighting the soul beasts.

That day, Dugu Yan also asked her teacher for leave and went back to have the Poison Douluo take her Soul Hunting for her Second Spirit Ring.

In fact, Ning Bei's Pill Pagoda already contained a snake-type soul beast suitable for Dugu Yan's Second Spirit Ring. It was just that releasing it in person would be difficult to explain.

During this time, he had grown quite familiar with Dugu Yan. The two of them often exchanged experiences in using poison. Ning Bei had obtained quite a bit of venom from his snake-type beast pets, and the Detoxification Pill also had a suppressing effect on these toxins. Ning Bei took out a Detoxification Pill and claimed that he had formulated the antidote based on the venom. He had to admit, he was being shameless.

But this successfully piqued Dugu Yan's interest.

Little by little, Ning Bei also steered the conversation toward how poison-type beast martial soul Soul Masters left toxins in their bodies during Martial Soul Possession.

However, Dugu Yan had not paid much attention at the time. Dugu Bo probably had not yet told her how serious the matter was. Presumably, he did not want her to live in fear at such a young age.

Three days later, Dugu Yan successfully obtained her Second Spirit Ring and returned to the academy.

When Ning Bei arrived at the classroom that morning and saw Dugu Yan already there, he expertly struck up a conversation.

"How was it, Yanzi? Is your Second Spirit Skill useful?"

Dugu Yan's expression was somewhat unpleasant. She glanced at Ning Bei beside her and said listlessly,

"It's all right. My Second Spirit Ring came from a 700-year-old Purple Scale Rattlesnake, which further strengthened the power of my snake venom."

Looking at Dugu Yan's low spirits, Ning Bei made a few guesses.

"Isn't that a good thing? Almost all your strength lies in your toxins. Now that they've been strengthened, your strength should have increased quite a bit too. Why do you look unhappy?"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan became even more miserable. Her eyes even glimmered with tears.

"What good is becoming stronger? You were right. The stronger the toxins of our family's Jade Scale Snake Martial Soul, the stronger the backlash against the Soul Master. My father died young because he couldn't suppress the snake venom."

"My grandfather told me this when we went Soul Hunting this time."

Ning Bei glanced at Dugu Yan's pupils. Their color did seem to have become slightly greener. It seemed the toxins of her Martial Soul had already begun affecting her body.

However, Ning Bei was secretly delighted. His half a year of planning had finally found an opening. Still, he could not appear too eager.

"Isn't your Grandfather a Titled Douluo who uses poison? Even he can't resolve your snake venom?"

Dugu Yan failed to see through Ning Bei's scheme. Thinking he was merely concerned about her, she shook her head dejectedly.

"There's no way. If it could be resolved, my father wouldn't have died from the backlash of the toxins."

"This..."

Ning Bei desperately forced out a sorrowful expression and comforted Dugu Yan.

"It's Okay. I'll ask my father and grandfathers when I go back another day. Perhaps they'll have a way."

A trace of gratitude appeared in Dugu Yan's eyes, but she did not think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have any way to deal with the toxins.

"Thank you, but there's no need to trouble yourself. Perhaps this is simply my fate."

Looking at the despondent maiden before him, Ning Bei nearly laughed inwardly.

"Isn't Senior Dugu's Martial Soul also the Jade Scale Snake? How did he survive the backlash from the snake venom?"

Dugu Yan thought for a moment before answering,

"Grandfather said that his toxins erupt from time to time as well. It's only through his powerful cultivation and the wonders of our family's medicinal garden that he can suppress them."

Here it comes. Ning Bei secretly exclaimed. Then, without revealing anything, he asked, "What medicinal garden? Can't you use it?"

Dugu Yan shook her head.

"It's a spring where ice and fire intersect, but Grandfather said that sometimes even he can barely withstand the spring's aura. There's no way a lowly Soul Grandmaster like me could come into contact with it."

Ning Bei thought for a moment and decided to lay his cards on the table.

"There's no need to wait until I return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and ask around. I think I may have a few ways."

Dugu Yan immediately looked at Ning Bei in pleasant surprise.

"Really?"

"Could I meet Senior Dugu? I think he'll be able to determine whether my methods will work."

Dugu Yan thought it over, then agreed to Ning Bei's request. She decided to take Ning Bei to find Dugu Bo after class that day.

The remaining classes were extremely agonizing for Dugu Yan. At the thought that there might be a way to resolve the toxins in her body, her heart burned with hope. But when she remembered that Ning Bei was only a Soul Grandmaster and that his methods might not be useful, she felt somewhat uneasy.

Still, they had to try. If there was a way out, who would be willing to wait for death?

At last, the homeroom teacher at the front of the classroom announced the end of class. The time that followed was for independent cultivation.

As soon as Dugu Yan heard that class was over, she immediately grabbed Ning Bei's hand and rushed straight out of the classroom amid everyone's suggestive gazes, leaving Ning Bei deeply embarrassed.

Several hours later, the two arrived at a small town near Sunset Forest.

After entering the town, they came to a small house. Dugu Yan pushed open the door and walked straight inside, then waved for Ning Bei to follow. Ning Bei followed her in.

"Grandfather, I'm back."

An old man dressed entirely in dark green appeared before them. His eyes were even more emerald-green than Dugu Yan's, and his hair was gray-white.

"Yanyan, today isn't a holiday, is it? And who is this?"

The old man was none other than Dugu Bo. His eyes held affection as he looked at Dugu Yan, though he was also puzzled by their visit.

"Grandfather, this is my classmate, Ning Bei. He says he has a way to resolve the toxins in my body."

After hearing his Granddaughter's words, Dugu Bo's gaze suddenly turned cold. His aura pressed down on Ning Bei, who stood beside Dugu Yan.

"Kid, tell me. What are your intentions in approaching Yanyan?"

The violent aura pressed Ning Bei's body into a stoop, and he cursed inwardly.

Damn, the Old Fellow really doesn't play fair. He attacks the moment he says he will.

Seeing her Grandfather's actions, Dugu Yan immediately grew anxious.

"Grandfather, don't! He's my friend. He only came with me because he was worried about me. If you dare hurt him, I'll never speak to you again!"

Upon hearing Dugu Yan's words, a trace of helplessness flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes. He shook his head and restrained his aura.

"Speak. What are your intentions? If I discover that you're plotting something improper, even if Yanyan hates me for it, I'll make you wish you were dead."

With the pressure suddenly gone, Ning Bei let out a long breath, wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead, and cupped his hands toward Dugu Bo.

"Senior Dugu, I truly came to meet you because I was worried about the toxins in Yanzi's Martial Soul."