Spirit City, the Pope's Palace.
Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, clad in green robes and black armor, entered the palace alone. He bowed to Bibi Dong and said:
"In my early years, poison Qi plagued my body and gave rise to karmic obstructions, leaving me unable to tell right from wrong. Fortunately, Spirit Hall's Holy Son Xiao Yan saw worth in me and, setting our past grievances aside, tailored a method of transforming poison into a core for me. By luck, I swept away every trace of the poison afflicting me and broke through the chasm of level ninety-five. Such a great kindness must be repaid. Holy Son Xiao Yan invited me to become a guest elder of Spirit Hall and offer it my humble service. What do you think, Your Holiness?"
Bibi Dong had already received a letter from Xiao Yan describing everything he had done at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and telling her all about his recruitment of Dugu Bo as a guest elder of Spirit Hall. To Bibi Dong, it was wonderful news.
Dugu Bo had long been famous. Though he had only been at level ninety-two, placing him among the weakest Titled Douluo, his poison arts were unrivaled under heaven, and he excelled at fighting groups. Even if his poison could not do much damage to a Titled Douluo, it could still harass one, and in a battle between Titled Douluo, a moment's distraction could decide the outcome. Dugu Bo could be called a gold-medal support in a group battle between Titled Douluo. Moreover, with Xiao Yan's help, Dugu Bo had now reached the level ninety-five Peak Douluo realm, making him a core force even among Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo. Not only had his Soul Power reached new heights, but his skill with poison had also surpassed what it once was. It would do more than harass Titled Douluo now; it was a genuine bone-melting poison. For Bibi Dong to realize her great ideal, she had to secure the support of the vast majority of Spirit Hall's forces, and Dugu Bo's addition would greatly strengthen both her forces and her voice. How could Bibi Dong not beam with joy at this moment?
"Elder Dugu, there is no need for such courtesy. Spirit Hall has always looked forward to your joining us. Your arrival makes Spirit Hall's glory shine all the brighter," Bibi Dong declared. As Pope, she naturally had to reassure such an expert who had come over to her side with words, followed by high office and generous pay. She had been Pope for many years, so it was hardly surprising that she knew such simple tactics. Still, Dugu Bo had come alone, and Bibi Dong was naturally puzzled and worried. Though she had not yet realized she felt that way, it was clear that, after such a long separation, she missed her disciple, the Holy Son Xiao Yan, who had rendered great service.
"Elder Dugu, where is my disciple Xiao Yan? Why didn't he come back with you?"
There it was. Dugu Bo scratched his long beard and, somewhat awkwardly, began telling everyone what had happened a few days earlier.
Time returned to several days after the Poison Pill Method had succeeded.
"Xiao Yan, brat, what are you doing?"
Dugu Bo watched Xiao Yan writing and drawing while looking at the various Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, as though conducting some sort of research, and asked in bewilderment.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at him. Instead of answering his question directly, he joked around in an infuriatingly teasing tone. "Old Poison, who are you calling a brat? You've already decided to join Spirit Hall. Do you think that's an appropriate way to address me? Shouldn't you call me 'Your Highness the Holy Son'?"
"Tch, then why don't you call me 'Elder Dugu'? Brat, you're lucky I'm patient with you. If anyone else dared to talk so wildly, I'd have poisoned him until he wished he were dead," Dugu Bo said indignantly.
"Old Poison, you're not even as good with poison as I am. Why should I call you elder? You should be glad I call you Old Poison. Or would you rather be called Old Monster? Besides, I call my Grandpa Chrysanthemum that too."
"He..."
"And my Grandpa Ghost, my teacher..."
"..."
Dugu Bo had no answer. Seeing Xiao Yan's smug smile made him even angrier, but he could not lay a hand on him, so he could only squat on the ground and sulk. Xiao Yan could not help laughing at the sight. He patted Dugu Bo on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"You're level ninety-five now. Even if you still can't beat my Grandpa Chrysanthemum, he won't be able to give you a one-sided beating anymore. But if you really can beat him now, spare his life for my sake."
Dugu Bo abruptly shook Xiao Yan's arm off his shoulder and turned his face away. "You don't need to tell me that. Old Chrysanthemum has never tried to kill me all these years. I haven't sunk that low."
"See? You two don't have any blood feud. Neither of you intends to take the other's life, so why can't you get along peacefully?" Xiao Yan said with a smile. "You'll be part of Spirit Hall from now on, so you're bound to see my Grandpa Chrysanthemum. Better to settle your differences sooner rather than later." With that, Xiao Yan stood, patted the dust off his clothes, and said:
"As for how we address each other, let's just keep calling each other what we always have. I rather like calling you Old Poison. It makes us sound close. What do you think?"
Dugu Bo looked a little unhappy, but he really had no better solution. In his heart, he also felt much more comfortable calling him "Xiao Yan, brat" than "Your Highness the Holy Son." Having to call Xiao Yan His Highness the Holy Son would be worse than killing him. So he could only say helplessly, "All right, we'll keep calling each other what we always have." Then he could no longer quite control the corners of his mouth and broke into a smile. "You brat, what on earth are you up to?"
"I'm studying what these Immortal Herbs do. It's only because you, Old Poison, are all show and no substance. After all these years, you still haven't figured out how to use them, so I have to do it myself."
"Hey, you brat." Provoked by Xiao Yan's taunt, Dugu Bo forgot his status, dropped to the ground, and began studying the herbs' medicinal properties and uses. By the time the two rose, the sun was setting in the west again. Fortunately, with the knowledge Xiao Yan had gained from refining medicine in his previous life and Dugu Bo's years of experience with poison and medical principles, the two had managed in a single day to work out the functions and uses of nearly every herb in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"All right, that finishes the book." Xiao Yan set down his brush and handed the handwritten book to Dugu Bo. It was the fruit of their entire day's work. It recorded not only the functions, medicinal effects, methods of use, and precautions for every Immortal Herb in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but also included an illustration of each herb. "I think this book might be passed down for a hundred generations. Old Poison, how about I put your name down as coauthor?"
Dugu Bo did not take the bait. He was lamenting how much time he had wasted. If he had put on fewer airs and carefully studied the wondrous uses of these Immortal Herbs sooner, he could probably have discovered them on his own by spending a few more days. Yet he had insisted on maintaining the airs of a Titled Douluo. If Xiao Yan had not come, he probably would never have discovered the herbs' functions and uses before he died. "Sigh... being too proud really does get in the way of things."
"Old Poison, how about we discuss something?" Xiao Yan suddenly spoke up. Startled, Dugu Bo replied casually, "What is it?"
"I'd like to take a few of your Immortal Herbs. I haven't been back to Spirit Hall in so long; I should bring back some gifts, shouldn't I?"
Dugu Bo nodded repeatedly. Indeed, now that he had pledged himself to Spirit Hall, he could hardly arrive empty-handed. Among the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Family, he was one of the strongest, but his standing in Spirit Hall would plummet. Of course, Spirit Hall's cultivation resources and theoretical system far surpassed those of the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Family, so perhaps he could reach even greater heights there. But although he was important in Spirit Hall's eyes now, he was not irreplaceable. Naturally, it would be better to bring something and show more goodwill.
"Xiao Yan, brat, which Immortal Herbs do you plan to choose?"
"Hmm... first, Yan absorbed my Green Lotus Core Flame Child Flame, and his Martial Soul went through another evolution. He's probably reached the threshold of a top-grade Martial Soul. But his Flame Lord has the dual attributes of earth and fire. If he becomes an expert someday, its flame may meet the standard, but he's only at the five-ring realm now. His cultivation is too low, making the flame impure, with too many impurities. He can't bring out even a tenth of the Green Lotus Core Flame Child Flame's power, wasting a lot of energy for nothing. I think this cockscomb phoenix sunflower suits him best. Its medicinal properties greatly nourish pure yang and can directly purge the fire poison and impurities from his Martial Soul, bringing about a qualitative change in Yan's Flame Lord Martial Soul. With its help, my Green Lotus Core Flame Child Flame can also grant Yan an opportunity. Old Poison, remember to tell Yan that he must swallow it whole. If he chews it even once, a good deal of its medicinal power will be wasted."
With that, Xiao Yan tossed the scarlet-gold, cockscomb-shaped Immortal Herb to Dugu Bo, who caught it in a fluster before placing it in a jade box and storing it in his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse.
"Next is Big Brother Xie Yue. It's been so long since I saw him. I wonder how his cultivation is now." A trace of wistfulness appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes. Clearly, he missed his friends back in Spirit Hall very much. "This aromatic silk beauty was formed by absorbing the convergence of the many extremely cold and scorching energies of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It is a herb king worthy of the name, able to identify and command the spiritual things of the world. After taking it, one can absorb the essence of heaven and earth and the radiance of the sun and moon. Big Brother Xie Yue's Martial Soul, the Moon Blade, is also a treasure-type Martial Soul. With this Immortal Herb's help, not only will it complement his Martial Soul, but it can also evolve his moon attribute. It's impossible to say what heights he might reach later!"
Xiao Yan then used a gold implement to remove the aromatic silk beauty, placed it in a jade box, and handed it to Dugu Bo.
"Hey! This is a singular velvet sky chrysanthemum!" Xiao Yan suddenly cried. "Old Poison, you've fought my Grandpa Chrysanthemum for so many years, yet you don't even recognize his Martial Soul? This Immortal Herb has been in your garden for so long, and you never noticed?"
Dugu Bo said nothing in embarrassment. Indeed, all these years, he had failed to notice that the herb quietly rooted in his garden was his archenemy's Martial Soul.
"How about giving this to my Grandpa Chrysanthemum?" Without giving Dugu Bo a chance to change his mind, Xiao Yan plucked the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum and tossed it to him.
"Lastly, there's Senior Sister... It's been so long since I saw her. I really don't know if she's doing well. I don't know whether Senior Sister loves anyone deeply enough, so this Lovesick Heartbreak Red might not work for her. To be safe, I'll take this narcissus jade muscle bone as well. If she can't use the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, then settling for the narcissus jade muscle bone would be good too. The two have similar effects: both nourish the sinews and bones, let Qi flow through the seven meridians and eight extraordinary vessels, and significantly improve the efficiency of Soul Power circulation and cultivation speed. The narcissus jade muscle bone can also give the skin a jade-like luster. After taking it, one gains ice-like skin and jade-like bones and becomes enchantingly alluring. It will be quite helpful to Senior Sister's charm techniques too. This is the one."
Xiao Yan then picked the two Immortal Herbs and handed them both to Poison Douluo.
"Then..."
Xiao Yan condensed flame into a needle and pricked his finger. A drop of fresh purple-gold blood emerged and lingered in the air, seemingly containing an infinitely weighty power.
"Please give this drop of essence blood to my Senior Sister as well, Elder Dugu. Although I still don't know what bloodlines I carry, I'm certain they are exceedingly noble dragon bloodlines. They will definitely be extraordinarily beneficial to a Beast Martial Soul like Senior Sister's."
Dugu Bo nodded solemnly. Whenever Xiao Yan called him "Elder Dugu," it was at a moment of great importance. As the only person who had personally witnessed Xiao Yan awaken his third Martial Soul, Dugu Bo naturally knew of the supreme dragon bloodlines within him. This matter had far-reaching implications, and even he had to take it seriously. Moreover, essence blood was clearly vital to a Soul Master of Xiao Yan's level, not something that could be extracted casually. Dugu Bo saw that Xiao Yan's presence had grown much weaker and his face was gradually turning pale. Clearly, this drop of blood was not something he could casually give away either.
Xiao Yan noticed Dugu Bo's worried look and forced a smile. "Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing, Old Poison." With that, three tiny Core Flames of different colors rose from Xiao Yan's palm and flew to Dugu Bo's side, each seemingly containing the immense power to destroy heaven and earth. "These are the three Heavenly Flame Child Flames I promised you. Once I give them to you, our deal will be complete."
Before this, Xiao Yan had already cultivated the Bodhi Heart fragment in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. With the aid of the power of heaven and earth that this place provided to plants, the Bodhi Heart fragment would be able to produce a steady supply of Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva in just a few years. Xiao Yan had also given Dugu Bo the cultivation method for the Poison Pill Method, and these three Heavenly Flames were the final step in their deal.
"Unfortunately, your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul is of the extreme yin attribute, while my Heavenly Flames, even the Netherworld Poison Flame, are of the extreme yang attribute. Your attributes repel theirs, so forcibly absorbing them would probably harm you instead, leaving you mired in fire poison. Fortunately, merely controlling the Child Flames of these three Heavenly Flames will naturally be no difficulty for a Titled Douluo like you. I've branded a mark within each of the three Child Flames. In the future, members of your Dugu Family can use these marks along with a fire-control method to control them too. I'll give you the fire-control method as well."
Xiao Yan then tossed him a scroll. Written in Xiao Yan's own hand, it recorded in detail every fire-control method he currently knew. As for how much the Dugu Family could learn, that would depend on their own fortune.
Dugu Bo placed the three Child Flames in jade bottles and stored them in his Storage Soul Tool. With the marks Xiao Yan had provided, they would not run amok inside the Soul Tool. Then he gave Xiao Yan a deep bow, but said nothing.
Xiao Yan knew his temperament and understood his gratitude, so he said nothing more.
After a while, Dugu Bo seemed to recall something and suddenly asked, "Little Monster, aren't you coming back with me?"
"What, you're that old and still need someone to keep you company?" Xiao Yan smiled, then continued gently, "I'm not going back yet. There's something I have to do."
With that, Xiao Yan spread the bone wings on his back and vanished from Dugu Bo's sight in the blink of an eye. Only a sentence drifted back from afar, forming a lingering echo.
"Old Poison, Elder Dugu, see you at Spirit Hall."
Dugu Bo smiled helplessly, then leaped into the air and set off for Spirit Hall.
"I see..." Bibi Dong looked thoughtful, but clearly, no one knew where Xiao Yan had gone.
By now, Dugu Bo had given the Immortal Herbs Xiao Yan had selected to the three of them. The three bowed to him and said, "Thank you, Elder Dugu."
Dugu Bo waved a hand and smiled. "If you want to thank someone, thank that Little Monster friend of yours."
Then he took out the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum and held it out to Chrysanthemum Douluo.
The two old enemies had been in the same room for so long, and at last one of them spoke to the other.
"Take it?"
Dugu Bo's tone was cold, plainly saying Yue Guan could take it or leave it. Yue Guan did not indulge him either. He snorted coldly and walked out as though no one else were present.
"Elder Ju..." Bibi Dong sighed. Clearly, she had no solution to the grudge the two old men had borne for half their lives. But after Yue Guan opened the doors of the Pope's Palace, he did not go out. He turned his head, glanced sideways at Dugu Bo, and said softly:
"Old Poison, fight me one last time. After that, whether one of us lives and the other dies, or we prove evenly matched, all our grievances will be settled. What do you say?"
"That Immortal Herb can be the extra stake in this final match."
Dugu Bo said nothing, only nodding gently. But clearly, the grudge these two old enemies had borne for half their lives was about to end today.
"Good!" Bibi Dong stood and said with pleasure, "Then let this exhibition match announce to the world the joyous news of Elder Dugu joining Spirit Hall. Both of you, remember to stop before either is hurt."
With the Pope having spoken, the fight could no longer reach the point where "one lived and the other died." Its greatest purpose was to give the two old men, both concerned with saving face, a graceful way out.
Then everyone in the palace streamed out to the square to watch the friendly match between the two Peak Douluo.
Where no one noticed her, Hu Liena had been walking at the very back of the crowd. Then, as everyone streamed out, she stayed behind in the Pope's Palace.
In the pitch-dark hall, Hu Liena spat a mouthful of heart blood from her red lips onto the white flower. Yet, when Hu Liena's thoughts stirred slightly, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red merely swayed gently and never fell into her hand.
Seeing this, Hu Liena shed two clear tears from her beautiful eyes. Holding the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, she murmured:
"Junior Brother Xiao Yan..."
"I miss you. Do... do you miss me?"
Meanwhile, far from the people of Spirit Hall, in the Great Soul Arena of Heaven Dou Imperial City.
Seven sturdy young men lay covered in wounds on the ground. Each of them had a five-ring cultivation, yet all they could do now was grit their teeth and seethe helplessly, unable to stand again and attack the youth.
Across from them, a huge, mottled Black Ruler stood upright in the ground, its tip buried in the floor. Atop the Black Ruler, a black-robed youth stood on one foot with his hands behind his back and declared:
"With strength like that, you dare call yourselves a Gold Soul Fighting team?"
"If that's all you're capable of, don't come up here and make fools of yourselves."
The surrounding spectators howled as though they had gone mad. They watched in excitement as the youth, since entering the arena, had slain gods and buddhas alike if they stood in his way, defeating countless seven-man teams without a single loss. And he was just one person.
All the remaining teams shouted "Kill him!" as though they had gone mad, yet not a single team dared step forward and pull the black-robed youth's dragon whiskers again.
"If none of you dare, then let me try."
A cool female voice rang out. It was not loud, yet it clearly carried over the deafening Great Soul Arena and reached everyone's ears.
Xiao Yan raised his head and looked toward the owner of the voice.
She was an exceedingly pretty and beautiful young woman holding a long spear.
The young woman stepped onto the stage, her high heels clicking pleasantly against the fine-iron Soul Fighting platform.
She raised her hand toward Xiao Yan, the long spear in it pointing straight at his face, and said softly, "Please."
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, bowed to her, and said with a smile:
"Please."