Subjugation and a Clean Sweep

"How dare you! Who dares trespass on my territory!"

Poison Douluo Dugu Bo burst out of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his face blazing with anger. Just moments ago, he had sensed that someone had broken through the poison formation he had set up. This was the only place where he could ease the poison in his body, and whoever had come, he would not let them off easily.

Yes, that was indeed what he had thought, right up until the moment he saw Xu Tianxing.

"Crimson Sun Douluo, there doesn't seem to be any bad blood between us. May I ask why you've suddenly intruded on my territory?"

Upon seeing who had come, Dugu Bo's tone immediately softened, and he asked with a hint of caution. His poison had flared up during the war among the three great empires, so he had not taken part in the fighting.

He had, however, witnessed several battles from a distance, and one of them had involved Crimson Sun Douluo Xu Tianxing. With only level 93 Soul Power, Xu Tianxing had held his own against Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo at the same time.

More terrifying still was the Level 9 Soul Tool in his hands, the Scarlet Sun Cannon. While fighting Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, he had also managed to severely injure Snake Lance Douluo. If Sword Douluo had not arrived in time, Spirit Hall would likely have suffered a crippling blow.

Xu Tianxing could not be bothered with Dugu Bo's show of weakness. As far as he was concerned, no amount of talking was as useful as beating him up first.

But just as Xu Tianxing displayed his Soul Rings, Dugu Bo took the initiative to disperse the poisonous gas around him and gave a couple of helpless, bitter chuckles. Fiery attributes naturally countered his poison attribute to begin with, and on top of that, his opponent had higher Soul Power and a Soul Tool to assist him. Rather than throw his life away, he might as well face reality.

Better to die later than sooner. If he left now, at least he could make arrangements for Yanyan before he died.

Seeing Poison Douluo prepare to leave with death written all over his face, Xu De and Xu Tianxing were both dumbfounded. Wait, he was just leaving like that?

A hired hand with someone he cared about was naturally not someone Xu De could let slip away for nothing.

"Poison Douluo, you're just leaving like that? Don't you want to save your own life and your granddaughter's?" Xu De asked slowly, looking at Dugu Bo's retreating figure.

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up at those words. He had lived for many years, after all, and naturally understood what the other party meant. He had already given up the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, so what else could they want from him? Nothing but the strength he possessed.

He did not belong to any faction to begin with. If risking his life for the Sun Moon Empire could save his granddaughter and even resolve this hidden danger for future generations of the Dugu Family, why wouldn't he?

"My life doesn't matter, but if you can save my granddaughter, young friend, then I, Dugu Bo, am willing to spend the rest of my life in your service!"

Xu De looked at Dugu Bo, who was willing to kneel before him for his granddaughter's sake. Rather than launch a verbal assault, he tossed over a palm-sized dark green sphere. Dugu Bo caught it, but a puzzled look appeared on his face. Clearly, he did not understand what Xu De meant by this.

"This is called an Energy Storage Pearl. It's a type of offensive Soul Tool. Before I set out, I specifically asked my father to have the one in your hand custom-made. It can store poison for use in attacks, though one pearl will only last you a year. As for your granddaughter, I, the crown prince, have my own way to cure her completely."

Though Xu De spoke calmly, Dugu Bo looked excited. He raised the dark green sphere and drew on the poison in his body, pouring it inside...

Gone, all gone. Some of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison that had plagued him for nearly his entire life really had been absorbed. His strength had not declined either, and the pearl had gained power equivalent to a casual strike from him. It was practically a divine artifact!

With such a powerful Soul Tool to assist them, he could not imagine what Spirit Hall and the others could use to resist the Sun Moon Empire's invasion. If he joined now, he might even become a minister who had followed the dragon to the throne.

At that thought, Dugu Bo dropped to both knees and performed a deep bow to Xu De. "I, Dugu Bo, swear my undying loyalty to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

As for a way to cure Dugu Yan completely, since the crown prince said he had one, then he had one. Even if he did not, it would not be unacceptable to keep alleviating her condition with this method.

After gaining Dugu Bo's loyalty, Xu De could not help showing some delight. This trip had gone far too smoothly, and he had essentially accomplished what he had set out to do: subdue Poison Douluo, take away all the Immortal Herbs growing here, and, most importantly, snatch Xiao Wu first. He could be said to have achieved his goals perfectly.

"Uncle Tianxing, Senior Dugu, next, you two collect these Immortal Herbs according to the method I give you."

Just as Xu De was busily transplanting the Immortal Herbs, elsewhere, Tang San had also arrived safely at Nuoding Academy under Tang Hao's guidance. On the way, however, Tang Hao's expression had grown uglier the deeper they went into Nuoding City.

As a Titled Douluo, his perception was naturally extraordinarily keen. He could clearly sense that there were no fewer than two Titled Douluo and five Soul Douluo in Nuoding City at that moment.

In the past, he naturally would not have feared them. They were only two Titled Douluo who had just reached level 90. Even if he was not at his peak, he could have escaped unscathed, and he paid the Soul Douluo even less mind. But now he really did not dare try.

Never mind the two Titled Douluo-even against five Soul Douluo equipped with those miraculous Soul Tools, he did not dare make a rash attempt. He had Xiao San with him now. If they really opened fire, he would be injured, but Xiao San would definitely lose his life.

"No, she's not here. How could she not be here? How is that possible!" Tang San looked almost mad. He had searched all of Nuoding Academy, yet he had found no sign of Xiao Wu.

Looking at his frenzied son, Tang Hao could not help reaching out to hold him still. "Xiao San, calm down. Remember, before you do anything, keep your heart calm."

If Xu De had been there, he would surely have argued with Tang Hao. Are you even fit to say that? Does a thing like calm have anything to do with you?

After Tang Hao comforted him, Tang San gradually calmed down. He had been too fixated.

The fact that he had not found Xiao Wu might actually be a good thing. This was the Sun Moon Empire's territory, after all. If Xiao Wu had really come here, she might well have been captured by the Sun Moon Empire's people already. She was a Soul Beast, after all.

Xiao Wu must have noticed something was wrong and gone back to the Star Dou Great Forest. Yes, that must be it! Xiao Wu, wait for me a while! I'll definitely go to the Star Dou Great Forest to find you!

Putting his worries about Xiao Wu aside for the moment, Tang San pondered for a while before finally deciding to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and seize the Immortal Herbs first.

With Tang Hao's strength, Old Poison most likely would not be a match for him. After seizing the Immortal Herbs, Tang San could help Old Poison cure his poison and trick him and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well into his hands.

That way, his side would have two Titled Douluo-level fighters. With the help of the Immortal Herbs and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he could grow quickly himself, then find Xiao Wu, Boss Dai, and the others and rebuild the Shrek Seven Devils.

Only then did Tang San notice something else strange: where was Grandmaster? Xiao Wu was gone, but why was Grandmaster gone too? Could the Sun Moon Empire have learned of Grandmaster's "illustrious reputation" and "invited" him to the Sun Moon Empire?

At that moment, not far from Nuoding City, Xu De and his party, having stripped the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well bare, were aboard a Flying Ship bound for the Sun Moon Empire. After all, Xu De's status meant he could not leave the imperial city for too long before he possessed great strength.

Nuoding City lay directly on their route.

Xu De glanced beside him. Xiao Wu was still fast asleep, showing no sign of waking.

Alas, it looks like I finished too quickly. But I can't be blamed for that. I wanted to take longer too. However, the Sunset Forest was close to Heaven Dou Imperial City, and Xu Tianxing really could not defeat Sword Bone Douluo working together at present, so Xu De had had no choice but to finish quickly.

At the bow, Dugu Bo was continuously using the Energy Storage Pearl to absorb the poison in his body. Xu De did not disturb him. He walked all the way through the Flying Ship and finally stopped at the stern.

"Gangzi, you've got some backbone. You've been beaten here for three days without saying a word. I underestimated you on that count."

This was a makeshift cell. At Xu De's express instruction, the dilapidated cell looked completely out of place against the splendid decorations around it.

Locked inside was none other than Yu Xiaogang, one of the must-eat names on the Douluo list. Yu Xiaogang lay in the cell, his eyes filled with despair. Only when he saw Xu De approach did he hurry to the edge of the cell, gesturing with both hands and feet.

"Oh? You still dare mock me when you're locked up? You lot, don't give him dinner tonight. And from now on, remember to sprinkle salt on the whip when you beat him. I want to see where Gangzi's limit is."

Watching Gangzi gesticulate at him, Xu De looked a little surprised. Did I misjudge him? Does this guy actually have a hard bone in his body?

Hearing the guards around them answer in unison, Yu Xiaogang's face filled with terror. I was clearly begging for mercy!

You people have been beating me for three days without saying what you want to ask or what you want me to do-you just keep beating me! And when you captured me, some bastard came right up and dislocated my jaw. I'm begging you, at least look at me!

Xu De naturally paid no attention to Gangzi's inner thoughts. As the Flying Ship passed over Nuoding City, however, his Sun Moon Divine Eyes unexpectedly activated on their own and guided him to the edge of the boat. Though Xu De did not understand exactly what was happening, he chose to follow his heart, walked to the side, and looked down.

At the same time, Tang San also involuntarily looked up at the Flying Ship from within Nuoding Academy.

Their gazes crossed. The difference was that Tang San could only see the Flying Ship, while Xu De could see everything below with perfect clarity: Nuoding Academy, a frail six-year-old child, and a dejected middle-aged man.

With such obvious features, even a fool could have guessed who those two were. Tang San, oh, Tang San, I didn't go looking for you, yet you came right to my doorstep yourself, did you?