Visiting Dugu Bo and Encountering a Trio

In the eastern part of Heaven Dou City, Jun Yan stopped in front of a manor.

From the outside, the manor covered an enormous area, and its thick, imposing walls stood over four meters high.

Even ordinary nobles were not permitted to build walls so high. Clearly, the owner of this manor was no ordinary person.

A plaque hung high above the manor's six-meter-tall gatehouse, bearing two large characters: "Dugu."

In Heaven Dou City, only one Dugu could possess such a manor: Dugu Bo, famed for his poisons.

The master of the house was so notorious for his poisons that whenever people passed by, they hurried away, afraid some toxin might seep out from behind the walls.

Of course, Jun Yan was certainly not among them.

He strode up to the two guards at the gate and said, "Tell your master that an old acquaintance has come to visit."

One of the guards bowed to Jun Yan before saying, "You must be Lord Jun Yan! The master gave orders for you to go straight in when you arrived. There's no need to report it to him."

As he spoke, the other guard opened the gate and bowed, gesturing for Jun Yan to enter.

Jun Yan said no more and strolled straight into the manor.

He had just crossed the first courtyard when he came face-to-face with Dugu Bo.

At the sight of Jun Yan, a smile spread across Dugu Bo's face. "Brother Jun Yan, you've finally come. I've been waiting for you for ages."

Jun Yan immediately protested, "Brother Dugu, I set out for your home first thing this morning. The Martial Soul Sacred Temple is simply too far from here."

Dugu Bo's face stiffened. "So you're saying it's my fault?"

Jun Yan clapped his hands and said, "Isn't it? If you lived next to the Martial Soul Sacred Temple, I would have been here ages ago."

Dugu Bo shook his head. "That's not what I meant." He dropped the subject and led Jun Yan inside to sit down.

What Dugu Bo had meant at first was that Jun Yan had said he would visit him in Heaven Dou City, but had only come today, so he had waited a long time.

Jun Yan, however, had pretended not to understand, saying only that he had set out first thing in the morning and was a little late because the distance was too great.

Dugu Bo knew Jun Yan was pretending, which was why he had asked whether it was his fault.

Jun Yan's answer seemed to pin the blame on Dugu Bo, but it concealed an attempt to recruit him. After all, if Dugu Bo joined Spirit Hall, or even went to Spirit City, how could Jun Yan not visit him?

Dugu Bo understood what Jun Yan meant, but he had no intention of joining Spirit Hall and becoming someone else's subordinate. Naturally, he would not accept Jun Yan's invitation, so he simply ended the topic.

Of course, Jun Yan did not press the matter when Dugu Bo declined, and followed him inside. There was still plenty of time; there was no need to rush. Jun Yan had mainly come to grow closer to Dugu Bo.

Jun Yan and Dugu Bo chatted from morning until noon, and Jun Yan did not see Dugu Bo's son during that time. After lunch, Jun Yan took his leave of Dugu Bo and departed from Dugu Manor.

During their conversation, Jun Yan also learned that Dugu Bo had no plans to join any faction at present, so he did not bring up the invitation to join Spirit Hall again.

Even if a powerhouse like Dugu Bo, who possessed the ability to inflict mass destruction, could not be brought under his command, Jun Yan could not let him become his enemy.

But the current Dugu Bo could be said to have no weaknesses to exploit, so Jun Yan could only wait and try again another day. By now, however, he had already devised a plan in his mind.

After leaving Dugu Manor, Jun Yan exited the city through the eastern gate and headed straight for Sunset Forest.

The Jade of Life needed too much life energy. Relying on himself alone would take both effort and time, so Jun Yan decided to use some special means.

Jun Yan used Martial Soul Possession and, bolstered by Soul Power, raced toward Sunset Forest like a bolt of lightning.

He had traveled less than fifty li when he sensed a powerful and familiar life energy far ahead.

If Jun Yan remembered correctly, this energy should belong to the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin.

A smile appeared on Jun Yan's face. "What a coincidence. Yesterday they snatched the Soul Bone I had my eye on, and I said I'd make them pay me back with a better one someday. Now it seems I can collect some interest first."

Then he rubbed his chin and thought, But now isn't the time for Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect to fall out. I can't reveal my true identity; I'll have to act under another one.

He took a mask from his Soul Tool and put it on, then ran swiftly ahead.

After only a few steps, he saw Tang Xiao and his two companions far ahead on the road.

Tang Xiao and Tang Hao were both Soul Saints, and their perception was quite keen. They did not wait until an enemy was upon them to react.

"Who are you?" Tang Xiao faced Jun Yan and asked coldly.

As a precaution, he had already gripped his Clear Sky Hammer tightly, ready to strike the instant anything seemed amiss. Tang Hao did the same beside him, and the two subtly shielded Ah Yin behind them.

"Heh heh heh, you must be the Clear Sky Twin Stars, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao!"

Though the man's laughter was grating, and he did not sound like a good person, Tang Xiao still did not attack outright. Instead, he asked, "What do you want?"

"I heard you won a Soul Bone at an auction in Heaven Dou City yesterday. Might I ask you to hand it over to me? I would be most grateful."

At those words, the First Soul Ring on Tang Xiao's Clear Sky Hammer flashed. He leaped straight into the air and brought his hammer down on Jun Yan.

At the same time, he shouted, "Brother Hao, attack with me!"

But there was no need for his elder brother to give the signal. As soon as Jun Yan finished speaking, Tang Hao had already leaped forward, his great hammer smashing straight toward him.

Facing the two men's fierce assault, Jun Yan's eyes flashed purple, and he raised his right hand.

"Shinra Tensei."

A vast repulsive force burst from Jun Yan's palm in an instant.

Seeing Jun Yan's movement, Tang Hao cursed furiously, even as he hung in midair. "Arrogant! You dare face us brothers without even releasing your Martial Soul!"

Tang Xiao, on the other hand, realized something was wrong. "Brother Hao, be careful, don't-"

He was only halfway through his warning when he was sent flying backward, tumbling as he crashed to the ground.

What's going on? Tang Hao wondered in shock. A moment later, he too was sent flying backward, landing in a heap with his elder brother.

Tang Xiao had already climbed back to his feet. His body was exceptionally tough, and Jun Yan had only been testing his own ability, so Tang Xiao was unhurt.

No Soul Ring flashed. Is this a Self-Created Soul Skill? Or a Soul Bone Skill? Tang Xiao wondered.

Tang Hao also got to his feet and said to Tang Xiao, "Elder brother, there's something strange about this man."

"I know." Tang Xiao nodded gravely.

Jun Yan, meanwhile, had already sprung into the air. In the blink of an eye, he reached the two men and drove a heavy punch at Tang Xiao.