Dugu Yan's Invitation
However, Yan Zu changed the subject, his tone gentle yet firm. "But, we, the ' Dawn ' team, are afraid we will have to disappoint you both."
"Why?" Qin Ming was taken aback, Yu Tianheng also frowned. They hadn't expected to be rejected.
"There are several reasons," Yan Zu frankly, explaining the reasons he and his teammates had analyzed the previous night in a more tactful way. "Firstly, the five of us are used to freedom and like to explore cultivation and combat methods that suit us. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy has a well-established system with strict rules, and we worry that we might not be able to fully adapt, which could actually restrict our actions."
"Secondly," he looked at Yu Tianheng, "We were fortunate to defeat the Imperial Fighting Team yesterday. Joining now might cause some embarrassment and controversy, both for us and for the senior members of the Imperial Fighting Team. We would rather be friends, competing fairly and helping each other in future matches, than having past issues create barriers within a team."
"Thirdly," Yan Zu's gaze deepened, "We have some of our own ideas and paths we want to try. While the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is undoubtedly a top-tier platform, we want to see different scenery and find a more suitable environment for our growth."
After listening, Qin Ming remained silent for a long time. He sensed the sincerity and independent will in Yan Zu's words. This maturity and self-assurance beyond his years made him both regretful and admiring.
He knew that such geniuses often had stubborn insistence that could not be forced.
Yu Tianheng understood Yan Zu's meaning. Although he felt it was a pity, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In any case, someone who could resist such temptation and stick to their own path deserves respect.
"I understand." Qin Ming sighed, but a smile remained on his face. "Everyone has their own ambitions, and we can't force things. Although it's a bit of a pity that we can't be teacher and student or teammates, I hope we'll always be friends. In the future, if you need any help in Heaven Dou City, don't hesitate to come to me."
"Thank you for your understanding, Teacher Qin." Yan Zu bowed again.
Despite the invitation being declined, the atmosphere wasn't awkward, and the group chatted about Soul Master cultivation and the sights and sounds of Heaven Dou City. During this time, Dugu Yan seemed to have something to say but ultimately remained silent.
As noon approached, Qin Ming, Yu Tianheng, and the others rose to take their leave. Dugu Yan hesitated for a moment, then whispered to Yu Tianheng, "Tian Heng, you and Teacher Qin go back first. I... have something I want to say to Yan Zu alone."
Yu Tianheng gave Dugu Yan a strange look, then glanced at Yan Zu, hesitated for a moment, and nodded. "Okay, we'll wait for you downstairs."
Qin Ming smiled understandingly and left with Yu Tianheng first.
Only Yan Zu and Dugu Yan remained in the reception room; Xiao Wu and the others tactfully went to the next room.
"Senior Sister Dugu, are you still feeling unwell?" Yan Zu asked gently.
Dugu Yan shook her head. Today she wore a light purple dress, which made her look less glamorous and more elegant. Although her face was still a little pale, her eyes were bright.
She looked at Yan Zu with a complex expression, a mixture of gratitude, curiosity, and a hint of an unspoken plea.
"Yan Zu, thank you for yesterday..." she said again, earnestly.
"It's not just because you saved me. It's also because... you showed me that the body can feel so light, and that the pain from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison can be relieved."
Her voice was somewhat low, "Over the years, this poison has followed me like a shadow, constantly eroding me, making me irritable and easily angered, making me afraid to get too close to people... even my grandfather..."
She paused here, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes.
Yan Zu's heart skipped a beat; he knew the crucial moment had arrived. He didn't urge him, but simply listened quietly, radiating a reassuring aura.
Dugu Yan took a deep breath, seemingly having made up her mind, and looked up at Yan Zu with burning eyes. "Yan Zu, I can sense that your healing ability is very special. It's not just about healing injuries; it seems to have an extremely strong purifying effect on toxins, especially those that have penetrated deep into the body. My Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison is rooted in my Martial Soul, and even the Nine Heart Begonia is helpless against it, yet you were able to purify most of it in a short time... This is simply unbelievable."
She stepped forward, lowered her voice, and spoke with unprecedented earnestness, "I want to... may I ask... if you have the ability... if you were facing a situation ten or a hundred times worse than mine, a case where the poison has seeped into the bone marrow and has been eroding for decades... is there still hope?"
Yan Zu's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
He knew that Dugu Yan was referring to her grandfather, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. That Titled Douluo, who was renowned throughout the continent, was suffering from inhuman pain due to the backlash from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison, and his temperament had become increasingly eccentric and withdrawn.
He didn't answer immediately, but pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Senior Sister Dugu, the situation you described is extremely difficult. The toxins have been fused with your body for a long time, penetrating deep into your bone marrow, almost becoming one with it. Removing them is far more difficult than treating you yesterday. This is no longer a simple treatment, but almost a reconstruction of part of your body's foundation."
Dugu Yan's eyes dimmed slightly.
"However," Yan Zu changed the subject, "it's not entirely hopeless. My ability does have a special purifying effect on this type of primordial toxin, but several conditions need to be met:
First, the patient must cooperate completely voluntarily and without any resistance.
Secondly, the process will be very lengthy and requires multiple treatments; it cannot be accomplished overnight.
Third, it may be necessary to use some extremely precious and rare natural treasures that can strengthen the body's foundation to ensure that the detoxification process does not damage the body's fundamental health.
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up again, as if she had grasped at a lifeline. "There's hope! There's hope! Yan Zu, please... if... if you have a chance, could you... help my grandfather? He... he's really in pain."
By the end, her voice was choked with emotion. He was her only relative, and she knew all too well that although her grandfather seemed strong, he was actually enduring the torment of poison every moment.
Yan Zu looked at the girl before him, who had shed her pride and was pleading only for her family, and nodded. "If there is an opportunity, I can try. But I need to make it clear beforehand that I cannot guarantee success, and the treatment involves my core secrets, requiring absolute confidentiality and trust."
"I understand! I understand!" Dugu Yan nodded repeatedly, her eyes reddening with emotion. "Thank you, Yan Zu! Really... I don't know how to thank you enough. This favor, Dugu Yan, and my grandfather will always remember!"
"No need for that," Yan Zu waved his hand. "By the way, Senior Sister Dugu, we'll be heading to Heaven Dou City soon. Perhaps we can keep in touch then."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Dugu Yan was overjoyed. She quickly took out a dark green jade pendant carved with snake patterns from her bosom and handed it to Yan Zu. "This is my grandfather's keepsake. When you get to Heaven Dou City, take it to my grandfather Gudu Bo's residence, and he will inform me. Or, you can go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to find me!"
Yan Zu accepted the jade token. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, yet carried a faint, fishy smell, clearly indicating it was no ordinary item. "Alright, I'll contact you again later."
With her worries resolved, Dugu Yan felt much more relaxed. After chatting for a few more minutes, she took her leave.
After seeing Dugu Yan off, Xiao Wu and the others returned to their room and asked curiously.
Yan Zu briefly recounted Dugu Yan's search for medical treatment, omitting the details, only mentioning that he might have the opportunity to examine a senior's old ailment in the future. No one delved into it further.
"Next, we should prepare for our journey to Heaven Dou City." Yan Zu stood up, his gaze sweeping over his four companions. "Pack your things, we'll depart for Heaven Dou City tomorrow. First stop— Blue Tyrant Academy."