"Mysterious Sister, can you help me?" Dugu Yan looked at Bai Chenxiang and added, "Don't worry, I definitely won't let you help for nothing. My grandfather is Dugu Bo. As long as you can help me, I will make sure my grandfather rewards you."
Bai Chenxiang was slightly surprised upon hearing this.
She hadn't expected the girl she had casually saved to be the granddaughter of the infamous Poison Douluo on the continent.
After thinking for a moment, Bai Chenxiang said, "Hmm... I can help you, but my combat ability just now wasn't strong. It was somewhat lucky that I was able to rescue you by exploiting that fat guy's mistake."
"Let's do this. I'll take you to see my grandfather first. If he makes a move, he should be able to send you back."
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, "No problem, let's do as you said."
After speaking, Bai Chenxiang immediately took Dugu Yan to see her grandfather.
In the Sunset Forest.
Dugu Bo was setting up a large poison array outside his medicinal garden, which even Soul Douluos dared not approach casually.
And in front of the poison array.
The Golden Iron Triangle trio, Flender, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang, were all present.
Beside them, Yu Luomian was also there.
"Xiaogang, you have to assure me that the soul bone was indeed taken by Dugu Bo," Yu Luomian said with a very serious expression.
Although their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan didn't fear Dugu Bo, now that Yu Xiaogang had the backing of the Haotian Douluo from the Haotian Sect behind him, he still didn't dare to be careless in provoking a Title Douluo.
"Dad, didn't Xiaogang just explain it to you?"
"In the entire Imperial City, only Dugu Bo has the suspicion and motive. If it wasn't him who took it, then who else?"
"For his granddaughter, he probably wouldn't blink an eye even if he had to kill us all, let alone steal our soul bone?" Liu Erlong said eagerly on the side.
Yu Luomian's fists involuntarily clenched.
Under normal circumstances, he would definitely not get involved in this matter.
Moreover, he was initially unwilling to acknowledge the relationship between Yu Xiaogang and his daughter Liu Erlong.
But since he found out that Yu Xiaogang's disciple was the son of Haotian Douluo Tang Hao, his thoughts had changed.
He initially didn't want Yu Xiaogang to marry his daughter, not just because they were cousins, but actually because he looked down on him as useless.
Now that Yu Xiaogang had a connection with Haotian Douluo, if he could use his disciple Tang San to obtain more influence for his daughter and his lineage within the clan in the future, he could accept their relationship.
However, if he knew that his daughter had already completely taken Yu Xiaogang, he might just vomit blood and die on the spot.
"Remember, start with diplomacy first. No matter what the other party has done, he is still a Title Douluo, a powerful being we cannot provoke lightly. If we can avoid fighting, we will," Yu Luomian reminded the trio.
The Golden Iron Triangle trio agreed with Yu Luomian's words.
Naturally, they also didn't want to confront a Title Douluo.
Suddenly, a gust of wind howled out from the forest in front of Yu Xiaogang and the others.
Following that, a figure in a black robe with green hair appeared in front of the four.
It was Dugu Bo, who had sensed someone appearing in front of the poison array he had set up!
Dugu Bo was wondering why his granddaughter Dugu Yan hadn't returned so late and was about to look for her when he sensed someone triggering his poison array.
"Yu Luomian?"
"Yu Xiaogang?"
Seeing the unexpected visitors, Dugu Bo frowned slightly, "What brings you to my medicinal garden in the middle of the night?"
He didn't have a good impression of Yu Xiaogang and Yu Luomian.
One took his students to places of ill repute; the other was too stingy to even offer a soul bone to save his own granddaughter.
Had he not had other concerns now, he might have started a fight upon meeting them.
Yu Xiaogang didn't beat around the bush; he directly stated his purpose: "Senior Dugu, do you remember the external soul bone that our Shrek Academy won at the auction in Tian Dou a few days ago?"
Hearing this, Dugu Bo was taken aback, then remembered the incident where Yu Xiaogang outbid everyone for the soul bone, so he snorted, "Hmph! Of course, I remember. You, Yu Xiaogang, waved your hand and offered an eighth-grade medicinal herb, suppressing the entire venue."
"What? After getting the external soul bone, you came here to show off to me?"
As he spoke, Dugu Bo suddenly realized something and his expression gradually darkened, "What do you mean by asking this?"
"You think I'm such a despicable person?"
"I, a Title Douluo, would steal your things?"
Yu Luomian, sensing the coldness in Dugu Bo's tone, immediately stepped forward, "Old Poison, we definitely didn't mean that."
"What do you mean you didn't mean that?!"
"Yu Luomian, weren't you the one who kicked this useless thing out of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
"Why? Are you here to support him today? Are you planning to take this useless thing back?"
Dugu Bo's tone was domineering and cold, "If you represent the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan today, I'll give you some face."
"If you're here as an individual, then don't blame me for turning you into a puddle of pus later!"
Dugu Bo, who had reached the soul power level of 92, had been longing to test his strength on someone.
"You!" Yu Luomian was almost driven to curse by Dugu Bo's threatening and insulting words, but remembering the purpose of their visit, he managed to control his temper.
"Old Poison, to tell you the truth, we have ruled out all the Title Douluos inside and outside the Imperial City."
"Only you have the capability and motive. We also know you have been searching for a soul bone for your granddaughter!"
"I don't believe you weren't tempted by that external soul bone that fits your granddaughter perfectly." Yu Luomen, thinking of Tang Hao's support behind him, spoke with a settled heart.
"Of course, I was tempted."
"But... I act openly and aboveboard. If I wanted it, I would have taken it in front of you all, not sneak into your academy to steal it."
Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, "Instead of wasting your time on me, you might as well look elsewhere."
"Nowadays, the Imperial City is filled with all sorts, with more suspects than me."
"I have important matters today and no time to waste words with you, move aside."
Dugu Bo strode past Yu Xiaogang and the others, planning to go out and look for his granddaughter.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke, "Senior Dugu, are you going to look for your granddaughter Dugu Yan?"
Boom! Dugu Bo turned sharply, his aura bursting out, sending Yu Xiaogang flying tens of meters!
"Xiaogang!" Liu Erlong exclaimed.
Fortunately, Liu Erlong was there to block for Yu Xiaogang; otherwise, just that burst of aura could have caused him internal injuries.
"Yu Xiaogang, what do you mean by what you just said?!"
"Explain yourself!"
Dugu Bo's eyes instantly turned green, his gaze became like that of a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to kill all four of them at any moment.
Yu Xiaogang, looking into Dugu Bo's eyes, said, "I didn't mean anything."
"I just wanted to remind Senior Dugu that your granddaughter's life is not actually in our hands."
"But in the hands of Xiao San's father."
Xiao San? The student from Shrek?
"What is he, to dare touch my granddaughter!" Dugu Bo said coldly.
Yu Luomen stated, "That student called Xiao San, his father is Haotian Douluo Tang Hao from the Haotian Sect."
"Old Poison, if you've stolen his soul bone, I advise you to hand it over willingly. Otherwise, once you incur Haotian Douluo's wrath, it's not something a mere Title Douluo like you can handle."
Haotian Douluo?! Tang Hao?! The ruthless man who killed the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall?!
Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically.
However, he quickly retorted, "Why should I believe your word?"
"Everyone knows Haotian Sect has secluded itself, and Haotian Douluo Tang Hao has been missing for years."
"Moreover, how come I didn't know your academy had a student with the Haotian Hammer?"
Without a word, Yu Xiaogang threw a token to Dugu Bo, "This is the Pope's token given by Haotian Douluo."
"As for Haotian Hammer, haven't you heard of twin martial souls?"
Feeling the unique aura of the Haotian Hammer on the token, even after many years, Dugu Bo was convinced that Yu Xiaogang's words were mostly true.
"That external soul bone was bought by Haotian Sect for Haotian Douluo Tang Hao with money to give to Xiao San!"
"Xiao San will surely become the pride of Haotian Sect in the future!"
"You should know, the person with twin martial souls has become the Pope of the Spirit Hall!"
"Xiao San's talent will definitely not be inferior in the future!"
"Senior Dugu, I know you don't want to be bound by other forces, but you also despise the Spirit Hall."
"As long as you are willing to return the external soul bone to us."
"I can promise on behalf of Xiao San that you will be a distinguished guest of Haotian Sect and our Shrek Academy."
"How about it?"
Yu Xiaogang's words left Dugu Bo silent for a long time.
Years ago, he might have agreed to Yu Xiaogang.
But now, he had already promised Su Yun.
Dugu Bo, a man of principle, would not betray Su Yun now that he had someone to follow.
So he threw the token back to Yu Xiaogang, "I can only tell you one thing, I didn't take your external soul bone."
"If you still don't believe it, then there's nothing I can do."
Saying this, Dugu Bo turned to look at the sky.
Suddenly, he noticed a figure flying straight towards him at an incredibly fast speed, carrying another figure.
That is... Yan Yan!
Before Dugu Bo could move, the figure in the sky rapidly descended in front of him and Yu Xiaogang and the others, finally landing before them.
"Grandpa!" As soon as she landed, Dugu Yan rushed into her grandfather Dugu Bo's embrace.
"Yan Yan, grandpa's here."
Dugu Bo hugged his granddaughter, offering her intimate care, clearly very worried about Dugu Yan.
He gently patted his granddaughter's back, then lifted his gaze forward.
There stood a tall, rosy-cheeked old man with a head of white hair flowing down his back. Despite his age, his breathing was rhythmic and disciplined, something ordinary people could not detect.
However, Dugu Bo, as a Title Douluo, could immediately tell there was something extraordinary about this old man.
From the speed at which he brought his granddaughter, Dugu Bo deduced this elder must be a master of speed.
"Thank you for bringing my granddaughter back, I am Dugu Bo. May I know your name?" Dugu Bo greeted the white-haired elder with a polite bow.
"To think you're the legendary Poison Douluo Dugu Bo; I thought your granddaughter was tricking me, haha."
"Nice to meet you. I am Bai He. It was a coincidence today; it's also due to my granddaughter and your granddaughter having fate, or else I might not have had the chance to meet the legendary Poison Douluo." Bai He stroked his beard, chuckling.
"Bai He! Could it be you are the chief of the Speed Clan from the single-attribute four clans once part of the Haotian Sect?" Yu Luomian, hearing Bai He's name, was shocked and immediately asked.
Haotian Sect?
The clan of swiftness?
Dugu Bo's gaze towards Bai He also changed.
No wonder Bai He was so fast; it turns out he also had a connection with the Haotian Sect.
"Hmm? You know me?" Bai He looked in the direction of the voice with a somewhat unfamiliar tone: "Who are you to recognize me?"
"I am Yu Luomian, from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Oh? From the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Bai He's eyes brightened, then dimmed: "It's a pity, the Haotian Sect has long secluded itself, and I am no longer a part of the Haotian Sect, so I have nothing to say to you."
"Dugu Senior, I have brought your granddaughter back to you. No need for any reward, consider it a small effort on my part."
"Farewell."
As he was about to leave, Yu Xiaogang's voice suddenly stopped him: "Senior, please wait! The Haotian Sect will soon re-emerge. Please, do not leave the Imperial City within a month!"
Haotian Sect re-emerging? Dugu Bo was startled again!
Yu Xiaogang's words made Bai He turn sharply, staring at him: "How do you know the Haotian Sect is about to re-emerge? And who are you?"
Yu Xiaogang quickly explained his identity as Tang San's teacher and shared information about Tang Hao's return, rejoining the Haotian Sect, and Tang San's twin martial souls.
Yu Xiaogang dared to share all this with Bai He because Tang Hao had discussed connecting secretly with the four clans to prepare for overthrowing the Spirit Hall.
Originally, Tang Hao planned to seek out Bai He after helping Tang San absorb the soul bone.
Now that Bai He, the chief of the Bai He clan, was here, Yu Xiaogang naturally would not let him leave the Imperial City too soon.
Tang Hao's recovery? Returning to the sect?
Son with twin martial souls and innate full soul power?
Bai He hadn't expected Tang Hao to be able to return after so many years.
Bai He was about to respond when Dugu Yan, still in Dugu Bo's arms, suddenly shouted, "Grandpa, Bai Grandpa, it was this man's disciple who tried to capture me!"
"What?!"
Both Dugu Bo and Bai He were shocked.
Dugu Yan quickly recounted her encounter.
"So, that fiery fat kid is your disciple?"
Bai He looked disdainful: "His martial soul is not bad, but he's a rude boy. Seeing my granddaughter and Miss Dugu Yan, his legs seemed glued to the ground."
"Teaching such disciples shows you're no good either."
"Your words are even less trustworthy!"
Bai He's initial partial belief in Yu Xiaogang's words instantly dropped to zero.
Dugu Bo also turned to look at Yu Xiaogang, his eyes full of cold light: "Well done, Yu Xiaogang! I knew you were up to no good."
"Thinking the soul bone was stolen by me, you planned to use my granddaughter as a threat!"
"And you even arranged for someone to try to kidnap her!"
"Die!"
Boom!
Dugu Bo released his martial soul, and a massive green snake tail swept towards Yu Xiaogang and the others without mercy, giving them no chance to explain.
"Old Poison, calm down!"
Yu Luomian saw Dugu Bo's attack and immediately used his martial soul to protect Yu Xiaogang, taking the furious blow himself.
Bang!
Yu Luomian was sent flying, quickly trying to explain: "It's all a misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstand my foot!"
"Do you think I'm a fool?!"
"None of you are leaving today without an explanation!"
Boom!
"Jade Phospher poison fog!"
Dugu Bo unleashed a more potent poison fog than Dugu Yan, quickly enveloping Yu Luomen and the Golden Iron Triangle with his powerful soul force-driven poison.
"Bad news! If Dugu Bo's encirclement forms, we'll be trapped here!" Yu Luomian, aware of Dugu Bo's formidable poisoning skills, spoke gravely.
"Xiao San said, realgar wine combined with flame can neutralize Dugu Bo's poison fog. Erlong, it's up to you!" Flender handed realgar wine to Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong nodded, "Leave it to me!"
"Martial soul possession!"
With a shout, Liu Erlong downed the realgar wine and, harnessing the fire abilities granted by her Fire Dragon soul, sprayed it out!
The thick scent of realgar mixed with flames instantly created a huge gap in Dugu Bo's Bilin poison fog!
"What?!"
Dugu Bo was startled.
"Grandpa, they also broke through my Jade Phospher Serpent poison with this move earlier!"
"They even said that this technique was taught by that so-called Tang San." Dugu Yan added.
Now knowing that the fiery fat kid, Ma Hongjun, mentioned by Dugu Yan was indeed Tang San, whom the Spirit Hall had been wanting to capture, Dugu Bo was similarly shocked. However, as a seasoned Title Douluo, he quickly increased the volume of his Bilin snake poison fog.
Liu Erlong, as a Soul Douluo, was not on the same level as him, the Poison Douluo, in terms of soul power! Even with realgar wine to counter his poison, what could they do?
Soon, Liu Erlong ran out of realgar wine, and the Bilin poison fog around them grew denser.
"Damn it! Full power, break through!" Yu Luomian roared.
Angered by Yu Xiaogang and the others, including his own daughter, Yu Luomen realized they were in dire straits now that Dugu Yan had returned. Without full force, they might truly be killed by Dugu Bo, who showed no mercy.
"Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul Body!"
"Soul Fusion Skill!"
"Golden Sun Moon Rotation!"
Suddenly, two giant dragons appeared in the Sunset Forest, shaking the entire forest!
"This is... the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! And the other dragon, it gives me a sense of divinity!" Bai He, witnessing the soul fusion skill performed by Yu Xiaogang and the others, couldn't help but exclaim.
"Attack!"
At Yu Luomen's command, the two dragons, with ferocious might, dispersed the poison fog with a whirlwind and rushed out!
However, Dugu Bo wouldn't let them escape so easily. He also deployed his martial soul possession, and with a loud shout, unleashed his eighth soul skill: "Time Freeze!"
In an instant, time around Yu Luomian and Yu Xiaogang and the others froze, stopping them in their tracks.
Bai He, witnessing this, sighed at the terrifying power of a Title Douluo who could even freeze time.
Dugu Bo then quickly incapacitated Yu Xiaogang and the others while they were immobilized, breaking their soul body state and severely injuring them.
After surrounding the four with Bilin poison fog, Dugu Bo returned to his normal state.
"Indeed, Poison Douluo, your reputation is well-deserved," Bai He complimented.
"Thank you for your kind words, Elder Bai." Dugu Bo shook his head slightly, then turned to Yu Xiaogang and the others, "You said Tang Hao is coming. I'll give you a month. If he doesn't show up, you all will die here. If he does, I'll seek justice from him."
Turning to Bai He, "Elder Bai, since you're no longer with the Haotian Sect, please leave early. This is a private matter between us."
Bai He decided to stay in the Imperial City to verify Tang Hao's return, asking Dugu Bo to inform him if Tang Hao arrives.
"Agreed," Dugu Bo consented.
After Bai He left the Sunset Forest, a familiar figure appeared outside the Holy Spirit Village at night.