Chapter 97: Cross-Dressing Qian Renxue
"What did you say? I can reabsorb spirit rings?"
Hearing Su Mo's words, Dugu Bo, who had resigned himself to being useless, suddenly widened his eyes in disbelief.
"I'm not entirely certain," Su Mo replied cautiously. "Under normal circumstances, when a Soul Master loses their spirit rings, they indeed become powerless. However, given that you've consumed an extremely rare and extraordinary herb, your situation might be different. Besides, there have been cases where someone reabsorbed spirit rings after losing them."
Su Mo didn't want to give a definite answer but suggested it as a possibility.
"Good, good, good! As long as there's hope!"
"If what you say is true, young friend, I will never forget your guidance!"
Even though Su Mo didn't confirm anything, Dugu Bo was already visibly excited, his eyes regaining their former brightness.
"It's nothing. Even if I hadn't said anything, you would have tried regardless. I believe you have the courage for it," Su Mo said with a shake of his head and a faint smile.
"Well said! I do indeed have the courage. But I still have to thank you for pointing it out!" Dugu Bo's gaze toward Su Mo grew warmer.
No expectation of repayment... well, maybe not entirely. His treasure trove and herb garden had already been raided.
Still, Dugu Bo couldn't help but find Su Mo increasingly likable.
"If things go as planned, Senior, this might be a blessing in disguise for you. Your first spirit ring could start at the ten-thousand-year level!"
"However," Su Mo added, "your martial soul can no longer support poison cultivation. You'll need to choose a new cultivation path."
Since Su Mo had chosen not to kill Dugu Bo and had even gained his friendship, he naturally wanted to help Dugu Bo take fewer missteps if he could restart his cultivation journey.
Hearing Su Mo's words, Dugu Bo felt a mixture of excitement and complexity.
The excitement came from the potential of starting with a ten-thousand-year spirit ring, while the complexity arose from abandoning the poison techniques he had relied on his entire life. Transitioning to a new focus would undoubtedly be challenging.
"Su Mo, young friend, who exactly are you?"
Unable to resist his curiosity, Dugu Bo asked a probing question. He felt Su Mo knew far too much, making his background seem anything but simple.
"Just consider me a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Its sect master is my future father-in-law," Su Mo answered nonchalantly, revealing his backing without hesitation.
"The sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is your future father-in-law?"
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's view of Su Mo shifted again.
This was the difference between having a powerful connection and not having one.
Sssss~
At that moment, a small emerald-green snake slithered nearby, heading toward Dugu Bo.
"It's my Jade Phosphor Snake!"
Dugu Bo's face lit up with joy as he bent down, allowing the snake to crawl into his palm.
This was his favorite pet and a valuable companion.
He had been worried about how he would hunt ten-thousand-year spirit beasts in the future, but seeing his pet return put his mind at ease.
With his Jade Phosphor Snake's deadly venom, he was confident in his ability to ambush ten-thousand-year spirit beasts.
After crawling onto Dugu Bo's hand, the snake glanced at him as if considering leaving. But ultimately, it stayed put, choosing to remain with its master.
Perhaps it noticed the poison was no longer present in Dugu Bo's body, but knowing it was still its master, it reluctantly stayed.
Su Mo was slightly surprised to see the venomous snake return.
That Dugu Bo could still keep a toxic creature around was unsurprising. Even if he could no longer cultivate poison techniques, handling poisonous creatures wasn't an issue.
"Since you're all set now, Senior, I'll take my leave," Su Mo said, having accomplished his goals.
"Alright, young friend, you go ahead. I'll take some time to reflect. I'll visit you at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in the future."
Dugu Bo readily agreed and added a promise to visit Su Mo later.
"Take care, Senior!"
With that, Su Mo clasped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.
Watching Su Mo disappear into the distance, Dugu Bo glanced back at his once-thriving herb garden and sighed with pain.
"My precious herbs..."
Dugu Bo lamented, though he didn't dwell too much on it. The pain was more emotional than practical.
"That Su Mo... what a monster. How did he even take those two herbs?"
Dugu Bo's gaze fell on the now-empty spots where the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Leaf and Blazing Delicate Apricot once grew, his eyes filled with amazement.
Those two peculiar herbs were so dangerous that even he dared not touch them lightly.
"I forgot to ask what level he's at now. Judging by his age, he's probably younger than Yan, and his soul power level shouldn't exceed 40."
"But to venture here alone under 40? That's incredibly bold!"
It was only now that Dugu Bo realized just how remarkable Su Mo's actions had been in entering his lair alone.
Unaware of Dugu Bo's musings, Su Mo was already walking through the toxic domain. Previously, he had relied on his Eight Spider Lances for protection, but now he no longer needed them.
Walking through the poisonous miasma, Su Mo felt no effects from the toxins.
"As I thought, my body has developed complete immunity to poison!"
Su Mo had been testing his physique, and the results left him very satisfied.
"You just left Dugu Bo there? Does he have the ability to leave on his own?"
"I thought you'd help him hunt spirit beasts or at least see if he could rebuild his cultivation!"
Bibi Dong's figure floated beside Su Mo, her voice tinged with mild surprise.
"If Dugu Bo didn't ask for help, it's because he's confident he can make it out on his own. After all, he was once a Titled Douluo. Even though he's lost his spirit rings and skills, he still has a soul power level of 40—higher than mine!"
"As for helping him hunt ten-thousand-year spirit beasts, it's unnecessary. While I can handle such beasts now, fighting them in the Sunset Forest is still too dangerous."
"If Dugu Bo can rebuild his cultivation, we'll know the next time we meet him. If he succeeds, he'll surely seek out his granddaughter."
"Now that I've obtained the immortal herbs, it's better to leave quickly!"
Su Mo smiled, clearly uninterested in lingering.
Hearing his reasoning, Bibi Dong said no more. She soared into the air and resumed scanning the map for potential hazards.
"Two elders, I'll trouble you to help me find a suitable spirit beast."
"And be quick about it—I can't leave the palace for too long!"
Outside the Sunset Forest, a young girl in golden imperial robes addressed two imposing men.
Despite her polite phrasing, her tone lacked reverence, as though it were only natural for them to obey her commands.
"Understood, Young Mistress!"
"We'll do our best to quickly find a spirit beast for your spirit ring!"
Bloodthorn Douluo and Serpent Spear Douluo responded with utmost respect.
After all, the young girl before them was none other than Qian Renxue, the young mistress of Spirit Hall, granddaughter of the Grand Priest Qian Daoliu, and daughter of the current Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong.
Their mission today was to help Qian Renxue find a suitable sixth spirit ring.
Qian Renxue had recently broken through to level 60. With the absorption of a spirit ring, she would officially become a Soul Emperor.
The thought thrilled both Bloodthorn Douluo and Serpent Spear Douluo.
At only 23 years old, Qian Renxue had reached the rank of Soul Emperor—a remarkable feat.
If she participated in next year's Soul Master Tournament, she would undoubtedly face no competition.
In most tournaments, even finding a Soul King under 25 years old was exceedingly rare. Yet Qian Renxue had already reached level 60.
Unfortunately, she still had to continue masquerading as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, which left her with little time for cultivation. Otherwise, in another three or four years, she might have already broken through to Soul Sage.
Even if it took six or seven years, they believed Qian Renxue would become the youngest Soul Sage in history.
"I'll search over there. She Long, you stay with the Young Mistress and search in that direction," Bloodthorn Douluo said, choosing his path before heading into the forest.
Qian Renxue remained with Serpent Spear Douluo.
Although Qian Renxue's strength was sufficient to enter the Sunset Forest alone, the two elders wouldn't allow her to act without protection. Keeping her safe was their top priority.
"Young Mistress, let's proceed," Serpent Spear Douluo said.
"Understood, let's go," Qian Renxue nodded, entering the forest alongside Serpent Spear Douluo, heading in a direction different from Bloodthorn Douluo.
Once inside, Serpent Spear Douluo took the lead, scanning the area for spirit beasts while Qian Renxue followed.
She knew her own capabilities didn't compare to the Title Douluo when it came to finding spirit beasts, so she stayed in her place.
Privately, she wished Serpent Spear Douluo would venture deeper into the forest and let her search on her own.
After all, it was just the Sunset Forest—what danger could it pose to her?
But knowing Serpent Spear Douluo would never agree to leave her side in such a place, she kept silent.
"They still treat me like a child," Qian Renxue muttered, pouting in mild frustration.
Yet her years of undercover experience had taught her the value of caution. Serpent Spear Douluo's approach, while overprotective, was undoubtedly the safest.
"Once I absorb my sixth spirit ring, they'll feel more assured of my safety. Next time, I'll hunt alone!"
Qian Renxue clenched her fists.
She longed for freedom, for the chance to be herself—a beautiful young girl instead of the stoic Crown Prince.
Those were things she had been denied for so many years.
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