**Chapter 111 - Accepting Dugu Bo**
"Dugu Bo wants to see me?"
Gu Ziyi was surprised to hear this from Yue Guan.
He found it astonishing that Dugu Bo would actually approach him through Yue Guan, his greatest enemy.
Knowing the relationship between Yue Guan and Dugu Bo, for the old venomous man to actually seek help from his enemy was nothing short of incredible!
"Do you know why he wants to see me?"
Gu Ziyi then asked Yue Guan about the situation.
"Your Highness, weren't you once worried that the Saintess might be unable to control the toxins in her Martial Soul after absorbing the Snow Swan's Kiss years ago?"
"Dugu Bo is in the exact same situation you feared the Saintess would face. He's probably here to ask Your Highness if there's a way to resolve his poisoning issue."
Although Dugu Bo hadn't explicitly stated his purpose, Yue Guan deduced his intent and relayed it to Gu Ziyi.
After Yue Guan finished, he looked at Gu Ziyi, awaiting his response. He was curious to see if his student indeed had a solution.
"I see. If that's the case, let him in!"
Gu Ziyi, slightly intrigued, responded with a smile.
"Your Highness, do you truly have a solution?"
Yue Guan was skeptical upon hearing this.
If he really knew how to solve it, Bibi Dong wouldn't have hesitated to absorb that immortal herb back then!
"I have a few hypotheses to test. Now that we have a real case, it's the perfect opportunity to experiment!"
Gu Ziyi smiled and clarified. He didn't confirm if he was certain about the solution but mentioned having some ideas to try.
"Your Highness is truly wise!"
Yue Guan admired his wisdom.
Even without a definitive solution, it was an honor for Dugu Bo to be used as a test subject by Gu Ziyi.
If they indeed found a solution, it would effectively resolve the problems faced by Dugu Bo and his son.
"I'll bring them in right away!"
Yue Guan disappeared in an instant, returning shortly with Dugu Bo and his son, Dugu Xin, following closely behind.
"Your Highness, the Holy Son, this is Dugu Bo!"
After entering, Yue Guan introduced Dugu Bo to Gu Ziyi.
As for Dugu Xin, there was no need for an introduction—the two had already faced each other in the ring.
"I greet Your Highness, the Holy Son!"
"I greet Your Highness, the Holy Son!"
Both Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin quickly bowed respectfully to Gu Ziyi.
"Your Highness, the Holy Son, I heard from His Majesty Yue Guan that you might have a solution for the poisoning afflicting my son and me. Is that true?"
After saluting, Dugu Bo couldn't wait to ask Gu Ziyi about their predicament.
"Dugu Bo, first tell me the current state of you and your son's condition, so I can make an accurate assessment!"
Gu Ziyi found it a bit strange that Dugu Bo was addressing Yue Guan with honorifics. Such a situation would never have occurred in the original storyline, even if threatened with death.
When he glanced at Dugu Xin, Gu Ziyi understood why Dugu Bo was being so respectful.
It was because of that cursed paternal love!
"Yes, Your Highness, the Holy Son!"
After hearing his words, Dugu Bo immediately explained the situation affecting both him and his son without holding back any details.
Since he had come seeking help, there was no reason to conceal anything.
Otherwise, if any negative consequences arose from withholding information, it would be his own family that suffered the disaster!
"Your Highness, the Holy Son, that's the situation with Xin'er and me. Is there anything you can do for us, Your Highness?"
Dugu Bo quickly finished recounting their situation, then looked at Gu Ziyi with eyes full of expectation.
Even though his current soul power level far exceeded that of the young man in front of him, he remained humbly deferential.
Dugu Xin also looked at Gu Ziyi with anticipation, hoping the Holy Son truly had a solution.
"Well, there should be a way. In fact, I can think of more than one!"
Gu Ziyi smiled and nodded.
The situation with Dugu Bo and his son wasn't overly complicated. They simply couldn't control the poison of their own Martial Souls, and as a result, they were being poisoned by it.
"Is what Your Highness said true?"
Dugu Bo was utterly shocked upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Gu Ziyi to genuinely have a solution—let alone more than one.
"Yes, judging by the color of your eyes, the poisoning must be quite severe, correct? Especially your son, Dugu Xin's situation. If it's not resolved soon, he may only have a few years left to live."
Gu Ziyi smiled, refraining from immediately revealing the solutions. Instead, he emphasized the gravity of their poisoning, particularly highlighting the son's dire condition.
"As long as Your Highness, the Holy Son, can help both me and my son resolve our problem, we are both willing to join the Martial Soul Hall."
Although Dugu Bo was a reserved man, it didn't mean he lacked understanding of worldly matters.
After hearing Gu Ziyi's words, he realized the young man wanted a display of goodwill. Without hesitation, he quickly made this promise.
After all, nothing in life comes free. The Holy Son had no reason to help them without compensation.
On the way here, Dugu Bo had already resolved to make this decision.
If he could resolve the issues plaguing him and his son, he didn't mind paying the price of freedom by joining the Martial Soul Hall.
He believed that once his problems were resolved, with his talent, it wouldn't be difficult to achieve the rank of Titled Douluo in his lifetime.
Once surpassing Titled Douluo, he could ascend to the position of Elder within the Martial Soul Hall. That rank would grant him relatively high freedom in the future.
The only thought that disgusted him was the idea of working alongside Yue Guan in the future. Wouldn't he become a laughingstock to Yue Guan?
But there was nothing he could do. For his son, he could endure even that.
"It's easy to discuss matters with Senior Dugu Bo. In that case, Senior, please listen to my solutions!"
Gu Ziyi laughed immediately after hearing this.
Recruiting Dugu Bo into the Martial Soul Hall would be fantastic.
Initially, he thought Dugu Bo might offer a debt of gratitude or something along those lines. But hearing him offer to join the Martial Soul Hall was even better.
Even though it wasn't loyalty directly to himself, it didn't matter.
Gu Ziyi believed Dugu Bo would never forget the kindness of helping his family today. If he needed assistance in the future, Dugu Bo would likely not refuse.
And just getting Dugu Bo to join the Martial Soul Hall would indirectly weaken the strength of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Although Dugu Bo wasn't particularly powerful, his poison abilities were incredibly useful, especially on any battlefield.
"The first method would be to abolish your Martial Soul!"
"Since you've been poisoned by your own Martial Soul, all you need to do is disable it, and the poison will naturally resolve itself."
"But I don't think you'd want to use this method unless you were utterly desperate."
Gu Ziyi proposed the first method.
"Your Highness, please tell me the other methods!"
As expected, after hearing the first method, Dugu Bo quickly requested to hear the alternatives, agreeing internally with Gu Ziyi's earlier assessment.
He absolutely didn't want to waste the abilities of his Martial Soul.
But hearing this method gave him a greater understanding of Gu Ziyi's wisdom.
Although the first method was hard to accept, it was still a viable solution.
At the very least, it could save a life.
He was deeply worried that one day, his son would succumb to the poison right before his eyes.
Hearing this first method gave him some relief that such a tragedy could be averted.
If all else failed, he could make Dugu Xin give up his Martial Soul to save his life. Preserving life was the most important thing.
"As for the second method, it involves finding a way to transfer the poisonous power elsewhere!"
Gu Ziyi proposed a second solution.
"Transfer it how?"
Hearing this, Dugu Bo quickly asked.
"Soul Bones. The best way to transfer it is by using Soul Bones!"
"If you can acquire a Soul Bone, you can transfer all your poisonous abilities into it."
"In this way, your poison abilities won't be abolished. Once transferred into the Soul Bone, the poison in your body will be resolved!"
"And since it's a Soul Bone, you can still use your poison abilities!"
"This method is probably the most perfect solution for you. The only condition is that you'll need to obtain a Soul Bone durable enough to carry your poisonous abilities."
Gu Ziyi didn't keep Dugu Bo and his son waiting anxiously and quickly revealed the second method.
This was also the method used by him in the original storyline.
Actually, in Gu Ziyi's opinion, there are other ways. For instance, in Dugu Xin's case, the next time he absorbs a Spirit Ring, he shouldn't focus on enhancing his poison power but rather on controlling it. Strengthening the Martial Soul's ability to regulate poison would be the best path.
In nature, under normal circumstances, there are no poisonous creatures unable to control their own toxins and subsequently poisoned by them.
If such a scenario occurred, there must have been some kind of evolutionary anomaly.
Then, it's just a matter of steering the evolution of his Martial Soul and choosing a Spirit Ring to absorb in the correct direction.
However, this method doesn't seem applicable to Dugu Bo. Only Dugu Xin still has time to reverse his condition.
"Spirit Bones, yes, why didn't I think of that?"
"This method will definitely work!"
After hearing Gu Ziyi's second method, Dugu Bo's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Father, is this method really viable?"
Dugu Xin, having less knowledge than his father, grew excited seeing Dugu Bo so thrilled.
"Yes, Xin'er, this method will definitely work!"
Dugu Bo said confidently.
Upon hearing Gu Ziyi's suggestion, he became convinced that it would work. However, he hadn't considered this simple method before it was pointed out.
"Your Highness, the Holy Son, is truly incredible. I am convinced of your wisdom!"
Dugu Bo then looked at Gu Ziyi and spoke admiringly.
He truly admired him now. The method seemed simple and understandable once explained.
However, he had never been able to think of such a straightforward approach before.
That's the brilliance of Gu Ziyi's wisdom.
Rumors claimed he solved Tang Yuehua's inability to cultivate, and it now seemed true.
Now, he only needed to resolve the issue of the Spirit Bone's quality.
"As for the Spirit Bone, I have one in my body, but for Xin'er..."
Thinking about Spirit Bones, Dugu Bo suddenly frowned.
He had a high-quality Spirit Bone that could undoubtedly withstand his venomous abilities.
However, it was much harder to find one suitable for his son.
Common or low-quality Spirit Bones wouldn't suffice. It needed a certain quality to bear the potent poison.
He believed even the Spirit Hall didn't have many such Spirit Bones. Obtaining one quickly as a reward seemed impossible.
"Senior Dugu Bo, don't worry. There's actually another solution for Dugu Xin's situation…"
Gu Ziyi smiled upon hearing this and immediately offered a third method.
"That's truly wonderful!"
"Could this really work?"
Dugu Bo was overjoyed but still somewhat apprehensive.
"Senior Dugu Bo, don't worry. With Dugu Xin's cultivation, I believe he will soon reach the Soul King level. When he's ready to absorb his fifth Spirit Ring, we'll know if it's feasible.
"As for which Spirit Beast to choose for the desired evolutionary effect, you needn't worry. The Spirit Hall has conducted extensive research in this area and will provide the best possible plan!"
"If he truly cannot suppress it, I will personally find a suitable Spirit Bone for Dugu Xin."
Gu Ziyi promised with a smile.
As long as Dugu Bo and his son joined the Spirit Hall, he felt it was a worthwhile agreement.
Qian Xunji would definitely approve of this.
"...Thank you, Your Highness, the Holy Son!"
Gu Ziyi's assurances moved Dugu Bo deeply, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words, though he expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Dugu Xin was equally moved.
"Haha, it is an honor for us at the Spirit Hall to gain your loyalty!"
Gu Ziyi laughed.
In truth, he greatly admired Dugu Bo.
Once someone earned his approval, Dugu Bo would treat them as a true friend, the kind who would willingly fight for them.
Thus, Gu Ziyi felt he had lost nothing by choosing to help Dugu Bo.
Not only did Dugu Bo have the potential to break through to Titled Douluo, but Dugu Xin's potential was also extraordinary. He, too, had the potential to become a Titled Douluo in the future.
Judging by his young age, it was evident his venomous abilities were nearing Dugu Bo's level of toxicity.
In the original work, Dugu Xin failed because he didn't guide his Martial Soul's evolution and instead pursued pure toxicity like Dugu Bo, which ultimately led to his downfall.
"It is also an honor for us, father and son, to join the Spirit Hall!"
Dugu Bo replied sincerely.
Those words confirmed their decision to join the Spirit Hall.
Although the poison afflicting him and his son hadn't been resolved yet, Dugu Bo already believed in Gu Ziyi.
Thus, under Gu Ziyi's influence, Dugu Bo and his son successfully joined the Spirit Hall.
As expected, Qian Xunji was thrilled upon hearing the news.
He was well aware of Dugu Bo's situation. The Spirit Hall had tried to recruit him multiple times, only to be rejected each time.
However, Qian Xunji didn't expect Dugu Bo to voluntarily come knocking at his door now.
"Haha, Xiaoyi did an excellent job!"
"If Dugu Xin's issue truly cannot be resolved by your methods, then giving him a Spirit Bone is a small price to pay. I will provide one."
Qian Xunji promised Gu Ziyi happily.
Of course, this was based on the premise that Gu Ziyi's methods failed. He was only willing to make such a concession if absolutely necessary.
If Gu Ziyi's approach worked, Qian Xunji certainly wouldn't part with another Spirit Bone.
Spirit Bones were a rare resource, even for the Spirit Hall.
As news spread of Dugu Bo and his son joining the Spirit Hall under Gu Ziyi's influence, the results of the Soul Master Competition gradually reached every corner of the continent.
Various factions, academies, regions, and even some remote villages and towns heard the news.
...
(End of Chapter)
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