After returning to the Dugu Mansion in Heaven Dou City, Chen Ming and Dugu Bo worked together to develop a medicine specifically tailored to Dugu Yan's condition. However, even after taking this medicine, Dugu Yan would not be able to casually obtain her third soul ring after breaking through to Rank 30. Otherwise, the origin power brought by the third soul ring would once again cause her soul power to become disordered, leading to changes in her deadly poison.
Despite this limitation, neither Dugu Bo nor Dugu Yan raised any objections. After all, the poison was far too dangerous, and completely resolving it was the safest course of action. With Dugu Yan's current condition, about half a year of careful nurturing would allow her to fully control the uncontrollable portion of her poison, further enhancing the quality of her martial soul.
The Eight Petal Immortal Orchid that Chen Ming had harvested was not meant for Dugu Yan to consume—at least not in her current state. Consuming any immortal herb in her condition would result in part of the herb's medicinal power being absorbed by the poison. This would not only weaken the herb's effects but also make the poison even harder to handle.
After taking care of affairs in the mansion, Dugu Bo brought Chen Ming along in a carriage and headed toward Biluochen City. After all, with Chen Ming now so closely associated with Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, it was only natural for the Chen family to be informed.
Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun had invested so much effort in Chen Ming. Even after he had entered Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, they were still worried about him. Now that Chen Ming had gained some abilities, it was only right for him to return and show gratitude to his family.
A few days later, Dugu Bo and Chen Ming arrived in Biluochen City. Before entering the city, Dugu Bo had already sent servants ahead to notify the City Lord of Biluochen City, spreading the news that the Poison Douluo was coming.
The news of Dugu Bo's arrival caused a huge stir in Biluochen City, nearly turning the city upside down. After all, this place was one of the few hubs for poison soul masters on the Douluo Continent. Nine out of ten soul masters here specialized in poison.
Just as blacksmiths in Gengxin City revere divine craftsmen and aspire to become one, in Biluochen City, the most powerful poison soul masters were the ultimate objects of admiration.
Dugu Bo had not visited Biluochen City since becoming a Titled Douluo, but the city was filled with legends about him, the Poison Douluo.
At the city gates, the major families and factions lined up in two rows to welcome Dugu Bo's carriage. The City Lord of Biluochen City, accompanied by his second son, stood at the front of the welcoming party. Even Yan Jun, the local Spirit Hall bishop who was barely clinging to life, was supported by other soul masters as he greeted Dugu Bo from the sidelines.
Shortly after the carriage entered the city gates, it came to an abrupt stop. A young man pushed aside the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, walking straight toward an old man and a man in the crowd.
"Grandfather, Second Uncle, I'm back!" Chen Ming greeted his grandfather, Chen Shijie, and his second uncle, Chen Tianyun, with a smile, completely ignoring the shocked and disbelieving gazes of those around him.
"Xiao Ming? You—this—!"
"You, Xiao Ming... you're back?"
Chen Tianyun felt his head buzz, and he almost lost his balance, stumbling into Chen Shijie beside him. The father and son exchanged incredulous glances, reaching out to touch Chen Ming's head and shoulders as if trying to confirm that the person stepping out of the Poison Douluo's carriage was indeed their family member.
"Second Uncle, Grandfather, I'm back. I've been doing well at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy recently, and Grandpa Dugu wanted to meet you, so I brought him along."
"Ah?" Chen Shijie was completely stunned.
Wait a moment—Xiao Ming has only been at the academy for a few days, right? It hasn't even been half a month since I sent him there. I've been worrying about how he's doing at the academy all this time, and now, suddenly, he's brought the Poison Douluo back with him.
Grandpa Dugu? Calling him that so affectionately? And sharing the same carriage with the Poison Douluo?
Moreover, why does Xiao Ming seem to have grown so much compared to just a few days ago?
"Father..." Chen Tianyun turned to Chen Shijie, his eyes filled with confusion. "Can you tell me if I was ambushed, knocked unconscious, and only woke up several years later?"
"I'd like to know if I've been unconscious for several years, too..." Chen Shijie muttered, his mind blank.
At that moment, the curtain of the carriage was pushed aside again, and Dugu Bo slowly stepped out. His appearance caused the onlookers in Biluochen City to collectively hold their breath.
The Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
The strongest poison master under the heavens, the first poison-type Titled Douluo in history, a figure shrouded in countless legends.
Although he might have been the weakest among the Titled Douluo in terms of raw power, in Biluochen City, Dugu Bo was practically a deity with all the legends and titles attached to him.
As a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo was already accustomed to the attention of others. Ignoring the expressions and cheers of the crowd, he walked straight to Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun. Looking at the unremarkable pair, he smiled warmly.
"Lord Dugu—"
As Dugu Bo approached, Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun instinctively tried to bow, but a surge of soul power held them upright. Dugu Bo stepped closer, taking Chen Shijie's hand in one of his own and Chen Tianyun's hand in the other. His smile was gentle and kind.
"Xiao Ming and my granddaughter, Dugu Yan, are together now. From now on, we're family. Since we're family, there's no need for such formalities."
"Come, let's talk in the carriage."
Dugu Bo pulled the two into the carriage, with Chen Ming following behind.
As the group entered the carriage, the families who had coexisted with the Chen family in Biluochen City for hundreds of years erupted in excitement. Watching the Chen family members enter the carriage of a Titled Douluo and sit alongside him, they were filled with envy.
Inside the carriage, Dugu Bo, noticing the slightly nervous Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun, smiled warmly and began conversing with them. Before long, the carriage arrived at the Chen family's large estate. Seeing the Chen family mansion, which resembled a small fortress, even Dugu Bo couldn't help but marvel.
After entering the Chen family home, Chen Shijie dismissed the surrounding relatives and servants, bringing Dugu Bo to the family's main hall. In the grand hall, only the four of them remained.
Once the area was clear, Dugu Bo finally explained the relationship between Chen Ming and himself to Chen Shijie and Chen Tianyun. Of course, he didn't mention that Chen Ming had discovered his family's secrets, as such matters were too sensitive to share.
In Dugu Bo's version, Chen Ming helped his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, earn her favor. Seeing that Chen Ming had both talent and good character, Dugu Bo approved of him and recognized the relationship. That was why he had come to Biluochen City.