Chapter 20: Crap, I

"I was momentarily confused; I hope Your Highness won't hold it against me," Dugu Bo quickly pleaded, for he could not afford to offend them—offending a title Douluo was a minor matter, but Xin Er's poison was a serious issue.

Previously they didn't know that on the continent there were title Douluos who used poison; Old Ye had said that only a poison‑attribute title Douluo could fight poison with poison, otherwise he would have asked already.

Ci Tun impatiently said: "Enough, stop this nonsense; just tell me what you want directly."

Dugu Bo thought to himself, "Shouldn't I be the one asking you? You block my doorstep and now question me."

"My young son inherited my Azure Scale Snake martial soul, but his talent is so great that the martial soul evolved into the Azure Scale Snake Emperor martial soul; however his body cannot endure the overwhelming toxicity. I wonder if Your Highness has a way to cure him."

"I have two cures. The first: each time the toxicity flares, come to me; I can absorb all the poison, but the martial soul will still produce toxins afterward—it's only a temporary fix."

"The second, using my poison‑attribute soul power to fight poison with poison, can cure the root; however the process is extremely painful—if you can't endure it you die, and if you survive the martial soul becomes ruined. Which do you want?"

Ci Tun was certainly hoping he would pick the first option; the high‑quality toxins from the martial soul can enhance his martial soul's origin! Endless high‑quality poison—Ci Tun wouldn't be willing to give it up.

Dugu Bo's face wavered: "This…" Before meeting Ci Tun, his plan with Old Ye had been the second method, but the continent never produced a famed poison‑attribute title Douluo. Dugu Bo had hoped to cultivate himself to the title Douluo realm and then cure his son, yet now the first method is on the table. Does he still not grasp his son's situation? Though he looks gentle and bright, inside he is proud and domineering; if the martial soul were ruined, he would likely fall into a depressive death.

Choosing the first method would place his son's life in someone else's hands; Dugu Bo gritted his teeth, "If I'm a dog, then be a dog!" How could Yan Yan, at such a young age, be without a father.

"The first! May I ask if the senior would act? Dugu Bo is willing to serve Your Highness like a loyal dog!" Dugu Bo said, bowing his hands.

Ci Tun was delighted inside, but kept a stern face: "You, a soul Douluo, what can you do for me? How about this: your herb garden is decent; give it to me, and I'll help you—how does that sound?"

He couldn't directly ask him to join his faction; the man was probably already accustomed to being lax, and even if he joined, he might not be diligent. Moreover, the Spirit Hall wasn't short of soul Douluos; first secure his herb garden.

"Deal! When shall we go to treat my young son?" No need for me to join your faction? That's fine, Dugu Bo was already eager; give the herb garden, give it. Ci Tun Douluo's toxin‑absorbing ability truly is the hope of the Azure Scale Snake clan; must build good relations! "Don't rush; our young master is still cultivating in that herb garden. When the young master returns, I'll go with you." Hearing the reply, Ci Tun couldn't help but smile.

Dugu Bo was secretly alarmed—young master? What status could warrant two title Douluos as guards? Even the royal family doesn't have such a grand entourage. Dugu Bo wasn't foolish; although She Mao didn't flaunt his power, his tone and demeanor toward Ci Tun were not respectful—clearly they were peers.

Two unknown title Douluos—aside from the Spirit Hall, which other faction on the continent could possess so many title Douluos?

This young master must be an important figure within the Spirit Hall! At that moment, Qian Renxue spread her wings and rose, six massive, splendid wings unfurling, casting brilliant streams of light across the sky.

Qian Renxue wore a dress of white and gold, white over‑knee socks, and a pair of gold high‑heeled shoes on her feet.

The three stared dumbfounded at Qian Renxue.

So beautiful—Dugu Bo had never seen a woman like this. If he had seen her in his youth, given his nature, he would have launched a fierce pursuit; if she refused, he would have simply bound her and taken her home!

"Young master?" Ci Tun and She Mao were also stunned; both were over sixty years old, their hearts pounding, their aged faces flushing red. They dared not overstep, bowing their heads. She Mao kept his head down, but his peripheral glance caught Dugu Bo, who was still gazing at Qian Renxue with a dazed look; he let out a cold snort and launched a spear‑shaped mental blast toward Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo snapped out of his reverie, daring not to look again, fearing he would offend the two title Douluos.

"Dugu Bo?" A crisp, pleasant voice echoed beside his ear, unsettling his mind.

"Indeed! May I ask what brings Your Highness to my herb garden?" Dugu Bo asked with a beaming smile.

How odd—doesn't this old poison‑type always take the soft and leave the hard? I came to his yard to snatch things, yet his attitude is so courteous? Qian Renxue knows herself well and is too lazy to claim that only the worthy obtain treasures; she isn't that pristine—she's simply here to steal.

"I'm here to steal from your herb garden," Qian Renxue declared proudly. "I am Qian Renxue, a barbarian!"

Dugu Bo's smile froze. "Girl, are you really that blunt? Could you be more tactful? How am I supposed to respond to that!"

Dugu Bo let out a laugh: "So Your Highness likes my herb garden, huh? Then the garden is yours; I only ask that you let Ci Tun, under Your Highness, cure my young son."

"And this good thing?" Qian Renxue nodded. "If so, then please have Uncle Ci Tun go."

Qian Renxue originally intended to drive Dugu Bo away outright; the Spirit Hall's power is so strong, why need any immortal herb code, just pry open the safe and take it—she wouldn't even know how to heal, and after all she was there to steal, not to treat anyone.

Yet Dugu Bo was so considerate, not striking a smiling person; since Ci Tun could detox, let him go.

"Yes!"

Qian Renxue sent Ci Tun to accompany Dugu Bo to Heaven Battle City for the detox. In this timeline, Du Gu Yan should now be six and a half years old; she is two years younger than Qian Renxue.

Had there been no Ci Tun Douluo, on the day she turned fourteen and Dugu Bo was seventy—when she broke through the bottleneck to become a title Douluo—her father Du Gu Xin would have suffered a fatal poison outbreak.

Qian Renxue then took She Mao out of Sunset Forest, spent some golden soul coins at the market to buy a carriage; She Mao bent one leg while the other hung naturally, sitting outside the carriage to drive, carrying the swaying Qian Renxue back to Martial Soul City.

On the road, Qian Renxue also noticed the change in her appearance, feeling that many troubles lay ahead; she was already stunningly beautiful, and after this transformation from eating the immortal herb, she became even more extraordinary.

"Oops, now I've truly become a succubus." She won't really follow the white‑moonlight route, will she? I just said it offhand! With her boundless talent, she'll surely take the path of suppressing all enemies.

Never mind, any short‑sighted ones can be dealt with by She Mao directly; Qian Renxue has no intention of covering her looks—why hide such beauty? Just fish for law enforcement, kill the clueless outright, and spare the populace.

(End of Chapter)