Chapter 143: First Encounter with Dugu Bo

In the great hall of Cloud Mist Mountain, a few people sat quietly, looking considerably more tense and serious than before.

After a year of change, the Five Great Elders have generally increased their soul power by one to two levels; the highest soul power, Lin Gong and Long Gong, have both reached Level 89, Niu Gao has reached Ba Shi Liu Ji, Yang Wudi is at Level 84, and Bai He at Level 83.

At this rate, up to two Title Douluo could emerge within two years, and even Niu Gao might reach Title Douluo within five years.

Yang Xiong is now Level 50; after settling a private matter, he plans to obtain a Soul Ring, and this departure may keep him away for a long time, so he wants to handle some issues in advance, at least to eliminate one hidden risk.

After Yang Xiong finished explaining everything, only Yang Xiong, Lin Gong and Yang Wudi remained on the scene, and the three waited quietly.

At that moment, Lin Gong, who had been closing his eyes to meditate, suddenly opened them: "It's here!"

Sure enough, as Lin Gong's words fell, a figure slowly walked up to the hall's doorway.

The person was thin, with jet‑green hair and even green eyes, exuding a certain green aura; it was Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo's expression was indifferent: "Lin Gong, why did you specifically invite me to Cloud Mist Mountain? My time is precious, and you know my temperament if I'm disappointed."

Lin Gong smiled: "Dugu Bo, we invited you because there are important matters to discuss—on one hand to clear some of your doubts, and on the other to help you."

Dugu Bo snorted coldly: "What doubts do I have? Besides, I don't need you people to help me. Are you saying this just to amuse me?"

Lin Gong shook his head: "This time it wasn't me who sought you; it was Yang Xiong."

Only then did Dugu Bo notice the seating arrangement: Yang Xiong sat at the central main seat, Lin Gong and Yang Wudi on the left, and the right seat was empty.

Yang Xiong gave a slight bow: "Senior Dugu Bo, long time no see. Since the Soul Master Competition, you've still retained your former brilliance."

Dugu Bo said: "Yang Xiong? You were Yan Zi's classmate at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I still recall your performance in the Soul Master Competition; I didn't expect you, leveraging the power of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, to have a decent relationship with the Single Attribute Families."

"Unfortunately, whether it's you people or others, I don't care about them; even Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect should not underestimate me."

Yang Xiong hurriedly replied: "You're overthinking, Senior. We invited you because there's a matter of great importance, hence the bold invitation."

Dugu Bo snorted: "You're just a kid who hasn't even reached Soul King; you should know the price of teasing me. In the end, even Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect may not be able to protect you."

Yang Xiong said nothing, and directly took out a Lead Box, which contained a Ten‑Thousand‑Year Soul Bone.

He had taken it from the treasure vault of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; nowadays the sect's resources are largely at one's own disposal, so taking a Ten‑Thousand‑Year Soul Bone is no big deal.

Dugu Bo's face showed a hint of doubt: "Kid, what do you mean? Soul bones are rare, but I'm not someone who hasn't seen the world."

Yang Xiong bowed: "I, as a junior, only wish to atone to you; this soul bone is merely a gift of repentance."

Dugu Bo sneered: "First tell me what you've offended me for, so I can decide whether to forgive you."

Yang Xiong said: "To be frank, about three or four years ago I went to Sunset Forest for training and happened upon a poisonous fog. Since childhood I've studied toxins, and I was fascinated by that fog, so I ventured in."

Dugu Bo erupted in anger: "So it was you, you bastard. Back then everything in my Medicine Garden was stolen; I swore to shred the thieves to pieces, even if you come from Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect it won't help."

Dugu Bo's soul power flared, instantly transforming into a massive Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor, and nine Soul Rings appeared, the aura of a Title Douluo instantly pressuring everyone.

At the same moment, Lin Gong and Yang Wudi each displayed eight Soul Rings, subtly contending with Dugu Bo.

Lin Gong hurriedly said: "Dugu Bo, we can talk. Yang Xiong is a disciple of Sword Bone Douluo; you surely don't want the two sides to clash in battle, do you?"

Dugu Bo roared: "Are you threatening me? I think the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo should find new disciples; today nobody can block me."

Lin Gong also shouted: "Dugu Bo, we're only trying to discuss and make amends; otherwise, even if we said nothing today, could you still find out?"

Dugu Bo was momentarily at a loss for words, apparently fully aware that there were two top‑tier Soul Douluo present, making it impossible to silently kill Yang Xiong.

Moreover, as Lin Gong said, although I am a Title Douluo, the gap with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo is still large; killing their two disciples would have consequences even I, Dugu Bo, could not bear.

Dugu Bo then withdrew his martial soul and Soul Rings, and sat down.

"I'd like to see what method can compensate my fury; otherwise, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will have to collect your corpse."

Yang Xiong's face broke into a cold sweat: "Senior, I entered out of curiosity. In Sunset Forest I saw so many Divine Medicines and thought they were ownerless, so I harvested them all, not realizing they were your family's."

"I recently learned that you have a Medicine Garden in Sunset Forest, which is why I know I caused trouble back then; lately I've been trying everything to make amends, hoping you'll give me a chance."

Dugu Bo's face showed displeasure: "Your attitude is fine, but soothing my fury can't be done with just a single Ten‑Thousand‑Year Soul Bone."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate, pulling out a Jade Box; inside was a very strange flower with seven leaves, each leaf a different color.

"Senior, this is the Jade Phosphor Seven Absolute Flower, a treasure I obtained from your Medicine Garden; perhaps it can resolve your current confusion."

Dugu Bo's face turned oddly: "You kid want to use my own thing to compensate me? That's backwards and will only make me hate you more."

Yang Xiong said nothing further, but glanced at Yang Wudi beside him, indicating it was his turn to act.

Yang Wudi burst out laughing: "Dugu Bo, you may be a Title Douluo, but I'm not afraid of a dying man like you. If nothing works, let's go duel one‑on‑one; I want to see how strong your Title Douluo truly is."

Dugu Bo's face turned cold: "Yang Wudi, what do you mean? Aren't you afraid I'll annihilate your Po Yi Zu?"

Yang Wudi said: "My Po Yi Zu excels at refining medicine and poison. I see your hair is jet‑green, even your eyes, and you emit a foul stench; you look poisoned, perhaps you'll die before I even strike."

Dugu Bo's complexion changed: "Bold, you, a mere Soul Douluo, dare speak to me like that—are you simply bored with life?"

The two seemed about to argue, but Lin Gong quickly interjected: "Dugu Bo, let's speak plainly. We invited you specifically to help resolve the Spirit Poison troubling you, as a way for both sides to…"

Dugu Bo then calmed down; lacking any advantage, he wouldn't truly fight head‑on.

Moreover, he knew there were three other top‑tier Soul Douluo outside, and even within thirty li there were two Title Douluo from Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; if he acted, it might be hard for him to get away.

"Very well, tell me how you know I'm poisoned."

Yang Wudi laughed: "What's so hard to guess? Poison‑type martial souls are rare but not nonexistent. Apart from you Dugu Bo, virtually no one can reach Soul Douluo level, no matter how strong they are early on."

"Your eyes and hair are jet‑green, and you emit an odd aura; as someone who studies toxins, I can instantly tell you're poisoned by the very Spirit Poison of the Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor."

"Since learning of your poisoning, Yang Wudi and I have conducted analysis and research, devising a method to cure your Spirit Poison. Do you think such a lifesaving method is worth the medicines from your Medicine Garden?"

Dugu Bo's face was unsettled; after a long pause he asked: "Do you truly have a way to cure my Spirit Poison?"

Yang Wudi nodded: "Through our research, we have two methods to completely eliminate your Spirit Poison, and we guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Dugu Bo finally spoke: "Tell me then—if you can truly find a way to cure my Spirit Poison, I'll write off the Medicine Garden issue."

Yang Wudi laughed: "Of course. In the world's study of poisons, I, Yang Wudi, am unquestionably top‑ranked."

"Regarding your toxin, as long as you ingest this Jade Phosphor Seven Absolute Flower, it will not only eradicate the poison in your body but also has a chance to evolve your martial soul."

"However, the Jade Phosphor Seven Absolute Flower is extremely rare; the entire Douluo Continent may have only this one, and surely more than you in your family are poisoned."

Dugu Bo looked at the flower, a hint of longing in his eyes, then said: "If you have any other methods, tell me as well; if they truly work, I'll simply owe you a favor."

Yang Wudi handed Dugu Bo the soul bone beside Yang Xiong: "The second method is more complicated. Your toxin has likely penetrated to the marrow, impossible to expel, but since you have a soul bone inside, have you considered transferring the toxin onto the soul bone?"

However, in that case, this soul bone can probably be used only by you; others, even your own clan members, would be unable to use it.

Dugu Bo's face turned pale with shock, and he couldn't help muttering, "Soul bone? How did I never think of transferring the toxin onto a soul bone? If this method truly works, then my Jade Phosphor Family would no longer suffer the pain of Spirit Poison, wouldn't it?"

Yang Wudi continued, "Yang Xiong and I have recently devised a cultivation technique for transferring toxins, but your case is rather special; it requires your personal cooperation, so you, Dugu Bo, will need to stay for a while in my Cloud Mist Mountain."

Dugu Bo remained silent for a long time before replying, "Fine, Yang Xiong kid, I can let the matter of you stealing medicinal herbs from my Medicine Garden go, but you'd better be more careful in the future. If you dare trespass into my Medicine Garden again, I will show no mercy."

Yang Xiong hurriedly said, "Thank you, senior, for your generosity; I will naturally be more measured in my actions from now on and will not dare disturb you again."

After a round of discussion, the four of them, Yang Wudi took Dugu Bo to his alchemy workshop, apparently to discuss a concrete solution.

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong breathed a sigh of relief, at least they would no longer have to endure Dugu Bo's wrath.

Yang Xiong deliberately chose this moment mainly because he was about to set out on a long journey.

This expedition's life-or-death outcome is unknown and its duration uncertain; inviting Dugu Bo serves, on one hand, as a small atonement for what happened before.

On the other hand, it is to resolve lingering concerns; this time they can use Yang Wudi's and Dugu Bo's discussion on detoxification to forge some rapport between the sides.

Moreover, this gives Dugu Bo a debt of gratitude; should the Spirit Hall ever launch a Soul Hunting Operation early, Dugu Bo would be a formidable backup.

When that time comes, the Spirit Hall need not even send 10,000 Soul Grandmasters; even adding another 10,000 would make little difference, for Dugu Bo is reputedly invincible in mass battles.

(End of chapter)