In the main hall of Yunwu Mountain, everyone sat quietly. The atmosphere was far tenser and more serious than usual.
Over the past year, all five elders had gained one to two levels of soul power. Lin Gong and Dragon Duke, who had the highest soul power, had both reached level 89. Niu Gao was at level 86, Yang Wudi at level 84, and Bai He at level 83.
At this rate, within two years, two Title Douluo might emerge. Even Niu Gao could potentially reach the Title Douluo level within five years.
Yang Xiong was now at level 50 and planned to take care of some personal matters before seeking a soul ring. Since he might be away for a long time after leaving, there were certain issues he wanted to address beforehand—especially reducing potential threats.
After Yang Xiong finished explaining everything, only Yang Xiong, Lin Gong, and Yang Wudi remained in the room, quietly waiting.
At this moment, Lin Gong, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. "He's here!"
True to Lin Gong's words, a figure slowly appeared at the entrance of the hall.
The man was gaunt, with emerald green hair and even green eyes. His body exuded a faint green aura. This was none other than Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo's expression was cold. "Lin Gong, why have you summoned me to this Yunwu Mountain? My time is precious. If you displease me, you know my temper."
Lin Gong smiled: "Dugu Bo, we've invited you here to discuss important matters. On one hand, it's to resolve some of your doubts; on the other, it's to assist you."
Dugu Bo sneered: "What doubts do I have? And I don't need help from the likes of you. Are you mocking me with these words?"
Lin Gong shook his head: "This time, it wasn't me who sought you out—it was Yang Xiong."
Dugu Bo finally noticed the seating arrangement. Yang Xiong sat in the central position, while Lin Gong and Yang Wudi sat to the left. The seats on the right were empty.
Yang Xiong bowed slightly: "Senior Dugu Bo, it's been a long time. Since our parting at the Soul Master Tournament, you remain as impressive as ever."
Dugu Bo replied: "Yang Xiong? You're the classmate of Yanzi from the Tian Dou Imperial Academy. I vaguely remember your performance during the tournament. I didn't expect that, relying on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, you'd have such good relations with the single-attribute families."
"Unfortunately, whether it's you or others, none of you are worth my attention. Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't dare underestimate me."
Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Senior, you misunderstand. We've invited you here to discuss an urgent matter of great importance, which is why we took the liberty to summon you."
Dugu Bo sneered: "A mere brat not even at the Soul King level. Do you know the consequences of trifling with me? Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect might not be able to protect you."
Without saying anything further, Yang Xiong retrieved a lead box from his person. Inside was a ten-thousand-year soul bone.
This soul bone came from the treasure vault of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Now that most of the sect's resources were available for his use, taking a ten-thousand-year soul bone wasn't particularly significant.
Dugu Bo frowned slightly: "Boy, what do you mean by this? Though soul bones are rare, I'm not someone who hasn't seen the world."
Yang Xiong bowed deeply: "Junior merely wishes to offer an apology. This soul bone is just a token of my remorse."
Dugu Bo laughed coldly: "You'd better explain where you've offended me first. Only then can I decide whether to forgive you."
Yang Xiong replied: "To be honest, about three or four years ago, when I was training in Sunset Forest, I stumbled upon a patch of poisonous mist. Having studied poisons since childhood, I found the mist intriguing and decided to venture inside."
Dugu Bo's anger flared: "So it was you, you wretch! Everything in my medicinal garden was stolen, and I swore to tear the thief apart. Your connection to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect won't save you!"
With that, Dugu Bo's soul power surged, transforming him into a massive Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. Nine soul rings appeared around him, and the overwhelming presence of a Title Douluo pressed down on everyone.
However, at the same time, Lin Gong and Yang Wudi revealed their eight soul rings, subtly countering Dugu Bo's pressure.
Lin Gong quickly interjected: "Dugu Bo, let's talk this through. Yang Xiong is Sword Bone Douluo's disciple. Surely you don't want conflict between us?"
Dugu Bo roared: "Are you threatening me? Tell Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to find themselves a new disciple. No one will stop me today."
Lin Gong shot back: "Dugu Bo, we're merely here to negotiate and make amends. If we hadn't spoken today, would you even have been able to uncover the truth?"
Dugu Bo fell silent, realizing that with two top-tier Soul Emperors present, it would be impossible to kill Yang Xiong without a trace.
Moreover, as Lin Gong said, though he was a Title Douluo, he was no match for Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. Killing their disciple would bring consequences even Dugu Bo couldn't bear.
Dugu Bo retracted his martial soul and soul rings, sitting down abruptly.
"I'll hear your so-called compensation plan. Otherwise, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can collect your corpse."
Yang Xiong wiped a bead of sweat from his brow: "Senior, I entered your garden out of curiosity. Seeing so many medicinal herbs in Sunset Forest, I mistakenly thought they were unclaimed and harvested them all. Only recently did I learn it was your property."
"Upon discovering this, I've been seeking ways to make amends. I hope you'll give me a chance."
Dugu Bo's expression darkened: "Your attitude is fine, but a mere ten-thousand-year soul bone won't quench my anger."
Yang Xiong didn't dwell on this. Instead, he took out another jade box. Inside was a peculiar flower with seven petals, each a different color.
"Senior, this is the Jade Phosphorous Seven-Leaf Flower, a treasure I obtained from your garden. Perhaps it can resolve your current predicament."
Dugu Bo's face twisted with disdain: "You want to compensate me with something stolen from me? That's absurd. It only makes me hate you more."
Yang Xiong didn't respond further but glanced at Yang Wudi. It was his turn to step in.
Yang Wudi burst into laughter: "Dugu Bo, though you're a Title Douluo, I'm not afraid of a dying man like you. If you're so confident, let's settle this outside with a duel. Let's see how strong you Title Douluo really are."
Dugu Bo's face turned icy: "Yang Wudi, what do you mean by this? Do you think I won't annihilate your Power Clan?"
Yang Wudi retorted: "My Power Clan excels in alchemy and poison. Look at your emerald-green hair and eyes, and the foul stench emanating from you. Clearly, you're poisoned. Who knows, you might drop dead before we even fight."
Dugu Bo's expression shifted: "Bold words for a mere Soul Emperor. Are you tired of living?"
As the two began to escalate, Lin Gong quickly intervened: "Dugu Bo, let's be frank. We invited you here to help resolve the issue of your martial soul's poison. Consider it a way to settle past grievances."
Dugu Bo calmed down. With no clear advantage in strength, he wasn't about to pick a fight.
Besides, he knew there were three top-tier Soul Emperors present, and two Title Douluo from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect thirty miles away. If a battle broke out, he might not escape alive.
"Fine. Tell me how you know I'm poisoned."
Yang Wudi chuckled: "It's not hard to guess. Poison-type martial souls are rare, but aside from you, Dugu Bo, no one else has reached even the Soul Douluo level. Early strength means nothing if the poison takes hold."
"Your green hair and eyes, along with the strange odor emanating from you—it's obvious to someone like me who studies poisons. You're afflicted by the very poison of your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul."
"After learning of your condition, Yang Xiong and I analyzed the situation and devised a method to help you resolve the poison. Wouldn't you say this life-saving solution is worth more than your medicinal garden?"
Dugu Bo's expression darkened. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "Do you truly have a way to resolve my martial soul's poison?"
Yang Wudi nodded: "Through our research, Yang Xiong and I have devised two methods that guarantee your satisfaction."
Dugu Bo replied: "Speak. If you can truly help me resolve this poison, I'll consider the matter of the medicinal garden settled."
Yang Wudi laughed: "Of course. When it comes to poison research, I, Yang Wudi, am second to none."
"As for your condition, consuming this Jade Phosphorous Seven-Leaf Flower will not only neutralize the poison in your body but also has a chance to evolve your martial soul."
"However, the Jade Phosphorous Seven-Leaf Flower is exceedingly rare—perhaps the only one on the entire Douluo Continent. I assume others in your family are also poisoned."
Dugu Bo gazed at the Jade Phosphorous Seven-Leaf Flower with longing but ultimately asked: "What's your other method? If feasible, I'll owe you a favor."
Yang Wudi handed the soul bone beside Yang Xiong to Dugu Bo: "The second method is more complicated. Your poison has likely seeped into your bones, making it impossible to expel. However, if you possess a soul bone, have you considered transferring the poison into it?"
"Of course, doing so would render the soul bone unusable by anyone else—even your clansmen."
Dugu Bo's face lit up with surprise. He muttered to himself: "A soul bone? Why didn't I think of transferring the poison into a soul bone? If this works, my Jade Phosphorous family might never suffer from martial soul poison again!"
Yang Wudi continued: "Yang Xiong and I have developed a method to transfer the poison. However, your case is unique and requires your cooperation. You'll need to stay in Yunwu Mountain for a while."
Dugu Bo fell silent for a long time before replying: "Fine. Yang Xiong, I'll overlook your theft of my medicinal herbs for now. But tread carefully in the future. If you dare trespass into my garden again, I won't show mercy."
Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Thank you, Senior. I'll be more cautious in the future and ensure I don't disturb you again."
After some discussion, Yang Wudi took Dugu Bo to his alchemy workshop to work on specific solutions.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong breathed a sigh of relief. At least they no longer had to endure Dugu Bo's wrath.
Yang Xiong had deliberately chosen this timing because he was about to embark on a perilous journey.
The trip ahead was uncertain, and its duration unpredictable. Inviting Dugu Bo served two purposes: to make amends for the past and to address lingering concerns.
By resolving Dugu Bo's poisoning issue, Yang Xiong hoped to build rapport and secure a favor from him. If the Spirit Hall launched its Hunter Operation prematurely, Dugu Bo would serve as a powerful ally.
When that day came, even if the Spirit Hall sent ten thousand soul masters—or double that number—it wouldn't matter. After all, Dugu Bo was known as invincible in group battles.
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