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"Huh? You want to make me your godfather?"
Lan Minghua shot a look of disdain at Dugu Bo, noticing that the man was even older than the perpetually unlucky Minghua.
Lan Minghua himself was just a young man in his twenties, and the thought of being called godfather by someone several decades older made him feel incredibly awkward.
"Godfather? I'm not even older than you. Just call me Brother Hua!"
Despite Lan Minghua's protest, Dugu Bo remained kneeling on the ground.
This wasn't a kneel for himself—it was for Dugu Yan.
He didn't want his granddaughter to suffer through years of torment. For her sake, he was willing to do anything.
As long as she could be saved from the torment of poison, even acknowledging someone younger than him as his godfather was a price he was willing to pay.
"No, if you won't agree, this old man will not get up."
Lan Minghua rubbed his stubble helplessly and suddenly had an idea.
"System, show me Dugu Bo's talent rating."
[Name: Dugu Bo]
[Martial Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor]
[Spirit Power: Level 92]
[Talent Rating: 85]
Lan Minghua had already estimated that Dugu Bo's rating would be somewhere in the 80s.
But to his surprise, it was as high as 85.
Even among the Shrek Seven Devils, this rating was impressive.
After all, becoming a Titled Douluo in the original Douluo Dalu was no easy feat.
Without the help of immortal herbs, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong most likely would never have become Titled Douluo.
But Dugu Bo had climbed his way up through sheer effort alone.
Though often referred to as the weakest Titled Douluo, a Titled Douluo was still a Titled Douluo.
His weakness only lay in single-target offense.
While he couldn't match other Titled Douluo in a one-on-one duel, his poison could wipe out an entire opposing faction, leaving only their Titled Douluo standing.
So in truth, Dugu Bo's talent wasn't weak at all—it met the standard for apprenticeship.
Lan Minghua cleared his throat and said, "I'll give you a chance. Become my disciple, and I will teach you the art of poison alchemy."
Being someone's godfather felt awkward, but taking on a disciple? That didn't bother him as much.
After all, those with superior ability deserve respect.
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he bowed deeply, "Disciple greets Master!"
Lan Minghua walked over, placed his hand on Dugu Bo's head, and directly transferred the knowledge of the poison alchemy technique into his mind.
A torrent of information flooded Dugu Bo's consciousness, and he quickly shut his eyes to concentrate on the insights.
The intricacies of the poison alchemy method were unlike anything he had ever encountered.
Who would've thought poison could be controlled in such a refined way?
Lan Minghua quietly watched, allowing him to absorb the knowledge thoroughly.
After a long while, Dugu Bo opened his eyes with a look of immense satisfaction, having memorized every detail of the poison alchemy technique.
This time, he sincerely called out, "Master!"
Lan Minghua nodded, and upon seeing the expression on Dugu Bo's face, he understood exactly what he was thinking.
Dugu Bo also knew the value of what he had been given and dared not reveal it lightly.
After all, Tang San's Xuan Tian Record had lasted from the first part of the series all the way to the fifth.
Moreover, poison alchemy only benefited poison-based Spirit Masters. It wasn't of much use to others.
Lan Minghua wasn't a petty person. He also understood that Dugu Bo had someone he wanted to help.
"What I taught you must not be spread carelessly. However, you may treat it as a family inheritance. If any of your clan members leak it outside, you know what must be done."
He had already made a big concession by allowing Dugu Bo to treat poison alchemy as a secret clan technique.
But if it spread beyond the clan, that would be crossing a line.
With tears of gratitude, Dugu Bo vowed, "Master, rest assured. If this knowledge ever leaks beyond the clan, I will personally kill the offender and offer my life in penance!"
"Enough! You're a grown man—what's with all the crying? Sit down and cultivate the poison alchemy technique. I'll stand guard for you."
Now that he was Dugu Bo's master, Lan Minghua would take full responsibility.
Dugu Bo didn't hesitate. He sat cross-legged and followed the method to condense the poison within his body into a poison core in his dantian.
A full day and night passed before Dugu Bo finally succeeded in condensing the poison core.
Not only did his poison abilities remain intact, they actually grew stronger.
He felt his mastery over poison had reached a whole new level.
At that very moment, his long-stagnant spirit power surged.
He broke through from Level 92 to Level 93!
It was only natural—a case of long-accumulated potential finally erupting.
Dugu Bo stepped forward and respectfully said, "Master, I'd like to host a banquet in your honor. May I request you stay for a few days?"
"Sure, I'll stay at your place for a bit."
Lan Minghua was more than happy to oblige—after all, a Titled Douluo was certainly richer than Flender.
Besides, he wasn't in a hurry to return. He wanted to wait until Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing reached Level 30 before giving them their immortal herbs.
After all, immortal herbs could boost spirit power without side effects, allowing them to quickly surpass Tang San and his team.
Back at Shrek Academy, in Lan Minghua's absence, Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing were being trained together by Flender.
During this period, Oscar saw through Ning Rongrong's spoiled nature, and his initial infatuation with her vanished completely.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing's presence helped him realize what a truly good woman was.
The next day, Flender led Oscar and the others to the Soto Great Spirit Arena for a battle.
As expected, Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing teamed up and formed the "Ao-Zhu Duo."
And by sheer coincidence, their opponents in the doubles match were the "San-Wu Duo," composed of Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Tang San's eyes darkened. He finally had a legitimate opportunity to strike at Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing.
If he attacked them under normal circumstances, it might reveal his identity.
So he had been waiting for this—a public match where he could attack without consequence.
After all, in the arena, getting hurt only meant you weren't skilled enough.
Even if Lan Minghua returned, he wouldn't have any grounds to retaliate.
"Tang San, destroy those two bastards for me!" roared Dai Mubai, completely consumed by rage.
He had always indulged in his own pleasures without a second thought for Zhu Zhuqing.
Now, even though she hadn't officially accepted someone else, he was still furious. Why?
Tang San simply nodded. He, too, wanted revenge for his father.
Since he couldn't defeat Lan Minghua, he'd start with Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai thought Tang San was a loyal brother, but he had no idea he was just a scapegoat for Tang San once his secrets were exposed.
Both men stared darkly at Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, already calculating their next move.
"Zhuqing, our opponents are Tang San and Xiao Wu. Do you know anything about them?" Oscar asked.
He hadn't interacted much with Tang San and had no idea of his true strength.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, had gathered some knowledge during the school's entrance phase.
"Tang San and Xiao Wu are also Level 29 Spirit Grandmasters like us. But Tang San possesses twin martial spirits and is skilled with hidden weapons."
Zhu Zhuqing shared this intelligence in a cool, calm voice while Oscar leaned in to listen closely.
The intimate gesture nearly made Dai Mubai explode with rage.
At that moment, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"This two-on-two spirit battle is between the San-Wu Duo and the Ao-Zhu Duo! Since both teams are participating in a two-on-two battle for the first time, what kind of sparks will fly? Let us wait and see!"
As both teams entered the arena, the host's voice rang out once again.
"I now declare the two-on-two spirit battle between the San-Wu Duo and the Ao-Zhu Duo—officially begun!"
San-Wu Duo vs. Ao-Zhu Duo—fight!
(End of Chapter)