Soul Land—Chapter 26: Go to Dugu Bo's Residence
Ling Qianyao nodded.
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and his tone quickened slightly. "Come on, hurry up! You need to solve this poison."
As he spoke, he condensed a drop of ominous, strange purple liquid in his palm and suspended it in mid-air.
"To tell you the truth, I am the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. This is the poison from my Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul, which is much more powerful than Yanyan's Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison. Let me see how strong your martial soul's purification ability is."
After hearing Dugu Bo's declaration, Dugu Yan reacted and gave Ling Qianyao and the others an apologetic look.
"Well, my grandfather has been dealing with poisons. I guess he heard about my story, so I'm sorry for the trouble. I didn't expect this to happen; I hope you don't mind."
Dugu Bo lightly interrupted Dugu Yan with a cough, refocusing on Ling Qianyao, his expression filled with both expectation and scrutiny.
"Boy, stop dawdling. Let me see your strength. If you can solve the poison of my Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, I might consider not pursuing the matter between you and Yanyan."
Ling Qianyao nodded. Dugu Bo had arrived faster than he had anticipated. This overprotective grandfather cared more about Dugu Yan than he had imagined. The moment Dugu Yan fought with him, Dugu Bo must have caught wind of the events.
Ling Qianyao summoned the Star-Breaking Sword. The Azure Dragon Constellation in the sword lattice glimmered, slicing through the drop of venom.
When the tip of the sword made contact, the drop of venom, which had originally exuded an ominous and strange purple, began transforming into crystal dust at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The purple light gradually dissipated, replaced by a clear and pure scene. The crystal dust floated in the air, eventually turning into invisible energy, as if it had never existed.
A trace of surprise flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. He hadn't expected Ling Qianyao's martial soul purification ability to be so powerful that he could easily dissolve the poison from his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul. He regarded Ling Qianyao with newfound respect.
"Good boy, your martial soul purification ability is truly extraordinary!" Dugu Bo praised. "I keep my word. Since you've solved the poison of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, I won't pursue the matter of you kicking Yanyan off the field."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes.
Dugu Bo changed the subject. "I heard you intend to enroll here, right?"
"Yes."
"Good." Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Yan beside him, his eyes shifting slightly. "You know I love to study poisons. Your abilities will be very useful when I prepare toxins. If I ask you for help, you won't refuse, will you?"
"Is there a reward?" Ling Qianyao asked.
Dugu Bo was taken aback, then laughed. "Yes, of course! Kid, you are quite smart!"
He patted Ling Qianyao on the shoulder. "As long as you help me, you'll naturally be rewarded. Whether it's rare medicinal materials or gold soul coins, I won't be stingy."
"Then I'll take on this task. If you need anything later, you can let Miss Dugu Yan contact me," Ling Qianyao replied.
"Alright," Dugu Bo said, narrowing his eyes while firmly remembering Ling Qianyao. "See you later."
The Next Day
As soon as dawn broke, Dugu Yan rushed over with sleepy eyes and saw Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing practicing in the courtyard.
She opened her mouth. "Shouldn't you still be resting at this time?"
Walking into the courtyard, Dugu Yan delivered Dugu Bo's invitation for Ling Qianyao to visit Dugu Bo's mansion in Heaven Dou City.
After glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, Ling Qianyao nodded. "Don't worry."
Before leaving, he informed Chief Meng Shenji about their destination.
When Meng Shenji heard they were going to Dugu Bo's residence, his eyebrows tightened slightly, but he still nodded.
"Originally, word of your actions in the academy yesterday reached the imperial family. After hearing about your performance, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said he would come to the academy to get to know you in the next two days. I saw it was still early and didn't have time to tell you, but Dugu Bo caught wind of it first.
However, this Dugu Bo has a peculiar temperament, and I'm a bit concerned."
"Please come with us," Ling Qianyao said respectfully.
Meng Shenji's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Ling Qianyao and smiled. "I thought you were fearless, but it turns out you still have some sense. Very well, I will accompany you. Dugu Bo won't drive me away."
As Meng Shenji was about to leave, Ling Qianyao asked, "Should we also notify His Royal Highness the Crown Prince about today's situation?"
"That makes sense," Meng Shenji nodded after a brief pause. He opened his mouth as if to speak but no sound came out.
"Okay, let's go."
Feeling reassured, Ling Qianyao, accompanied by Meng Shenji, followed Dugu Yan to a relatively quiet mansion in Heaven Dou City.
"Meng Shenji? Why are you here? I don't think I called for you?"
Dugu Bo frowned when he saw the group.
Meng Shenji smiled pleasantly. "Your Majesty, Poison Douluo, don't think too much of it; Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing have special identities. They are the future elites of my Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. We are a little worried about their visit to Your Majesty alone."
"Hmph." Dugu Bo glanced at Meng Shenji, then at Ling Qianyao, snorting. "Come in."
Everyone followed Dugu Bo into the mansion. The interior was decorated enigmatically and felt a bit gloomy. Various exotic flowers and plants adorned the space. The air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance and a subtle toxic smell.
"Sit wherever you want," Dugu Bo waved his hand as he took his place in the main seat. After sending Dugu Yan away, he sneered. "Ling kid, you're very sly. Do you think I'll attack you or something?"
Ling Qianyao tilted his head. "What do you mean, Senior? I don't understand."
"Huh, you don't understand? If you don't, then I'll seal my cultivation and jump off the wall of Heaven Dou City." He glared at Meng Shenji while blowing his beard. "I indeed do things according to my preferences, but since this kid is now associated with the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, I won't touch him if he has some relationship with them.
What's more, he has the secret of the thousand-year-second soul ring. I, Dugu Bo, don't want to cause trouble, and I am not a madman without any scruples."
Meng Shenji said awkwardly, "Haha, Senior Dugu is joking."
"Come on, come inside with me, Ling boy." As he spoke, he walked toward the medicine garden. "Meng Shenji, you stay outside. Don't worry; you can sense this guy's aura."
Meng Shenji's eyes moved slightly, and he nodded at Ling Qianyao.
Walking into the medicine garden, Dugu Bo closed the door behind them for soundproofing.
"Come here," he waved at Ling Qianyao before sitting cross-legged on a platform and swallowing a black bead.
"Come, let me see the limit of your martial soul purification ability."
___
Support me on [patreon.com/Thebeginning331] for access to advanced chapters and exclusive content
(End of this chapter)