Thank you to our new Patrons: joao goncalves, William Ngo, Dog Jay, Christopher Gärtner and Jose cabrera atzin! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 180: Dai Mubai, the Weakling on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Not long after, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo arrived at the academy.
Ning Rongrong, as if clutching at a lifeline, tearfully pleaded, "Father, please save Brother Tianchen!"
Ning Fengzhi didn't show any signs of panic. He gently stroked her forehead and reassured her, "Rongrong, don't worry. Tianchen will be fine."
Bone Douluo bent down, his tone gentle as he said, "Rongrong, the Sect Leader and I are here to investigate. Where did Tianchen disappear? Take us there."
"Lord Bone Douluo, Sect Leader Ning, please follow me," Ke Jie quickly led the way.
Upon entering the simulated cultivation field, Gu Rong detected the lingering stench of decay in the air. However, there was no trace of blood or any residual soul power from a battle.
To make a more accurate judgment, he meticulously examined the location where Ning Tianchen had left the letter, as well as the entire simulated cultivation field.
Finally, he concluded, "The letter contains a secret code left by Tianchen, and there are no signs of a struggle here. It's unlikely that Tianchen was forcibly taken by Dugu Bo. Based on the contents of the letter, I believe it's highly probable that he left voluntarily."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong wiped away her tears, and her mood finally relaxed a little.
"Lord Bone Douluo, Sect Leader Ning, even if Tianchen wanted to leave with him, shouldn't he have had time to inform us? Why did he only leave a letter?" Oscar, deeply concerned for Ning Tianchen's safety, couldn't help but voice his doubts.
Of course, it wasn't that Ning Tianchen didn't want to inform them—it was simply that Dugu Bo had been in such a hurry that they resorted to this plan.
Ke Jie seemed to have guessed part of the reason. "It's possible the situation was urgent. Since it's a trade, perhaps Dugu Bo encountered some kind of difficulty and needed Tianchen's help to resolve it. And since Tianchen was eager to obtain the reward from the trade, he left this letter to avoid wasting time."
His explanation convinced most of the people present.
It was all just a false alarm.
Everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
After considering various factors, Ning Fengzhi quickly made arrangements. "Tianchen's safety shouldn't be an issue. However, the letter doesn't mention where he and Dugu Bo went. Sect disciples should search areas where Dugu Bo might appear. Report back immediately if there's any news."
"Rongrong, focus on your training at the academy. Don't worry about Tianchen—he'll be fine."
---
Ning Tianchen had no idea that his disappearance had caused such a stir within the sect.
The immortal herbs were right before his eyes, and despite his usual composure, he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
Under Dugu Bo's guidance, the two arrived at a mountain peak shrouded in poisonous miasma.
Dugu Bo retrieved a pill from his soul tool and tossed it to Ning Tianchen. "The poisonous miasma here was set up by me. Take this antidote, and you'll be able to pass through safely."
Without hesitation, Ning Tianchen swallowed the pill.
He had already ingrained the idea in Dugu Bo's mind that only he could detoxify him, so there was no way the other party would harm him.
"You're not afraid that I might have given you poison instead?" Dugu Bo sneered.
"Aren't you a Title Douluo? If you used poison to kill a Soul Elder, wouldn't the entire continent ridicule you if word got out?" Ning Tianchen countered.
"Your temperament suits my tastes. As long as you don't deceive me, I won't mistreat you."
With that, he entered the poisonous miasma without waiting for Ning Tianchen.
Ning Tianchen followed closely behind.
After passing through the thick miasma, the two reached the mountainside.
Dugu Bo pointed to the summit and said, "My medicinal garden is on this mountain. I've only ever brought you here. In the future, you can come whenever you want, but you mustn't bring anyone from the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect into this place."
In his eyes, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was an enormous merchant guild, and merchants were greedy. If Ning Fengzhi learned of this place's existence, it would likely be lost forever.
Of course, he didn't fully trust Ning Tianchen either. But in order to detoxify himself, he had no other choice.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect doesn't deal in medicinal herbs, and there aren't many records of herbs within the sect. Senior, you can rest assured."
Dugu Bo acted as if he hadn't heard. With his strength as a Title Douluo, he flew directly to the summit.
Ning Tianchen muttered under his breath, activating his sword wings and third soul skill to follow closely behind.
At the summit, there was a small cave entrance. Ning Tianchen leaped into it without hesitation.
Upon entering the cave, it was extremely narrow, allowing only one person to pass through. After falling tens of meters, the space suddenly opened up.
Looking down, Ning Tianchen saw a spring below with red and blue waters.
The red water emitted waves of intense heat, while the blue water released chilling frost.
Two opposing elemental springs coexisted peacefully within the same fountain. Even though he had prior knowledge of the Ice and Fire Dual Extreme Eye, Ning Tianchen was still awestruck by the sight before him.
Dugu Bo landed on a narrow path along the cliffside. He reached out and pulled the falling Ning Tianchen to his side.
"Boy, your luck isn't bad—you actually possess such an external soul bone," Dugu Bo remarked sharply.
Ning Tianchen shrugged. "Senior, don't entertain any crooked thoughts. The sword wings have already fused completely with me. Even if you kill me, you won't be able to take the soul bone."
---
Dugu Bo snorted softly. He wasn't desperate enough to resort to such extreme measures.
Pointing to the herbs below, he said, "Boy, aside from the herbs I planted here, most of these plants are unknown even to me. Especially the water in the middle—I only dare stay there briefly."
"If you touch something you shouldn't, don't expect me to collect your corpse."
Ning Tianchen feigned confusion and pointed to the immortal herbs below. "Senior, are you really unfamiliar with the uses of these herbs?"
Dugu Bo snorted again and turned toward a nearby wooden cabin.
"Follow me."
---
The wooden cabin wasn't large. Inside, there was only a desk, a bed, and a stool.
"A Title Douluo like you couldn't even bother to renovate your little hut?" Ning Tianchen thought to himself.
Was this humble abode truly indicative of virtue?
Of course, in Ning Tianchen's impression, a Title Douluo shouldn't lack material comforts.
What he didn't know was that someone like Dugu Bo, who refused to rely on any faction and held himself in high regard, didn't live a life of luxury.
On the desk lay Dugu Bo's research notes on medicinal herbs.
Before Ning Tianchen could reach for them, Dugu Bo sat down on the stool and asked, "Well? How do you plan to detoxify me?"
This matter concerned his own safety, so he couldn't afford to take it lightly.
"You want me to stand while I explain?" The only stool was occupied by Dugu Bo. Where was he supposed to sit?
"You can sit on the floor. Hurry up—my patience is limited."
Ning Tianchen rolled his eyes inwardly and leaned against the desk as he began, "There are three methods. You can choose whichever you prefer."
The first method was the one Tang San had taught Dugu Bo in the original timeline—forcing the toxins into the soul bone, using it as a container for the venom.
Dugu Bo was overjoyed. "This method is brilliant! Why didn't I think of it myself?"
Ning Tianchen rolled his eyes. "This method has its drawbacks, Senior Dugu. Tell me, as your strength increases, won't the total amount of toxins also increase?"
"Naturally. So what are you trying to say?"
Dugu Bo still hadn't realized the severity of the issue.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.