"After a few days, people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan came. The leader Ning Fengzhi himself, accompanied by the two Titled Douluo elders."
His face twisted as if he were chewing on bitterness."There was another brat with them—arrogant, but shrewd. He claimed there was a special herbal garden hidden within my poison formation. With its help, he said, he could cure my poison."
Dugu Bo clenched his fists. "And again, he dared to mention Dugu Yan. Said curing me would also be 'best for the Dugu family.' After what happened with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the anger simmering in my chest burst forth. I struck at him directly."
The memory flared behind his eyes."Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo immediately came forward to block me, both releasing their spirit rings, their power pressing against mine. But I did not care. My fourth soul skill—Poison Mist—erupted across the battlefield. The forest air turned into a deathly green haze."
A cold chuckle escaped his throat. "Ning Fengzhi… he's a clever man. He immediately realized the truth—that both he and the child had already been poisoned by my soul power. His complexion changed, and without hesitation, he withdrew. He bowed, apologized, and left with his two protectors."
This time, his narration ended in a controlled tone, no longer trembling with fury. Perhaps recalling Ning Fengzhi's quick retreat gave him some satisfaction.
The chamber was quiet. The faint fragrance of tea lingered between them.
Qian Renxue set down her cup, her voice calm but sharp. "I think what truly troubles you, Senior Poison Douluo, is not their words… but your fear that they are targeting your granddaughter, Dugu Yan."
Dugu Bo's hardened façade cracked at once. His eyes dimmed, his shoulders sagged, and his lips trembled slightly as he said, "Yes. I don't have any weakness—except her. Yan'er is… she's my only family left. If something happens to her… I don't know what I would do. Perhaps go mad. Perhaps slaughter until nothing is left."
His words, ragged with emotion, lingered in the air. For a moment, he looked less like a venomous Titled Douluo and more like an old man terrified of losing the last warmth in his life.
Qian Renxue gazed at him steadily, her eyes softening just a fraction. She leaned forward slightly and spoke with deliberate weight:
"You can bring Dugu Yan to Spirit City. Let her settle here under our protection."
Her tone carried no hesitation—only command and assurance.
"She will awaken her martial soul soon. With the immortal herb I entrusted to you, her innate talent will rise beyond the ordinary. When that time comes, she can apprentice under any Titled Douluo of the Elder Hall. No one will dare touch her under Spirit Hall's shadow."
Dugu Bo's breath caught. For a long moment, he simply stared at her—this young master who, in a short span, had pressed him with spiritual might, soothed his fears, and given him hope. His lips quivered before he said awkwardly, almost sheepishly,
"I… already brought her with me, when I came to Spirit City. I feared that something might happen if I left her in Heaven Dou City. I could not sleep peacefully otherwise."
Qian Renxue raised her eyebrows, a faint, knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"Then it seems your heart has already chosen the safer path for her. I think she will be glad to meet the grandchildren of the elders. Friendships forged young often grow stronger than steel."
At those words, some of the tension visibly melted from Dugu Bo's shoulders. He stood up abruptly, bowing slightly with a rare show of respect.
"Then, Young Master, I will bring Yan'er here at once. Please… take care of her in the days to come."
----
After some time, Qian Renxue found Dugu Bo standing at the edge of a corridor with a little girl beside him.The girl had striking green eyes and a cascade of purple hair, her gaze sharp and unwavering. Unlike most children her age who hid behind their elders when meeting strangers, this girl stood with her arms crossed, boldness in her posture.
When Qian Renxue's eyes lingered on her, the little girl pursed her lips, tilting her head in an assessing manner."Hmph. Grandpa said we would meet someone important… but you don't look much older than me."
Qian Renxue's lips curved into an amused smile, the faint glow in her purple eyes betraying no offense.
Dugu Bo, however, hurried to smooth things over. He bowed slightly, his voice tinged with urgency."Young Master, please don't take it to heart. Yan'er has grown up without her parents. She learned to use her sharp tongue as armor, to keep the noble brats of Heaven Dou City at a distance."
"GRANDPA!" Dugu Yan stamped her little foot, cheeks puffed with indignation. Though her tone was fierce, the small voice betrayed her childishness.
Qian Renxue waved her hand lightly, dismissing the matter with grace."Why don't we go and meet someone else?"
With that, she turned and walked ahead at an unhurried pace. Dugu Bo sighed, scooped Dugu Yan into his arms despite her wriggling protests, and followed after her.
---
Not long after, they came across a garden filled with laughter. Several children were running about, chasing one another beneath the shade of tall trees. It was a rare moment of innocence within Spirit City's walls.
Qian Renxue's gaze, however, went past the lively group and settled on the main gate. There, a boy leaned lazily against the stone pillar, his arms folded, expression cool and detached. His air was one of deliberate aloofness—as though mingling with the others was beneath him.
"Jiang Mo," Qian Renxue called out with a faint smile. "So, are you babysitting them again?"
The boy straightened instantly, scowling. "What babysitting? Don't make it sound like that! You should be the one watching over them. We're about the same age, yet unlike you, I'm not hiding behind the excuse of being 'busy.'"
Qian Renxue arched an eyebrow, lips twitching at his blunt retort. Before she could reply, another voice rang out, brimming with energy.