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Under the night sky, elsewhere, at the Dugu residence.
In a large dining room of the estate, a family banquet was in progress.
A tall and thin elder with green hair and beard, sunken cheeks, dressed in gray robes, looked lovingly at a young woman with purple hair eating her meal. Occasionally, he used his chopsticks to put dishes into her bowl.
"Tianheng, you eat too!"
Seeing her grandfather give her another dish, Dugu Yan glanced at Yu Tianheng beside her, who was only focused on eating his rice and rarely picking up food, and placed a piece of food in his bowl.
Yu Tianheng, sensing this, inwardly thought it wasn't good; reluctantly, he looked towards Dugu Bo.
Sure enough, the originally affectionate-looking Dugu Bo immediately changed his expression and gave him an unfriendly look.
"Cough, Grandfather, you eat!"
Facing Dugu Bo's unfriendly gaze, Yu Tianheng shrank his neck and hurriedly picked up the dish that his girlfriend, Dugu Yan, had given him and placed it in front of Dugu Bo's bowl.
"Hmph!"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, and his intangible aura spread, scaring Yu Tianheng into letting go of his chopsticks.
Do I need this dish from you?
I'm angry because my precious granddaughter didn't think of giving me a dish first but instead gave you one!
At this moment, Dugu Bo felt like an old father whose cabbage had been trampled by pigs.
"Ah, Grandpa, it's Tianheng's first time coming to our home, don't be like this!"
Realizing what she had done, Dugu Yan quickly placed some food in her grandfather's bowl and defended her boyfriend who she brought home for the first time.
After that soul battle with Shrek, Qin Ming took the Imperial Battle Team back to Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
However, the Imperial Battle Team didn't rush their journey back to the academy. On their way, they visited every major city and went to the large spirit arenas within the cities to train.
After returning to the academy in the morning, with nothing else to do, Dugu Yan decided to bring her boyfriend, Yu Tianheng, home to introduce him to her grandfather.
However, Dugu Yan didn't expect that Yu Tianheng, who usually wasn't timid, would act like a mouse seeing a cat when he met her grandfather, showing none of his usual demeanor and leaving a bad first impression.
Hmm, quite poor indeed.
"Are you really part of the 'Blue Lightning Twin Stars'?"
Glancing at his granddaughter who already seemed to favor someone else, Dugu Bo disdainfully addressed the submissive Yu Tianheng.
The so-called "Blue Lightning Twin Stars" were titles given by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, imitating the "Hao Tian Twin Stars" of the former Hao Tian Sect, to hype up the talents of the family's two direct descendants, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin.
But in Dugu Bo's eyes, the "Blue Lightning Twin Stars" were far inferior to the "Hao Tian Twin Stars" of the past.
To say nothing else, the "Hao Tian Twin Stars," the elder brother Tang Xiao had already achieved the title Douluo and succeeded as the head of the Hao Tian Sect, while his younger brother Tang Hao inherited the name Hao Tian Douluo. More than ten years ago, even the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, fell to him. These two brothers were undoubtedly among the strongest on the continent.
On the other hand, these "Blue Lightning Twin Stars," their reputation might have soared, but their strength? A trifling three-ringed level little grasshopper like you, how dare you compare?
Dugu Bo hadn't met Yu Tianxin, but looking at Yu Tianheng in front of him, he didn't think he could match the two brothers, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao.
As for Yu Tianheng, this potential grandson-in-law, he was deeply dissatisfied.
Of course, talent wasn't the most important thing; the most crucial aspect was that in Dugu Bo's view, Yu Tianheng was overly submissive, lacking any masculine spirit, and not suitable for his granddaughter.
Clearly, Dugu Bo forgot that his infamous reputation, plus the fact that Yu Tianheng was visiting for the first time, naturally made him nervous.
Upon hearing Dugu Bo's mockery, if possible, Yu Tianheng wanted to flip the table and then beat Dugu Bo up.
Unfortunately, he couldn't; he was just a small Soul Elder, how could he possibly stand against Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo?
Moreover, this was his girlfriend's grandfather. Even if Dugu Bo didn't have much strength, he still couldn't do that.
And Yu Tianheng knew something about Dugu Bo's personality. Before coming, he had prepared himself for being criticized.
Being criticized wasn't a big deal, neither was being despised. After all, he wasn't marrying Dugu Bo; as long as he held tight to his girlfriend, no matter how much this old man disliked him, he would have to accept it!
Thinking this way, Yu Tianheng ignored Dugu Bo's disdain and mockery.
I like it when you dislike me but have to accept me as your grandson-in-law!
"Grandpa, let me tell you some good news."
Seeing her grandfather starting to criticize her boyfriend, Dugu Yan immediately prepared to change the topic.
And this news was sure to divert her grandfather's attention.
However, before Dugu Yan finished speaking, the restaurant door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed as a butler walked in.
"Milord, the Seven Treasures Merchant Guild in the city has delivered a visiting card."
The middle-aged butler quickly stepped forward and handed the gold-embossed visiting card to Dugu Bo.
"The Seven Treasures Merchant Guild?"
Dugu Bo was slightly stunned, then took the visiting card and started reading.
Soon, Dugu Bo's expression became strange. The young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Rongrong, was coming to visit in three days' morning?
If the clan leader Ning Fengzhi came to visit, that would be normal since Ning Fengzhi had long wanted to recruit him into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
But Ning Rongrong coming was confusing to Dugu Bo.
"Grandpa, is Master Ning trying to recruit you again?"
Seeing her grandfather's somewhat uneasy expression, Dugu Yan asked.
Dugu Bo shook his head, "No, it's Ning Fengzhi's daughter Ning Rongrong, saying she will visit in three days."
"Ning Rongrong?"
Hearing this, Dugu Yan raised her eyebrows and showed curiosity.
Isn't Ning Rongrong studying at Shrek Academy outside Suotuo City? Why is she coming to visit us in three days?
"Yanyan, do you know her?"
"Yes, we've met once!
Before, teacher Qin Ming took our Imperial Battle Team out for training, passing through Suotuo City in Balak Kingdom. Ning Rongrong was studying at Shrek Academy outside Suotuo City.
That day, our Imperial Battle Team had a duel with people from Shrek Academy..."
Recalling the crushing defeat, Dugu Yan stopped talking.
"You lost?"
Glancing at the silent Yu Tianheng beside her, Dugu Bo emotionlessly asked Dugu Yan.
Dugu Bo was experienced and wise; seeing that she stopped talking, how could he not guess the result of the duel?
"We did lose, and it was a crushing defeat!"
Dugu Yan smiled and nodded.
"You lost and you're still smiling?"
Dugu Bo rolled his eyes. The prestigious Imperial Battle Team of Tian Dou Imperial Academy lost to this Shrek Academy, and you, as the vice-captain, can still laugh?
Did finding a boyfriend make you dumb?
"It's because I have great news to tell Grandpa!"
Dugu Yan said excitedly.
Dugu Bo had just returned home, and she hadn't had time to tell her grandfather about Chu Chengzhou being able to detoxify her yet!
"Good news? What good news?"
Dugu Bo was stunned and quickly asked.
"Grandpa, there's a student at Shrek Academy named Chu Chengzhou. He has a soul skill that can detoxify me, and the detoxification effect improves with his soul power level.
Of course, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is his cultivation talent is better than mine. He even has the potential to become a titled Douluo in the future."
Instantly, Dugu Bo stood up in shock.
He naturally understood the hidden meaning behind his granddaughter's words.
There were many soul masters on the continent who could detoxify, and those with better cultivation talent than his granddaughter Dugu Yan weren't few. But finding someone possessing both qualities, he hadn't been able to.
Now, this person named Chu Chengzhou possessed both. What did this mean?
It meant that his precious granddaughter wouldn't have to worry about toxin backlash anymore! It even implied that his own problem might be solved by Chu Chengzhou.
As for Chu Chengzhou refusing to help? Hmph, I am a titled Douluo known as 'Poison.' A mere young man, how dare he not cooperate?
Of course, if this Chu Chengzhou willingly helps, then this youngster is under my protection as a token of gratitude.
"Yanyan, tell me more about this Chu Chengzhou!"
After recovering from the shock, Dugu Bo quickly asked.
Immediately, Dugu Yan elaborated on Chu Chengzhou's story.
After listening, Dugu Bo fell into deep thought.
After a while, glancing at Yu Tianheng beside him, Dugu Bo said, "Yanyan, why don't you break up with this guy? I think that young man named Chu Chengzhou suits you better."
In Dugu Bo's view, if Chu Chengzhou were an outsider, asking for his help would inevitably incur a debt of gratitude, and relying on outsiders always caused inconvenience.
But if he becomes his grandson-in-law, then solving the detoxification issue would be as simple as calling him over.
Moreover, Chu Chengzhou's talent was also not bad. If his character was decent, he would absolutely be a good match for his granddaughter.
Dugu Yan: "..."
Yu Tianheng: "..."
Three days later in the morning, Chu Chengzhou and Ning Rongrong, who had already received a reply, left Lan Ba Academy to visit the Dugu residence.
Communication on Douluo Continent was very backward. Sending a visiting card ahead of time was necessary.
Sending a visiting card to arrange a visit time and waiting for the reply ensured avoiding the situation where the host wasn't home and allowed the host to prepare in advance.
As a guest scholar of the Tian Dou Imperial Family and the only publicly-known titled Douluo in the Tian Dou Empire, Emperor Xueye treated Dugu Bo well.
Not only did he receive additional benefits during festivals, but he was also granted a luxurious mansion located in an area concentrated with nobility.
From afar, Chu Chengzhou saw a middle-aged steward dressed in formal wear eagerly waiting in front of the mansion bearing the plaque "Dugu Residence," apart from the usual guards.
If the visitor were Ning Fengzhi, the patriarch of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, or accompanied by Sword Bone Douluo, Dugu Bo would certainly come out to greet them.
But since it was just Ning Rongrong, a junior, Dugu Bo, as a titled Douluo, naturally didn't need to greet them at the door; having the steward wait at the entrance was sufficient.
Knowing that people at Dugu's residence might not recognize him, Ning Rongrong displayed her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul as she approached.
"Greetings, Miss Ning, and this young master.
I humbly serve as the steward of the Dugu residence. Milord is already waiting inside. Please follow me!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, the middle-aged steward immediately realized that this young woman was the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan young lady he was waiting for and quickly spoke respectfully.
As for Chu Chengzhou, although the visiting card didn't mention him, since he came with this young lady, he naturally had to be invited in as well.
"Please lead the way."
Ning Rongrong nodded and retracted her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Subsequently, the two followed the middle-aged steward into the Dugu residence.
Inside the Dugu residence, the reception hall.
Shortly after sitting down and having the maids serve tea, Chu Chengzhou saw a profound, tall and thin elder with green hair and beard, dressed in gray robes, walk into the living room.
Needless to say, this elder, whose head was...Er, very green, was the 'Immortal Herb Grandpa', Dugu Bo.
"Greetings, Lord Jade Phosphor!"
Seeing Dugu Bo enter, Chu Chengzhou and Ning Rongrong quickly stood up and bowed.
"Hmm."
Dugu Bo nodded, took his seat at the main position, and asked Ning Rongrong, "Little girl, you are a rare guest. What important matter brings you to see me?"
Since it was Ning Rongrong, Dugu Bo assumed he didn't have much common ground with such a young girl and directly asked.
As for Chu Chengzhou, he was naturally ignored by Dugu Bo.
Without knowing that this young man was the Chu Chengzhou who could detoxify his granddaughter Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo wouldn't focus on him.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong looked at Chu Chengzhou.
"Lord Jade Phosphor, I am Chu Chengzhou. This visit with Rongrong..."
"You are Chu Chengzhou?"
Before Chu Chengzhou could explain his purpose, Dugu Bo interrupted him, standing up with a surprised look.
"I am. It seems that Sister Dugu has already mentioned me to you."
Hearing Dugu Bo's tone, Chu Chengzhou felt reassured.
Since Dugu Yan had already mentioned him to Dugu Bo earlier, this transaction was likely to proceed successfully.
"Not bad, not bad. Young Chu, may I ask who else is in your family?"
After carefully observing him, Dugu Bo asked with satisfaction.
This boy was not only more handsome than Yu Tianheng but also talented. Moreover, he could detoxify his granddaughter and might even help him in the future. Such a son-in-law was far superior to the submissive Yu Tianheng.
As for Yu Tianheng's background as a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family?
For others, this might be valued, but for Dugu Bo, his son-in-law didn't need a strong background because he himself was the background!
Unfortunately, his precious granddaughter was love-struck and insisted on marrying Yu Tianheng, which was infuriating.
"Uh..."
Looking at a rather enthusiastic Dugu Bo, Chu Chengzhou was speechless.
He even asked about family status. Are you thinking of making me your son-in-law?
I, Chu Chengzhou, crave your immortal herb, but I never thought of taking your granddaughter!
Of course, if it were a few years earlier, before Dugu Yan became Yu Tianheng's girlfriend, Chu Chengzhou wouldn't mind eating soft rice.
But Dugu Yan was already Yu Tianheng's girlfriend. They had probably hugged, kissed, and even gone all the way. It wasn't appropriate to intervene in their relationship.
"Forget it, what do you want from me, young man?"
Dugu Bo could tell that the one visiting today with something to ask wasn't Ning Rongrong but Chu Chengzhou.
Chu Chengzhou nodded and said seriously, "Senior, here's the thing. I heard your martial soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, stronger than Sister Dugu's Jade Phosphorous Serpent. Since Sister Dugu has health issues, your condition must be more severe. Fortunately, I have a method to temporarily alleviate your concerns."
"Oh? Tell me about it?"
Instantly, Dugu Bo raised his eyebrows, intrigued.
If someone else exposed his weakness, Dugu Bo would definitely kill them to prevent his weakness from being known by external enemies.
But Chu Chengzhou was different. Killing him would cut off hope for his granddaughter and himself.
"Senior, the toxins stored in your body originate from your martial soul. Rather than calling it poisoning, it's more accurate to say there are residual toxic soul powers in your body. If you can expel these residuals or find a container to hold them, you can effectively solve this problem."
"A container?"
Dugu Bo hadn't considered expelling the toxins. Theoretically, this method was feasible, but he lacked the ability to do it.
Although his soul power control wasn't bad, it was far from this level.
Chu Chengzhou nodded and continued, "Yes, considering your Titled Douluo strength, it shouldn't be hard for you to obtain soul bones, right?
Flesh and organs can't resist the effects of toxins, but soul bones don't have this problem. You just need to slowly transfer the accumulated toxins into the soul bone.
Even if it doesn't completely solve the problem, it will at least significantly alleviate it."
In Chu Chengzhou's opinion, the best solution for Dugu Bo's toxin backlash was to condense a poison-attribute soul core.
Soul cores were useful. They could increase the quality and total amount of soul power without changing the soul power level, significantly boosting recovery speed and helping to break through bottlenecks.
Since soul cores were condensed from soul power, if Dugu Bo could condense a poison-attribute soul core, he could transfer the accumulated poison-attribute soul power into the soul core. Moreover, theoretically, there was no storage limit.
However, currently, there is no method for soul core condensation on the continent. If Dugu Bo tried to figure it out himself, the soul core method might not emerge before he would have to concede defeat.
He planned to let Dugu Bo use the soul bone storage method as a temporary fix. Once he developed the soul core condensation method, he would repay the favor for the immortal herb.
Other family secret techniques, Chu Chengzhou wouldn't share externally, but the soul core condensation method was different. Even if he didn't share it, it couldn't be concealed.
Because after a soul master condensed a soul core, a soul vortex that devoured external energy would appear around them. Though invisible to the naked eye, soul masters with notable spiritual power could sense it.
Any perceptive expert, fearless of sacrifice, could eventually deduce the soul core condensation method.
In the later era, all high-level soul masters on Douluo Continent could condense soul cores. Presumably, the widespread knowledge of the soul core condensation method was due to the inability to conceal soul cores.
Otherwise, why didn't the soul master who created this secret method keep it as a family heirloom?
After hearing Chu Chengzhou's method of transferring and storing toxins using soul bones, Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and he began to carefully analyze its feasibility.
The more he thought, the more convinced he became that this method could work.
Although he had practiced for over seventy years and previously used suppression methods to relieve toxin backlash, his body had already integrated with the toxins. However, this method didn't require immediate results; it could be done gradually. Even if it failed, the risks wouldn't be significant.
After pondering for a while, Dugu Bo smiled and said, "Young man, your method sounds good. So, what do you want me to do?"
There was no free lunch. Having no prior relationship with Chu Chengzhou, Dugu Bo didn't think he was a kind-hearted person. There must be something he needed help with.
Chu Chengzhou could detoxify his granddaughter, so Dugu Bo already had a favorable impression of him. Now, offering a solution to his own problem further increased his liking. As long as it was within his capability, Dugu Bo wouldn't refuse.
"I heard that Senior excels in poison techniques, and medicine and poison are inseparable. I assume you have collected many herbs or have a medicinal garden. I'd like to ask for a few rare herbs."
Chu Chengzhou revealed the true purpose of his visit.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong beside him was momentarily stunned.
This scoundrel Chu had brought her to visit Dugu Bo just to ask for a few herbs?
If it were her father Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo would surely belong to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, alive or dead.
Saving your life and your granddaughter's life, not joining my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan would be unacceptable.
"Herbs?"
Hearing Chu Chengzhou's request, Dugu Bo was astonished.
It wasn't too high, but too low, far below his expectations.
He originally thought Chu Chengzhou would ask for treasures like soul bones or request him to solve a powerful enemy. Never expected, it was just a few herbs?
Though marked as "precious," the herbs Chu Chengzhou wanted were certainly not ordinary, but even the most precious ones were still just herbs!
He had a peculiar medicinal garden in Sunset Forest where every herb was considered precious in the outside world.
Moreover, due to the magical ice-fire spring in the garden, the special environment shortened the growth time of these precious herbs by tenfold. Herbs, no matter how precious, were abundant.
The more he thought, the more Dugu Bo found Chu Chengzhou likable.
After all, talented young people who understand propriety were rare.
"I happen to have a sizable medicinal garden in Sunset Forest. Any herbs you fancy, feel free to pick!"
Immediately, Dugu Bo said generously.
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou was overjoyed.
With Dugu Bo's words, the immortal herb was sure to be obtained. No wonder he was called the super-generous immortal herb Grandpa.
"Hmm, no, that's not enough! Listen, young man, if you encounter any trouble in the future, feel free to ask me!"
After some thought, Dugu Bo felt that a few herbs weren't enough to repay Chu Chengzhou's favor, so he added another sentence.
The toxin backlash problem was his top personal issue. Now that Chu Chengzhou had provided a proper solution, repaying him with just a few herbs would be disgraceful.
Moreover, the so-called relationships between people were built on mutual exchanges.
Without exchanges, even the best relationships would fade. Investing in a talented individual who had shown kindness to his family and had a promising future was never a loss.
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