The calm smile that had spread across Dugu Bo's face faded as he listened to Xiao Tian's words. Though he had been briefly delighted by his sudden breakthrough, deep down he knew the painful truth—his condition had not really changed. His breakthrough was a side effect; the venom was still inside, lethal and merciless.
But perhaps… perhaps this boy could change that.
He looked at his hands, feeling the unfamiliar lightness in his body from Xiao Tian's massage and acupuncture. For the first time in decades, he believed there might be hope. He could endure his suffering, but the very thought of leaving his beloved granddaughter to die young was a torment he could never stomach. Saving himself meant nothing compared to saving her.
Dugu Yan, standing beside him, was radiant with joy. She wasn't worried in the slightest. Xiao Tian had said he could save them—that was good enough for her heart to believe. "Xiao Tian," she said suddenly, her tone resolute, "you do have a way to save Grandpa, right? As long as you save him, I will do anything you ask me to!"
Her voice shook with determination.
Dugu Bo's chest tightened. This girl—his only family left in the world—was willing to sacrifice everything for him.
Her gaze wavered slightly, landing on Xiao Tian. Her face blushed unexpectedly as wild, shameful thoughts flickered in her mind. If he really wanted that… if that was his price… then for Grandpa's life, I…
Seeing her flushed face and determined eyes, Xiao Tian quickly coughed and shifted the conversation. "Ahem… Senior Dugu Bo, curing your poison is no small feat. It's not just about medicine. I will need the most complete, most precious herbs you can provide. And to be clear, your condition isn't something that can be solved by herbs alone—it will require additional external methods."
Dugu Bo stared silently at the youth for several breaths. His eyes were sharp as serpents', filled with both suspicion and fragile hope. After a long pause, he exhaled heavily. "Fine. I have a certain place where many rare herbs grow—herbs you won't find anywhere else. I will take you there tomorrow."
His voice softened slightly. "But I hope, little one, that you won't let me down."
Then his tone shifted—steel edged with curiosity. "Still… there's one thing I don't understand. Why go so far for me? Why help me at all?" His old, venom-tinted eyes flicked to his granddaughter, and with a probing smirk, he added, "Could it be… that you're taken with my Yan'er?"
Xiao Tian blinked.
Dugu Yan flushed furiously. "Grandpa! What are you saying?!"
Xiao Tian stared at the poisonous old monster with incredulity. Really? That's what you thought?
You've lived this long and this is the explanation you come up with?
He and Dugu Yan had barely spoken two sentences during their first meeting. If he invested so much time and effort just because he liked her at first sight, wouldn't that make him nothing more than a pathetic dog wagging for scraps?
Suppressing an exasperated sigh, Xiao Tian replied evenly, "Senior Dugu Bo, are you perhaps confused from being poisoned for so long? We've only met once. Why would I bother helping her for such a shallow reason?"
"Hey!" Dugu Yan suddenly snapped, stamping her foot. "What's that supposed to mean? Am I not pretty enough for you?"
She glared at him, cheeks red with indignation.
Xiao Tian was dumbfounded. Wait—how did this conversation turn into her being upset with me?
Originally, she thought her grandfather's comment was too much, but Xiao Tian's blunt denial actually made her feel disappointed. Not because she harbored deep feelings for him, but rather something more instinctual, more feminine: the competitive pride of a young woman. Am I not beautiful enough for him to be at least tempted?
Dugu Bo frowned, rubbing his temple. "Then what's the reason? Why risk so much for me if it isn't for my granddaughter?"
Xiao Tian folded his arms and smiled faintly. "There's no hidden agenda. I simply want to make friends with you, Senior Dugu Bo. I admire your straightforward nature. You live free, unrestrained, and that resonates with me. I think we could actually get along."
"…That's it?" Dugu Bo asked slowly, suspicion still clouding his eyes. "Isn't that… a rather flimsy reason?"
"No matter." Xiao Tian's tone was calm, almost dismissive. "Believe me or don't. I'm a swordsman by nature, and I live spontaneously. I don't like bowing my head to sects and rules. When the time is right, I may as well create my own faction. Isn't that the purest way to live?"
"Oh?" Dugu Bo tilted his head, his curiosity sharpening. "So… you're helping me just to recruit me into your new sect, is that it?"
Xiao Tian chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You misunderstand again. Yes, I intend to build my own faction one day. But that isn't my reason for treating you. Don't mistake my motives. And, Senior…" He paused deliberately, his lips curling into a half-smile. His eyes sharpened with quiet confidence.
"…Don't think I'm weak."
He left those words there, turned his back, and walked out of the room, his figure disappearing slowly down the corridor.
Dugu Bo was left frozen, blinking after him in disbelief.
Don't think he's weak?
Was the boy implying… that right now, he could defeat a Titled Douluo?
"Ridiculous," Dugu Bo muttered, though the thought gnawed. "Impossible." Yet the memory of that terrifying speed, that unshakable calm—it stirred an uncomfortable uncertainty in his chest. For the first time in decades, someone left him wondering if he might actually lose.
As Xiao Tian walked out into the night air, his mind turned quickly. He knew why Dugu Bo postponed the trip to the Sunset Forest's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well until tomorrow. The old man wanted to see if his condition relapsed by midnight. He wanted proof before showing his trump card to the boy.
It made sense. The forest held treasures known only to him. He could not risk exposing them lightly.
But Xiao Tian felt no frustration. On the contrary, anticipation bubbled inside him. Tomorrow… the immortal herbs. At last, I'll see them for myself.
He would also use the night wisely. With what he had learned from the Huangdi Neijing and his knowledge of poisons, he could prepare further strategies for completely purging Dugu Bo's poison. After all, acupuncture and massage were temporary relief—if he wanted to secure cooperation, he needed to prove he could root out the venom itself.
Especially with the Eight Spider Lances in his possession—the same external bone Tang San once acquired. If Dugu Bo intended to pass that on to Dugu Yan later, then Xiao Tian would need to ensure her body was clear of poison first.
Bibi Dong's poison is fiercer than his, Xiao Tian thought, remembering the Spider Emperor spirits, yet she never showed signs of poisoning. Why? Because she doesn't lack control. Dugu Bo's weakness is technique. His poison pill sustains him, but he's clinging to life by suppression alone. If I can stabilize that pill and integrate my treatment, his condition can be reversed.
He smirked slightly to himself. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he was truly steering destiny's course.
That night, when he returned to his dormitory, Xiao Tian finally settled into his living quarters. It was a luxurious single room, artfully furnished, far different from the rough beds he'd known before. He let out a soft whistle. The academy really knows how to treat their talents.
After unpacking, he realized night had fallen completely. It was time to meet Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. Tomorrow's trip might keep him away for days—he had to reassure them first.
In the cafeteria, the three girls clustered around him curiously. As soon as he explained that he would be leaving with Dugu Bo at daybreak, Xiao Wu immediately clutched his sleeve. "Brother, you're leaving tomorrow? And you might not come back soon? Then… let me come with you!"
Her eyes were worried. She couldn't stand the thought of him walking into danger alone, not with that shady old man. She loved him too much, and reason had fled her. She forgot entirely that her soul beasts, Da Ming and Er Ming, were bonded to him—no harm could possibly befall him unnoticed.
Ning Rongrong chimed in hesitantly. "Xiao Tian, how about I ask Grandpa Jian if I can go too? I've heard Poison Douluo is a solitary, unpredictable man. If something happens…"
Her round eyes glittered with unease.
Xiao Tian couldn't help but chuckle softly, his heart warm but firm in resolve. "Don't worry. Have you all forgotten? I've already created my own speed skill—one that no one else can match. If I want to retreat, not even a Titled Douluo can catch me. Instead of worrying about me, you should take advantage of the academy's resources while I'm gone. Train hard in the mimicry grounds. Push your cultivation. Do you really want to be substitutes during the Soul Master Tournament?"
His words lit a spark in their spirits even as they pouted reluctantly.
Tomorrow, the path ahead lay waiting. And in the shadows of the Sunset Forest, destiny itself stirred.
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