Chapter 78: Sunset Forest's Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well — Bibi Dong and Dugu Bo
Night faded, and dawn light slowly emerged.
Deep within Sunset Forest, lush greenery flourished.
Towering ancient trees blocked out the sky, while vines coiled like giant pythons.
Inside a hidden mountain cave—
A green-haired man sat cross-legged atop a massive rock, faint poisonous mist swirling around him.
The mist glowed with a strange dark-green color, and wherever it passed, even the rock surface was corroded into tiny pits.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes!
His pupils were the same eerie green, flashing with danger in the dim cave.
"Who dares trespass into my territory?!"
His martial soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, instantly possessed his body.
At the same time, a mountain-sized Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor burst through the rock wall halfway up the mountain.
"BOOOOM!!!"
Its massive body coiled and twisted, scales reflecting a cold metallic sheen in the morning light.
Venomous fangs were exposed, droplets of crystal-clear poison falling to the ground with hissing sounds, corroding small pits into the earth.
Dugu Bo stood atop the serpent's head, robes fluttering loudly in the wind.
His gaze was sharp as lightning as he scanned the surroundings.
"Who dares trespass into my territory? Show yourself!"
His furious shout echoed through the valley.
From deep within the forest, three figures slowly emerged.
At the front was Bibi Dong, dressed in a luxurious black gown.
Her steps were calm, as if she were strolling through her own garden rather than trespassing into someone else's domain.
The hem of her long dress brushed through the grass without picking up a single speck of dust.
In her hand was the papal scepter, symbolizing the Pope's authority, its gemstone emitting a dim glow in the morning light.
Beside her, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan covered his mouth with a soft laugh, orchid-like fingers raised elegantly.
On the other side followed Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, silent.
He was wrapped entirely in a black robe, like a drifting shadow.
"Old poison freak — long time no see. Still as stinky with poison as ever. Truly disgusting~."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice carried obvious mockery.
He and Dugu Bo had long-standing grudges. Meeting without exchanging insults felt uncomfortable.
"You? Yue Guan!"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping across Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
When his eyes landed on Bibi Dong, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"Spirit Hall Pope… Bibi Dong!"
His voice dropped, filled with shock.
"Why are you here?"
Dugu Bo might pride himself on being unmatched in poison, but facing three opponents of the same level head-on meant certain defeat.
Especially with the unfathomable Pope among them.
Bibi Dong ignored the tension between Chrysanthemum Douluo and Dugu Bo.
She lifted her eyes, her gaze piercing directly into Dugu Bo.
Her voice was cold as ice.
"Dugu Bo — do you want your granddaughter to live?"
"What did you say?!"
Those words instantly ignited Dugu Bo's emotions.
His face twisted, and the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor let out a deafening hiss.
Poisonous mist exploded outward, surrounding plants withering and rotting at a visible speed.
"What did you do to Yan Yan?!"
He practically roared, bloodshot eyes blazing.
He had only one granddaughter — his life itself!
Whoever dared harm her would face his life-and-death struggle, even if it was the Pope of Spirit Hall.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Poison Douluo both released their soul power, ready to fight.
Bibi Dong remained expressionless.
"Your granddaughter, Dugu Yan, is still at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, safe and sound."
Her tone was calm.
"No one has touched her."
"…"
Dugu Bo's tense body relaxed slightly, but his vigilance remained.
Poison mist still surrounded him, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor poised to strike at any moment.
"Then what is your purpose?"
He asked in a low voice, eyes locked on Bibi Dong like a venomous snake.
He did not believe the Pope of Spirit Hall had come for no reason.
Bibi Dong's lips curved slightly.
"Very simple."
Her voice echoed clearly through the valley.
"I need you to join Spirit Hall and serve under me."
"Impossible!"
Dugu Bo refused without hesitation.
He had always been proud and solitary — how could he submit to anyone?
Especially to an enormous power like Spirit Hall. Once inside, he would lose all freedom.
But Bibi Dong's next words froze his expression.
"Don't you want to cure your granddaughter's poison?"
"!!!"
Dugu Bo's body trembled violently, and even the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor beneath him shook.
He stared at Bibi Dong, shock, suspicion, and faint hope flashing in his eyes.
He had studied poison his entire life, tried countless methods, yet never removed the toxin from Yan Yan's body.
It had become his inner demon.
Now Bibi Dong claimed she could cure it?
"Y-you… what did you say?"
His voice turned hoarse.
Bibi Dong stepped forward, tapping the ground lightly with her scepter.
"I don't repeat myself."
"As long as you join Spirit Hall and serve me, I will not only keep your granddaughter alive, but also remove the toxin from her body — allowing her to cultivate and live like a normal girl."
"…"
Dugu Bo fell silent.
Mountain wind stirred the poisonous mist.
Standing atop the serpent's head, his green hair fluttered wildly.
On one side was his dignity and freedom.
On the other hand was his granddaughter's life and future.
The answer had always been obvious.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, they were filled with determination.
"…Fine. I agree."
He spoke through clenched teeth.
"But you must keep your word!"
"If anything happens to Yan Yan, even if I must sacrifice my life, I will make Spirit Hall pay the price!"
Bibi Dong smiled faintly.
Just as Ah Qing had said, this old poison freak valued his granddaughter's life more than his own.
The Dugu Bo, whom Spirit Hall once struggled to recruit, had yielded so easily.
"A wise choice."
She turned gracefully, her gown tracing an elegant arc.
"Now — take me to your herb garden."
"!!!"
Dugu Bo's heart shook.
She even knew about the herb garden?
Then the existence of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was likely no longer a secret.
After a long look at Bibi Dong, helplessness rose in his heart.
Before this Pope, it seemed he had no secrets at all.
"…Follow me."
He withdrew the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul.
After landing, Dugu Bo turned and walked deeper into Sunset Forest.
His back looked slightly hunched, as if he had aged several years in an instant.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances, both astonished.
Especially Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had dealt with Dugu Bo before — he never expected that troublesome old poison freak to submit so easily to the Pope.
Bibi Dong gestured for them to follow.
The three followed Dugu Bo deeper into the forest.
Passing through layers of poisonous miasma—
Mist that would be fatal to ordinary people was meaningless before three Titled Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo casually scattered a few petals, purifying a safe path through the poison.
About half an hour later, the view suddenly opened up.
A strange valley of intertwining ice and fire appeared before them.
—
End of Chapter