Chapter 24: A Conversation with Dugu Bo

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Li Luochen heard Dugu Bo's sinister voice and immediately felt the hairs on his body stand on end. In an instant, he stood up and instinctively assumed a battle-ready stance.

After a few seconds, Li Luochen suppressed his fear and bowed deeply to Dugu Bo, placing his right hand over his left chest in a formal salute—a standard gesture among soul masters.

"Respectfully greet the Poison Douluo, Your Majesty Jade Phosphorous."

Dugu Bo watched as Li Luochen performed the salute. Though he didn't care much for formalities, it still pleased him to see a talented soul master show respect. The murderous intent in his heart diminished somewhat.

"Hmm, rise. Originally, I shouldn't have interfered in your street fight with Yan Yan. But you humiliated my granddaughter so thoroughly that if I, as her grandfather, didn't act, it would be laughable."

As Dugu Bo slowly paced back and forth, Dugu Yan stood behind him, hands on her hips, chin raised high, looking utterly smug like a victorious rooster.

"You are right, Your Excellency. As a Title Douluo, it's only natural for you to stand up for your granddaughter. May I ask why you spared my life?"

Li Luochen cut straight to the point. He guessed that his earlier comment about Dugu Yan's snake venom had caught Dugu Bo's attention, and the old man was likely seeking a way to detoxify.

"Then I won't waste any more time. What did you mean when you told Yan Yan that the snake venom has already affected her body? If you can't explain yourself clearly, I'll let you experience the agony of the Ten Thousand Venom Erosion technique."

As Dugu Bo spoke, a green glow formed in his hand—his Jade Phosphorous Emperor Snake poison, the most potent venom of its kind.

"Very well, I'll speak plainly. Both you and your beloved granddaughter are already poisoned—and by none other than the innate venom of your own martial souls."

Li Luochen had already figured this out. There was no point beating around the bush, so he went straight for the jugular.

*Hmph—boom!* A powerful surge of spirit energy slammed into Li Luochen, sending him stumbling backward several steps. A trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth, but he could tell that the attack, though seemingly forceful, was all for show.

"Boy, are you mocking me? Do you have a death wish?!"

Though Dugu Bo appeared furious on the surface, it was all an act. However, Dugu Yan wasn't pleased.

"Do you even know what you're saying?! My grandfather is the Poison Douluo, the ruler of poisons, who has killed countless enemies! How dare you say he's been poisoned!"

Dugu Yan's words struck a painful chord in Dugu Bo's heart. But sooner or later, his granddaughter would suffer the same fate. It was better she learned the truth now.

"Then allow me to ask you, Your Excellency. On cloudy or rainy days, do you not feel a tingling sensation under your ribs that gradually intensifies? It flares up twice a day—at noon and midnight—and lasts for at least an hour each time.

And late at night, around the third watch, don't you experience a sharp, needle-like pain in the crown of your head and the soles of your feet? Your entire body spasms for at least half an hour. I don't need to describe the excruciating torment you endure. Would such symptoms occur if you weren't poisoned? You've not only been poisoned, but the toxins have also seeped into your very bones.

From what I can see, you must have consumed some rare medicinal herb to temporarily suppress the poison and break through to become a Title Douluo. But you've been stuck at a bottleneck for quite some time, haven't you?

As for your granddaughter, she was born with the Jade Phosphorous Snake venom. Her innate toxicity has already seeped into her bones, which is why her eyes are green—a clear sign of deep poisoning.

For now, she shows no obvious symptoms because the soul rings you've helped her acquire contain minimal venom, and you've been using medicinal baths to slow the toxin's spread.

But it's futile. She doesn't have the same iron will as you to suppress the poison and ascend to Title Douluo status. In my estimation, she won't live past thirty."

Before Li Luochen could finish processing his own words, Dugu Bo grabbed him by the neck.

"Boy, you're courting death!"

Dugu Yan was Dugu Bo's weak spot. He had tried everything to ease her suffering and couldn't bear the thought of outliving his granddaughter again.

"What?! Grandpa, this can't be true! Tell me it's not true!"

Dugu Yan clung to Dugu Bo's arm, desperately hoping it was all a lie. But Dugu Bo's silence confirmed her worst fears. She collapsed to the ground in anguish.

"So that's how it is… That's how Father was poisoned to death, and Mother died from complications during childbirth due to the poison. Grandpa, I hate the Jade Phosphorous Snake. I hate this martial soul. Please don't leave me, okay?"

Seeing Dugu Yan's pain tore at Dugu Bo's heart, but there was nothing he could do. He let out a frustrated roar toward the heavens.

"Heaven is unjust! I, Dugu Bo, have spent my entire life mastering poisons, yet I'm powerless against the toxins in my own body. Now, they threaten even my loved ones.

Boy, is there any way to cure us? You've seen so much—you must have a solution. If you can help us, I'll grant you three wishes. I'll take care of all your future soul rings."

Dugu Bo's words were directed at Li Luochen. Dugu Yan also turned her gaze toward him. Though she had despised him earlier, she now needed him to save their lives. Her emotions were a tangled mess.

"Your Excellency, while I have some knowledge of medicine, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. Your poison is extraordinarily potent, and the antidote requires extremely rare and expensive ingredients.

I lack the necessary herbs to create an antidote. To fully cure you, we'd need heavenly-grade medicinal herbs or even immortal-grade plants. But such things are nearly impossible to find."

Li Luochen's words clearly implied, 'There's no solution.' Dugu Yan's eyes dimmed with despair, but Dugu Bo reacted differently. He happened to have a garden full of rare herbs, though he didn't recognize most of them and dared not consume them. Once, he had nearly died after eating one.

"I have a medicinal garden. I'll take you there. If you still can't find a cure, then I'll kill you. No one else needs to know about this place."

Not long after, Dugu Bo led Li Luochen and Dugu Yan to a secluded area in Sunset Forest. The surrounding area was covered in thick green poisonous miasma—a clear sign of Dugu Bo's influence.

"Hmm? Two little mice have come? Let's see who's bold enough to trespass here."

Dugu Bo sensed someone approaching—one Spirit Sage and one Spirit Emperor.

"Wait, Your Excellency. They're probably here for me. My elders have arrived."

Li Luochen knew it had to be Flender and Liu Erlong coming to look for him.

Soon, Flender and Liu Erlong arrived. Seeing that Li Luochen was unharmed, they sighed in relief. Just as Flender was about to address Dugu Bo, Li Luochen interrupted.

"Principal, Aunt Erlong, there's no issue. I accidentally beat up Miss Dugu Yan, and Lord Dugu was merely avenging his granddaughter. Seeing my talent, he decided to take me as his disciple and is now training me.

I forgot to mention this earlier, Principal, Aunt Erlong. Please return. I'll be fine. This training will last a few months, but I'll come back periodically."

Li Luochen had no choice but to lie to Flender and Liu Erlong. He couldn't let them know about Dugu Bo's poisoning—otherwise, they'd be silenced.

"In that case, please take good care of my student, Lord Dugu. I am deeply grateful."

Flender clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Dugu Bo. Dugu Bo, however, had nothing to say. Watching Li Luochen, he thought to himself, 'This boy is clever. He knows exactly what to say and adapts quickly. He'd make a fine son-in-law.'

"My affairs are none of your concern. Xiao Chen, I'll keep an eye on him. Go back."

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