Chapter 32 – The Po Zhi Clan

"Are you sure you don't want me to help you secure your fourth spirit ring?" Dugu Bo asked one more time as they traveled.

"No need, Senior Dugu. She and I—Yan'er is nearly level 40 herself," Yun Yibai replied.

He's holding back—at least he has some conscience, Dugu Bo mused.

A week ago, their conversation left him unsure. Although Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo, he rose late and lacked powerful backing. In contrast, Yun Yibai hails from the prestigious Blue‑Electric Overlord Dragon Clan—a top-tier legacy with many hidden secrets.

Yun Yibai's veiled words had intrigued Dugu Bo.

Now, Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, Yun Yibai, and Oscar headed toward the Xīluò Kingdom to visit the Po Zhi Clan. Dugu Bo had two purposes: 1) to verify whether the legendary Po Zhi Clan existed as Yun Yibai described, and 2) to prove that he remained the poison‑king supreme, whether in alchemy or toxin mastery.

They departed from Tiandou City, traveling west for a week to the border with Barak Kingdom. From there, they entered Tusen Prefecture—bordering Tiandou and Xīluò Kingdom. This frontier region was militarily tense, often spilling blood due to conflicts between the Kingdoms and the Soul Hall's interests.

The Po Zhi Clan had resettled in Xīluò's southwestern Kadi Prefecture to avoid the Soul Hall's scrutiny. But even here, two of the so-called "Lower Four Sects" under the Soul Hall (Huo‑Bao and Feng‑Jian) harassed them to maintain favor with the Hall. Only the royal White Tiger Clan still aligned more with the throne than the Soul Hall.

En route, Yun Yibai led an immersive training session: Dugu Yan broke through to level 39, and Oscar to level 32. Dugu Bo brought a spacious carriage—ample space for all four. Oscar's dedication stemmed from Dugu Bo's imposing presence, which both awed and intimidated him.

Dugu Bo surveyed his companions: his gaze on Dugu Yan was gentle but on the other two, only neutral acknowledgment. He was pleased with Yun Yibai—but that was not the reason he allowed his granddaughter to marry him.

After about six weeks, they reached their destination: a border city called Semi‑City in Xīluò Kingdom's Kadi Prefecture. It was a mid-sized town by frontier standards.

"A Title Douluo clan living here—a big eye-opener," Yun Yibai remarked, reflecting that greatness doesn't always seek grandeur.

Dugu Bo was practical—he arranged lodging, then tasked Yun Yibai to gather intel. Naturally, Dugu Yan accompanied him. Oscar, too, despite feeling like a fifth wheel, followed—preferable to being alone with Dugu Bo.

Once outside the hotel, Oscar exhaled.

"Why so afraid of my grandfather?" Dugu Yan teased.

Oscar forced a smile. "Dugu Senior is a Title Douluo. Without you or Yun Yibai, I'd never meet one in my life."

"That's the advantage of traveling with us," Dugu Yan told him. "Someday, you'll see Soul Lord‑level warriors without flinching—because you traveled alongside one."

Oscar brightened, gaining confidence.

"How do we gather intel?" he asked. He hadn't done this before.

"There are many ways," Dugu Yan began explaining, "but the fastest is the underground channels—although it's money-based. Most people just care about cash. If you pay, you get 70–80% of what you need; the rest costs more money."

As she tutored Oscar, Yun Yibai quietly observed his surroundings—always ready.

Suddenly, a pair of lewd voices came from the street:

"Wow, such a pretty girl!"

"Hey, kid, take her back home tonight—I want to enjoy myself!"

Yun Yibai glanced toward the source: a short, sleazy man. Classic cliché, he thought, and it happens here too.