Chapter Thirty-Five: The Appearance of the Poison Douluo

Xiao Yu carefully observed the expressions of the Ye father and son, discerning their wavering resolve. Seizing the moment, he brought out the gifts he had prepared in advance: one appeared to be a necklace, the other a bracelet.

“What are these?” Ye Renxin and Ye Wentai were baffled, wondering if Xiao Yu intended to amuse them with such jewelry.

“The Heart of the Cold Moon, a fifth-level defensive soul tool,” Xiao Yu held up the necklace and explained, “Before the wearer’s soul power is exhausted, it can withstand attacks at the Soul King level.”

Seeing their astonished faces, he then picked up the bracelet. “The Floating Cloud Phoenix Arrow, a fourth-level melee soul tool. It can easily break through the soul power defenses of soul masters below level forty. Even those above forty, if caught unprepared without defensive skills, are at risk of being killed!”

“Did you say this soul tool has offensive capabilities?” Ye Renxin and Ye Wentai could no longer remain composed; Xiao Yu’s words struck them with unexpected force. It was well known that support-type soul masters lacked offensive power and thus had little means of self-preservation.

Xiao Yu nodded, “Indeed. This is a technology passed down by my sect. In fact, our sect has begun mass-producing soul tools with both offensive and defensive functions. One of my reasons for coming to Heaven Dou City is to open new sales channels.”

“Can we purchase them for the Nine-Heart Begonia family?” Ye Wentai, unable to contain himself, immediately asked, “Are there other soul tools besides the two you brought?”

“Of course!” Xiao Yu smiled. “There are many types of soul tools. If you wish to buy in quantity, I can prepare a list for you to choose from. Since you are elders to me, I can give you a twenty percent discount on any soul tool.”

Over the next few days, Ye Renxin and Ye Wentai, having received Xiao Yu’s list of soul tools, treated it as a treasure and spent all their time deliberating which to purchase; the matter of Ye Lengleng was long forgotten.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu, guided by Ye Lengleng, explored Heaven Dou City. As the capital of an empire, its bustling grandeur rivaled the metropolitan cities of Xiao Yu’s previous life, allowing his taut nerves to finally relax.

“Brother Xiao Yu, I came out on leave from the academy, but my break is over and I must return to class. You likely have your own affairs to attend to as well,” Ye Lengleng said after several days.

Xiao Yu had expected this and replied, “Yes. If that guy still dares to bother you after you return, just let me know. I’ll teach him a lesson!”

Ye Lengleng nodded, “Don’t worry. There are teachers and the academic council at the academy; he won’t dare to cause trouble.”

“By the way, Lengleng, do you have a classmate named Dugu Yan?”

These past days, Xiao Yu had accompanied Ye Lengleng around Heaven Dou City, while sending Zilong and the others to inquire about Dugu Bo. Yet, after days of searching, they only learned that years ago, Dugu Bo received the favor of Prince Xue Xing, earning an honorary guest position in Heaven Dou Empire. In reality, he remained a free agent, elusive and unrestrained, with only vague reports of him residing in Sunset Forest. The forest was vast, and even Prince Xue Xing did not know his exact whereabouts. With no other options, Xiao Yu decided to seek information through his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

“Why are you asking about her?” Ye Lengleng’s expression shifted, casting a suspicious glance at Xiao Yu.

She certainly knew Dugu Yan; both were reserve members of the Imperial Battle Team, and since they were the only two girls among the alternates, their relationship was fairly good. Dugu Yan was two or three years older, with a well-developed figure and long, shapely legs. Rumor had it that the features men favored most were considerably more prominent than hers. With a grandfather who was a titled Douluo, even the current heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, Yu Tianheng, was pursuing her. Was Xiao Yu now interested in Dugu Yan as well?

For a moment, Ye Lengleng looked at Xiao Yu with a touch of melancholy in her gaze.

Xiao Yu felt uneasy under Ye Lengleng’s eyes and hurried to explain, “Lengleng, you misunderstand. The one I truly wish to meet is her grandfather, the renowned Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. Zilong and the others have spent days searching Heaven Dou City without finding any reliable leads, so I thought to try through his granddaughter.”

“I see,” Ye Lengleng realized, but shook her head and said, “I do know Senior Dugu Yan, and our relationship isn’t bad, but Brother Xiao Yu, I don’t mean to dampen your enthusiasm. Since Senior Yan entered the academy, dozens—if not hundreds—have tried to use her to contact Poison Douluo, but every attempt has failed.”

“Moreover, Senior Yan has said her grandfather’s temper is volatile and unpredictable. Even if you find him, should you inadvertently offend him, you must be prepared for the possibility of leaving no trace behind!”

“Don’t worry, Lengleng,”

Xiao Yu smiled with confidence. “Others are others; I am not the same. Without absolute preparation, I would never act rashly. After you return today, I’ll write a letter for you to pass to Dugu Yan. You need not concern yourself with what follows. Whether it’s Dugu Bo or Dugu Yan who asks, just push it all onto me—don’t get involved yourself!”

“Alright.” For reasons she could not explain, Ye Lengleng felt an unconditional trust in Xiao Yu and agreed without further questioning.

That evening, Xiao Yu finished the letter, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to Ye Lengleng before she left for the academy the next day.

...

Several days later, at the residence of the Nine-Heart Begonia family.

Xiao Yu strolled among the blossoms when suddenly a chilling wind swept through, carrying a nauseating stench and lowering the temperature. Even with his soul power at level forty, he could not help but shiver.

“Is it time?” Xiao Yu stopped, gazing upwards.

Soon, an elderly man appeared before him, clad in a gray robe, with hair and beard of dark green, and eyes like emeralds piercing into Xiao Yu with a cold, unsettling intensity.

“You must be the famed Poison Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo!” Xiao Yu greeted him with composure and a slight bow.

“Correct. Boy, you are Xiao Yu? The one who wrote that letter to Yan Yan?” Dugu Bo flashed forward, standing before Xiao Yu, holding the letter that Xiao Yu had entrusted to Ye Lengleng to pass to Dugu Yan. On the letter were sixteen words: “Jade Phosphorus Snake Venom, poison rules the world; it can harm foes, yet can also harm oneself.”