Heaven Dou City—capital of the empire.
The city was divided into multiple districts, with all manner of buildings dotting the landscape. As the capital, it wasn't just a hub of commerce—it was also teeming with powerful individuals and home to many prestigious academies.
Lin Feng and his group took temporary residence in a secluded courtyard within the city.
While chatting with Chrysanthemum Douluo, Lin Feng steered the conversation toward Dugu Bo.
"Senior, from what you've told me, it sounds like something's wrong with Dugu Bo's body. I mean, who ends up getting poisoned by their own cultivation? Even his hair's turning green!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo froze and thought back carefully.
It was true. Over the years of their entanglement, he often beat Dugu Bo to the ground. The guy's poison had been getting weirder, his appearance aging rapidly, and his combat strength declining noticeably.
It was as if… something was suppressing him.
Could it be that he was actually being poisoned by his own Martial Soul?
The thought made Chrysanthemum Douluo chuckle to himself.
Who gets that messed up by their own Martial Soul? A dignified Soul Douluo on the verge of becoming a Titled Douluo, being done in by his own spirit? That'd be the laughingstock of the entire soul master world.
His eyes lit up. If it were true, he had to go mock him immediately.
Noticing the grin on Chrysanthemum Douluo's face, Lin Feng seized the moment.
"Senior, I also happen to know a bit about Martial Soul healing. Why don't you take me to see him? If we can recruit someone on the verge of becoming a Titled Douluo into Spirit Hall, that would be a huge asset."
Chrysanthemum Douluo looked Lin Feng up and down.
"You know how to do that?"
Lin Feng smirked.
"When it comes to Martial Soul theory, there might not be anyone in the soul master world who can outmatch me."
Chrysanthemum Douluo blushed at the familiar line and coughed lightly.
"You little brat…"
Thinking of how Lin Feng had broken through his soul power restrictions at nine by creating his own cultivation method, he nodded slowly.
"Alright. I'll go check his place first, see if he's in."
At this point, Dugu Bo had yet to become a guest elder of the imperial family. Chrysanthemum Douluo disguised himself and quickly found Dugu Bo's location without being detected.
"Let's go. He's in his courtyard, playing around with his granddaughter."
After informing Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan, the two headed for Dugu Bo's residence.
In the courtyard, Dugu Bo was chasing after his granddaughter.
"Grandpa, come catch me! Hee hee!"
Three or four years old, little Dugu Yan was plump and adorable, holding a candy stick and waving it playfully.
"Alright, alright, Yan Yan, wait for Grandpa! These old bones can't keep up!" Dugu Bo said, laughing as he jogged behind her.
"Grandpa, you're too slow! Even a goose is faster!" she giggled.
Dugu Bo chuckled awkwardly. Only playing along for the kid's sake…
He smiled fondly but with a trace of hidden worry behind his eyes.
His son's Green Phosphor Serpent Poison had worsened over the years. The same "poison against poison" method didn't seem to be working for him.
If his son died before him, how would he face Yan Yan and her mother?
"Ah—"
Dugu Bo let out a long sigh.
His life had been one of hardship.
Infected with poison from the Green Phosphor Serpent at age seven, reaching rank 59 by 35—but his partner died in childbirth due to their child's constitution.
Now, at level 89, his son was walking the same doomed path. It was… devastating.
"Old poison, been well? Why the sigh?"
"Who's there?!"
Dugu Bo's face turned grim as he instinctively shielded Yan Yan in his arms.
Under the courtyard tree, two figures emerged.
Chrysanthemum Douluo wore a sly smile. The sigh and his earlier suspicions made him even more confident that Dugu Bo's Martial Soul had issues.
"It's you?""Hmph, what are you doing here again? I've told you—I'm not joining Spirit Hall."
Seeing who it was, Dugu Bo relaxed slightly, but his expression remained sour.
That shameless fake man—if not for his knowledge of herbs, he wouldn't have gotten involved with him. Ever since calling him a woman, the guy's been beating him up every chance he got.
"Grandpa, who's that lady?" asked little Yan Yan, eyes round and curious.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's face went dark.
"Haha! Hear that? Even kids don't lie. Just admit you're a woman already," Dugu Bo laughed wildly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled coldly, sliding a finger along his lips.
"Seems like your butt's healed. Want me to 'decorate' it again?"
Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. That pervert always struck in indecent places—just like his Martial Soul: disgraceful.
Lin Feng quickly intervened.
"Seniors, let's put the past aside for now. Senior Dugu Bo, I've come with Chrysanthemum Douluo to discuss something very important. Please give us a moment—it concerns your Martial Soul."
"…Hmm?"Dugu Bo squinted. This kid's still wet behind the ears. Could he actually know something?
"Enough bickering. We're not here to cause trouble. Let's go inside and talk," Chrysanthemum Douluo grumbled, walking in as if he owned the place.
He plopped down on the main seat and gestured for tea.
Dugu Bo's brow twitched violently. If he could beat him, he would've tossed him out long ago.
"Yan Yan, go wait inside Grandpa's treasure pouch for a while, okay?"
"Nooo, it's too dark and boring in there!"
"Be good, Yan Yan. I'll buy you ten lollipops later!"
"Twenty!"
"Deal!"
Once Yan Yan disappeared, the three sat down in the main hall.
Dugu Bo poured tea casually. "Talk."
Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged a glance with Lin Feng and grinned, then went in for the kill:
"Old poison, tell me—could someone really get poisoned by their own Martial Soul?"
Dugu Bo froze mid-sip but quickly drank the tea, replying coolly:
"I don't know what you're talking about. If you've got nothing else, see yourselves out."
Lin Feng smiled lightly.
"Senior, do you perhaps experience stabbing pain under your ribs during rainy days? Pain that intensifies over time?Do you feel it hit at midday and midnight?A sharp, needle-like sensation at your soles and scalp, full-body spasms…And a torment so intense it feels like death?"
With every word, Dugu Bo's face grew darker.
By now, he was sure—Spirit Hall knew everything.
What was he supposed to do now?
"Senior, I can cure your poison.And… surely you don't want your son and granddaughter to suffer the same fate?"
Dugu Bo felt as if the words pierced directly into his heart.
He hesitated, then sighed deeply.
"Fine. What price must I pay?"
Before his family, everything else could be set aside.
Lin Feng shook his head.
"Three years of service to Spirit Hall. How about that?"
"For real?" Dugu Bo's eyes lit up.
Lin Feng grinned inwardly. Heh, once you're on the boat, forget about getting off in three years. That other spy next door's already the boss now.