Chu Yue smiled, pride unconcealed.
"I've reached Level 56—Soul King," she said.
"And Jun Wuhen is already Level 65—Soul Emperor."
She looked toward the Ice–Fire Yin Yang Well, eyes bright.
"All of this is thanks to your pointers—and the high-grade herbs from here."
Jun Wuhen nodded in agreement.
"Brother Jiang Mo should arrive in a few days," he added.
"He'll bring news on which immortal herbs are suitable for our absorption… and a healer as well, one capable of treating your condition properly."
Dugu Bo's eyes softened. He could see it clearly
The way the two stood close together and the subtle coordination in their movements.
As an elder, he naturally understood.
"Haha…" Dugu Bo laughed quietly.
"You two have come a long way together."
He did not say much more—but the blessing was clear.
After all his years of solitude, betrayal, and bitterness… he had gained something unexpected.
His defective martial soul had been repaired.
His granddaughter, Dugu Yan, now studied safely in Spirit Hall Academy, with a future brighter than he had ever dared to imagine.
And now— He felt that as the gardener of the Ice–Fire Yin Yang Well his life was pretty leisurely and peaceful.
He felt this lifestyle did seem good for a man like him growing old.
While Dugu Bo was quietly planning for his retirement, fate seemed to have other plans for him.
A heavy, thunderous voice rolled in from beyond the poisonous barrier,
"WHERE ARE YOU, DUGU BO?!"
The calm in Dugu Bo's eyes vanished instantly.
His pupils contracted, turning sharp and vigilant like a venomous serpent sensing danger. He turned to Chu Yue and Jun Wuhen, his voice low but firm.
"I'll take care of this."
He pulled his robes tighter, concealing the faintly glowing bandages beneath, and with a single step, his figure dissolved into green mist—vanishing from the Ice–Fire Yin Yang Well.
-----
Outside the Poison Barrier
The poisonous fog rippled violently.
At its edge stood Yu Yuanzhen, clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. His back was straight, his expression calm, the pressure emanating from his body was very strong . Behind him stood several clan elders, each radiating formidable strength.
The barrier parted and Dugu Bo emerged.
His face was expressionless, his aura restrained, as though he were still the same Poison Douluo who once made the continent tremble.
"What do I owe the visit of the esteemed clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Dugu Bo asked calmly.
Yu Yuanzhen did not answer immediately.
Instead, he threw his head back and laughed—, domineeringly that echoed throughout the forest.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"Nothing much, Poison Douluo," he said casually.
"I simply felt it was time to… even out an old score."
His eyes suddenly sharpened.
"Martial Soul—Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! Possess!"
A terrifying roar shook the heavens.
ROAR—!
Blue lightning exploded outward as Yu Yuanzhen's body expanded. Draconic scales erupted across his skin, crackling with violent electricity. A massive dragon tail slammed into the ground, shattering stone and sending debris flying.
The pressure of a peak Titled Douluo of Level 97 descended like a natural disaster.
Dugu Bo's gaze darkened.
Without hesitation, emerald light surged around him.
"Martial Soul—Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor! Possess!"
A colossal serpent phantom rose behind him, its eyes cold and merciless. His Level 96 aura released .
The moment the two martial souls manifested—They moved.
Lightning and poison soul power collided violently, their first clash sending shockwaves rippling across the forest. While Dugu Bo appeared to be disadvantaged in the clash, he did not back down.
BOOM—!
Yu Yuanzhen struck first, lightning-coated claws tearing through space. Dugu Bo twisted his body, serpentine and fluid, venomous fangs narrowly grazing Yu Yuanzhen's shoulder as green poison corroded the lightning scales.
Their battle carried them rapidly away from the valley, crashing through trees.
The surrounding elders instinctively retreated. A fight between Titled Douluos was never something to interfere with lightly.
The sky darkened as thunderclouds gathered unnaturally above. Yu Yuanzhen laughed mid-battle.
"You're slower than before, Poison Douluo."
Lightning erupted from his body in arcs thick as pillars, forcing Dugu Bo to retreat. Toxic barriers formed hastily—but were shattered one after another by raw draconic force.
Dugu Bo's expression remained calm, but internally—he frowned.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes glinted with cold satisfaction. As based on attribute restraint thunder easily overpowers poison and now it appears even more weak, that means one thing.
"Your poison isn't as sharp as it used to be either," he said.
"Tell me—how long have you been injured?"
The answer came not in words—but in venom.Green mist erupted like a tide, swallowing lightning whole.
The two figures vanished into the distance, leaving behind destruction.
-----
Among the clan members of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan present, Yu Ming was also there.
His gaze followed the direction where lightning and poisonous mist were colliding violently in the distance. Only after confirming that the terrifying auras were truly moving farther away did he turn toward an older man beside him.
"Elder Ritian," Yu Ming said in a low voice, "this is our chance."
He continued coldly,
"While Grandfather lures Poison Douluo away, we will scour the inside of the barrier."
The man he addressed was Yu Ritian.
Despite his aged appearance, his aura was deep—as recently advanced Titled Douluos.
Yu Ritian, Level 91. Titled Douluo.
He was one of the greatest beneficiaries of Whale Glue, personally brought to the clan's attention by Yu Ming. Because of this, his attitude toward Yu Ming was unusually respectful.
"Yes, Young Clan Leader," Yu Ritian replied solemnly.
Turning around, he issued sharp orders to the surrounding clan members.
"Remain on alert. If Poison Douluo returns, immediately warn us with a flare."