Under the powerful spiritual pressure, Dugu Bo's thoughts instantly fell into chaos.
This pressure…
When did Tang Xiao break through to the Titled Douluo realm?
And more importantly—this spiritual strength did not feel like someone who had just stepped into Rank 90.
It was deep.
Heavy.
Stable.
Like a mountain.
In his calculations, although Tang Xiao was ten years younger than him, and his talent was a little better, and his cultivation speed was faster… the two of them should have broken through around the same year.
After he found this paradise hidden inside Sunset Forest, his confidence only increased further. With the Ice and Fire pool suppressing his poison outbreaks, he could finally spend less time fighting his own poison and cultivate in peace.
Even though his mind was heavily burdened by his daughter-in-law's death and his son's decaying health, he had never stopped cultivating. He believed that only by breaking through to Titled Douluo level could he cure this curse in his bloodline and save his son and granddaughter.
So he had spent day and night cultivating without wasting a second.
So how…?
Could it be that he stayed in seclusion too long every time, lost track of time, and actually many years had already passed?
Ehh…
Dugu Bo began doubting reality itself.
His expression turned comical as he stared at Tang Xiao in disbelief.
"What… Elder Brother Dugu, you didn't forget me, did you?" Tang Xiao smiled with amusement as he retracted his spiritual power.
That pressure was only for show. He never intended to use a hard hand in the first place. A small sample was enough.
With the pressure on his spiritual sea gone, Dugu Bo finally returned to his senses.
"No… no… not at all… Tang… Sect Master Tang Xiao." Dugu Bo spoke, but his thoughts were still racing.
His mind quickly assessed the situation.
What was this all about…?
He sighed inwardly.
He knew… since Tang Xiao had found this place, then alas…
The most he could do now was act normal and not let Tang Xiao notice the abnormality in his body.
He hurriedly circulated his soul power, stabilized his aura, and then leaped out of the Ice and Fire pool.
"Haha… Sect Master Tang Xiao. My apologies, my apologies…" Dugu Bo forced a smile that looked uglier than crying. "Because of my family situation and my grief, I couldn't attend your wedding or witness you inherit the old Sect Master's position. I hope you will not take it to heart…"
"Elder Brother Dugu, how could I take such a small matter to heart?" Tang Xiao smiled and waved his hand. "I know the pains you went through… Alas… how is little Yan doing now? Without her mother by her side, she must be suffering."
Tang Xiao truly felt sympathy for Dugu Yan.
Years ago, when the predecessor attended her mother's funeral, that child was still just a cute newborn.
At that time, the death of her mother shouldn't have affected her.
But growing up, even if no one told her… she would eventually understand.
She would understand that her mother died because of her birth.
Hearing Tang Xiao's tone soften considerably, Dugu Bo's heart also relaxed.
Thinking of his granddaughter, he smiled bitterly.
With him immersing himself in cultivation, that child—only a little over four years old—was left alone with her dying father.
At an age where she should be playing happily with her parents, she instead spent her days in dull silence.
With the precociousness of this continent, even at her tender age, she already knew that she was soon going to lose her father too.
"Little Yan… she… she's well…" Dugu Bo's voice choked slightly.
He felt an invisible pressure, as if a heavy mountain was pressing down on his heart.
He owed that child too much.
Tang Xiao saw the pain in Dugu Bo's eyes and refrained from speaking further.
A silence followed as the two stood there.
After a while, Dugu Bo shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, his gaze focusing on Tang Xiao again.
"Sect Master Tang Xiao… it was this old me who found this place first…"
Dugu Bo knew clearly what was at stake.
Although Tang Xiao spoke politely and even a little emotional until now, it was, in the end, only courtesy.
Nothing more.
But he was truly unwilling to let go of this place.
It was too important to him.
"Oh… it seems this place is of huge importance to Elder Brother Dugu…" Tang Xiao's face returned to his usual smile—detached, yet amiable.
To this, Dugu Bo stayed silent.
He really couldn't speak.
He couldn't possibly speak about his martial soul defect and poison outbreaks, could he?
That would be the same as telling the whole world about his weakness.
Meeting Dugu Bo's resolute gaze, Tang Xiao could only smile.
He was amused inwardly.
"But I also like this place, Elder Brother Dugu…" Tang Xiao said calmly. "What should we do?"
"This…" Dugu Bo's expression turned ugly.
If Tang Xiao was not a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo really would have used other measures.
But Tang Xiao now was a genuine Titled Douluo.
Although Dugu Bo didn't know how Tang Xiao cultivated this fast and crossed more than ten levels since they last met, it was undeniable that he was no longer his match.
But he really couldn't give this place away.
He really couldn't.
This was his hope for everything.
Seeing Dugu Bo hesitate, Tang Xiao spoke.
"How about this, Elder Brother Dugu…" Tang Xiao said directly. "Submit to me. I'll let you continue using this place."
"And Elder Brother Dugu…" Tang Xiao's smile deepened slightly. "You really underestimate my vision."
"If I am not wrong… your martial soul has a hereditary defect, right?"
Dugu Bo's body stiffened.
"What are you talking about…?"
"It's not some continent-shaking secret anyway." Tang Xiao scoffed. "With a little discerning eye, anyone can notice the abnormality of your family."
"Those who marry into your Dugu Family die."
"And those who inherit the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul also don't live long, with only a few exceptions like you."
"And seeing your appearance when I just arrived, and your unstable aura that you struggled so hard to hide…" Tang Xiao smiled faintly. "It's not hard to reach this conclusion."
Hearing Tang Xiao state the facts so directly, Dugu Bo was speechless.
But he also had no way out.
"No need to worry." Tang Xiao spoke calmly. "Once your family submits to my Clear Sky Sect, I will try my best to find a cure for your martial soul defect."
"You must understand. Compared to finding a cure alone, with Clear Sky as backing, everything will be easier."
"Not to mention my grandfather is Tang Chen…" Tang Xiao continued. "He roamed the continent and reached the pinnacle of this world. He may already know how to cure your defect."
Dugu Bo hesitated.
But in the end, the picture Tang Xiao drew was too sweet.
"Everything is for my granddaughter…"
Thinking like this, though unwilling, Dugu Bo finally nodded and bowed, accepting Tang Xiao's offer.
"I, I accept.."
"Haha… that's it then." Tang Xiao laughed softly. "You can move your family to Hetian City. As one of my sect's subordinate families, you may choose an area you like and build your family mansion there."
"I'll let Niu Gao know. You can contact him directly."
"Now tell me about your martial soul defect, and about this paradise of a place…"
Tang Xiao was satisfied to accomplish such recruitment without rejection.
It seems he also has his own talent in communication, and even his own charm.
But everything aside… the act still had to be maintained until the end.
So although he already knew about Dugu Bo's martial soul defect and the true nature of this place… he still had to carry the act properly.