Dugu Bo struggled to open his eyes, his vision swimming. The first thing he registered was a child sitting beside him, methodically slapping his face.
"You! Who are you? Why are you striking me?" he managed to croak out.
Chu Tianxiu, seeing he was finally conscious, ceased his actions and stepped back. "Greetings, Poison Douluo. I am Chu Tianxiu. It was I who asked Elder Ju and Elder Gui to extend an invitation for you to come here."
Only then did Dugu Bo's gaze shift to the two men standing behind the boy. His anger flared. "You! What is the meaning of this, Spirit Hall? What is your scheme?"
Chu Tianxiu found the man's lack of self-awareness as a captive somewhat amusing. He signaled to Ju Yueguan. "Elder Ju, if you would."
Ju Yueguan waved a hand, and a surge of pure soul power flowed into Dugu Bo's body. The swelling in his cheeks rapidly subsided, and he could finally speak clearly.
"Chrysanthemum Pass! You old devil! The two of you are Title Douluos, yet you take orders from a child? You disgrace the Spirit Hall!" Dugu Bo sneered, his pride wounded.
Hearing himself called by that dreaded nickname, Ju Yueguan's face darkened, his spirit power flaring. Chu Tianxiu raised a hand to stop him.
"Elder Ju, empty insults are the lament of those who have already lost," Chu Tianxiu said calmly. Ju Yueguan restrained himself.
Dugu Bo turned his furious gaze back to the boy. "Just who are you? So young, yet so composed, with two Title Douluos heeding your words."
"I am a disciple of Pope Bibi Dong. I wish to propose a transaction, Poison Douluo," Chu Tianxiu stated, pausing for effect. "Though, given your current position as my guest, it is less a transaction and more a set of terms."
"What do you want? Kill me if you dare!" Dugu Bo spat, his defiance burning brightly.
"Your Excellency, I wish to visit your herb garden in the Sunset Forest."
Dugu Bo laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "So you have your eyes on my medicinal herbs!"
Chu Tianxiu remained unperturbed. "Dugu Bo, your herbs are utterly ineffective against the poison afflicting you and your granddaughter. I intend to make better use of them."
Dugu Bo's pupils constricted slightly, but he quickly masked his shock. "Preposterous! Do you not know my title is 'Poison'? No one in the world is more skilled with toxins than I. How could I possibly be poisoned?"
Chu Tianxiu let out a short, dismissive laugh. "Dugu Bo, do you take me for a fool? Your Dugu lineage has inherited the Jade Serpent martial soul for generations. It is powerful, yes. It is the very reason you broke through to the Title Douluo rank. However, that martial soul is both your strength and your curse."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. "The Jade Serpent is inherently toxic. The higher your soul power climbs, the deeper the poison sinks into your body. Your hair color and the foul odor you emit are undeniable proof."
Dugu Bo was visibly shaken. "How… how could you know that?"
"That is not your concern," Chu Tianxiu waved dismissively. "Here is my offer. You take me to the herb garden. In return, I will detoxify you."
Dugu Bo was tempted. His granddaughter's life was at stake. But his pride as a Title Douluo refused to capitulate so easily. "Give up! I, Dugu Bo, am a man of unyielding integrity! How could I coexist with your Spirit Hall? If you have the guts, kill me! I am a Title Douluo; I have lived my life with no regrets!" He began to laugh wildly. "Ha...ha...ha! Chrysanthemum Pass, if you have the nerve, make it quick!"
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo looked to Chu Tianxiu. "Tianxiu, perhaps we should just end this."
Chu Tianxiu looked at the laughing Dugu Bo and uttered a few quiet words. "And what of your granddaughter, Dugu Yan?"
Dugu Bo's laughter died in his throat. "What did you say? Yan Yan is only a Soul Grandmaster. What could happen to her?"
"When you were poisoned, you were already a Title Douluo, able to suppress the venom with your vast soul power. Your granddaughter was poisoned in the womb. The venom was amplified when her martial soul awakened. If she is not treated, she will not live past her twentieth year. Without my help, you can prepare for her funeral."
Dugu Bo was on the verge of agreeing. His granddaughter was his only remaining family. But he still sought a way to save face.
Chu Tianxiu, having lived two lifetimes, saw right through him. He feigned impatience. "Elder Ju, it seems Poison Douluo is unwilling. Let us go to the Sunset Forest ourselves. It is a pity for the girl, Dugu Yan; she had such a bright future." He turned away, wiping a non-existent tear. "Elder Ju, let us grant his wish. Give him a swift end. He was a respectable man in life."
Seeing Ju Yueguan prepare to strike, Dugu Bo scrambled to his feet. "You… you were negotiating a moment ago! How can you just kill me now? Let us talk this over…"
Chu Tianxiu spun around, his expression cold. "Talk? I am done talking! If you are unwilling, then die. If your granddaughter is pleasing, I will tell her her grandfather died of poisoning, and that before he died, he begged me to care for her. I will naturally help her then. Do not worry, I will raise her. You need not concern yourself."
Dugu Bo was furious. Not only did this child want to kill him, he wanted to take his granddaughter too? "How can I believe you can cure me and my granddaughter's poison?"
Chu Tianxiu stepped forward and began circulating the
"Convinced? Take me to the herb garden to retrieve the necessary herbs, and I will cure you and your granddaughter completely." Dugu Bo could only nod in helpless agreement.
Seeing his assent, Chu Tianxiu's hands moved in a blur, forming a series of complex soul seals. Before the three Douluos could fully process the movements, Chu Tianxiu imprinted the final seal directly into Dugu Bo's body.
Dugu Bo stumbled back. "What did you do to me?"
"A simple precaution. I placed a soul power chain within you. It connects all the soul power in your body. If you attempt to attack me, the chain will trigger, causing all your soul power to rebel violently. At best, you will be gravely injured. At worst… the result is unpredictable."
Dugu Bo was horrified. A child had outmaneuvered a Title Douluo so completely.
Chu Tianxiu finally offered a genuine smile. "Since Poison Douluo has no objections, we will depart in three days. This will allow you time to recover your strength."
Dugu Bo could only offer a wry, defeated nod.