Two days later, with a reluctant Hu Liena seeing him off, Chu Tianxiu departed with Dugu Bo in the carriage prepared by the Spirit Hall. Deep within the Papal Palace, Bibi Dong observed their departure. As Pope, she had been fully briefed by Ju Yueguan and Gui Mei the moment Chu Tianxiu decided to go.
Though she had wanted to see him off, she still felt uncertain how to face him and ultimately remained in her palace. Her concern for him, however, never wavered.
"Gui Mei," she called softly into the empty hall.
The ghostly figure materialized instantly and bowed. "Your Holiness."
"Elder Ghost, Tianxiu and Dugu Bo have set out. While Tianxiu is prepared, I am uneasy. Follow them covertly. If Dugu Bo dares to harm a single hair on his head, eliminate him immediately."
"Understood." With a flash of ghostly light, he vanished.
Alone in the vast hall, Bibi Dong gripped her papal scepter. 'Tianxiu, what path am I to choose?'
The journey to Sunset Forest was long. Chu Tianxiu reclined on a cushioned seat, sampling a fine vintage spirit wine. "Well, Old Poison? Is my Angel's Kiss wine to your liking?"
Dugu Bo took a sip of the amber liquid, stubbornly maintaining his pride. "It is passable. Your Spirit Hall does have its luxuries. And I am Titled Poison Douluo, not 'Old Poison'."
"A Poison Douluo who cannot cure his own poison? Pathetic. I think 'Poisoned Douluo' would be a more fitting title."
A vein bulged on Dugu Bo's forehead. "You little brat! Do you not know how to respect your elders? I am a Titled Douluo!"
Though he complained, there was no real heat in his words; it had become a familiar banter.
Chu Tianxiu finished his glass. "It is settled then. You will not be stingy with any rare herbs I require from your garden."
Dugu Bo waved a hand dismissively. "Do not worry, little soul. As long as you cure the Jade Scale Serpent venom in me and Yan Yan, you can take what you need." He then produced a bracelet—the Hundred Treasures Ruyi Bracelet from the original story. He tossed it to Chu Tianxiu.
"This can store living things. Otherwise, even if I let you take them, you would have no way to carry the herbs."
Chu Tianxiu accepted it. 'You probably do not know I have a system space.' But he thanked Dugu Bo regardless. He could not let this convenient tool fall into Tang San's hands later.
A thought struck him. 'If I cure Dugu Bo and take his herbs, I will have severely crippled one of Tang San's major opportunities and weakened the future Shrek Seven Devils.'
Sunset Forest was far. After more than half a month of travel, the carriage finally halted at its edge.
Dugu Bo stepped out, a hint of pride returning. "How does it compare to your Spirit Hall's captive forest?"
"You speak as if you planted every tree here yourself," Chu Tianxiu retorted.
"Do not be unconvinced. I have set up a poison barrier here. It is no different from my own backyard." He led the way in.
As they approached the herb garden, a poison array composed of green mist blocked their path.
"Little soul, do you need my protection?" Dugu Bo asked smugly.
Chu Tianxiu simply activated his soul power. A unique black energy formed a protective shield around him. The poisonous mist was absorbed upon contact, harmless to him. Ignoring the shocked Dugu Bo, he walked through the barrier alone.
Passing through layers of mist, he finally saw Dugu Bo's vast herb garden, filled with rare and precious herbs growing in perfectly suited environments.
"I must admit, Old Poison, you have quite a collection here," Chu Tianxiu praised.
Dugu Bo adopted a 'you finally recognize quality' expression.
At that moment, Chu Tianxiu caught a strange, fragrant scent. Following it, he quickly found the source: a large, pale pink flower. It was leafless, with a stem three feet long and a bloom nearly a foot in diameter. Each petal was clear and translucent like crystal. The stamens were a pale purple.
'The Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Herb!'
With a wave of his hand, he stored it in his system space. He then began a thorough search, taking every herb Tang San had used in the original story: the Dewdrop of Longing for Autumn Water, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, the Qiluo Tulip, the Narcissus Jade Bone, the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, and even the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum that matched Ju Yueguan's martial soul.
Behind him, Dugu Bo watched with a pained heart. His hard-won treasures were being systematically looted.
Chu Tianxiu paid him no mind. He was searching for the most valuable part of the garden—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye.
Finally, after a relentless search, he found it: a pool of water exuding contrasting auras of extreme heat and cold, with the Eight-Cornered Mystic Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot Blossom growing on either side.