From beneath the white cloak came Ju Douluo's seductive and charming voice, "Little one, you must know something about this girl, right? Would you mind telling me?"
Though phrased as a question, Ju Douluo subtly exerted his soul power pressure, attempting to force Ye Wen into answering.
However, Huo Rui, standing nearby, was not pleased. She abruptly unleashed her soul power, dispersing Ju Douluo's unconscious pressure.
"Ju Douluo, don't push your luck! He's my grandson-in-law. Don't think I'll back down just because you're stronger than me. If you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for going all out and taking you down with me!"
At these words, a flicker of caution passed through Ju Douluo's eyes. Though Huo Rui was currently at level 85, she was someone who had dared to face off against Dugu Bo back when she was only a junior Soul Douluo. Now, she had grown even stronger. Ju Douluo could sense that Huo Rui's energy was condensed to a single point—while her destructive power wasn't suited for wide-area attacks like his, in terms of single-target attacks, she undoubtedly surpassed him, whose plant-based martial soul was notoriously unreliable.
Thus, Ju Douluo chuckled awkwardly. "Calm down, Huo Rui. I'm not planning to fight you. Besides, as a Title Douluo, it's not unreasonable for me to satisfy my curiosity by asking a younger generation member, is it?"
Huo Rui said nothing but glared fiercely at him, as if silently threatening: 'If you dare try anything funny, I'll make good on my threat.'
At this moment, a violent surge of soul power erupted from the previously silent carriage.
"Chrysanthemum Guan, you've truly fallen. Now you're resorting to bullying children?" Dugu Bo's calm and steady voice drifted out.
(T/N: Chrysanthemum is also a slang for anus, and Guan also means "pass", creating the pun "Chrysanthemum Guan/Anal Passage." TLDR: Dugu Bo nicknamed him "Asshole.")
Instantly, Ju Douluo's previously relaxed demeanor turned grave. He and Dugu Bo were old rivals, frequently clashing every few months, with Dugu Bo always emerging as the loser.
But precisely because of this, Ju Douluo understood Dugu Bo's strength better than anyone else.
In recent years, Ju Douluo had wondered why Dugu Bo hadn't come to challenge him. Now he realized that Dugu Bo had been biding his time, preparing for something big. This realization made Ju Douluo tense.
"It seems Old Poison has resolved his issues. Your soul power cultivation is no longer the weakest among Title Douluos. So, have you reached level 94 or 95?"
Dugu Bo slowly stepped forward but didn't answer Ju Douluo's question. After spending so much time with Ye Wen, he had picked up some of the latter's sly habits.
At this moment, Dugu Bo's eyelids drooped, his eyes narrowing into a sharp triangular shape. Though he remained silent, an aura of ferocity emanated from him.
Seeing Dugu Bo disregard his dignity, Ju Douluo narrowed his eyes, his dangerous aura growing thicker. Gradually, the two began to engage in a clash of soul power.
Meanwhile, Huo Rui watched the two with a strange expression.
'A grumpy old bachelor and a flamboyant (fruity) man staring deeply at each other—why does this feel so weird?'
Though Huo Rui had no interest in such dynamics, she couldn't help but imagine inappropriate scenarios. While protecting Ye Wen and the others, she stood aside to enjoy the spectacle.
Soon, this odd dynamic began to spread, with everyone exchanging increasingly suspicious glances.
Unintentionally noticing the younger generation's increasingly strange looks, Dugu Bo felt a bit embarrassed. He coughed lightly and promptly released his soul power pressure.
Then, with an unfriendly tone, he addressed Ju Douluo: "Chrysanthemum Guan, your methods of prying for information are outdated. If I weren't here, my granddaughter and grandson-in-law might have fallen for your tricks. But now that I'm here, you'd better leave while you still can."
Ju Douluo, unwilling to continue this charade alone, also retracted his soul power pressure. However, his tone remained hostile:
"Old Poison, this is your final warning. Don't call me Chrysanthemum Guan again, or I won't hold back. Even if you've broken through to level 95, your pathetic poisons won't protect the people under you!"
Dugu Bo didn't respond directly. Instead, he lightly brushed his storage-type soul tool, and a peculiar plant appeared in his hand.
Instantly, Ju Douluo's previously imposing demeanor crumbled. His face turned pale, and he hastily retreated, exclaiming:
"Damn you, Old Poison! How do you have the immortal-grade toxic herb, Snow Swan Kiss?!"
Dugu Bo smirked mischievously. Normally, he wouldn't dare touch this herb, which amplified poison potency a hundredfold. However, Ye Wen had suggested that this Soul Master Tournament was a perfect opportunity to establish dominance, so he brought it along. He hadn't expected Ju Douluo to recognize it and back down so quickly.
Now, Dugu Bo slowly channeled his soul power, wrapping his fingertips with a sinister green glow.
"Chrysanthemum Guan, you just said my poisons were laughable. Repeat those words now. Are they still laughable? Remember, you only get one chance."
Ju Douluo's expression shifted repeatedly. Internally, he cursed Dugu Bo for his lack of martial ethics—using this herb, which increased toxicity a hundredfold, to threaten him!
If Ju Douluo were alone, he might have fled without a second thought, since Snow Swan Kiss only enhanced toxicity and didn't increase application speed.
But there were over a thousand Spirit Hall members behind him. What would happen to them if he ran? In the end, Ju Douluo could only swallow his pride and say:
"I was wrong, Old Poison. Calm down. Your poisons are unmatched, alright? Please don't use them recklessly. If you kill everyone behind me, it won't just be me coming after you."
Dugu Bo chuckled and then put away the Snow Swan Kiss. He wasn't foolish enough to provoke the Spirit Hall unnecessarily. Bringing out the Snow Swan Kiss was merely to fulfill Ye Wen's task—to intimidate the Spirit Hall and make them less reckless.
Seeing Dugu Bo put away the Snow Swan Kiss, Ju Douluo finally relaxed.
Still dissatisfied, Ju Douluo glanced at Dugu Yan. He hadn't noticed earlier, but upon closer inspection, her physical traits clearly marked her as Dugu Bo's granddaughter.
Initially, Ju Douluo had entertained thoughts of taking her as a disciple, but realizing her identity quickly extinguished that idea.
After all, she was a core member of the Medical Alliance. No matter what, she wouldn't join his side.
But having reached middle age, it was rare for him to find someone he wanted to take as a disciple, only for the opportunity to slip away so vividly before his eyes. The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became. In frustration, he glared fiercely at Ye Wen and the others, venting his dissatisfaction.
Previously, he hadn't noticed anything unusual, but now, fueled by resentment, he employed his spiritual power to scrutinize them more closely—and immediately spotted something amiss. Ju Douluo's pupils contracted sharply!
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