Spirit City, a secluded courtyard behind the Pope's Palace.
"Damn! That old poison really hid something." Chrysanthemum Douluo muttered sourly after reading the letter.
On second thought, it made sense. Dugu Bo's Martial Soul was a dragon-related serpent with extremely keen senses. Being able to resonate with two dragon-related immortal herbs and guess they suited him was only natural.
Of course, he would keep such things secret.
Across the table, Ghost Douluo calmly sipped his tea, waiting for his old partner to explain. Soon, Chrysanthemum Douluo handed him the letter. "Old Ghost, take a look."
Ghost Douluo nodded, took the letter, and quickly skimmed through it. After a moment of thought, he looked up.
"This matter should probably be reported."
"Mm. We can't keep it hidden." Chrysanthemum Douluo stood up at once. "Let's go now."
Without another word, Ghost Douluo followed.
Before long, they entered the Pope's Palace.
"Your Holiness, this is a letter from Xiao Hai. Please take a look." Chrysanthemum Douluo respectfully offered the letter.
Bibi Dong inclined her head slightly, raised her hand, and drew the letter into her grasp. She lowered her gaze and began reading.
Her expression shifted almost instantly. After a short pause, she looked up at Chrysanthemum Douluo, her tone even. "Xiao Hai handled this matter very well. Elder Chrysanthemum, you also performed great service."
The letter explained how, years ago, Dugu Bo scoured the continent seeking medicine for his son. By sensing resonance between his Martial Soul and certain treasures, he had found two immortal herbs. Yet after testing them, he discovered the medicinal power was too fierce and clashed with the poison in his body, damaging him further. He had no choice but to store them away, hoping to use them if he could one day remove his poison.
The rest followed logically when pieced together with what had recently happened around Yang Yunhai.
Dugu Yan had dated Yu Tianheng, and Dugu Bo, knowing he was a Titled Douluo nearing his twilight, had considered giving Yu Tianheng one of the herbs as a dowry, hoping if he died from poison or old age, Yu Tianheng would treat his granddaughter well.
But Yang Yunhai appeared, cured both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan of their poison, and even tested Yu Tianheng in the process—only to find him utterly unworthy. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's attitude had disgusted him further. With poison gone and ties severed, Dugu Bo simply ate the herb himself.
From Bibi Dong's perspective, if Yang Yunhai hadn't intervened, Yu Tianheng might have received one herb and possibly handed the other to his clan. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's strength would have skyrocketed—a dangerous outcome for her plans.
Instead, the herbs went to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, while Dugu Bo confided in Yang Yunhai, proof of trust. From the looks of it, Dugu Bo even intended to make Yang Yunhai his grandson-in-law. If that came to pass, both grandfather and granddaughter would stand firmly on Spirit Hall's side—an enormous gain.
As for the herbs, they'd already been consumed. Pointless to dwell on them. Besides, it seemed Dugu Bo had only ever found those two through Martial Soul resonance. Perhaps he'd encountered others, but the chance was slim. Such treasures were rarer than rare. Even Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had roamed the continent, had never seen one. None of the other Titled elders had either. Even Qian Daoliu, once serving as Judgement Elder wandering the continent, had never encountered one.
To risk offending a newly strengthened Dugu Bo—who might one day join Spirit Hall—over the unlikely existence of more was foolish.
Heh. The ones who would truly suffer were the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. They would surely resent Xiao Hai more and more, thereby deepening their rift with Dugu Bo. Spirit Hall could reap the fisherman's benefit.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, you will handle this matter closely." Bibi Dong said. "Also, send word back instructing Salas to monitor the movements of other factions at all times, especially the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
'All these words of praise, but where's the reward? Good thing my disciple was cautious—he didn't write down the herbs' names, only their appearance and results, describing their effects as causing dragon-type Martial Souls to evolve. Otherwise, Bibi Dong would be pressing me for an immortal herb compendium right now.' Chrysanthemum Douluo grumbled inwardly but still bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Holiness."
Truth be told, he had no wish to spread the knowledge of immortal herbs outside.
Dugu Bo might eventually be family through marriage. Bibi Dong? Nothing of the sort.
They weren't close.
In the end, you could only rely on your own people. His eyes flicked toward Ghost Douluo. Both of them had reached rank 96 and were aiming for rank 97.
Their prospects were bright. Why continue bending over backward for Bibi Dong? It was time to live for themselves, their brothers, and their disciples.
Then Bibi Dong's voice came again, her tone calm. "Elder Chrysanthemum, last time I heard you speak of the Black Jade Divine Bamboo. It seems you've studied immortal herbs on the continent. Tell me, do you recognize the two Dugu Bo acquired?"
'Knew it was coming…' Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed inwardly. After a brief mental scramble, he answered truthfully: "A little. One is called Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma, the other Land Dragon Golden Melon. Both are said to be nourished by dragon blood. If consumed by dragon-type Martial Souls…"
He gave a concise explanation, then added, "Because they resonate with dragon bloodlines and their medicinal power is violent, the energy is consumed very quickly. Of course, the effect is immediate. That is why Dugu Bo and his granddaughter's Martial Souls evolved so drastically."
"Your Holiness, by now, even if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan killed them both and drained their blood to forcefully consume the herbs, it would be useless. This time, their arrogance made them lose a great opportunity."
A mocking glint flashed in his eyes.
'So it really is too late…' Bibi Dong sighed inwardly, brushing aside an intrusive thought. "Elder Chrysanthemum, would you be willing to contribute your knowledge of immortal herbs to Spirit Hall? Knowledge is priceless. I will not shortchange you—I can offer in exchange a soul bone of over 30,000 years, suited to you."
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo had both reached rank 96. Even she had to treat them carefully. A 30,000-year soul bone was no small price. After all, immortal herbs were wondrous but incredibly rare.
'As if I can refuse. Fine, I'll hand over some, but keep plenty back. I'll pass the rest to my disciple later…' With this thought, Chrysanthemum Douluo let joy show on his face and bowed.
"Many thanks, Your Holiness!"
"However," he added smoothly, "the knowledge I possess was passed orally by my clan elders. There are no written records. The few illustrations I once had were lost during my youth. I will need time to compile my knowledge before presenting it."
"Then I leave it to you, Elder Chrysanthemum." Bibi Dong nodded. "If there is nothing else, you may both withdraw."
"Yes!" The two elders saluted and left.
Once far from the palace, they exchanged a glance, a flicker of cold light flashing in their eyes.
They both knew well the effects of immortal herbs. Bibi Dong had seen enough from the letter. Yet she had the gall to offer a single 30,000-year soul bone for their knowledge.
She hadn't even put them in her eyes!
'Kindness invites contempt—that much is true. We've been too obedient, taking the Pope too seriously all these years.'
At least now, they had chosen to change.
(End of Chapter)
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