However, using this method to detoxify can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.
The poison in her body didn't come from external sources—it stemmed from her own martial spirit: the Bi-Lin Snake.
Beast-type martial spirits require possession to use. Every time she uses her martial spirit's power, she inevitably absorbs some snake venom into her body.
And as a soul master, it's impossible not to use her martial spirit's power.
Without severing the root cause of the poison, a full cure is impossible.
Even treating the symptoms won't last forever. Once her soul power level increases, the current detoxification method will become ineffective.
It's just like when a support-type soul master tries to boost someone with a much higher level—the effect weakens drastically or doesn't work at all.
Once her soul power level surpasses the detoxifying soul masters her grandfather can hire, the effects of their detox skills will be greatly diminished, making it impossible to purge the accumulated snake venom.
Luckily, she's only at the three-ring level now, so there are still plenty of soul masters who can help her detoxify.
It's just because she's traveling that she needs to rely on the special pills her grandfather prepared to suppress the poison.
Suddenly, Dugu Yan realized something important and looked at Chu Chengzhou with burning eyes.
"Yan Yan, what's wrong?"Noticing her reaction, Yu Tianheng quickly asked.
"It's nothing~ Chu junior, thank you!"
Dugu Yan thanked Chu Chengzhou.
"No problem, just a small favor," he replied casually with a wave of his hand.
He was already eyeing her grandfather's collection of rare immortal herbs, so helping Dugu Yan was totally worth it.
"Chu junior, I have a question. Could you tell me if you're willing?"
Dugu Yan looked at him eagerly.
"Uh... go ahead."
"Chu junior, as your soul power increases, will your summoned beast, Xiaobai, also grow stronger?"
At that moment, Dugu Yan was extremely excited.
She'd been raised solely by her grandfather, Dugu Bo, and they shared a deep bond.
Though he never told her directly, she knew—if she suffered from the Bi-Lin Snake poison, then her grandfather must have it worse, especially since he was a Title Douluo.
There were many soul masters who could detoxify someone at her level, but none capable of detoxifying a Title Douluo.
Unless someone had a soul bone skill, detoxification skills were typically the domain of support-type soul masters. But very few support-types ever reached Title Douluo level, especially those with detox capabilities.
She hadn't found a permanent cure, but now she saw hope for a long-term remedy!
She had seen clearly: Chu Chengzhou's second soul ring was only a hundred years old—nothing impressive by normal standards. But the white lion he summoned far exceeded what a typical hundred-year soul beast could do, rivaling most thousand-year ones.
In other words, Chu's True Spirit Banner martial spirit had unique qualities, likely similar to Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—it scaled with his level.
Chu looked younger than her, yet his soul power wasn't far off, proving his talent surpassed hers.
If Chu's martial spirit skills grew stronger with him, and he surpassed her in cultivation, then Xiaobai would always be stronger than her.
That meant if her poison ever got out of control, as long as she could find Chu Chengzhou and he was willing to help, she'd always have a way to manage it.
And if he ever became a Title Douluo and Xiaobai reached that level too, even her grandfather's poison might be treatable!
Title Douluo or not, it was still a sliver of hope—for both her and her grandfather.
"You're right. My True Spirit Banner is a mutated martial spirit. It has a similar trait to Rongrong's—it scales with my level."
Chu Chengzhou nodded and lied without batting an eye.
Well, not a full lie.
Although the summoned beasts' strength was linked to ring age, he had noticed that as his level increased, their power improved too—even if the ring age didn't change. It wasn't dramatic, but still there.
For example, the Sky-Blue Tree spirit, Xiaoqing, had better healing effects after he hit the three-ring level, compared to when he had only two rings.
However, that seemed to only apply to certain spirits. His second ring was auto-upgrading, so he wasn't sure if Xiaobai improved with his level, and his Phoenix spirit (which had reached ten thousand years) hadn't improved at all.
He guessed that once your level surpassed the summon's "natural" age, it helped. But if the summon was already ahead of your level, no benefit came from your own level ups.
"That's great!"
Dugu Yan cheered when she got his confirmation.
"Tch~ what a pity," she added, shaking her head.
"What's a pity, Yan Yan?"Yu Tianheng was confused.
"Chu junior, it's a shame I already have a boyfriend. Otherwise, I'd definitely ask Grandpa to take you home and make you mine."
She glanced at Yu Tianheng, then at Chu Chengzhou, and sighed.
Yu Tianheng: "…"
"Are you mad at me, Tianheng?"
She blinked at her boyfriend.
"No, no… why would I be mad?"Yu Tianheng hurriedly denied it.
She didn't actually cheat on him, so what was he supposed to be mad at? Still, it really stung. Worst part? He couldn't even vent.
He understood her situation. Blaming Chu Chengzhou? No way—the guy just helped his girlfriend. Can't bite the hand that heals.
Blame his girlfriend? Impossible. She was perfect—mutual feelings, compatible families, both geniuses—where would he ever find someone better?
"Ahem~ Sister Dugu, no need to go that far. If you ever need Xiaobai's help, just let me know."
While secretly pulling Xiao Wu's hand off his waist under the table (she was pinching him), Chu Chengzhou gave Dugu Yan a polite response.
He already guessed what she was thinking. Honestly, even if none of this happened, he still would've shown off Xiaobai's detox ability.
Why? Because he wanted her grandfather's immortal herbs.
Detox? That's just a sentence!
Besides, getting in good with Dugu Bo—a walking WMD—was definitely in his best interest.
Dugu Bo might be a poison master, and ruthless to enemies, but to friends? He was incredibly loyal.
That afternoon, Qin Ming left Shrek Academy with the Emperor Battle Team.
Unlike the original story, Shrek wasn't planning to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
In the original, Shrek only went there due to financial troubles and Yu Xiaogang's involvement.
Without Yu Xiaogang around to stir the pot, Qin Ming wouldn't dare poach from his alma mater.
But even if Qin Ming didn't bring it up, Chu Chengzhou planned to convince Flender to go freeload in Heaven Dou City.
He didn't want to miss the Soul Master Tournament. Plus, the mimic training grounds there were awesome.
Shrek Academy had none of that.
That evening, Chu Chengzhou visited Flender.
"You need something?"Flender adjusted his glasses and asked.
"Dean Flender, I heard you were a legendary soul master back in the day. Could you share some of your heroic tales with me?"
Chu Chengzhou smiled.
You couldn't just tell Flender to go sponge off someone—gotta appeal to his pride.
He needed Flender to reminisce about his ambiguous "brother-sister" relationship with Liu Erlong.
Flender raised a brow, suspicious.
Something's off.
Chu Chengzhou wasn't the type to care about old stories. Something had to be up.
Still, a student asking about his glory days? Flender couldn't resist.
"Kid, you've got taste! You don't know what kind of figure I was back then! Ever heard of martial spirit fusion?"
And off Flender went, bragging endlessly.
Chu Chengzhou nodded, reacted on cue, and looked amazed when appropriate.
"Ah~ I'm getting old."
Over half an hour later, Flender sighed and sipped tea.
"Dean Flender, have you heard of Blue Tyrant Academy?"
"The one owned by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan?"
"No, that's the Thunderclap Academy—this one's different. It was founded by Liu Erlong."
Chu Chengzhou smiled."She's your sworn sister, right?"
Flender was stunned. "Erlong?"
He began reminiscing—his lost youth!
"I heard it's a private academy for students without backgrounds. But because they lack talented students, their tournament results have always been poor."
Chu Chengzhou sighed.
There were only five qualifying slots in the Heaven Dou division. Blue Tyrant Academy beating the Five Elemental Academies? Dream on.
Flender suddenly understood Chu Chengzhou's real goal.
This kid wanted to defect to Blue Tyrant Academy!
"You've got guts, thinking of jumping ship already?"
Flender glared.
Chu Chengzhou quickly replied, "Dean, you misunderstand! Since Dean Erlong is your sister, why not help her?"
"I've got a suggestion. Want to hear it?"
"Go on."
"You should take us and join Dean Erlong! With you on board, she won't be struggling alone. With us, Blue Tyrant Academy could shine in the tournament!"
He paused for effect.
"But that's not even the main point…"
"What is it?"
"Dean Erlong is still single. And you're not getting any younger. Ever think about settling down? Filial piety, you know?"
Flender blushed. "That's not appropriate…"
"Why not? Even if not for yourself, think about the others! Zhao Wuji and Shao Xin are still bachelors, and our academy has no female teachers. How are they supposed to find wives stuck here all day?
You might be fine dying alone, but don't drag the others down with you!"
Chu Chengzhou declared boldly.
"…You've got a point."
After thinking it over, Flender admitted he was right.
"In that case, let's join Dean Erlong!"
"Ahem... Let me think about it."
Flender opened the door, trying to play it cool.
Did he want to see Erlong again? Absolutely!
But he couldn't shake the guilt—how could he face Yu Xiaogang?
"Alright, Dean Flender. Please think it over."
Chu Chengzhou didn't push further.
But in his heart, he was sure—Flender would go to Blue Tyrant Academy!
Especially since in the original, Shrek was kicked out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and just so happened to merge with Blue Tyrant Academy.
Coincidence? Yeah, right.
The next day, Flender gave no clear answer.
That night, Chu Chengzhou talked to Zhao Wuji, appealing to brotherhood and future security. Zhao Wuji, touched, went to persuade Flender.
On the third day—still no answer.
That night, Chu Chengzhou approached Shao Xin.
Fourth night, Lu Qibin went to talk to Flender.
Fifth night, Li Yusong joined in.
On the sixth day…
On the sixth day, Chu Chengzhou, still without a response, prepared to try persuading Flanders again.
Flanders, being an old, stubborn man, was reluctant to accept the idea of "eating soft rice" (relying on someone else for support), but that was understandable.
This moment was crucial for him to bring encouragement and support to the headmaster!
However, as soon as he entered the door, Flanders kicked him out.
Flanders was now annoyed every time he saw Chu Chengzhou. It was one thing for Chu Chengzhou to encourage him to "eat soft rice," but now he had even convinced Zhao Wuji and the other old brothers to encourage him. He felt like a failure as a son!
Just as Chu Chengzhou was being driven out, Flanders' angry voice echoed from the office: "Get the hell out of here, kid! I've already written to Er Long!"
Though Flanders was yelling, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but feel that Flanders seemed quite pleased.
It made sense. Flanders was excited about writing a letter to the goddess he hadn't seen in twenty years, preparing to seek her out. It was natural for him to feel thrilled.
Since Flanders said that, Chu Chengzhou felt relieved.
Though Liu Erlong seemed to have no romantic feelings for Flanders, viewing him only as a good brother, their friendship was unquestionable.
Now, the sworn brother was going to bring his old brothers and students to her. It was hard to imagine Liu Erlong refusing.
Moreover, even without this personal connection, any academy head with brains wouldn't refuse a skilled soul master bringing talented students.
Twenty days later.
In the morning, Chu Chengzhou was guiding Zhu Zhuqing through practical training when he suddenly noticed a middle-aged man carrying a bag, looking travel-worn, approaching the academy.
"Is something wrong?"
Pausing the training, Chu Chengzhou stepped forward and asked.
"Hello, may I ask if Flanders, the dean of Shrek Academy, is here? I have a letter for him."
The middle-aged man addressed Chu Chengzhou.
"Flanders' letter? I'm a student of Shrek Academy. You can hand it over to me!"
Chu Chengzhou's eyes lit up as he hurriedly spoke.
It was obvious—this was Liu Erlong's response.
The noble soul master wouldn't play the role of a mailman. Soto City was far from Tiandou City, so a round trip would take about twenty days.
"Alright! Please sign this receipt."
The middle-aged man didn't refuse. It wasn't just because this was Shrek Academy; it was also because he had noticed Zhu Zhuqing, who was fighting against Chu Chengzhou, with two soul rings glowing on her body.
Although Chu Chengzhou didn't release his martial soul and soul rings, anyone who could fight a soul master must also be a soul master. He wasn't fooling a mere messenger.
"Zhuqing, wait here for a moment, I'll deliver the letter to the dean."
After signing his name and sending the messenger off, Chu Chengzhou waved the letter in his hand and called to Zhu Zhuqing before heading to Flanders' office.
In the office.
"Flanders, what did Er Long say?"
Chu Chengzhou asked as he saw Flanders reading the letter.
"Hmph~ What else could she say? Of course, she welcomes us to join her!"
Flanders gave a cold snort, but his face quickly showed a smile.
Flanders thought: I'm not running this broken academy anymore! I'm going to join Er Long, my little sister!
During this time, Flanders had come to terms with it. Since his good friend Yu Xiaogang had failed to appreciate Er Long properly, leaving her to wait for twenty years, it was time for him, Flanders, to seek his own happiness.
No, no, wait—this was for Zhao Wuji and the others, and for these little monsters, not because Flanders wanted to "eat soft rice!"
"Ding ding ding—"
The assembly bell rang, echoing across Shrek Academy.
Soon, all the teachers and students of Shrek gathered on the playground, and even Dai Mubai, who was usually absent, showed up.
"I've gathered you all here to announce something important!"
Flanders stood with his hands behind his back, looking sternly at Chu Chengzhou and the others in front of him, as well as Zhao Wuji and his group by his side.
Hearing this, everyone on the field fell silent, waiting for Flanders to continue.
"The situation at the academy is well known to everyone. After careful consideration for the future of you few little monsters, I've decided to transfer you all to Blue Tyrant Academy!"
Pushing his glasses, Flanders spoke slowly.
"What? Join Blue Tyrant Academy? Dean Flanders, is our academy closing down?"
Oscar's eyes widened in shock as he exclaimed.
Although Shrek Academy was extremely poor, not even a proper high-level soul master academy and lacking facilities for auxiliary training, Oscar still had deep feelings for the academy. Hearing suddenly that the academy might close down was hard to accept.
Not only Oscar, but also the others—except for Chu Chengzhou and Zhao Wuji, who already knew—showed looks of shock.
"That's right, I've made up my mind!"
Flanders nodded.
"Well, what exactly is Blue Tyrant Academy like?" Xiao Wu asked, hesitantly.
"Blue Tyrant Academy is a legitimate high-level soul master academy located in Tiandou City. The dean there is one of my close friends, so don't worry, you won't suffer there."
"Close friend? Dean, you have friends?"
Ma Hongjun blinked, surprised.
He had been at the academy for quite some time and knew that Flanders was a homebody. Unless he was out hunting soul beasts, he rarely left his house.
With someone like Flanders, having friends outside the academy was unexpected. Moreover, since Blue Tyrant Academy was in Tiandou City, the dean there must be wealthy, as only someone with money could run a high-level soul master academy.
"What's wrong? Can't I have friends?"
A dangerous light flashed in Flanders' eyes as he glared at Ma Hongjun.
"Uh… well, of course, that's fine. Honestly, even if you had a Title Douluo friend, I wouldn't be surprised!"
Ma Hongjun laughed awkwardly.
"Hmph!"
Flanders glared at Ma Hongjun and coldly snorted before continuing, "I've already been in contact with that friend, and everything has been settled.
Get ready, we'll head to Tiandou City in ten days!"
After finishing, Flanders waved his hand and turned to leave the playground.
To be honest, Shrek Academy had been Flanders' life's work for the past twenty years. Leaving it behind wasn't easy for him.
However, compared to his younger sister, Er Long, these feelings of reluctance were insignificant.
No, no, actually, compared to the future of his old brothers and these little monsters, the reluctance didn't matter at all!