[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
"Brat, so it was you who used a flask of wine to break Yan Yan's poison?"
After taking his seat, Dugu Bo glanced sideways at Tang San, his tone indifferent.
Hearing this, Tang San's thoughts raced as he quickly analyzed the keywords in Dugu Bo's words—
Wine. Yan Yan. Poison.
In a flash, his eyes lit up with realization.
Back in Suotuo City, during the battle between the Shrek team and the Imperial Team, the Imperial Team's vice-captain was none other than Dugu Yan!
That girl with the Emerald Phosphorus Snake martial soul!
She was Dugu Bo's granddaughter!
Once he figured this out, Tang San studied Dugu Bo, slightly puzzled.
Dugu Yan's martial soul was the Emerald Phosphorus Snake, and she had clearly been deeply poisoned—her emerald-green hair and pupils were proof enough.
Those weren't natural colors, and the faint scent of snake venom clinging to her had been overwhelmingly pungent to Tang San's senses.
This only reinforced his belief: Dugu Yan was poisoned—by her own martial soul!
Yet, strangely, Dugu Bo—her grandfather and a wielder of the Emerald Phosphorus Snake Emperor—showed no signs of poisoning?
This left Tang San utterly baffled.
Was Dugu Yan adopted?
But her condition seemed more like a genetic inheritance—adoption was unlikely.
Seeing Tang San lost in thought, Dugu Bo was momentarily taken aback.
What's going on?
He'd spelled it out plainly, yet this kid still couldn't recall?
Young people these days…
Shaking his head, Dugu Bo shot Tang San a pitying look.
Fortunately, Tang San snapped back to attention quickly and, oblivious to Dugu Bo's gaze, replied:
"Your Excellency, during our battle in Suotuo City, I did indeed use a mixture of wine and realgar to neutralize Miss Dugu Yan's serpent venom."
"Given that Miss Dugu Yan's cultivation was still shallow, countering her poison wasn't difficult—as long as one had the right suppressants."
Tang San spoke without arrogance or humility, his tone laced with quiet pride—especially when it came to poison.
What was the Tang Sect known for?
They were the undisputed masters of venom—ancestral pioneers in this field!
A mere snake toxin? Hardly worth breaking a sweat over.
"Such arrogance!"
Dugu Bo slammed the table, his voice thunderous.
Had he not held back, the table would've shattered instantly.
His fury wasn't because Tang San had broken Dugu Yan's poison—
But because Tang San had revealed a method that even ordinary people could use to counter their lineage's low-level soul masters!
If this knowledge spread, what would become of the Emerald Phosphorus lineage's weaker members?
Even if it hadn't happened yet, what about the future?
Their clan's reputation—and deterrent—rested entirely on their venom.
Wine. Realgar.
Marvelous. Absolutely marvelous.
If this got out, their lineage might as well go extinct.
Yet, faced with Dugu Bo's rage, Tang San remained unshaken.
Since the Title Douluo hadn't attacked immediately, he likely wouldn't act now.
"Tang San, you're something else. Truly something else!"
For a fleeting moment, killing intent flickered in Dugu Bo's eyes.
All it would take was one swift strike—this secret would die with the boy.
And if necessary, he could silence anyone else who might know.
Those who reached the Title Douluo level were no saints—especially lone wolves like Dugu Bo.
The hardships he'd endured far surpassed those from major sects.
In this brutal world of martial souls, slaughter was often the only solution.
Seeing Dugu Bo's murderous intent, Tang San's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.
He was betting Dugu Bo wouldn't dare kill him.
"Your Excellency, do you admit that your poison is peerless under heaven?"
Dugu Bo didn't hesitate. "This old man is renowned for his venom—of course it's peerless!"
"Hahahaha…"
Tang San laughed—a derisive, scornful laugh.
Compared to the Tang Sect's toxins, Dugu Bo's so-called "peerless" poison was a joke!
Hah!
The audacity!
"Brat, what are you laughing at?!"
In an instant, Dugu Bo was before Tang San, his right hand clamping around the boy's throat.
Even as his breath grew labored, Tang San continued laughing defiantly.
"Cough…"
"Heh. I don't know how you've avoided poisoning, but your granddaughter Dugu Yan is already beyond saving."
"Ten years at most—not even the gods could help her then!"
"What kind of 'peerless' poison master can't even cure his own granddaughter?!"
Dugu Bo's grip faltered, his eyes widening slightly.
The last person to accuse him of being poisoned…
Had been that man.
Of course, Dugu Bo knew he was poisoned—but to a stranger?
He'd never admit his own martial soul was killing him!
Initially, he hadn't wanted to believe Zhongli's words—
But when Zhongli had choked him into submission, he'd had no choice.
Fortunately, Zhongli hadn't lied.
Not only had he cured Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan—
He'd evolved their martial souls!
As long as future generations' martial souls didn't regress to the Emerald Phosphorus Snake, the venom backlash would never return.
That was why Dugu Bo had willingly handed over the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well to Zhongli.
As for properties in Heaven Dou City?
Trivial.
Had Zhongli agreed to become an imperial advisor, even gifting him an entire major city wouldn't have been out of the question.
After a brief silence, Dugu Bo released Tang San.
Without looking at the boy, he walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back as he gazed at the night sky.
"You're right, brat. What kind of 'peerless' am I…?"
"To think you'd have such insight into venom as well."
"A pity you and that man arrived ten years too late."
Dugu Bo sighed heavily.
Had Zhongli and Tang San appeared a decade earlier—
Had they cured his family's poison—
He'd have given up everything. Even his Title Douluo status!
He'd watched his son and daughter-in-law die, helpless to save them…
Dugu Bo didn't question whether Tang San could cure the poison.
The last person who'd claimed to—had succeeded.
That was enough.
Tang San blinked, perplexed.
"That man?"
He wasn't stupid. Dugu Bo's reactions made it clear—
He had been poisoned before.
But someone had already cured him!
Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo! For his venom to have corroded his entire body yet still be remedied—
Even Tang San wouldn't have been confident in pulling that off!
Who was it?
Who could possibly surpass the Tang Sect's expertise?!
Unless… they'd used legendary immortal herbs?
But at that thought, Tang San shook his head.
Surely those were just myths?
How could such miraculous plants exist?
Zhongli: Ah, yes, yes. Exactly!
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 65 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 40 power stones I will publish the next chapter.