Tang San completed the absorption of his spirit ring. Though the process was somewhat convoluted, overall, it went smoothly without major incidents.
"Teacher, my spirit power has reached level 42. Moreover, my fourth soul skill allows me to control multiple targets simultaneously," Tang San said with excitement written all over his face.
Group-control soul skills were generally exclusive to ten-thousand-year spirit rings. For a thousand-year spirit ring to possess such a skill was a testament to Tang San's good fortune.
Before Yu Xiaogang could inquire further, Flender and Liu Erlong exchanged tense glances and signaled for everyone to retreat behind them.
"There's a thirty-thousand-year soul beast approaching. I'll hold it off while Erlong and Xiaogang take everyone and flee," Flender declared. As the principal and leader of the Golden Iron Triangle, he naturally took on the responsibility.
"No, both Xiaogang and I must stay here to unleash our full strength," Liu Erlong firmly disagreed. "Mubai, Tianheng, Xiao San—protect everyone."
However, when the thirty-thousand-year saber-toothed tiger appeared, it didn't even glance at them and instead swiftly darted past.
The saber-toothed tiger seemed to have used some kind of innate ability, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Huh? It wasn't here to cause trouble?" Yu Xiaogang sighed in relief.
Tang San frowned, recalling the experience of hunting souls for Oscar. He said gravely, "No, there's someone stronger chasing it from behind. Everyone, be careful."
As soon as he finished speaking, a green figure appeared before their eyes.
"So it's you lot who made my soul beast escape?"
"Elder Dugu, why are you…" Flender began but then fell silent.
Remembering what Tang San had said earlier, he seemed to understand that Dugu Bo was chasing that saber-toothed tiger.
However, there was no one else around Dugu Bo, and it was unclear why he was pursuing the soul beast.
"Elder Dugu, we're here to hunt for spirit rings. If we've offended you, we're willing to leave immediately," Yu Xiaogang said diplomatically.
Though the fusion technique of the Golden Iron Triangle could rival a Title Douluo, they couldn't possibly defeat one.
This was a forest of soul beasts. If Dugu Bo killed them, no one outside would ever know.
Seeing the situation, Xiao Wu timidly hid behind Tang San. She touched the small flower on her forehead that concealed her aura, and upon seeing that Dugu Bo wasn't paying attention to her, she gradually grew bolder.
"You can hunt souls—I don't care. But interfering with my hunt will cost you dearly," Dugu Bo said coldly, his words sending chills down their spines.
With each step he took, the aura around him grew stronger, pressing down on the Shrek group until they could barely breathe.
Liu Erlong and Flender instinctively shielded everyone behind them and said sternly, "Dugu Bo, don't push us too far. The Sunset Forest isn't your private property—why are you making things difficult for us?"
"If I want to kill, it's none of your business to interfere. Disrupting my hunt means you're prepared to die."
With that, nine soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—shimmered beneath his feet.
"Xiao San, we'll hold Dugu Bo back while you take everyone and run," Yu Xiaogang said gravely.
Even though their fusion technique still wouldn't match Dugu Bo, buying some time would be enough to give Tang San and the others a chance to escape.
Moreover, given Tang San's talent, he was destined to become a powerhouse in the future. By then, Dugu Bo would surely meet his end.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward resolutely, ready to fight to the death.
"Elder Dugu, may I say something? I'm not sure if it's appropriate," Tang San interrupted, seemingly ignoring Yu Xiaogang's warning, and took two steps forward, maintaining a composed demeanor.
"Xiao San, are you insane!" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in alarm, rushing to stop him.
Tang San gave him a reassuring look before turning his gaze to Dugu Bo.
"Your composure is admirable, but your strength leaves something to be desired. I'll give you a chance to speak, but if your words fail to satisfy me, then prepare to descend into hell together," Dugu Bo said, though he didn't truly intend to kill anyone.
Besides, Tang San was the son of the Hao Tian Douluo. Who knew if Tang Hao was lurking nearby?
The eyes of the Shrek group turned to Tang San, hoping he could resolve the situation.
A gleam of confidence flashed in Tang San's eyes as he said confidently, "Elder Dugu, do you feel a tingling sensation under your ribs whenever it's cloudy or rainy? And does it intensify progressively? It flares up twice a day—at noon and midnight—and at your current state, each episode likely lasts at least an hour."
"Also, every night around the third watch, do you experience a needle-like pain in your head and soles? Your entire body spasms for at least half an hour. There's no need for me to describe how excruciating that process is, right?"
Dugu Bo couldn't help but look at him seriously.
These symptoms were exactly what he had endured before detoxifying. Back then, without the spring water of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well to suppress the pain, it would've cost him half his life.
Fortunately, after meeting Ning Tianchen, his symptoms had been cured.
Dugu Bo suddenly reined in his aura. He wanted to hear what tricks this young man had up his sleeve that might surpass the poison pill method.
As his aura receded, the Shrek group felt as if a great weight had been lifted.
His eyelids twitched slightly. "Go on."
"Xiao San, what's going on?" the Shrek group asked in confusion, quickly pressing for answers.
Tang San simply smiled faintly and waved his hand. "Elder Dugu, do you want your condition to become public knowledge?"
He understood well that exposing the greatest secret of a Title Douluo to too many people would inevitably lead to a killing spree to cover it up.
Yu Xiaogang was somewhat perplexed but instinctively trusted Tang San. "Xiao San, be careful. Everyone else, retreat a hundred meters back."
"No need," Dugu Bo waved dismissively, smirking. "I have nothing to hide. My actions are upright, and I've done nothing shameful."
Seeing that his demeanor didn't seem like an act, Tang San steadied his nerves and finally spoke. "Elder Dugu, you've been poisoned."
"This poison originates from your martial soul. Not only does it harm you, but it also endangers your descendants."
"If we can sit down and discuss terms properly, perhaps I can save your life."
"Xiao San, are you mistaken?" Liu Erlong hurriedly asked.
For someone like Dugu Bo, a master of poisons, to be afflicted by a martial soul poison—was this some kind of joke?
"Tang San, this isn't something to joke about. If it comes to it, I'll bring up my identity from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family," Yu Tianxin said anxiously.
But Tang San remained calm and confident, looking directly at Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo's heart was filled with sneers.
He hated engaging in transactions for personal gain.
When Ning Tianchen had offered to detoxify him, it was purely out of friendship. He hadn't forced Dugu Bo to do anything in return.
Later, when Dugu Bo helped Ning Tianchen, it was entirely voluntary, not coerced by any sense of obligation.
For a moment, Tang San left a terrible impression on him.
Still, he was curious to see what tricks Tang San would pull.
"So tell me, how do you propose to cure this poison of mine? Hmph, rest assured, I always keep my word. If your method satisfies me, not only will I let you all go, but I'll also unconditionally help you with one task."
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