"Disciple wishes to request Chrysanthemum Douluo's company."
Bi Bidong remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding:
"Granted."
"I'll have Chrysanthemum Douluo prepare. You'll depart tomorrow morning—remember, do not force the matter. If he shows no interest, simply ascertain his background."
"Yes, Teacher! This disciple boldly requests that you accompany me to Heaven Dou City!"
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Bi Bidong's finger movements abruptly ceased. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes, quickly replaced by scrutiny:
"You want me to go with you?"
She leaned forward slightly, her luxurious Pope's Robe flowing with dark golden luster as she moved. Her voice wasn't loud, yet carried undeniable authority:
"Heaven Dou City lies deep within the Heaven Dou Empire's territory, with a branch hall stationed there. For ordinary matters, Chrysanthemum Douluo's accompaniment is sufficient."
"You should know that if I go personally, the commotion would be too great. It would easily alert the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and the gains wouldn't outweigh the losses."
After a pause, her gaze settled on Su Yu, carrying a hint of investigation:
"Do you feel that Chrysanthemum Douluo alone cannot control the situation? Or is there another consideration?"
The air in the hall seemed to solidify slightly. The shadows of candle flames flickered on the walls, making their figures alternate between light and darkness.
"Teacher, you are the Pope. If you accompany us, Dugu Bo would sense the importance our Spirit Hall places on him, potentially increasing the likelihood of him joining us!"
After listening, Bi Bidong lightly tapped her finger on the armrest, a thoughtful glimmer flashing in her eyes.
She slowly shook her head, her tone calm yet carrying an unyielding finality:
"Your thinking isn't wrong, but you must understand balance in action."
"As the Pope, my every word and action concerns the dignity and strategy of the Spirit Hall."
"Heaven Dou City is the foundation of the Heaven Dou Empire. If I move lightly, it will inevitably draw attention from all sides—the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the covert agents of the Three Upper Sects, even the Star Luo Empire would take notice."
"To recruit one person and disturb the continent's situation—the gains wouldn't outweigh the losses."
She looked up at Su Yu, her gaze profound: "Showing importance doesn't necessarily require the highest authority to personally attend."
"Chrysanthemum Douluo is a Titled Douluo. Having him accompany you is already the respect the Spirit Hall can offer."
"Furthermore, Dugu Bo has an aloof and proud temperament, disliking excessive formalities and power pressure the most."
"If I go, he might not perceive it as importance, but instead possibly feel resistant, thinking we're pressuring him with our influence."
"You just need to remember that the way of recruitment lies in catering to his preferences, not in displaying power." Bi Bidong's voice softened slightly.
"Go, bring sincerity with you. If he refuses, then follow my instructions—just ascertain his weaknesses. There's no need to rush."
Su Yu bowed in response: "This disciple understands and will respectfully follow your teachings."
"Mm, you may withdraw. Chrysanthemum Douluo will come find you tomorrow morning!"
"Yes, Teacher!"
The next morning—
"Your Highness Su Yu! We're about to depart!"
"Uncle Guan, let's go!"
Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo boarded the carriage and set off toward Heaven Dou City. In just one day's time, they arrived at Heaven Dou City.
The carriage smoothly entered Heaven Dou City. The bumps from the bluestone pavement transmitted through the carriage compartment, carrying a sense of weight characteristic of ancient cities.
Shops lined both sides of the street, with pedestrians coming and going like shuttles. Compared to the solemn dignity of Spirit City, it held more of the bustling atmosphere of daily life.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan fanned himself with a folding fan, gazing at the street scenery through the carriage window, his lips curved in his usual faint smile:
"Heaven Dou City is indeed more bustling than the rumors suggest. It's just a pity that beneath this prosperity, there are many undercurrents."
Su Yu nodded: "After all, it's the imperial capital. Various forces are deeply intertwined here. We must act more cautiously."
The carriage stopped outside the Spirit Hall branch. Though not as grand as the main hall, it still possessed remarkable presence.
The guards at the entrance immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo's token.
"Prepare a formal visiting card and deliver it to Dugu Bo's residence!" Su Yu instructed the branch attendant.
"Say that Su Yu from the Spirit Hall has come specifically to pay respects to Senior Dugu Bo."
The attendant didn't dare delay and quickly acknowledged the order.
Soon after, a gold-embossed visiting card was prepared, bearing respectful wording written in meticulous small script.
"Send someone to deliver it to the Dugu residence," Su Yu handed the card to the attendant.
"No need to rush. We'll wait for his response."
Returning to their temporary guest quarters, Chrysanthemum Douluo poured himself a cup of tea and said leisurely:
"That old poison master has a peculiar temperament. He might not agree to see us. If he keeps us waiting, what's your plan?"
Su Yu sat by the window, watching the street scene outside: "We wait. If he refuses to see us, it means he still has reservations."
"If he agrees, it's an opportunity. We have plenty of time—no need to rush this."
"Uncle Guan, whether we can get Dugu Bo to join the Spirit Hall depends on you!"
"On me? Your Highness Su Yu, I don't quite understand what you mean!"
"Uncle Guan, you've fought him several times. Couldn't you see his problem?"
"Your Highness, are you referring to the old poison master's physical condition?"
"Exactly, Uncle Guan. Although the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor is a powerful Martial Soul, it carries inherent toxins."
"Every time he performs Martial Soul Fusion, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's poison enters the user's body!"
"Dugu Bo has been using this Martial Soul for so many years—the toxins have likely spread throughout his entire body by now!"In our fights years ago, though he pretended nothing was wrong, I could smell that overwhelming bloody poison scent from him even from a distance.""
"That's the odor that appears when the toxins backfire. That old fellow is quite enduring."
"It's not that he's enduring—he probably has something that suppresses the toxins in his body!"
"But we'll need to meet him to find out what that something is."
Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo settled in at the Spirit Hall branch. Meanwhile, in the Second Prince's residence of the Heaven Dou Empire...
Ci Xue and She Long walked to a room and knocked on the door.
"What is it?"
A gentle male voice came from inside the room.
"Young master, someone has arrived from the Holy City!"
As the door opened, a faint scent of ink mixed with the aroma of books wafted out.
A young man stood there dressed in moon-white brocade robes, his handsome features carrying a composure beyond his years.
His eyes were clear yet profound, as if they could see through people's hearts. He stepped aside to make way, his voice still gentle:
"Come in, and close the door."
Ci Xue and She Long entered with bowed heads, closing the door behind them.
The room was simply furnished with just a table, a chair, and a bed. An unfinished landscape painting hung on the wall.
Ink in the inkstone still steamed slightly, clearly indicating the young man had been practicing calligraphy just moments before.
"Who has come from the Holy City?"
The young man walked to the table, picked up a paperweight, and pressed it onto the rice paper with unhurried movements.
Ci Xue stepped forward and said in a low voice, "It's His Highness Su Yu, accompanied by Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan."
"They have settled at the Martial Soul branch hall and even sent a visiting card to the Dugu residence yesterday, seemingly intending to recruit Poison Douluo."
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