The young man's originally calm expression flickered with a hint of delight, though it vanished in an instant.
"Mm, I understand."
She Long and Ci Xue looked at the man before them, their tones carrying a trace of inquiry:
"Young Master, shall we arrange something?"
"No! Who wants to see him? No arrangements are to be made!"
The man's voice shifted, the originally gentle male tone transforming into a melodious female voice, laced with a touch of coquettishness.
"Yes! Understood!" The two dared not say more, bowing in acknowledgment before preparing to withdraw.
Just as they reached the door, the female voice came from behind again, tinged with reluctant hesitation:
"Never mind. Arrange it. Sometime in the next few days will do."
She Long and Ci Xue paused mid-step, tacitly avoiding turning around, and replied in low voices:
"As you command."
Indeed, this man was the Second Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, though the original Xue Qinghe was already dead.
The current man was Qian Renxue, disguised using the Soul Bone Ability of the Angel Divine Armor Soul Bone.
Elsewhere, as Dugu Bo returned to his residence, dusk had already crept over the courtyard's upturned eaves.
A personal attendant approached softly, presenting a plain note: "Your Eminence, this visiting card was just delivered. It's from Su Yu of the Spirit Hall."
Dugu Bo took the card. As his fingertips unfolded it, a glint of amusement flashed in his eyes.
The characters "Su Yu" on the paper were written with steady strokes, revealing the sharpness of youth, while the words "Spirit Hall" in the signature were particularly distinct.
"Oh? Bibi Dong's disciple?"
His fingers tapped lightly on the note, a faint, ambiguous smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"Quite bold."
He looked up at the attendant, his tone carrying a lazy nonchalance that nonetheless held its own authority:
"Send a reply. Tell him I will receive him here at noon tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Eminence."
The attendant bowed in acknowledgment and quietly withdrew.
The night breeze swept through the courtyard, scattering a few dried leaves. Dugu Bo gazed at the stars gradually sinking in the sky.
The visiting card in his hand gleamed pale white under the moonlight. He was curious to see what this young man from the Spirit Hall was all about.
Time quickly passed, and soon it was noon the next day. Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo arrived at Dugu Bo's residence.
"Gentlemen, this way please. His Eminence is awaiting you in the reception hall."
Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo entered the reception hall and saw Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo was a tall, thin man who stood straight as a spear, his beard and hair both a jet-black green.
His eyes shone like emeralds, giving his entire person an almost illusory quality.
His face was expressionless, or rather, his expression seemed completely rigid.
His cheeks were sunken, his green hair unkempt, and he wore only a simple gray robe.
The Soul Power emanating from him was around the 91st rank.
The light in the reception hall was dim, and the air carried a faint, cloyingly sweet scent.
In a bronze burner in the corner, unknown medicinal herbs smoldered, their smoke curling upwards, yet unable to suppress the unique, sinister chill of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
Dugu Bo sat upright in the host's seat, his gaunt frame like a poisoned spear ready to strike. His jet-black green beard and hair fell to his shoulders, swaying slightly with his breath.
His emerald-like eyes swept over Su Yu, filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.
The lines at the corners of his mouth were stiff as stone, as if even his expression had been frozen by the toxins within his body.
"Old Guan, I never expected Bi Bidong would send you."
His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against stone when he spoke.
"What? Afraid I might harm this kid?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo raised a hand with an orchid-shaped gesture to his cheek, his tone turning icy:
"Pah! Look at what you are!"
He took a step forward, the pressure of his ninety-third level Soul Power suddenly released, clashing with the chilling aura emanating from Dugu Bo, making the air in the hall seem to freeze.
"His Highness Su Yu is the personal disciple of His Holiness the Pope. If you dare harm even a single hair on his head, I guarantee you won't leave through this door today!"
"Hmph."
Dugu Bo sneered coldly, his gray robe billowing without wind, his dark green Soul Power surging like a tide.
"It's been years, but you're still as sharp-tongued as ever, you chrysanthemum."
"This is the Heaven Dou Empire. I am Xue Xing's guest. What? Do you intend to fight me here?"
"What of the Heaven Dou Empire? Do you think I fear you?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo lowered his hand, golden Soul Power condensing visibly on his body.
"Perfect timing to let you taste how much my 'Marvelous Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum' has improved over the years!"
As the two stood poised for conflict, Su Yu stepped forward, bowing slightly to Dugu Bo, his voice steady:
"Senior Dugu, I am Su Yu, sent by my teacher to pay a visit. Uncle Guan is straightforward by nature and meant no offense. I hope you can overlook it."
His gaze met Dugu Bo's emerald eyes calmly, neither submissive nor arrogant:
"We came today with sincerity to discuss matters with you, not to fight."
Dugu Bo's eyes rested on Su Yu, a flicker of light in his gem-like green pupils.
This youth appeared no more than ten years old, yet he remained composed under the pressure of two Titled Douluos—such composure was rare.
He slowly withdrew his Soul Power, his tone still cold: "Speak your piece. I don't have time to waste with you."
"Senior Dugu, I came to invite you to join the Spirit Hall!"
"Join the Spirit Hall? Go back! I've grown accustomed to my freedom and will not join the Spirit Hall!"
"Senior Dugu, don't refuse so hastily. I came with sincerity. Wouldn't you like to hear what I have to say?"
"Interesting. I have no desire to join. Even if you offered me your teacher's position, I wouldn't accept it!"
Su Yu showed no trace of embarrassment, instead smiling calmly, his gaze fixed on Dugu Bo's emerald eyes:
"You jest, Senior. No one could compare to my teacher's position."
"Even if your teacher were willing to step down, you wouldn't last long in that seat!"
"You!"
"Don't be agitated, Senior. What I bring might be something you care about more."
Dugu Bo's green eyes narrowed sharply, a chilling aura instantly spreading around him:
"Brat, don't try any tricks! Say what you have to say quickly. I have matters to attend to!"
Su Yu walked to the side and sat down, looking at Dugu Bo with a hint of teasing in his tone:
"Senior, the feeling of being poisoned isn't pleasant, is it?"
Dugu Bo stared gravely at Su Yu, then flashed forward and grabbed him by the collar.
"I, Dugu Bo, am the Poison Douluo. How dare you say I'm poisoned? Do you have a death wish?"
"Dugu Bo, release His Highness, or today will be your death day!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo watched this sudden turn of events, his entire body erupting with Soul Power as he stared fixedly at Dugu Bo.
"Old Guan, don't think I'm afraid of you!"
"Put His Highness down, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"