In a hidden cave within Sunset Forest.
Tang Hao was half-kneeling on the ground, his black robe tattered from the fierce battle moments ago, his body festering and giving off a nauseating stench.
The toxin of the Jade Phosphor Dragon Emperor raged inside him; its ferocity left even Tang Hao feeling helpless.
He couldn't understand how Dugu Bo had changed so dramatically.
Could Spirit Medicine really be the cause?
But what Spirit Medicine in this world could have such an effect on a Titled Douluo?
He had heard the rumors about Dugu Bo—though his poison arts were formidable, they were said to work almost exclusively on Spirit Masters below the Titled Douluo level.
That was precisely why people called Dugu Bo the weakest Titled Douluo.
Yet in today's fight, Dugu Bo had fought like anything but the weakest Titled Douluo.
Even if Tang Hao had been in peak condition, defeating him would have been no easy feat.
And his poison arts had caused Tang Hao excruciating pain.
If Tang Hao could barely cope with that poison, its effect on other Titled Douluo would be self-evident.
Of course, none of that mattered much.
If all he'd suffered was Dugu Bo's poison, Tang Hao could still endure it.
But misfortunes never come singly.
He had detonated seven spirit rings in succession; now the Ring Explosion backlash was tearing his body apart.
Pain—heart-rending pain!
Cold sweat poured down Tang Hao's face; he looked haggard, half-dead.
Yet the moment he recalled how he'd failed to obtain the medicine and been humiliated by Dugu Bo instead,
fury and shame instantly overwhelmed much of the agony.
"Dugu Bo…"
"The disgrace you dealt me today, I, Tang Hao, will repay a hundredfold!"
Tang Hao clenched his teeth, his face twisted with malice, blaming all his current misery on Dugu Bo.
Naturally, he couldn't show himself again for a while.
With injuries like these, he'd need at least a year of recuperation.
Still, as long as he stayed hidden and protected Little San, nothing worse should happen.
Elsewhere.
Outside Sunset Forest, a silver sword-light flashed across the sky, soon arriving at the place where Tang Hao and Dugu Bo had fought.
After all, the clash between two Titled Douluo was nothing to scoff at.
Though the battlefield was far from Heaven Dou City, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's castle dozens of li away had sensed it.
In the end, Bone Douluo remained to guard the castle while Sword Douluo rushed to the site at full speed.
Unfortunately, he arrived too late; the combatants had already vanished, leaving only devastation behind.
Ancient trees lay toppled, withered or rotting leaves scattered everywhere, and large swaths of earth caved in.
The air still lingered with traces of green poison mist.
Sword Douluo swept his gaze across the scene, eyes narrowing.
A short while later.
Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's castle, Sword Douluo shared his deductions with Ning Fengzhi.
"Uncle Sword, who do you think the Titled Douluo fighting Dugu Bo was?"
Sword Douluo replied, "I can't be certain, but judging by the destruction, I'd say the opponent was a strength-type Titled Douluo."
"A strength-type Titled Douluo…"
Ning Fengzhi blinked; the Clear Sky Hammer instantly came to mind.
However, the thought vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
The Clear Sky Sect had long secluded itself, and Tang Hao had vanished over a decade ago—how could he appear outside Heaven Dou City and inexplicably clash with Dugu Bo?
After brief reflection Ning Fengzhi said, "Could it be a newly advanced Titled Douluo testing his strength against Dugu Bo?"
After all, Dugu Bo's reputation as the weakest Titled Douluo was well known; it sounded plausible.
Sword Douluo shook his head. "Unlikely. From the traces and spirit power fluctuations, neither fighter felt like a newly advanced Titled Douluo."
At that point he paused.
"Fengzhi, we may need to reassess Dugu Bo's strength."
Ning Fengzhi blinked in surprise. "Why is that?"
Sword Douluo's gaze deepened as he recalled the lingering green poison mist at the scene.
"With Dugu Bo's current mastery of poison, he can probably threaten Titled Douluo!"
"What!"
Both Ning Fengzhi and the silent Bone Douluo cried out in shock.
Why was Dugu Bo called the weakest Titled Douluo?
Apart from a lower Spirit Power Level, his poison arts were ineffective against Titled Douluo.
But if his poison could now threaten them, his deterrent power would soar.
Ning Fengzhi pondered, then said, "Earlier I received word that Dugu Bo's green hair had turned black and he looked much younger—something unknown must have happened to him."
"Could he have advanced in Rank?" Bone Douluo asked gravely.
After all, each Rank a Titled Douluo gained extended lifespan by a century; rejuvenation wasn't impossible.
Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes.
"I suspect the change is related to his Spirit."
"I'd heard rumors of a treasure in Dugu Bo's possession that could evolve Spirits, but I didn't believe it—now it seems those rumors may hold weight."
"Evolve a Spirit!" Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were visibly shaken.
A treasure capable of evolving Spirits was truly priceless.
Especially for Spirits that could Cultivate to Titled Douluo—usually top-tier—to evolve such a Spirit would be invaluable.
Suddenly Sword Douluo's heart stirred.
"Fengzhi, if Dugu Bo truly has such a treasure, could it evolve Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved, it might become the Eight or even Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Gulp—"
At the thought, Ning Fengzhi swallowed hard, desire flickering in his eyes.
But he quickly sighed.
"If Dugu Bo really had such a treasure, why would he part with it?"
A treasure that could alter Spirits could be passed down as a Legacy for countless generations.
As for coercion or bribery… with Dugu Bo's improved strength—or even without it—who would dare?
His poison arts could drag any faction into mutual destruction.
Unlike Tang Hao, Ning Fengzhi and the others didn't act recklessly.
Bone Douluo said in a low voice, "Regardless of whether Dugu Bo agrees, we must try. If he truly possesses such a treasure and is willing to trade, no price is too great."
Ning Fengzhi nodded; concerning the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, he would not stand idle.
(End of Chapter)
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