Two months later.
In a quiet chamber within the Elder's Hall, warm rays of the morning sun filtered through gauzy curtains, casting golden streaks across the polished stone floor. The room was sparsely decorated yet refined, an elegant wooden table stood near the window, bookshelves lined with scrolls and cultivation records covered one wall, and incense smoke spiraled gently in the air, soothing the mind.
At the center of the room, Qian Renxue sat cross-legged on a woven mat, her expression calm as she meditated. Her spirit sea pulsed gently, soul power surging steadily through her meridians.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. A soft golden glow flickered within them before fading.
"Level 29," she whispered to herself.
A faint smile played on her lips. 'Just one step away from my third soul ring. I need to start planning.....'
Just then, the sound of soft footsteps interrupted her thoughts. Her personal maid, Wu Meng, entered the room and bowed lightly.
"Young Master, someone has come to see you."
Qian Renxue blinked. "To see me? Who is it?"
Wu Meng replied, "The gentleman introduced himself as Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo."
Qian Renxue's brows rose in interest. "Dugu Bo?"
She stood up gracefully, brushing invisible dust from her robe. "Invite him in. And bring tea and some snacks."
"As you wish, Young Master." Wu Meng bowed again and quietly left.
Qian Renxue turned back to the table by the window, her thoughts spinning. It wasn't surprise that made her pause, it was the familiarity.
Over the past months, he had become her pen pal to exchange letters regarding cultivation. Since she helped him solve the defect of his martial soul Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, Dugu Bo had sworn his loyalty to her. The evolution had eased much of his inner torment and brought him new breakthrough.
Qian Renxue had shared ideas, speculative theories inspired by her knowledge from another life. She told him to explore the concept of soul core formation, theorizing that the poison pill he carried might be a crude prototype of a true soul core. Dugu Bo had been intrigued and took her words to heart.
Of course, she wasn't the one putting herself at risk with untested theories.
'Still… he didn't mention anything about a visit in his last letter,' she thought.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the table
Just as that thought trailed off, the gentle sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears, followed by the door opening.
The man who entered had an imposing presence, yet his demeanor was calm and respectful. His once green hair had turned completely gray, no longer tainted with poisonous energy. His gray beard was neatly trimmed, and his eyes, sharp and intelligent, no longer carried the sickly gleam of toxin-wrought pain. The pallor of his skin had been replaced with a healthy tone, giving him a refreshed appearance. He wore a dark green robe embroidered with faint patterns of serpents and mist, symbols of his identity , Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
Qian Renxue rose slightly and offered him a graceful smile, her voice as composed as ever.
"It's nice to meet you in such good health, Poison Douluo. Please, have a seat."
Dugu Bo bowed lightly and sat down, his expression respectful but sincere. "This is all the result of your benevolence, Young Master."
It wasn't flattery. He meant every word.
Truth be told, Qian Renxue could have claimed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for herself and left him with nothing, he wouldn't have been able to resist her. But instead, she had helped him purify his Martial Soul's generational defect, evolving it into the Poison Dragon, and recognized the Dugu Family as the official guardian of the Ice and Fire Well, representing Spirit Hall's authority.
Her generosity had not only secured his loyalty, but also earned his deep respect.
Qian Renxue leaned forward slightly, a glint of amusement in her eyes.
"You know," she said, "I was just thinking that I'd need your help with something soon. But before I could even write a letter, here you are."
Dugu Bo chuckled, his tone brimming with pride. "Young Master, even if you were to command me to pass through fire and ice, I would not hesitate."
She waved her hand lightly. "Let's leave grand gestures for another time. For now, I'm curious, what brings you here without any notice?"
At her question, Dugu Bo straightened his back, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Then, like a proud peacock fanning his feathers, he raised his chin and declared,
"I succeeded. I have formed a soul core."
Qian Renxue's eyes widened slightly.
This... was unexpected.
In Douluo Dalu 2, forming a soul core was considered the next natural evolution for a Titled Douluo. But that was a time when the theory was widely known and practiced. In this current era , where no methods or precedents existed , successfully forming a soul core was close to a miracle.
She quickly composed herself, but inwardly, she was impressed.