"Then… you…"

Gritting his teeth, Dugu Bo looked at Ma Hongjun, hesitating.

Ma Hongjun tilted his head and glanced at him, clearly confused. "What about me?"

He stared at Dugu Bo with puzzled eyes.

Dugu Bo hesitated for a long time, struggling to speak.

What if I say the wrong thing and this kid refuses to help detoxify me?

After all, even though I was the first to find this treasure land, this boy is accompanied by several Titled Douluo and that mysterious girl.

When it comes to natural treasures, the strong take them. Especially something like the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes.

If the red-haired boy wanted, he could simply ask that girl to kill me.

Now that they've discovered the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes, there's no longer any reason to keep me around.

Dugu Bo felt torn, anxious, and unsure.

Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun didn't notice Dugu Bo's internal struggle at all. His attention was entirely focused on his own body, sensing the changes after cultivating the Qi and Blood Soul Ring.

He could feel that his body had become much stronger. Compared to before, he felt like he could beat his previous self twice over without breaking a sweat.

Just as Dugu Bo was still struggling with how to speak, a small green snake slithered to his feet.

The moment he saw it, Dugu Bo's pupils shrank slightly, and his expression shifted.

"You go to the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes first. I have something to take care of."

This little snake was something he'd left specifically for his granddaughter. If she wanted to find him, she just needed to release the snake.

It seemed Dugu Yan was in the Sunset Forest right now.

The Sunset Forest was extremely dangerous. How could he feel at ease knowing his granddaughter was wandering there alone?

Ma Hongjun glanced at the obviously anxious Dugu Bo and nodded, not knowing the reason but not asking either.

Seeing him agree, Dugu Bo's figure vanished instantly.

"I wonder what happened..." Ma Hongjun muttered, looking in the direction where Dugu Bo disappeared.

He shook his head, set his curiosity aside, and headed quickly toward the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes. He was eager to properly examine the changes in his body.

Sunset Forest — Periphery

Dugu Yan wandered around with her arms crossed, looking a little bored.

Her delicate face would sometimes show confusion, sometimes shyness, and sometimes she'd stop and giggle foolishly to herself.

She didn't understand what was happening to her lately.

Her mind kept drifting back to that red-haired boy.

Whenever she thought about what happened that night, her heart still fluttered uncontrollably.

Since Yu Tianheng stormed off, the atmosphere in the team had become strange and awkward.

Naturally, she couldn't tell anyone about her worries.

After thinking for a long time, Dugu Yan finally decided to find her grandfather.

She also needed to tell him something important—she had broken up with Yu Tianheng.

Dugu Yan knew that Yu Tianheng was the person her grandfather had chosen for her.

But now, she had someone better in her heart. She didn't want her grandfather to mistakenly think that she was still involved with Yu Tianheng.

Far away…

Dugu Bo, rushing over, slowed down when he sensed Dugu Yan's presence.

He brushed the dust off his clothes, smoothed his hair, and forced away the exhaustion on his face. In a flash, he appeared behind Dugu Yan.

"Yan Yan."

His usually cold face softened, revealing rare gentleness.

Hearing her grandfather's voice, Dugu Yan spun around immediately.

The moment she saw him, she ran straight into his arms.

"Grandpa, I missed you so much."

Her voice was soft and sweet, and she hugged him tightly.

"Alright, alright… you're going to strangle Grandpa." Dugu Bo chuckled, patting her back like an ordinary doting old man.

"Yanyan, what are you doing in the Sunset Forest?" he asked, gently stroking her back.

This forest was incredibly dangerous. Soul beasts lurked everywhere.

With her strength, if she came here recklessly, she could easily be seriously injured.

Not to mention, the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes had never been able to completely suppress the toxins in her body.

It could even trigger an explosion of poison.

After several failed attempts, Dugu Bo had firmly decided that she was never to come here again.

"Grandpa, so much has happened lately..." Dugu Yan mumbled, still curled up in his arms.

Being in her grandfather's embrace gave her a rare sense of peace and safety.

Dugu Bo's gaze fell on her, observing carefully.

Just one glance, and he noticed something was wrong.

Yanyan's strength had increased significantly. Her aura was several times stronger than before.

Not only that, but her appearance seemed even more beautiful.

It wasn't that she wasn't already beautiful—but now her beauty had a softness and glow that made her even more dazzling.

But that wasn't what shocked him the most.

What stunned Dugu Bo was that he couldn't sense any trace of cold, poisonous aura from her.

As members of the Jade Phosphor Serpent line, they naturally carried a distinct snake-like and poisonous aura.

With the perception of a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo could easily sense it in the past.

Others might only think Yanyan seemed softer, gentler.

But Dugu Bo knew very clearly—the chilling poisonous aura unique to the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul had completely vanished from her.

Instead, there was now a faint warmth radiating from her.

Yes—warmth.

This discovery made Dugu Bo completely confused.

How could a beast martial soul user, especially one from their poisonous snake lineage, possibly have warmth in their aura? It was fundamentally impossible!

Dugu Yan raised her head, and the moment their eyes met, Dugu Bo's body stiffened.

Then he began trembling uncontrollably.

"Yanyan… you…" Dugu Bo's voice trembled.

He noticed that his granddaughter's emerald green eyes—an indicator of the poison in her body—had completely disappeared!

For countless days and nights, those green eyes had been a source of endless guilt and pain for him.

If it weren't for me… she wouldn't have been poisoned...

But now, those green eyes were gone.

Did this mean… the poison in her body was also gone?

Trembling, Dugu Bo grabbed her wrist and instantly released his soul power to check.

Dugu Yan didn't understand what he was doing, but obediently cooperated.

A moment later, Dugu Bo opened his eyes, his face full of shock and ecstasy.

It was true. There wasn't the slightest trace of poison left in her body.

The pain and regret that had haunted him for so long were resolved at this very moment.

"Yanyan, have you met any masters recently?" Dugu Bo hurriedly asked, his voice filled with excitement that hadn't yet faded.

Dugu Yan blinked, looking confused.

She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I didn't meet any masters."

The girl pouted.

"That's strange… how did the toxins in your body disappear? Did you meet someone special… or encounter something extraordinary?"

This time it was Dugu Bo's turn to be completely baffled.

How could the poison that had plagued her for so long just vanish?

Not only that—the overall changes in her were also very unusual.

Something must have happened to her during this time... something incredible.