Dugu Bo swept his gaze across the room. Seeing only the child Yin Zhang, he gave him no more than a fleeting glance.
He then chose a seat by the window, sat down, and waved the waiter over to order food.
After placing his order, Dugu Bo looked around at the shabby surroundings with clear disdain.
"This little place has terrible decor. If it hadn't already been night when we arrived, I wouldn't have brought you here."
The frail middle-aged man forced a smile and replied weakly,
"It's fine, Father. We didn't come here for the environment anyway."
Dugu Bo nodded slightly.
"That's true. This father-and-son trip to the Star Dou Great Forest was because we received news…"
He didn't bother lowering his voice in front of Yin Zhang, perhaps because, in his eyes, it wasn't even certain the boy was a Spirit Master.
Even if he were, what could a ten-year-old possibly understand?
"You must hold on. Yan Yan is still waiting for us to return to Prince Xue's residence in Heaven Dou City. If you—"
"Cough, cough, cough—!"
Seeing his son suddenly erupt into violent coughing, Dugu Bo's expression changed instantly. He reached into the Hundred Treasure Pouch at his waist, took out a small jade bottle, and poured out three blackish-red medicinal pills, each about the length of a finger.
After feeding them to his son, the man's complexion finally improved somewhat.
During their conversation, Yin Zhang quietly called the waiter over and ordered some snacks. The reason he hadn't left—
Was because he wanted to make contact with Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo's current situation was obvious. According to the original story, his son would die within the next two years.
And Yin Zhang just happened to know the solution to the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Poison in their bloodlines.
His identity as the disciple of Spirit Hall's Second Consecrator, Golden Crocodile Douluo, provided both security and credibility for the detoxification method he intended to propose.
By saving Dugu Bo's son, he would naturally also save Dugu Bo himself and his young granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
At that point, asking Dugu Bo to do a few things for him in the future would be effortless.
For example—those Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Leaving one or two for the Dugu family would already be an act of great mercy. After all, if Golden Crocodile Douluo learned of their existence…
He definitely wouldn't leave a single one behind. He might even kill Dugu Bo with a casual strike and then sweep the Immortal Herbs clean.
Of course, the main reason was simple.
Yin Zhang felt that having a Titled Douluo as muscle would be extremely useful.
In the future, when he went out to handle matters for Spirit Hall, there would be no need to rely on Spirit Hall's name to intimidate others.
He could just call Dugu Bo to stand behind him.
That would be an automatic win.
For the Hall of Worship, recruiting a Titled Douluo—even one considered relatively weak among his peers—was still a valuable gain.
Dugu Bo had naturally noticed Yin Zhang as well, but he only gave him a cold glance before continuing his conversation with his son.
During this time, Yin Zhang heard Dugu Bo address the frail man as "Xin'er."
That meant his son's name was Dugu Xin.
Yin Zhang neither knew nor cared how strong Dugu Xin was.
After finishing his snacks, Yin Zhang didn't order anything else. He simply waited quietly for Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin to finish their meal.
"Hey, kid," Dugu Bo said as he stood up and walked over, "have you been eavesdropping?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was full of certainty.
His gaze was icy. After observing Yin Zhang carefully, he was certain of one thing—this child was definitely a Spirit Master. Otherwise, his aura and physical conditioning wouldn't be like this.
A Beast Spirit Master. And his talent isn't bad.
That was Dugu Bo's internal assessment.
"If you don't give me a satisfactory explanation," Dugu Bo continued coldly, "I won't let you walk out of here in one piece just because you're a child."
Dugu Bo was no stranger to enemies on the continent. Chrysanthemum Douluo was one of them.
He had nearly died at Yue Guan's hands before, and it was only thanks to Prince Xue Xing's assistance that he recovered and eventually became a Titled Douluo.
"This junior, Yin Zhang, greets Senior Poison Douluo."
Yin Zhang stood up and faced Dugu Bo's imposing presence without fear, his expression calm—neither servile nor arrogant.
"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow. "You know this old man's title?"
He was genuinely surprised. He had only become a Titled Douluo a few months ago, and at present, only the peak powers of the Douluo Continent knew of this.
His official title was Jade Phosphor Douluo, though most people simply called him Poison Douluo.
He hadn't expected such an ordinary-looking child to recognize him.
"Senior Poison Douluo," Yin Zhang said with a light chuckle, "I am actually from Spirit Hall."
"Spirit Hall?" Dugu Bo's face darkened instantly. His memories of being hunted by Yue Guan resurfaced.
"To be precise," Yin Zhang continued, "I come from Spirit Hall's Hall of Worship. The Second Consecrator, Golden Crocodile Douluo, is my teacher. That's how I learned about Senior Dugu Bo."
Yin Zhang spoke casually, but his words sent a shock through Dugu Bo.
"Golden Crocodile?!"
Dugu Bo was already in his seventies, making him a junior compared to the Seven Consecrators of the Hall of Worship.
After Qian Daoliu passed the position of Supreme Pontiff to Qian Xunji, he had led many of the consecrators into long-term seclusion within the Hall of Worship, all in pursuit of further breakthroughs.
Decades passed—nearly two generations.
As a result, Spirit Hall became increasingly mysterious to the continent. Even the many Titled Douluos who no longer appeared in public were only known through records, their current states unknown. Only the older generation still retained a clear impression of Spirit Hall's terrifying strength.
As a late-blooming Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo remembered many of Spirit Hall's veteran Titled Douluos vividly.
"Golden Crocodile Douluo?" Dugu Xin asked in confusion.
Dugu Bo glanced around. Seeing no one else on the second floor, he explained quietly:
"Golden Crocodile Douluo is the Second Consecrator of Spirit Hall's Hall of Worship, a Rank 98 Peak Douluo. Back then, he was close friends with your grandfather—my father. I even received his guidance when I was young. I never imagined I'd meet Senior Golden Crocodile's disciple in such a small restaurant."
Emotion flickered through Dugu Bo's eyes, but caution remained.
"Still, do you have any proof that you're truly Senior Golden Crocodile's disciple? Anyone can claim anything with just their mouth. Otherwise, the continent would be full of impostors."
Yin Zhang smiled faintly.
"It's only natural for Senior Poison Douluo to be cautious, seeing me dining here alone."
"Spirit Possession!"
Yin Zhang summoned his spirit. In an instant, his Charizard Spirit manifested, and his body transformed into a small dragon-man.
Setting aside the physical transformation, Yin Zhang was inwardly ecstatic.
The system prompt had finally arrived.
[Detected: Host is facing questioning from Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. Triggering choice event.]
[Option One: Dugu Bo is Third Brother's 'angel investor.' How could you steal Third Brother's opportunity? Claim it's a misunderstanding and leave immediately.]
[Reward: Spirit Ring Age Enhancement Card (500 years)]
[Option Two: In the original story, Dugu Bo was ruthlessly exploited by "Third Dog." As a "Three-Good Youth" of the new era, sympathizing with Dugu Bo is politically correct. Please make the correct choice and reveal everything you know about the detoxification method—without asking for anything in return. Strive to become a model Good Samaritan of the new era!]
[Reward: …]