A few months later.
"I'm pregnant..." The woman murmured, gently rubbing her belly, almost as a question.
"That's right, Du Xue. It's a miracle that your body, with a poison capable of killing even a Soul King, can bring forth life," said an elderly woman wearing glasses.
"I suggest you abort this child as soon as possible. Your poison is gradually poisoning it. The fetus won't survive for long," the elderly woman continued in a dry, unfriendly tone.
"No... You know I can't do that, Madam Fei," Du Xue said, her eyes conflicted.
"I understand that this child is the last link between you and Jing Fei, but this pregnancy means death for both you and her," Madam Fei sighed, resigned.
"I still have a chance, Madam Fei," Du Xue shook her head in denial.
"Oh? What chance is that? You know that even I couldn't treat your poison," the old woman asked.
"Cof..." Madam Fei choked.
"Have you gone mad, Du Xue? Dugu Bo is a titled Douluo! If he sees you, you'll die on the spot!" Madam Fei slammed her hand on the table, her glasses trembling with the impact, but Du Xue noticed the worry in her eyes.
"He won't," Du Xue shook her head with a smile.
"Don't forget that you are an evil Spirit Master!"
"He won't, Madam Fei," Du Xue replied.
"Dugu Bo is my father," Du Xue continued with a surprising revelation.
Madam Fei froze at the news.
"Du Xue, are you sure you're alright? If Dugu Bo was really your father, why would you be hunted as an evil Spirit Master?"
"Madam Fei... My mother met Dugu Bo by chance. At the time, she was a widow, and their relationship was limited to one night, motivated by Dugu Bo's curiosity," Du Xue sighed as she recounted the story.
"My mother's Martial Spirit possessed the ability to suppress poisons, which sparked Dugu Bo's interest. Unfortunately, she couldn't help him with his problem."
"During my childhood, she mentioned my father, Dugu Bo, a few times. I even saw him once as a child, but only from afar," Du Xue continued with a faint smile.
"But... why didn't you seek his help after that incident?" Madam Lei asked, taken aback by the situation.
"At the age of 16, all the poison accumulated in my Martial Soul was suddenly released, decimating an entire village."
"Only my mother's sacrifice, using her own life to suppress my poison again, prevented the worst," Du Xue's eyes teared up as she continued.
"You ask me why I didn't seek my father, Dugu Bo? Even with my Martial Soul suppressed, for years, I brought death wherever I went. My body exuded poison."
"Because of that, I'm being hunted by the Spirit Hall as an evil Spirit Master. How did you expect me to find Dugu Bo in those conditions?"
"So that's why you're being hunted by the Spirit Hall; I always wondered what a beautiful young woman like you had done to be persecuted," Madam Fei sighed, resigned.
"Not that I'm much different, hah!" Madam Fei scoffed.
"Among thousands of Martial Souls, I've witnessed several terrible mutations. Some require massacre to be controlled, others require lust to suppress their powers."
"Even my Martial Soul underwent a mutation. What was supposed to be a healing Martial Soul became a monstrosity, which labeled me as an evil Spirit Master," Madam Fei laughed at how funny things are.
"Instead of seeking a way to help those who suffer with their Martial Souls, the Spirit Hall prefers to label them as evil Spirit Masters," Madam Fei shook her head in denial and sighed at how bad things have become.
"Madam Fei, I know you have contacts who can help me find Dugu Bo. For the sake of this child, could you let him know?" With Madam Fei calmer and more rational, Du Xue asked the important question.
"Alright, little Xue. Since you're determined to have this child, even with so many risks, I can help you with this small favor. At least we'll increase the child's chances of survival," Madam Fei sighed one last time before taking off her glasses and standing up.
"Thank you very much, Madam Fei," Du Xue smiled, relieved to have obtained the necessary help.
"I imagine Jiang Fei would want that too..." Madam Fei murmured to herself.
A few days later.
In a room, seated at a tea table, a man displayed a serious expression.
"He's late..." Veins bulged on the man's forehead.
"Hah, why all the impatience, old man?" A furious snort echoed suddenly.
"Don't tell me you're senile, old man!" As soon as the voice finished speaking, a strong wind blew open the door to the room.
In front of the door, a man with dark green hair stood with his hands behind his back, displaying his graceful bearing like an emperor.
An object flew towards the green-haired man, interrupting his moment of majesty.
The man scornfully stopped the object with just one finger.
"Damn snake bastard! Making me wait for three days! If you weren't a titled Douluo, we'd be in the hundredth round already!" The old man grumbled.
The old man, unlike the green-haired man, had a dry and thin body as if he were ill.
"Hah! As if you could withstand one round with that skeletal body!" However, the green-haired man still looked down on the old man.
"Stinky snake."
"Boneless old man."
"Hmph! The weakest titled Douluo I know!"
"Enough, Old Hou! If you called me just for this, we'll have problems. I had to leave my granddaughter at home to come here!" Yelled the man now recognized as Dugu Bo, the newly titled Douluo.
"Hmph, as if I cared about your priorities," the man now recognized as Old Hou grumbled softly before becoming serious again.
"Old snake Dugu Bo, I'm going into seclusion for my advancement," Old Hou said, different from his previous grumpy attitude.
Dugu Bo stared at Old Hou for a few moments before sighing.
"I knew this time would come. You're aware that this is your last chance; your body won't withstand another attempt," Dugu Bo said, also setting aside his grumpy attitude.
"As if you cared, old snake."
"I got the last missing piece. I prepared everything that's needed. If I don't become a titled Douluo, then I'd rather disappear," Old Hou said.
"Oh? Now you've piqued my curiosity! What would that piece be?" Dugu Bo asked curiously.
"Don't play dumb, Dugu Bo! You know I'm talking about Old Fei," Old Hou scoffed disdainfully.
"So, you called me to be your bodyguard?" Dugu Bo asked, puzzled by the situation.
"To get Old Fei's help, I had to do her a favor. Old snake, wait a moment. I have a guest who wants to meet you," The old man's thin and dry body stood up without even waiting for a response from Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo just frowned but soon returned to normal.
"If you hadn't helped me back then, I would have turned around and never looked at your face again, you senile old man!" Dugu Bo snorted in disdain at the old man's attitude. Not caring about etiquette, he took a sip of tea at the table while waiting for the "guest" who wanted to see him.
Minutes dragged on until light footsteps echoed from outside. The door through which the old man had left opened, revealing a beautiful pale woman with green hair.
Looking at the woman, Dugu Bo felt a slight familiarity, but as the Poison Douluo, what caught his attention the most was the scent of poison she exuded.
The woman gave a brief bow to Dugu Bo as she looked at him attentively.
Dugu Bo just scoffed before continuing to drink his tea, completely ignoring the woman. As a titled Douluo, he wouldn't be the one to start the conversation.
"Venerable Poison Douluo, my name is Du Xue. I apologize for resorting to such an... unusual method, to meet you," Du Xue bowed in apology for the situation.
"It doesn't matter. Since I'm here, I'm willing to listen to what you have to say. But know that if it's a waste of my time, don't expect to leave here alive," Dugu Bo said coldly, his green snake eyes glaring at the woman, a cold look capable of intimidating anyone.
Du Xue stiffened a bit at the situation but quickly regained her composure.
"Venerable Douluo, do you remember Du Hua?" Du Xue asked, extending a letter towards Dugu Bo.
Hearing the woman's name, Dugu Bo flinched slightly and looked strangely at the letter Du Xue handed him. Feeling an odd chill with the situation, Dugu Bo took the letter.
"I vaguely remember Du Hua... How is she?" Dugu Bo asked with a strange face. Dugu Bo isn't a very sociable person; you can count on your fingers how many relationships he's had during his life.
"Du Hua was my mother... She passed away a few years ago. She left this letter for me to give to you someday," Du Xue shuddered as she spoke about her mother, Du Hua.
Dugu Bo looked at Du Xue strangely; he clearly remembered that when he was involved with Du Hua, they were both widowers. Glancing at Du Xue's green hair, a sense of recognition bloomed in Dugu Bo; Du Hua had blue hair, not green.
A little stiff, Dugu Bo opened the letter that Du Xue handed him.
Du Xue watched the situation with trembling hands; she had never read the letter her mother wrote to Dugu Bo.
After a few minutes of reading, Dugu Bo lowered the letter, his hand trembling.
"Du Xue, could you show me your Martial Soul?" Dugu Bo asked, his eyes, once cold, now became a little warmer.
Without questioning why, Du Xue released her Martial Soul.
Her Martial Soul manifested as a plant up to a meter tall, a White Serpent Root that, despite the serene beauty of its dark green leaves and white flowers, emanated a dangerous aura. Its twisted roots, like dormant snakes, seemed to contain an ancient venom capable of claiming lives with a single touch.
Inhaling the scent of the venom, Dugu Bo immediately recognized it: it was the same venom that ran in his family's veins, his blessing, and his curse.
"A tool-type Martial Soul, White Serpent Root... The same as your mother, but corrupted with the venom of my lineage," Dugu Bo released his spiritual power to suppress the venom released by the Martial Soul; he is the one who best understands how strong the venom in his lineage is.
"You are my daughter, Du Xue..." Dugu Bo extended his trembling hand to hold Du Xue's hand.
"Yes, Father," Du Xue replied, her eyes filling with tears.