Tang San caught Dugu Bo’s wrist. Even though his strength didn’t have any effect on Dugu Bo, Dugu Bo still held a lot of trust in him and quickly relaxed his grip.
“What are you doing? So mysterious, quickly tell me. What is this thing really.”
Dugu Bo asked somewhat impatiently. His curiosity wasn’t any different from normal people. Even though he expressed disdain on the surface, in his heart he was still certain that something a little freak like Tang San would give him as a gift wouldn’t be any ordinary goods.
At this Tang San sternly said:
“This thing is known as a Cluster Soul Chasing Ball[ (子母追魂夺命胆) “Son Mother Chasing Soul Seizing Life Bladder”. The “son mother” characters are also the ones used in “cluster bomb”.], its one of the most potent hidden weapons I can make right now. You must absolutely be careful with it. Once it suffers enough external pressure or a hit, its power will appear immediately. These things are used two together. They have to be used with a swift throwing technique. Perhaps its immediate power isn’t enough to harm a Title Douluo, but its unexpectedness and power is enough to stop any enemy. The greatest feature of these is the user’s internal…… Eh, no, the higher the spirit power, the more powerful it is.”
“These two little things can be powerful?”
Dugu Bo was still somewhat unconvinced.
Tang San said:
“I’ll try them for you to see.”
While speaking, grabbing the two iron balls in Dugu Bo’s hands, he weighed them in his hands.,
“Look closely.”
While speaking, white light flickered around Tang San, and with a flick of his wrists the two iron balls flew out simultaneously.
Even though they flew out simultaneously, the two iron balls travelled one after the other. The moment the one in front was about to lose momentum, the rear one suddenly chased after it, directly striking the one in front.
With a bang, a purple fog filled the air, in a flash covering more than ten square meters.
With Dugu Bo’s eyesight, he clearly saw what was happening inside the purple fog. Countless small filaments burst out with a delicate hum, in an eyeblink piercing into the not distant mountain wall.
Tang San said:
“What is called ‘cluster’, indicates the burst attack after the iron balls have ruptured. This purple fog is extremely poisonous. It has a potent anaesthetic effect, and as long as someone inhales a little bit, ordinary people will sleep for ten days. Even powerful Spirit Masters who thoughtlessly get affected with be forced to slow down. And after the two Cluster Soul Chasing Balls collide, they will immediately emit the filaments within. Those are several hundred Bone Changing Soul Needles[ (化骨神针)], specially for breaking big dipper defensive qi, with a matchless poison that, once hit, will spread quickly, ossifying their path like cotton.”
These Cluster Soul Chasing Balls were what Tang San had made while in seclusion at the Shrek Academy. It was considered a combined product of both mechanical class and throwing class hidden weapons, ranked fifth among mechanical class hidden weapons. When he was at Tang Sect, Tang San had been specially in charge of producing these Cluster Soul Chasing Balls, and it was also by making these that Tang San had been considered the first or second best among Tang Sect outer disciples.
This time Tang San had made altogether eighteen, or to say nine pairs.
Originally they had been unpoisoned since he didn’t have the ingredients, but since coming here and spending this time refining, these Cluster Soul Chasing Balls had become truly complete.
As a result of having all kinds of top quality drug ingredients here, these Cluster Soul Chasing Balls’ Bone Changing Soul Needles were even a bit better than in his previous life.
Dugu Bo’s figure flickered, and he already appeared by the Bone Changing Soul needles in the mountain wall. As he looked closer at everything before him he couldn’t help but inhale deeply.
Countless black little holes had appeared on the mountain wall, each one penetrating several chi inside, faintly blue smoke emerging, and just by using his nose he could detect that dreadful poison.
Turning back to Tang San, Dugu Bo couldn’t help but sigh in admiration:
“Little freak, I really don’t know if I should call you a genius or a lunatic. You can even make these things. I really don’t know how your head is put together. However, looking at this attack power, it still seems far from enough. Let alone a Title Douluo, even a sixtieth or seventieth ranked Spirit Master would have enough defensive power to withstand it.”
Tang San snapped:
“Old freak, tell me, what rank am I?”
Dugu Bo moved back towards him,
“Over thirtieth, not more than fortieth anyway.”
Tang San said:
“Just now I said that when using these things, the higher the spirit power, the more powerful the attack. In other words, the when the Cluster Soul Chasing Ball is used with even more powerful spirit power, it will be faster, and naturally the Bone Changing Soul Needles’ penetrating power will be even more powerful. Unless you encounter a purely defensive Title Douluo, with your spirit power, don’t tell me you still couldn’t injure the enemy? Even if the opponent blocks with spirit power and doesn’t let them collide, once it’s struck by external force it will still instantly burst. The key point to this thing’s strength is its suddenness, the more unexpected its use, the higher the chance of destroying the enemy.”
Dugu Bo’s eyes brightened, now he completely understood Tang San’s meaning, and immediately exulted in his heart,
“Indeed pretty good, little freak, quickly gift me a hundred eighty.”
Tang San was speechless,
“Do you think these are sweet peas? A hundred and eighty. I’ve made two, and just now gave them to you to test. Who had you refuse to believe.”
“What? Two?”
Dugu Bo’s eyes opened wide,
“Are you trying to make me angry? You made two and still used them for a test. Tell me you’re joking.”
Tang San smiled:
“Seeing is believing, if I didn’t let you see it with your own eyes, would you have believed it? Fine, in fact I made four, and I’ll give you another two. Take care of them this time.”
While speaking he waved his hand, and two iron balls flew towards Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo had just now seen the power of Tang San’s Cluster Soul Chasing Balls, and even though he wasn’t worried with his strength, he still jumped with fright.
“You little freak, are you trying to kill me?”
Dugu Bo hastily condensed his spirit power into a defensive screen in front of him.
But who knew that these two iron balls were thrown with a completely different technique than the last ones, and the moment the nearly reached Dugu Bo they stopped in midair, and fell to the ground.
Dugu Bo stretched out a hand and seized the two iron balls. Inwardly he sighed in admiration, ‘this little freak’s strength might not be up to my own, but these little tricks are still truly outstanding. Perhaps in the future his achievements will surpass even mine.’
Even though if one looked only at their value, the two Cluster Soul Chasing Balls clearly weren’t equal to his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse, looking at the Cluster Soul Chasing Balls’ ability to save his life they were still more useful to Dugu Bo.
Collecting the two iron balls, Dugu Bo clasped his hands behind his back and faced the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well,
“Little freak, when will you be prepared to treat my granddaughter?”
Tang San looked distracted a moment. Dugu Bo’s words were the same as asking when he would leave.
All people had feelings, and Tang San had been here even longer than he’d been at Shrek Academy. Even though Dugu Bo had been brimming with menace at the start, over this time the two had developed a relationship of teachers or friends that Tang San was reluctant to part with.
If not for Dugu Bo, he absolutely wouldn’t hav
e been able to merge his understanding of medicine between these two worlds in so short a time, and it would’ve been even more impossible to make those three Yama’s Invitations.
Part 3 (TL by Bagelson)
“Old freak, are you so eager to get rid of me?”
Tang San looked at Dugu Bo’s somewhat lonely back.
Dugu Bo calmly said:
“Don’t tell me I should keep you here for a lifetime? The outside world is a much vaster place, that is where you should go. Without enough experience, what will you rely on to climb over the Title Douluo position in the future?”
He didn’t mask his admiration of Tang San. If the age gap hadn’t been to large, perhaps this should have been called the mutual admiration of talent.
The air seemed to become heavy, neither Tang San nor Dugu Bo spoke, Tang San didn’t reply to Dugu Bo’s question, he only stepped forward to stand at his side, looking out at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, frowning slightly, pondering deeply.
After a long time, Tang San’s furrowed brows suddenly smoothed, seemingly having figured something out, looking at Dugu Bo with a card up his sleeve,
“Old freak, you still have to do two things for me, right.”
Dugu Bo nodded,
“This old man always keeps his word, as long as it doesn’t violate my principles, I’ll agree.”
Tang San grinned, saying:
“Then fine, I’ve already thought of the other two things.”
“You have?”
Dugu Bo’s brows wrinkled, thinking, ‘this stinking brat, what does he take my promises for, doesn’t he know how important these three commitments could be for him?’ Relying on his Title Douluo strength, they weren’t something to play around with.
Tang San nodded, gazing at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well’s surroundings,
“My second condition is to let me take away all the herbs I need from here, you can’t stop me.”
“This?”
Dugu Bo unhappily looked at Tang San. Although the medicaments around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were precious, to someone who had already reached the peak of Title Douluo like him, it wasn’t of any significance. When he gave Tang San the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse, he had already silently agreed to let him take away any plants from here.
Tang San said:
“Then do you agree?”
“I agree, why wouldn’t I agree to such a simple matter?”
Dugu Bo said indifferently. At the same time he also indicated to Tang San that he shouldn’t lightly speak his conditions now. Even leaving first and using them later was fine.
Tang San somewhat pondering said:
“That’s too simple, huh. Then the next condition is a little more difficult. I don’t know whether you will agree.”
Dugu Bo loftily said:
“To me, is there anything that’s difficult?”
Tang San probingly asked:
“Does that mean you agree?”
Dugu Ba was no impetuous youngster. How would the old fox lightly promise anything,
“Let me hear what your condition is first.”
Tang San smiling said:
“Actually it’s also very simple. Our Shrek Academy’s teachers are comparatively lacking in strength, and also needs guards. So my third condition, is to invite you as a high ranked advisor at our Shrek Academy……”
“Out of the question.”
Dugu Bo didn’t wait for Tang San to finish before rejecting him,
“This old man has always most feared having restricted freedom, this is already a question of principles. I can’t agree to it. You little freak. You would actually have me be a hired thug? Even the Heaven Dou imperial family wouldn’t have the ability to restrict me.”
Tang San snapped:
“Who restricted you. If you want to come, then come. If you want to go, then go. Just use your name, that’s all. At least, this way I could meet with you properly. I wouldn’t have you as an adviser for a lifetime either. Once I’ve graduated you can do as you wish, who would care?”
Dugu Bo looked distracted a moment, lowering his head to look at Tang San. Tang San was also looking at him, and in his eyes was a kind of expression Dugu Bo had never seen on him before, a mix of thirty percent hopefulness and seventy percent pleading.
“Just use my name?”
Dugu Bo said in a questioning tone.
Tang San hurriedly nodded,
“Of course. Do you think anyone would still care what a Title Douluo like you does? Of course, if you felt like giving us some pointers, I also wouldn’t object.”
Dugu Bo snorted unhappily,
“A little freak like you still wants my directions? Maybe if you couldn’t give me directions.”
Tang San was exultant,
“Then, you agree?”
Dugu Bo showed a smiling expression,
“As long as your teachers don’t drive me away. Let’s go.”
“Go? Go where?”
Tang San puzzled asked.
Dugu Bo said:
“This old man never procrastinates. Since I’ve promised to be some advisor, I might as well bring you back, then bring my granddaughter to have you treat her.”
Since he could continue being with Dugu Bo, Tang San also felt his mood ease, laughing he said:
“Don’t be anxious, have you forgotten the second thing you promised me? I still want to bring some of the plants here. Categorizing and listing them will still take time. It’s been half a year, why care about a few days? Give me three days. In three days, we’ll return to the Academy.”
After three days.
“You little freak, you scoundrel, I’ll beat you up!”
Dugu Bo, stomping with fury, raised his hand to swat at Tang San. Tang San hastily retreated with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, turning around to run,
“Old freak, didn’t you say I could bring what I wished, you never said anything about any amounts. Besides I still left seeds and such, in a few years they’ll still grow back. But, old freak, your Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse really is excellent, very capable.”
It was no wonder Dugu Bo would be so furious. These past three days he had cultivated in his cavern, and when it was time he had come to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to bring Tang San away. Only, as he once again came to the side of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and saw his treasured ground had been looted to a miserable state, how couldn’t he be furious.
As far as the eye could see, the originally verdant garden had already become a complete mess, as if it had been plowed, the soil was turned over everywhere, without the slightest hint of green.
Seeing such a scene, how couldn’t Dugu Bo be angry.
Tang San discontentedly said:
“Old freak, didn’t you promise to let me take what I wanted, you didn’t say anything about how much. I just chose to take it all. Don’t worry. See, I didn’t move the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, with its moisture, this place will be flourishing again in less than a few decades.”
He didn’t mention that those immortal treasures he had dug up, even if it was next to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, would need several centuries to be able to grow back once again.
“You…… This little freak will really have me dead from anger.”
Dugu Bo was speechless with fury. He had indeed promised it himself, and those drug ingredients indeed didn’t have any great effect on him, however, those things had been with him for decades, how couldn’t he love them?
Tang San probing asked:
“Let’s leave.”
Dugu Bo resolutely glared at him,
“Let’s leave.”
Finished speaking, he no longer paid attention to Tang San, and soared up towards the mountain top.
Tang San hastily released Eight Spider Lances, bringing him to swiftly chase after Dugu Bo.
Although there were a lot of powerful spirit beasts in the Sunset Forest, Dugu Bo had been here for many years, and all the spirit beasts had becom
e familiar with his smell. None of them would dare approach this old freak, and as Tang San followed Dugu Bo out of the forest, he also didn’t encounter any spirit beast attack.
In order to avoid drawing attention, after leaving Sunset Forest Tang San withdrew his Eight Spider Lances, only relying on Ghost Perplexing Shadow Track to follow behind Dugu Bo. He knew he had been a bit excessive, but those first rate medicinal ingredients couldn’t be found just anywhere, and would have maximum effect in the future. Even more when he had a top quality spirit tool like the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse that could keep them fresh, without being able to restrain himself he had cleaned the place out.
On the whole journey Tang San didn’t dare provoke Dugu Bo further. Dugu Bo also didn’t acknowledge him, and the two returned to Heaven Dou City in a silent mood.
Because the majority of the toxin in his body had fused into the spirit bone, Dugu Bo’s present form wasn’t as conspicuous as before, and he also didn’t rouse the attention of pedestrians. After entering Heaven Dou City the old freak stopped, glancing behind him at the panting Tang San,
“Little freak, lead the way.”
Tang San caught up to Dugu Bo’s side, in a low voice saying with a smile:
“Old freak, you’re not angry?”
Dugu Bo glared at him,
“Since I promised, I won’t argue. But mark my words, only this once, never again.”
Tang San hastily nodded agreement, inwardly smiling, even if there was a next time it would still be in at least a few decades. The old freak was clearly giving himself a way out.
Seeing that Dugu Bo’s anger had faded a bit, Tang San hastily led the way forward, the two heading towards the former Blue Tyrant Academy, the present Shrek Academy.
While walking, Tang San couldn’t help say to Dugu Bo:
“Old freak, you coming to our Academy is actually quite fitting. Our Shrek Academy is also known as the Monster Academy, old freaks teaching little monsters, doesn’t that fit beautifully?”
“Beautiful your head.”
Dugu Bo raised his hand to knock on Tang San’s head. He was tall, a full two heads taller than the presently one meter seventy or so Tang San.
Tang San groaned,
“If you hit my clever head silly, who will treat your granddaughter?”
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 123