Chapter 8: Dugu Bo, Execute Without Mercy

Ning Rongrong kept a tight grip on Wang Dong’s hand as she surveyed their surroundings. "Xiao Dong, why does it feel so eerie out here?"

Wang Dong slowed his pace. They were clearly still in the outer reaches of the forest; such an ominous atmosphere shouldn't exist here. Suddenly, a series of muffled groans echoed from behind them. Wang Dong’s heart tightened, and he frowned, dropping to a crouch.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong immediately knelt beside him. "Xiao Dong, Xiao Dong, what’s wrong?"

Wang Dong’s eyes darkened for a moment. When he looked up, a pained expression crossed his face. "Rongrong, I think my stomach is acting up. Could you go back and call for help?"

Ning Rongrong shook her head without hesitation. "No!" She immediately channeled her soul power and crushed a signal flare in her hand.

Wang Dong watched this scene, rendered speechless for a moment. Ning Rongrong sighed softly and pulled him up. "I knew you were trying to send me away. Why can't we face danger together?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a powerful, resonant voice rang out from the shadows: "Hahaha, you brat are quite clever, but unfortunately..."

*Hiss—*

The sound of a snake’s tongue flicking filled the air. Wang Dong pulled Ning Rongrong behind him, scanning their surroundings with vigilance. Suddenly, a green figure descended before them. The man wore green tactical gear, and his body was wreathed in toxic green mist.

As Wang Dong looked at the man, he felt a strange sense of familiarity, though he couldn't quite place it.

"Tsk, I heard that fellow named Xue Beng was a coward, but he actually found someone to do his dirty work."

"Brat, you're so arrogant even when death is at your doorstep. Do you have any idea who the Fourth Prince is?"

Wang Dong raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then go ahead and attack."

Even Ning Rongrong was stunned by his words, looking at him in disbelief. Had he given up? "Xiao Dong, have you lost your mind?" She turned to the newcomer. "You old geezer! My father and His Highness the Crown Prince are nearby. If you dare to touch us, you’ll pay dearly!"

"The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? I naturally won’t do anything to you. As for this nobody of a brat, I wonder if he’ll last until help arrives." The voice was filled with disdain, clearly not regarding Wang Dong as a threat.

Ning Rongrong moved to shield Wang Dong. "Aren't you afraid of offending our family?"

"Rest assured, I only intend to break one of his arms; I won't kill him. I imagine that shouldn't cause too much trouble."

As he spoke, the toxic mist surged, and in the blink of an eye, Ning Rongrong collapsed, unconscious. Wang Dong remained standing, completely unaffected by the poison. A flash of surprise crossed the man’s eyes, but he took Wang Dong away regardless.

As the poisonous mist obscured their path, a tiny Goddess of Light butterfly followed quietly behind them.

Shortly after they left, Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe arrived with a contingent of men. They immediately saw Ning Rongrong lying on the ground.

"Rongrong!" They rushed to her side, checking her over to find she was unharmed, which brought them some relief.

Xue Qinghe clenched his fists, enraged. "This Dugu Bo is incredibly bold! To dare set up a poison formation to trap us outside!"

Ning Fengzhi held Ning Rongrong in his arms. "The Sunset Forest is vast. Our priority now must be finding Xiao Dong’s whereabouts."

At the mention of Xiao Dong, a flicker of cold ruthlessness passed through Xue Qinghe’s eyes. "All our men have been dispatched to search separately. Teacher, take Rongrong back first. I will go look for him myself."

Though Ning Fengzhi was deeply worried about Wang Dong, Rongrong was still unconscious, and she had to be his priority. "Be careful."

"I will." Xue Qinghe nodded and departed swiftly.

Once he was out of sight, a golden phantom suddenly appeared behind Xue Qinghe. Closing his eyes, the phantom merged rapidly with his body, bathing him in a pure, golden light. Two pairs of snowy-white wings grew from his back, golden radiance spreading to the very tips of every feather.

*Snap—*

Another pair of wings unfurled. The true form of the Six-Winged Angel manifested, slowly enveloping Xue Qinghe. With a sudden *whoosh*, the six wings expanded fully, revealing a woman with long golden hair, dressed in golden battle armor, shining like a gemstone. Two titled Douluo, one thin and one stout, appeared behind her.

"Young Master, is it wise to expose yourself like this?"

Xue Qinghe brandished her sword. "Insolent! Since when is it your place to question my decisions?"

The two knelt instantly under her pressure. "We dare not."

Just then, a faint movement came from the depths of the forest. Xue Qinghe focused her gaze and saw the Goddess of Light butterfly. It flew straight to her, hesitating for a moment before circling her three times, signaling her to follow.

"Snake Lance, Pufferfish, take heed! If you encounter Dugu Bo, kill him without mercy."

"Understood!"

***

At the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Wang Dong, having confirmed the butterfly had reached Xue Qinghe, felt a weight lift from his heart. He looked at the green-haired old man who had been scrutinizing him.

The man finally couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you pass out?"

Wang Dong rolled his eyes, ignoring him to continue observing the environment.

"My dosage is perfectly calibrated. At your age, it is absolutely impossible for you to have no reaction at all."

"Stupid."

The man’s rage was ignited instantly. He reached out and grabbed Wang Dong by the throat. "If you hadn't piqued my interest just a little, I would have already severed your arm. How dare you take that tone with me?" His words were dripping with malice.

But Wang Dong didn't beg for mercy as expected. Instead, he said calmly, "Everyone knows you abducted me. Aren't you afraid of the consequences?"

The question made the man loosen his grip. Wang Dong caught the shift in his eyes—the man clearly had something he cared about. "If you aren't afraid for yourself, what about your family?"

A flash of a young girl with purple hair and green eyes—roughly the same age as the boy before him—crossed the man’s mind.

Seizing the moment of distraction, Wang Dong unfurled his wings and broke free. Knowing he couldn't escape yet, he quietly studied the layout of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

"Brat, I despise being threatened more than anything in this life. But Prince Xue Xing has done me a favor, and I cannot disobey his instructions. Just obediently let me break your arm, and I will compensate you for whatever cost you require. However..."

Wang Dong hadn't expected the man’s tone to soften. Recalling that familiar feeling, he suddenly asked, "What is your name?"