No matter how many times he saw it, Dugu Bo couldn't help but be amazed by the way Tom and Jerry ate. Watching them eat was pure entertainment.
Dugu Bo looked at Shen An, who was slightly tipsy, and after much hesitation, decided to swallow his pride and ask. After all, what if it worked?
Dugu Bo had spent his life playing with poison, only to end up being tormented by it. The backlash from the toxins caused him unbearable pain every night, especially on cloudy days.
This poison was even hereditary. Dugu Yan's parents had died because of it, and Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, could only watch helplessly as his loved ones perished before his eyes.
So, when Dugu Bo learned that Dugu Yan's poison had been cured, his promise to go through fire and water for Shen An was no joke.
This time, aside from expressing his gratitude to Shen An, Dugu Bo also harbored a faint hope of curing his own poison.
"Shen An, do you think I could exchange some knowledge about poisons with your cat?" Dugu Bo asked awkwardly. After all, he was asking for help, and it felt absurd to pin his hopes on a cat.
Shen An was stunned. He had heard plenty about the Poison Douluo's prowess from Ning Rongrong. Was it appropriate for him to exchange knowledge with Tom?
"Senior Dugu, when it comes to poison, my cat is no match for you. I doubt it can offer much help," Shen An replied.
Dugu Bo grew anxious. Why wasn't this kid getting the hint? Did he have to spell it out and say, "I'm poisoned, can your cat help me?" How embarrassing would that be?
"Ah, Shen An, to be honest, although I've earned the title of Poison Douluo, I've also been plagued by poison. Do you think your cat could take a look at me?"
Dugu Bo smiled bitterly. Losing face was better than enduring the torment of poison every day.
"Uh... this..." Shen An turned to Tom, his eyes asking, "Can you handle this?"
Tom, currently sprawled on a chair with a bulging belly, slowly stood up after hearing the conversation.
Don't ask if I can do it. Just tell me what to do. There's nothing in this world that I, the Celestial Emperor Tom, can't handle. Tom confidently strutted toward Dugu Bo.
Jerry, seeing Tom about to steal the spotlight again, felt a surge of resentment. Its eyes gleamed mischievously as it extended its tiny leg, which inexplicably stretched to a full meter long.
Dugu Bo rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Could even a Titled Douluo get drunk?
Thud!
Tom, as expected, tripped and fell. With its big belly, it struggled to get back up.
Jerry wasted no time. It grabbed a spoon and whacked Tom on the head. Tom shattered like a porcelain doll, its skin fragments scattering across the floor.
Dugu Bo jumped to his feet in shock. This was the miraculous cat that might cure his poison! And now it was shattered into pieces???
"Senior Dugu, don't worry. It's fine. They're just playing around."
Dugu Bo stared at the scattered cat fragments in disbelief. You call this playing around? Am I going senile, or are you just drunk?
Jerry, excited, ran over to Dugu Bo. Old man, let me take care of you.
"Senior Dugu, don't worry. Whatever Tom can do, Jerry can do too. It doesn't matter which one examines you."
Dugu Bo fell silent. So, you're not worried about your cat at all?
Jerry hopped onto the table, picked up a stethoscope much larger than itself, and began examining Dugu Bo with utmost seriousness.
"Ah!"
Jerry suddenly looked grave, leaping into the air in shock. Dugu Bo's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that his poison was incurable, or was this little mouse just incompetent?
Dugu Bo quickly said, "Shen An, maybe you should see if you can fix your cat. This little mouse might not be able to help, but perhaps the cat can."
Jerry, hearing Dugu Bo doubt its abilities and place his faith in Tom instead, narrowed its eyes. It had only planned to scare Dugu Bo a little, but now, it was time to teach him a lesson.
Jerry pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, scribbling furiously: "Prepare a place that's extremely cold and another that's extremely hot. I can cure your illness with this method."
Shen An leaned over to read the note. Hot and cold? He recalled an episode of Tom and Jerry where Jerry used a similar excuse to mess with Tom under the guise of treating him.
But Dugu Bo didn't see it that way. He was stunned. He knew his own condition well. The only reason he had managed to suppress the poison for so many years was due to a unique valley he had discovered in his youth.
And now, this mouse was suggesting that extreme heat and cold could cure him. Its medical expertise must be extraordinary.
This time, he had truly found the right person—no, the right mouse.
Shen An was about to tell Jerry not to mess with the old man, but Dugu Bo spoke up first, his tone solemn.
"Shen An, I underestimated your Jerry. To be honest, the only reason I've been able to suppress the poison all these years is because of a valley with extreme heat and cold."
"I'll take you there now. I, Dugu Bo, swear that if you can cure me of this poison, I will go through fire and water for you."
Hearing this, Shen An looked at Jerry, his eyes asking, "Are you sure you're not just messing with the old man?"
Jerry, much better at acting than Tom, nodded solemnly. It even put on a white lab coat, as if to say, "A doctor's heart is benevolent. How could I seek revenge?"
——
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, in Chen Xin's secluded cultivation chamber.
It had been nearly a month since Chen Xin returned to the clan. Upon his return, he had said nothing, only announcing that he would be going into seclusion to cultivate.
Today, the door opened.
"Hahahaha!"
"After a lifetime of storms, it all comes down to one sword. I've finally broken through to level 97!"
Chen Xin emerged from his seclusion chamber, his spirits high and his appearance rejuvenated by over a decade. After becoming a Titled Douluo, each level gained added a hundred years to one's lifespan.
"Old Bone, come out and let me test my sword!"
At that moment, the elegant Ning Fengzhi arrived with a gaunt, nearly 2.5-meter-tall old man.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Chen Xin with delight. Chen Xin's increased strength was a tremendous boon for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Seeing the overwhelming sword intent radiating from Chen Xin, Gu Rong scoffed, "Who wants to spar with you? You're already level 97. I'm not stupid. Unless Fengzhi supports me, I won't fight you."
Chen Xin laughed. "Fine, it's settled then."
Gu Rong's expression changed. "No, no, no. You old scoundrel, you're too confident. You must be plotting something. I won't fall for it."
Then, Gu Rong added enviously, "So, what kind of miracle did you encounter on your last trip? You came back, went into seclusion, and broke through to level 97."
After becoming a Titled Douluo, each level was as difficult as crossing a chasm. Thus, Chen Xin's breakthrough filled Gu Rong with envy.
Chen Xin smiled mysteriously. "It's simple. I met a cat. A miraculous cat."