The moment he realized, Salas quickly took out a silver mask from his storage ring and put it on his face.
Salas didn't need to wait too long. Within a few breaths, the gloomy-looking Dugu Bo stood in front of him, staring intently.
Dugu Bo had already sensed that his spiritual power was being suppressed the moment he stepped foot here, thousands of meters away. His gloomy expression came from his restless heart.
But Salas didn't say a word. He just calmly looked at Dugu Bo, silently taking note of his appearance—acting high and mighty.
An old man wearing a gray robe. Nothing special about his appearance, other than the green hair and green eyes.
"Most of the people I've seen so far resemble the descriptions from the novel, not the anime... Hmm, yes. The anime is just an adaptation, after all—they even changed this old man's ending. Haha."
Salas mused to himself as he reviewed both his past memories and the original Salas's memories. Everyone he had met so far matched the descriptions from the novel.
But Salas didn't dwell on this matter. It was a simple issue, after all...
As Salas looked at Dugu Bo calmly, Dugu Bo also sized him up, his eyes filled with a dangerous, vigilant glint.
The silent confrontation lasted a few minutes before Dugu Bo finally took the initiative to speak.
"I don't know if this friend is willing to show his face?" Dugu Bo asked in a cold yet patient voice.
"No," Salas replied simply, his golden pupils gazing into Dugu Bo's eyes indifferently.
"Oh..." Dugu Bo was slightly taken aback.
At the Titled Douluo level, when two people meet—unless one has a grudge—the other would usually show some respect. Dugu Bo didn't expect the man in front of him, who might also be a Titled Douluo, to flat-out reject him without even a hint of courtesy...
But as cunning as he was, Dugu Bo didn't dare flare up in anger. He could clearly sense that the man before him was far superior in spiritual power. This was his first time encountering someone capable of turning spiritual power into a domain.
"Then, is this friend willing to share which force he belongs to or where he comes from?" Dugu Bo asked again.
"I don't remember..." Salas replied, inwardly amused by Dugu Bo's reaction. He was also looking forward to what Dugu Bo would say next.
As expected, Dugu Bo's expression changed. His gaze toward Salas shifted. He didn't know how to proceed.
"If this friend isn't willing to share anything, then this old man won't force it. But friend, this place is my medicinal garden. If you have no business here, may I ask you to leave?" Dugu voiced his words carefully.
He had a strong feeling that if a fight broke out, he would most likely lose. So even though he loathed speaking in such a soft tone, he had no choice.
If this were anywhere else, he wouldn't be so patient—even if the person in front of him was stronger. If he couldn't win, he'd simply run away.
But this place was different. This was where he took refuge whenever his poison flared up. Once another person knew about it, he had to either kill them or turn them into an ally...
"Hmm. I'll leave. But I want that pouch—name your price," Salas said, amused, motioning with his eyes toward the pouch hanging from Dugu Bo's robe.
Dugu Bo's lips twitched. As soon as he realized what Salas was referring to, a flood of doubts surged in his mind. He even started to suspect that this person might be an old acquaintance—or perhaps an enemy—someone who knew him far too well. But in the end, he couldn't recall anyone with golden eyes or a build like this.
After thinking for a while, Dugu Bo could only acquiesce. After all, the man before him seemed at least five levels stronger. And he didn't know anything about this man to use as leverage. If Salas had a family member he could threaten, Dugu Bo wouldn't give a damn about this situation.
"Ah, since this friend wants this old man's Wishful Hundred Treasure Pouch, then I'm willing to give it. I don't want anything in return. I just hope we can become friends," Dugu Bo said cautiously.
"Oh? You want my friendship?" Salas asked, his voice tinged with amusement.
"Yes... This old man likes making friends the most," Dugu Bo replied without hesitation.
"Hehe. Gaining my friendship is impossible... But how about this? I'll give you a chance to become my subordinate. In return, I'll help you with the problem in your body," Salas said calmly.
To Salas, saying he'd accept Dugu Bo's friendship or that he'd never come here again was simple. Who said he had to keep his word? Salas was best at going back on his promises. He didn't give a damn about such things.
The reason he was talking patiently with Dugu Bo was because he didn't want to fight. Although he had bluffed Dugu Bo using his strong spiritual power, making him believe he was stronger, if a real fight broke out, it would most likely end in a draw.
And Salas didn't want to damage this place any more than necessary. Otherwise, he'd love to test his current combat strength against Dugu Bo.
'But now that there's a chance to use Dugu Bo... why not keep bluffing? Hehe.'
.....
The instant Dugu Bo heard Salas's words, his face turned ugly.
"I don't understand what you mean. This old man has no issues—I'm perfectly healthy," Dugu Bo denied outright.
"Hehe. A poison user poisoned by his own Martial Soul. Do you really not want my help?" Salas continued acting high and mighty, shamelessly speaking as if he were far superior.
Now, Dugu Bo didn't know how to respond. After struggling internally over whether to fight Salas or not, he finally forced himself to calm down and asked, his voice trembling with coldness:
"Friend, do you truly have a way to completely solve my problem?"
"Yes," Salas replied with a smile.
Did he really know how to cure Dugu Bo? Of course not. Even Tang San couldn't completely cure Dugu Bo's condition. But giving an old man a little hope wouldn't hurt, right?
'Anyway, I'll just give him some of my blood and tell him about using a soul bone to store poison. That's it. I just have to keep bluffing and drag this out for a few years. Once he's no longer useful, I'll give him a decent burial, Salas thought.'
Salas was no longer the same man who had just arrived in this world. Now, with a plan to obtain the Asura Divine Throne, his ambition had grown.
He even wanted to make the entire Douluo Planet his backyard.