"Aunt Erlong."

Ma Hongjun nodded and gave Liu Erlong a faint smile.

In Liu Erlong's eyes, this child looked particularly well-behaved.

"Brother Hongjun, let's go."

Ning Rongrong clung tightly to Ma Hongjun's arm, casting a cautious glance at Dugu Bo.

With the Poison Douluo present, she couldn't help but worry about Brother Hongjun's safety.

"Rongrong, thank you for bringing everyone to rescue me. But I still have some matters to handle with Senior Dugu."

"Teacher, Boss Dai, Zhuqing, Rongrong... you all go back first. I'll come find you as soon as I finish things here."

Ma Hongjun's tone was serious.

"I'm worried about leaving you here. Why don't I stay with you?"

Flander frowned, visibly uneasy.

He simply didn't trust Dugu Bo. The man was unpredictable. If Hongjun provoked him, they might not get another chance to save him.

"Hmph! Kid, I, Dugu Bo, have lived an upright life. If I say I won't kill someone, then I won't. I always keep my word."

Dugu Bo snorted coldly.

"Brother Hongjun, I think the dean is right."

Ning Rongrong gripped Ma Hongjun's hand even tighter.

Dugu Bo's earlier act of forcibly taking Hongjun had completely terrified her. She couldn't bring herself to trust him now.

"It's alright, Rongrong, teacher. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I really do have something important to take care of."

Ma Hongjun patted Ning Rongrong's head with a relaxed smile, showing no sign of reluctance at all.

"Boss Fu, this kid clearly has his own plans. Don't worry about it."

Liu Erlong noticed the hesitation on Flander's face and chuckled.

Off in the distance—

Gu Yuena, Oscar, and Xiao Wu were slowly making their way over.

"I wonder how Fatty is doing right now."

Oscar looked worried, pinning all his hopes on the companions who had gone back for help.

Xiao Wu frowned. The closer they got, the more anxious she felt.

She could already sense several terrifying auras — definitely at the Titled Douluo level.

Clenching her fists, Xiao Wu turned her head toward the silver-haired girl walking beside her. Seeing her calm expression, Xiao Wu felt slightly more at ease.

She had her own suspicions about Gu Yuena's identity but wasn't certain enough to confirm them.

As they stepped into the forest, Gu Yuena's purple eyes suddenly flickered as if she'd noticed something. She lifted her gaze, staring into the distance.

Oscar and Xiao Wu didn't notice her change at all, focused entirely on rushing forward.

Oscar's face lit up as soon as he spotted the group ahead.

"Fatty! You're okay!"

Oscar rushed forward and slapped Ma Hongjun on the shoulder.

Ma Hongjun hadn't expected the three of them to come.

"Why are you here?"

His gaze swept into the distance toward Xiao Wu.

The girl with the scorpion braid stood not far away, hesitating to approach. Her face was pale, but the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

The two locked eyes. Xiao Wu immediately understood his meaning. Her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly.

Gu Yuena walked straight to Ma Hongjun's side, but her gaze was focused somewhere behind the crowd.

"If anything ever goes wrong, we never abandon our teammates."

Oscar thumped his chest proudly.

"Alright, I'm fine here. Teacher, you can take everyone back."

Ma Hongjun glanced at Flander, his expression firm.

Flander knew his apprentice was capable and hesitated for a few seconds.

"Once you're done, come straight to Blue Tyrant Academy to find us."

Leaving those instructions behind, he prepared to take everyone away.

"I'm staying."

Gu Yuena's voice was cold, but there was a firmness in it that brooked no refusal.

"Hongjun will be fine. There's no need for you to be here..."

Flander opened his mouth but didn't get to finish. The silver-haired girl had already walked past him, heading toward the back.

Watching the direction she went, Ma Hongjun's eyes flashed.

"It's alright, teacher. You can take them back."

Ma Hongjun guessed that Gu Yuena must have noticed something.

Flander sighed helplessly and nodded.

"Brother Hongjun... come back soon, okay?"

Ning Rongrong was reluctant to leave, unwilling to let go of his hand.

"When girls grow up, you can't keep them at home anymore. Go on, little princess. This kid will be fine."

Bone Douluo sighed, then smiled at Ning Rongrong.

There was none of the intimidating aura he had just shown.

Being teased by her elder, Ning Rongrong let go in embarrassment. She pouted, stuck out her tongue playfully, then skipped over to Bone Douluo's side and clung to him.

"Grandpa Gu, I'm not like that!"

The group soon left.

Dugu Bo finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

With that group here, he hadn't even dared to breathe too hard.

"You've got quite the network... the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Star Luo Empire."

Dugu Bo glanced at the red-haired boy with a complicated look.

Ma Hongjun smiled casually.

"Senior Dugu, let's continue our earlier deal."

"To help you and your granddaughter detoxify, I'll need the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes."

Ma Hongjun went straight to the point.

Dugu Bo's relaxed expression instantly stiffened. He stared at the boy in disbelief.

"How do you know about the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes?"

Ever since he discovered that place, he had sealed it off. No one could possibly find it.

Even those two Titled Douluo from earlier hadn't noticed it.

Ma Hongjun chuckled. If Dugu Bo hadn't had the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes, why would he have tried getting Dugu Yan to act as an intermediary multiple times?

"Just say whether you agree or not. If not, I'll leave right now."

Ma Hongjun waved his hand and turned to go.

Dugu Bo instinctively reached out, then hesitated. His eyes showed intense struggle.

That place was filled with heaven-defying treasures — countless immortal herbs.

How could he be willing to give it up?

Gritting his teeth, Dugu Bo finally said, "I'll give you the right to use it for ten years."

His eyes darted, clearly trying to negotiate.

"It seems Senior isn't afraid of death yet. Fine. Let's pretend I never said anything."

Ma Hongjun sneered.

Ten years?

As long as that place existed, it would endlessly produce rare herbs. Ten years was meaningless.

Without hesitation, he turned and began to leave.

Dugu Bo's figure flickered, appearing right in front of him.

He clenched his teeth. After a final moment of struggle, he finally nodded in frustration.

"Fine! I agree! As long as you can help detoxify me and my granddaughter!"

Satisfied, Ma Hongjun turned back, completely ignoring Dugu Bo's resentful glare.

"Then please lead the way, Senior. Take me there first."

Ma Hongjun raised his eyebrows slightly.

Dugu Bo's face darkened. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the silver-haired girl, then said coldly,

"I can take you... but not her!"

As he spoke, he pointed at Gu Yuena and waved his hand in front of Ma Hongjun.