Douluo Dalu: From Bishop to Deity...

That day, after spending some time with his disciples, Salas bid them farewell, stating that he would return in a few days.

With that, he made his way toward his base — his Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

....

"Lord... I have successfully completed the task you gave me."

Kneeling on one knee, Dugu Bo presented a palm-sized, peculiar object: a triangular-shaped item with a crystal-clear blue hue, seemingly carved entirely from sapphire.

The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.

Salas's heart raced as he gazed at the divine tool-level artifact in Dugu Bo's palm.

Though he knew that he wouldn't be able to use this divine tool, it didn't stop excitement from surging through him.

He quickly stepped forward and snatched the item from Dugu Bo's hand without a second thought, disregarding his composure and the image he was supposed to maintain in front of his subordinate.

But then again... Salas was smart... He always wore a mask in front of Dugu Bo, foreseeing such a situation so that when the time came, the mask would cover most of his expressions and emotions.

Cough cough... Not entirely foreseeing. But a little bit.

Looking intently at the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in his palm, which was emitting bright blue light and strange energy fluctuations, Salas thought about all the skills of this divine tool.

Among all the four skills it has, the skill Vast Sea Protective Barrier is similar to Salas's first soul ring skill, but it is more than two levels above that and has more capability.

Once the skill is activated, it forms a protective barrier. After shrouding the specific area, it makes the area invisible — to the extent of not even being tangible. Not only can it hide bodies, but it can also completely hide auras. Within the scope of the Vast Sea Protective Barrier, even a God King can't overhear the conversation inside.

Such a skill also has no cooldown time and can be continuously used... Isn't it the best stealth and turtle-shell skill?

Calming his heart, Salas put a leash on his thought of refining it and keeping it for himself.

"Alas... If I tried refining it, I know the probability of me being chosen by the Sea God is more than 70 percent. But... my aim is not just a first-level god," Salas thought silently in his heart.

Taking another look at the triangular, gem-like divine tool, Salas put it inside his soul tool, his emotions also turning calm again.

"Well done... You didn't disappoint me." Looking at the kneeling Dugu Bo, Salas patted him on the shoulder and helped him get up.

Usually, he always let Dugu Bo talk while kneeling, from start to end... But today, being in a good mood, Salas allowed him to get up and talk.

Dugu Bo also saw the difference... He didn't expect his lord, who usually loved it when people talked while kneeling, to uncharacteristically help him up.

"This is what this subordinate should do..." Although Dugu Bo got up, he didn't dare to talk while looking at Salas at eye level.

He had experienced the consequences of daring to look Salas in the eye...

His lord was not like other people. If a subordinate didn't act like a subordinate — even if that subordinate was a powerful Titled Douluo — he wouldn't care and would deliver a death-like suffocation... And if that person dared to show any sign of resistance using soul power during the punishment, then... from Salas's rules, it would result in getting beaten brutally at minimum — and death at maximum.

Then is Salas not afraid of Dugu Bo retaliating or having a different attitude? For that, Salas said... he didn't give a fuck about Dugu Bo.

As said before, the moment Salas's combat power directly rose from level 91 to level 96, he stopped putting Dugu Bo in his eyes.

To others... even if that said person was level 96, they would treat Dugu Bo with at least a little caution. But to Salas, whose body is completely immune to Dugu Bo's poisonous abilities, Dugu Bo is no different from a Soul Saint-level soul master...

Maybe Dugu Bo could last longer and endure more beating than a Soul Saint if Salas held back... But if Salas didn't hold back, then he was no different from them.

So even if Dugu Bo were to have a rebellious heart or attitude, Salas had the confidence to put him back in his place.

During the six months with Salas, Dugu Bo had experienced many things. That included getting beaten by Salas in the name of 'sparring' and 'monthly assessment of a subordinate's strength improvement'.

All resulted in him being completely suppressed by Salas — the lord. The subordinate couldn't even muster the strength to defend properly...

Being Salas's subordinate is a one-way path... Once allegiance is sworn, there is no return unless it is death. They would have to spend their entire life being subordinates. There is no other choice.

Maybe, if it was another Titled Douluo with level 91 soul power, whom Salas had no particular restraint against, then in that situation maybe Salas would not act so overbearingly... After all, Salas always did everything knowingly... He knew how to act with each and every person to maximize his benefits.

"Hmm... From the look on your face, it seems you've been recovering quite well," Salas casually said with a caring voice. He was also very satisfied with Dugu Bo's reaction... His training of his first subordinate hadn't gone to waste.

"Yes, my lord. By your grace, I have stopped experiencing that heart-wrenching pain, and my vitality has also started to recover slowly," Dugu Bo humbly and gratefully replied. Although this lord of his had a slightly different character... it was undeniable that it was him who gave hope to his life. Dugu Bo always remembered this.

Then, thinking of his granddaughter, Dugu Bo mustered up the courage to voice his request...

From what he had observed, although his lord was overbearing, he was also a kind person... He had also experienced his lord's skills in detoxifying poison firsthand. So it was time for him to mention his granddaughter... The more time he wasted, the more she would experience that heart-wrenching pain...

"Lord, this humble subordinate has a request to ask of you... I hope you will fulfill it." Once the thought arose, Dugu Bo didn't waste time and knelt on one knee again, cupping his hands and speaking with expectation and nervousness.

"Oh? What is it..." Salas asked with curiosity.

"It's like this... This old subordinate has a granddaughter, who also suffers from the same curse as me... I hope the lord will take pity on her and help her escape from the torment."

Dugu Bo spoke, nervousness and a little fear evident in his tone. He hoped that Salas would not misunderstand him for not mentioning his granddaughter before...

Salas was amused... He had mostly expected it.

"Hmm... I can help her. Consider it a reward for your completion of the task."

"But you should also know... Anyone who knows about me has only two fates... standing before me or standing behind me..." Salas spoke slowly... but he left the sentence unfinished.

Listening to Salas, although Dugu Bo was happy that Salas was willing to help, he also tensed up a little when he heard the meaning behind the next sentence. He hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed...

"Lord... Rest assured... My bloodline and I will forever serve you and stand behind you... not before you." Dugu Bo could only say this... There was no other way for him, even though it pained his heart very much.

Letting his bloodline serve Salas was not a decision he took on a whim. Even though he could be cured, and even his granddaughter could be cured — what about his future descendants?

Their so-called martial soul defect would still continue to be passed on to every generation. Unless no one awakened the Jade Phosphor Serpent and their bloodline came to an end.

But did Dugu Bo wish for his bloodline to be buried in history? No... Anyone would want their bloodline to continue until the end of history. Dugu Bo was no exception.

So even though he wanted himself to be the only one who served as someone else's subordinate and end this fate with himself... it was not possible.

So, he could only decide for his granddaughter and choose to swear an allegiance of subordination. Anyway, it was not that bad to serve someone as strong as Salas... Or so Dugu Bo thought.

As for what was on Salas's mind? Hehe... Only he knows.