A day later, at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
As evening fell, Dugu Bo arrived at the valley.
"I've already eaten outside," he said directly when he saw the clean table inside the house.
Yang Yunhai nodded and said, "In that case, Grandpa Dugu, please take it in Sister Yan's room."
"Alright." Without overthinking, Dugu Bo nodded, brushed his hand across his waist, and took out the Cloud Immortal White Peony, handing it over.
After Yang Yunhai accepted it, Dugu Bo turned to Dugu Yan, who looked a little confused. "Yan Yan, let's go. There are some things I should tell you now."
Dugu Yan nodded and followed him into the room.
When they reached the desk, Dugu Bo looked at her with a serious expression. "Yan Yan, earlier when you didn't break up with Yu Tianheng, because of your relationship with that boy, I didn't tell you…"
The door wasn't closed. Though his voice was low, it could still be heard outside.
The small wooden house had no soundproofing.
"Let's go," Yang Yunhai whispered, giving Zhu Zhuqing a glance before leading her into the bedroom.
He reached out, pulled out a slip of paper, and handed it to her.
She took it, quickly read through it, and understood both the cause and the effect, as well as the function of the Lovesickness Heartbroken Red. Her eyes grew warm, and she looked up at Yang Yunhai, gazing deeply at him before hugging him tightly, burying her head in his chest. Her voice was soft. "Yun, thank you."
After hearing Yin'e call him "Yun" so many times, she also changed her way of addressing him.
"What's the point of saying that to me?" Yang Yunhai smiled, patted her slender shoulder, and gently put some space between them.
He gestured toward the other room where conversation was still going on, then reached for her hand.
Zhu Zhuqing understood and followed him to sit down by the bed.
Before long, with his strong spirit power and keen hearing, Yang Yunhai heard Dugu Bo instructing Dugu Yan to sit down and absorb the herb. Soon after, there was silence. Only then did he put the Cloud Immortal White Peony into a jade gourd and take out the Lovesickness Heartbroken Red, handing it to Zhu Zhuqing with a nod.
She nodded, took it close to her lips, and inhaled deeply, pushing all stray thoughts away.
Memories of their time together filled her mind,meeting, growing close, training side by side, living together, confirming their relationship, and the sweet feelings that followed. Her pretty face flushed red, her delicate hand tapped her chest, and blood surged up. A mouthful of fresh blood spurted onto the crimson petals. The flower swayed gently and fell into her palm.
Yang Yunhai was stunned. This felt like breaking the rules of the world. Of course, he knew why Zhu Zhuqing was blushing.
But the result was good, and he couldn't help but smile.
Looking at the flower lying quietly in her hand, Zhu Zhuqing also smiled, then lifted her head to meet his gaze with tender eyes.
"Hurry and take it," Yang Yunhai urged.
"Mm." She nodded, returned the jade basin to him, and carefully placed the flower into her mouth, chewing it slowly. Her cheeks flushed with color as she quickly moved to the center of the bed, sitting down cross-legged to absorb the medicinal power.
"I wonder if it will grow again if replanted in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well," Yang Yunhai thought as he glanced at the branch, now visibly dimmed. With a sigh, he stored it away, rose, and left the room, sitting in the living area to wait.
Time passed slowly. Both rooms gradually filled with glowing light. After three hours, the yellow glow faded.
Soon after, Dugu Bo stepped out into the living room, his back straight, smiling broadly.
Yang Yunhai was startled. Dugu Bo's hair had turned earthen brown, his eyes too,nearly black. Most astonishing was how much younger he looked. His wrinkles were gone, his features sharp and chiseled. He had gone from old age back to the prime of his life. Taller, broader, and radiating a strong, steady presence, he looked vigorous, with an ancient, weathered charm that made others feel safe. And frankly, he looked rather handsome.
No wonder Dugu Yan was so beautiful,her grandfather was no ordinary man.
"Grandpa Dugu, this change is too drastic. It'll be hard to explain." Yang Yunhai frowned slightly.
"What's there to fear?" Dugu Bo raised his brow, his tone firm. "My spirit power has already broken through to level 93, and I'm only a step away from 94. Once I adapt and fully absorb the remaining medicinal power, reaching level 94 will be no problem at all."
He plopped down beside Yang Yunhai and summoned his spirit in miniature form.
Even though Yang Yunhai had anticipated it, seeing it with his own eyes still startled him.
The spirit was pitch-dark brown. Its back had no wings but was covered in layers of overlapping carapace-like ridges that stretched from tail to head, resembling a mountain range covered in sharp peaks. From afar, it looked like its entire body was bristling with spikes.
On closer inspection, there was a faint green glow between the ridges, and its abdomen was also tinged green, giving it a sinister aura. Two massive dragon horns jutted out from the back of its head, with smaller horns lined beneath them, and even a cone-shaped horn at its nose. Its limbs were thick and muscular, ending in sharp claws brimming with power.
It looked like a single slap from it could kill a man,claws not even necessary.
This couldn't be called an Earth Dragon anymore. It was more like a Mountain Dragon, carrying a mountain on its back.
Dugu Bo enjoyed seeing Yang Yunhai's surprised expression. Retracting his spirit, he lifted his chin proudly. "From my physique alone, you can tell my body has become much stronger. All aspects have been greatly enhanced, especially defense and strength."
"Heh, even my Medusa Skull has evolved, and the petrification skill is much stronger now."
"Also, the power you mentioned,the Earth's Power,I think I've gained it. Just standing on the ground gives me a deep sense of connection and security, as though an immense force beneath the earth is resonating with me. I can draw upon it whenever I want. Honestly, before such power, I feel how small I really am."
"But even tapping into a small part of it is an incredible boost for me."
"With my defense now, plus the ability to channel Earth's Power for reinforcement and recovery, not to mention my Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison… once I finish absorbing everything, even if Yu Yuanzhen himself comes, I can fight him head-on without worrying about being exposed."
"As for an explanation, I've already thought of one. I'll just say that during my travels I found two rare treasures that resonated with my martial spirit. I didn't dare consume them earlier because of my poison, but now that it's cured, I can."
He sneered. "If anyone wants to check, fine,I'll hand over my soul tool. But they'll have to bear my wrath. As long as they don't kill me on the spot, I'll poison their doorstep until their whole clan dies!"
Yang Yunhai nodded slightly. "In that case, Grandpa Dugu, you can actually go further. Publicly reveal the information about those two treasures. Emphasize their compatibility with dragon-type martial spirits. Since your martial spirit is dragon-related, outsiders will naturally believe you obtained the Nine Treasure Dragon Ganoderma and the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. This way, they won't suspect you have other treasures, sparing you unnecessary trouble."
"Besides, even I know about those two herbs. Surely other soul masters do as well. If you spread it, people will confirm it themselves, saving you the trouble. When outsiders testify, it's far more convincing than your own words. After all, self-testimony can always be a lie."
He made a note to himself to write a letter to Chrysanthemum Douluo later, asking him to help provide some proof.
"As for later, since you've already consumed them, only the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might still covet them. But I don't think other factions will risk provoking you. For example, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect,their leader Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo,all can't really use such treasures. Fighting you would bring them little benefit."
"The Bone Dragon Martial Spirit, strictly speaking, isn't even a beast-type spirit anymore. Once the flesh is gone and only bones remain, bones are dead matter, more like tools,bone knives, bone staves, bone flutes, and so on."
"So compared to making you their enemy, Ning Fengzhi would definitely prefer to win you over rather than push you into Spirit Hall's arms. Spirit Hall will think the same way."
"Plus, you're already an honorary elder of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. With so many powers vying against each other, even if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has ideas about taking your blood, they'll have to weigh whether they can bear the consequences."
"That makes sense." Dugu Bo nodded.
And so, he and Yang Yunhai continued discussing the details while standing guard for the two women who had not yet awakened.
Time passed. The moon set, the sun rose, and light gradually filled the house.
Footsteps approached. Both turned their heads,it was Dugu Yan.
Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then his face lit up with joy.
As for Yang Yunhai, a glimmer of amazement flashed in his eyes.
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