"Hehe... Grandpa, how was my performance?" Jin Yue'er looked proudly at Golden Crocodile Douluo, having thoroughly enjoyed throwing her weight around.
"Excellent! You said exactly what Grandpa wanted to say." Jin E affectionately patted Jin Yue'er's head.
As for Dugu Bo, he had never paid much attention to such existences.
"Alright Yue'er, quickly help them up." Qian Renxue gave Jin Yue'er an exasperated elbow nudge while pointing at Dugu Yan and giving the instruction.
She remembered clearly that Ye Tian had said he wanted Dugu Bo to become a Titled Douluo powerhouse for their Spirit Hall!
Sooner or later, they would be on the same side.
It was better not to go too far.
"Sister Xue, you're being biased! Why don't you ask Ye Tian to do it?" Jin Yue'er obediently stepped forward slowly, but not without turning back to complain to Qian Renxue and the others.
"That's obviously because your greeting just now scared them." Ye Tian teased.
"Nonsense! I was smiling very gently." Jin Yue'er turned back and glared at Ye Tian.
Completely unconcerned that Dugu Bo might attack her, she squatted beside Dugu Yan, extended her hand, and showed her standard toothy smile.
"Little sister, stand up quickly~"
"..."
Dugu Yan hesitated, glancing at Dugu Bo's hunched back.
Although she had just awakened her Martial Soul not long ago, she wasn't completely ignorant.
She knew that her Dugu Family couldn't afford to offend the people before her, especially that middle-aged man who was definitely a rare Titled Douluo powerhouse in the Soul Master Realm!
And she seemed to have even seen the legendary Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
Seeing Dugu Bo nod almost imperceptibly, Dugu Yan pursed her lips and reluctantly placed her hand in Jin Yue'er's outstretched one, saying timidly:
"Th-thank you..."
"Haha, no problem." Jin Yue'er laughed as she pulled Dugu Yan to her feet.
"Ah—!"
Just at that moment, Dugu Xin's agonized scream echoed in their ears once more.
"Father..." Dugu Yan's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked somewhat conflictedly at Dugu Bo.
"Yan Yan, go inside the room first." Dugu Bo instructed softly.
"Mm!" Dugu Yan glanced at Ye Tian and the others before nodding and running inside.
"Grandpa, be careful!"
"Hey! Why should he be careful?" Jin Yue'er placed her hands on her hips and called out, muttering under her breath. "We don't have any ill intentions. I even helped you up just now, sister?"
"Hmph~" Jin Yue'er snorted lightly, then looked up at Dugu Bo whose eyes seemed to glow with a green light. She immediately shrank her neck and briskly retreated back to Jin E's side.
Hearing what Jin Yue'er said, Dugu Bo's vigilance didn't diminish in the slightest.
Nothing brings someone to the temple without reason!
Where there's something unusual, there must be trickery afoot!
Rumors had long circulated in the Soul Master Realm that the honored one before him had already joined the Spirit Hall.
Perhaps this time they had come to force him to join their ranks?
But even so, was it necessary for Elder Jin E himself to make an appearance?
Dugu Bo understood perfectly well that he was far from having that level of importance.
But regardless, extreme caution was necessary!
Dugu Bo immediately bowed deeply to Jin E, speaking with utmost respect: "This junior presumes to ask, for what purpose has Your Excellency graced us with your presence..."
"It wasn't my intention to seek you out." Golden Crocodile Douluo shook his head, shifting his gaze to Ye Tian who was leading the group.
"?!"
Dugu Bo's eye twitched, finally taking a careful look at the golden child and jade maiden standing to the side.
With his discerning eye...
Of course he could tell—that exquisitely beautiful little girl carried an extraordinary sacred aura within her.
There was only one possibility that came to mind for someone with such an aura.
She must be from the Qian family!
Even though rumors claimed the Spirit Hall Pope's child had died shortly after birth...
Such was the nature of conflicts between major powers.
Deception and intrigue were commonplace.
Those messages were often a mix of truth and falsehood, falsehood and truth.
Even an old hand like him couldn't see through them clearly.
As for the child in "strange attire" beside the little girl...
Although Dugu Bo didn't know his identity,
he still detected the faint, elusive mist surrounding Ye Tian.
Born with unusual phenomena, his aura somewhat transcendent—
He was definitely no ordinary person!
Of course,
the most crucial point was that Ye Tian had the ability to have Golden Crocodile Douluo vouch for him.
That alone meant Dugu Bo couldn't afford to be negligent.
"Hmph~"
Jin Yue'er puffed out her chest, looking immensely proud, her smile so wide it nearly split her face, as if awaiting someone's inspection. But Dugu Bo didn't even glance at her.
If Dugu Bo hadn't already known Jin Yue'er's identity,
he would have mistaken the girl for a maid.
Her hairstyle really wasn't fit for a young lady.
"??!"
Jin Yue'er frowned.
Puzzled by the lack of "appreciation" from Dugu Bo, she was just about to say something...
But Dugu Bo couldn't wait any longer.
Now that he knew who was in charge, he naturally wouldn't delay further.
He immediately asked Ye Tian, "Might I ask what matter has brought you here from afar, young friend? Is there something this old bone can assist with?"
"I am Ye Tian. For visiting so abruptly, I hope Senior Dugu will forgive me."
Ye Tian wore a gentle smile as he stepped forward.
At the same time, he raised his hand and placed it atop Jin Yue'er's head, gently stroking and scratching to soothe her.
Only then did Jin Yue'er reluctantly settle down...
"It's fine."
Dugu Bo listened to Dugu Xin's agonized cries, shaking his head with forced patience, his fists secretly clenching inside his sleeves.
"Please make it brief, Young Friend Ye Tian. This old man would be most grateful."
"There's no need to worry, Senior. We're heading the same way."
Ye Tian's face carried a warm smile as he spoke meaningfully.
"The same way?!"
Dugu Bo was taken aback.
"Indeed."
Ye Tian nodded and explained,
"I just overheard... the place Senior intends to visit coincides with our destination. I ask that Senior Dugu bring your son and grandson and accompany us to that Medicine Garden."
Medicine Garden?!
Dugu Bo's heart jolted.
He instantly understood their purpose.
Though he had possessed the Medicine Garden for years and didn't recognize that strange spring or many of the herbs within,
Dugu Bo still knew—
they were undoubtedly Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures!
But he had never leaked a word about it. How did the Spirit Hall find out?
Dugu Bo had no time to ponder further.
Suppressing his thoughts, he bowed toward Golden Crocodile Douluo and requested, "Your Excellency, and Young Friend Ye Tian, I truly cannot leave right now..."
"It's alright."
Ye Tian cut off Dugu Bo, glancing toward the room's interior.
Under Qian Renxue's gaze, Ye Tian's profile was filled with captivating confidence. By his fair ear came his calm, self-assured words.
"The serpent venom in your son's body has flared up at a rather coincidental time."
"But it's no matter. I... have the cure."
"!!!"
Hearing this,
Dugu Bo's pupils trembled, nearly shifting into snake-like slits.
Their Dugu Family's secret had been discovered!
Dugu Bo didn't know how to handle this.
But when he focused his gaze on the young man before him, Dugu Bo couldn't help but widen his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.
He even let out an undignified exclamation.
"How is this possible?!!"
What met Dugu Bo's eyes was an ethereal, immortal-like figure enveloped in auspicious clouds.
Even Jin E's form became blurred.
Ye Tian stood right before him,
holding in his hand a pill condensed like white jade, translucent and exquisite.
But the two halos surrounding that pill
were purple—a color that should be impossible to appear on a Soul Master, let alone a Soul Grandmaster!
"!!!"
Dugu Bo stared intently at Ye Tian's Spirit Rings.
He couldn't find the slightest flaw!
Had the Spirit Hall's methods for cultivating geniuses evolved to this extent?
This was simply terrifying!
"Hmph~ Now you know how powerful we are!"
Jin Yue'er clung to Ye Tian's arm, then took a deep breath after speaking.
Qian Renxue also felt refreshed and exhilarated.
Even Golden Crocodile Douluo couldn't escape being affected, showing a strange expression. Ye Tian's Martial Soul quality seemed unexpectedly high!
This phenomenon was far more impressive than the rumors suggested.
Perhaps,
with the nourishment from his two Soul Skills, the quality of his Martial Soul was steadily improving as well.
Golden Crocodile Douluo felt this might be the correct explanation!
Given enough time for Ye Tian, perhaps Yue'er's Martial Soul could also benefit somewhat
and evolve
before breaking through to Titled Douluo!
Golden Crocodile Douluo took a deep look at Ye Tian.
He felt compassion.
He had no objection if Yue'er and he could be together, but it seemed the young lady also had special feelings for him.
Golden Crocodile Douluo thought for a moment, then sighed.
A servant should not compete with their master.
He hoped Yue'er would remember his teachings.