Chapter 16 — Has Dugu Bo Become Young Again?
When the first pale light of dawn appeared on the horizon, Dugu Bo slowly opened his eyes, which had been tightly shut throughout the night.
The council hall was completely empty — only he remained. He had truly been cultivating here all night, something even he found slightly hard to believe.
Perhaps it was because he had lost his loved ones long ago that, over the years, he rarely allowed himself to be completely unguarded in front of others.
Or perhaps it was because Ye Qingyu's spirit technique had relaxed his body and mind so thoroughly that he had involuntarily entered a deep meditative state and spent the entire night in cultivation before her.
He stood up, pushed the heavy doors open, and stepped out. The morning air was cool, brushing across his face and making him feel deeply refreshed.
As the gentle breeze stirred, a faint floral scent lingered in the air. Dugu Bo realized he hadn't felt this kind of clarity and comfort in many years.
Although the spirit technique Ye Qingyu used had only a slight effect on the poison in his body, he felt as if he had returned to the vigor of his youth, filled with energy and life.
"Grandpa, you're awake!"
A crisp, cheerful voice rang out. Dugu Bo turned and saw his adorable granddaughter, Dugu Yan, standing before him.
"Yan Yan!"
Dugu Bo smiled and instinctively opened his arms, inviting her into his embrace. Over all these years, he and Dugu Yan had relied on each other completely, and because of the generational bond, their affection ran deep.
After all, they did say there was a special closeness between grandparents and grandchildren.
"Oh, Grandpa! I've already grown up! I'm not a little girl anymore. If Aunt Ye and Lingling saw this, it'd be so embarrassing!"
Dugu Yan didn't immediately jump into his arms, which left Dugu Bo feeling a bit disappointed. But looking at his granddaughter, now tall and graceful, he couldn't help but think how quickly time had flown.
"Huh! Grandpa… how did you become so young? And even more handsome?"
Suddenly, Dugu Yan stared at her grandfather in disbelief, her eyes sparkling.
"Alright, Yan Yan, stop teasing your grandpa."
Dugu Bo thought she was just joking to lift his spirits and didn't take her words too seriously.
Seeing that he wasn't convinced, Dugu Yan became eager. "Grandpa, I'm not lying! You really have become younger!"
"Grandpa, wait…"
Then she ran off a few steps.
Watching her go, Dugu Bo felt puzzled. He reached up and touched his face — and found only smooth skin. The wrinkles that had once marked his features were completely gone.
"Could it be… from last night?"
Before he could think much more, Dugu Yan came running back, holding a mirror. Slightly out of breath, she handed it to him. "Grandpa! Grandpa! Look for yourself — you really have become young!"
Dugu Bo took the mirror. Reflected back at him was a sharply defined face — as if cut by a sculptor's finest blade.
There was no denying Dugu Bo's underlying appearance was excellent: sword‑like brows, bright starry eyes, a high nose, and thin, refined lips. Combined with fair, smooth skin — not a trace of age remained — and his long dark green hair, he looked exceptionally striking, almost wickedly handsome.
"How's that, Grandpa? I wasn't lying, right? You're even more handsome!" Dugu Yan said, watching her grandfather with an almost lovestruck expression.
"Senior Dugu, you're awake?"
Just as Dugu Bo opened his mouth to speak, a clear, pleasant voice came from nearby. Both he and his granddaughter turned to see the Ye family mother and daughter approaching.
Ye Qingyu walked in front, while Ye Lingling followed closely behind. When their eyes fell on Dugu Bo's face, both froze for a moment in stunned silence.
Ye Qingyu blushed, turned her head slightly aside, and softly said, "Senior Dugu, you must be hungry. I had breakfast prepared. Let's go eat."
Inside, she couldn't help but think: someone as feared and avoided as Dugu Bo — in his youth, he had actually been a handsome man. If she had only seen his appearance, she would have assumed he was a robust young adult!
She was surprised by his looks — but not by the fact that he had become young again.
Dugu Bo touched his face and asked, "Madam Ye, you came at just the right time. I wanted to ask you — what exactly happened?"
"Senior Dugu, I prepared breakfast. Let's eat and I'll explain as we go," Ye Qingyu said, gesturing politely.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo nodded. Together with his granddaughter, he followed her into the mansion's dining hall.
The Nine Heart Begonia clan's residence wasn't overly large, and soon they reached the dining room.
Ye Qingyu paused at the doorway. "Senior Dugu, after you."
Dugu Bo didn't hesitate and walked in first, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Once he had taken his seat, Ye Qingyu and the others sat as well.
Ye Qingyu quietly instructed a nearby maid, then looked back toward Dugu Bo. "Senior Dugu, you want to know if the change in your body is connected to what happened last night, right?"
"Yes." Dugu Bo nodded without hesitation. There was no doubt in his mind that the changes were because of Ye Qingyu's treatment — but he still wanted her to explain it in her own words.
Ye Qingyu spoke gently: "For a titled Douluo, who naturally lives a very long life, your age wasn't really that old. The reason your appearance had become so aged was because the poison ravaging your body depleted much of your life force over time.
"The reason the Nine Heart Begonia spirit can heal injuries is because it contains life energy. And last night, I used a secret method to maximize this effect…"
As she explained the unique qualities of the Nine Heart Begonia spirit, a hint of pride flickered across her face before she suppressed it quickly.
"In other words, last night's treatment helped restore the life force you lost, which is why you now appear younger."
"Unfortunately… it didn't have much effect on the poison in your body…"
Ye Qingyu lowered her head slightly, disappointment in her expression, as if she regretted not being able to help him fully.
Dugu Bo noticed her mood and offered reassurance: "Madam Ye, please don't worry. What is meant to be will be; what is not cannot be forced. Your treatment restored my youthful vitality — and to me, that's even more important than detoxification."
What he said wasn't untrue. While certain poisons could only be resolved with rare spirit herbs like Ice‑Fire Immortal Grass, restoring lost life force was something very few could do — so her treatment had indeed done something significant.
"If it helped Senior Dugu, then I'm glad," Ye Qingyu said, taking his words as comfort and not thinking too deeply about them.
Just then, the servants brought out dish after dish of delicious food, capturing everyone's attention.
…
After they finished eating, Dugu Bo thanked Ye Qingyu and prepared to take his leave.
Before he left, he gave her a jade pendant imbued with a portion of his spiritual power, telling her to shatter it if she ever encountered danger — something he could only do now that his spirit strength had increased after absorbing Long Aotian's soul.
Once that was done, Dugu Bo lifted his granddaughter into the air and gradually disappeared from the sight of Ye Qingyu and Ye Lingling.
Ye Qingyu watched his departing figure, unexpectedly feeling a subtle sense of loss in her heart.