Chapter 25 — The Chrysanthemum Pass Roadblock
The next morning, as the first pale light appeared on the horizon, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan had already arrived at the inn's dining hall.
After a simple breakfast, the grandfather and granddaughter stepped out.
Although it was early, the streets of Heaven Dou City were already bustling, filled with the calls of merchants and the chatter of townsfolk.
The wide streets were lined with stalls selling all sorts of goods, the city alive with the aroma of street food.
Holding Dugu Yan's small hand, Dugu Bo walked through the crowd with a sense of reflection.
Since the death of his family, he hadn't wandered through a city so leisurely in a long time.
Now that the poison in his body had finally been dealt with, the heavy burden pressing on his heart was lifted.
His eyes landed on a stall selling steamed buns, and he felt a sudden impulse to try one.
Taking his granddaughter's hand, he approached the stall and tossed a Gold Soul Coin to the vendor. "Two buns, please!"
The vendor was a stout middle-aged man who looked honest and simple.
Grasping the coin like a hot potato, he stammered, "Sir… that's too much! I don't have change!"
Dugu Bo's expression darkened slightly. "Keep it. Just give me two buns!"
Feeling an invisible pressure, the vendor quickly nodded. "Yes, yes!"
He bagged two buns and handed them to Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo took one and offered it to Dugu Yan. "Yan Yan, do you want one?"
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Dugu Yan smiled happily, accepting the bun.
In truth, she didn't particularly like buns, but she didn't want to refuse her grandfather's kindness.
The vendor noticed the unusual way she addressed Dugu Bo, giving them a strange look, but Dugu Bo ignored him and left.
After they departed, the middle-aged man stared at the coin in his hand, smiling foolishly.
Soon, grandfather and granddaughter, buns in one hand and sweet potato in the other, arrived at a blacksmith's shop.
Dugu Bo quickly finished the remaining food, wiped his hands and mouth with a handkerchief, and stepped into the shop.
Not long after, he exited with his storage Douluo device containing a collection of hidden weapons and parts.
Without lingering, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan headed in another direction of Heaven Dou City, continuing to stock his Douluo device with more equipment.
Only once it was full did Dugu Bo leave the city with his granddaughter.
They raced along the country road until Dugu Bo suddenly stopped, pulling Dugu Yan behind him. He looked toward the treetop of a large tree and said coldly, "Come out!"
"Ha ha ha ha…"
"I didn't expect there to be a Titled Douluo on the continent I didn't know of, able to sense my aura shield… quite impressive!"
With a sharp laugh, three figures leaped from the treetops.
Leading them was a tall, delicate-looking blond man — the source of the sharp laugh.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo?" Dugu Bo's expression darkened, frowning slightly.
This refined blond man was Yue Guan, one of Bibi Dong's top aides!
Behind Yue Guan stood the red-robed bishop and the elephant-armored sect leader, Huyan Zhen, glaring with indignation. Dugu Bo could now guess the purpose of their roadblock.
Bishop Max stared at Dugu Bo with a sinister smile. "Dugu Bo, fortune turns! Didn't expect we'd come for revenge so soon!"
Dugu Bo ignored him, turning to Yue Guan, who was posing provocatively. "Does the Spirit Hall have nothing better to do than pick a fight over a small incident?"
"Ha ha ha ha…" Yue Guan covered his mouth and laughed. "Douluo Dugu, you flatter me. I heard a new Titled Douluo appeared on the continent. I couldn't resist testing my skills against you — nothing personal."
Dugu Bo raised a brow. This man was valued by Bibi Dong, acting for her, and strength was just one aspect…
Clearly, he was stepping in to back up Huyan Zhen and Bishop Max, and punish Dugu Bo for disrupting the Spirit Hall — his explanation dressed up as a casual spar.
"Yan Yan, stay back!"
Dugu Bo shielded his granddaughter, then faced Yue Guan. "If that's the case, let's do this."
He knew the fight was unavoidable, so he might as well confront it directly.
"Good, very direct! I won't use my spirit skill. If you can last three rounds, I'll leave immediately."
Before the words finished, Yue Guan vanished, appearing before Dugu Bo and striking a punch at his face.
It wasn't arrogance — Yue Guan had been a Titled Douluo for many years, a level 95+ Super Douluo.
Dugu Bo had only just broken through to level 91 Titled Douluo, a four-level soul power gap at this stage was huge.
Still, Dugu Bo's expression twisted into a sly smile. He countered with a punch, his body strengthened by ten thousand years of soul rings, now rivaling Yue Guan's Super Douluo physique.
Seeing Dugu Bo abstain from using his spirit skill, Yue Guan fumed. "Hm? You're a rookie Titled Douluo, yet you dare challenge my physical strength? Preposterous!"
BANG!
Their fists collided, Yue Guan's face changing — Dugu Bo's strength rivaled his own seasoned Douluo physique.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Their clashes sent shockwaves outward. Earth and trees flew aside, the sound of cracking timber filling the air.
Bishop Max gaped at the spectacle. "This… Dugu Bo's strength rivals Elder Yue Guan?"
Huyan Zhen said gravely, "He hasn't used his spirit skill yet. That's the essence of a Douluo. Without it, you can't judge who's stronger."
Typically, physical Douluos with beast spirit skills outmatch those with weapon spirit skills — this was expected.
From a nearby hill, Dugu Yan peeked out, shaking her tiny fists. "Go, Grandpa! Beat that sissy!"
Huyan Zhen and Max glanced at her, sensing the malice in her gaze. Dugu Yan quickly ducked back.
They dared not touch her — neither Dugu Bo nor Yue Guan had used spirit skills yet. Interfering could ignite real danger.
___________________
T/N: my bitch ass knowing their appearances are based on the donghua but still imagining their manhua appearance