Chapter 198 Dugu Bo: My granddaughter is going to run away with him too?
Jiang Nian silently watched the interaction between the grandfather and granddaughter, wondering where Dugu Yan had learned that phrase.
It sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Ahem... It's not that Grandpa doesn't want to, it's just... Sigh?" Dugu Bo stood up, a hint of surprise on his face.
"Jiang Nian, Holy Son, long time no see."
Dugu Yan was startled and quickly turned to look.
A look of surprise flashed across her face when she saw Jiang Nian, but a hint of hostility appeared when she saw Zhu Zhuqing.
Her eyes darted around, and she subconsciously took two steps back, shrinking behind Dugu Bo.
"Grandpa, that woman is so scary..."
Dugu Bo swallowed hard. Actually, he wanted to say that he was also very scared.
But he couldn't just hide behind his granddaughter, could he?
Qing Yu looked away and ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's hair, as if petting a kitten.
"Old Poisoner, are you going into seclusion?" Jiang Nian greeted her with a smile, nodding to Dugu Yan as well.
"I...I..." Dugu Bo coughed lightly, unsure how to explain.
He understood that neutrality, seemingly avoiding offending either side, was essentially being a fence-sitter, making both sides wary.
Especially someone like him, skilled in poisons, could easily become a weapon to destroy a city.
"Pretty much, I guess. I'm a bit tired of the world."
Dugu Yan pouted, popping out from behind him.
"Brother Jiang Nian, Grandpa wants to stay here, I don't care."
"But can I go back to the Spirit Hall with you?"
Dugu Bo: "???"
Not a buddy?
His granddaughter, whom he'd raised with such care, was just going to leave with someone else?
The key point is that the kid hadn't even said a word yet!
"Sure, you're welcome anytime."
Jiang Nian smiled; he certainly wouldn't refuse Dugu Yan's arrival.
Since her last spirit evolution, Dugu Yan's future reaching the Peerless Douluo level is definitely not a problem.
If her spirit rings also include dragon blood, she might even be able to evolve her bloodline again at the Soul King and Soul Emperor levels. Even if that doesn't work, she can definitely evolve it when she's granted a title.
Her potential is far greater than Dugu Bo's.
"Alright! It's settled then!" Dugu Yan smiled and winked at her grandfather.
"You child..." Dugu Bo sighed, rubbing his forehead.
If she joined, he would definitely be tied to the Spirit Hall.
But for his granddaughter, what's wrong with following Jiang Nian?
Besides, he saved both their lives.
"Hmph~" Dugu Yan proudly raised her neck, displaying the spoiled nature of a young lady.
"Brother Jiang Nian, where's Sister Xiaoxue?"
"She's busy."
"Oh..."
Dugu Yan glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, that little brat, who only reached her chin.
But... why was she so big?!
Is this the size of a normal child's head?!
Dugu Yan was so jealous she almost ground her teeth to powder, but she could only maintain a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't understand why this girl kept staring at her.
Like a lunatic.
"You two chat first, I'm going to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to find something."
"Go ahead, go ahead." Dugu Yan waved her hand like a regular customer, her gaze fixed on Zhu Zhuqing.
Arms crossed, humming and hawing.
"My name is Dugu Yan, what's yours?" The girl extended her right hand, looking down at her.
"Zhu Zhuqing."
The two girls shook hands briefly, then quickly let go.
"Zhuqing, I've known Brother Jiang Nian for a long time. According to age and time sequence, shouldn't you call me 'sister'?" Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow, wanting to tease this little black cat.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced coldly: "Boring."
Then, she followed Jiang Nian's departing figure.
Ahead, there was a layer of mist.
The boy's figure disappeared into the mist, and she felt a little nervous, wanting to follow and see.
"You little brat!" Dugu Yan glared at her, but before she could speak, she saw her follow as well.
"Hey! Idiot! You'll get lost!" The girl helplessly jogged after her, preventing her from getting lost and poisoned.
Qing Yu glanced at the slightly trembling Dugu Bo, then also stepped into the mist.
"Phew~ What's this girl's background? She makes me so scared?"
"She seems to be... a 100,000-year-old dragon soul beast?"
Dugu Bo frowned, secretly admiring Jiang Nian's strength; even such a powerful figure was willing to stay by his side.
Joining the Spirit Hall seemed to be the right choice after all.
He could forgo his future, but his granddaughter couldn't.
Yan'er's spirit quality was currently unmatched across the entire continent; perhaps she truly had a chance to become a god in the future.
"Let's go! All in!"
"What kind of child cries every day?"
Dugu Bo clenched his fist, his eyes filled with determination.
"Hey! Why did you come in without saying a word? Do you know how dangerous it is here?" Dugu Yan grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's wrist impatiently, her other hand on her hip, her eyes fierce.
"Oh, thank you."
"You're a good person."
Dugu Yan: "???"
No, is she crazy?
The girl looked suspiciously at the aloof Zhu Zhuqing, who wore cat ears on her head, making her want to pinch them.
Her face and temperament were quite good, but she was still a little bit inferior to her.
"This is the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire. Look at those blue and red springs. Even my grandfather would have been reduced to ashes if he went in. Only Brother Jiang Nian can set foot here."
"Many of the rare flowers and herbs around here are beneficial to the body, but some are also harmful."
"Only Brother Jiang Nian can recognize their names and medicinal properties. I usually only dare to look at them, I wouldn't dare to touch them."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her, and Dugu Yan instantly felt admired, her lips curving into a smile.
"Little sister, Brother Jiang Nian is a very kind person. I guess he brought you here to help you choose a magical herb."
"Once you take it, it will definitely surprise you!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt this woman was getting a little annoying.
She was a person who liked peace and quiet, and having a chattering mouth constantly in her ear was really unpleasant.
"Hmm, Sister Yanzi is so knowledgeable."
"Hehe, that's right!" Dugu Yan felt great being called "sister," her body almost floating.
She hadn't seen anyone other than her grandfather for months, and if she didn't find someone to confide in, she felt like she was going to go completely crazy.
And so, the two women, one talkative and the other aloof, sat together conversing.
Little White, fast asleep, peeked its rat head out from Qingyu's sleeve. Seeing this woman, it seemed somewhat familiar, though it couldn't recall when it had seen her before.
"Hmm?" Dugu Yan turned around, and upon seeing the rat head, immediately beamed with joy.
"Little White, chirp chirp chirp~"
"..."
Jiang Nian stopped listening to their conversation, located the spring, and jumped into the water with a splash.
The icy cold and the blazing flames assaulted his body, but neither affected him.
"The soul bone senses it..."
(End of Chapter)