Faced with Dugu Bo's friendliness, Gu Xuan was naturally delighted. With his warm smile undiminished, he replied. "It is only natural, Senior. You needn't be so formal; it is enough for me to have earned your recognition."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's smile widened as he nodded slightly. "Since you are Yan Yan's boyfriend, there is no need to call me Senior anymore. That sounds too distant. If you are willing, you may call this old man Grandpa."
At these words, Gu Xuan's eyes brightened. He wasn't the type to just call anyone "Grandpa," even if the other party was a Titled Douluo.
But Dugu Bo was different. Not only was he Dugu Yan's grandfather and a Titled Douluo, but he was also the current owner of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Gu Xuan was more than willing to call him Grandpa. After all, even if he didn't do it now, he'd have to change his address in the future anyway.
"Then I shall defer to your wishes." Gu Xuan laughed and said. "Grandpa Dugu, I'll call you that from now on."
"Hahaha! Good! To have a grandson-in-law like you, this old man can finally look forward to enjoying his later years in peace." Dugu Bo laughed heartily, looking very satisfied.
Dugu Yan, standing to the side, shyly tugged at Dugu Bo's arm. "Grandpa..."
Dugu Bo patted her head and looked back at Gu Xuan. "Xiao Xuan, it's your first time at our home. I should have prepared a welcoming feast for you, but Yan Yan's poison is a constant source of worry for me. Since you are confident, why don't we head over to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well right now to take a look? What do you think?"
As Dugu Bo finished speaking, before Gu Xuan could respond, Dugu Yan pouted and cried out. "Grandpa... there's no need to rush. Xiao Xuan hasn't even had lunch yet!"
Dugu Bo then remembered that it was already noon when they returned, and barely an hour had passed since then. Not only had Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan not eaten after their journey, but even he hadn't had lunch yet.
However, Gu Xuan spoke up. "Grandpa Dugu has a point. The sooner we solve Yanzi's problem, the sooner I can rest easy. We can just grab a quick bite; let's go straight to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
Hearing Gu Xuan's words, Dugu Yan was moved to tears, her purple eyes shimmering with emotion. 'Xiao Xuan...'
It wasn't just Dugu Yan; Dugu Bo was also very pleased with this attitude. To care so much for his precious granddaughter—this boy was a reliable choice for a boyfriend.
"Good! No time like the present. We leave now!" Dugu Bo said decisively.
Dugu Yan stopped arguing. Her attachment to Gu Xuan grew deeper by the second. How could she not be moved by a man who considered her well-being so thoroughly?
The three of them boarded the estate's carriage and headed toward the Sunset Forest. On the carriage, they ate dry rations while Gu Xuan and Dugu Bo found common ground in discussing alchemy.
The more they talked, the more Dugu Bo's astonishment grew. Every time he raised a question, Gu Xuan not only provided a near-perfect answer but also managed to expand upon it creatively.
At times, Dugu Bo felt as if his decades of life had been lived in vain. It wasn't that his knowledge was shallow, but rather that Gu Xuan's accumulation of information was incredibly vast.
Gu Xuan had grown up with a silver spoon, so to speak; anything he wanted was within reach. While studying under Yang Wudi, he had access not only to the Breaking Clan's heritage but also to the entire library of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. As for Dugu Bo? Though he was a high-and-mighty Titled Douluo, he was a loner. Gu Xuan had simply started with a massive lead.
As the "grandfather and grandson" duo chatted, Dugu Yan occasionally chimed in. Time passed quickly, and after six hours, the carriage stopped outside the Sunset Forest.
Since the carriage could go no further, Dugu Bo instructed the driver to stay in a nearby town while he led Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan into the forest.
They weren't using the carriage anymore, but they weren't walking either. Dugu Bo used his immense soul power to lift the two and flew toward the depths of the Sunset Forest.
Although the Sunset Forest was a vast wild soul beast forest, it was less dangerous than the Star Dou Forest. For a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo, flying through it was no issue at all.
Neither Gu Xuan nor Dugu Yan were first-timers when it came to being carried by a Titled Douluo, so nothing unusual happened on the way. After half an hour, they arrived at a massive area of toxic miasma.
The miasma surrounded several mountain peaks. This was a staggeringly large-scale project; the fog was entirely emerald green, and any insect or rodent that touched it would die instantly. No living creature could hope to enter, as this was the work of the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo—the world's foremost expert in poison.
Even for a Titled Douluo, crossing this miasma would not be easy. Any soul master below that rank, unless they possessed immense poison resistance, would find it impossible to pass.
Dugu Bo said indifferently. "We're here. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is inside."
Gu Xuan stared sharply at the miasma and marveled. "Grandpa Dugu truly lives up to his title as the Poison Douluo. I doubt anyone else in the world could match such a grand display!"
Dugu Bo laughed. "The environment here is special; otherwise, even I couldn't maintain such a large area of miasma for long. Let's go."
With a wave of his hand, the toxic fog automatically parted, revealing a wide path. Dugu Yan and Gu Xuan followed closely behind as they entered the miasma's range.
After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a cliffside. The cliff was broad enough to hold thousands of people. Dugu Bo led them to the edge, where the spectacle below came into full view.
The cliff was a hundred meters high, and below lay a basin filled with red and blue mist. Inside, various strange plants rarely seen in the outside world swayed in the breeze. Just taking a single breath allowed one to feel the rich natural energy of this place.
In the center of the basin, a spring eye was vaguely visible. It was about thirty meters in diameter and composed of red and blue colors; the mist in the basin originated from here.
'Twin-spring eye, two dragons at the bottom... the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I... am here!' Gu Xuan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Dugu Yan saw Gu Xuan close his eyes and open his arms to take a deep breath, and she found it somewhat amusing.
"How is it, Xiao Xuan? Is this the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Dugu Yan was still a bit uncertain.
Gu Xuan slowly opened his eyes, a bright light flashing in his grey-black pupils. He said excitedly. "It's the real deal! Grandpa Dugu, there is hope for the poison in both you and Yanzi."
Hearing Gu Xuan's words, Dugu Bo couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. If it truly was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, then just as they had discussed on the carriage, their poisoning could be cured. Not just Dugu Yan, but Dugu Bo himself now had a chance at salvation.
(End of Chapter)
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