Just as Dugu Yan was about to throw herself into Gu Xuan's embrace, an untimely cough echoed through the air.
"Ahem..."
Dugu Yan's body froze instantly. Gu Xuan, however, stepped forward naturally and took her slender hand, looking toward Dugu Bo. "Grandpa Dugu, you've finished your seclusion?"
Seeing how close the young couple was, Dugu Bo felt a sense of joy in his heart. However, having doted on his precious granddaughter for over a decade, seeing her suddenly "whisked away" by Gu Xuan left him with a lingering feeling of reluctance. Fortunately, Dugu Yan didn't have to marry into a distant family, and he would still be able to see her every day; thus, no bitter emotions surfaced.
Dugu Bo smiled faintly. "I have. The antidote you refined is indeed excellent. At this rate, it won't even take three months for the toxins in my body to be completely cleared."
Gu Xuan cupped his hands. "Then Xiao Xuan offers his congratulations to Grandpa Dugu in advance."
Dugu Bo waved a hand. "Now that Yan Yan has broken through to Rank 40, I plan to take her to hunt for a soul ring as soon as possible."
He had sensed Dugu Yan's soul power fluctuations and knew she had reached the threshold of a Soul Ancestor. Furthermore, he could clearly feel that her foundation was far superior to that of an average Rank 40 Soul Master.
However, Gu Xuan's next words altered his plans. Gu Xuan explained Ning Fengzhi's request for Dugu Bo to accompany the clan on their hunting trip. He mentioned the wide variety of soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest and noted that with two Titled Douluos working together, the chances of securing a top-quality fourth soul ring for Dugu Yan were much higher.
Gu Xuan then took the opportunity to inform Dugu Bo about Dugu Yan's Martial Soul evolution. Hearing this, Dugu Bo found it hard to believe his ears. Could a single Immortal Herb truly possess such formidable power? When he heard that Dugu Yan could already attempt to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring, Dugu Bo nearly stumbled. How was that possible?
He could accept absorbing rings beyond one's level—after all, he had learned from Dugu Yan that Gu Xuan was a successful model of such a feat. But absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring at Rank 40? Was she trying to die along with the soul beast? Or did she think the mortal world wasn't worth living in anymore?
Dugu Bo's shock and concern were perfectly reasonable. On the Douluo Continent, outside of the inheritance forces of the Gods, no Soul Master had ever been known to absorb a ten-thousand-year ring as their fourth soul ring. Even the "optimal" soul ring configuration—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—was something only a tiny fraction of the population could achieve. Reaching the ten-thousand-year mark at the fourth ring was unheard of.
Many Soul Masters had fifth rings that were only at the thousand-year level; this put into perspective just how staggering this revelation was for Dugu Bo. However, Gu Xuan naturally wanted Dugu Yan to become as strong as possible; the more her foundation was bolstered now, the broader her future path would be. Under Gu Xuan's persuasion and guarantees, Dugu Bo finally, albeit reluctantly, accepted the fact.
In the afternoon, the trio headed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Dugu Bo graciously accepted Ning Fengzhi's invitation. He also wanted to see exactly how far the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had progressed—this trip alone would add three Titled Douluos to their ranks. Moreover, Gu Xuan had told him that the "old bone-head" Gu Rong had reached Rank 97. What kind of concept was that? The last time he saw him, he was Rank 96. He had reached Rank 97 in just a few months? Were Immortal Herbs truly that heaven-defying?
To be honest, Dugu Bo was quite envious, and he shamelessly asked Gu Xuan for an Immortal Herb of his own. Unfortunately, there were currently no Immortal Herbs left in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well that were suitable for him. Instead, Gu Xuan had prepared Soul Ascension Pills and Barrier-Breaking Pills for him—pills that were effective even for a Titled Douluo.
Nine Barrier-Breaking Pills had been refined in total. The three elders used three, and Ning Fengzhi used one for his Star-Moon Pill, leaving five. Twelve Soul Ascension Pills were produced; eight were given to Soul Douluos with soul power above Rank 85, leaving four. It was more than enough to give one of each to Dugu Bo.
The eight Soul Douluos who took the Soul Ascension Pills each saw a two-rank increase in soul power. The highest-ranked among them had broken through from the peak of Rank 87 to the early stage of Rank 89. As long as he maintained his talent and reached the peak of Rank 89, a Barrier-Breaking Pill would make his breakthrough to the Titled Douluo rank a certainty.
Upon returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were in the main hall finalizing the hunting plans. Seeing Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi immediately set aside his work and greeted him warmly. "Uncle Dugu, we will need to rely on you for this trip."
Dugu Bo enjoyed the warm reception. He waved a hand and replied. "What 'rely'? Sword Douluo has reached Rank 97, and with Fengzhi's support, what need is there for an old man like me to act? I suspect my role this time will merely be to provide support from the sidelines."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Think nothing of it. The Star Dou Great Forest is full of dangers; you shouldn't be so modest."
Chen Xin also laughed and teased. "You old poison freak, you've started to become quite the smooth talker."
Dugu Bo smiled dismissively at the banter. He had made up his mind; since Dugu Yan and Gu Xuan were now a couple, he intended to retire within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in the future. Consequently, he took the initiative to become more friendly with Chen Xin and the others.
After the group exchanged pleasantries, Gu Xuan led Dugu Yan away from the hall, having no desire to linger with a bunch of old men. Ning Fengzhi and the others didn't mind, letting the youngsters go off to play.
As they walked, Gu Xuan said to Dugu Yan. "I'm taking you to see someone."
Holding Gu Xuan's hand, Dugu Yan asked. "My sister?"
"Your sister?!" Gu Xuan was momentarily taken aback.
Dugu Yan realized it might sound like a curse in some contexts and quickly explained. "No, I didn't mean it that way. Isn't your family just you as the only heir? Where did a sister come from?"
Gu Xuan smiled. "Ning Rongrong. She is my uncle's child. She's eleven this year, one year younger than me."
"Oh..." Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully. "The girl you and Uncle Ning were discussing the Beautiful Silk Tulip for?"
Gu Xuan nodded. "That's her. It's been a while since I last saw Rongrong; I wonder how she's doing."
The two headed toward Ning Rongrong's courtyard, which was located right next to Gu Xuan's own. However, when they arrived, she wasn't there. A servant nearby spoke up. "Young Master Xuan, the young lady has gone to your courtyard."
Gu Xuan was slightly surprised, then nodded and led Dugu Yan to his own home. Upon entering, he saw a beautiful figure in the yard. She stood about 1.65 meters tall and had grown even more elegant; it had only been four months, yet Ning Rongrong's changes were significant.
Ning Rongrong was currently holding a watering can, tending to the various rare plants in Gu Xuan's yard. Hearing the movement at the gate, she didn't even turn her head as she spoke. "Didn't I say? No one is allowed to enter Brother Gu Xuan's courtyard without my permission."
Gu Xuan's heart stirred slightly at her words, but he didn't slow his pace as he walked toward her. Dugu Yan stayed by the entrance, watching. The siblings hadn't seen each other in four months, and she didn't want to intrude immediately.
She knew that many "little princesses" who were doted on by their brothers tended to be very protective and might reject a "sister-in-law" for "stealing" that affection. However, Dugu Yan wasn't worried; she felt she could handle a young girl like Ning Rongrong.
(End of Chapter)
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