Chapter 57: Xue Qinghe
Douluo: Dugu Bo's Life Simulator
The next afternoon—
Dugu Bo set out on his return journey to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, carrying the hidden weapons he had just finished forging.
When he arrived—
Only Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang came to greet him.
As he walked inward, Dugu Bo asked casually,
"Where's Meng Shu? Don't tell me he's already broken through?"
Chao Tianxiang followed behind him respectfully, not daring to overstep.
"Not yet… but it should be soon. He said today—at the latest tomorrow—he'll break through."
Dugu Bo nodded and didn't ask further.
From his simulations, Meng Shu had indeed broken through shortly after the coronation ceremony.
He waved his hand.
"Then I won't disturb him. Go about your business."
"Yes."
She left, most likely to continue guarding Meng Shu.
Dugu Bo glanced at his medicinal garden and was about to pick some herbs—
When suddenly—
The poison array he had set up emitted a strange fluctuation.
His expression shifted slightly.
With a thought, he turned and flew toward the valley entrance.
Soon, he arrived at the poison array and waved his hand, opening a gap.
Outside stood a man.
Seeing him—
Dugu Bo smiled.
"Prince, what brings you here?"
The visitor was none other than Prince Xue Xing.
Xue Xing was panting heavily, his face flushed, clothes tattered, looking utterly miserable.
He forced a smile that looked worse than crying.
"Your Excellency… you were really hard to find."
He shot Dugu Bo a resentful look.
"I wandered this forest for a whole day! If I hadn't seen you flying earlier, I'd probably be dead in the Sunset Forest by now!"
The day after Dugu Bo left the palace—
Emperor Xue Ye had already sent Xue Xing to find him.
But the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was deep in the forest's core.
With Xue Xing's strength, avoiding spirit beasts was nearly impossible.
On the way—
He had even been discovered by a ten-thousand-year spirit beast and almost lost his life.
Still—
This matter was too important to entrust to others.
So he had no choice but to come personally.
Dugu Bo got straight to the point.
"Did you bring what I asked for?"
Xue Xing glanced nervously at the forest behind him.
"Can we talk inside first?"
Dugu Bo stepped aside.
Once Xue Xing entered, the poison array sealed shut again.
Looking at him, Dugu Bo said,
"We'll talk here. My residence is rather crude—no need to go further."
Naturally—
He had no intention of letting Xue Xing see the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well… or his herbs.
From the entrance, nothing could be seen anyway.
"Alright…"
Xue Xing nodded reluctantly.
He had actually wanted to see where this "old poison monster" lived.
With a flash of light—
A box appeared in his hand.
Opening it, he said,
"This is the spirit bone you requested. The national treasure is too important—His Majesty didn't allow me to bring it. I hope you understand."
Dugu Bo glanced at him, thinking to himself:
Understand? Of course I understand.
With how foolish you act, if Xue Ye really handed you the national treasure, he'd have lost his mind.
Aloud, he said,
"Wait here. I'll go back for a moment, then we'll head to the palace together."
Taking the box—
He didn't even look at it before storing it in his soul tool.
Then he turned and headed toward the Yin-Yang Well.
Xue Xing was stunned.
A spirit bone… and he didn't even check it?
If that didn't matter to him—
Then his real goal must be the national treasure.
At that thought—
Xue Xing grew even more curious about that mysterious artifact.
Unfortunately—
Even he had seen it before and couldn't figure out its purpose.
Soon, Dugu Bo returned.
Xue Xing hurried forward.
"Is everything ready, Your Excellency?"
"Let's go."
Dugu Bo nodded and walked out of the poison array.
"Wait for me!"
Xue Xing quickly followed.
Once outside—
Dugu Bo grabbed him and flew toward the palace.
The lush forest blurred beneath them.
Dugu Bo's heart burned with anticipation.
The Sea God's Heart…
Thinking of it—
He sped up even more.
Xue Xing, being carried along, turned pale with fear.
"Y-Your Excellency… slower… please…"
…
Before long—
They arrived outside the palace.
Xue Xing stood beside Dugu Bo, face pale, still dizzy from the flight.
"Are you alright, Prince?"
Dugu Bo asked, hiding his amusement.
"I-I'm fine… Let's go. His Majesty must have been waiting."
The two entered the palace without obstruction and arrived at Xue Ye's chamber.
Inside—
Besides Emperor Xue Ye—
There were three elderly men and one young man.
The three elders appeared to be of similar age:
One was thin and gaunt
One was plump and rosy-faced
One had a sturdy build, muscles visible even through his clothes
Xue Ye introduced,
"This is Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo."
"Greetings, Poison Douluo!"
Everyone except Xue Ye and Xue Xing bowed—including the young man.
Xue Ye pointed to the muscular elder.
"This is the Grand Consecrate."
Then to the other two:
"These are the Second and Third Consecrates."
Finally—
His gaze fell on the young man.
"This is the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe. Hearing that you might help the Grand Consecrate reach Titled Douluo, he wished to witness it. I hope you don't mind?"
The young man appeared around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
Not particularly handsome—
But well-featured, clean, and composed.
He wore a simple blue robe.
His long black hair was tied neatly behind him.
Dugu Bo studied him briefly.
"So this is the Crown Prince. No wonder you carry yourself so well. Of course, I don't mind."
Xue Qinghe smiled calmly.
"I've long heard of Your Excellency's reputation. Seeing you today—it is indeed well deserved."
Looking at him—
Dugu Bo couldn't help but think:
If I expose her identity right now… would she cough up blood from anger?
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly.
For some reason—
Dugu Bo's gaze made her uncomfortable.
It felt as though—
Her identity had already been seen through.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
This disguise came from a soul bone ability of the Angel God's set.
Even Bibi Dong couldn't see through it.
There was no way—
Dugu Bo could.