Chapter 84: Setting Out for the Star Dou Great Forest (Part 1)

Just as Du Gu Yan was about to throw herself into Gu Xuan's arms, an ill‑timed cough sounded.

"Cough…."

Du Gu Yan's body froze, and Gu Xuan immediately went up and grabbed Du Gu Yan's jade hand, saying to Dugu Bo, "Grandpa Dugu, have you left the sect?"

Dugu Bo, seeing how well the young couple got along, felt quite pleased, but after having doted on his beloved granddaughter for more than ten years, seeing her suddenly taken by Gu Xuan left him somewhat reluctant.

Fortunately Du Gu Yan doesn't have to marry far away, and he can see his beloved granddaughter every day, so he has no strange feelings.

Dugu Bo smiled faintly and said, "Having left the sect, the antidote you refined is indeed good; if this continues, in less than three months my own severe poison will be cured."

Gu Xuan clasped his hands and said, "Then little Xuan congratulates Grandpa Dugu in advance."

Dugu Bo waved his hand and said, "Now Du Gu Yan has also broken through to level 40; I plan to take her soon to hunt a Soul Ring."

Dugu Bo ultimately sensed Du Gu Yan's soul power fluctuations, so he knew she had broken through to level 40, and he could clearly feel that Du Gu Yan's foundation far exceeds that of an ordinary level‑40 Soul Master.

But Gu Xuan's next words disrupted his plan; Gu Xuan told Dugu Bo about Ning Fengzhi's request for his accompaniment.

He also mentioned that the Star Dou Great Forest has a myriad of spirit beasts, and with two Titled Douluo going together, the chance of obtaining a high‑quality fourth Soul Ring for Du Gu Yan is even greater.

He then naturally brought up Du Gu Yan's martial soul evolution, and after hearing it, Dugu Bo was somewhat incredulous.

A single celestial medicinal herb possesses such tremendous power?

When he heard that Du Gu Yan could already absorb a ten‑thousand‑year Soul Ring, Dugu Bo almost fell flat on the ground—how could that be?

Absorbing Soul Rings beyond one's level is one thing, but he had learned from Du Gu Yan that that stinky kid Gu Xuan is the successful example of such a feat.

But you damn it, at level 40 absorbing a ten‑thousand‑year Soul Ring—are you trying to devour it together with a spirit beast? Or do you think the mortal world isn't worth it.

Dugu Bo's surprise and concerns were natural; after all, on Douluo Continent, aside from the few divine inheritance forces, no Soul Master has ever been able to absorb a ten‑thousand‑year Soul Ring with just a fourth Soul Ring.

The optimal, most perfect Soul Ring configuration is two yellow, two purple, four black, one red, and with that setup, those who achieve it on the road are exceedingly rare, let alone reaching ten‑thousand‑year level with just a fourth Soul Ring.

Consider that many Soul Masters' fifth Soul Rings are only at the thousand‑year level, so one can imagine how shocking this is to Dugu Bo.

Nevertheless, Gu Xuan naturally wants Du Gu Yan to become as strong as possible, increasing her foundation so her future will be broader.

Finally, after Gu Xuan's persuasion and guarantee, Dugu Bo reluctantly accepted the fact.

He, of course, also hopes Du Gu Yan's foundation becomes stronger, but the premise is that her safety is guaranteed.

In the afternoon, the three of them went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, and Ning Fengzhi's invitation was gladly accepted by Dugu Bo.

He also wanted to see how far the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect had progressed; this outing added three Titled Douluo to the sect.

Moreover, Gu Xuan told him that the old Bone Dragon Gu Rong had surprisingly broken through to level 97—what does that mean? The last time they saw Gu Rong he was only level 96, and in just a few months he reached 97?

Is this celestial medicinal herb that overpowered?

To be honest, this also made Dugu Bo extremely envious, so he shamelessly asked Gu Xuan for the celestial medicinal herb, but currently the Binghuo Liangyi Yan contains no suitable celestial herb for Dugu Bo.

However, Gu Xuan prepared an Ascension Soul Pill and a Barrier‑Breaking Pill for him; both pills can affect Titled Douluo.

A total of nine Barrier‑Breaking Pills were refined; the three left‑wing members used three, Ning Fengzhi's Star‑Moon Pill used one, so five remain.

Twelve Ascension Soul Pills were refined, of which eight were given to Douluo with soul power above level 85, leaving four remaining.

Thus giving Dugu Bo one each is more than enough.

And those eight Douluo with soul power above level 85, after using the Ascension Soul Pill, each saw their soul power increase by two levels.

Among them, the one with the highest soul power has already broken through from the peak of level 87 to the early stage of level 89; as long as he maintains his innate talent, he can cultivate to the peak of level 89.

Then, giving her another Barrier‑Breaking Pill, breaking through to Titled Douluo will be just a matter of time.

It must be said, having resources also requires talent; without talent, even abundant resources cannot yield a huge improvement in a short time.

Returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin happened to be formulating the left‑wing's Soul Ring hunting plan in the main hall.

Seeing Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi immediately set aside what he was doing and warmly said, "Uncle Dugu, we still need to rely on you this time."

Faced with Ning Fengzhi's enthusiasm, Dugu Bo was quite pleased, waved his hand and replied, "What reliance? The Sword Douluo has now broken through to level 97, and with your assistance, there's no need for this old man to act; my role this time is probably just to flank from the side."

Ning Fengzhi heard that and smiled gently, saying, "Where did that come from? The Star Dou Great Forest is fraught with danger; you must not underestimate yourself so."

Chen Xin also laughed and scolded, "Alright, you old poison, now you're starting to become slick‑tongued."

Regarding Chen Xin's teasing, Dugu Bo just smiled indifferently; now he's more relaxed, since Du Gu Yan and Gu Xuan have confirmed their relationship, and he even envisions retiring at the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

Thus he proactively grew close with Chen Xin and the others.

After the group reunited, a brief exchange was inevitable, and Gu Xuan, leading Du Gu Yan, left the main hall, not wanting to stay and keep the old men company.

Ning Fengzhi and the others didn't mind, letting the two youngsters go off to have fun.

Outside the main hall, Gu Xuan said to Du Gu Yan, "I'll take you to meet someone."

Holding Gu Xuan's hand, Du Gu Yan walked and asked, "My sister?"

"Your sister?!" Du Gu Yan was slightly surprised.

Gu Xuan said wordlessly, "Don't insult people."

"No, I didn't mean that," Du Gu Yan hurriedly explained, "Your family only has you as the sole heir, where does this sister come from?"

Gu Xuan smiled faintly, "Ning Rongrong, she's my uncle's child, eleven this year, a year younger than me."

"Oh…" Du Gu Yan nodded thoughtfully and said, "Is she the girl you discussed with Uncle Ming about the ownership of the Qiluo Yujinxiang last time?"

Gu Xuan nodded, "Exactly."

Gu Xuan then said, "Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've seen Rongrong; I wonder how she is now."

Following Gu Xuan, the two headed toward Ning Rongrong's side courtyard; after about twenty minutes, Gu Xuan arrived at Ning Rongrong's side courtyard, which was right next to his own.

But when Gu Xuan entered, he didn't find Ning Rongrong; looking around, there was indeed no one, and then a servant nearby spoke, "Young Master Gu, the miss has gone to your side courtyard."

Gu Xuan was slightly startled by the words, then nodded and led Du Gu Yan toward his own side courtyard.

Upon entering, Gu Xuan saw a beautiful figure in the courtyard, standing 1.65 m tall and looking even more delicate; it's only been a little over four months—how much Ning Rongrong has changed!

At that moment, Ning Rongrong was holding a water jar, watering and fertilizing the various rare herbs in Gu Xuan's courtyard, and upon hearing the noise at the door, she said without turning, "Didn't I say? Without my permission, no one may enter Gu Xuan brother's courtyard."

Hearing that, Gu Xuan felt a slight stir in his heart, but his steps did not slow at all as he walked toward Ning Rongrong, while Du Gu Yan simply watched at the doorway.

The siblings hadn't seen each other for over four months, and she didn't want to immediately disturb him.

So she simply stood at the doorway watching, lest Ning Rongrong be influenced by her.

She knows that many little princesses doted on by their brothers, when they first meet their sister-in-law, are utterly repulsive, because the sister-in-law snatches the brother's affection meant for them.

However, Du Gu Yan isn't worried about these; for a little girl like Ning Rongrong, she can still handle her.

PS: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)