Chapter 66: Qian Renxue Joins the Game, Dugu Yan Learns the Truth
Seeing the hesitation on Qian Renxue's face, Guang Ling immediately seized the moment to press further.
"Oh, right, Xiao Xue, when I said my martial soul had strengthened, I wasn't just speaking casually. You should feel it for yourself and test its current power."
As he spoke, Guang Ling controlled his aura and summoned his martial soul.
The moment the Guang Ling Divine Bow appeared in the secret chamber, Qian Renxue immediately felt the temperature drop. The water inside a cup on the table beside her instantly froze into solid ice.
She subconsciously took a step back, activating her soul power to envelop her body before she dared to look at the bow. It exuded a far stronger chill than before.
"It's been enhanced this much?" Qian Renxue murmured to herself.
She had seen Guang Ling's bow more than once. Given her Seraphim martial soul's natural fire affinity, she had even handled it before without issue. But this time was different just standing near it made her feel cold.
"And celestial herbs work best when consumed as early as possible. Oh, and Xiao Xue, Han Li has already reached Rank 30. Once he obtains his soul ring, he'll probably be at least Rank 32. He's not even eight years old yet. Who knows? He might actually catch up to you someday."
Guang Ling deliberately played a trick here. He didn't mention that Han Li's first two rings had already evolved into one black and one purple, nor that his first soul ring could continue increasing in age as he grew stronger. He also left out the fact that Han Li planned to absorb a soul ring close to 20,000 years old.
It was better to let Qian Renxue discover these things on her own in the future. If he spelled everything out now, it wouldn't have the same effect. Curiosity was the best way to make someone interested in another person.
Though he was nearly ninety years old and had never been in a relationship, Guang Ling still knew a thing or two about human nature.
Not giving Qian Renxue a chance to refuse, he continued speaking while pulling out a jade box and carefully placing it on the table. He then took out the auxiliary medicinal preparations Han Li had meticulously crafted. Finally, under Qian Renxue's watchful gaze, he solemnly handed her Han Li's handwritten guidebook.
"Xiao Xue, remember follow the instructions in this manual precisely. Do not get careless. Even I wouldn't dare to handle these celestial herbs lightly. Don't assume you can just brute force it with your unique martial soul. Do you understand?"
Qian Renxue parted her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but seeing Guang Ling's uncompromising expression, she ultimately accepted the book with a serious nod.
"I will repay him for this in the future," she finally said after a long silence.
Seeing her accept the gift, Guang Ling smiled and casually waved his hand. "No need for all that. We're family. No need to be so formal."
"No, I insist. This celestial herb is far too precious. I, Qian Renxue, am not that kind of person." Her tone was firm.
"Alright, alright, I'll leave it up to you," Guang Ling said, amused.
"Make sure to find a secure place to absorb it. Have the Porcupine Douluo guard you. If the fire poison proves too overwhelming, use the method Han Li described in the guide to expel it. Given Porcupine Douluo's martial soul, even if he has some fire affinity, it's far better to let him help rather than forcing yourself to endure the full impact. Actually, directly discarding part of the energy isn't a bad option either your martial soul doesn't lack firepower."
Guang Ling warned her seriously, worried that Qian Renxue's pride might make her insist on enduring the full force of the herb, which could put her at risk.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Guang Ling. I still have more important things to accomplish I won't throw everything away over this," Qian Renxue reassured him with a small smile.
"Sigh… If only Han Li didn't need my protection right now, and you weren't stuck here in Heaven Dou City. I also haven't told him about you yet. Otherwise, having him assist with your absorption would have been ideal." Guang Ling let out a sigh.
"Hm? Did something happen?"
Qian Renxue picked up on the unusual tone in his voice.
"Well… how do I put it?" Guang Ling hesitated for a moment before speaking with slight embarrassment. "Actually, my breakthrough wasn't just because of the celestial herb. Han Li played a big role as well. As a result, his body has suffered some repercussions, and he needs time to recover. Otherwise, I definitely would have had him help you absorb the herb."
"Is it serious?"
Having just accepted such a precious gift from Han Li, Qian Renxue instinctively asked with concern.
"It's not too bad, just a longer recovery time than usual. It shouldn't affect his long term growth." Guang Ling's expression was complicated, but he chose not to go into detail.
"If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know, Grandpa Guang Ling."
Qian Renxue spoke earnestly.
"Haha! Don't worry, Xiao Xue. If I ever need you, I won't be shy about it." Guang Ling chuckled.
"Alright, I have to go now. Remember your safety comes first, understood?"
As he pulled up his hood, he turned back for one last reminder.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Guang Ling. I understand."
Qian Renxue flashed him a bright smile.
After escorting him to the door, she returned to the underground chamber and stared at the jade box, medicinal preparations, and the not so exquisite handwritten manual.
She was growing more and more curious about this "Little Senior Brother."
Meanwhile…
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan returned home in their carriage.
Along the way, no matter how much Dugu Yan pouted and acted spoiled, Dugu Bo refused to tell her anything about what they had discussed earlier, which made her so frustrated that she almost ignored him completely.
Only when they arrived home, dismissed the servants, and sat at the table did Dugu Bo finally turn to his sulking granddaughter.
"Alright, Yan Yan, don't be mad. Grandpa is apologizing now, okay? I'll tell you everything right now."
"Really?"
Dugu Yan turned her head reluctantly, still acting upset.
"Really. Would Grandpa ever lie to you? This matter is incredibly important for the Dugu family. I wasn't being careful enough back at the academy, but now that we're home, I can speak freely."
Dugu Bo coaxed her gently.
"What's so important that you had to be so secretive?"
Dugu Yan was intrigued.
"It really is serious. Yan Yan, you still remember what happened to your father, don't you?"
The moment Dugu Bo mentioned this, his voice grew heavy.
"…Yeah."
Dugu Yan's expression also darkened with sadness.
"Your father and I once told you that he died because of improper soul ring allocation combined with a weak constitution, which led to his poisoning. That was a lie."
Dugu Yan's eyes widened in shock, but Dugu Bo avoided her gaze and continued speaking.
"The truth is… your father didn't die because of his soul rings or his body's weakness. He died because of me."
Her grandfather's words struck her like a thunderclap.
"Because I followed the wrong cultivation path and was too arrogant to realize it, my martial soul became poisoned. I didn't just harm myself I passed this poison on to my descendants. That's why you and your father were born with poison in your bodies."
"The reason your eyes are green the thing you've always been so proud of is because of this inherited poison."
"By the time I realized the truth… it was already too late."
Dugu Bo spoke in a single breath, his head hanging low. Unbeknownst to him, tears had already begun to stream down his face.
Dugu Yan sat frozen, staring blankly at her own hands, her nails painted green a color she had always loved.
She had always thought of it as a symbol of power.
But now… she didn't know what to think anymore.
(End of Chapter)
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