"You think I'd know anything? Just do your job. Matters involving a Titled Douluo aren't for people like us to speculate on!"
Another guard spat in disdain and turned away, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.
"Tch, aren't you boring…"
The first guard grumbled, annoyed. Then, as if remembering something, he tugged at his companion's arm and whispered,
"Hey, I heard things have been pretty unstable in Heaven Dou lately. What if Poison Douluo came to pick up his granddaughter in the middle of the night because he sensed something dangerous?"
"…Are you sick or something? You're just a gate guard, and now you're worrying about the safety of the Heaven Dou Empire? Who do you think you are, Emperor Xue Ye's secret son?"
"You bastard! I was just making conversation, did you have to roast me like that?"
The first guard rolled his eyes and stood tall, pretending not to care.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past. In that brief moment of distraction, he caught sight of a dark figure hurtling toward him from the shadows of the night.
Then—darkness.
He collapsed before he could even scream.
Moments later, more shadows flitted through the darkness. Several black-clad figures exchanged glances at the academy gate before silently melting into the grounds of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
It wasn't long before the sounds of battle echoed from within.
—
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo had already returned to his residence in Heaven Dou City with his granddaughter.
After Dugu Bo's explanation, Dugu Yan finally understood why her grandfather had come to find her so late at night.
"Grandpa, you're saying… this immortal herb was given to you by that lord? Then… is he still here in the city?"
Dugu Yan stared at the opened box before her. Inside, a single flower lay quietly, glowing faintly with a mystical aura. Her voice was tinged with excitement.
"He had matters to attend to—he's already left."
Dugu Bo shook his head. "Yan Yan, quickly now, take the herb."
"But Grandpa, since it was gifted to you by that lord, you should be the one to consume it."
Dugu Yan looked up at her grandfather, moved by his gesture.
"I've already taken one myself. The lord said a single person only needs one, so I saved this for you."
Dugu Bo gently stroked his beard, his eyes full of kindness.
"Is that so…"
Dugu Yan nodded, though she could guess he was probably just making that up so she would accept the herb. If she refused, he likely wouldn't take it either.
After a moment's thought, she carefully picked up the flower and looked at her grandfather with soft eyes.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"Hehe, hurry and take it. I'll guard you while you cultivate."
Dugu Bo chuckled affectionately and stepped outside, standing by the door to keep watch.
Not long after, waves of soul power surged from the room. From what Dugu Bo could sense, his granddaughter's soul power had risen dramatically.
She had advanced by an entire rank—from Spirit Elder to Spirit Ancestor, now reaching Rank 43.
"So it seems the lord's immortal herb can still significantly boost lower-ranked cultivators…"
Dugu Bo murmured to himself outside the door.
The debt he owed that lord… was growing deeper and deeper.
Ever since their fateful encounter, his health, martial spirit, and even cultivation rank had improved drastically—all thanks to that mysterious benefactor.
Thinking of this, guilt welled in his heart.
"Oh right—after the lord left last time, I remembered I wanted to gift him that rare cultivation site of mine… and I forgot again!"
He smacked his forehead, feeling a bit embarrassed.
—
"Grandpa! I feel so much stronger now!"
The door burst open as Dugu Yan ran out, excited despite the late hour.
"My soul power didn't just rise in level—my casting speed is faster, my reflexes are sharper too!"
She excitedly shared every bit of her newfound strength.
"Haha, that's wonderful, Yan Yan~"
Dugu Bo beamed at her proudly. His granddaughter, once just a little girl in his eyes, was now growing into a fine young woman.
Suddenly, his smile faltered. His brow furrowed ever so slightly.
It felt like his precious gem was in danger of being stolen.
Looking her up and down with narrowed eyes, he asked seriously,
"Yan Yan, are there any students at your academy… that you think are particularly strong? Or anyone you admire?"
"Eh? Grandpa, why are you asking that?"
Dugu Yan looked at him curiously, puzzled.
"N-Nothing… Grandpa just wants to know if there are any talented young men good enough to catch my granddaughter's eye~"
He chuckled, playing it off lightly.
"Uhh… you know most of the students in our academy already. In terms of talent, there's Yu Tianheng and the rest of our team, I guess."
She seemed to think about it genuinely, clearly not realizing what her grandfather was getting at.
"Oh? Yu Tianheng, huh? That guy from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Dugu Bo's sharp ears caught the name instantly.
"Yeah, that's him."
Dugu Yan nodded, not thinking much of it.
"Ahem… Yan Yan, among the people around your age, who do you think has the most talent?"
Dugu Bo cleared his throat, trying to dig deeper.
"People my age?"
Dugu Yan folded her arms, seriously pondering the question.
"Yes, even someone a little younger than you counts."
Dugu Bo added, nodding.
"Hmm… back when we fought Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai's soul power was really high. But…"
The name popped into her head instinctively. Dai Mubai had stood out during their team battle for his sheer strength.
Also… wasn't he kind of good-looking?
But he always seemed involved in shady things, so she had no favorable feelings toward him despite the impression.
"He's probably got weeds two meters tall growing on his grave by now! Trash like that could never be worthy of my Yan Yan!"
Dugu Bo scoffed, clearly in a foul mood.
"Uh…"
Dugu Yan twitched her lips. "Then I guess… it's our team captain, Yu Tianheng?"
As the captain of their Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team, Yu Tianheng had talent, looks, and a noble background. In her mind, he was a respectable person, and she did like him.
Yu Tianheng again?
Dugu Bo's brow twitched as he muttered under his breath.
"Grandpa, what did you say?"
Dugu Yan looked over, confused.
"N-Nothing…"
Dugu Bo coughed awkwardly, then asked again,
"Other than those two… no one else?"
Dugu Yan shook her head, then added,
"That little sister by the lord's side is super talented, and she's even younger than me…"
"…Then what do you think of the lord himself?"
"—Huh?!"
Dugu Yan stared at her grandfather like he'd lost his mind. She stood on tiptoes and reached up to feel his forehead.
Grandpa… is your head okay?
_
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