After successfully helping everyone absorb their spirit rings, Dugu Bo led them toward Skywater Academy as per Aether's arrangement.
As always, girls had an endless stream of chatter. Amidst their lively conversation, the group passed by Sunset Forest.
"Grandpa, I remember you used to come here often," Dugu Yan said as she gazed at the forest ahead.
"Mhm, I had a secret base in there," Dugu Bo replied, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. Ever since Aether had resolved the flaw in his martial spirit, he hadn't returned to this place in quite some time.
He turned to Zhu Zhuqing and Yu Keke with a hint of mystery in his voice.
"Want to go have a look? It's a fascinating place. Won't delay our schedule."
The girls' curiosity was instantly piqued. After exchanging quick glances, they nodded in agreement.
With the beastly aura of Fire Meow Meow suppressing any nearby soul beasts, the group moved swiftly through the depths of Sunset Forest.
"Huh? What's with that giant hole?" Yu Keke suddenly pointed ahead, halting everyone in their tracks.
"This is the place I was talking about—no! Someone's raided it!" Dugu Bo's face twitched as he saw the once-concealed entrance completely destroyed. Alarmed, he rushed inside.
What awaited him was devastation. The once-lush sanctuary was now in utter ruin.
All the herbs had vanished. Even the twin springs that once emitted strange energies had been gouged out, leaving behind a bottomless pit.
Who the hell did this to my treasure trove?!
Dugu Bo roared inwardly. This chaotic destruction clearly wasn't the work of some wandering soul beast—it had to be a person!
And to make matters worse, he'd already promised this place to that esteemed person. If they saw this mess, what would they think?
His expression darkened visibly at the thought.
This area was always well-hidden. He had laid layer after layer of poisonous fog and traps at the entrance. Even if someone stumbled upon it by chance, they shouldn't have been able to breach it.
Only someone at the rank of a Title Douluo like himself could have torn through those defenses.
With a solemn expression, Dugu Bo closed his eyes and released his soul power, trying to sense if any traces or clues were left behind.
The others kept silent, wisely choosing not to disturb him. Fire Meow Meow, however, waddled over to the giant pit and sniffed around with her nimble nose, putting on a very human-like expression.
"There were a lot of treasures here before…" she muttered.
Back when she located the Spirit Essence deep in the crowded streets of Spirit City, it had become clear that Fire Meow Meow had an innate talent for treasure hunting—she was extremely sensitive to spiritual items.
"Grandpa, anything?" Dugu Yan asked softly as her grandfather finally opened his eyes.
Dugu Bo shook his head.
The entire space was now empty. He'd scanned every corner with his soul power but found nothing. Not a single trace.
This time… he'd swallowed a dumb loss.
Damn it! He cursed inwardly. He had been too careless. Ever since the flaw in his martial spirit had been fixed, he'd treated this place like a dispensable chicken rib—something he didn't pay much attention to.
And now? Someone had violently looted it and he couldn't even figure out who. Utterly infuriating!
"There were innate fire-element treasures here, right?" Fire Meow Meow circled the area like a little treasure-hunting dog, nose practically touching the ground.
"What?! The treasures were all stolen, and you can still pick up traces?" Dugu Bo looked stunned.
"Isn't it obvious?" Fire Meow Meow nonchalantly waved a paw in the air as if cutting through invisible lines.
"The air in this whole space is filled with residual energy from various types of spiritual treasures. Fire and water elemental traces are especially strong."
She paused, then added thoughtfully, "Hmm… actually, the water element is way too abundant…"
"Wait, you mean there were many different types of spiritual treasures here? Not just fire and water ones?" Dugu Bo's heart skipped a beat.
"Yeah, probably spirit herbs and magical medicines," Fire Meow Meow nodded her tiny head.
"Seriously, old man, why didn't you tell us about this place sooner? Now look—poof!—it's all gone~"
Spirit herbs and magical medicines…
Dugu Bo repeated the words silently, his expression grim.
"Lady Fire Meow Meow, what level of herbs are we talking about here?" he asked cautiously.
In Douluo Continent, there were no pills or alchemy practices like in some other worlds. No one could refine spirit-boosting pills, which made naturally formed immortal herbs unimaginably valuable.
"Level?" Fire Meow Meow scratched her head, visibly frustrated, "Ugh… I dunno what to compare them to."
Dugu Bo noticed her hesitation and simply took out a dried herb from his storage soul tool.
"Perhaps you recognize this?"
"Ooh! That's a good one~" Fire Meow Meow sniffed the herb with delight. "Lower it a bit, would you?"
Dugu Bo crouched down and held out the herb. Fire Meow Meow leaned close, nose twitching.
"Yup, definitely top-tier stuff."
"I must admit, I don't know its name or properties. Could you enlighten me, Lady Fire Meow Meow?" Dugu Bo asked sincerely.
"Uh…"
Caught off guard, Fire Meow Meow put on an exaggerated "I totally know what I'm talking about" look.
"Well, um… this thing's name is…"
She dragged out her words, clearly stalling.
"Come on, if you recognize it, just say so! Look how anxious Grandpa is!" Yu Keke stepped up with a half-annoyed expression.
"…I don't know either~" Fire Meow Meow finally dropped the act with a sheepish grin.
I confess! I got nothing!
Everyone faceplanted in unison. Yu Keke scratched her head in embarrassment, feeling a bit bad for the old man.
"But I am certain of one thing—this herb can boost your martial spirit's power and soul power!" Fire Meow Meow quickly added.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than everyone's eyes shifted—instantly—from her back to the herb in Dugu Bo's hand.
_
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