A day later, at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
By dusk, Dugu Bo arrived at the valley.
"I've already eaten outside," he said bluntly upon seeing the clean table inside the room.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "In that case, Grandfather Dugu, you should go to Sister Yan's room to take it."
"Good." Dugu Bo didn't overthink it. He nodded and, with a swipe of his hand across his waist, produced the Cloud Immortal White Peony and handed it over.
As Yang Yunhai accepted it, Dugu Bo turned to Dugu Yan, who looked a little confused. "Yan Yan, let's go. There are some things I should tell you now."
Dugu Yan nodded and followed Dugu Bo into her room.
At the desk, Dugu Bo's expression grew solemn. "Yan Yan, back when you hadn't broken up with Yu Tianheng yet, because of your relationship with that boy, I held my tongue…"
The door wasn't shut. Though his voice was low, it was still audible outside. The small wooden house wasn't soundproof.
"Let's go," Yang Yunhai said softly, giving Zhu Zhuqing a look before leading her into the bedroom.
With a swipe of his hand, he pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
She took it, quickly reading through the contents — the backstory, the nature of the Yearning Heartbroken Red. Her eyes turned hot with sudden emotion. Looking up at Yang Yunhai, she held his gaze deeply, then wrapped her arms tightly around him, pressing her head into his chest. Her voice was soft: "Yun, thank you."
Having heard Yiner call him Yun day after day, she had naturally changed her own address too.
"No need for thanks." Yang Yunhai smiled, patting her shoulder gently before easing her back.
He motioned toward the other room where voices still carried, then took her by the hand.
Zhu Zhuqing understood and followed Yang Yunhai to sit together at the bedside.
Before long, with his sharp spiritual perception and keen hearing, Yang Yunhai noted the conversation across the way shifting to the absorption of the medicinal herb. When silence finally followed, he stored away the Cloud Immortal White Peony in his Emerald Jade Gourd and produced the Yearning Heartbroken Red, handing it to Zhu Zhuqing with a nod of encouragement.
Zhu Zhuqing accepted it, pressing it close to her lips. Drawing a deep breath, she stilled her mind.
Her thoughts returned to all that had happened between them — their first meeting, training together, living side by side, then confirming their bond. Sweetness welled in her heart, and her cheeks flushed red. Raising her hand, she struck her chest, forcing blood to surge up. A mouthful of fresh blood spattered onto the crimson petals. The flower trembled, then gently fell into her palm.
'Why does this feel like breaking the rules of the game?' Yang Yunhai was briefly stunned. Of course, he knew why Zhu Zhuqing had blushed.
But the outcome was what mattered. He smiled.
Zhu Zhuqing also smiled, looking up at him with eyes full of tenderness.
"Take it quickly," Yang Yunhai urged.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded, handed him back the jade basin, and carefully placed the blossom into her mouth, chewing it thoroughly. Her face flushed rosy as she moved to the center of the bed, sitting cross-legged to absorb the medicine.
'Not sure if it'll grow back again at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.' Yang Yunhai sighed inwardly, noticing how dull the stem looked. With a wave, he put it away into his storage soul tool, then walked out into the living room to wait.
Time passed. Gradually, light radiated from the two rooms. Three hours later, the glow faded.
Soon after, Dugu Bo walked out with a straightened spine and a broad smile.
Yang Yunhai was startled. Dugu Bo's hair had turned earthen brown, as had his eyes, nearly black. More shocking, his face had lost all wrinkles, sharp as if chiseled, his body taller and more robust. He looked like a man in his prime — sturdy, vigorous, exuding a kind of ancient, steady aura. He was even… handsome.
'No wonder Yan Yan is so striking. Her grandfather's not bad-looking either,' Yang Yunhai thought.
"Grandfather Dugu, this change of yours is too drastic. How will you explain it?" Yang Yunhai frowned slightly.
"What's there to fear?" Dugu Bo lifted his brow, voice firm. "I've already broken through to rank 93. Reaching 94 is only a matter of time. Once I adapt to this change and fully absorb the remaining medicinal power, breaking through is guaranteed."
With that, he plopped down beside Yang Yunhai and summoned a miniature version of his Martial Soul.
Yang Yunhai still couldn't help but be amazed.
Its entire body was dark brown, its back wingless but layered with ridged carapace that extended from tail to head like a mountain range, bristling with spikes. A faint green glow pulsed between the cracks, and its belly also shimmered green, giving it a strange, foreboding air. Two massive dragon horns sprouted from behind its head, followed by smaller horns lined down its neck, with a conical horn at its nose. Its limbs were thick, its claws razor-sharp, brimming with terrifying strength.
It looked like it could swat a man to death without even trying.
'This isn't an Earth Dragon anymore. More like a Mountain Dragon — carrying a whole range on its back.' Yang Yunhai marveled.
Dugu Bo enjoyed the look on his face, dismissing the Martial Soul with a proud tilt of his chin. "Look at me now. My body has been greatly strengthened, defense and power soaring. Even my Medusa skull bone evolved — its petrification ability is stronger than ever."
He grinned. "And that connection to the power of the earth you mentioned — I think I've gained it. Standing on the ground, I can feel a vast energy beneath, resonating with me, ready to be called upon. It makes me feel tiny in comparison, but I know even drawing a fraction of it will massively increase my strength."
"With my defense now, plus the earth's power to reinforce and heal me, and my Jade Phosphorus Serpent poison, once I finish absorbing all the medicine, I won't even fear Yu Yuanzhen himself. If he dares, I'll fight him head on. Exposure is no longer my worry."
He chuckled darkly. "As for the reason? I'll just say I once found two herbs resonating with my Martial Soul while traveling, but never dared take them before because of my poison. Now that I'm cured, naturally I did."
"And if anyone wants proof, they can take my soul tool. But if they do, they'll bear my wrath. Even if they don't kill me outright, I'll poison their clan into extinction!"
'Finally, he's standing tall.' Yang Yunhai nodded approvingly. "In fact, Grandfather Dugu, you could go a step further. Make the information public. Reveal the properties of the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma and the Land Dragon Golden Melon. Both tie directly to dragon-type Martial Souls. Others will assume you only found those two because of resonance. That way, no one will think you're hiding more herbs. And since even I know about them, surely others do too."
"If you spread the word, others will confirm it, saving you the trouble of proving anything yourself. Sometimes, having outsiders speak for you is far more convincing than your own claims."
'Later, I'll send a letter to Elder Chrysanthemum to quietly back the story,' Yang Yunhai thought to himself.
"As for after… the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might covet them, but they'll have to weigh the risks. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has no use for them — Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo won't benefit from dragon-type herbs. Better to win you over than drive you into Spirit Hall's arms. Spirit Hall will see that too. And since you're also an honored guest of the Heaven Dou royal family, the political game ensures no one will dare act rashly. Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will have to think twice before trying anything."
"That makes sense," Dugu Bo nodded.
The two then discussed the details, keeping watch over the two women still cultivating.
Time passed. As the moon fell and the sun rose, the room brightened.
Footsteps approached. Both turned their heads — it was Dugu Yan.
Dugu Bo blinked in surprise, then broke into joy.
Yang Yunhai's eyes, meanwhile, held a trace of admiration.
(End of Chapter)
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