Is the World Really the Way I Know It?

"Sigh~ Forget it, forget it. Since I've already decided to give it to you, this herb garden is yours."

Although Dugu Bo was known as the gatekeeper of Titled Douluo, his character was the best among them.

If anyone in Douluo I was worth befriending, Dugu Bo would rank first, and probably no one would dare claim second. As long as you had helped him, he really would spend his life repaying you.

As for Douluo II... of course it was our Little Miss Huo (=①ω①=).

Dugu Bo had completely come to terms with it. He was about done for anyway. Without treating the poison, he could still hold on for a while and, at the very least, protect his granddaughter a little longer.

He carefully put the pills away.

With the pharmacopoeia as precedent, he had complete faith in this bottle of pills.

"Old man, aren't you keeping them for yourself?"

"No. These old bones of mine are about done for anyway. Without my poison skills, I wouldn't be able to protect my granddaughter."

It wasn't as though he had no enemies. These days, anyone who became a Titled Douluo had at least a few.

In his lifetime, he had lost his son and daughter-in-law. He couldn't lose his only remaining family member too.

"Old man, do you regret it? The medicine that could save you is right here, but you can only look at it, not take it."

"Regret it? Hahahaha! Honestly, I do regret it a little, but not giving away the herb garden. I, Dugu Bo, make every word as good as a nail driven in. Once I've made a promise, I'll never go back on it.

"What I regret is that the solution was right here, but I didn't know how to use it. I sat guarding a treasure trove without knowing it. Maybe you were right. These old bones of mine were too poor to even get an education, haha!"

Even knowing that Dugu Bo was a man of good character, they were still a little surprised by his candor.

Wei Xi and Stelle exchanged a glance.

"Looks like we're thinking the same thing."

"Hehe, this herb garden has so many herbs. Giving him just one bottle seems like a bad deal for him."

Xingbao took out her phone and browsed the shop, finally choosing a copy of the Basic Poison Technique.

She tapped her phone twice, and a book printed itself out of thin air.

"Old Poison, seeing how pitiful you are, I, the Galactic Baseballer, will give you a little relief."

With that, she tossed the book over.

"What's this?"

Dugu Bo looked at the words "Basic Poison Technique" on the cover, and three enormous question marks sprouted over his head.

"This should help you a little. Just a little, though."

Dugu Bo opened it and leafed through it in puzzlement, his expression growing increasingly grave.

"This book teaches you how to condense a poison core. For poison-using Soul Masters like you, it should be a fairly good book."

After closing the book, Dugu Bo bowed deeply to Wei Xi and Stelle.

"Young ladies, I know how important this technique is, and I have nothing else to give you. Whatever you need, just give the order. I, Dugu Bo, will help even if it costs me my life."

Stelle jumped straight out of the way.

"All right, Old Poison, stop fussing. Your herb garden is valuable, that's all.

"But... Old Poison, can you really bear to let your granddaughter's future turn out like that?"

Dugu Bo was a little puzzled. What did she mean, turn out like that? He was a Titled Douluo, after all. Wasn't he more than qualified to teach his own granddaughter...? Then he thought of the things the two girls had casually produced. All right, he couldn't compare.

"Why don't you join us? Then the two of us will make sure you eat the finest food and drink the best wine, Old Poison!"

Xingbao patted her chest, wearing an expression that said he was getting the deal of a lifetime.

Dugu Bo stroked his chin. It seemed... that could work too.

In terms of strength, they would definitely be top-tier in the future. In terms of background, they were among the best as well.

The rumors mentioned five Titled Douluo, and now they had a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast here too. Who could know how many people stood behind them?

"All right. I'm honored by your invitation, young masters. These old bones of mine might not be much good in a fight, but poisoning is my specialty."

"Old man, you can just call us by our names. After all... you're so much older that it feels a little awkward."

Wei Xi looked a little awkward, but it brought them closer.

Who wouldn't like a cute six-year-old who knew how to act sweet?

"Is... is that appropriate?"

He didn't want them to lose standing in their family because of him.

He knew all too well how convoluted things could get within a family.

This was a feudal society, after all, and such attitudes were all too common.

"It's fine. I'll call you Grandpa Dugu! Right, Stelle?"

"Tch~"

Our little tsundere grumbled, but still obediently called him Uncle.

"Good, good, good."

The more Dugu Bo looked at the two little girls, the more he liked them.

They were strong and had a powerful background, yet they weren't arrogant in the least. Just what kind of family could raise children like these?

Wait a minute. Hadn't they forgotten something?

Everyone turned to look at Xue Qinghe, who had been idly counting ants to the side.

Xue Qinghe: "??? Are you finished talking?"

This is so awkward! If I'd known, I wouldn't have come.

"Ahem, Your Highness, you're still here?"

Xue Qinghe: "..."

So I've become part of the background?

He withdrew into himself. He really did.

"Grandpa Dugu, aren't you going to try that technique first and see if it works?"

"Huh? Oh, right, I'll go try it. You can play around here. Make yourselves at home in the herb garden, but it might be a little dangerous farther in, so try not to go inside."

Dugu Bo instantly turned into a nagging old man.

He went on and on about which parts of the herb garden were dangerous and which were relatively safe.

At that moment, Xingbao wanted to say just one thing: Master! I'm begging you, stop chanting!

By the time Dugu Bo left, the sky was gradually growing dark.

"Should we head back first? Brother Qinghe still has memorials to deal with, doesn't he?"

Xue Qinghe thought about it and decided to return.

For the first time, he felt that his position was such a nuisance. Otherwise, he could have stayed and watched the show a little longer.

Wei Xi was just about to take him back herself when Xingbao volunteered to take the commission.

She even asked if there was any Stellar Jade.

The Rift-Sky Azure Eagle flew toward Heaven Dou City.

On the way, Xue Qinghe took a careful look at Xingbao.

He had to admit that Xingbao was the tallest of the three MiHoYo sisters.

Our Xingbao might only just have taken human form, but she had a true mature beauty's figure. Especially when she picked up the Flaming Lance, she was simply drop-dead gorgeous.

"A-Xing, is your family planning to enter the world?"

"Enter the world? Why do you say that?"

Xue Qinghe thought about the news he had heard over the past few days.

The huge commotion at the Martial Soul Awakening, the appearance of Titled Douluo, and now they had even brought Poison Douluo into their fold.

It was hard not to be suspicious of their actions.

"You're overthinking it."

Xingbao wore an expression of unparalleled confidence.

"We've always followed our hearts. We do whatever we want. There are no schemes or plots, or rather, we don't need any.

"Besides, the Douluo Continent is a backwater with no games and no good food. Who would take a fancy to this place?"

Xingbao spoke calmly, as though it were simply the truth.

Xue Qinghe fell silent, but he couldn't refute her.

He looked at her Soul Tool with its glowing screen.

Is this world really the way I know it? She felt a little lost.