Dugu Bo Awakens, Xue Ye's Generous Offer

For more than a month afterward, Lin Chen's life returned to its usual course.

In the mornings, he went to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to learn about Soul Masters. After classes in the afternoon, Qian Renxue required him to go to her study and cultivate with her.

But seemingly because of the Whale Rubber, Lin Chen kept feeling that Qian Renxue's eyes were straying toward his lower body, whether deliberately or not, leaving him rather embarrassed.

Even so, the two had grown considerably closer as a result, and occasionally they could even chat and exchange a little idle talk.

A few days later.

Inside the Cultivation Room.

Dugu Bo's hair at his temples was as white as before, but when he opened his eyes, a powerful presence surged forth.

As the Soul Core inside him spun ceaselessly, Dugu Bo felt the Soul Power around him pouring into him in an endless stream. The pain the poison had caused in his body had vanished without a trace, and he felt as blissful as if he had ascended to heaven.

"Hahahaha! So this is what a Soul Core can do? Not only has it cured the deadly poison in this old man's body, it has also increased my strength! Now let's see who still dares call me the weakest Titled Douluo!"

Dugu Bo rose to his feet with a laugh. Just as he was about to find Lin Chen and thank him, he heard the Cultivation Room doors slowly opening.

Lin Chen walked into the Cultivation Room at an unhurried pace. Seeing that Dugu Bo was awake, he greeted him with a smile. "Senior Dugu, did the Soul Core method work?"

When Dugu Bo saw that it was Lin Chen, he burst out laughing. "Hahaha, of course it worked! It worked incredibly well! Kid, you really are a damn genius!"

"As long as you're satisfied, Senior Dugu." Lin Chen waved a hand with a smile, then changed the subject. "But now that the poison has been cured, could we perhaps settle what we agreed on before...?"

Hearing this, Dugu Bo nodded with a smile. "I, Dugu Bo, am not a man who goes back on his word. Since I agreed to serve you for ten years, this old man will naturally follow your lead."

"But as for Yanyan, this Soul Core method is far too powerful. I'm afraid her body wouldn't be able to withstand such a great impact." A flicker of concern appeared in Dugu Bo's eyes as he spoke.

Lin Chen shook his head with a smile. "Please rest assured, Senior Dugu. As I said before, curing Dugu Yan of the deadly poison in her body requires a different method. Besides, she and I are friends now, so even if you hadn't said anything, I would have cured her."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo smiled and patted Lin Chen on the shoulder. "Then what else is there to say? From today onward, this old man's life is yours!"

While the two were talking, Cao Tian Heng hurried over, leaned close to Lin Chen's ear, and whispered, "His Highness the Crown Prince wants you to come to the study. His Majesty asked to see you by name."

"Huh? Xue Ye asked for me by name?" Lin Chen scratched his head, somewhat puzzled. "His Majesty has countless affairs to attend to every day. He actually has time to come to the Crown Prince's Residence?"

Cao Tian Heng spoke in a low voice. "I don't know the details either. You should hurry over."

"Got it." Lin Chen nodded, then turned to Dugu Bo behind him. "Senior Dugu, let's go."

When he arrived at the study, Lin Chen saw Xue Ye sitting upright in the seat of honor. He wore golden-red imperial robes, and his hair and beard were streaked with white. Just sitting there, he exuded the bearing of a king.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Lin Chen stepped forward and bowed.

Dugu Bo, standing to one side, merely snorted and walked over to stand beside Lin Chen, with no intention of offering a greeting.

"Rise, rise." Xue Ye waved a hand at Lin Chen, a smile appearing on his face. "Qinghe has told me all about you. Your talent surpasses all others, past and present. Truly, heroes emerge from the young."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty. My talent is nowhere near that remarkable." Lin Chen scratched his cheek and replied somewhat awkwardly.

Seeing how modest Lin Chen was, Xue Ye shook his head with a smile. "You're far too modest. If I'd had your talent at your age, my nose might have been pointing all the way up to the heavens."

Lin Chen didn't know what to say and could only stand there grinning foolishly. After all, he really wasn't good at interacting with people and the like.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "Imperial Father came here this time—"

Halfway through her sentence, Xue Ye raised a hand and interrupted her. He glanced at Lin Chen, then at Dugu Bo, who stood half a step behind him, his gaze resting on the gray-robed old man for a moment.

"Mr. Dugu? Qinghe told me that you are now Lin Chen's Dao Protector. Is that true?" There was a hint of a question in Xue Ye's tone.

"Your Majesty is quite right. I do indeed belong to the little fellow Lin Chen now." Dugu Bo snorted and nodded expressionlessly.

Xue Ye asked no further questions and simply withdrew his gaze. "It seems this little fellow has quite an extraordinary personal charm, to have made Mr. Dugu his Dao Protector. Although Qinghe had already told me about it, I'm still a little surprised to see it with my own eyes."

Xue Qinghe nodded with a smile but did not reply.

Xue Ye looked back at Lin Chen, his tone more casual than before. "I didn't come here today to test you. There's no need to be nervous."

"I merely heard a few things about you from Qinghe, and you said that you had a bit of a conflict with Xue Beng, so I thought I'd come and ask about it."

Lin Chen lowered his eyes and said quietly, "There's no need to worry, Your Majesty. His Highness the Fourth Prince and I did have a bit of a conflict, but I've already settled it privately."

Xue Ye nodded. "In that case, I won't ask any more. But Heaven Dou will certainly focus its efforts on nurturing a genius like you."

A smile appeared on Xue Ye's face as he continued. "You've already entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy to study. Its systematic instruction is well suited to your development."

"But that alone certainly isn't enough. Later, I'll send the most professional and experienced teachers to guide you. Mr. Dugu may be powerful, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's good at teaching."

"And I'll provide you with the best Mimicry Cultivation Environment currently available, as well as precious cultivation resources. That way, your cultivation path will be smoother and easier to travel."

Lin Chen wasn't at all surprised to hear Xue Ye say this. After all, the entire Heaven Dou Empire didn't have a single Titled Douluo to its name, so now that it had a promising talent like him, it would surely focus on nurturing him.

At that thought, Lin Chen bowed. "Thank you for valuing me so highly, Your Majesty. I'll work even harder at my cultivation from now on!"

A satisfied smile appeared on Xue Ye's face. "Good. I'll make the arrangements I mentioned tomorrow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lin Chen said with a smile.

"No need to thank me. If you need anything else in the future, just tell Qinghe. I'll have him arrange it for you promptly."

With that, Xue Ye smiled and nodded, then slowly rose to his feet and left.