Returning to Nuoding City and Entering the City Lord's Residence
Hearing this, Qian Renxue immediately understood, but her brows furrowed. "You mean City Lord Xiao and his son?"
"Their talent can only be considered average. Even if they eat Immortal Herbs, I'm afraid they won't become Titled Douluo in this lifetime."
Lin Chen smiled and shook his head. "Brother Xue, you probably know that my parents are ordinary people and are away from home all year round."
"Uncle Xiao has been raising me during this time. How could Immortal Herbs compare to the kindness he's shown me by bringing me up? Besides—"
"Say no more." Hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression became more apparent, and she smiled as she cut Lin Chen off. "Why are you explaining so much?"
"Those Immortal Herbs were a gift from Mr. Dugu to you in the first place. I'm only holding on to them for you. How you use them is your business; there's no need to ask my opinion."
"But because of my status, I can't go to Nuoding City with you. When the time comes, let Mr. Dugu accompany you."
After Lin Chen and Qian Renxue finished discussing it, Lin Chen waited until Dugu Bo had absorbed the Immortal Herb and asked for his opinion as well. Dugu Bo, of course, did not refuse.
With everyone in agreement, Lin Chen and the others took a carriage back to Heaven Dou City and escorted Qian Renxue to the Crown Prince's Residence.
Dugu Yan, meanwhile, was forced by Dugu Bo to stay in Heaven Dou City because she had to attend school.
And so, after spending a night in Heaven Dou City, Lin Chen and Dugu Bo boarded the carriage again and set out. They traveled by carriage for half a month before finally arriving "near" Nuoding City.
Inside the carriage, Lin Chen sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, cultivating diligently.
Throughout the journey, Dugu Bo had personally driven the carriage while Lin Chen cultivated inside.
However, because of his Ultimate Martial Soul, Lin Chen's absorption of Soul Power could hardly be called fast. It was as slow as a tortoise.
Even so, Lin Chen was not disappointed. Soul Power was the foundation, after all. Even if cultivating it was slow, he could not stop just because of that.
"Senior Dugu, you know where Nuoding City is, right?" Lin Chen opened his eyes, and as if suddenly realizing something, hurriedly asked.
Dugu Bo, who was driving the carriage, answered confidently, "Of course I do. Although I've never been to Nuoding City, I still know the general direction."
"That can't be right. After half a month, we should have reached the city by now." Puzzled, Lin Chen opened the carriage window. When he saw the scenery before him, he nearly toppled over inside the carriage.
"Senior Dugu, did you go the wrong way? Isn't this the Soul Hunting Forest? A little farther and you'll end up in Suotuo City. Let's turn around and head southeast." Lin Chen covered his face, plainly unable to bear looking.
At that, the confident expression on Dugu Bo's face vanished abruptly, but he still refused to admit it. "Of course I knew. I was just testing you, wasn't I?"
It was not really Dugu Bo's fault for getting it wrong. Nuoding City was, after all, only a border city. If Lin Chen had not asked him to come, Dugu Bo probably would never have set foot there in his life, so it was only natural that he had gone the wrong way.
But after Lin Chen gave him directions, Dugu Bo found the right way. He hurriedly turned the carriage around and drove southeast.
As they continued on their journey, Lin Chen and Dugu Bo finally arrived near Nuoding City, and the surroundings began to grow more bustling.
Lin Chen poked his head out and looked at the familiar streets around him. His heart full of nostalgia, he smiled and said to Dugu Bo, "Senior Dugu, we might stay in Nuoding City for about half a month. You don't have to follow me all the time while we're here. Just go take care of your own affairs."
Dugu Bo smiled and asked, "You're homesick, aren't you, brat? Otherwise, why would you need half a month just to deliver an Immortal Herb?"
It was only natural for Dugu Bo to think so. Lin Chen was not yet seven, after all, and had stayed in Nuoding City the whole time before awakening his Martial Soul. It could not have been more normal for him to want to go home and visit.
"You guessed right, Senior Dugu. That is what I'm planning." Lin Chen smiled and shook his head. Though that was what he said, he had other plans in mind.
In fact, besides intending to visit Xiao Chenfeng, Lin Chen had another objective.
That was to claim the Blue Silver Emperor, whom Tang Hao had planted in some unknown nook or cranny of Holy Soul Village Back Mountain, for himself.
And so, after another two hours, the carriage finally entered the town. It was not grand, but it was filled with Lin Chen's memories.
"Finally, I'm back!"
Lin Chen looked at the familiar plaque on the city gate, his eyes full of nostalgia.
After entering the city, Lin Chen looked at the bustling streets and familiar shops around him. Suddenly, they felt a little unfamiliar.
Shops stood in rows along both sides of the street, and all kinds of vendors' cries rose and fell. The city was noticeably livelier than before Lin Chen had left, and even the streets seemed to have been renovated and widened.
"Which way now?" Dugu Bo glanced back at Lin Chen and asked.
Lin Chen scratched his head and replied with a smile, "Just head toward the city center. We're going to the City Lord's Residence."
Following the route he remembered, Lin Chen soon arrived at the City Lord's Residence.
"Finally here." Lin Chen took a deep breath and tried to calm his excitement. He jumped down from the carriage and led Dugu Bo toward the residence.
Lin Chen had only just entered the gates of the City Lord's Residence when the guard outside looked at him as though he had seen a ghost, his face full of excitement. He greeted Lin Chen, then led him and Dugu Bo inside.
Before long, the two arrived at the study where Xiao Chenfeng handled official business and found him at work.
When Xiao Chenfeng saw that Lin Chen had returned, he stood up excitedly and walked over, his eyes full of nostalgia. "Chen'er, how have things been in the imperial city? Have you been well all this time?"
"Don't worry, Uncle Xiao. His Highness the Crown Prince has been especially good to me. I'm riding the wind and waves in Heaven Dou City now." Lin Chen looked at the familiar face before him, a smile spreading across his own.
Uncle Xiao caught hold of Lin Chen and spent some time asking after his well-being. Only then did he realize Dugu Bo was standing behind him, and he hurriedly bowed in apology. "My apologies. An honored guest has come from afar, yet I forgot to see to you."
Dugu Bo waved a hand, unconcerned. "It's fine. I'm not one to stand on ceremony. You two carry on; there's no need to mind me."
Lin Chen smiled and made the introductions. "I forgot to introduce him to you, Uncle Xiao. This is my Dao Protector in Heaven Dou City, and also my elder."
Dugu Bo nodded without a change of expression. "My name is Dugu Bo. I'm nobody important, so there's no need for a detailed introduction."
Xiao Chenfeng glanced curiously at Dugu Bo, then asked Lin Chen, "Chen'er, besides visiting us, you must have other business to attend to this time. Is there anything I can help with?"
Lin Chen smiled and shook his head. "I came back this time with something for you, Uncle Xiao. It's called an Immortal Herb, a precious treasure rarely found in this world!"