Grandfather, You Were Right

Heaven Dou City.

In a secluded little courtyard, Dugu Bo reclined leisurely in a wicker chair, basking in the sun. Beside him, Dugu Yan propped her delicate cheek up with one hand while feeding herself fruit with the other.

"Yanyan, this is the time when you should be cultivating diligently. Don't neglect your training over matters of the heart."

Dugu Bo spoke softly with his eyes closed.

"Mm-hm~"

Dugu Yan popped a piece of fruit into her mouth. "Grandfather, don't worry. Tian Heng and I are only ordinary friends. We have absolutely no intention of taking things in that direction."

"Tian Heng?"

Dugu Bo's eyes opened slightly. Hearing how Dugu Yan addressed Yu Tianheng, he felt rather uncomfortable.

It was like planting a little cabbage in his own field, painstakingly tending to it for more than a decade, only to one day see a pig charge into the field and prepare to root up the cabbage. When he went to stop it, the cabbage he had raised said that she and the pig were merely friends.

The feeling was impossible to put into words, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Yanyan, there's no problem with being friends with that boy from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but you must keep your distance from him."

Dugu Bo sat up and earnestly cautioned her.

"Mm-hm~"

Dugu Yan obediently nodded her little head.

As for whether she had actually taken Dugu Bo's words to heart, only she herself knew.

"Good, as long as you understand."

Dugu Bo turned his gaze toward the entrance. "Yanyan, go get a few teacups and wash a plate of fruit."

"Do we have guests?"

"Is it Uncle Yang?"

Dugu Yan rose from her seat and asked curiously.

Because Dugu Bo was somewhat solitary by nature, few people ever came to this little courtyard. Those whom he could call guests were even fewer.

The Uncle Yang Dugu Yan spoke of was naturally Yang Wushuang.

Since Yang Wushuang had once detoxified both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, the two of them held him in very high regard.

"Yes. Besides your Uncle Yang, Miss Bai is coming as well."

Dugu Bo nodded lightly, an unconscious smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"Ah-ah~"

Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully.

Naturally, she knew who the Miss Bai Dugu Bo mentioned was.

Still, knowing was one thing. Dugu Yan felt a little unconvinced about Bai Wanwan.

They were both talents of the younger generation, so why was Bai Wanwan considered unmatched among their peers?

They had never even competed. It was still uncertain who was stronger.

"Yanyan, be good. We don't do things that get us beaten up."

Seeing Dugu Yan's expression, Dugu Bo quietly reminded her.

At that, Dugu Yan stuck out her tongue playfully and headed toward the rooms at the back.

Before long, Dugu Yan emerged from the room carrying a tray. As she set it on the table, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Bai Wanwan entered with Yang Wushuang.

"Senior, it has been a long time."

Bai Wanwan raised her hand in greeting to Dugu Bo.

Yang Wushuang, half a step behind her, also nodded to Dugu Bo in greeting.

"Yes, it has been a month or two."

Dugu Bo gestured for the two of them to sit.

Bai Wanwan and Yang Wushuang sat down in front of Dugu Bo.

"Uncle Yang."

After greeting Yang Wushuang, Dugu Yan stood beside Dugu Bo and turned her gaze toward Bai Wanwan.

"Miss Bai..."

Dugu Yan had just been about to say something when Dugu Bo interrupted her.

"Miss Bai, your strength has improved again. In this old man's estimation, you have already entered the Spirit Emperor realm, haven't you?"

Dugu Bo looked at Bai Wanwan approvingly, though the true meaning of his words was to remind Dugu Yan that Bai Wanwan was now a Spirit Emperor.

"A Spirit Emperor?"

Dugu Yan blinked, immediately feeling that her grandfather had been right.

Getting beaten up was not something she should do.

She was only a Three Rings Soul Elder. Sparring with a Six Rings Spirit Emperor was something that required careful consideration.

"Yes, I only added the Spirit Ring not long ago."

Bai Wanwan smiled and nodded, then looked toward Dugu Yan questioningly.

"Miss Bai, your nails are very pretty. But why haven't you had them done? If you painted them a nice color, they would look even better."

Dugu Yan extended her hand and showed Bai Wanwan her emerald-green nails.

"Uh~"

Was she really this familiar with me already?

Bai Wanwan silently thought as she lowered her head to look at her own neatly trimmed nails, then at Dugu Yan's emerald-green ones.

Mm~

Frankly speaking, she truly could not appreciate nails dyed emerald green.

"I've never had my nails done before. If I have the time, I'll consider it."

Bai Wanwan gave an awkward yet polite smile.

Dugu Bo personally poured Bai Wanwan a cup of tea and set it before her.

"Miss Bai, have you come this time because there is something you need this old man to handle?"

Dugu Bo asked softly.

"It isn't anything major. The Nine-Section Emerald you gave me may have gotten a little playful, and I can't find it in the King's Mansion for the moment. I happened to pass by your place while searching for it, so I came in to ask for a cup of hot tea."

Bai Wanwan picked up her teacup and spoke casually.

"Oh?"

Dugu Bo raised a brow, a hint of contemplation appearing in his eyes before they quickly returned to calm. "What do you mean, Miss Bai?"

"The Nine-Section Emerald is still somewhat dangerous. I'll search carefully over the next few days. Hopefully, I can find it."

Bai Wanwan rested an elbow on the table and propped her head up with her hand, quietly watching Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo nodded lightly, though his gaze shifted imperceptibly several times.

He vaguely understood the meaning behind Bai Wanwan's words.

She had searched for the Nine-Section Emerald in the King's Mansion, only to end up here with him. Was that possible?

Not in the slightest.

The Canglan King's Mansion was located in the center of Heaven Dou City, while the little courtyard where he lived was far from the center and extremely secluded.

So Bai Wanwan had come specifically to tell him this.

And since she had specifically come to tell him, combined with her remark that the Nine-Section Emerald was somewhat dangerous, it was almost certain that she intended to use the Nine-Section Emerald for something—and it would not be a small matter.

"It doesn't matter if you truly cannot find it."

"Though Nine-Section Emeralds are rare, there is more than one. This old man can simply find a few more and give them to you later."

Dugu Bo lightly swirled the wine cup in his hand, his tone extremely calm.

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Bai Wanwan's lips gradually curved upward.

Mm, talking to smart people really was easy.

There was more than one Nine-Section Emerald. Who could say for certain that the missing one belonged to Bai Wanwan?