Gifting the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid

After traveling for most of the day, Dugu Chen and the other three returned from the Star Dou Great Forest to Heaven Dou City that night.

After returning to Dugu Manor, they went their separate ways and returned to their rooms to rest. Dugu Yan and Oscar needed to consolidate their newly broken-through strength and adapt to their new soul skills.

Dugu Chen did not return to his own courtyard. Instead, he followed Dugu Bo to his residence.

Dugu Bo sat at the stone table in the pavilion, brewing tea. Dugu Chen stood beside him with one hand resting on the railing, looking at the medicinal herbs planted in the courtyard.

These were some relatively unremarkable herbs Dugu Bo had transplanted from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye. Of course, out in the outside world, they were still rare and precious spiritual medicines.

Ning Fengzhi often came to inquire about the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma. Dugu Bo claimed that he had cultivated it over many years and had already used it all up; these herbs were merely there to throw people off the scent.

The transplanted herbs outside had visibly withered considerably, but that was unavoidable. There was no environment on the entire Douluo Continent more suitable for plant growth than the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye.

"Teacher, your skill at growing herbs still needs some work," Dugu Chen said, turning to lightly tease Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo replied irritably upon hearing that.

"Then why don't you teach this old man how to cultivate these herbs, Young Master Dugu?"

Dugu Bo's words made Dugu Chen shake his head with a wry smile.

At that moment, Dugu Bo's tea was ready. He poured two cups and said, "Try it. This is 'Cloud Concealment Tea' sent by Ning Fengzhi. I heard it replenishes Qi and calms the mind; it's priceless."

Seeing this, Dugu Chen walked over and sat at the table. As he lifted the teacup, a refreshing fragrance rushed straight to his head. After taking a sip, the exhaustion from several days of hunting soul beasts vanished completely, and his sea of consciousness became crystal clear.

Dugu Chen set down the teacup and remarked, "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School truly is wealthy enough to rival a nation. They have so many good things! This tea also has the wonderful effect of nourishing the spirit. Drinking it often would be greatly beneficial to one's spiritual power."

"To the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, these things are hardly worth mentioning. Ning Fengzhi sees things very clearly. If he were certain that we still had immortal-grade herbs in our hands, he would likely have acted long ago. For him to develop the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School to the point where it showed signs of replacing the Clear Sky Sect as the number one sect under heaven, Ning Fengzhi could not possibly be as gentle and refined as he appeared."

Dugu Bo saw things clearly. None of those in power were simple people.

"Ning Fengzhi is a friend, not an enemy. Maintaining our current relationship is enough," Dugu Chen said, believing that they should prioritize staying on good terms with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School for now.

"Teacher, what do you think of the Crown Prince and Prince Xue Xing?" Dugu Chen could not help asking.

With his knowledge of the original story, Dugu Chen feared that Dugu Bo might become too close to Prince Xue Xing.

Leaving aside the fact that Dugu Chen did not think Xue Xing could defeat Qian Renxue, he could not allow Qian Renxue to return to Spirit Hall if he wanted enough time to grow. With her grandfather's help, Qian Renxue could inherit the God Position within a few years. By then, there would be no point in anyone playing anymore—someone would be able to flip the table.

Moreover, the matter at the Heaven Dou Auction House remained fresh in his mind. Dugu Chen did not like the aristocratic class.

Dugu Chen did not yet have the ability to ensure that everyone lived a good life, but he did not dislike Spirit Hall, which helped commoners.

Although Spirit Hall had many problems, it was probably the only force on the continent that treated commoners somewhat well.

"Why would you ask such a question?" Dugu Bo frowned when he heard his disciple's words.

"Xue Qinghe's reputation for virtue and wisdom is known to everyone in the Heaven Dou Empire. As for Xue Xing... though he has repeatedly tried to win my favor, do you think this old man can be bought so easily?"

Although Dugu Bo was puzzled by Dugu Chen's question, he still gave his answer.

"If possible, Teacher should befriend the Crown Prince," Dugu Chen said.

Though he was somewhat confused as to why his disciple wanted to befriend Xue Qinghe, Dugu Bo still supported Dugu Chen's decision.

Between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, Dugu Chen leaned toward Qian Renxue. Not only because he had no way to approach Bibi Dong, but also because he felt Qian Renxue was more reasonable and not as mad as Bibi Dong.

The Rakshasa God was an evil god, and the darkness in Bibi Dong's heart had been magnified without limit. Did she truly love Yu Xiaogang that much? It was probably nothing more than an obsession.

"Teacher, I plan to give the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid to Oscar," Dugu Chen said after chatting with Dugu Bo for a while longer.

Dugu Bo was slightly startled before casually replying, "Decide for yourself. Oscar is a good child too. His talent is the greatest I have seen in my life. Nurture him well, and he will become your right-hand man in the future."

After saying that, Dugu Bo looked at the disciple before him with deep satisfaction. His disciple was so outstanding, and there were also Yan Yan and Oscar. Twenty years from now would be their era. He suddenly wished time would pass faster; he wanted to see what things would look like twenty years from now.

Dugu Chen nodded and said nothing further. Their relationship did not require such formalities.

Dugu Chen then rose to take his leave. "Teacher, rest early. This disciple will take his leave first."

Dugu Bo waved a hand. "You've been tired these past two days as well. Go rest quickly. You are not allowed to cultivate tonight—this is your teacher's order. Also, I will send people to inquire about the Mirror Shadow Beast and the Silver Hero Beast."

Dugu Chen could only accept Dugu Bo's order. As for the Mirror Shadow Beast and the Silver Hero Beast, there were still several years left, so there was no need to hurry.

With no thoughts and no distractions, time passed swiftly.

Three days later, at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye.

Dugu Chen stood with Oscar before an eight-petaled orchid. The entire flower was snow-white and lustrous, giving off an aloof, otherworldly air. Its rich orchid fragrance cleared the mind and refreshed the spirit. The heart-soothing floral scent invigorated them both, and they could not help taking several deep breaths.

"Oscar, this is the 'Eight Petal Immortal Orchid,' an immortal-grade herb. As a Food System Soul Master, even though you possess Innate Full Soul Power, the Food System is the hardest to cultivate. This immortal herb has the gentlest medicinal nature, yet it is also among the richest and purest. It can strengthen your foundation, replenish your vitality, and expel impurities from your body. It is enough to make up for the slow cultivation speed of a Food System Soul Master. You won't need to worry about your cultivation speed before Rank Seventy."

"Brother Chen, this is too precious. I..." Oscar's eyes widened. Clearly stunned by the effects of the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, he hesitated.

"If I'm giving it to you, take it. Don't say anything about not deserving it. If you want to repay me, then cultivate hard. Become the first Food System Titled Douluo, and then talk about repayment!" Dugu Chen said, reaching out to pat Oscar on the shoulder.

After hearing Dugu Chen's words, Oscar looked into his eyes and nodded firmly.

I definitely won't disappoint Brother Chen's expectations, nor will I forget the kindness of Senior Dugu and Big Sis. Oscar will remember it in his heart.

Dugu Chen got chills from Oscar's gaze and kicked him in the butt.

"Don't look at me like that. Hurry up and consume it! There's no special method for eating it—just chew it and swallow. It tastes sweet and fragrant. Then circulate your soul power to refine it."

Oscar did not mind being kicked. He took the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid and stuffed it into his mouth, immediately beginning to cultivate.

Seeing Oscar get on track, Dugu Chen did not linger and headed to Dugu Yan's training grounds.

Dugu Yan was meditating beside the spring of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye. This was the most suitable place for her cultivation, helping her refine the medicinal effects of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot within her body.

Seeing Dugu Yan cultivating, Dugu Chen did not go over to disturb her. Instead, he made his way to the cave Dugu Bo had built.

Dugu Bo was not cultivating at the moment. He was mixing medicines, all of them remedies for relaxing muscles and improving circulation.

Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Chen, then ignored him. He was busy! His disciple could do whatever he wanted.

Dugu Chen did not disturb him either and went to a pitch-black cave entrance deeper inside.

After entering, he raised his hand, and a small flame ignited in his palm. Using the elements in such a manner was effortless for Dugu Chen.

The flame illuminated the dim surroundings. It was a passage only wide enough for one person to pass through, with no end visible ahead.

Ten minutes later, the surroundings brightened. At the end of the passage stood a stone cage, and inside it was a wooden barrel containing a little girl.

The girl was naturally Xiao Wu, the supreme treasure of the Soul Master world captured in Nuoding City a year ago—a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form.

Xiao Wu's eyes were tightly shut as she lay quietly soaking in the wooden barrel full of medicinal herbs. The barrel had been prepared by Dugu Bo and could keep someone asleep indefinitely. To prevent Xiao Wu from starving to death without food, it was filled with nutrients for her body to absorb.

Only Dugu Bo, who possessed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, could use so many precious medicinal herbs without feeling the pain of it. This was simply burning money!

If Xiao Wu woke up and found herself in this state, she would probably deeply regret why she had chosen to take human form. She would regret not listening to the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python's advice to wait until reaching the Mature Stage before coming out, only to end up like this.

After confirming that everything was normal with Xiao Wu, Dugu Chen turned and left.

On his way back, Dugu Chen could not help grumbling inwardly, I wonder why Teacher dug such a deep hole. It's not like his martial soul is a pangolin's. Oh! Though snakes seem to like digging holes too.

After Dugu Chen came out, he saw that Dugu Bo was still busy and did not disturb him. He went to the place where the Nine-Rank Dragon Ganoderma grew and continued cultivating. Beside it was a tiny tender shoot—the seed of the Nine-Rank Dragon Ganoderma, a newly sprouted seedling.

It had to be said that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye truly was an incomparably blessed treasure land for plants.

As the sun gradually shifted from rising in the east to setting in the west, Oscar finally finished absorbing the "Eight Petal Immortal Orchid." He stood up and stretched lazily. "That feels so good!"

Oscar sensed his level, and his expression immediately turned strange, caught between astonishment and disbelief. The smile on his face gradually widened.

"Hahaha!!! Brother Chen, I'm level twenty-nine! I, Oscar, am going to become the youngest Soul Elder."

Hearing Oscar's laughter, Dugu Yan and Dugu Chen both hurried over.

"What are you making such a fuss over? Junior Brother was already a Soul Elder at your age. The record for the youngest one has nothing to do with you," Dugu Yan said, knocking him down a peg when she saw his smug expression.

Yet Oscar was not disappointed. Instead, he grinned fawningly. "Hehe! Of course I can't compare to Brother Chen. Second place—no, third place—is good enough for me."

Seeing Dugu Yan narrow her eyes, Oscar immediately changed his tune.

Dugu Chen cut in, "Enough, Oscar. Although the Soul Power gained from an immortal herb will not be unstable, you should still consolidate it properly and familiarize yourself with your sudden increase in strength. Level thirty is the first important threshold for a Soul Master. You need to comprehend it well."

Oscar put away his smugness and nodded solemnly.