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 outside.
These were some of the less precious 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 mislead others.
The transplanted herbs outside had clearly withered quite a bit, 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 improvement," Dugu Chen said teasingly as he turned to look at Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo replied irritably.
"Then why doesn't Young Master Dugu teach this old man how to cultivate these herbs?"
Dugu Bo's words made Dugu Chen shake his head with a bitter smile.
At that moment, Dugu Bo finished brewing the tea. He poured two cups and said.
"Try it. Ning Fengzhi sent this Cloud Concealment Tea. I heard it replenishes vitality and calms the mind. It is 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 hunting soul beasts over the past few days vanished, and his mind became completely clear.
Dugu Chen set down the teacup and sighed.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School truly is rich enough to rival a nation. They have so many good things. This tea can even nourish the spirit. Drinking it regularly would greatly benefit one's mental strength."
"To the Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, such things are hardly worth mentioning. Ning Fengzhi sees things clearly. If he had confirmed that we still possessed immortal-grade herbs, he would likely have acted long ago. For him to develop the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School to the point where it faintly showed signs of replacing the Clear Sky Sect as the number one sect under heaven, Ning Fengzhi was far from as gentle and refined as he appeared."
Dugu Bo saw things very clearly. None of those in power were simple figures.
"Ning Fengzhi is a friend, not an enemy. It is enough to maintain our current relationship," Dugu Chen said, feeling that maintaining friendly relations with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School was the priority for now.
"Teacher, what do you think of the Crown Prince and Prince Xue Xing?" Dugu Chen could not help asking.
With the impressions left by the original work, Dugu Chen was afraid that Dugu Bo might grow too close to Prince Xue Xing.
Leaving aside the fact that Dugu Chen did not think Xue Xing could defeat Qian Renxue, he also could not allow Qian Renxue to return to Spirit Hall if he wanted enough time to grow stronger. With her grandfather's help, Qian Renxue could inherit a God Position within a few years. By then, no one else would have any chance. Someone would be able to flip the table.
Moreover, the events at the Heaven Dou Auction House were still fresh in his mind. Dugu Chen did not like the noble class.
Dugu Chen did not yet have the ability to let everyone live good lives, 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 better.
"Why are you asking about this?" Dugu Bo frowned when he heard his disciple's question.
"Xue Qinghe's reputation for wisdom and virtue is known to everyone in the Heaven Dou Empire. As for Xue Xing... although he has repeatedly tried to win me over, 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. It was not merely because he could not get in contact with Bibi Dong, but also because he felt that Qian Renxue was more reasonable and less insane than Bibi Dong.
The Rakshasa God was an Evil god. The darkness in Bibi Dong's heart had been infinitely magnified. 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 stunned, then casually said, "Decide for yourself. Oscar is a good child too. His talent is the greatest I have ever seen. Nurture him well, and he will become your right-hand man in the future."
After speaking, Dugu Bo looked at the disciple before him with deep satisfaction. His disciple was so outstanding, and there were also Dugu Yan and Oscar. Twenty years from now, it would be their era. He suddenly wished time would pass faster so he could see what the world would look like in twenty years.
Dugu Chen nodded and said nothing more. Their relationship did not require such politeness.
Then Dugu Chen rose and took his leave. "Teacher, rest early. This disciple will take his leave first."
Dugu Bo waved his hand. "You have been tired these past few days as well. Go rest quickly. You are not allowed to cultivate tonight. That 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 comply with Dugu Bo's order. As for the Mirror Shadow Beast and Silver Hero Beast, there were still several years left, so there was no need to rush.
Free of thoughts and worries, time passed swiftly.
Three days later, at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye.
Dugu Chen brought Oscar before an eight-petaled orchid. The orchid was entirely snow-white and crystalline, giving off an aloof, ethereal feeling. Its rich fragrance cleared the mind and refreshed the spirit. The intoxicating floral scent invigorated them both, making them unable to resist taking several deep breaths.
"Oscar, this is the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, an immortal-grade herb. You possess Innate Full Soul Power, but as a Food System Martial Soul Master, cultivation is the most difficult for you. This immortal herb has the gentlest medicinal nature, yet it is also one of the most potent. It can strengthen your foundation, replenish your essence, and expel impurities from your body. It is enough to make up for the slow cultivation speed of a Food System Soul Master. You will not need to worry about your cultivation speed before Rank Seventy."
"Brother Chen, this is too precious. I..." Oscar widened his eyes, clearly shocked by the effects of the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, and hesitated.
"If I am giving it to you, then take it. Don't say nonsense about not deserving it. If you want to repay me, then cultivate hard and become the first Food System Titled Douluo. Then you can talk about repaying me!" 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 will never disappoint Brother Chen's expectations, nor forget the kindness of Senior Dugu and Boss Lady. Oscar will remember it in his heart.
Dugu Chen felt a chill run down his spine under Oscar's gaze and kicked him in the backside.
"Don't look at me like that. Hurry up and consume it! There is no special method. Just chew it and swallow it. It tastes sweet and fragrant. Then gather your Soul Power and refine it."
Oscar did not mind the kick. He took the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, stuffed it into his mouth, and immediately began cultivating.
Seeing that Oscar was on the right track, Dugu Chen did not stay any longer and went to Dugu Yan's cultivation spot.
Dugu Yan was meditating beside the spring of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye. This was the most suitable place for her cultivation, as it could help 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 and instead headed to the cave Dugu Bo had built.
Dugu Bo was not cultivating at the moment. He was preparing medicine, all of it meant to relax muscles and stimulate circulation.
Dugu Bo merely glanced at Dugu Chen and ignored him. He was busy. His disciple could do whatever he pleased.
Dugu Chen did not disturb him. He walked to a pitch-black cave entrance deeper inside.
After entering, a flame ignited in his palm. To Dugu Chen, this method of manipulating elements was effortless.
The flame illuminated the dark surroundings. It was a passage barely wide enough for one person to pass through, and its end could not be seen ahead.
Ten minutes later, the surroundings gradually brightened. At the end of the passage was a stone cage, and inside the cage stood a wooden barrel containing a little girl.
The girl was naturally Xiao Wu, the supreme treasure of the soul master world whom they had captured in Nuoding City a year ago—a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had taken human form.
Xiao Wu's eyes were tightly shut as she soaked quietly in the wooden barrel filled with medicinal herbs. All sorts of herbs had been scattered into the barrel. Dugu Bo had prepared it to keep someone asleep indefinitely. To prevent Xiao Wu from dying from lack of food, the barrel was filled with nutrients for her body to absorb.
With so many precious herbs, only Dugu Bo, who possessed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, could use them without feeling heartache. This was practically burning money!
If Xiao Wu woke up and saw 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, leading to her current fate.
Seeing that everything was normal with Xiao Wu, Dugu Chen turned and left.
As he walked back, Dugu Chen could not help grumbling inwardly. Why did Teacher dig such a deep cave? It is not like his Martial Soul is an armadillo. Oh! Snakes seem to like digging holes too.
After coming out, Dugu Chen 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 sprout, a newly grown seedling from the Nine-Rank Dragon Ganoderma's seeds.
It had to be said that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye was indeed a heaven-blessed treasure ground 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, stretched lazily, and said, "That feels amazing!"
Oscar sensed his level, and his expression became strange. It was a mixture of surprise and disbelief as the smile on his face gradually widened.
"Hahaha!!! Brother Chen, I'm Rank 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 about? Junior Brother had already become a Soul Elder at your age. The record for the youngest does not belong to you," Dugu Yan said, striking at Oscar's smug appearance.
Oscar was not disappointed. Instead, he said with a fawning grin, "Hehe! Of course I can't compare to Brother Chen. I'll settle for second—no, third place."
Seeing Dugu Yan narrow her eyes, Oscar immediately changed his words.
Dugu Chen interrupted, "Alright, 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 suddenly increased strength. Rank Thirty is a soul master's first important threshold. You must understand it well."
Oscar also put away his smugness and nodded solemnly.
Before you continue