Dugu Yan: Nothing but a Little Hardship

Hearing that familiar voice.

Dugu Yan was struck dumb, her face stiffening as she slowly turned around.

Behind her stood a tall, thin old man with dark green hair and beard.

Dugu Yan gave an awkward laugh. "Grandpa, we just came to buy a few things."

"Buy what?"

"Just some ordinary things."

Dugu Yan hurriedly answered.

Ye Lingling beside her grew nervous as well. If he discovered they had come to buy Whale Rubber, it would be utterly mortifying.

She would probably never be able to hold her head up again.

"Here's your Whale Rubber, ladies." The clerk came over carrying a box of Whale Rubber.

At those words, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's hearts skipped a beat.

They were doomed!!

"Whale Rubber?" Dugu Bo's face darkened. How could he not know what that stuff was?

"Grandpa, listen to my arg... explanation." Dugu Yan was so embarrassed and furious that she could barely speak clearly.

"Fine, I'll listen to your explanation." Dugu Bo was genuinely bewildered. She was his granddaughter.

His granddaughter had no use for this stuff.

Could it be Yu Tianheng?

No, that wasn't right. Yan Yan didn't like Yu Tianheng at all. Had something happened while he was away?

Dugu Yan glanced at Ye Lingling, gave a slight nod, and immediately led Dugu Bo away.

After paying, Ye Lingling left with the Whale Rubber, her head lowered.

"Ah... what has this world come to? Two young girls buying Whale Rubber for their grandfather. How pitiful."

The clerk shook his head and sighed.

Dugu Yan: Nothing but a little hardship.

Dugu Yan brought Dugu Bo to Ye Mansion.

"Your Excellency Poison Douluo."

"Patriarch Ye, it has been a long time."

"Grandpa, hurry up!"

Dugu Yan's ears were burning as she hurriedly dragged Dugu Bo toward the rear courtyard.

Ye Liuli was utterly baffled. Then she saw her daughter return.

"Lingling, His Excellency Poison Douluo is here."

"I know, Mother. I'll tell you later." Ye Lingling hurried toward the rear courtyard as well.

"What is wrong with those two today?"

Ye Liuli was deeply puzzled and decided to go take a look.

"Who are these people?"

Dugu Bo saw Xu Hanfeng and asked.

He felt like there had been far too many confusing things today. Since when had Ye Mansion had these people? And there was even a child.

Could he be Patriarch Ye's child?

But her husband seemed to have been dead for many years.

Could it be...

Gasp... how exciting.

Dugu Bo's mind ran wild.

Xu Hanfeng froze. Seriously? You went out to buy Whale Rubber and brought Dugu Bo back with you?

"Grandpa, let me introduce you. This is Xu Hanfeng, Little Brother Xiao Feng. These sisters were all summoned by Xiao Feng's Martial Soul."

"A Summoning System Martial Soul, and a Summoning Soul Master too? Interesting."

Dugu Bo was somewhat intrigued. Summoning System Martial Souls were extremely rare.

"Grandpa, we bought the Whale Rubber because..."

"Whale Rubber!"

Everyone turned to look as Ye Liuli hurried over.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance. Both their faces were equally red, like monkey butts.

It was far too awkward.

They had been caught buying Whale Rubber by their own elders.

Terrifying.

"Mother."

"Lingling, you actually went to buy Whale Rubber? What were you planning to do?" Ye Liuli's cheeks also flushed slightly.

Whale Rubber reminded her of her late husband. He had not been very capable, so he used that stuff.

"Um... Grandpa Dugu, Aunt Ye, let me explain."

Seeing that Yan Yan and Sister Lingling were both too embarrassed and angry to speak, Xu Hanfeng found it rather amusing and stepped forward.

Tang Ya and the others watched the farce from behind, finding it immensely entertaining.

They began chatting among themselves.

"Look at Yan Yan and Lingling. Their faces are really red."

"Exactly. It's their first time blushing like this."

"Getting caught buying Whale Rubber by your own grandfather and mother? We could laugh about this for a whole year." Ma Xiaotao laughed so hard that she trembled all over, and her oversized peaches shook along with her.

(●￣(?)￣●)

Unfortunately, no one was able to appreciate that sight.

"Kid, did you tell Yan Yan and Miss Lingling to buy it?"

Dugu Bo looked fierce.

"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan protested, standing in front of Xu Hanfeng.

Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. The little padded jacket of his family was now letting in drafts.

But she hadn't been like this before.

It was all because of this little brat. Damn it.

Could Yan Yan have fallen for him? That was absurd. There was such a huge age gap.

Sigh...

If she really liked him, it wasn't entirely impossible.

"You explain."

Ye Liuli remained fairly calm.

"It's like this. Whale Rubber may be an aphrodisiac, but it can also strengthen the body. That way, one can absorb Soul Rings with higher cultivation years."

Upon hearing that, Dugu Bo and Ye Liuli both became serious.

"Is that true?"

"Of course. I'll try it myself."

Xu Hanfeng nodded.

"Fine."

Dugu Bo stepped forward and squeezed Xu Hanfeng's shoulder, surprise appearing on his face. "You're only a small Soul Master, yet your body is this strong.

If Whale Rubber truly works, perhaps you could even absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as your second Soul Ring."

He was genuinely astonished. A Thousand-Year second Soul Ring was terrifying just to imagine.

If Whale Rubber worked, Yan Yan's later Soul Rings could have their cultivation years raised by a great deal as well.

"Alright. Xiao Feng, be careful." Ye Liuli had already summoned the Nine Heart Begonia. If anything went wrong, she could heal him more quickly.

"Sister Xiao Tao, come process it."

"Got it."

Ma Xiaotao came over and began processing the Whale Rubber with flames.

Dugu Bo's eyes widened. He had not noticed earlier, but these summoned Soul Masters could actually speak. They looked no different from ordinary people.

This Martial Soul was far too terrifying.

One person could form an entire Soul Master team.

He wondered what kind of Martial Soul could possess such powerful abilities.

Their Soul Power was high as well. What extraordinary talent.

In Dugu Bo's eyes, Xu Hanfeng's evaluation continued to rise.

Xu Hanfeng drank the processed Whale Rubber.

The instant it entered his mouth, a blazing sensation spread from his stomach.

It was as though a ball of fire had ignited within his body.

"So hot!" Xu Hanfeng could not help letting out a low cry.

His cheeks instantly reddened, and his body became scorching hot.

If it were winter, white mist might even have risen from him.

He felt as if his blood were boiling, and his emotions became restless and agitated.

He knew full well that he was too young. His body had not fully matured yet, so he was fundamentally unsuited to taking Whale Rubber.

If not for his Soul Power, it would have been difficult for him to endure the burning sensation brought by the Whale Rubber.

This Whale Rubber was not low-grade either. It was at least a hundred years old.

"I can't waste this opportunity!" Xu Hanfeng gritted his teeth and began circulating the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.

This cultivation method could strengthen the body, making it perfect for digesting the energy within the Whale Rubber.

As the cultivation method circulated, Xu Hanfeng gradually calmed down.

Dugu Bo stood at the side, shock flashing through his eyes.

He had originally thought Xu Hanfeng was merely exceptionally talented, but he had not expected him to possess such a seemingly impressive cultivation method as well.

"His physique has improved. Is it because of the cultivation method, or the Whale Rubber? Or perhaps both?"

Dugu Bo muttered to himself.