Arrangements

After listening to Yang Wudi's introduction, Lin Jin immediately decided to give this Sacred Radiance Sun Lotus to his younger sister.

Although there were still several Immortal Herbs of decent quality in his mind, he could no longer find one more suitable.

At this moment, Lin Jin felt even more certain that his decision to recruit Yang Wudi had been wise.

"Clan Head Yang truly has a discerning eye." Lin Jin praised him, then said solemnly, "Then I must trouble Clan Head Yang to pick this Sacred Radiance Sun Lotus for me."

"Of course!" Without another word, Yang Wudi used a special technique to carefully harvest the Sacred Radiance Sun Lotus without damaging a trace of its spiritual essence. He placed it in a specially made Jade Box and handed it to Lin Jin.

Lin Jin accepted the Jade Box and felt the warm, vast energy of life and light within it. At last, a great weight lifted from his heart.

With it, Lin Jin believed Xiao Xue's future would be bright.

"Thank you, Clan Head Yang!" Lin Jin said sincerely.

This was the second time Lin Jin had thanked someone so sincerely.

The first had been Qian Renxue, who had saved his younger sister. The second was Yang Wudi, who was likewise saving his younger sister.

"General, you are too courteous. Thanks to you, I was able to see the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, one of the Three Great Treasures. It is Yang Mou's honor to be able to help you now." Yang Wudi hurriedly waved his hand modestly.

Then Yang Wudi seemed to recall something and spoke again. "General, I also noticed another Immortal Herb suitable for the Light Attribute. It is called the Dawn Revealing Flower."

"This flower carries the meaning of 'new life' and 'daybreak.' It can rebuild the foundation of a Martial Soul, soothe the mind, and dispel the darkness within one's heart."

Lin Jin gave Yang Wudi a deep look. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Clan Head Yang."

Lin Jin committed this to memory but did not immediately pick it.

Just then, two powerful fluctuations of Soul Power erupted almost simultaneously.

One Aura was heavy and steady, like the awakening earth, brimming with vigorous life.

The other was ancient and domineering, carrying the sharpness and rising spirit of rebirth after breaking free from a cocoon, along with a faint pressure akin to Dragon Might!

Lin Jin and Yang Wudi exchanged a glance, then immediately flashed toward where Dugu Bo and his granddaughter were cultivating.

The Earth Yellow Halo surrounding Dugu Yan slowly withdrew into her body. Her once slightly pale face was now rosy and healthy, while her Aura had become solid and heavy. Her Soul Power fluctuations had clearly grown stronger, and she had already broken through her bottleneck.

She slowly opened her eyes. A flash of golden light passed through them, and she cried out with surprise and vitality, "Grandfather! General Lin! I... I feel so comfortable! My body feels warm, and I feel inexplicably relaxed."

She excitedly jumped up, feeling an unprecedented lightness and strength.

Almost as soon as her voice fell, the Aura erupting from Dugu Bo beside her became even more astonishing!

He rose to his full height. His back, once slightly hunched from the poison's erosion, now stood ramrod straight like a drawn sword! His dark green hair moved without wind, while Jade Light flickered in his eyes as though it were tangible.

Soul Power surged around him, more condensed and profound than before. The pressure of a Titled Douluo was released without restraint, even causing the Poison Mist throughout the Valley to churn.

"Hahaha! Wonderful! Wonderful!" Dugu Bo threw back his head and let out a long roar, his voice rolling like thunder, filled with release and wild joy.

"For decades, this Old Man has never felt as refreshed as he does today!"

He carefully examined himself inwardly and discovered that the backlash poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison, which had plagued him for most of his life, had been completely broken down and absorbed by the tyrannical medicinal power of the Dragon Tongue Grass, becoming a part of his Strength.

His Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul seemed to have undergone a cleansing, becoming more solid and powerful. He had even faintly touched the threshold of Rank 92.

He strode over to Lin Jin and looked at the Young Man who had granted both him and his granddaughter new life.

Recalling his previous arrogance and doubts, all stray thoughts vanished from his heart, leaving only endless gratitude and admiration.

Dugu Bo faced Lin Jin and said solemnly, "General Lin, this Old Man need not say much about today's grace of remaking us. This Old Man will definitely fulfill the three things he promised you before. If you have any orders, just speak."

"Good. With those words, then I will not stand on ceremony." Lin Jin smiled slowly.

"No need for ceremony. Name it!" Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. He had not expected Lin Jin to make a request of him so soon.

Lin Jin said solemnly, "In some time, I will leave Heaven Dou for a while. I want you to protect Miss Dugu Yan and, while doing so, protect my younger sister Xiao Xue as well. This is the first thing I ask of you, and also the most important."

When Lin Jin made this request, Dugu Bo was first stunned. Then understanding and emotion flashed through his eyes.

He had thought Lin Jin would immediately ask him to handle something involving a struggle for power or dangerous slaughter.

Yet he had not expected Lin Jin's first—and "most important"—request to be the protection of his own family.

This seemingly simple request carried extraordinary meaning behind it:

First, entrusting his dearest younger sister to Dugu Bo was an immense show of trust in Dugu Bo's character.

Second, tying Dugu Yan's safety together with Lin Xue's invisibly bound Dugu Bo's interests completely to Lin Jin's. They would rise together and fall together.

Third, Lin Jin's departure from Heaven Dou meant he was surely going to deal with something extremely important and potentially dangerous. Entrusting the vulnerable point he cared about most to Dugu Bo showed that he was at ease.

Having understood all this, Dugu Bo's opinion of Lin Jin rose another level.

This person possessed not only astonishing talent, strength, and strategy, but also valued loyalty and affection.

Without the slightest hesitation, he solemnly cupped his fists and replied to Lin Jin in a resonant voice, "Rest assured! So long as this Old Man still draws breath, I will never allow Miss Lin Xue to suffer the slightest harm! This Old Man swears upon his Martial Soul that he will do everything in his power!"

"Grandfather!" Dugu Yan also walked over. She could feel Lin Jin's trust in her and her grandfather, and she said earnestly, "Big Brother Lin, don't worry. I will protect Xiao Xue too! The two of us are not only teammates now, but good friends as well!"

"Good! With Dugu Senior's word, I will have no worries left behind!" Lin Jin nodded, then looked toward the sky. "It is already fully light. We must return to Heaven Dou City and await Xue Ye's reward."

"Miss Dugu Yan, return to the academy and tell my younger sister, Ye Lingling, and the others to come to my Count's Mansion after class."

"Return to the academy and act as usual. Do not spread the news. Just deliver the message." Lin Jin gave Dugu Yan another reminder.

"Mm! Big Brother Lin, I remember!" Dugu Yan nodded firmly.

"Let us go." Lin Jin looked toward Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo.

"Yes, General!"

By the time Lin Jin's group returned to Heaven Dou City, the morning sun had fully risen, casting golden light across the magnificent capital.

Dugu Yan parted ways with Lin Jin and the other three.

She headed straight back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, preparing to deliver Lin Jin's message to Lin Xue and Ye Lingling as instructed.

Lin Jin, meanwhile, returned with Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo to the heavily guarded Imperial Palace.