Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid

He had even considered disposing of his disciple completely after the academy tournament once he discovered that the secrets surrounding him were growing ever greater.

But before that, how had his disciple provoked Tang Hao?

And even fought him to a standstill?

"Wife?"

"Blue Silver Emperor? Hmph, it was for that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!" Dugu Bo's expression darkened.

Twelve years ago, he had heard bits and pieces about Tang Hao marrying a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. As a Titled Douluo, he naturally knew something of it.

He knew that aside from a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, Tang Hao would surely possess a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone as well.

But he had never expected his disciple to be so bold—not only concealing it from him, but secretly stealing someone else's wife away.

He wanted to keep the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone all to himself.

And that Elder Hui—no wonder he had always carried himself with a faint air of pride. So this was the trump card he had.

Heh. He had truly found himself a fine disciple.

So very filial.

Dugu Bo's narrow eyes turned icy as he crushed the paper in his hand.

Bang!

A dull sound suddenly echoed through the secret chamber, making Dugu Bo raise an eyebrow.

It signified that an honored guest had come calling.

But at such a late hour... the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Beng?

Was he here because his disciple had been killed by Tang Hao?

Dugu Bo corroded every scrap of paper in his hand, pondered for a moment, then rose and opened the secret chamber door.

The night's moonlight poured in with chilling clarity.

In the main hall.

A young man dressed in the casual uniform of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy stood in the hall, admiring the cold moonlight.

He was handsome, carrying the tranquil and lofty aura of a swan.

Dugu Bo slowly walked out of the secret chamber and into the hall. Looking at Xue Beng, who seemed even colder beneath the moonlight, he frowned slightly.

Xue Beng heard the footsteps as well. Smiling, he turned and bowed to Dugu Bo. "Greetings, Teacher. I apologize for visiting so late at night."

"No matter." Dugu Bo's expression remained indifferent. He was a royal retainer of the Heaven Dou Empire and, at the same time, the teacher of the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng.

Thus, he was worthy of a Fourth Prince's bow.

However, because of certain matters, he did not think highly of this student of his.

Xue Beng was not surprised. Dugu Bo had not shown him a pleasant face for three or four years now, so unless something happened, he would never come here to suffer.

But when he thought of the trouble Dugu Aotian had caused, he sighed softly.

"Teacher, I am deeply saddened by what happened to Junior Disciple Brother Aotian. If I had stopped him more firmly, perhaps he would not have embarked on this path of no return."

He had become Dugu Bo's student six years ago, so he addressed Dugu Aotian as his junior disciple brother.

Moreover, when it came to teaching disciples, Dugu Bo devoted more effort to his own cultivation and rarely taught Dugu Aotian.

He had been the one responsible for Dugu Aotian's earliest training.

So, as the senior disciple brother, there was nothing improper about sighing and saying such things before Dugu Bo. It also matched the public perception of him as a gentle and virtuous man, known as the Virtuous King.

But Dugu Bo did not appreciate the sentiment. He merely said coldly, "Fourth Prince, if you have something to say, say it plainly. I do not have time to trade riddles with you."

Dugu Bo's blunt lack of appreciation made Xue Beng's expression stiffen, but he soon sighed again.

"Since Teacher puts it that way, then this student will speak frankly. Father's intention is for Teacher to consider the greater good."

"Do not, in a fit of anger, bring joy to your enemies and sorrow to those close to you."

"Joy to enemies and sorrow to those close to me?" Dugu Bo laughed when he heard that.

Who were his enemies, and who were those close to him?

Spirit Hall?

Or Tang Hao?

The Heaven Dou Imperial Family simply did not want Spirit Hall's people to laugh at them over this matter.

And they wanted to leave Tang Hao a favor, hoping to use it as a way to establish ties with the Clear Sky Sect.

But—

"My disciple is already dead. What use are such words to me?" Dugu Bo sneered.

Though he had originally intended to kill his disciple after the academy tournament and squeeze every secret out of him.

What did the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family think they were?

They wanted him to consider the greater good?

A Titled Douluo like him was the greater good!

An imperial family without a Titled Douluo wanted a Titled Douluo like him to consider the greater good? What a joke!

Hearing this, Xue Beng could not help the corner of his mouth twitching inwardly.

Who on Douluo Continent did not know that Poison Douluo was the most afraid of death and never made enemies of Titled Douluo capable of killing him?

And yet he said, "My disciple is already dead. What use are such words to me?"

Sigh.

But the Heaven Dou Imperial Family still needed Dugu Bo, this Titled Douluo, to stand guard for them. They could not make him lose face.

So Xue Beng bowed again and said softly, "Teacher, please do not be angry. Father knows that losing a disciple has dealt Teacher an unbearably heavy blow."

"Therefore, he specially sent me to present this newly acquired Immortal Herb to Teacher."

As he spoke, a tall Gray Robe at his side took a Jade Box from a Storage Soul Tool and opened it.

The instant it opened, an extraordinary fragrance filled the entire room.

The rich orchid fragrance cleared the mind and refreshed the spirit. Its soothing floral scent invigorated everyone in the hall, and Dugu Bo looked over in surprise.

Inside the Jade Box lay an eight-petaled orchid in silence. Its petals trembled faintly as though shivering, and its entire body was snow-white and crystalline, giving off an aloof, ethereal air.

"An Immortal-Grade Herb—the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid?" Dugu Bo asked in surprise.

"Yes." Xue Beng smiled and nodded.

"After Father learned of Immortal Herbs, he searched throughout the Heaven Dou Empire and only recently obtained this treasure."

"Teacher, you know that among all immortal-grade medicinal herbs, this one has the gentlest medicinal properties, yet they are also the purest and richest. It can strengthen one's foundation, nourish one's essence, and expel impurities from the body."

"Although Junior Disciple Sister Dugu Yan has already consumed an Immortal Herb, taking another would only do more harm than good."

"But I believe that when Junior Disciple Sister and Tianheng have a child and the child awakens a Martial Soul, this Immortal Herb will be the most suitable gift."

Xue Beng carried the Jade Box over and respectfully offered it to Dugu Bo.

Looking at the Immortal Herb, Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes. In his life, he could kill a traitorous disciple, and he could ignore the imperial family when they were in trouble.

Living alone and freely was his true nature.

But his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, was the one person he treasured most and could not bear to part with.

Thus, Xue Beng's words made Dugu Bo stare at him with narrowed eyes for a long while. Then, with a wave of his hand, he used Soul Power to put away the Jade Box.

He said, "Fine. I'll accept the Immortal Herb."

"However, that Yu Tianheng brat may not necessarily be qualified to become my granddaughter's husband."

"Let him take first place in the academy tournament first, then we can talk."

After saying that, Dugu Bo picked up the tea on the table in the hall and spoke with a cold laugh.

Xue Beng was not surprised. The man doted excessively on his granddaughter and found fault with Yu Tianheng in every possible way for wanting to marry her.

Even if Yu Tianheng was the young sect master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects, it made no difference.

Having achieved his goal, Xue Beng took his leave from Dugu Bo.

He did not want to remain here and suffer any longer.

Sigh. That damned Dugu Aotian.

And Tang Hao.