Douluo: Starting by Forging a Gun Chapter 39

As he spoke, Dugu Bo took two pills from his storage Soul Tool and handed them to Shen Feng and Dugu Yan.

"The purple-black mist on the perimeter is a poison formation I set up. Even a ten-thousand-year soul beast wouldn't dare cross it. For any soul master without at least level 70 soul power, entering means certain death."

"These are Antidote Pills. Each one grants immunity to the poison formation for one hour. Take them now, and we'll head in once the effects kick in after a quarter of an hour."

A quarter of an hour later, Shen Feng followed Dugu Bo through nearly three hundred meters of toxic barrier. A dense forest surrounding a steep mountain peak about five hundred meters high suddenly stood before his eyes.

"Grandpa, is this mountain your place of seclusion? You've never brought me here in all these years."

Hearing Dugu Yan's slightly complaining tone, Dugu Bo smiled faintly. "It's not that I didn't want to bring you here, but it isn't as safe as you might think."

"Forget it, both of you follow me. Once we get there, you'll naturally understand what's going on."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo tapped his feet lightly and began to climb the cliff in a straight line as if walking on flat ground.

His pace seemed slow, but each step covered over ten meters, and the distance of every stride was perfectly uniform. As he ascended, his entire body seemed to be rising vertically.

Dugu Yan glanced at Shen Feng. "Race? Let me see what the peerless genius Grandpa keeps bragging about is actually capable of."

Shen Feng shrugged. "After you, Yanyan."

Dugu Yan didn't stand on ceremony; she let out a soft hum, gathered her soul power, and charged toward the mountain ahead.

The cliff was steep. While climbing, Dugu Yan had to stay fully focused, leaping from one protruding rock to the next to gain leverage.

Because the rock formations varied, she inevitably had to jump left and right, constantly adjusting her posture on the cliff face.

Throughout the climb, while her speed wasn't slow, her leaping, erratic style wasn't exactly graceful—it was barely any different from a monkey.

Shen Feng smiled slightly, concentrating his soul power into the soles of his feet. Using his Tree Climbing technique, he kept his body almost perpendicular to the mountain face, shooting toward the summit like an arrow released from a bow.

A gust of wind whipped by as Shen Feng brushed past Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan was instantly startled, her expression as if she had seen a ghost. "You, you, you..."

Shen Feng looked back and chuckled. "Yanyan, I'll head on ahead. See you at the top."

"Bye-bye~"

Dugu Bo had just reached the summit when Shen Feng darted up right behind him.

Dugu Bo looked back and chuckled softly. "Did Yanyan provoke you again?"

Shen Feng shrugged helplessly. "Soul masters are naturally competitive; Yanyan is just following her nature."

Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "You're a smooth talker, kid. You make being aggressive and combative sound so fresh and refined."

"But Yanyan isn't a bad person. Like me, she's a person of true character. Spend a bit more time with her, and you'll see."

Shen Feng nodded, agreeing sincerely. "That's only because of your excellent guidance, sir."

"If I had a grandfather at the Title Douluo level, I'd probably be arrogant enough to reach for the stars by now."

Dugu Bo was taken aback, then pointed at Shen Feng and laughed out loud. "You, oh you, your mouth is as sweet as if it were smeared with honey."

Shen Feng didn't change his expression, his eyes sincere. "I just say what I think; I'm only speaking the truth."

Feeling Shen Feng's sincerity, Dugu Bo was clearly even more pleased, his entire demeanor becoming somewhat buoyant.

As the saying goes, everyone helps carry a sedan chair; saying a few nice words costs nothing.

Besides, they were already here, and the distribution of the "fruits" was imminent. If he didn't flatter Dugu Bo, Shen Feng would feel bad about taking those immortal herbs.

While the two were talking, Dugu Yan also climbed up from the mountain below.

The moment she saw Shen Feng, Dugu Yan rushed over. "You brat, what kind of technique was that? You were so fast."

Shen Feng smiled slightly. "Just a little trick to control my soul power, nothing worth mentioning."

"If you're interested, Yanyan, I can teach you when I have time."

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, and she reached out to pat Shen Feng on the shoulder. "Good kid, you're a stand-up guy."

"Since you're so stand-up, I, as your big sister, naturally can't be stingy. How about this: from now on, you're my sworn brother from another mother."

"If anyone offends you in the future, tell your sister. I'll vent your anger for you. If I can't handle it, I'll have our old man step in. He'll definitely get it sorted out for you."

Shen Feng was speechless. Is this girl this impulsive? Swearing brotherhood right off the bat?

In truth, Dugu Yan wasn't stupid. Shen Feng was one of the rare few with Innate Full Soul Power, and his talent had been well-cultivated. As long as he didn't die young, he was destined to become a powerhouse at the Title Douluo level.

By building a good relationship with such a genius, her influence within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would be much greater when she eventually married Yu Tianheng.

This was called a match of equal status.

Moreover, having an extra Title Douluo as a backer meant that if Yu Tianheng ever wanted to let her down or take a concubine in the future, he would have to think twice.

Although it was normal for major powers to keep mistresses or take concubines, Dugu Yan had no intention of sharing her man, so she had to nip such wayward ideas in the bud.

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and he smiled, clearly moved. "I think that's a good idea. I'm quite fond of young Xiao Feng myself. If his martial soul attribute didn't conflict, I'd have wanted to take him as a disciple myself, for fear of holding him back."

"Since you also think highly of him, Yanyan, why wait for another day? You two might as well become sworn siblings right now."

"If you run into any trouble in the future, you two can support and look after each other."

Dugu Bo was truly covetous of Shen Feng's potential. Since the idea of him becoming his grandson-in-law had fallen through, having his granddaughter swear brotherhood with him meant that if anything were to happen to him, Dugu Yan would have someone to lean on.

For the sake of Dugu Yan, his only remaining close relative, Dugu Bo was truly racking his brains.

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Shen Feng's neck, saying boisterously, "Good little brother, good little brother! I've always wanted a cute little brother."

"What about you, Xiao Feng? Do you want a caring big sister who spoils you and goes along with everything you say?"

Shen Feng was left between laughter and tears, casting a strange look toward Dugu Bo. I thought we were friends despite our age gap, but you actually want to be my grandfather?

Dugu Bo seemed to understand the look in Shen Feng's eyes and turned his head away, looking slightly embarrassed.

It wasn't that he hadn't considered becoming sworn family with Shen Feng himself, but during those six months in Soul Hunting Town, he had mostly played the role of a student in the laboratory.

If Shen Feng were to actually call him grandfather, he would likely be even more awkward than Shen Feng.

Now, by letting Dugu Yan step in, he remained the grandfather figure in terms of seniority, but at least there was a layer of separation, and they could each maintain their own terms without it being an issue.

If Shen Feng were to insist on calling him grandfather, it wasn't as if he couldn't accept it.

After all, one has to adapt to everything; once you get used to hearing it, it starts to sound pleasant.

While Dugu Bo was still lost in his pleasant daydreams, Dugu Yan's expression dimmed as she failed to receive a response.

"You don't want to? Then never mind."

"No." Shen Feng broke free from Dugu Yan's arm, took a step back to create some distance, and then bowed respectfully.

"Big sister, please accept this bow from your little brother, Shen Feng."

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was right below them. Standing on this mountaintop, Shen Feng could already smell the pungent scent of sulfur.

The value of the immortal herbs was immense, but human nature could not withstand the test of greed.

Being able to acknowledge Dugu Yan as his sworn sister at this critical moment to add an extra layer of insurance for himself was not a bad thing at all.

Hearing Shen Feng call her sister, Dugu Yan felt as if she had eaten honey; she was completely satisfied and bubbling with joy.

With a haughty flick of a lock of hair on her forehead, Dugu Yan smilingly helped Shen Feng up, then took a porcelain bottle from her Soul Tool and handed it to him as if it were a great treasure.

"Time was short, so sister didn't prepare much of a gift."

"This is my greatest achievement in the way of poison. Even a Title Douluo would be forced to submit to this poison if they were careless for even a moment."

"I'm giving it to you now, little brother, but you must be very careful when using it~"

Shen Feng took the porcelain bottle with a strange expression; Dugu Yan's smile made him feel that something was very wrong.

Just then, Dugu Bo sent a voice transmission: "Kid, don't you ever be curious enough to open that bottle, especially if there is another living creature within fifty meters of you. Regardless of whether it's male or female, do not open it. Remember this, remember it well!"

Hearing this, Shen Feng's small hand trembled, and he nearly dropped the bottle; Dugu Bo's transmission was simply too terrifying.

Swallowing hard, Shen Feng put on a smile that looked worse than crying: "Thank you for the gift, sister. I will definitely treasure such a precious item. Unless it is an absolute last resort, I will not use it lightly."

Dugu Yan patted Shen Feng's shoulder with satisfaction and whispered into his ear: "If you ever meet a girl you like, you can actually use it, you know."

"You have to realize that good girls are not only rare, but they are also highly sought after. If you don't make your move early, someone else will."

Dugu Yan's voice sounded like a devil's whisper, constantly interfering with Shen Feng's state of mind.

What kind of place was the Douluo Continent? In his past life, it was known as the "Love Continent," a holy land for the love-struck.

Now that he had a divine tool in his hand, to say Shen Feng wasn't tempted would be like burning newspapers at a grave—just trying to fool the ghosts.

"Ahem!"

Just as Shen Feng was struggling with his thoughts, Dugu Bo's cough suddenly startled him back to reality.

"Alright, just keep the item safe. Don't take it out unless necessary; it's easy for things to go wrong."

"My herb garden is right below this valley. You two follow me; we have important business to attend to."

As for the item Dugu Yan had brought out, it wasn't just Shen Feng who was wary—Dugu Bo himself was wary of it too.

Besides, he was already over seventy years old; he didn't want to lose his reputation at this stage in his life.

They went up the mountain and then back down, following Dugu Bo as he jumped off the edge of a pitch-black, bottomless cliff, feeling their way down the cliff face in the darkness.

Soon, a faint glimmer of light entered Shen Feng's eyes, and his heart began to beat violently, thump, thump, thump, without him even realizing it.

"Xiao Feng? What's wrong? Why is your heart beating so fast?"

Dugu Bo was worthy of being a Title Douluo; the moment Shen Feng's heartbeat quickened, it immediately caught his attention.

Taking a deep breath to suppress his excitement, Shen Feng answered truthfully: "Old man, this place feels very familiar to me."

"If this really is that place, then the hidden danger within you and Yanyan-jie will no longer be a major problem."

Dugu Bo was shocked: "You know of this place?"

Shen Feng nodded slightly: "I was fortunate enough to see it in an ancient text, but I cannot be certain yet. Only by reaching the bottom and seeing it with my own eyes can I confirm if it is indeed here."

Dugu Bo laughed heartily: "Then what are we waiting for? I'll take you two down right now."

With that, Dugu Bo impatiently grabbed Shen Feng and Dugu Yan by the shoulders and leaped off into the air.

As their feet touched the ground, Shen Feng stood stunned, looking at the scene within the valley.

What met his eyes was a hot spring; the spring was not large, forming an oval-shaped pool.

But the water in the pool was exceptionally peculiar, split perfectly in half by two colors: one side milky white, the other crimson red.

Even more strangely, although they were in the same pool, they remained distinct and separate, never encroaching upon one another, always keeping to their own side.

Above the surface of the hot spring, billowing steam constantly rose, milky white and crimson intertwining like two coiling dragons slowly ascending.

Surrounding the dual-colored spring grew countless peculiar plants, most of them radiating a precious luster, their leaves and branches brimming with spiritual essence, the emitted glow completely illuminating the dim valley.

Such a treasure trove made tears of greed involuntarily stream from the corners of Shen Feng's mouth.

This breathtaking scene also left Dugu Yan, who was visiting for the first time, standing frozen on the spot, her mouth agape and unable to speak for a long time.

"Th-th-this..."

Stammering for a long while, Dugu Yan still could not believe that this herb garden, which looked too beautiful to be of the mortal world, was actually their family's property.

For a moment, Dugu Yan's cheeks flushed a deep red from excitement.

Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Yan, shook his head helplessly, and waved his hand to cast a barrier of soul power, enveloping both Shen Feng and Dugu Yan within it.

"Yanyan, steady your mind and smooth out the soul power within your body."

Hearing Dugu Bo's reminder, Shen Feng realized that the soul power inside his own body had begun to turn chaotic without him even noticing.

Dugu Yan, however, wore a look of sheer terror; because her control over her soul power was inferior to Shen Feng's, the energy within her had already begun to riot.

The reason her cheeks had flushed so rapidly earlier was not just due to excitement, but largely caused by the turbulence of her soul power.

"Gr-grandfather, what exactly is going on here?"

Dugu Bo did not answer Dugu Yan, instead turning his head to look at Shen Feng, who had already calmed down.

"Xiao Feng, seeing how confident you look, have you figured something out?"

Shen Feng nodded: "This is the danger of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."