Luring Dugu Bo, Returning

In Sunset Forest, Flender closed the Chat Group. Night had fallen here as well, and specks of starlight had already filled the sky, making for a beautiful sight.

As he contemplated the future, he had already sent a portion of the Immortal Herbs to the group members, and what he had collected was enough for Zhao and the others to use. Should he begin here?

Flender slowly furrowed his brows. Suotuo City was their long-term base, but when it came to the future, Sunset Forest, where Dugu Bo was, was naturally the better choice.

Should they relocate here?

The images of several children flashed through his mind, and Flender suddenly smiled.

Hadn't he said he would build an academy where anyone could enroll? Was he already "favoring the rich and despising the poor"?

"I should go back first. Start from scratch and slowly build an academy that belongs to me."

"What academy?"

Flender froze. When he turned around, a familiar head of green hair entered his view. It was Dugu Bo.

"Senior? You really do come and go like a ghost."

Hearing that, Dugu Bo frowned, his tone somewhat displeased.

"Things have come to this. There is no need to be so distant. We can interact as equals; just call me by my name."

That was Old Poison's temperament. If he disliked someone, he would pick at every little flaw. But once he approved of someone, he would become extremely close, to the point of caring even about how they addressed him.

"Got it? Then I won't stand on ceremony." Flender was the sort to give as good as he got. "Old Dugu, I'm planning to take my brothers back. Are you coming?"

"Back? Back where?"

"Back to the place where we used to stay. What, did you think we lived here too?"

Flender spoke bluntly. Since he wanted to recruit someone, there was no need to beat around the bush.

Hearing the intent to leave in Flender's words, Dugu Bo looked even more displeased.

"I live in seclusion here, surrounded by medicinal herbs, with no Soul Beasts to disturb me and no Spirit Masters to harass me. You can simply stay here. Why leave?"

"Because I have my own path, Old Dugu. I plan to open an academy for all Spirit Masters willing to learn, regardless of wealth or ability."

Flender pointed at his head. "With the knowledge in here."

With the abilities of a Spirit Saint, opening an academy would be more than easy. Moreover, Flender could now oversee the training of a Spirit Master from Soul Scholar all the way to Spirit Saint.

In the future, even training a Title Douluo would not be a problem.

"If you leave, then what am I supposed to do?" Dugu Bo did not care. He had finally found someone who could resolve the toxins in his body. How could he let him go?

"You?" Flender blinked, then gave a crafty smile. "Come back with me. You're a lone wanderer anyway, so it doesn't matter where you go."

"I'm opening an academy, so come lend a hand. Having a Title Douluo backing us will sound good outside too."

Dugu Bo laughed in irritation. He really wasn't holding back at all.

"Besides, you have a son and a son-in-law, so you should have grandchildren too, right? They can study under me. I can even resolve the trouble in your body. What other academy can do that? Aren't you tempted?"

Looking at Flender, who was openly tempting him, Dugu Bo really wanted to punch him. In the end, however, he restrained himself.

The brat was right. No one else could solve the problem of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison so easily. He truly was the most suitable teacher for Yan'er.

"I only have one granddaughter, Yan'er. She's twelve this year and currently attending school. Are you asking me to make her withdraw now?"

"Twelve? Isn't that just right? Once she graduates from a junior Soul Master Academy, she can enroll directly at my academy."

Although it was still in its early stages, Flender was confident that he could establish a decent academy before Dugu Yan enrolled.

Dugu Bo looked even more hesitant, but he ultimately nodded quietly, not seeming too concerned.

He had sent Yan'er to school because it was inconvenient for him to care for her. He had been busy with Xin'er and his wife's affairs all the time, and he had also wanted her to make more friends.

Now that the poison could be cured, bringing Yan'er back would be a good thing. Even if this brat's abilities were mediocre, Dugu Bo himself was more than capable of teaching Yan'er well.

With that in mind, Dugu Bo finally nodded.

At worst, he would waste some time accompanying this brat. To learn that secret Poison Heal technique, it would all be worth it.

Dugu Yan is twelve now. I remember that she's seven years older than Tang San, which means Tang San is only five. There is still one year before the official plot begins.

"One year is enough."

Information rapidly flashed through Flender's mind as he smiled at Dugu Bo.

"Then, Senior, it's a deal."

"It's a deal." Dugu Bo said seriously, "But first, I need to take Xin'er and the others to see Yan'er. Tell me where you are, and I'll come find you then."

What Dugu Bo cared about most was still his family. Now that Xin'er had recovered, the first thing he thought of was reuniting the long-separated family.

As for taking Flender with him, that brat was far too slippery. Dugu Bo did not have that confidence.

"Fine. In the Baroque Kingdom..."

Not long afterward, Dugu Bo left with peace of mind. He did not need to worry that Flender would deceive him; he had already gotten to know this crafty brat.

As for the herbs Flender had picked here, Dugu Bo did not care either, because he could not recognize most of what Flender had taken.

Flender only picked the best ones. Although the rest were precious, he left the medicinal herbs that could be bought outside for Dugu Bo.

After all, those were the only ones Dugu Bo knew how to use.

By the time they left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, aside from the two core Immortal Herbs, nearly everything else had been swept clean by Flender.

It would take quite some time for the next batch of Immortal Herbs to grow, but Flender already had a plan. There was no need to wait too long.

When he found Zhao and the others, they had long since grown impatient. Having been brought into the territory of a Title Douluo, they naturally could not relax.

They had only been there for a day. After resting for one night, Flender formally parted ways with Dugu Bo.

Before leaving, Dugu Bo did not say much. Dugu Xin and his wife, however, spoke with Flender for quite some time.

Even after Flender departed, Dugu Xin's gaze remained fixed on his retreating figure.

"Father, who exactly is Mr. Flender?"

Dugu Xin spoke with a sigh. He could dispel toxins that even his father had been unable to break, and his father was even willing to let him leave. Dugu Xin had never seen anything like it.

"A lucky fellow. But being able to make use of that luck is impressive in itself."

Dugu Bo gave him a very high evaluation.

"Then Yan'er will definitely learn a great deal by following him in the future." Dugu Xin said with relief.

"Enough." Dugu Bo cut him off. He raised a hand, intending to touch Dugu Xin's head, but in the end merely patted his shoulder. The child had grown up.

"Let's go see Yan'er first. She misses you both very much."

"Mm."

At the mention of their child, the couple immediately revealed complicated smiles. They hoped they were not too late, that they could still catch up to Yan'er's childhood.

"Old skinflint, what exactly did you say to Dugu Bo? He doesn't seem like the Old Poison from the rumors."

"Simple. I conquered him with my personal charm. He might even become your colleague in the future."

"What?" Zhao Wuji stared in disbelief.

"Hahahaha."

Amid laughter and cheerful conversation, the group gradually left Sunset Forest. Though there had been a few twists and turns, their original goal had been fulfilled perfectly, even exceeded.

A few days later, Flender's figure gradually appeared south of Suotuo City in the Baroque Kingdom.

"Qin Ming, we're back!"