Talking Dugu Bo into Establishing a Branch Pavilion

Four hours later, the fishing session ended.

Luo Can put away his fishing rod, quite satisfied with the haul.

After the fishing spot was upgraded, the effects were immediate. Although the drop rate for high-quality items—such as high-age Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, high-tier Soul Tools, and rare pills—had not surged dramatically, the waiting time between catches had noticeably decreased. The average time per cast had fallen from around twenty minutes to fifteen.

What delighted him even more was that, of today's eighteen casts, five had yielded high-quality items—a significantly higher proportion than before.

"Not bad. Those hundred thousand Points were well spent." Luo Can stretched, rose to his feet, and called toward the Wooden House, "Xue'er, I'm going out to bring Lingling and Yanyan back. Want to come along?"

The room was silent for a moment before a slightly lazy voice drifted out. "No—time—!"

Luo Can laughed and shook his head, no longer insisting. He walked to the center of the clearing, spread his Dragon Wings, and gave them a light flap, shooting into the sky.

Unlike before, when Luo Can flew into the clouds this time, he felt as though he had passed through a layer of water. Only after crossing that watery membrane did he emerge above the clouds.

He glanced at the sea of clouds without lingering, then turned into a streak of light and sped toward Yaowang Town.

Yaowang Town, Luo's Herb Shop.

When Luo Can pushed open the door, Bai Ningshuang was checking the accounts behind the counter, Bai Chen was sorting newly delivered herbs, and Yang Yan stood awkwardly to one side, watching a customer as if he wanted to speak but could not bring himself to.

"Boss Luo!" The three hurriedly greeted him upon seeing Luo Can.

Luo Can waved them off. He first replenished the herbs, then quickly looked through the account books. Only after the shop was free of customers did his gaze settle on Yang Yan.

"How is Yang Yan adapting?"

Bai Ningshuang smiled gently. "He has improved quickly. He has already mastered herb identification, sorting, and basic processing. He can now independently handle most prescriptions and medicine preparation. It's just..." She paused. "He doesn't talk much and isn't very proactive about chatting with customers."

Bai Chen nodded as well. "Brother Yang is steady and hardworking."

Yang Yan scratched his cheek, a trace of embarrassment flashing across his face. He truly was neither skilled at nor fond of haggling. He preferred keeping his head down and working with herbs.

"Yang Yan," Luo Can said evenly, "running an herb shop isn't just about filling prescriptions and mixing medicine. Understanding what customers truly need and then giving them the most suitable advice—that is what a good pharmacist should do. You need to take the initiative to ask and communicate. From now on, try talking with customers more. Understand?"

Yang Yan pressed his lips together and nodded heavily. "I understand, Boss."

"Luo's Herb Shop will not always have only this one location. It will become one of Fate Defying Pavilion's important foundations in the future. The three of you, as its founding members and first staff, may one day become the shopkeepers and managers of branches in new cities!"

He paused, looking at the three of them as he continued to paint an enticing future.

"By then, you will need to stand on your own. You will manage the shops, liaise with all sides, train newcomers. Communication and business management are just as important as recognizing herbs and cultivating Soul Power, so do not let down my expectations."

Those words made all three flush with excitement, and their reverence for Luo Can reached its peak.

"Yes, Boss! We will work hard!" the three said in unison.

Luo Can smiled, said no more, and turned to leave the herb shop.

After leaving Luo's Herb Shop, Luo Can quickly found his two young disciples on East Street.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan each held a skewer of Candied Hawthorn as they darted between the dazzling stalls. Behind them, Dugu Bo carried all manner of novel toys and snacks, his face full of indulgence whenever he looked at them.

When he saw Luo Can approaching, Dugu Bo's smile stiffened before he gave an awkward laugh. "Haha, Luo boy, what a coincidence. You came shopping too?"

Luo Can glanced at the two little girls, who had clearly played a little too wildly, and smiled. "Your vacation is over. It's time to return to The Valley with your master and continue cultivating."

The two little girls immediately looked reluctant, but they still nodded. "Okay, Master. We'll go back with you now."

Dugu Bo immediately became unhappy. "Hey! Luo boy, can't you let Yanyan stay with this old man for two more days?"

"Senior, you spoil them too much," Luo Can replied bluntly, casually rubbing the two girls' heads.

Of course, Luo Can felt a little guilty saying that himself. In The Valley, he spoiled his two disciples no less than Dugu Bo did—perhaps even more.

"You..." Dugu Bo choked on his words. He glared, about to say something else, but Luo Can grabbed his arm and dragged him into an empty alley nearby.

"Senior, there's something serious I need to discuss with you." Luo Can put away his teasing expression and spoke solemnly.

"Something serious? Why are you acting so mysterious?" Dugu Bo asked doubtfully.

"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well." Luo Can went straight to the point. "It is a true treasure land. It is crucial to you, to Yanyan, and even to the future of Fate Defying Pavilion. So, I plan to establish a Fate Defying Pavilion branch there, with you as its Branch Pavilion Master."

"What?!" Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "Build a branch pavilion on my territory? And make me the branch master? Luo boy, are you sick?"

"Senior, didn't you say you wanted to join my faction?" Luo Can smiled at him. "So, as Pavilion Master, I am appointing you as Branch Pavilion Master. What is wrong with that?"

"How can that be the same? It's too troublesome!" Dugu Bo shook his head repeatedly. "Can't this old man just put his name down with you and be a leisurely elder? This old man is good at fighting and killing. Don't come looking for me for those trivial matters!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Luo Can revealed a meaningful smile and drawled, "Since Senior finds it troublesome, then forget it. I'll send several capable experts there instead and take over the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. As for Senior, you're getting old, so how about peacefully retiring in Baican Village?"

"You—!" Dugu Bo's face turned green with anger.

"Good boy! You really know how to stab this old man right in his weak spot, don't you?" Dugu Bo took several heavy breaths. Since Luo Can had put it this way, he knew there was no room for negotiation.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "Fine! Fine! You win! This old man will be the Branch Pavilion Master, all right?!"

Luo Can shrugged. "I cannot allow anyone else to obtain that place. And to be safe, I'll send you a few fighters later."

Dugu Bo snorted. "No need! This old man is Poison Douluo. With this old man guarding it, what blind fool would dare come?"

The smile faded from Luo Can's face. "Senior, do not be careless. Sunset Forest is too close to Heaven Dou City, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is located there as well."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Dugu Bo frowned. "I have no grievances with them. We mind our own business. Would they really come after my Herb Garden?"

Under normal circumstances, of course not." Luo Can changed the subject. "But what if they learned of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well? Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo—Senior, are you confident you could protect the Herb Garden if they joined forces?"

Dugu Bo fell silent. Faced with those two Super Douluo, especially with the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, he truly had no chance of winning.

Seeing Dugu Bo's expression soften, Luo Can continued adding pressure, his voice carrying a hint of gravity.

"Senior Dugu, on this Douluo Continent, as far as I know, there are at least two other people capable of recognizing at a glance that the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is a treasure land."

"Two people?" Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened.

"One is Chrysanthemum Douluo of Spirit Hall, Yue Guan. His Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul is especially sensitive to the aura of immortal herbs."

Dugu Bo's expression darkened slightly. Naturally, he knew Yue Guan. He was a troublesome figure, and the two did not get along.

"Then... who is the other one?" he pressed, a faint sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

Luo Can slowly uttered two words.

"Clear Sky."

Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly contracted!

Tang Hao! The man who had severely wounded the Pope of Spirit Hall by himself! If he truly set his sights on the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Clear Sky..." Dugu Bo murmured. After a long while, he said, "Fine. I accept your proposal. When will you send people over?"

Luo Can patted Dugu Bo's shoulder. "Senior, just return and wait for good news. I will arrange the manpower as soon as possible."

With that, he said nothing more and turned to leave the alley.

In the alley, Dugu Bo watched Luo Can's retreating figure and let out a long sigh. "Clear Sky... sigh..."

His voice was filled with bitterness.

Luo Can soon reunited with Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan. Taking one hand in each of his, he said, "Let's go. We're returning to The Valley."

On the way back, Luo Can was in quite a good mood.

Today, he had successfully talked Dugu Bo into it, adding another layer of protection to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was far too important to Tang San. It was key to his rise in the early stages, and Luo Can would never allow it to fall so easily into Tang San's hands as it had in the original story.

By setting up defenses in advance and stationing experts there, even if Tang San truly came to seize it by force in the future with the Clear Sky Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they would at least be able to hold it.

Before they knew it, the master and his two disciples had arrived beneath Jueming Cliff.