At this point, only Dugu Bo and his son remained of the family.
However, thanks to the exceptionally high quality of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, their ancestors had once been wealthy. Thus, what was called Dugu Manor should really have been called Dugu Castle.
It was a massive Gothic-style castle covering over ten thousand square meters.
As a result, there were especially many formalities for visiting. Wang Chuan and Wang Lie first presented their calling card, then waited for quite a while before Dugu Bo warmly welcomed them inside.
Once both sides were seated, Dugu Bo could not help but exclaim in admiration.
"Impressive, Second Brother. Four years have passed, yet you somehow look younger than before. I'm truly envious."
Wang Lie burst into laughter. "You're not bad either, Little Poison Snake. After all these years, your cultivation has improved quite a bit, hasn't it?"
For a time, the two exchanged pleasantries.
Meanwhile, Wang Chuan sat as though on pins and needles. He truly felt uncomfortable listening to elders make small talk, so he could only focus on the tea and snacks brought by the servants to pass the time.
Just then, Dugu Bo changed the subject and said to Wang Chuan.
"By the way, Little Chuan, our last meeting was rushed, so I didn't give you a meeting gift. This time, I can make up for it."
As he spoke, Dugu Bo took out a palm-sized piece of blood jade from his storage Soul Tool. It was lustrous and smooth, like a pebble.
"This is called Dragon Blood Jade. It is said to be jade formed after being soaked in the blood of ancient true dragons. In a simulated environment, it can assist the cultivation of dragon-type Martial Spirits like ours."
Without waiting for Wang Chuan to react, Dugu Bo tried to stuff such a treasure into his hands.
Wang Lie hurriedly stepped forward, spouting elder-like remarks about how it was too precious, far too precious, and that they could not accept such a treasure.
For a moment, Wang Chuan did not know what to do. What kind of elder drama was this?
This was so agonizing!
In the end, Dugu Bo used the excuse that the Dragon Blood Jade was already useless to him and forcibly gave it to Wang Chuan, ending with Wang Chuan bowing in thanks.
Beside him, Wang Lie smacked his lips, seemingly still unsatisfied.
At the same time, a trace of reluctance flashed through his eyes.
He had actually lost this game of polite refusal. How irritating. That really showed the mischievousness etched into a man's bones.
However, Wang Lie quickly regained a serious expression and said.
"Fine, we'll accept this meeting gift. Now let's talk business, Little Poison Snake."
Dugu Bo was not surprised by Wang Lie's change in attitude.
They were both adults. Brotherhood was important, certainly, but they were both so busy. After suddenly going four years without contact, then suddenly showing up again, Wang Lie definitely had not come just to make trouble.
Wang Lie then asked whether Dugu Bo maintained a medicinal garden.
Dugu Bo did not know why Wang Lie was asking. Was it not perfectly normal for every major faction to have its own cultivation grounds for rare herbs and treasures?
Still, Dugu Bo cooperatively nodded slightly.
"I do have a medicinal garden. Why do you ask, Brother Wang Lie? Are you looking to purchase some rare medicinal herbs?"
Wang Lie shook his head and said directly.
"Not exactly.
The thing is, your second brother here has a batch of extremely valuable medicinal herbs. You know our family's situation—we definitely can't grow them under those people's watchful eyes. That's why we came to ask for your help."
Dugu Bo immediately looked enlightened. He was an old hand in the world, so he naturally understood what Wang Lie meant.
Thus, Dugu Bo casually waved his hand.
"I was wondering what it was. Don't worry, Second Brother. If you plant your herbs in my garden, they'll definitely be safe."
Having received the answer they wanted, Wang Chuan and Wang Lie immediately beamed with delight.
However, Wang Lie soon reined in his smile. He took out a Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma that had been stored beforehand in a jade box from his storage Soul Tool and pushed it toward Dugu Bo, his expression solemn.
"Dugu Bo, your second brother appreciates your goodwill, but I can't possibly let you work for nothing.
"Inside is a Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma. It strengthens one's foundation, replenishes vitality, benefits one's qi, and enhances cultivation. It can improve your aptitude and allow you to cultivate faster. Consider it a token of goodwill from your second brother."
A familiar scene played out once more.
Dugu Bo had originally intended to help Wang Chuan and Wang Lie for free, but at this moment, he simply could not resist the temptation of the Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma before him.
At present, Dugu Bo could only forcefully suppress the Martial Spirit poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul with his Soul Power.
Even after breaking through to become a Title Douluo in the future, Dugu Bo would still rely on the same old method, and it would not even work. He would have to depend on the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to suppress it regularly just to barely cling to life.
Thus, Dugu Bo truly wanted this Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma, which could improve his cultivation aptitude!
Because only stronger cultivation could suppress the increasingly violent origin poison within his body.
But facing his old Second Brother, Dugu Bo truly could not bring himself to ask for payment. For a moment, his expression twisted with conflict and struggle.
Seeing this, Wang Chuan became even more satisfied with Dugu Bo.
Even in the face of a life-or-death crisis, he was still agonizing over the moral question of whether refusing it was friendship and accepting it was only proper. How bad could someone like that possibly be?
Thus, Wang Chuan said.
"Grandpa Dugu, just accept it.
"After all, there are quite a lot of medicinal herbs we need to entrust you with growing. If you refuse this payment, we won't feel at ease either.
"Besides, we know about your condition. The reason we gave you this kind of medicinal herb is because we have our own considerations. Please accept this token of goodwill from us."
Wang Lie also hurriedly chimed in.
"That's right, Little Poison Snake. Why are you still being so awkward at a time like this? You're one of my few old friends. I don't want to see you collapse in the forest like last time, only for someone else to steal your kill."
When that embarrassing incident was brought up, Dugu Bo's expression rarely showed shame and anger.
However, unable to refuse their earnest insistence, he ultimately accepted the Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma.
Afterward, Dugu Bo resumed chatting with Wang Lie. His expression was gentler than before, and recollection occasionally surfaced in his eyes. The smile on his lips also grew more frequent.
The two old men reminisced about the past for most of the day before Dugu Bo finally led them to the rear of the castle.
That was where his medicinal garden was located.
As soon as he approached, Wang Chuan saw a fog wall formed from green poisonous miasma. It reminded him somewhat of the Evil Poison Cobra King in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As Dugu Bo waved his hand to dispel the poison formation, he said smugly.
"So, what do you think, Brother? My poison formation is decent, right?
"After years of strengthening and refinement, even an ordinary Soul Saint would be paralyzed if he entered it, then slowly poisoned to death alive.
"Only Soul Douluo experts might be able to force their way in.
"So, if you plant your herbs here, they'll definitely be safe.
"And Second Brother, let me tell you, there's a living hot spring below. It keeps this place like spring all year round, while farther in lies an area of extreme cold.
"So no matter what attribute your medicinal herbs have, they can grow in my garden."
Wang Chuan and Wang Lie nodded repeatedly, looking like country bumpkins who had never seen the world.
Isn't this just a smaller Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? It seemed Dugu Bo was naturally fated with treasured lands of this attribute.
But when Dugu Bo saw the enormous quantity of medicinal herbs Wang Chuan took out, enough to cover more than ten mu of land, he was the one left speechless.
Before you continue