Visiting Dugu Manor (Part 2)

Although Dugu Bo only had himself and his son left during this period, his family had once been prosperous due to the exceptionally high quality of their Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, so the so-called Dugu Manor would be more accurately described as Dugu Castle.

It was a massive, Gothic-style fortress covering an area of over ten thousand square meters.

Because of this, there were many formalities to observe when visiting; Wang Chuan and his companion submitted their calling cards first, and it was only after waiting for quite a while that Dugu Bo warmly welcomed them inside.

Once both parties were seated, Dugu Bo couldn't help but exclaim in wonder.

"Incredible, Second Brother! It's been four years, yet you seem to be growing younger with each passing day. It's truly enviable."

Wang Lie laughed heartily, "You're not doing too badly yourself, little venomous snake. After all these years, your cultivation has surely refined quite a bit, hasn't it?"

For a time, the two exchanged pleasantries.

Wang Chuan, however, felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. He felt incredibly awkward during this exchange between elders, so he could only focus on the tea and snacks brought by the servants to pass the time.

Just then, Dugu Bo shifted the tone of the conversation and said to Wang Chuan.

"By the way, Xiao Chuan, our last meeting was too rushed for me to give you a greeting gift. Let's make up for that now."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo took a piece of blood-red jade, the size of a palm and as smooth as a pebble, from his storage Soul Tool.

"This item is called Dragon Blood Jade. It is said to be formed from jade soaked in the blood of an ancient true dragon. It can assist those of us with dragon-type Martial Souls in our cultivation within a mimetic environment."

Without waiting for Wang Chuan to react, Dugu Bo tried to force the treasure into his hands.

Wang Lie hurriedly stepped forward, reciting the usual elder's script about how it was too precious, far too valuable, and that such a treasure could not be accepted.

For a moment, Wang Chuan felt at a loss. Where did this elder's theater come from?

This is so agonizing!

In the end, Dugu Bo insisted that the Dragon Blood Jade was of no use to him anymore and forced it upon Wang Chuan, ending the exchange with Wang Chuan bowing in thanks.

Wang Lie, standing to the side, smacked his lips as if he hadn't quite had his fill.

At the same time, a flash of unwillingness crossed his eyes.

He had actually lost this game of polite refusal; it was truly frustrating! It showed a bit of the stubbornness etched into a man's bones.

However, Wang Lie quickly regained his composure and said.

"Alright, we accept your greeting gift. Now, let's talk about some serious business, little venomous snake."

Dugu Bo was not surprised by Wang Lie's change in attitude.

After all, they were both adults. While brotherly affection was important, they were both busy people. To suddenly go four years without contact and then reach out like this, it certainly wasn't just for idle chatter.

Wang Lie then asked Dugu Bo if he was currently managing a medicinal garden.

Dugu Bo didn't know why Wang Lie was asking this. Wasn't it normal for all major factions to have their own cultivation bases for rare herbs and treasures?

Still, Dugu Bo nodded slightly in cooperation.

"I do have a medicinal garden. I'm not sure why you're asking, Brother Wang Lie. Are you looking to purchase some rare medicinal materials?"

Wang Lie shook his head and said directly.

"That's not it. It's just that your second brother here has a batch of high-value medicinal materials on hand. You know the situation with our family; it's certainly not suitable to plant them under their noses, so I've come to ask for your help."

Dugu Bo immediately looked enlightened. He was a veteran of the world and naturally understood the situation Wang Lie was describing.

Dugu Bo waved his hand dismissively.

"I thought it was something major. Don't worry, Second Brother; your herbs will be perfectly safe planted in my garden."

Having received the answer they wanted, Wang Chuan and Wang Lie beamed with joy.

However, Wang Lie quickly restrained his smile. He took out a Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma that had been prepared in a jade box from his storage Soul Tool, pushed it toward Dugu Bo, and said solemnly.

"Dugu Bo, I appreciate your kindness, but I certainly can't let you do this for nothing. This is a Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma. It has the effect of strengthening the foundation, nourishing the vital energy, and increasing power. It will improve your aptitude and speed up your cultivation. Consider it a token of my sincerity."

The familiar scene played out once again.

Dugu Bo, who had originally intended to help Wang Chuan and his companion for free, found himself unable to resist the temptation of the Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma before him.

Because, at present, Dugu Bo could only use his soul power to forcibly suppress the poison of his Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul.

Even if he were to break through to become a Title Douluo in the future, Dugu Bo would still be stuck with this old method, which wasn't even effective; he would still have to rely on the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to periodically suppress it just to survive.

Therefore, Dugu Bo truly wanted this Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma that could improve his cultivation aptitude!

Only with stronger cultivation could he suppress the increasingly violent primal poison within his body.

But facing his old "Second Brother," Dugu Bo couldn't bring himself to accept payment, leaving his expression twisted in struggle.

Seeing this, Wang Chuan became even more satisfied with Dugu Bo.

If someone who was facing a life-and-death crisis still struggled with the moral dilemma of "refusing is a matter of sentiment, accepting is a matter of duty," how bad could they really be?

So, Wang Chuan said.

"Grandpa Dugu, please just accept it."

After all, the amount of medicinal herbs we are entrusting you to help us plant is not small; if you don't accept this money, we won't feel at ease.

Furthermore, we are aware of your problem, and the reason we are giving you this medicinal herb is also based on our own considerations, so please just accept this gesture of ours.

At this moment, Wang Lie also chimed in repeatedly.

"That's right, little poisonous snake, what are you still being awkward for at a time like this? You are one of the few old friends I have left, and I don't want to see you collapse in the forest like last time, only to have someone else swoop in and take the credit."

Upon being reminded of this dark history, Dugu Bo's expression showed a rare flash of embarrassment and annoyance.

However, unable to refuse such hospitality, he finally accepted the Grade Eight Purple Ganoderma.

Afterward, Dugu Bo began chatting with Wang Lie again, though his expression was much softer than before, with a look of reminiscence appearing in his eyes from time to time and a more frequent smile playing on his lips.

Just like that, the two old men reminisced about the past for the better part of the day, before Dugu Bo finally led the two of them to the back of the castle.

This was also where his herb garden was located.

As soon as they approached, Wang Chuan saw a mist composed of green poisonous barriers, which reminded him somewhat of the Evil Poison Cobra King at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

At this time, Dugu Bo waved his hand to dispel the poison formation while saying with pride.

"How about it, brother? My poison formation is not bad, right?

After years of reinforcement and improvement, even an ordinary Soul Saint would be paralyzed upon entering and then poisoned to death alive.

Only those Soul Douluo powerhouses might be able to force their way in.

So, you can rest assured that your medicinal herbs will be safe planted here.

And let me tell you, brother, there is a living hot spring below, which allows this place to be like spring all year round, and further inside is a place of extreme cold.

That is why my herb garden can keep medicinal herbs of any attribute alive."

Wang Chuan and the other nodded repeatedly, looking like they had never seen the world before.

Wang Chuan even complained in his heart, isn't this just a miniature version of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? It seems Dugu Bo is naturally fated to be with such treasure lands of this attribute.

But when Dugu Bo saw the massive amount of medicinal herbs Wang Chuan took out, enough to cover over a dozen acres of land, he was the one who ended up choked for words.