Heaven Dou City, Am I Not as Good as That Senior of Yours?

"Less than a hundred li from here lies Heaven Dou City."

Chrysanthemum Douluo looked at the increasingly broad road ahead, seeming somewhat sentimental.

He had said he would escort Su Chen for part of the way, yet he had ended up accompanying him all the way to the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.

At first, it had been because of that sense of familiarity. He simply had not wanted Su Chen to encounter any danger alone.

But over the course of the journey, beyond that innate sense of closeness, he had come to admire Su Chen even more.

Whether it was his talent or his character, Su Chen was, in his eyes, an excellent choice in every respect—an ideal disciple.

"The rest of the journey will take less than half a day on horseback. Senior Yue Guan, you have already escorted me this far, and I'm deeply grateful. Nothing unexpected will happen on the remaining road."

Chrysanthemum Douluo waved his hand.

"I've already brought you this far. What difference does this little bit of road make? If I'm helping, I may as well help to the end. I'll escort you to Heaven Dou City."

Su Chen stopped riding and led his horse on foot instead.

Chrysanthemum Douluo had escorted him all this way, and Su Chen was truly grateful.

Chrysanthemum Douluo really was a good person. He neither bullied others with his status nor lorded his seniority over the young. He rarely even put on the airs of an elder.

Whether as a friend or an elder, he was the very best kind of person.

Along the way, Chrysanthemum Douluo had paid out of his own pocket for many precious medicinal herbs that strengthened the body.

He claimed they made stewed meat taste better, but Chrysanthemum Douluo had long ceased to care much about food.

Many teachers were not this generous even with their personal disciples, yet Chrysanthemum Douluo had been so generous to someone he had merely met by chance.

"Senior Yue Guan, you've taken great care of me these past days, but I haven't heard much about you. You're an elder of Spirit Hall, so you must hold considerable power, right?"

"Considerable power would be an exaggeration."

Elders like them no longer handled Spirit Hall's day-to-day affairs.

Their treatment was indeed quite good, and when there was nothing to do, they could live comfortably.

However, he and Ghost Douluo were the ones Bibi Dong valued most, so naturally, they were assigned the most tasks.

"I came from a humble background. Fortunately, my talent was decent, and I joined Spirit Hall early on. Spirit Hall carefully nurtured me, allowing me to achieve what I have today."

Chrysanthemum Douluo opened up and began reminiscing about the past.

When he had been young, due to the nature of his Martial Soul, both his appearance and voice had differed from those of ordinary children. It had caused him quite a few troubles and frustrations.

After joining Spirit Hall, his circumstances had changed dramatically.

"I have an old friend I've known for many years. We're as close as brothers who have faced life and death together. If there's a chance in the future, I'll introduce you to him. His Martial Soul is anything but ordinary—it might even give you quite a fright."

The moment Su Chen heard this, he knew exactly who Chrysanthemum Douluo meant by his old friend.

"There will definitely be a chance."

Though they were traveling on foot, the hundred-li journey passed quickly enough.

Heaven Dou City was already close at hand. After hesitating for a moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally said:

"Although I've asked once before, I want to ask one last time. Xiao Chen, are you truly unwilling to become my disciple?"

"I..."

Chrysanthemum Douluo truly was a good man, and Su Chen believed he would make a good teacher.

But Su Chen had little interest in Spirit Hall.

Especially since the current Pope of Spirit Hall was a combination of a lovesick fool and a lunatic. She was not worth serving.

Moreover, in Su Chen's heart, if anyone could be called his teacher, it would undoubtedly be the God of Destruction. There could be no second choice.

Even though the God of Destruction had no intention of taking him as a disciple, he had imparted knowledge, taught him cultivation, answered his questions, and resolved his doubts. They were not master and disciple, yet they were closer than master and disciple.

"All right, you don't need to say anything more."

Chrysanthemum Douluo cut him off once again.

"Everyone has their own aspirations. It can't be forced. Rather than hear you refuse, it's better to leave it at that."

Chrysanthemum Douluo appeared quite carefree, even somewhat relieved.

"Though we have no fate as master and disciple, we did meet by chance. If you run into trouble in the future, you can come find me at Spirit Hall, or have someone send me word."

"You're being this nice? If I really come asking for help, you won't press my head down and force me to become your disciple, will you?"

"Hahaha!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed heartily.

"That's hard to say. I'm known for demanding repayment for favors."

He had said he would leave upon reaching Heaven Dou City, but Chrysanthemum Douluo still escorted him into the city.

"Heaven Dou is the capital. Food, clothing, lodging, and travel all cost money. Take these Gold Soul Coins."

Chrysanthemum Douluo took out a bag of money from his Storage Soul Tool. Judging by its heavy weight, there was quite a lot inside.

"You're underestimating me, aren't you? Don't let the fact that I'm traveling alone with one horse fool you—I'm loaded. I have plenty of money."

Chrysanthemum Douluo knew Su Chen could not be too poor.

After all, not many Soul Masters possessed a Storage Soul Tool, much less one like Su Chen's, which held such a large stockpile of food.

"Plenty of money? Did that senior you mentioned before give it to you too?"

There was a hint of sourness in Chrysanthemum Douluo's tone.

"Uh... yes!"

Although Su Chen had dug it up himself, the God of Destruction had told him the exact locations.

"Hmph. Take it. You can accept things given by other seniors, but you won't accept what I give you? Am I really so inferior to that senior of yours?"

Su Chen: ...

Honestly, you really were inferior to my other senior.

Compared to the Destruction God King, let alone Douluo Continent, there were not many in the entire God Realm who could compare.

"Then... I'll accept it?"

Judging by Chrysanthemum Douluo's attitude, refusing would only hurt his pride.

"Take it. You said it yourself—I hold considerable power. I have more than enough Soul Coins."

Chrysanthemum Douluo put on the air of a wealthy tycoon.

In truth, aside from Spirit Hall's generous treatment, his ability to cultivate flowers and medicinal herbs alone could earn him a considerable fortune.

"All right, you've arrived safely in Heaven Dou City. It's time for me to return."

While escorting Su Chen, Chrysanthemum Douluo had been reluctant to leave.

Now, however, he was open-minded about it and prepared to go at once.

"Hey, so suddenly? How about I treat you to a meal in Heaven Dou City before you go?"

"No. I've been away from Spirit City for some time. I should return sooner."

Chrysanthemum Douluo waved his hand and walked toward the city gates with his back to him.

Su Chen watched Chrysanthemum Douluo vanish at the end of the street. He was genuinely reluctant to part with such a good-natured and generous senior.

"Senior Destruction, are we heading to Sunset Forest now?"

The God of Destruction said, "Find somewhere to rest for the night first. Sunset Forest is some distance from Heaven Dou City. Going tomorrow won't be too late."

"Okay."

After sleeping in the open and eating rough meals along the road, he had finally reached a large city.

Su Chen also intended to make some purchases and replenish the supplies in the Pendant Space.

From an upper floor facing the street, Chrysanthemum Douluo's brief arrival caught the attention of others.

"Young Master, look. Chrysanthemum Douluo actually came to Heaven Dou City."

"Hm? It really is Elder Yue Guan. Why did he come here?"

The gentle man in white watched Chrysanthemum Douluo turn and leave.

Since Qian Renxue had infiltrated Heaven Dou City, Spirit Hall had deliberately weakened its influence in Heaven Dou City over the years to avoid arousing suspicion.

Important figures such as Spirit Hall elders rarely came to Heaven Dou City.

Snake Lance Douluo said, "I saw Chrysanthemum Douluo with a child just now."

"A child?"

Qian Renxue pondered for a moment, then said, "Go invite Elder Yue Guan to see me. Don't draw anyone's attention."

"Yes."