My Foolish Little Brother

"Yanyan, you seem quite taken with that little fellow named Lin Nuo?"

Dugu Bo stroked his long beard and looked at his granddaughter with a teasing smile.

"I've never seen you care so much about any family's boy before."

Seeing his proud, arrogant granddaughter take the initiative to plead for someone, Dugu Bo naturally developed considerable interest in this genius he had never met.

Hearing her grandfather tease her, a blush immediately rose to Dugu Yan's fair cheeks.

How old was this old man already? Why was he still so improper all the time?

"Hmph! Grandpa, if you keep playing matchmaker, I'll never speak to you again!"

As she spoke, Dugu Yan turned her head away and deliberately put on an angry expression.

"Alright, alright, Grandpa won't tease you anymore."

Dugu Bo laughed heartily twice, then his expression gradually turned serious.

"That boy named Lin Nuo, I'll keep an eye on him in secret for the time being.

"As for that little loach from the Yu Family, I'll naturally give him a lesson he'll never forget for the rest of his life."

Dugu Bo had never intended to blindly interfere in his granddaughter's romantic affairs.

Although his old bones had long suffered under the backlash of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison, and he might collapse someday without warning,

as long as he still drew breath, he could absolutely keep Dugu Yan safe and sound. He would not allow anyone else to force her hand.

Setting aside those trivial matters, based solely on Dugu Yan's description, Lin Nuo's talent could only be described as monstrous.

Yet there was one point that made Dugu Bo quietly remain wary.

A commoner genius bearing the mark of Spirit Hall had now entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy openly and brazenly, with even the shadow of the Heaven Dou Empire's Eastern Palace crown prince faintly looming behind him.

The waters where all these factions intertwined ran deep indeed, deep enough to invite contemplation.

Therefore, Dugu Bo planned to observe the situation a little longer before making any moves.

After all, as an honorary consecrated official of the Heaven Dou Empire, Dugu Bo was not ignorant of everything.

From Prince Xue Xing alone, he knew that His Highness the Crown Prince seemed to have no small problem.

Several days passed in a flash, and Qian Renxue's efficiency was astonishing.

She directly dispatched Snake Lance Douluo to make a personal trip to Spirit City, and he soon obtained a copied edition of Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's treasured Immortal Herb Illustrated Catalog.

Along with the catalog, Lin Nuo also received a living creature storage Soul Tool in the form of a ring.

Sitting before his desk, Lin Nuo opened the catalog and began reading it with great interest.

Although the catalog compiled by Yue Guan was not as comprehensive as the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record Tang San had stolen in his previous life, it still included the vast majority of rare flowers and herbs on the continent.

After casually flipping through only a few pages, Lin Nuo saw more than one top-tier Immortal Herb capable of completely restoring Luo Sanpao's origin and allowing Yu Xiaogang's beast to successfully transform into a dragon.

For example, Dragon Blood Grass, which could greatly enhance bloodline power, and Earth Dragon Golden Melon, the undisputed top choice for golden bloodlines...

And what was the result? That future lofty "Lord Sea God," who constantly claimed to hold deep "filial affection" for Grandmaster Yu,

ultimately gave his own benefactor only a Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma that did not even meet the threshold of an Immortal Herb.

This so-called respect for one's teacher was truly a colossal joke.

Letting Gangzi barely break through Rank 30 was probably the greatest gift that Lord God King had ever bestowed upon him.

Turning another page, Lin Nuo's gaze finally settled on the image of an entirely snow-white flower—Snowy Swan Kiss.

This Immortal Herb could not directly increase Soul Power, but it possessed the heaven-defying effect of amplifying toxins thousands or tens of thousands of times over.

The Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eater Spider Emperor already carried deadly venom, so this Immortal Herb was undoubtedly tailored specifically for him.

However, Lin Nuo had not been blinded by greed.

The Spider Martial Soul was ultimately a beast martial soul, and its toxins were inseparably tied to its host's body.

He had indeed not suffered any toxin backlash so far, but if he consumed Snowy Swan Kiss and the toxicity within his body surged ten thousandfold, no one could guarantee whether his physical body could withstand such an intense baptism of poison.

Given the current situation, the most reliable way to break the deadlock was still to find an opportunity to seize the External Soul Bone Eight Spider Lances that originally belonged to Tang San.

Although he possessed the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings, that External Soul Bone was geared toward flight and speed. Using it as a container for rapidly increasing toxins would ultimately be rather forced.

A naturally venomous bone like the Eight Spider Lances was the perfect vessel for toxins.

"Forget it. You have to eat one bite at a time. I'll take things one step at a time."

After committing everything in the Immortal Herb Illustrated Catalog to memory, Lin Nuo closed the book, pushed open the door, and left the dormitory.

Ever since arriving in Heaven Dou City, he had not found the time to properly experience the customs and atmosphere of the imperial capital. This was the perfect opportunity to take a look around.

Meanwhile, the focus shifted back to the crown prince's Eastern Palace.

The moment Lin Nuo stepped out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's gates, an intelligence report concerning his outing was delivered to Qian Renxue's desk.

Although not long ago, she had severely reprimanded Yu Tianheng for bullying others at the academy by relying on his status, citing the crown prince's duty to protect the empire's young talents.

After that warning-laden reprimand, even if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan harbored further resentment, they would not dare to act against Lin Nuo beneath the imperial family's wrath anytime soon.

However, while an open attack was easy to evade, a hidden arrow was difficult to guard against.

What truly worried Qian Renxue day and night was her teacher, who appeared refined and benevolent on the surface but secretly enjoyed meddling everywhere and eliminating variables.

Ning Fengzhi's desire for the Overlevel Soul Ring Absorption Method would never be completely extinguished by a few casual excuses.

Not to mention that her "good little brother's" face and martial soul, along with that terrifying talent, were simply too eye-catching.

"What a troublesome little fellow."

Qian Renxue sighed helplessly, but her eyes held undisguised protectiveness.

She slightly raised her gaze and gave a quiet order toward the deep shadows in the study.

"Uncle Pufferfish, while Lin Nuo is wandering around the city, I'll have to trouble you to keep watch over him personally from the shadows."

"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly cannot restrain itself and tries to make a move, then even if it means risking the complete exposure of the Nation-Stealing Plan, you must ensure his survival and send him safely out of Heaven Dou City!"

"This subordinate understands. Rest assured, Young Master."

From within the shadows came a low reply.

Immediately afterward, Porcupinefish Douluo's concealed presence completely vanished from the study.

"My foolish little brother, it seems that before long, your sister will have to find an opportunity to acknowledge you."

"Otherwise, who knows how much trouble you troublesome brat will bring your sister."

Qian Renxue's fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk.

However, exactly how she should acknowledge Lin Nuo still required a careful plan built upon her astonishing wisdom.