Copying the Standard Answer

"Yeah. My grandpa said he hadn't seen you in a long time. When you're old enough to awaken your martial soul, he wants to come and help you awaken it himself."

"Ah?" Jiang He's mouth fell slightly open. "Having a Title Douluo awaken my martial soul... This... this..."

"What? Surprised?"

Dugu Yan smiled at Jiang He. "Grandpa actually cares about you a lot. He just sounds a little cold when he talks."

"Really? What an... honor."

Jiang He smiled.

But something felt off inside.

Since his parents' accident, he had only seen Dugu Bo once.

Was this guy... being a little too nice to him?

Perhaps to Dugu Bo, helping someone awaken their martial soul was an insignificant matter.

But outsiders would not see it that way.

At the very least, to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the prominent clans and sects around Heaven Dou City—

This was practically announcing to the world that Jiang He belonged to Dugu Bo.

Was that... right?

As his thoughts churned, Jiang He suddenly considered a terrifying possibility.

Could Dugu Bo... have found out that he had stolen from his home?

That did not make sense either. If Dugu Bo knew Jiang He had stolen something, why was he still treating him so well?

Could it be that he had transmigrated with some kind of protagonist's aura, intimidating Dugu Bo from afar?

Making him cry out inwardly, "This child has the bearing of a god," before secretly submitting to him?

That... was not very funny.

After silently mocking himself, Jiang He's thoughts shifted. He said to Dugu Yan, "Sister Yan Yan, I just remembered that I haven't washed my clothes at home. I should head back first."

"Go on, go on. I still have classes this afternoon, so I don't have time to play with you. I'll come find you when I'm on break."

"Mm-hmm. Bye, Sister Yan Yan."

After waving goodbye, Jiang He hurried back home.

Then he rushed into his room, intending to head straight for the small drawer beside the cabinet.

But the instant Jiang He entered the room, he froze on the spot.

A wave of terror rose within him, and beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

Inside the room, a tall, thin old man sat upright in a chair.

The old man's hair and beard were both dark green, and his gemstone-green eyes were fixed on a book in his hands.

When Jiang He entered, the old man set down the book and looked at him. "You finally figured it out? You're not completely stupid."

Hearing that, Jiang He stammered, "Du... Grandpa Dugu."

The corner of Dugu Bo's mouth curled upward as he said disdainfully, "A little brat who hasn't even awakened his martial soul, wandering around outside the poison barrier I set every day, and daring to sneak in and steal things while I'm away? Jiang He... you've got some nerve!"

As his words fell, Dugu Bo's aura crashed down on Jiang He like Mount Tai bearing down on him.

In an instant, Jiang He's face turned red like a boiled shrimp.

His knees and waist bent uncontrollably.

Jiang He's eyes widened in fury, bloodshot veins spreading across them as he desperately resisted pressure that was not even on the same level as him.

He wanted to offer a few excuses, but the terrifying pressure did not even give him the chance to think, much less speak!

Seeing this, Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, revealing a dangerous glint.

Boom!

The invisible pressure surged again, and it felt as though a thunderous explosion rang out in Jiang He's mind.

Under the immense pressure, his mind went completely blank.

If he had not consumed the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, he would have suspected that this pressure could turn him into an idiot!

Tyrant Emperor Devouring World Art circulated at full force, while the accumulated medicinal power of the Immortal Herbs in his meridians frantically fused into his body, helping him resist the pressure.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang He finally failed to withstand the overwhelming pressure. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

When Jiang He woke again, discomfort radiated from every part of his body.

His eyes were unfocused for a few seconds before he immediately remembered what had happened before he fainted.

He quickly sat up, only to freeze again.

He was not at home at all. He was at the... Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!

And Dugu Bo stood not far from him, staring fixedly at the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot in the distance.

When Jiang He woke up, Dugu Bo said in a deep voice, "Speak. How did you determine that the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was in Sunset Forest? And how did you know this was my territory?"

Hearing this, Jiang He forced his mind to remain calm while glancing at the book in Dugu Bo's hand.

He had compiled it himself long ago, containing information about the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and several Immortal Herbs.

At the time, Jiang He had wanted to use the book to deceive Dugu Bo and obtain Immortal Herbs from him.

To that end, he had even deliberately aged it, making it seem more believable.

But later, he gave up on that idea.

Still, he thought the book might be useful someday, so he had kept it.

Now, it seemed fortunate that he had left himself this backup plan.

From Dugu Bo's earlier words, Jiang He guessed that Dugu Bo had discovered him as early as when he first entered Sunset Forest to scout the area.

After that, his actions had probably remained under Dugu Bo's surveillance.

Dugu Bo simply did not know what he was planning, so he had not said anything.

Until... Jiang He stole the Immortal Herbs.

Then the Immortal Herbs changed him after he consumed them.

That was when Dugu Bo searched his home and found this book.

Dugu Bo had already learned from the book about the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and the wondrous uses of the Immortal Herbs.

What he wanted to know now was how Jiang He had connected this book to Dugu Bo and the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest.

He had to fabricate a reason convincing enough for a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo to believe, one that would not make him suspicious, if he wanted even a chance of being spared.

Otherwise, Jiang He did not doubt in the slightest that Dugu Bo would send him to his death.

Very quickly, Jiang He constructed a complete explanation in his mind.

Or rather, he remembered a standard answer.

He slowly said, "Because I discovered that Grandpa Dugu, you've been poisoned."

The moment those words came out, Dugu Bo's brows furrowed as he abruptly turned to Jiang He.

That gaze was far more terrifying than when he had pressured Jiang He at home!

Jiang He's breathing caught, but he still forced himself to speak. "Heaven Dou City has all sorts of people, even slaves of every kind.

I grew up in Heaven Dou City, so I've seen a fair amount.

But I've never seen anyone like you, Grandpa Dugu, with dark green hair, beard, and eyes!

And a few years ago, when Sister Yan Yan had just awakened her martial soul, I saw her at the academy. I remember that her eyes were only a very faint green back then.

But after she obtained her first soul ring, that dark green became extremely obvious.

After obtaining her second soul ring, it became even more apparent. Though it wasn't as pronounced as yours, Grandpa Dugu, it still looked very unusual to ordinary people like us.

And since Sister Yan Yan's parents died early, I suspected that both you and Sister Yan Yan were poisoned because of your martial souls!"