Creating an Alibi! Heading to Holy Soul Village!

The next morning, at dawn.

Dugu Manor, main hall.

Dugu Bo had changed into a clean black robe and sat upright in the seat of honor, holding a cup of hot tea.

Dugu Yan sat beside him, her jade-green hair tied high, making her look capable and neat.

Steward Fu stood in the hall, waiting respectfully.

"Steward Fu."

Dugu Bo set down his teacup, his voice calm and steady.

"This old servant is here."

"Yan Yan has a three-month break coming up. I plan to take her out for some training. For these three months, I'll leave all matters in the manor to you."

Steward Fu bowed slightly. "Rest assured, Master. This old servant will guard the manor well."

Dugu Bo nodded and continued, "If anyone comes looking for me during these three months and asks where I've gone, just answer truthfully. There's no need to hide anything."

Steward Fu raised his head, a trace of confusion flashing through his eyes.

Answer truthfully?

Whenever the Master left in the past, he had always told him to be vague, to say as little as possible.

Why was this time...

But he did not ask.

After serving the Dugu Clan for so many years, his greatest virtue was knowing what he should ask and what he should not.

"This old servant understands."

"Mm."

Dugu Bo rose to his feet, adjusted his sleeves, and extended a hand toward Dugu Yan.

"Yan Yan, let's go."

Dugu Yan obediently stood and linked her arm through her grandfather's.

The grandfather and granddaughter left the main hall, crossed the front courtyard, and exited the manor gates.

Steward Fu saw them off at the entrance and watched their figures disappear at the end of the street before turning back inside.

Heaven Dou City, on the streets.

The morning market had only just begun to bustle with activity, vendors' cries rising one after another.

Dugu Bo walked through the crowd with his granddaughter, his pace neither hurried nor slow.

"Grandfather, why did you tell Steward Fu to answer truthfully?"

Dugu Yan asked in a lowered voice, curiosity filling her jade-green Dragon Eyes.

The corners of Dugu Bo's mouth curled slightly, and a gleam of wisdom flashed through his Dark Golden Dragon Eyes.

"Because in three months, people will come asking."

"Who?"

"Many people."

Dugu Bo did not elaborate, but Dugu Yan vaguely guessed what he meant.

The Tiandou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Spirit Hall, and those forces hidden in the shadows...

The strange phenomenon in Sunset Forest that night had surely alarmed quite a few people.

Unable to find any clues, those people would sooner or later investigate Dugu Manor.

Rather than let them probe in secret, it was better to tell them openly.

Dugu Bo had taken his granddaughter out for training and would not return for three months.

That way, it both explained Dugu Bo's disappearance during this period and cut off any thought of further investigation.

After all, no one would dare follow a Titled Douluo.

"Yan Yan, remember this."

Dugu Bo's voice was low and serious.

"Sometimes, the truth is easier to believe than a lie."

"Rather than hide and evade, it's better to tell them the truth openly."

"Of course, this truth has been polished a little."

Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully.

Her grandfather was right.

If Dugu Manor shut its gates and refused to speak about outside inquiries, it would only arouse suspicion.

But if Steward Fu told the truth.

Dugu Bo had taken his granddaughter out for training.

Then no one would think too much of it.

A Titled Douluo taking his granddaughter out for training was perfectly normal.

Who would have thought that Dugu Bo's training ground was Sunset Forest outside Heaven Dou City?

Who would have thought that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes were hidden somewhere no one could find?

After leaving Heaven Dou City, Dugu Bo took his granddaughter on a large detour.

He deliberately flew for a while in several different directions. He even intentionally slowed down while passing through certain areas that might be under surveillance, allowing those with ulterior motives to see clearly.

Dugu Bo had indeed left with his granddaughter.

Then he suddenly accelerated and vanished into the clouds.

After circling around, they finally landed at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes deep within Sunset Forest.

Even after landing, Dugu Yan was still somewhat confused.

"Grandfather, weren't we going out to train? Why have we come back again?"

Dugu Bo smiled and pointed at the dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the valley.

"This is your training ground."

"The spiritual energy at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes is more than ten times denser than outside. Cultivating here for one day is equivalent to ten days outside."

"Three months of break here will be equal to two and a half years of cultivation."

"By the time school starts, you must at least break through to level forty-five."

Dugu Yan's jade-green Dragon Eyes widened round.

Level forty-five?

Three months, from level forty-three to level forty-five?

At a normal cultivation speed, gaining one level in three months would already be good.

But here...

Ten times the spiritual energy, combined with the Jade Scale Dragon's True Dragon Physique and her grandfather's guidance...

It did not seem impossible.

"Grandfather, aren't you cultivating with me?"

Dugu Yan had caught the meaning behind her grandfather's words.

Dugu Bo shook his head.

"Grandfather has something to do. I need to make a long journey."

"How long?"

"If things go quickly, one or two days. If not, three to five days."

Dugu Bo walked before his granddaughter and patted her shoulder.

"Yan Yan, you're not a child anymore."

"The Jade Scale Dragon Martial Soul is yours, and cultivation must depend on you too."

"Grandfather can't stay by your side forever."

Dugu Yan bit her lip, then nodded firmly.

"Grandfather, I understand."

"I'll cultivate properly."

"When you return, I'll definitely give you a surprise."

Dugu Bo smiled in satisfaction.

He removed the Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch from his waist and took out an Immortal Herb, handing it to his granddaughter.

"This is the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Its medicinal properties are gentle and long-lasting, making it suitable for prolonged use."

"Take one petal each day and hold it in your mouth. It can help stabilize your foundation and speed up your cultivation."

Dugu Yan accepted the Immortal Herb and carefully held it in both hands.

"Grandfather, be careful on the road."

"Mm."

Dugu Bo gave his granddaughter one final look, then turned toward the valley entrance.

After taking a few steps, he stopped again.

"Oh, right."

He took a Storage Soul Guidance Ring from his robes and tossed it to his granddaughter.

"There's enough dried food and water inside this ring, along with some medicine for treating injuries."

"Don't force yourself if you encounter danger. Use the signal flare Grandfather left for you."

"Grandfather will rush back immediately."

Dugu Yan caught the ring and put it on her finger, her eyes reddening slightly.

"Grandfather, hurry and go."

"Stop getting sentimental here."

Dugu Bo froze for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Alright, Grandfather is leaving."

Dark-purple Nether Qi lifted his body and carried him toward the valley exit.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished beyond the horizon.

Dugu Yan stood where she was and watched her grandfather depart.

Only after that black figure completely disappeared into the clouds did she withdraw her gaze.

She lowered her head to look at the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid in her hands, then at the Immortal Herbs filling the valley around her.

A determined light flashed through her jade-green Dragon Eyes.

"Three months... level forty-five."

"I can do it."

She sat down cross-legged, placed the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid beside her, closed her eyes, and began circulating her Soul Power.

The dense spiritual energy of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes surged into her body like a tide.

The Jade Scale Dragon Martial Soul slowly awakened within her, jade-green light flowing around her body.

Her cultivation had begun.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo was already high above the clouds.

He flew at top speed toward the northeast, dark-purple Nether Qi trailing behind him in a long tail.

His destination was Holy Soul Village.

That small village on the border of Fasinuo Province.

There was a Blue Silver Emperor sapling there.

And a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone.

According to the original timeline, Tang San should have already left Holy Soul Village and gone to Notting City.

Tang Hao was no longer there either.

And that Soul Bone and sapling were still safely hidden in that place.

A chill flashed through Dugu Bo's Dark Golden Dragon Eyes.

"Tang San, sorry."

"You won't be getting these things."

"It's not that I'm bullying you. You can become a god without them."

"But I need them."

He accelerated, his figure becoming a black bolt of lightning streaking across the sky.

Fasinuo Province, Holy Soul Village.

Dugu Bo had arrived.