Plan

"One hundred and sixty million." The voice came once again from the Spirit Hall box on the third floor.

"Two hundred million." Ning Fengzhi spoke with indifference; when it came to financial resources, his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had never feared anyone.

"Pfft..." Yu Luomian leaned back against the sofa and chuckled. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is truly wealthy and imposing. However, for a nephew like Fengzhi, the premier support-type Spirit Master, this item is of little use, is it not? Why not leave it to us?"

"Two hundred and fifty million. Such a fine item is rarely seen in a century; it would be a pity to miss it." A young man's light laughter echoed from the Spirit Hall box.

"Three hundred million." Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly.

"How does the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have so much money?" Qingxi asked, somewhat surprised.

"Naturally. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, and the Clear Sky Sect—these three are the most powerful of the continent's Upper Three Sects. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is known for having the continent's number one support-type Spirit Master, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family possesses the number one beast spirit. The most formidable of all, however, is the towering Clear Sky Sect; a single Clear Sky Hammer once crushed the former Pope of Spirit Hall," Dugu Bo said with considerable admiration.

"Clear Sky Hammer?" Qingxi froze for a moment, her brows knitting together as she inexplicably recalled the hammer that had nearly beaten her to death six years ago.

If not for Big Brother back then...

Big Brother...

Qingxi's heart sank, a heavy, indescribable ache settling within her.

Thinking of that silver-haired youth, she wondered if he had returned to look for her after the half-year promise.

"Sigh..." Qingxi leaned helplessly against Dugu Yan's shoulder.

"Three hundred and fifty million." It was still Spirit Hall.

"Fengzhi." Bone Douluo hurriedly grabbed Ning Fengzhi, who was about to bid again. "Three hundred and fifty million is no longer worth it."

"Three hundred and sixty million," Ning Fengzhi called out. "Uncle Bone, this is the last time."

"Tsk, you win." A man's nonchalant voice drifted from the opposing Spirit Hall box.

"Is there anyone else bidding? Three hundred and sixty million, going once! Three hundred and sixty million, going twice! Three hundred and sixty million, going three times! Sold!"

"Sigh, so expensive." Dugu Yan leaned limply against Qingxi, looking puzzled. "Why do I feel like Spirit Hall was intentionally driving up the price?"

The three did not participate in the final item's auction. After collecting their winnings, they left the auction house. Along the way, Dugu Yan and Qingxi dropped the little girl off at her home and helped resolve her debt issues.

Dugu Bo, needing to take the spirit herb he had just purchased back to the Ice and Fire Spirit Pool to plant it, departed first.

On the main street, the two strolled leisurely.

"Master, what are your plans for the future?" Dugu Yan bought two cups of milk tea and some small cakes, and the two sat under a sun umbrella, chatting idly.

"I don't know. I'll take it one step at a time. I need to find a place to settle down first." Qingxi ate a small cake, the sweet taste causing her to squint in comfort.

So there were such delicious things here!

She had no home here, no kin. The only people she knew were Yan'er and Big Brother—oh, wait, there was also that convenient foster father who had likely forgotten her long ago.

In this prosperous and flourishing city, passersby were dressed in finery, yet beneath the facade of prosperity were the ragged commoners who could only live in the countryside outside the city walls.

"Why don't you come with me to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Master? That way, we can cultivate together every day. You are so young, Master, and your spirit power is already at the twenty-eighth or twenty-ninth level; you would definitely be very popular. Whether it's the scenery, the faculty, or the food, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the best in the Heaven Dou Empire," Dugu Yan suggested.

At eleven years old, a spirit power of level twenty-eight made her a little genius who would be welcomed anywhere.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Qingxi frowned slightly.

"Yes! And the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, held every five years, is almost here. Anyone under twenty-five can participate. When the time comes, geniuses will gather; basically, everyone with real strength on the continent will go. It's jointly hosted by the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and Spirit Hall. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy will participate as well, and I am determined to take the championship." Dugu Yan grabbed Qingxi's hand, her eyes sparkling.

After all, it was the ultimate dream of every young Spirit Master on the continent, and the reward for first place this year was rumored to be a spirit bone.

"Spirit Master Tournament?" Qingxi blinked, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Mhm, it's in one year. I'm already twenty this year, so this will be my last time participating. Master, just come to keep me company, won't you? You don't have anything else to do anyway." Dugu Yan shook her arm, acting spoiled.

"Hmm... alright then." She had nowhere else to go anyway, and staying with little Yan'er would count as having a place to stay.

"Your cultivation is already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment; strive to reach the Golden Core stage soon. Also, I want to discuss something with you..."

"What is it, my good Master~"

The two wandered the streets for a while longer, discussing the specifics and buying a pile of items before finally returning to the Dugu residence.

"Young Miss." The servant opened the gate to find the two standing there with bags in their hands.

"Prepare a room for the Second Young Miss. Where is Grandfather? I have something to discuss with him." Dugu Yan handed the items to the servant and led Qingxi into the house.

The courtyard was of moderate size, a traditional quadrangle located in the bustling city. Ink-bamboo was planted on both sides, and in the center stood a century-old birch tree. It was early autumn, and the leaves were stained with gold, falling with the breeze.

"Second Young Miss?" The servant was stunned, his gaze falling on the young girl of about ten years old, dressed in azure robes. She had black hair and black eyes, delicate features, and a small red lotus marked between her brows.

"This way, Second Young Miss." The servant didn't ask any more questions and led Qingxi into the main hall.

On the other side, Dugu Yan told Dugu Bo about their plan.

"Adopt this old man as your grandfather?" Dugu Bo's burly frame shook.

"Yes, how about it? Grandfather, you're getting a granddaughter for free."

"Then what about the two of you?" He found it hard to put into words; what were these two little girls thinking? "Doesn't that mean Miss Qing will have to call you 'Big Sister'?"

"Mhm..." Dugu Yan propped her chin on her hand, feigning deep thought. "In public, she calls me sister; in private, I call her Master. We've discussed it—we need to have some kind of identity. Although Master's cultivation is very strong, her spirit power is only at level twenty-eight right now. What if someone blind tries to bully her?"

Even if she could beat them back after being bullied in public, such trouble was unnecessary. Bearing the title of the Poison Douluo's granddaughter would save them a lot of headaches.

"Since you've already discussed it, then let it be. When it comes down to it, this old man is the one getting the better end of the deal." Dugu Bo nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Grandfather." Dugu Yan took out two porcelain bottles and a book ten centimeters thick. "This is the Azure Wood Heart Method I transcribed, and this is a bottle of Body Tempering Pills; they are better than the ones sold on the market for bathing. Inside this one are three Tier 6 Pills. Their effect is similar to an Invincible Golden Body combined with a full recovery of soul power for three minutes. There are no side effects, but you must wait six hours between doses. In your hands, these should be able to play a much greater role."

"Oh?!" Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. He took the items, his gaze burning as he stared at the bottle of Tier 6 Pills.

With these, his wager with that Old Chrysanthemum was as good as won.

"Decide for yourselves how to handle things; I'm afraid I'll need to go into seclusion for a while." He flipped open the pages of the book, his eyes filled with astonishment.

In his eyes, this was the key to an entirely different path. Dugu Bo was already over a hundred years old; once his lifespan was exhausted, he would only face death. And as for his talent, what did it matter even if he reached the ninety-ninth level as a Limit Douluo?

Ordinary people might not know, but as a Title Douluo, he understood just how difficult it was for a soul master to become a god.

Throughout the long river of history on this continent, there were currently at least six Limit Douluos at the ninety-ninth level, yet not a single one had broken through to level one hundred to achieve godhood.

Dugu Bo tidied up briefly before heading out toward the Sunset Forest.

The spiritual energy there was countless times denser than in the outside world, making it far more suitable for cultivation.