Returning to Tiandou City

"Is this... an evolution?" Tuoba Xuan chuckled dumbly.

Indeed, after absorbing that drop of essence blood, Dugu Bo's martial soul had truly evolved.

His martial soul had transformed from the Jade Scale Snake Emperor into the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor.

As the saying goes, a hundred years makes a snake, a thousand years makes a flood dragon; if it were to evolve further, it would likely be called the Jade Scale Dragon Emperor.

After the excitement subsided, Dugu Bo spoke up: "Kid Xuan, we've stayed here long enough. This old man intends to make a trip to Tiandou City. Do you want to come along?"

Tuoba Xuan froze for a second. At this point in time, Dugu Bo leaving the Sunset Forest likely meant it was the moment from the original story where he pressured Shrek Academy.

"Fine, let's go together!" Tuoba Xuan agreed, as he also needed to visit Tiandou City.

"Hahaha, come, let this old man see exactly what level your strength has reached."

Dugu Bo let out three hearty laughs and, just as he had when he arrived, relied on the profound spirit power of a Title Douluo to step into the air and fly toward Tiandou City.

Tuoba Xuan chuckled softly: "What an old urchin."

With that said, Tuoba Xuan let out a low shout.

The gravity throughout the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well plummeted, and the spring water began to boil.

At this moment, patterns of intertwined ice and fire appeared on the dragon wings of Tuoba Xuan's Mountain Dragon King martial soul, one side radiating scorching heat, the other emitting biting cold.

Tuoba Xuan spread his broad, dazzling dragon wings and chased closely behind Dugu Bo.

Just like that, this pair of friends across generations soon arrived at Tiandou City.

Dugu Bo's return this time was mainly out of concern for Dugu Yan; he wanted to come back and check on his granddaughter.

"Stinky brat, you're quite fast." Dugu Bo smacked his lips; Tuoba Xuan's flight speed exceeded his expectations.

Although Dugu Bo hadn't been flying at full speed, it still wasn't something a Spirit Venerable like Tuoba Xuan should have been able to keep up with. As it turned out, Tuoba Xuan was only a stick of incense's time behind him.

"Many thanks for the praise, Your Excellency!" Tuoba Xuan chuckled.

"Stinky brat, do you want to come back to the mansion with this old man?" Dugu Bo asked.

A cunning smile appeared on the corner of Dugu Bo's mouth. Tuoba Xuan's talent was the greatest he had ever seen in his life—it was almost hard to accept.

Tuoba Xuan's future had already been set by Dugu Bo at an incredibly high level: Limit Douluo.

Therefore, Dugu Bo had to bind Tuoba Xuan to his family.

If he could manage that, it wouldn't be impossible to have his granddaughter marry Tuoba Xuan.

As for Yu Tianheng, he was only a boyfriend for now anyway; they could just break up.

"No, thank you." Tuoba Xuan shook his head. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't impose further."

Tuoba Xuan had just taken a step to leave when he was grabbed and pulled back by Dugu Bo.

"Don't be like that. This old man hasn't thanked you enough yet, and you should also take a look at Yan Yan's condition."

Dugu Bo didn't give Tuoba Xuan any room to refuse and headed straight toward Dugu Mansion.

Tuoba Xuan helplessly held his forehead. "Fine, fine, I'll walk myself."

Only then did Dugu Bo put Tuoba Xuan down.

Dugu Mansion.

The moment he returned home, Dugu Bo began to shout.

"Yan Yan, Yan Yan, Grandfather is back."

Hearing the voice, Dugu Yan quickly walked out.

However, upon seeing Tuoba Xuan beside Dugu Bo, the joy on Dugu Yan's face from her grandfather's return instantly collapsed.

"It's you, Mystic Dragon Tiger, why are you here?" Dugu Yan's willow eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Long time no see, Dugu Yan. I am here at your grandfather's invitation."

Tuoba Xuan said casually.

Dugu Yan clearly didn't believe it and was just about to speak when she was interrupted by Dugu Bo.

"Haha, Yan Yan, this kid was indeed invited by this old man. You two are of the same generation; you should have plenty to talk about."

Tuoba Xuan and Dugu Yan both felt their vision go dark.

"Grandfather, what are you saying? I already have a boyfriend."

Tuoba Xuan added: "Exactly, how is this any different from NTR?"

Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo tilted their heads in unison; it was clear that neither of them knew what NTR meant.

"Alright, just a joke. Let's go inside and talk." Dugu Bo beckoned for Tuoba Xuan to enter the mansion.

Inside the reception hall of Dugu Mansion, Dugu Bo sat in the main seat, while Tuoba Xuan and Dugu Yan sat on either side.

Their gazes collided from time to time, and a faint, intangible scent of gunpowder began to seep out.

Dugu Yan had been unable to even land a blow when she fought Tuoba Xuan before, so she was naturally very unconvinced.

Tuoba Xuan, for his part, simply couldn't stand Dugu Yan's tsundere temperament.

Noticing the awkwardness between the two, Dugu Bo gave a light cough. "Alright, Yan-yan, Grandfather has a major matter to discuss with you this time."

Dugu Yan was taken aback. "What major matter? Could it be... related to this person?"

Tuoba Xuan spoke up first:

"First, I am not 'this person'."

"Second, I am not called Mystic Dragon Tiger."

"Third, my name is Tuoba Xuan."

"Fourth, your grandfather views me as his closest friend, and I am of the same generation as him."

"Fifth, what should you call me?"

The corners of Dugu Bo's mouth twitched a few times; this brat really loved to take advantage of others.

"You..." Dugu Yan's red lips parted slightly, left speechless by the retort.

"Alright, alright, you two, let's discuss the serious business first." Dugu Bo interrupted their bickering.

"Yan-yan, having kept it from you for so long, it is time for Grandfather to tell you some secrets."

Dugu Bo spoke slowly, laying out the flaws of their family line in their entirety.

Tuoba Xuan sat there feeling bored, while Dugu Yan grew more and more alarmed as she listened.

"I never imagined that Father passed away because of the flaws in his martial soul."

Dugu Yan's heart began to pound violently, as if she were seeing her own fate laid bare.

"However, Yan-yan, rest assured. The flaws in Grandfather's body have already been resolved, and I have found the method to fix yours as well."

Dugu Bo turned his expectant gaze toward Tuoba Xuan.

"It was you?"

Dugu Yan followed her grandfather's gaze and looked at Tuoba Xuan as well, though her expression was one of disbelief.

"That's right, it was I who solved your grandfather's problem," Tuoba Xuan said.

"That's right, Yan-yan, it was this lad Xuan who helped Grandfather resolve the flaws in his martial soul." Dugu Bo confirmed Tuoba Xuan's words.

Having received her grandfather's affirmation, Dugu Yan's expression suddenly turned solemn.

She stood up, bent at the waist, cupped her hands, and bowed respectfully to Tuoba Xuan. "I was in the wrong before. Thank you, benefactor, for saving my grandfather's life."

Dugu Yan was still capable of distinguishing what was important.

Although Tuoba Xuan had beaten her and her boyfriend severely before, she could not forget the debt of gratitude she owed him for saving her grandfather.

Like Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan valued relationships deeply and understood the principle that a kindness received must be repaid.

Dugu Bo did not speak, merely watching the two who had reconciled with a chuckle.

"There is no need for this. His Excellency Dugu has also been of great help to me." Tuoba Xuan became equally solemn and quickly helped Dugu Yan up.

After all, he and Dugu Yan never had any real conflict; it had merely been a private rivalry.

"Haha, you two, even if you cannot be together, you can still become the best of friends." Dugu Bo patted both of their shoulders and said happily.

In an instant, the hall was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, and the three of them exchanged glances, a smile appearing on each of their faces.

"The main reason I came this time is to understand your current situation so that I can resolve the flaws in your body."

Tuoba Xuan brought up the main topic; he still had things to do and could not keep his grandfather waiting for too long.

Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo's expressions turned serious at the same time.

The three of them began to discuss the details of resolving the flaws in Dugu Yan's body, one sentence at a time.