Dugu Bo: There are still experts?

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Xia Yuan still shook his head. "I haven't done any research into using poison."

"And I won't be researching it either."

"Senior Dugu, let's forget about the matter of taking me as your disciple."

"You brat." Dugu Bo laughed and cursed him a couple of times. "This old man is willing to take you as a disciple, and that's your good fortune, yet you're getting picky."

"Then let me ask you, what do you think of my granddaughter Dugu Yan's looks?"

Xia Yuan recalled Dugu Yan's appearance and immediately grew wary. "You're not thinking of betrothing your granddaughter to me, are you?"

"Naturally." Dugu Bo did not bother being subtle and admitted it openly.

"With my granddaughter's talent and beauty, it's not as if she's unworthy of you, is it?"

If he said she was unworthy at a time like this, Xia Yuan's head must have been caught in a door.

But he also did not want to step into the grave of love so early.

"Senior Dugu, why don't you consider how old I am this year?"

"Ah, you can't put it like that." Dugu Bo said sternly, "Among commoners, girls as old as my Yanyan even already have children."

"Besides, this old man never said you had to get married right away. Isn't it the same if you first spend time cultivating feelings?"

"Have you asked Senior Sister for her own opinion?" Xia Yuan said. "Perhaps she already has someone in her heart, or perhaps she has no feelings for me."

"Why be in such a rush, Senior Dugu?"

Dugu Bo could tell that Xia Yuan truly had no such intentions, so he stopped there and did not continue.

"Suit yourself. If you miss out on my granddaughter, it won't be easy to win her heart later."

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Dugu Bo's brows furrowed.

"Seeing as you seem to have a way to survive here, this old man won't bother with you for now."

"You may use the herbs here as you please."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo tossed Xia Yuan a blue leather pouch.

"This object is called the Wishful Treasure Pouch. It can also be considered a kind of storage soul tool, something this old man obtained by chance."

"This Wishful Treasure Pouch can store and retrieve living things. Herbs placed inside it can also remain fresh. Considering that you removed the poison for this old man, I'll give it to you."

Xia Yuan accepted the Wishful Treasure Pouch and hung it at his waist.

"Then this junior will respectfully accept this pouch."

"Also, Senior Dugu, you should find a soul bone for Senior Sister as soon as possible."

"This old man knows. No need for you to teach me." With a flick of his sleeve, Dugu Bo turned and went up the mountain, soon disappearing from sight.

However, Xia Yuan had not waited there for long before Dugu Bo turned back again.

"You brat, you actually have connections with the crown prince too!"

He grabbed Xia Yuan. "Now the crown prince is asking to see you by name. Come out with me first."

After leaving Sunset Forest, Xia Yuan saw several familiar figures.

Standing at the very front was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Beside him stood a middle-aged man with a handsome, jade-like face, who looked refined and amiable.

At the middle-aged man's side were a somewhat quirky-looking girl and an old man with snow-white hair and beard, yet a face as smooth and delicate as an infant's.

Farther to the side was Dugu Yan.

What surprised Xia Yuan a little was that Ye Lingling was here as well.

When Dugu Bo brought Xia Yuan out, almost everyone's gaze fell on Xia Yuan.

So this was the great genius worthy of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe mobilizing so many people?

But he seemed to have suffered no loss at all. His energy and bearing were even exceedingly full.

Moreover, the atmosphere between Xia Yuan and Dugu Bo was nothing like the discord they had imagined.

On the contrary, it was extremely harmonious.

Xia Yuan looked toward the middle-aged man.

Although he already had an answer in his heart, he still deliberately revealed a curious, surprised expression and asked Xue Qinghe, "Your Highness, who are these people?"

"This is my teacher," Xue Qinghe said with a smile. "He is also the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi."

"That is the guardian Douluo of my teacher's sect, His Eminence Sword Douluo."

"And my teacher's youngest daughter, Ning Rongrong."

Just as expected.

But Xia Yuan still found it very strange. Xue Qinghe should have invited Ning Fengzhi over for his sake.

It was not strange for Sword Douluo to accompany and protect Ning Fengzhi either.

Then what was the deal with Ning Rongrong?

Never mind Ning Fengzhi, who had deliberately sent his daughter to Shrek Academy to suffer and get PUA'd, but could Sword Douluo really bear to let her take part in a trip that might be dangerous?

Still, though Xia Yuan had doubts in his heart, he did not show them and greeted everyone one by one.

After that, Xue Qinghe looked at Dugu Bo and said, "Senior Dugu, Brother Xia Yuan is blunt and speaks his mind."

"If he has accidentally offended you in any way, then I, Xue Qinghe, will apologize to you here on Brother Xia Yuan's behalf."

Dugu Bo scoffed. Xia Yuan was blunt and spoke his mind?

If he had not spoken with Xia Yuan before, he really might have believed Xue Qinghe's nonsense!

Still, Xue Qinghe was worried about Xia Yuan after all, so Dugu Bo did not say anything.

"Your Highness is overthinking it. This old man was merely exchanging a few words with young friend Xia Yuan."

Xue Qinghe turned his gaze to Xia Yuan.

"Your Highness, Senior Dugu and I were indeed only talking," Xia Yuan said. "Senior Dugu has also given me a great deal of convenience."

"Also, I would like to request leave from the academy."

"Request leave?" Xue Qinghe froze slightly, clearly not expecting Xia Yuan to ask for leave as well.

"That's right. I need one year."

Xue Qinghe's gaze swept between Xia Yuan and Dugu Bo. In the end, he still nodded.

"Since Brother Xia Yuan has already made his decision, I agree."

"I will speak to the academy."

Xia Yuan said, "Many thanks, Your Highness."

"Teacher." Xue Qinghe looked at Ning Fengzhi.

Only then did Ning Fengzhi speak with a faint smile. "Since it was a misunderstanding, then naturally, everyone is happy."

"Your name is Xia Yuan, is that right? When you have time, you may come sit for a while at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master Ning." Xia Yuan cupped his hands. "If I have the leisure, this junior will certainly pay a visit."

"Rongrong, say goodbye to this big brother." Ning Fengzhi lowered his head and looked at his young daughter beside him.

Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes and waved. "Goodbye, big brother!"

Xia Yuan revealed a smile, but in his heart, he was grumbling.

Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong counted as a little witch. Because no one usually dared to go against her, she had become somewhat spoiled and unruly.

But it was precisely because no one dared to go against her that later, after she was isolated by the people at Shrek Academy, she began brainwashing herself.

Xia Yuan finally looked at Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan. "Student Ye, Senior Dugu, why did you two come here?"

Dugu Yan giggled and said, "I came to see if Grandpa was bullying you!"

Ye Lingling, meanwhile, said softly, her voice so quiet it was almost impossible to hear, "Xia Yuan, you promised me..."

What did I promise?

Xia Yuan once again cosplayed Louis XVI, looking somewhat bewildered.

Off to the side, Dugu Bo frowned.

This was not right, was it?

He had originally thought his own granddaughter liked Xia Yuan, so why was there another expert here?

Although this brat Xia Yuan was indeed quite strong, and his looks were half as handsome as Dugu Bo's own when he was young, and his temper was tough enough when it needed to be, yet warm when it needed to be soft...

But this was not right!