Wuhun City

Two days later, Sunset Forest.

"Xiao Chen, are you leaving already?" Ah Yin clasped Dugu Chen's hand, her voice filled with reluctance.

A gentle smile appeared in Dugu Chen's eyes. He reached out and pulled Ah Yin into his embrace. The warmth of her body flooded his heart, making it race uncontrollably.

There were no endless words, no impassioned declarations.

He held Ah Yin and left behind only two simple words: "Wait for me!"

Dugu Chen's figure gradually disappeared into the depths of the forest.

Above the valley, A Rou held Xiao Wu's hand as they silently watched his departing figure. A misty ripple shimmered in her phoenix eyes.

"Mom, will Brother come back after he leaves?" Xiao Wu asked blankly.

"He will..."

A Rou lowered her head and answered softly, though it was unclear whom she was saying it to.

Dugu Residence.

Dugu Chen flew all the way from Sunset Forest to Heaven Dou City without stopping once.

Dugu Bo sensed his aura as well. With a flash, he soared into the sky and met him head-on.

"Father!"

Dugu Chen looked at Dugu Bo, a faintly awkward expression appearing on his face.

"You brat, you still remembered to come back?"

Dugu Bo glared. In a flash, he appeared beside him, grabbed his ear, and dragged him to the ground for a fierce scolding.

"I was keeping Ah Yin company. I didn't have time..." Dugu Chen laughed, trying to muddle through.

But Dugu Bo did not buy it. His eyes widened and his voice turned stern. "Don't use Ah Yin as an excuse. Did you take my words as mere background noise?"

"Father, I was wrong! Big Brother, save me!"

Dugu Chen bared his teeth in pain as his ear was tugged. Glancing sideways, he happened to spot Dugu Xin passing by and immediately shouted.

Dugu Xin: "...*&￥#!"

How could he dare linger? He wished he could grow several extra legs on the spot and flee as far away as possible.

"Get over here!"

Yet no matter how hard he tried to hide, he could not escape. Dugu Xin could only turn around resentfully and walk over, shooting Dugu Chen a vicious glare.

The corners of Dugu Chen's mouth curled slightly, a faintly teasing look on his face. Being punished alone was worse than being punished together.

Good brothers should share the burden...

A few minutes later, the two were kneeling one after another inside the Dugu Household ancestral hall.

Dugu Xin stared fiercely at Dugu Chen, while Dugu Chen turned his head and whistled as though he saw nothing.

"Little Brother, is this how you set up your big brother?" Dugu Xin twitched his lips, the muscles in his face spasming uncontrollably.

"Ahem, how can you call that setting you up?"

"We share blessings and hardships alike. We're brothers, after all." Dugu Chen coughed twice and spoke with a straight face.

"Give it a rest. I shared plenty of blessings, but I carried all the hardships!" Dugu Xin rolled his eyes irritably.

Then, he began listing all the old messes Dugu Chen had made him take the blame for:

"Stealing Father's monkey wine, shaving the Azure Scale Eagle, peeing into the aged wine in Father's cellar..."

"Alright, alright. Ahem, those are all ancient matters. Big Brother, why are you still holding a grudge?"

Dugu Chen coughed lightly, embarrassment flushing his face as he muttered, his lips twitching.

"Besides, was I the only one who drank the monkey wine? Have some conscience!"

"You call that drinking? You drank your fill and left me to take the blame!" At the mention of it, Dugu Xin felt a bellyful of resentment...

As the two traded remarks, the ancestral hall doors were suddenly shoved open.

"Having a nice chat?"

Dugu Bo walked in from outside, grinning coldly.

Hearing his voice, the two turned around. The moment they saw Dugu Bo enter, their expressions froze.

"Xin'er, get up!"

Dugu Xin's face lit up. "Thank you, Father."

Dugu Chen's eyes immediately brightened. He was about to plead with his father to release him, but before he could speak, Dugu Bo cut him off sharply.

He pointed at the floor and glared at Dugu Chen. "You unfilial brat, keep kneeling..."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Dugu Xin gave Dugu Chen a somewhat gleeful look and grinned teasingly. "Little Brother, I'll be leaving first. Take your time suffering..."

Then he followed behind Dugu Bo.

Dugu Chen: "..."

The next morning.

Dugu Bo took Dugu Chen and Dugu Xin onto a carriage bound for Wuhun City to attend the Saintess Ceremony.

Wuhun City lay at the border between the two great empires of Star Luo and Heaven Dou. It was wholly Spirit Hall territory, and neither empire had jurisdiction over it.

Papal Hall, one of the two grand halls symbolizing Spirit Hall's highest authority, stood within Wuhun City.

After more than ten days of rushing at top speed, Dugu Bo finally brought the two of them to Wuhun City.

"So this is Wuhun City?"

Dugu Chen looked up at the city before him. Compared with Heaven Dou City, Wuhun City was undoubtedly far smaller, not even one-tenth its size. Yet it was no less awe-inspiring.

Though the city itself was not large, its walls had been built to military specifications. The eighty-meter-tall walls were immensely imposing from the outside.

"Yes, let's go. It's time to enter!"

Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Chen and Dugu Xin before leading them into the city.

Upon entering Wuhun City, Dugu Chen's first impression was... emptiness!

There were few pedestrians on the streets, and even the shops were pitifully scarce. Most of those shops sold items needed by soul masters.

Dugu Chen casually looked around. When the women of Wuhun City saw his handsome face set off by his splendid attire, a blush rose to their cheeks. They lowered their heads one after another, not daring to meet his gaze.

Indeed, with his looks and that black-and-white long robe patterned with flowing cloud motifs like an ink wash painting, he possessed an air of standing apart from the world within this ancient, somewhat solemn Wuhun City.

Seeing all the fervent gazes cast their way, Dugu Bo's mouth twitched.

Heaven knew how many times he had had to persuade himself before agreeing to let this unfilial brat wear those clothes out with him...

Yet immediately afterward, the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. At least the boy was not disgracing the Dugu Household.

Dugu Xin's expression was far more solemn.

Though he was only in his twenties, he carried himself with remarkable composure. He turned to Dugu Chen and smiled faintly.

"Little Brother's bearing remains as dazzling as ever. Who knows how many lovely young ladies in Wuhun City will be captivated?"

"When one goes out, naturally one cannot disgrace the Dugu Residence."

Dugu Chen remained perfectly composed and placed a hand over his chest.

He suddenly felt that something was missing. Looking around, he realized that he was missing a fan.

As the saying went, life was like a play, and showing off was like the wind, ever at his side.

If he went out without showing off, would the trip not have been for nothing?

To fail to display one's greatness before others was like wearing brocade at night!

Before the three had walked far, they ran into a red-robed bishop. When he saw Dugu Bo, his eyes lit up, and he hurried forward to bow.

"Greetings, Your Excellency Poison Douluo!"

Dugu Bo glanced at him, nodded slightly, and fixed his gaze on the red-robed bishop.

"Make the arrangements. We have come to attend the Saintess Ceremony."

The red-robed bishop understood at once and bowed again. "Understood, Your Excellency Poison Douluo. Young Masters, please follow me!"

With that, he turned and led the way. Spirit Hall had arranged dedicated lodgings for every sect and faction that came to Wuhun City.

Although Dugu Bo did not belong to any such group, Spirit Hall had sent his invitation separately, as a show of respect for a powerhouse of the continent like him.