Once You Pass the Gates, Learned Scholars Will Argue the Classics for You

After thinking it over repeatedly, Dugu Bo ultimately chose to accept.

"Yanyan, since this is your opportunity, accept it. But remember who gave you this tremendous opportunity. If anything happens in the future, think more about what happened today."

There was a hint of approval in Xiao Feiyu and Yun Qingluo's eyes. Though Dugu Bo could be righteous or wicked depending on the situation, he still possessed character.

Don't be fooled by the fact that nearly all of his choices today had been forced by circumstances. Once he acknowledged something, not even ten oxen could drag him back.

It seemed that Dugu Bo and Tang San would definitely have nothing to do with each other in the future.

Though Dugu Yan was young, she was quite mature for her age. Naturally, she understood the unspoken meaning behind her grandfather's words.

Even without her grandfather saying it, she would never do anything harmful to Lu Shiyuan in the future.

Though today's spar had been incredibly brief, consisting of only one attack and one defense, that figure had already been deeply carved into her heart.

Everyone admired the strong, regardless of gender.

Especially a girl like Dugu Yan. With a Titled Douluo grandfather, her standards were naturally higher than those of most people on the continent.

Now that Lu Shiyuan, who was better than her in every respect, had suddenly appeared, it would have been difficult for him not to leave a mark on her heart.

Yun Qingluo handed the Profound Frost Condensed-Jade Branch to Dugu Yan. "Use your Martial Soul to absorb the frost energy within the immortal herb."

Dugu Yan nodded. The instant she took the immortal herb, a bone-piercing chill made her shudder involuntarily.

She gritted her teeth and endured it. This was her opportunity.

Whether she would die an ordinary, mediocre death in the future or become a brilliant, dazzling star depended on this shudder.

Seeing his granddaughter begin to absorb the immense energy contained within the immortal herb, Dugu Bo gritted his teeth and said, "Everyone, my garden may be humble, but the area around the spring contains an enormous amount of energy. If you do not mind, feel free to see whether there is anything you need. I dare not claim much else, but there are still some good things in my herb garden."

Lu Shiyuan curled his lip, unsure whether Dugu Bo truly lacked discernment or was simply showing off.

There were more than just good things in this herb garden. They were all priceless treasures.

But Lu Shiyuan was not Tang San. He could not do something like swindling others and claiming their possessions for himself.

He said directly, "Senior Dugu, your herb garden contains far more than merely good things. I have already seen several treasures on the same level as the immortal herb Qingluo gave away earlier."

Dugu Bo froze, then felt a warm current rise within his heart.

He knew that Lu Shiyuan was showing goodwill. Such forthright conduct instead won his favor.

Besides, during their earlier transaction, he had already promised that Lu Shiyuan could take any medicinal herb from this garden that he needed.

"Young Master, what are you saying? Natural treasures belong to the virtuous. I have found this blessed sanctuary some time ago. Since I failed to discover its mysteries while you did, that proves these treasures were never destined for me. Furthermore, this old man's lifelong wish is merely to cure my granddaughter and keep her safe for the rest of her life. No matter how many immortal herbs there are, they are of no use to me."

Sincerity was answered with sincerity. Lu Shiyuan had held nothing back, so Dugu Bo would not push his luck.

Though he did not recognize immortal herbs, he knew that such things were exceedingly precious. It was already extraordinarily difficult for an ordinary person to consume even one.

After all, immortal herbs contained vast energy. If someone carelessly consumed two immortal herbs with conflicting properties, not only would they gain no benefit, they might even explode and die.

Lu Shiyuan did not stand on ceremony. "Since Senior has said so, this junior will not be polite."

"Young Master, please make yourself at home. I already promised that you may take whatever catches your eye in this garden."

Yun Qingluo had remained silent until now. In truth, she had also been testing Dugu Bo's character.

Though she had the experience of her previous life, the course of this life had already changed. She wanted to see whether Dugu Bo would make a different choice.

Now, it seemed the situation was quite good.

Lu Shiyuan recognized only some of those immortal herbs. If they had not been shown in the original work, he certainly would not recognize them.

But Yun Qingluo was different. She seemed to have specifically studied these things.

"Poison Douluo, there is no need to be modest. Although the things in your garden are indeed good, we will only take what we need. If there is anything suitable for you or anything you need, we will not forcibly take it." As she spoke, she pointed to a dark corner of the garden. "Do you see that plant?"

Dugu Bo followed her direction. It was a vine-like plant, but unlike ordinary vines, it did not struggle upward in pursuit of more sunlight.

Instead, it constantly wound through the soil, burrowing wherever it was cold and damp.

He nodded and waited for Yun Qingluo to continue.

"That immortal herb is called the Nethernight Corrupt-Heart Vine. It can give your Martial Soul Corrupt-Heart Poison, and if you are lucky, it may even trigger a Martial Soul Evolution." Yun Qingluo smiled. "Once you find suitable materials and I cure your poison, you may consume that immortal herb. Even if your Martial Soul does not evolve, you will still be able to enter the ranks of Super Douluo in this life."

Dugu Bo's breathing grew hurried.

His granddaughter's poison had already been cured. If his cultivation could advance even further, Dugu Bo felt that he would wake up laughing in the middle of the night.

Sure enough, this was the opportunity Heaven had bestowed upon him.

At that moment, he was immensely glad for the choice he had made, and even more glad that after making it, he had not put on airs but had clearly chosen a side.

See? The reward had come already.

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Dugu Bo bowed respectfully. They had given him such an enormous opportunity, so no amount of respect from him would be excessive.

Besides, what dignity could he possibly put on before two Super Douluo? He just needed to bow honestly and be done with it.

"No need to thank us. We are not asking for nothing in return." Yun Qingluo beckoned to Lu Shiyuan. "Xiao Yuan, do you see those two immortal herbs?"

She was referring to the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot.

Lu Shiyuan nodded. He had long coveted those two immortal herbs.

Though those two immortal herbs would not increase Soul Power by much, their effects of immunity to water and fire, as well as resistance to all poisons, were enough to make anyone envious.

"Those two immortal herbs are called the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot. In a moment, I will pluck them. You must consume both within ten breaths, then jump into the spring and use the power of ice and fire to temper your body. The process will be painful, but the results will be equally remarkable. If everything goes smoothly, your third Soul Ring can directly absorb one that is ten thousand years old."

She lowered her voice for the final sentence, so Dugu Bo did not hear it.

Lu Shiyuan nodded again. He was not afraid of pain. So long as he could increase his strength, everything would be worth it.

Just like today, if not for Xiao Feiyu and Yun Qingluo's help, could he have obtained the slightest benefit from Dugu Bo?

Forget benefits. With Dugu Bo's unpredictable temperament, he would have been lucky just to keep his life.

In the end, this was still a world where strength spoke.

As long as you were strong enough, once you passed the gates, learned scholars would argue the classics for you.