The Young Figure at Shrek Academy

After absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Huo Yuhao opened his eyes and breathed out a mouthful of stale air.

"Sanmei, there are Immortal Herbs all over the ground. Since they're recorded in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, how many you can take depends on your own ability."

As Huo Yuhao spoke, he tipped his head toward Dugu Bo and his granddaughter.

"And see if there's anything suitable for those two. Pick something out for each of them."

Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan both froze at his words.

Seeing someone set their sights on his herbs made Dugu Bo's heart ache.

True, he didn't recognize them or know how to use them.

But having them was another matter entirely.

Now that he heard Huo Yuhao wanted the girl to pick something for him and his granddaughter, he grew excited.

"Young friend... do you mean it?"

Dugu Bo rubbed his hands together and swallowed.

Who wouldn't want a stronger Martial Soul?

He had been stuck at rank ninety-one for years. Perhaps an Immortal Herb could help him break through.

If he reached rank ninety-five or above, he would no longer be an ordinary Titled Douluo.

"If my senior brother said he'd pick something for you, he will. He never makes empty promises."

Tang Sanmei gave a soft snort and stepped forward.

She glanced at Dugu Bo first, then turned her gaze on the somewhat uneasy Dugu Yan.

"She'll probably join the Tang Sect and become Senior Brother's concubine someday. She can't be too weak, or she'll embarrass the sect when he takes her out."

Tang Sanmei muttered this under her breath with a perfectly serious air, then crouched and rummaged through the plants.

Dugu Yan flushed at her words and glared at her.

"Stop... stop talking nonsense! Who's going to be his concubine?"

Tang Sanmei couldn't be bothered to answer.

When a man came of age, he married; when a woman came of age, she wed.

A match was settled by the parents' wishes and the matchmaker's word.

As long as Dugu Bo agreed, what could a little granddaughter like her do to resist?

Tang Sanmei searched carefully until her gaze settled on a golden fruit covered in fine dragon-scale patterns.

An immortal-grade Earth Dragon Golden Melon.

She blinked, leafing through the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record in her mind.

Because of her Martial Soul, Dugu Yan carried a heavy burden of cold, damp poison, and her constitution was somewhat frail.

According to the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, this Earth Dragon Golden Melon was particularly effective at balancing cold within the body.

More importantly, it would help with the Tang Sect's future descendants.

"Found it. This one."

A jade-white glow spread over Tang Sanmei's hand as she picked up the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and passed it to Dugu Yan.

"Take it. This is an Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It counters the cold, damp poison in your body. Eating it will strengthen your constitution."

At the end, she added,

"If you're going to bear Senior Brother's children someday, you'll need a sturdy body."

"You...!"

The sight of the Immortal Herb had moved Dugu Yan, but the last remark made her clench her teeth in anger.

"As for you, old man..."

Tang Sanmei looked at Dugu Bo, pulled up a black fungus, and tossed it to him.

"You're old, and the poison has seeped into your bones. Your body can't withstand strong medicine; it might even burst your meridians. This Black Jade-Patterned Dragon Fungus is gentle. Dissolve it in warm water when you get back and drink it. It can repair your damaged meridians."

Dugu Bo fumbled to catch the fungus. One breath of its drifting fragrance eased the joints that had ached for years.

"Divine medicine...!!"

Dugu Bo's face crinkled with delight. He had lost every trace of a Titled Douluo's dignity.

The treasures were wonderful, but he had never known which ones he could use and which he couldn't.

All he could do was stare at them longingly day after day.

Now he could finally take one. What a relief!

With grandfather and granddaughter dealt with, Tang Sanmei stared at the remaining Immortal Herbs and fell into thought.

"Senior Brother, how are we supposed to take all these Immortal Herbs away?"

"The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record says Immortal Herbs lose their medicinal power once they leave the soil. Jade boxes and the like can only preserve them for ten days to half a month."

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up at that. In a rush of excitement, he pulled the pouch from his waist and called out,

"I have something! This Soul Tool of mine is made specifically for storing living things!"

"Then thank you for your generosity, Senior!"

Before Dugu Bo could react, Huo Yuhao tossed the Ruyi Treasure Pouch straight to Tang Sanmei.

"Now that we have Senior's Soul Tool, hurry and fill it."

Tang Sanmei answered, then held the Ruyi Treasure Pouch as she packed the Immortal Herbs into it one after another.

Beside her, Dugu Bo stared silently at his empty palm.

Had he just done something he really shouldn't have?

"Grandpa, didn't you say that pouch was precious? Why did you give it away just like that?"

Dugu Yan tugged at his sleeve and asked in a whisper.

Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. He slapped a hand to his forehead and sighed.

"Ah, I got carried away..."

Still, they had saved his life and his granddaughter's. The price was only one precious Soul Tool and some Immortal Herbs...

It wasn't such a big deal...

"Hey! Girl! You don't need to put that rock in there!"

"Those are my granddaughter's clothes hanging out to dry! Oh, come on!"

"...That isn't an Immortal Herb! It's a flower I grew!"

Dugu Bo trailed anxiously behind Tang Sanmei, watching every move she made.

But he couldn't actually stop her.

His granddaughter was watching, after all. He was a Titled Douluo; how could he go back on his word?

Tang Sanmei looked at the flower in her hand and tossed it to the ground in disgust.

"No wonder I didn't recognize this flower."

She muttered to herself and went on with her plundering.

"Ah!"

Dugu Bo slapped his forehead and followed her with a miserable look.

"Pfft~"

Dugu Yan burst out laughing at the sight.

"That little maid of yours is quite dedicated. Where did you find her?"

She edged a little closer to Huo Yuhao without drawing attention and asked in a whisper.

"Picked her up by the roadside. She cried and begged to be my maid. I couldn't stop her."

Huo Yuhao answered casually.

"Hmph. As if I'd believe you."

Dugu Yan curled her lip. Her lovely eyes settled on Huo Yuhao's profile, curiosity flickering in their depths.

"She can't stop talking about the sect's grand ambitions. Just what spell have you put her under?"

Before Huo Yuhao could answer, Tang Sanmei's ears twitched.

She looked up, spotted Dugu Yan standing close to her senior brother, and came over with a frown.

"Miss Dugu, keep your distance from my senior brother. Men and women should not touch so casually. Even if you're going to enter his bedchamber one day, you must observe proper conduct until you're married. Don't behave so frivolously."

Dugu Yan finally understood what was going on with the little girl. Instead of getting angry, she rolled her eyes.

"Who's being frivolous? Why is your little head full of this nonsense?"

Tang Sanmei did not argue. She took it for a young woman's shyness and went back to pulling up plants, her backside in the air.

Shrek Academy, Suotuo City.

A young man walked slowly into the academy, a belt set with twenty-four gemstones around his waist.

He looked up at the Shrek sign above the gate, and a trace of remembrance flashed through his eyes.

"Shrek Academy... I'm back."