41 Platinum Bishop

At Jun Yan's teasing, Dugu Bo smiled helplessly. "Heaven Dou City is a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. What does one Soul Douluo like me amount to? How could I do anything but keep my head down?"

Jun Yan shook his head. "Brother Dugu, you're too modest! On the continent, Soul Douluos are a rare sight."

But Dugu Bo said, "There'd be nothing wrong with anyone else saying that, but for you, Brother Jun, I doubt even Titled Douluos are so hard to come across!"

Jun Yan did not reply to Dugu Bo's words. He merely smiled and shook his head.

Dugu Bo suddenly asked, "Brother Jun Yan, what brings you to Heaven Dou City?"

Jun Yan looked at Dugu Bo and said seriously, "I came especially for you."

"For me?" Dugu Bo's expression shifted. He stared intently at Jun Yan, a divine light seemingly flickering in his green pupils.

Jun Yan explained calmly, "I had business near Heaven Dou City, and I remembered you lived here, so I came to pay you a visit."

Dugu Bo smiled at that, seemingly having caught a flaw in Jun Yan's words.

"If you came to visit me, why didn't you go to my residence? Why come to the auction house instead? What, were you planning to bring me a gift?"

With that, he teased Jun Yan, getting even for Jun Yan's earlier teasing.

Jun Yan paid it no mind and explained, "It's my first time in Heaven Dou City. How would I know where you live? As it happens, I have an elder here, so I planned to ask him where your residence was when I went to visit him. But he wasn't in either. Then, as it happened, the grand auction house was holding a top-grade auction, so I came here to wait for you both."

"An elder?"

Dugu Bo knew that Jun Yan came from Spirit City and that his status was certainly extraordinary. An elder of Jun Yan's who lived in Heaven Dou City was probably a high-ranking member of the Martial Soul Sacred Temple.

Just then, a sound came from the entrance passage to the hall, and Jun Yan turned to look.

After seeing who it was, Jun Yan turned back to Dugu Bo. "Look, my elder is here." With that, he stood up.

There were three newcomers in all. Walking in the middle was a gaunt old man, his whole body covered in a scarlet robe and a five-pointed platinum crown on his head.

This was naturally Fan Haige, master of the Martial Soul Sacred Temple in Heaven Dou City and one of Spirit Hall's four Platinum Bishops. He was also the person Jun Yan had been waiting for.

Once Fan Haige drew near, Jun Yan called out, "Uncle Fan Haige, it's been a long time."

Fan Haige had already noticed the young man who suddenly stood up and looked his way. As he approached, he rapidly searched his memory for the young man's identity.

When Jun Yan spoke, he remembered who he was.

He immediately smiled kindly. "You're my dear nephew Jun Yan, aren't you? It really has been a long time. About three years, hasn't it?"

Jun Yan nodded. "You have a good memory, Uncle Fan Haige. It has indeed been three years."

Three years ago, during the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, Fan Haige had happened to be in Spirit City and had watched the tournament finals.

So he naturally knew that the young man before him had been a mainstay in the tournament that year and was also the adopted son of his good friend Jun Kuang.

"Your father lately..." Fan Haige had just been about to ask how his friend was doing when he suddenly remembered the news he had received about him not long ago.

He hurriedly closed his mouth and instead said in a tone that might have been happy or envious, "Your father must be feeling very pleased with himself lately! After struggling for so many years, he finally broke through to Level 90. He's fulfilled a dream he's had for years."

Jun Yan said, "My father was just lucky for once. I'm sure you'll break through before long too, Uncle Fan Haige."

"Haha!" Fan Haige laughed and shook his head, then said, his eyes dimming somewhat, "My talent isn't as good as your father's. It's only been a few years since I broke through to Soul Douluo. Breaking through to Titled Douluo won't be so easy. I might never take that step in this lifetime."

Jun Yan said earnestly, "Uncle, you mustn't belittle yourself. My father spent many years before he finally broke through his shackles. As long as you don't give up, you'll surely do the same."

Although Fan Haige knew Jun Yan was only being polite, who didn't like to hear kind words? He immediately said happily, "Then I'll take your words as a blessing. Haha!"

After exchanging pleasantries with Fan Haige, Jun Yan pointed to Dugu Bo beside him and introduced him. "Uncle, this is my good friend, Dugu Bo."

Dugu Bo spoke respectfully. "I am Dugu Bo. Greetings, Bishop Fan Haige!"

Fan Haige looked as though he had just realized something. "So it's you! Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, your name has spread throughout Heaven Dou City."

"You flatter me, Your Excellency," Dugu Bo replied modestly.

Though he appeared calm, stormy waves were already surging in his heart. He had known before that Jun Yan's status was extraordinary, but he hadn't expected Jun Yan to be a Titled Douluo's own son (he didn't know Jun Yan was adopted).

He also began to feel fortunate that, back in the Sunset Forest, he hadn't attacked Jun Yan out of a moment's greed and had instead chosen to form a good connection with him.

"All right, the auction is about to start. Let's all sit down and see what good things are on offer tonight."

Fan Haige took the initiative to end their conversation, then said to Jun Yan, "Little Jun Yan, if anything catches your eye, tell me. I'll buy it for you as a gift."

Jun Yan hurriedly declined. "I came to pay my respects to you without even bringing a gift. How could I let you spend money on me?"

Fan Haige waved a hand and said casually, "It's fine. Given my relationship with your father, a single auction item is nothing."

"Then I'd better accept than decline out of politeness?"

"As you should, as you should!" Fan Haige laughed heartily.

With Fan Haige's status, he was more than qualified to sit in the red VIP section. But because of Jun Yan, he didn't go over there and instead took a seat nearby, beside Jun Yan.

Not long after sitting down, Fan Haige said with a smile, "Whenever I came to an auction in the past, people would always come over to chat with me. Often, I wouldn't even know what was being auctioned up there. Sitting beside Little Jun Yan this time has spared me those mundane troubles."

Jun Yan immediately chimed in, "Then haven't I done you a great favor, Uncle?"

"You certainly have," a middle-aged man beside Fan Haige said with a nod.

"And this is?" Jun Yan asked.

"This is my disciple, Salas. Though he isn't as talented as you, he has made something of himself. He's reached the Soul Saint realm and serves as a bishop under me. You can call him big brother."

Fan Haige seemed intent on having the two get acquainted and introduced him with great enthusiasm.

"So it's Big Brother Salas. My respects," Jun Yan said, cupping his fists.

He had some recollection of this man-the Platinum Bishop of Heaven Dou Temple more than twenty years later!

"You're too polite, Brother Jun Yan," Salas said, returning the greeting.

I've changed the setting a little: Jun Kuang's friend is Fan Haige, who is Salas's teacher. That fits their ages better.