Dugu Yan hadn't seen Dugu Bo for several months and assumed her grandfather was cultivating at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, so she came to visit him.
There, she encountered Dugu Bo covered in wounds and still recovering.
Outwardly, Dugu Bo's external injuries had healed, but his pale complexion and severely depleted vitality wouldn't recover quickly.
"Who could hurt me? Your grandfather had a mishap during cultivation.
Alright, Yan Yan, don't worry. You can't stay at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for too long. You should return to Heaven Dou City now."
Dugu Bo's eyes softened as he hugged Dugu Yan, wanting to send her away quickly.
Just then, Dugu Feng leaped out from the spring water.
Both Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo were momentarily stunned at the sight of Dugu Feng.
The moment Dugu Feng emerged from the water, he glanced at them with the predatory gaze of a high-level Spirit Beast—a single look seemed capable of stripping them of their lives.
"Your Eminence, how is your recovery progressing?" Dugu Feng landed beside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and slowly approached.
Dugu Bo sighed inwardly; Dugu Feng's power had grown again. He stood up, "I'm fine now. Yan Yan just told me that Heaven Dou's army is gathering—Xue Qinghe plans to launch a war!"
He thought Dugu Feng was unaware of the events in Heaven Dou City, but through the Core Pearl, Dugu Feng knew everything happening there better than anyone.
Dugu Yan also stood up, quickly supporting Dugu Bo. Her face flushed with anger, "Grandpa, I knew you were injured! You should be focusing on cultivation right now.
Why are you being so polite to him? Allowing him to cultivate here at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is already a blessing to the Poison Cultivation Lineage!"
Though surprised that Dugu Feng could cultivate in the springs of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, she was even more shocked by her grandfather's attitude.
He had actually stood up voluntarily to speak with Dugu Feng, and his tone was remarkably gentle.
Dugu Bo felt helpless toward his granddaughter and hurriedly said, "Yan Yan, don't say such things anymore. Both the Cultivated Serpent Lineage and Poison Cultivation Lineage belong to the Dugu Family.
It was my mistake to leave the family back then, and I can't continue making errors now.
Dugu Feng is your cousin. You two should grow closer in the future."
This left Dugu Yan wide-eyed. Grandpa, what are you saying?
We have a feud with their Poison Cultivation Lineage!
Suddenly, understanding dawned on her. "Grandpa, did Dugu Feng hurt you? Did he and Dugu Shuo ambush you to cause your injuries?
Are they threatening you?"
Dugu Yan was quite clever—somehow, she had pieced it together instantly.
After speaking, she stared at the completely unfazed Dugu Feng, growing more convinced that he was behind it.
"Dugu Feng, what did you do to my grandfather?" Dugu Yan shouted angrily at Dugu Feng.
But Dugu Feng didn't even glance at her, instead turning his attention to Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo felt bitter regret. His past attitudes had deeply influenced Dugu Yan's perceptions.
He abruptly pulled Dugu Yan closer. "Yan Yan, stop talking nonsense..."
"Grandpa, we don't need to fear him! At worst, we can fight him with everything we've got!" Dugu Yan pointed at Dugu Feng, ready to continue her tirade.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo could no longer restrain himself.
Slap!
He slapped Dugu Yan across the face: "I told you, he's your cousin, your family. Don't you understand?"
This slap finally jolted Dugu Yan awake. Five crimson finger marks rapidly bloomed on her cheek like bloody streaks.
She stood there in a daze, unable to process what had happened for a long moment.
In her disoriented state, she seemed to see Dugu Feng smile faintly before ignoring her completely, walking past her coldly as he left the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Seeing Dugu Feng had departed, Dugu Bo quickly pulled Dugu Yan into a tight embrace.
"Waaah—"
Dugu Yan burst into tears of grievance. "Grandfather, you hit me... you actually hit me..."
"Ah!"
Dugu Bo sighed heavily.
His granddaughter was six years older than Dugu Feng, yet she still behaved like a child.
Her emotions were always written plainly on her face. Just moments earlier, even if she disliked Dugu Feng in her heart, she shouldn't have shown it so openly in his presence.
If it were Dugu Feng, he would never make a scene—but when he struck, it would be a lethal blow.
"Yan Yan, you must stop antagonizing Dugu Feng from now on. He's a rare genius in our family, destined to become a Titled Douluo.
He might even become the continent's strongest cultivator. For someone like him to emerge from our Dugu Family, given our status, we shouldn't oppose him but rather strengthen our ties!"
Though initially meant to counsel Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo found himself convinced by his own words, wondering what he had been thinking all this time.
"Grandfather, you hit me... You hit me because of Dugu Feng!"
Dugu Yan remained completely unreceptive, stuck repeating the same phrase like a broken record.
"Yan Yan, I'm no match for Dugu Feng anymore. Your guess was right—my injuries were caused by Dugu Feng, and they happened during a Soul Duel between us.
I lost... I was defeated by my own grandnephew...
Yan Yan, listen to your grandfather. Don't oppose Dugu Feng anymore. We can't win against him..." Dugu Bo spoke with profound gravity.
"But he's only a Soul Emperor! How could he possibly be that powerful?" Dugu Yan stood frozen in disbelief.
Dugu Bo gazed helplessly at the sky. I don't know why he's so strong either. That's a question I can't answer.
For a long moment, grandfather and granddaughter stood in silence, wordlessly facing each other.
Meanwhile, Dugu Feng had already left the Sunset Forest and returned to Dugu Mansion.
The mansion buzzed with activity, with Soul Masters cultivating in various halls and courtyards.
Soon, Dugu Feng passed by a particular compound.
The courtyard was surrounded by numerous earthen jars arranged in rows.
This was Old Snake's training ground—the very place where he had raised Dugu Feng since childhood.
Without a doubt, Old Snake was currently lying inside one of those jars, pretending to be a snake.
Even after cultivating to the Soul Douluo level, Old Snake's habits remained unchanged.
Dugu Feng pushed the door open directly.
"Who dares disturb— Oh! Young Master! I was just about to look for you!
Emperor Qinghe has announced we march to war in ten days. All major families are mobilizing their Soul Masters for the campaign.
The Emperor specifically requested your participation. If you hadn't returned in the next few days, I would've come to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to find you!"
Old Snake sprang up with a carp's leap, though his tone remained lazily drawn out.
He looked Dugu Feng up and down. "Young Master, tsk tsk... I sense your power is approaching the Soul Saint level, and in such a short time!
This old bones will be surpassed by you before long!"
The dangerous aura emanating from Dugu Feng startled even Old Snake, his voice tinged with unmistakable envy.
He, a Soul Saint, had only just begun his cultivation journey, and now... well, it's a long story.
"If there's any benefit, I won't forget you. Open your mouth and close your eyes."
Old Snake was overjoyed upon hearing this. Could it be that the young master had obtained another Immortal Herb?
Without a second thought, he immediately followed Dugu Feng's instructions and opened his mouth.
In a flash, Dugu Feng swiftly tossed a Core Pearl into it.
In Old Snake's perception, it was merely a warm object sliding down his throat, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
(End of Chapter)