...
The valley is secluded and shrouded in mist.
The red and blue spring waters converge in the center, creating a misty haze that transforms the surrounding area into a fairyland.
Bibi Dong stood with her hands behind her back.
Although her deep, pale purple eyes lingered on the frail Blue Silver Emperor plant for a moment, flashing a meaningful light, she ultimately did not choose to expose Xuan Hao's clumsy lie on the spot.
Since this brat doesn't want to tell us some secrets, let him keep them to himself for now.
Anyway, she has the person firmly in her grasp, what can they possibly do?
She withdrew her gaze, took a few steps, and paced around this legendary treasure basin, examining this magical land.
"Such abundant elemental energy of heaven and earth..."
Bibi Dong sighed softly.
Every inch of soil and every breath of air here seems to be filled with energy compressed to the extreme.
Even a weed growing randomly by the roadside has a vitality far exceeding that of a carefully cultivated spiritual plant.
only...
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the lush vegetation. Although it looked dazzling and even contained many top-grade herbs that were considered "sky-high" in price, she always felt that... something was missing to "hold the show".
It's like a treasure trove filled with gold and silver, but missing only a few of the most dazzling diamonds.
"It seems that the best batch has been completely squandered by this greedy little devil."
Bibi Dong chuckled inwardly, glancing at Xuan Hao, who was following obediently behind her.
Meanwhile, Ju Douluo Yue Guan, who knew nothing about this, was like a mouse that had entered a rice jar, so excited that he lost his bearings.
"My God! This is dragon's beard grass!
With this quality, it must have been aged for at least three thousand years!"
"My goodness! This is actually the Crimson Essence Vine?
It's been extinct in the outside world for ages!"
"Babies! They're all babies!!"
While screaming, Yue Guan carefully stroked the flowers and plants, her eyes filled with affection as if she were looking at her own son.
Moreover, just as Xuan Hao said, the growth rate of this Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye is practically cheat code level.
Although Xuan Hao had just cleared the area a while ago, in just over ten days, the areas that had been dug up had already been covered again by the wildly growing vegetation around them.
Unless you're a master like Dugu Bo, who knows every blade of grass in his garden like the back of his hand, outsiders would never guess what kind of "plundering" this place had suffered.
"His Highness is right! This place is simply a paradise for plant-type soul beasts and soul masters!"
Yue Guan was so excited that his delicate fingers trembled.
He turned around abruptly, and a beautiful bracelet inlaid with a yellow gemstone on his wrist flashed.
"Shuashuashua——"
Suddenly, a large number of rare flowers and plants, fragrant with the scent of soil and carefully protected by specially made jade boxes or soul tools, appeared out of thin air on the open ground.
These are all precious items that Yue Guan collected throughout his life, traveling all over the country and spending countless hours to gather them.
Soul tools capable of storing living beings are extremely rare treasures on the Douluo Continent, and their value is no less than that of a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone.
Even a titled Douluo might not be able to possess one.
Only a wealthy man like Yue Guan, who is obsessed with flowers and plants to an extreme degree and is also a core elder of the Spirit Hall, could get his hands on such a thing by sheer luck.
Of course, compared to Xuan Hao's "Qiankun Ring," a magical artifact that creates its own space, allows him to grow crops, raise fish, and even function as a refrigerator, Yue Guan's storage bracelet, which can barely maintain the activity of plants, is just a rudimentary "preservation box."
"I'm going to plant them all here!"
Yue Guan, like a diligent old farmer, wielded a small hoe and began to work tirelessly:
"With the environment here, plus the accelerating effect of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well... at most three years!
No! Two years! My treasures will be able to evolve!"
Watching Yue Guan's back as he frantically dug a hole with his rear end sticking out, Bibi Dong shook her head helplessly, then turned to Xuan Hao beside her, her tone regaining its coldness and rationality:
"Where is that old poisoner?"
Since this is Dugu Bo's villa, and their group has been here for so long, with Yue Guan even carrying out large-scale construction, it is clearly illogical that Dugu Bo, as the host, has not shown up.
"Oh, that old man is busy right now."
Xuan Hao put his hands behind his head and said with a relaxed expression:
"After helping him and Dugu Yan detoxify and evolve their martial souls, he stopped living here and moved back to his mansion in Heaven Dou City.
After all, although this place is nice, it's too desolate.
How can it compare to the luxury and comfort of Heaven Dou City?"
"Of course, he comes back to visit from time to time.
However, he recently underwent a martial soul evolution and is probably in seclusion to consolidate his realm.
He probably won't be coming back for the next ten days to half a month."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, then looked at him with a half-smile:
Does he know your true identity?
"How could that be!"
Xuan Hao immediately shook his head, "If I told him I was from the Spirit Hall, that old poisoner would fight me to the death even if he didn't care about his own life."
"In his eyes, I am a super second-generation heir from a mysterious, reclusive family, with extraordinary talent, unparalleled abilities, and overflowing wealth!"
"You have no idea, but I took the art of pretense to its extreme in Tiandou City."
"Whether facing Dugu Bo, the Heaven Dou royal family, or even that old fox Ning Fengzhi... I relied on my cultivation progress, which is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, as well as my endless methods and wisdom, to fool them one after another."
Xuan Hao shrugged:
"Their current consensus is that I have a hidden power behind me that is even more ancient and unfathomable than the three upper sects.
So they all want to win me over and curry favor with me, for fear of offending the big boss behind me."
Hearing Xuan Hao's smug words, Bibi Dong's expression was somewhat strange, but a hint of admiration flashed in her eyes.
Although this kid talks a lot of nonsense, his ability to put on airs and bluff is indeed an indispensable quality for someone in a position of power.
To be able to outwit a group of old foxes and clever people in a place like Tiandou City, where power struggles are intricate, simply by using one's words and one's own magnanimity, is itself a testament to extremely high wisdom and ability.
"You certainly know how to leverage opportunities."
Bibi Dong made a comment, then looked around the spiritually vibrant Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye, sensing the unique energy fluctuations here, her tone becoming more serious:
"If you want to stay here to cultivate, that's not impossible.
The environment here is indeed exceptional and will greatly benefit your growth."
"but..."
Bibi Dong changed the subject, staring into Xuan Hao's eyes:
"What are your plans to do about the situation in Tiandou City?"
"You've caused quite a stir this time.
The Heaven Dou Royal Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School are probably all focused on you now."
"If you just suddenly disappear like this, it will inevitably arouse suspicion, and the lies of that so-called reclusive family will be exposed."
At this point, Bibi Dong paused, then said meaningfully:
"More importantly, there's Qian Renxue's side."
"During your time in Tiandou City, you extorted quite a few good things from Xue Qinghe.
She went to great lengths to win you over and cooperate with your performance."
"If Xue Qinghe has paid such a high price but cannot get enough in return from you, or if you simply run away... then the old emperor of Tiandou will inevitably doubt Xue Qinghe's ability and vision, which will seriously affect our infiltration plan in the Tiandou Empire."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Hao stopped smiling and nodded seriously.
"Teacher, rest assured, I understand."
"If you take someone's money, you have to do their bidding.
Even though I cheated them, the show has to go on, and I can't let it end abruptly."
"Good that you understand."
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction, and then gave the order:
"Therefore, while you should continue your cultivation, you should still focus on Heaven Dou City."
"If necessary, you can cooperate with Qian Renxue's actions to help her establish prestige in front of the old emperor and consolidate the crown prince's position."
"Of course, you don't need to be too cooperative, lest she think that all your efforts are a given and that you've been won over by her."
"You need to maintain your current persona."
"One must be capable, yet also greedy; one must be willing to cooperate, yet also willing to wait for the best price."
"Just like before, extort when you need to, and take what you want when you need to.
Remember, no one gets up early without a reason, and that's the kind of partner you can trust the most."
Alright!
Xuan Hao snapped his fingers, revealing his signature shrewd smile, his eyes gleaming:
"Just you wait and see, teacher!"
"I dare not speak of anything else, but greed and a lust for profit are my forte!"
"I'll make sure that Crown Prince is taken care of perfectly, and that he'll be eternally grateful to me!"
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