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“Grandpa, what kind of soul beast are we going to hunt?” Dugu Yan asked coquettishly, tugging at Dugu Bo’s sleeve.
At this time, Dugu Yan was just a twelve-year-old girl, still holding onto the romantic notions of youth and not yet the seductive and aloof character she would become in the story.
Compared to Ning Rongrong at the same age, who was throwing tantrums at Shrek Academy, Dugu Yan, pampered by Dugu Bo, had a similar temperament. However, being without parents made Dugu Yan a bit more sensible and not spoiled by her grandfather’s doting.
Looking at the developing but still girlish Dugu Yan, Jiang Jie turned away awkwardly, unable to keep watching. Despite being twelve, which was considered the age of a “legal loli” on the Douluo Continent, Jiang Jie, though only six in age, had the mind of an adult. Dugu Yan’s allure, mixed with her serpent-like charm, was too overwhelming for him, a socially anxious recluse.
Dugu Yan noticed Jiang Jie’s awkward expression and subtly turned her head, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She covered her red lips, suppressing a giggle.
Ha! Even someone as mature and composed as you can’t resist my charm, can you?
Dugu Yan felt quite proud.
When Jiang Jie had a spirited conversation with her grandfather Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan was greatly surprised. Compared to Yu Tianheng, who always acted cool and aloof in front of her (though he truly was aloof), Jiang Jie, despite being a child, appeared cool to her. This made her want to pinch Jiang Jie’s cheeks.
Breaking Jiang Jie’s calm demeanor gave Dugu Yan a sense of accomplishment.
Little did she know, this little brother had already set his sights on her…
“It depends on your choice, Yan Yan.” When Dugu Yan asked about the soul beast, Dugu Bo looked at her seriously. “The path is yours to walk. Grandpa can only help you; he can’t walk it for you.”
“Learn from others’ strengths and offset your weaknesses—one path reduces your flaws, making you stable. The other path focuses on your strengths, leading to extremity.”
“So, Yan Yan, do you want to perfect your martial spirit or make your poison more potent?”
Dugu Yan smiled slightly and said without hesitation, “Grandpa, our Dugu family is known for our poison. Naturally, I choose the latter!”
“I want to become the strongest poison master on the Douluo Continent!”
The strongest poison master…
Dugu Bo looked at Dugu Yan with mixed feelings, gently rubbing her head. Poison was indeed the strongest weapon of the Dugu family, but it was also a curse in their bloodline. Even as a titled Douluo, he couldn’t save his son and daughter-in-law from poison seeping into their bones.
How laughable and tragic…
Thinking of this, Dugu Bo’s old eyes filled with sorrow.
Dugu Yan didn’t notice Dugu Bo’s distress, but Jiang Jie did. Remembering what Dugu Yan had mentioned earlier, he quickly understood the source of Dugu Bo’s sudden sadness. However, it wasn’t convenient for him to say much.
He had already said a lot today and acted much older than a six-year-old should. If he claimed to know how to cure their poison, Dugu Bo would surely become suspicious. Speaking out earlier was necessary because Jiang Jie saw Dugu Yan as his future wife. Having gotten close to Dugu Bo and becoming his disciple, he had no intention of letting Dugu Yan slip away. Thus, he didn’t want her to weaken herself.
Explaining all that was already challenging enough; Jiang Jie didn’t want to draw more attention. Given that neither Dugu Bo nor Dugu Yan were in immediate danger, he decided to let them suffer a bit longer while he prepared himself. Later, when their relationship deepened, he could help them with the poison.
At that time, it would be appropriate to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and harvest the celestial herbs…
Most importantly, the one who would suffer was Dugu Bo, not Dugu Yan. As a titled Douluo, he wouldn’t die from the pain…
Ahem.
As for Dugu Yan’s second soul ring, it was decided to be from the Man-Faced Demon Spider, a creature whose venom would cause intense pain and paralysis, complementing Dugu Yan’s first soul skill. Jiang Jie didn’t say much about it; he didn’t know many soul beasts anyway. The Man-Faced Demon Spider was a fitting choice for Dugu Yan, and there would be time to consider future soul rings as he learned more about this world.
The Sunset Forest, being Dugu Bo’s territory, easily yielded a six-hundred-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider. After severely injuring it, Dugu Bo brought it to Dugu Yan.
Man-Faced Demon Spiders are extremely ferocious soul beasts, and their soul rings are difficult to absorb. Knowing Dugu Yan’s constitution wasn’t particularly strong, Dugu Bo chose a six-hundred-year-old spider instead of a seven-hundred-year-old one.
Why did Dugu Bo understand the soul ring age limit theory, known only to ‘The Wet Jade Small Buttocks’?
Ridiculous.
Isn’t this common knowledge on the Douluo Continent?
Initially, Jiang Jie wanted to suggest that Dugu Yan use her Bi Phosphorous Red Poison to amplify the Man-Faced Demon Spider’s pain and torment it to increase its resentment before absorbing its soul ring. This might have resulted in a special eight-legged spear.
But he reconsidered. Such thoughts weren’t appropriate for a six-year-old. After the earlier incident, Jiang Jie was determined to be cautious and avoid drawing attention.
He only wanted to acquire his first soul ring normally, then find a quiet place to cultivate with Dugu Bo, preparing for the celestial herbs in the future.
Thus, Dugu Yan sat near the Man-Faced Demon Spider’s corpse to absorb its soul ring, while Jiang Jie and Dugu Bo lit a fire and waited for her to finish.
Considering Jiang Jie’s young age and his growling stomach, Dugu Bo thoughtfully caught a hundred-year-old deer soul beast and roasted it for him.
Dugu Bo could go without food for a long time; Jiang Jie could not.
So, Jiang Jie ate roasted meat while watching Dugu Yan absorb her soul ring. This was a process he would soon experience himself, so observing it was beneficial.
It definitely wasn’t because he was ogling Dugu Yan’s voluptuous, curvaceous figure!
Absolutely not!
(End of Chapter)