Chapter 16: In Nuoding City
Time flew by, and three years passed in the blink of an eye.
By now, Dugu Chen was already nine and a half years old. From the little radish sprout of 1.2 meters, he had grown into a 1.5-meter-tall youth. Though still slightly immature, anyone who underestimated him would surely suffer a thunderous blow.
A carriage rolled along the bustling streets, exiting the gates of Heaven Dou City. The coachman drove steadily toward Nuoding City.
It was autumn, and the sunlight no longer had the scorching heat of summer. Instead, it was soft and warm, like a golden veil. Gentle beams filtered through the window and fell across Dugu Chen's features, accentuating his striking profile. His short black hair, heterochromatic eyes, and the maturity in his gaze made him stand out despite his young age.
"Junior Brother, why did we come all the way to Nuoding City just to meet that so-called 'Grandmaster'?"
Dugu Yan, now eleven, still had traces of childishness in her delicate features, but her figure had already developed gracefully. Especially that seemingly boneless waist—she was the very embodiment of a 'water snake waist.'
At this moment, Dugu Yan was leaning languidly against Dugu Chen, her soft voice brushing against his ear, warm breath tickling him like a kitten pawing at his heart.
Over the past year, she had transformed from a sweet and gentle loli into a playful and captivating older sister figure. Dugu Chen had spent that year being teased relentlessly. While he had once been flustered, he now endured it with practiced calm. Yet every time he looked up at her taller frame, a twinge of grievance would stir in his heart.
Looking at her face so close to his, Dugu Chen thought, "Just wait three more years. Then you'll see what it means to be possessed by Young Master Xu."
"This trip is mainly to consult the 'Grandmaster' about martial soul origins. I haven't made much progress with the next stage of my 'Reigning Over the World' technique. It's also a good opportunity to relax a little," he explained.
Of course, that wasn't the real reason. But he needed a reasonable excuse.
In a few days, Nuoding Academy would start its new term. Dugu Chen hoped to find Xiao Wu ahead of time and avoid any surprises.
"Chen'er, in this old man's opinion, your 'Reigning Over the World' is already perfect. You don't need to push yourself too hard. Sometimes, taking a break helps breakthroughs happen on their own."
Dugu Bo's voice came from the other side of the carriage. With the toxins purged from his body, his once green hair had turned grey, and his jade-green eyes had regained their normal hue.
He was in great spirits every day—free of poison and having broken through in cultivation. But whenever he saw the interaction between his granddaughter and disciple, his heart grew sour. He had expected this might happen, but it still made him want to smack the brat.
Dugu Chen nodded in agreement. That was precisely why he was here: to catch a rabbit and take it easy.
---
Nuoding Grand Hotel.
Upon arriving in Nuoding City, Dugu Chen and the others checked into a high-end inn.
There were still three days before Nuoding Academy began enrollment. Dugu Chen planned to patrol the city gate during that time, hoping to run into Xiao Wu. If he didn't find her, his only chance would be when Tang San went to obtain his first spirit ring.
The next day, after resting, Dugu Chen and Dugu Yan went out to explore the city. Dugu Bo remained in the hotel. With the strongest person in Nuoding City being only a Spirit King, Dugu Bo was confident about their safety.
Nuoding was a remote, modest city compared to the bustling Heaven Dou, but it had its own charm and culture.
Over the next three days, Dugu Yan went wild with excitement. After three years of being cooped up, she wasn't going to waste the chance to drag her junior brother shopping.
During those three days, they didn't spot a single rabbit—let alone the rabbit. Dugu Chen gave up on finding Xiao Wu and simply enjoyed the time with Dugu Yan.
---
The Fourth Day.
The day Nuoding Academy officially began enrollment.
Dugu Chen returned to the hotel utterly exhausted, his legs trembling.
"Junior Brother, you're not… incapable, are you?" Dugu Yan teased with a smirk.
"How could that be?!"
Dugu Chen retorted loudly, puffing up with righteous indignation. His back no longer hurt. His legs were fine. He could still go three hundred more rounds if needed!
"Big Brother, where did you buy this sachet? It smells so good!"
A crisp, sweet voice came from the side. Dugu Chen turned his head.
He saw a young girl with delicate features tinged pink, her long black hair braided into a scorpion tail that hung past her hips. She was pointing at his sachet with curiosity, her nose twitching like a little bunny.
Dugu Chen's eyes sparkled the moment he saw her.
"Little sister, do you like it? Big brother has more at home. Come with me, and I'll give you one."
At that moment, he resembled a shady uncle offering candy to a child. The sachet was filled with the pollen of the Profound Fragrance Qiluo—capable of attracting spirit beasts and resisting poisons. He hadn't expected it would actually work.
Even Dugu Yan looked at him with disbelief. But when Dugu Chen shot her a look, she instantly understood.
"Little sister, what's your name? What are you doing in Nuoding City? Are you alone? Big sister has lots of these at home too. Come with us and I'll get you one."
Dugu Yan stepped forward and gently held Xiao Wu's hand, her tone warm and friendly.
"My name is Xiao Wu. The 'Wu' from dancing. I came to Nuoding Academy to study, and I still need to register. I can't go to your place."
Her rabbit instincts were flaring. Although she couldn't detect danger directly, the way these two acted made her want to run.
But before she could move, Dugu Chen's spirit soul activated. A broad dragon claw formed, and he gently knocked her unconscious with a strike to the back of her head.
"Junior Brother, what are you doing?!"
Dugu Yan glared at him angrily. Though she had trusted and helped him without hesitation, this was going too far!
"Senior Sister, calm down! I have a reason. I'll explain everything once we're back with Teacher."
Seeing no alternative, Dugu Yan sighed and helped carry Xiao Wu back.
---
Nuoding Grand Hotel.
Dugu Bo opened the door and was startled by the sight of them carrying a little girl.
"Why are you back so early today? Who is this child?"
Still irritated, Dugu Yan huffed, "Ask your good disciple!"
Dugu Chen scratched his head. "Teacher, take a closer look. Can you tell what's different about her?"
Dugu Bo frowned and examined Xiao Wu carefully. The more he looked, the more his expression changed. He finally stood upright, released his spiritual power to scan the surroundings, and sealed the room with spirit energy.
"Where did you find her? Did anyone else see?"
Dugu Chen answered seriously. After hearing the details, Dugu Bo's eyes were filled with disbelief. A hundred-thousand-year soul beast had just walked right into their hands during a casual stroll?
If Dugu Chen knew what his teacher was thinking, he would've said, "You could too—if you'd read the script."
---
"What are you two muttering about?! What's wrong with Xiao Wu?! Can someone explain this properly?!"
Dugu Yan interrupted, clearly frustrated.
"Senior Sister, what do spirit masters desire the most?" Dugu Chen asked.
"A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, of course. Why?"
"Exactly. And one is right in front of you."
"You mean… Xiao Wu?! But she's just a girl!"
Dugu Yan gasped.
"A hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast can take human form once it's cultivated enough," Dugu Bo said solemnly. "But they usually wait until they've fully matured—otherwise, Titled Douluo can still see through them. That's why such transformations are rare."
"Then, how did you figure it out?" Dugu Yan asked, staring at Dugu Chen.
Even Dugu Bo looked curious.
"Uh… that's thanks to the 'Autumn Water Dew that Sees Through Illusions.' My eyes can now perceive a creature's essence through appearances."
He had no choice but to attribute it to the immortal herb. Without Tang San's Purple Demon Eye, he relied on spiritual power and this unique medicine.
Dugu Yan immediately sprang up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"So you can see through illusions?! Tell me—have you peeked at your Senior Sister, you little pervert?!"
"No way! It's not like X-ray vision! I can't see that kind of thing!"
Dugu Chen quickly denied it, lest his good reputation be destroyed. Dugu Bo's sharp stare made his scalp tingle.
Although still suspicious, Dugu Yan let it go—for now.
---
"How do you plan to deal with this spirit beast?" Dugu Bo asked.
"Teacher, is it possible to keep her in a deep, dreamlike sleep? We can't waste a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and bone. When the time is right, Senior Sister and I can harvest both."
"Of course. I'll prepare a medicinal solution to keep her in suspended sleep and store her in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I cultivate there often, so I'll keep an eye on her."
"Then let's return to Heaven Dou City tomorrow," Dugu Chen decided. He hadn't run into Tang Hao this time, and it was likely the man would leave the city soon anyway. Less trouble that way.
Neither Dugu Bo nor Dugu Yan had any objections. Their most important goal had been achieved.
That afternoon, Dugu Chen still planned to meet Tang San and his teacher—just to see what kind of charm the so-called 'Grandmaster' had that even made the Pope fall head over heels.