The moment Oscar and Dugu Yan appeared, the previously tense atmosphere instantly dissipated. The nine soul rings on Dugu Bo's body slowly retracted, and the terrifying pressure belonging to a Title Douluo vanished as well.
Gai Yue glanced at the girl beside Oscar and noticed that her features closely resembled Dugu Bo's. So he also withdrew his Martial Spirit.
Oscar and Dugu Yan landed beneath the massive tree where Dugu Bo stood. Dugu Yan called out sweetly, "Grandpa!"
Upon seeing her, Dugu Bo's face softened into a kind and affectionate smile. In a flash, he appeared beside Dugu Yan.
However, he immediately noticed Oscar was holding his precious granddaughter's hand?
Realizing this herself, Dugu Yan quickly withdrew her hand from Oscar's and leaped into her grandfather's arms.
"Grandpa, what are you doing?" Dugu Yan exchanged subtle eye signals with Dugu Bo.
The meaning was obvious You know he's Oscar's teacher, yet you still tried to intimidate him on purpose.
Indeed, Title Douluos are at the very peak of the Soul Master world. Ordinary Soul Masters might live their entire lives without ever meeting one.
If it were an average person earlier, just seeing the nine soul rings on Dugu Bo would've had them dropping to their knees in terror.
Fortunately, Gai Yue was not ordinary. Although he knew he might not be a match for Dugu Bo, had Dugu Bo shown malice, Gai Yue would never have backed down.
At this moment, Oscar bowed respectfully and said, "Junior Oscar greets the esteemed Poison Douluo."
Dugu Bo, who was still focused on his granddaughter, narrowed his eyes upon hearing his title: "You know who I am? Did you approach Yan'er on purpose?"
Oscar responded with a calm smile, "Senior's fame has resounded in the Soul Master world for over a decade. Originally, I didn't know of the connection between you and Dugu Yan. But upon seeing your soul rings and noting your relationship with her, it wasn't hard to infer."
"Senior can wither all nearby vegetation with just the circulation of soul power. Among Soul Masters who utilize poison so terrifyingly and have reached Title Douluo level, you are the only one."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo nodded. Oscar's deduction was accurate any knowledgeable person could have guessed it, and this young man seemed especially well informed.
While the two spoke, Gai Yue approached and respectfully cupped his hands, "Senior Poison Douluo, I apologize for my earlier offense."
Oscar's earlier explanation and the fact that he had held Dugu Yan's hand which Gai Yue had noticed made it clear this had all been a misunderstanding.
As a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo naturally deserved full respect.
Dugu Bo waved it off, "No harm done. You didn't retreat at all in my presence you're a good teacher."
Gai Yue was surprised. Dugu Bo, usually so inscrutable, was actually praising someone?
"You flatter me, Senior. Little Ao is my student, and naturally, I must care for him," Gai Yue replied.
Hearing this, Dugu Yan smiled and said, "Grandpa, anyone that Oscar respects can't be bad, right?"
Dugu Bo chuckled wryly, "Yes, yes… So this is your new friend?"
Feigning ignorance, Dugu Bo acted like he hadn't been eavesdropping earlier.
Dugu Yan appreciated his acting and responded cheerfully, "Yes! I was tracking a Purple Venom Viper and nearly lost it, only for it to rush into Oscar's camp. Then he just slashed it down with one sword!"
"I wanted to confront him, but I lost the argument. I originally wanted you to help back me up, but he invited me to eat barbecue and promised to help me find you. So… we ended up becoming friends."
Oscar suppressed a laugh. He was now absolutely sure Dugu Bo had been hiding nearby the entire time.
Oscar and Shao Xin's spiritual senses hadn't detected him, but Gai Yue, a level 85 Contra, had noticed something was off when he returned. Otherwise, Dugu Bo might've continued eavesdropping unnoticed.
Going along with Dugu Yan's explanation, Oscar added, "I did act out of line earlier, so I promised to help her find a suitable third soul ring."
Then he looked at Dugu Bo and said, "But now that Senior is here, my earlier promise may seem presumptuous. After all, a mere Soul Elder like me can't possibly match your ability."
"But now that my teacher is also present, if you don't mind, we'd be honored to join you. I still intend to help Dugu Yan find her ring."
Gai Yue added, "Since Little Ao made the promise, I will also do my utmost."
Dugu Bo waved his hand, "No need to convince me ask Yan'er."
As Oscar had said, with a Title Douluo here, Dugu Yan could have whatever soul ring she wanted. But clearly, she wasn't eager to separate from Oscar.
Moreover, Dugu Bo had some questions for Oscar himself, so he left the decision to Dugu Yan.
Naturally, Dugu Yan didn't want to part ways so quickly. It wasn't about romance it was just that it had been a long time since she'd met someone who might become a real friend.
"Grandpa, let's go with them. It'll be more fun with more people," she said with eager eyes.
"All right, all right," Dugu Bo tapped her nose affectionately.
Then he turned to Gai Yue and said, "Then we'll be imposing."
Gai Yue replied, "To travel with you, Senior, is an honor."
Although Gai Yue was proud and blunt, he wasn't stupid. He knew how to act around powerful figures. After all, kind words cost nothing.
Soon, Dugu Yan led Dugu Bo and Oscar's teacher student duo back to camp. There, Shao Xin still had a wary expression, staring in the direction they'd gone.
When he saw them returning safely, he breathed a sigh of relief and waved them over.
As they approached, Gai Yue casually dropped a halfdead soul beast at Shao Xin's feet. "This is a 43,000year old Living Tree Den. Should be a perfect fit for your seventh ring."
Shao Xin looked at the beast, barely clinging to life, and couldn't suppress his excitement. Absorbing this would make him a Soul Sage.
"Thank you."
Gai Yue waved it off and added, "By the way, this is Dugu Yan's grandfather His Excellency, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo."
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