Dugu Bo paid no attention to the fact that Oscar had unconsciously started referring to Dugu Yan as "sister." His mind was filled with swirling thoughts, as if he had grasped something important yet couldn't quite pin it down.
While listening to Oscar speak, Dugu Bo was deep in thought.
Just as Oscar was about to continue, a powerful wave of soul power surged through the air. Everyone turned their heads and saw Shao Xin suspended midair, soul rings rotating quietly around his body two yellow, two purple, and three black: a perfect configuration, radiating the aura of a newly advanced Soul Sage (Soul Level 71).
Time had slipped by unnoticed. Shao Xin had successfully absorbed his seventh soul ring.
He slowly opened his eyes, face overflowing with joy. From this moment onward, he was a Level 71 Soul Sage a level he didn't reach until three years later in the original storyline.
Thanks to Oscar's arrival at Shrek Academy, everyone's cultivation had accelerated, even Gai Yue.
Though Gai Yue had been Oscar's teacher for over two years, his feelings toward Oscar surpassed that of a mentor. He was very clear: without Oscar, he would never have broken through to Level 85 so quickly.
Of course, Gai Yue wouldn't say this out loud. He'd rather prove it through action like not retreating at all when facing a Titled Douluo such as Dugu Bo.
As Shao Xin completed his breakthrough, Oscar and Dugu Bo paused their discussion. Dugu Bo suppressed his own excitement and continued to think.
Oscar walked up to Shao Xin:
"Teacher Shao, congratulations! Reaching seventy soul levels at your age… there's real hope that you'll become the next Titled Douluo of the food type path."
Shao Xin, always gentle, beamed with joy:
"Little Ao, your talent far surpasses mine. You may soon outpace me. But I'll take your blessing I'm aiming for it!"
Just then, Gai Yue descended from the giant tree:
"That absorption went smoothly. You're nearly Level 72 already. Take some time to stabilize it you'll break through again soon."
Shao Xin chuckled:
"It's all thanks to you, Teacher Gai. That Spirit Beast from the Lifetree Hollow was a perfect match for me."
Dugu Bo studied Shao Xin closely. Judging by appearance, he was around 45 years old and for a food type soul master to reach Level 70 at that age? Incredible talent.
This made Dugu Bo even more curious about Shrek Academy. Gai Yue, an 85level Contra, was Oscar's teacher. Shao Xin, another food type soul master, could provide specialized guidance.
If Oscar hadn't mentioned the academy, Dugu Bo would've assumed he was from some secret noble clan being groomed by top tier instructors.
Dugu Bo offered a few congratulatory words. Shao Xin was flattered, replying humbly with a smile.
Unfortunately, the Lifetree Hollow didn't produce a spirit bone, but its essence could be refined into supreme medicinal cuisine still a significant gain.
After the celebrations, the conversation returned to Oscar. Dugu Bo had grasped an important clue from earlier.
Oscar needed medicinal herbs, and his private medicinal garden was rich with them. While Dugu Bo only half understood most of the plants, Oscar well versed in pharmacology might recognize valuable ingredients.
If Oscar found anything useful, then Dugu Bo would benefit as well.
Oscar had also explained: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well helped suppress toxins, so the herbs growing there might be helpful in detoxification.
Perhaps Dugu Bo had overlooked a cure simply due to his limited knowledge.
The more he considered it, the more sense it made. After some hesitation, Dugu Bo decided
He would take Oscar to his herb garden, postponing Dugu Yan's third soul ring.
Why?
Soul rings can be delayed even without them, training still accumulates soul power.
Detoxification, however, couldn't wait. And more importantly:
Dugu Yan's poison would only worsen with a third ring, making future detoxification harder.
Thus, betting on Oscar and the possibility of finding a cure, Dugu Bo made his decision.
He gently patted Dugu Yan's head and said:
"Yan Yan, we won't rush your third ring just yet. After hearing Little Ao, I want to take him to my herb garden."
"Maybe we'll find herbs to help cure your poison. If we do, you can be freed from this suffering sooner."
Dugu Yan paused, then nodded:
"Okay, Grandpa. I'll listen to you."
Dugu Bo turned to Oscar:
"Little Ao, my herb garden lies deeper inside the Sunset Forest not too far from here. How about coming with me?"
Oscar glanced at Gai Yue and Shao Xin, then replied:
"Teacher, saving a life is more important than any thing especially when it's someone like Sister Dugu Yan. Let's delay our schedule and check it out."
Gai Yue was pleased with Oscar's initiative. Helping a Titled Douluo could lead to strong alliances, and there was no downside.
"Do what you believe is right. I'll always be your support."
Shao Xin clapped Oscar on the shoulder:
"Good man! That's the spirit of a true Shrek student. I support you too!"
Oscar turned to Dugu Bo and smiled:
"Your Excellency, once day breaks, we'll be counting on you to guide us."
Dugu Bo nodded and added:
"But earlier, you mentioned another method to suppress the poison. What is it?"
While he asked, Dugu Yan had fallen silent not from sorrow, but because of what Oscar had said earlier.
"Calling me sister… and now saying he has feelings for me…"
Though she reasoned that Oscar said it out of sympathy or shared interests, it still stirred something unfamiliar in her.
This was the first time a boy she liked expressed interest in her.
She didn't understand love or romance. But one thing was certain:
Oscar already had a special place in her heart.
Their meeting had lasted only a few hours, but some feelings defy logic.
"Fine, I'll let him call me sister… but saying he has feelings for me… hmph! At least say it in private!"
Dugu Yan thought to herself, flustered.
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