Oscar had no idea about the somber mood blanketing Shrek Academy he was still hand teaching Dugu Yan how to concoct poisons!
While his poisons weren't quite on par with Tang San's infamous "Yama's Invitation," they were more than enough to deal with soul masters of the same rank. After all, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was filled with incredibly potent toxic herbs.
Some of these poisonous herbs had matured over ten thousand years, reaching the tier of spiritual grade medicines, their toxicity leagues beyond ordinary toxins.
On the seventh day, Oscar was in the stone hut giving hands on guidance to Dugu Yan on how to apply medicinal theory, compound toxins, and dose effectively. Meanwhile, Dugu Bo and Gai Yue silently arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Dugu Bo managed to return in just four days because, on his way back, he opted to take the main road and by sheer coincidence, he ran into Gai Yue and Shao Xin.
Upon hearing Oscar's presumed fate from Dugu Bo, Gai Yue froze. Then, incredulous, he stared at Dugu Bo:
"Senior… Little Ao was under your watch. With your strength, how could anything have happened to him?"
Of course Dugu Bo understood Gai Yue's disbelief, but he could only offer helplessness in return. Even he dared not spend too long in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If Oscar had fallen in… he couldn't imagine any other outcome.
After Dugu Bo laid out his findings and deductions, even Gai Yue reluctant as he was, had no room left for doubt. After all, Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo. Someone of his standing had no reason to joke about something this grave.
Gai Yue stood silently for a long time. Then, he sent Shao Xin back to Shrek Academy alone and followed Dugu Bo at top speed back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Once there, Gai Yue knelt beside the spring as Dugu Bo pointed to the two soul tools Oscar had left behind.
Gai Yue squinted at the pool its twin colored waters distinct and unmixed and sighed:
"Little Ao… You've been with me for over two years. I already saw you as my own son. I wanted to raise you well. You even bragged you'd avenge me one day…"
He sat quietly beside the well, murmuring to himself. But after a short while, he rose. The extreme cold and heat radiating from the spring were dangerous even to him. Staying longer would harm his body.
Gai Yue didn't lash out at Dugu Bo. While he was angry, what could he really say? Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo. And despite the accident, Dugu Bo had done everything he could, even risking himself. Gai Yue couldn't blame him.
What did trouble Gai Yue was regret"If I had stayed… would Little Ao still be alive? Would things be different?"
Recognizing his failure, Dugu Bo made a solemn vow:
"So long as it doesn't violate ethics, I, Dugu Bo, will do whatever you ask even if it means walking through fire or blades."
Gai Yue's first thought was revenge. He was only level 85, and his enemythe Wind Sword Sect was now one of the Four Lower Sects, a colossal power.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. His disciple someone he'd meant to treat like a son was gone. How could he exploit that for his own vendetta?
He wanted revenge, yes. He wanted to destroy the Wind Sword Sect but with his own strength, not someone else's.
So he refused Dugu Bo's offer. All he wanted now was to stay by Oscar's side for the seven day mourning period. With no body to bury, he could only build a symbolic tomb.
Dugu Bo agreed without hesitation. And though his offer had been refused, he would never rescind it. If Gai Yue ever needed his help, that promise would still stand. That was Dugu Bo's honor the foundation of his name.
Constructing the cenotaph required Oscar's belongings. Gai Yue had a few of Oscar's clothes and sausages, but it wasn't enough. He needed the two soul tools left at the well and even if he hadn't said it, Dugu Bo would've offered to retrieve them.
So, they left the spring and headed to the stone hut. Although Dugu Bo had been gone for seven days, Dugu Yan had stayed behind. Those two soul tools had been given to her for safekeeping.
But what neither of them expected was this:
As they neared the stone hut, Dugu Yan's silverbell laughter rang out and it was accompanied by a familiar male voice.
Dugu Bo's brows instantly furrowed. Gai Yue's eyelid twitched. That voice it sounded like Oscar's. But… how was that even possible?
And then they stepped inside and both of their powerful, battle hardened minds momentarily crashed.
There, inside the hut:
Oscar was standing behind Dugu Yan, hands gently guiding hers as they worked together over a table full of herbs and alchemical tools…
Oscar noticed something. He turned and locked eyes with Dugu Bo and Gai Yue.
"What the!"
Oscar froze for half a second, then instantly released Dugu Yan's hands and side stepped away like lightning.
Caught off guard, Dugu Yan nearly dropped the herbs. She turned to Oscar, confused but then noticed the two men standing at the entrance, expressions like they'd seen a ghost.
She froze. Then blushed crimson. The hand holding hadn't made her feel embarrassed she'd gotten used to that over the past few days.
But being seen by her grandfather and Oscar's teacher?
Mortifying.
"G...Grandpa… You're back?"
That pulled both men out of their shock. Their spiritual senses locked onto Oscar.
It was him.
He was alive.
Gai Yue's eyes filled with joy and disbelief. Dugu Bo's face mixed relief… and rising anger.
You little punk! You're alive?!
Why didn't you show up earlier?!
And what the hell were you doing just now holding hands?!
In a flash, Dugu Bo became a blur, charging toward Oscar.
But Oscar had already anticipated this and dodged hiding behind Dugu Yan.
"Senior! Let me explain! It's just a misunderstanding!"
Oscar grabbed Dugu Yan's shoulders to shield himself.
Dugu Yan instinctively spread her arms to block her grandfather.
"Grandpa, really it's just a misunderstanding! Please listen to us…"
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