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"Huh?!"
A deafening silence fell over the scene, broken only by a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.
Sunlight poured down, illuminating the faces of the Shrek team, who all wore expressions of utter disbelief.
Though Dugu Bo's voice was soft, it exploded in the ears of every Shrek member like a clap of thunder.
Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and the others froze as if petrified, their mouths wide enough to fit an ostrich egg.
Tang San had been hoping to befriend Dugu Bo to get his help in crafting more powerful hidden weapons for revenge. Now, he discovered the man was the disciple of his sworn enemy, Lan Minghua.
The irony of the situation made Tang San's expression priceless.
Lan Minghua watched him with an amused smirk, having seen through his little scheme from the start.
However, when his eyes fell on Oscar's slack-jawed, clueless face, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of annoyance. Oscar's reaction was even more exaggerated than Tang San's.
Lan Minghua raised his hand and gave Oscar a sharp rap on the head.
"Your junior just called for someone, and you, as his senior brother, just stand there like a mute?"
Oscar clutched his head and awkwardly introduced himself. "Uh… Th-third Junior Brother, I'm Oscar."
Addressing a Titled Douluo as "junior brother" left him drenched in sweat.
Dugu Bo, however, didn't find it strange at all. Since Oscar was Lan Minghua's eldest disciple, he was indeed Dugu Bo's senior brother in name.
"Zhu Zhuqing."
"Meng Yiran."
Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran also introduced themselves after recovering from the shock.
Dugu Bo greeted each of them in return, showing none of the arrogance typical of a Titled Douluo.
Watching this, Lan Minghua shook his head with an amused smile.
"Old Poison, just call them by their names," he chuckled softly. "You may not feel awkward, but I feel uncomfortable just watching."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. He, too, had a sense of propriety.
"Thank you, Master," he said with a smile.
"Alright, all of you, come with me. Stop standing here like a bunch of monkeys on display."
Lan Minghua led Dugu Bo and the others away, leaving behind a completely stunned Tang San and the rest of the Shrek group.
As he left, Lan Minghua gave Flender a meaningful glance.
Just a moment ago, someone had approached Flender and handed him something.
Flender's every move was within Lan Minghua's expectations, and he knew exactly who Flender had just met. He wouldn't interfere with whatever choice Flender made.
Unfortunately, Flender hadn't noticed that final look and assumed Lan Minghua was completely unaware.
What should I do? Should I pass the message from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, or pretend I didn't see it? Flender's heart was in turmoil.
Just moments ago, a person from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had found him and handed him a letter to be given to Tang San, promising a generous reward in return.
However, if he helped them, he would be standing on the opposite side of Lan Minghua.
As a businessman, he didn't want to be enemies with Lan Minghua, but he also wanted the sect's generous reward. You can't have your cake and eat it too, and greed often leads people to make the wrong choices.
Lan Minghua knew everything but didn't intervene. Everyone walks their own path, and he saw no reason to meddle in the choices of others. However, if Flender chose the wrong path, he would have no one but himself to blame.
Lan Minghua took Dugu Bo and his group to a quiet area where they all sat down. Noticing Dugu Bo's anxiety, Lan Minghua asked calmly, "With your connections, you must have known about the big event that happened a while ago. Tell me, aren't you afraid?"
As an honored guest of the Heaven Dou Empire, Dugu Bo had learned of Ning Fengzhi's death almost immediately. The Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were closely allied, sharing honor and disgrace. Striking against the sect was to make an enemy of the entire empire.
Dugu Bo knew all this, yet he still chose to bring Dugu Yan to see Lan Minghua.
"As your disciple, I would never betray you. You changed the fate of my clan; such a monumental debt can only be repaid with my undying loyalty."
Dugu Bo knew it was time to pick a side. His own strength might not be outstanding, but anyone who underestimated him could suffer irreparable losses. As the saying goes, never underestimate a Titled Douluo.
Lan Minghua let out a soft laugh. "Enough with the flattery. I know you're loyal. Now, tell me, what do you need?"
With his intentions laid bare, Dugu Bo didn't hide them. Pointing at Dugu Yan, he asked, a bit sheepishly, "Master, what do you think of Yan Yan's talent? Is she qualified to be your disciple?"
"Grandpa, what are you talking about?!"
Dugu Yan was stunned. Dugu Bo had never told her that this trip was for her to seek an apprenticeship.
Lan Minghua's mouth twitched in exasperation.
"Seriously, you old fool, do you really want your granddaughter to be in the same generation as you?"
Lan Minghua had suspected this when he first took Dugu Bo in. He couldn't believe the old man still hadn't given up on the idea.
When Lan Minghua didn't immediately respond, Dugu Bo knelt on one knee.
"Master, she's my only family. Yan Yan will only be truly safe by your side. For the sake of your disciple, please take her in."
Dugu Bo had not hidden his tracks, and by revealing his soul power earlier, he was sure that the forces monitoring Shrek Academy had noticed his presence. They might not know the exact relationship between him and Lan Minghua, but even a small connection would be enough for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall to brand them as enemies. Right now, Lan Minghua was a bad omen; anyone associated with him was asking for trouble.
Lan Minghua understood Dugu Bo's concerns were not unfounded. He alone truly couldn't protect Dugu Yan.
However, he had three standards for accepting disciples, and they applied to everyone without exception.
After a moment of thought, Lan Minghua decided to check Dugu Yan's talent first.
"System, check Dugu Yan's talent rating."
[Name: Dugu Yan]
[Age: 20 (Note: Age sourced online; open to correction.)]
[Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent (Royal)]
[Soul Power: Level 38]
[Talent Rating: 75]
"A talent score of seventy-five, huh? That's reasonable."
Lan Minghua had no issue with the rating. At twenty years old with only Level 38 soul power, her score should have been even lower. After all, Dai Mubai, without outside help and despite slacking off, had reached Level 37 by age fifteen, and his talent rating was 85.
Still, Dugu Yan had a chance. One must not forget the power of immortal herbs, which could enhance talent. The Garnet-Silk Tulip, in particular, had the effect of unlocking a martial soul's potential, helping it evolve to a higher form. Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent clearly had a higher evolution—the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
However, he still needed to test her character. He would never accept an ingrate. Her boyfriend was Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. If the Upper Three Sects truly shared a bond, then that sect would also be an enemy of the Heavenly Dragon Gang. In the event of a conflict, Lan Minghua couldn't risk a betrayal for the sake of romance.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Dugu Yan, I will ask you a few questions. If your answers satisfy me, I will accept you as my disciple."
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Dugu Bo quickly pulled her forward. "Yan Yan, this concerns the survival of the Dugu family. You must answer Master's questions carefully."
"Yes, Grandpa, I understand," Dugu Yan replied softly.
Lan Minghua fixed his gaze on her and asked his first question:
"If one day I order you to kill your boyfriend, will you carry it out?"
(End of Chapter)