Ficool

Chapter 42 - Chapter 42 – Traveling Together

The moment Oscar and Dugu Yan appeared, the tense atmosphere that had been building instantly dissipated. The nine spirit rings around Dugu Bo's body slowly withdrew, and the terrifying pressure belonging to a Titled Douluo vanished as well.

Gai Yue glanced at Dugu Yan standing beside Oscar. Seeing how much the girl resembled the elder, he finally pulled back his martial spirit, too.

Oscar and Dugu Yan descended beneath the giant tree where Dugu Bo stood. Dugu Yan immediately called out:

"Grandfather!"

At the sight of his granddaughter, Dugu Bo's stern face softened into a rare, kind smile. With a flicker of his figure, he appeared right beside her.

But his expression darkened almost instantly — because Oscar was still holding his precious granddaughter's little hand.

Dugu Yan realized this at the same time, quickly withdrawing her hand from Oscar's grasp before rushing into her grandfather's arms.

"Grandfather, what are you doing?" Dugu Yan whispered with a mischievous glance.

Her eyes clearly conveyed the meaning — you already knew he was Oscar's teacher, and you still deliberately scared him like that.

One had to admit, Titled Douluo truly stood at the very pinnacle of the spirit master world. Ordinary spirit masters might never encounter one in their entire lives.

Had it been anyone else just now, the mere sight of the nine spirit rings circling Dugu Bo would have been enough to make them collapse to their knees in terror.

Fortunately, Gai Yue was no ordinary man. Although he knew he probably wasn't a match for Dugu Bo, if the other harbored hostile intent, he absolutely would not retreat either.

At this moment, Oscar stepped forward, bowing respectfully:

"Junior Oscar greets the honored Poison Douluo."

Dugu Bo, who had been focused entirely on his granddaughter, stiffened slightly at Oscar's words. His eyes sharpened.

"You know who I am? Did you approach Yan'er deliberately?"

Faced with the Titled Douluo's interrogation, Oscar answered with an easy smile:

"Senior has been renowned across the spirit master world for more than a decade. At first, I did not know you were related to Dugu Yan. But when I saw the spirit rings you revealed just now, and then considered her relationship with you, it was not difficult to guess.

Moreover, a single surge of spirit power from you was enough to cause every flower, plant, and tree nearby to wither. Across the entire continent, among those who use poison to such terrifying heights and have reached the Titled Douluo realm, there is only one such figure — Senior yourself."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo nodded slightly. What Oscar said was indeed true — anyone with a bit of knowledge could figure it out, and this boy seemed well-informed.

By this time, Gai Yue had also walked over, clasping his fists respectfully:

"Senior Poison Douluo, this junior was offensive earlier. I beg your forgiveness."

After Oscar's explanation, and considering that he had seen Oscar holding Dugu Yan's hand, he realized this had been a misunderstanding.

Facing a Titled Douluo, Gai Yue naturally had to show respect.

Dugu Bo waved his hand indifferently. "No matter. To face me without shrinking back, you are indeed a good teacher."

Gai Yue was caught slightly off guard. He hadn't expected the notoriously enigmatic Poison Douluo to actually offer him praise.

"Senior flatters me. Little Ao is my student. For him, I naturally must give my utmost." Gai Yue replied.

At that, Dugu Yan grinned and chimed in:

"Grandfather, anyone who can earn Oscar's respect can't possibly be bad."

Hearing his granddaughter speak up like this, Dugu Bo gave a helpless smile. "Yes, yes, so this is your new friend?"

He deliberately put on an act, pretending he hadn't been secretly listening the whole time.

Dugu Yan was quite satisfied with her grandfather's performance, smiling as she explained:

"That's right. Earlier, I was chasing the Violet Poison Viper but nearly let it escape. It ran straight into their camp, and Oscar killed it with a single sword strike.

Originally, I wanted to argue with him, but I couldn't outtalk him. I even thought about asking you to back me up. But then he invited me to roasted meat, and promised to help me find you. One thing led to another, and we became friends."

Oscar couldn't help but suppress a laugh inside. After all, he was now certain that Dugu Bo had been hiding nearby the entire time.

Neither he nor Shao Xin's spiritual sense had been able to detect the old man, but when Gai Yue returned, his powerful perception had caught something amiss — otherwise Dugu Bo probably could have stayed hidden even longer.

But with Dugu Yan giving this explanation, Oscar followed along smoothly:

"I did act wrongly earlier, so I promised Dugu Yan I'd help her find a suitable third spirit ring.

However…" Oscar turned toward Dugu Bo, smiling politely, "now that Senior himself is here, my earlier words may have been little more than a joke. After all, with a Titled Douluo like you around, what place is there for a mere Spirit Elder like me?

But since my teacher has returned as well, if Senior doesn't mind, perhaps we could travel together. My promise still stands — I will help Dugu Yan find her spirit ring."

Gai Yue also added, "Since Little Ao has already promised, this junior will also give his all."

Dugu Bo waved a hand. "No need to persuade me. Ask Yan'er."

Truthfully, as Oscar had said, with a Titled Douluo like him around, Dugu Yan could have any spirit ring she wanted. But seeing the look on her face, it was clear she didn't wish to part from Oscar so soon.

And besides, Dugu Bo himself had some questions he wanted to ask the boy. So, he simply left the choice up to his granddaughter.

Of course, Dugu Yan didn't want to separate yet. Not for any other reason — but simply because she had finally found someone who might become a real friend.

"Grandfather, let's go with them. It'll be livelier with more people." She looked at him expectantly.

"As you wish." Dugu Bo gently tapped her delicate nose, his voice full of affection.

Then he turned to Gai Yue. "Then my granddaughter and I will trouble you for a time."

Gai Yue smiled faintly. "To travel with Your Lordship is an honor."

Though he was usually aloof and taciturn, Gai Yue was no fool. He knew well what sort of attitude one should have toward such a figure. After all, saying a few polite words costs nothing.

Soon after, Dugu Yan pulled her grandfather along as she, Oscar, and his teacher returned to their camp.

There, Shao Xin was still standing guard, looking nervously toward the direction Oscar and Dugu Yan had gone.

When he saw the group returning safely, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and beckoned them over.

As they arrived, Gai Yue tossed down the nearly half-dead spirit beast he had captured onto the ground before Shao Xin.

"A forty-three-thousand-year Spirit Tree Burrower. It should be a perfect fit as your seventh spirit ring."

Looking at the dying Spirit Tree Burrower, Shao Xin's heart trembled with excitement. So long as he absorbed this ring, he would truly step into the ranks of Spirit Saints.

"Thank you."

Gai Yue waved off his gratitude, then introduced:

And this here is Dugu Yan's grandfather — Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.

More Chapters