Senior's virtue and learning are far above mine. If there's ever a chance, this junior would be honored to seek your guidance," Oscar replied, his expression sincere.
But Dugu Bo wasn't fooled in the slightest.
"Excessive humility is arrogance in disguise. To diagnose Yanyan's problem at a glance, and to be able to refine pills that accelerate cultivation… To be frank, even I cannot do such a thing."
At this, Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Oscar. Pills that increase cultivation speed? She knew some herbs could benefit training, but to refine them herself, as Oscar claimed—that was unheard of.
Oscar gave a bitter smile.
"Senior flatters me too much. It was merely a stroke of luck."
Dugu Bo's gaze grew sharper as he pressed on.
"I wonder… would you allow me to borrow that ancient text of yours for reference? If possible, I'd like to add it to my collection. Name your conditions."
Now Oscar understood perfectly why Dugu Bo had earlier mentioned his fondness for collecting old texts—he had been waiting for this moment.
Of course, Dugu Bo's motive was clear: he wanted to see if that book contained anything he could use. After all, Oscar himself had said his knowledge came from accumulated study and that very text.
But handing it over was out of the question. That book recorded detailed information about several immortal herbs. If Dugu Bo obtained it, he would inevitably uncover their uses. And if that happened, even if Oscar failed to seize this opportunity, Tang San in the future would never again have a chance to obtain immortal herbs from Dugu Bo.
At present, Dugu Bo had no idea of the true value of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If he learned the truth, his personality guaranteed he might offer Oscar a few benefits, even allowing him to pick one herb.
But Oscar's ambitions were greater than that. This unexpected encounter with Dugu Yan—and through her, with Dugu Bo—was a chance he had to fight for, no matter how slim.
If successful, he might gain the same privilege Tang San had in the original story: the right to use the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
That would not only give Oscar an enormous boost in strength but also form the foundation for establishing his own future power.
Indeed, Oscar did not want to spend his life as someone else's subordinate. His foresight and experience gave him an advantage—he refused to be anyone's pawn.
His dream was to one day build a sect of his own. Even if it couldn't rank among the continent's top powers, he would leave behind a legend on Douluo.
If that failed, he could always follow Tang San's original path toward godhood. But now, another road had appeared before him. Whether he could seize it depended entirely on himself.
Oscar's bitter smile shifted into one of troubled reluctance.
"Senior, it's not that this junior is unwilling. It's simply that the text is not with me—I did not carry it on my person."
"However, if Senior is willing to provide sufficient medicinal ingredients, I can refine some pills free of charge. They may not be of much use to you, but for Sister Yan, their benefit would not be small."
Seeing Oscar's earnest expression, Dugu Bo's suspicion softened. After all, even if Oscar had brought it, it was still his personal treasure. They had only just met; it was reasonable that he would not hand it over.
Besides, his willingness to refine pills freely already satisfied Dugu Bo.
Of course, that depended on whether he could provide the herbs. Which, ironically, he could not. If he could, he wouldn't need Oscar at all—he was already a pharmacological master himself.
But then another thought struck him: the treasure land. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contained countless rare herbs. The problem was that he barely recognized ten percent of them.
Now, hearing Oscar's words, Dugu Bo considered taking him there. If the boy could identify them, perhaps he could turn those herbs into pills for Yanyan.
If so, this chance encounter with a little genius might become a windfall.
What's more, as a grandfather, Dugu Bo's mind turned to deeper matters. Yanyan was fifteen now, and Oscar was the first person in all those years with whom she'd truly connected.
Most importantly, Oscar was male, handsome, tall, and astonishingly talented. At just eleven, he had already reached the level of Soul Elder, and though a food-type soul master, his external spirit bone gave him combat strength rivaling power-attack types.
If he and Yanyan became a pair, he could both support and protect her.
And aside from his talent, Oscar's other qualities were equally excellent: outstanding looks, a bright personality, and sincerity in his interactions.
Taken together, though they had only known each other for a few hours, Oscar had already become the most suitable candidate for grandson-in-law in Dugu Bo's eyes.
The only obstacle was his age. At eleven, he was still a child.
But that was also an advantage. The two could spend time together, build feelings, and if affection blossomed, Dugu Bo would wholeheartedly support their union.
Why? Because Oscar was simply too exceptional—and the only person in over a decade with whom Yanyan could converse freely.
Thus, Dugu Bo's heart was already leaning toward sending Yanyan to Shrek Academy. While Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was among the top three on the continent, he valued Yanyan's happiness more.
Their "chat" was partly a test of Oscar's character, to see if he was worthy.
Even though he hadn't obtained the ancient text, Dugu Bo wasn't disappointed. He was very satisfied with Oscar as a person.
After all, if Yanyan and Oscar truly developed a relationship in the future, wouldn't that book come into his hands sooner or later?