Chapter 38: Dugu Yan
The moment Oscar saw this girl, he was first taken aback, then found it somewhat unbelievable.
A serpent tail from Martial Soul transformation, green hair and pupils, and such a coincidence to be in the Sunset Forest? Putting it all together, Oscar could only think of one person—Dugu Yan.
But was his luck really this good? Had he actually encountered Dugu Yan just like that?
No, wait. He had just seemingly cut down the spirit beast she was pursuing with a single sword strike. Besides, this Dugu Yan seemed… not as cold and indifferent as she had been portrayed in the original story when she first appeared.
Numerous thoughts flashed through Oscar's mind in an instant, but clearly, now was not the time to dwell on these things.
Hearing her slightly accusatory tone, Oscar's handsome young face showed little expression. What he needed to do now was pretend not to know her identity and carefully craft his persona.
After all, judging by how doting Dugu Bo was on Dugu Yan in the original story, there was absolutely no way Dugu Bo would let Dugu Yan hunt spirit beasts alone. At this very moment, Dugu Bo was most likely hiding somewhere in the shadows.
The reason Oscar suspected this was naturally because the wounds on the Purple Poison Viper he had just killed were clearly not inflicted by Dugu Yan.
Therefore, the likely scenario was that Dugu Bo had injured the Purple Poison Viper, allowing Dugu Yan the ability to finish it off herself, conveniently tempering her in the process.
This was similar to how Zhao Wuji had previously tempered Oscar, and with Oscar's intelligence, it was easy to deduce.
Even if his guess wasn't entirely accurate, it wouldn't be far off.
Thus, Oscar showed neither delight nor any superfluous expression at this moment. He merely said flatly, "Miss, please don't get excited."
Dugu Yan looked at Oscar upon hearing this, then said, "I'm not excited, but why did you kill my spirit beast?"
Oscar replied calmly, "First, I had no idea this spirit beast was the one you were pursuing. Second, this Purple Poison Viper intruded into our camp. I killed it only in self-defense."
Looking at the handsome face that remained perfectly calm, and after hearing his explanation, Dugu Yan gradually became less angry.
Although her grandfather had injured the Purple Poison Viper for her to finish off, her speed was still much slower than the viper's, which was why she had chased it all the way here.
Now, hearing Oscar's explanation, Dugu Yan felt that indeed, it wasn't entirely the other party's fault.
But before Dugu Yan could continue speaking, Oscar spoke again, "However, it is true that because of us, you've lost your third spirit ring. If you need it, we can also hunt another one for you according to your requirements."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "How did you know this was for my third spirit ring?"
Oscar smiled slightly, "Actually, it wasn't difficult to guess. Looking at the wounds on this Purple Poison Viper, it's obvious this was intentionally done by an elder of yours. The purpose should have been to temper you a bit. It's just that your strength seems to have fallen somewhat short, allowing it to escape and run all the way to our camp."
Dugu Yan was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, because Oscar's words were completely correct.
"I…" Dugu Yan wanted to retort something, but realized she had nothing to refute. Indeed, it was because of her own shortcomings that this had happened.
However, Dugu Yan wasn't someone so easily fooled either. She glanced at Oscar, then at the Purple Poison Viper that had already condensed its spirit ring.
"Anyway, you promised to help me find another suitable spirit ring. You can't go back on your word, right?" Dugu Yan's serpent tail transformed back into a pair of straight, rounded long legs as she spoke to Oscar.
It was at this moment that Oscar finally noticed Dugu Yan's figure. Although Oscar was only eleven years old, having just absorbed his third spirit ring, he was already 1.88 meters tall. However, Dugu Yan herself was not short either—approximately 1.7 meters.
At this moment, with her serpent tail transformed back into legs, standing barefoot with her crystal-clear little feet, she looked incredibly alluring. Dugu Yan's figure was already quite voluptuous, roughly comparable to girls around twenty years old from Oscar's previous life.
And for Oscar, who had devoted his heart almost entirely to cultivation for the past five-plus years, encountering such a beauty at this moment somehow gave him a feeling of love at first sight.
However, Oscar could still restrain himself. To avoid revealing any flaws, he quickly averted his gaze from Dugu Yan and said calmly, "Of course."
After answering Dugu Yan's question, Oscar continued, "How did you end up here alone? This is the inner region of the Sunset Forest, inhabited by spirit beasts of at least ten-thousand-year level."
"With your strength, it would be difficult for you to enter here. Did you get separated from your elder?"
Hearing Oscar's questions, Dugu Yan hesitated for a moment, then looked at Oscar and Shao Xin. Only then did she slowly reply, "I came here with my grandfather. I got separated from him while chasing this Purple Poison Viper."
And just as Dugu Yan finished speaking, a black shadow not far away that had been watching Dugu Yan halted its steps. A pair of dark green pupils flickered, then the corner of its mouth revealed a bitter smile before hiding once more in the shadows.
Upon hearing this, Oscar was slightly stunned. Logically speaking, with Dugu Bo's strength, it was impossible for him to lose track of Dugu Yan. Furthermore, that old man doted on Dugu Yan so much—how could he possibly let her fall into danger?
But Oscar quickly understood. Perhaps Dugu Yan's words weren't meant for him, but rather for Dugu Bo hidden in the shadows.
But what was Dugu Yan's purpose? Why conceal Dugu Bo's presence and stay behind herself?
Wasn't she afraid he might be a bad person?
In fact, Dugu Yan had made this decision after some hesitation. There was no other reason—it was actually quite simple. First, Oscar had displayed strength above her own.
Second, this was the first time in her fifteen years that she had encountered such a handsome young man by chance in this manner. Moreover, he was close to her age yet possessed strength above hers—clearly a genius as well.
So Dugu Yan had impulsively wanted to stay and see what would happen. After all, her grandfather was right there. Even if the other party had malicious intent, she had nothing to fear.
Oscar didn't expose her, but nodded thoughtfully, "I see. In that case, how about this? You stay here for now. After my teacher returns, we can help you find your grandfather, and conveniently help you hunt another suitable spirit beast for your third spirit ring."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan nodded slightly, then said with some apology, "Sorry about just now. I was a bit excited."
Looking at Dugu Yan who had taken the initiative to apologize, Oscar smiled slightly, "It's fine. It was an exceptional circumstance. My name is Oscar. I'm a student at Shrek Academy. And you?"
Oscar volunteered information about his academy because people from spirit master academies were generally pure-hearted, which would help draw the other party closer.
And since Oscar had introduced himself, Dugu Yan also introduced herself, "My name is Dugu Yan. Um… I haven't entered an academy yet."
Hearing this, Oscar was stunned for a moment, because at Dugu Yan's age, she should have already entered the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Why would she say she hadn't entered an academy yet?
Then Oscar stepped forward proactively and extended his right hand, "Pleased to meet you, Dugu Yan."
Looking at Oscar's outstretched hand, Dugu Yan subconsciously wanted to reach out and shake it—just like when a beauty extends her hand to you, you would certainly shake it instinctively.
However, Dugu Yan immediately lowered her raised hand and said apologetically, "Sorry, because of some personal reasons, I may not be able to shake your hand."
(End of Chapter)