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Zhi Lin said, "Perhaps this is what a true genius looks like. I can't help but feel sorry for those of Ye Lan's generation."
Bai Baoshan added, "Indeed, young friend Ye Lan's brilliance will surely outshine even that of Tang Chen in his prime. Back then, Tang Chen earned the title of 'Invincible on the Ground' with his self-created soul skill, the Great Sumeru Hammer, and ultimately led the Clear Sky Hammer to become the number one tool-type martial soul on the Douluo Continent."
Dugu Bo, recalling the strange and varied soul skills Ye Lan had just used against him, suddenly understood. "Earlier, when I fought that boy Ye Lan, I was too focused to think about the tricks behind his moves," he admitted.
"Now that I recall it carefully, Ye Lan must have created no fewer than five self-made soul skills, covering all four categories—movement, offense, defense, and support," Dugu Bo marveled.
He then remembered how his Paralyzing Mist had been useless against Ye Lan, and how his third soul skill, Jade Phosphor Purple Poison, had mysteriously vanished.
At the time, a blinding light had erupted from Ye Lan's direction.
The glare was so intense that Dugu Bo's vision had gone white for a long while, only now fully recovering.
A sudden spark of excitement appeared on his face as he asked, "Ye Lan, boy, can you detoxify poison? When I used my second soul skill, why were you still able to move?"
"Senior Dugu, I can't detoxify poison. However, my Blue Silver Grass grants me poison immunity—my martial soul will nullify any poison, as long as the poison's user is not more than twenty soul power ranks above me. Of course, your poison is an exception. In truth, I was paralyzed; the effect was about twenty percent effective. You were careless, and I just managed to seize the opening," Ye Lan explained.
"I see. What a pity," Dugu Bo said, though it was unclear whether he pitied his own carelessness or the limits of his martial soul's poison.
"What about my third soul skill then? How did my Jade Phosphor Purple Poison vanish?" he pressed curiously.
"Forgive my rudeness, Senior Dugu, but that touches on the secrets of my martial soul. If you must have an explanation, you can think of it as one of my self-created soul skills. This particular skill carries a fire attribute," Ye Lan replied.
"A fire attribute? So that's it." Dugu Bo immediately understood—poison was weakest against fire.
He did not pursue the matter further. The secrets of a martial soul were a soul master's most closely guarded knowledge—many would rather die than reveal them to protect their family's heritage.
Given Ye Lan's achievements, Dugu Bo was certain he would one day found a powerful soul master family. Several self-created soul skills, a formidable Blue Silver Grass martial soul... The more he thought of the Ye family's future, the more incredible it seemed.
Wait… family?
"Ye Lan, how old are you this year?" Dugu Bo asked.
"Senior Dugu, I'm fifteen," Ye Lan answered honestly.
Dugu Bo gave him a thorough once-over, his satisfaction growing with each glance.
Ye Lan, a little unsettled by the Poison Douluo's stare, thought, Why is this old poison master looking at me like that?
"Ye Lan, from now on, just call me Grandfather. I have no children, only a single granddaughter. Her name is Dugu Yan—she's nineteen this year and has already reached rank thirty-eight in soul power!"
"Let me tell you, Yan Yan is not only beautiful but also very healthy and fertile! I'll let you have this good fortune, boy. I'll betroth her to you, how about it? She's also a student at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—you can meet her in a bit," Dugu Bo said, the smile unconcealable in the wrinkles of his eyes. In his view, the four-year age difference was perfect.
When he had been sizing Ye Lan up, it was to evaluate his physique, height, and looks. Even for an old eccentric like him, who cared only for poisons, Ye Lan was pleasing to the eye. He was certain that Dugu Yan would like Ye Lan's type.
Such a genius could not be allowed to slip away. Plus, Ye Lan's martial soul was poison-immune. Who knew, perhaps their future children could even overcome the Jade Phosphor Snake's flaws.
"Uh… Senior Dugu, matters of the heart should be mutual. I've never even met Miss Dugu Yan, so it wouldn't be right for me to rashly agree to this marriage," Ye Lan said, surprised at how decisively Dugu Bo had offered up his granddaughter. At his age, marriage still felt far too soon.
"Hm? Still calling me 'Senior'?" Dugu Bo feigned anger.
"…Grandfather Dugu," Ye Lan surrendered at once.
Still, his main goal of befriending Dugu Bo was accomplished. His safety in Heaven Dou City had just increased significantly.
Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction, laughing heartily. "I'll take you to meet Yan Yan later. I guarantee you'll be pleased with her. As for the marriage, I'm not in a rush. You young people can get to know each other however you like. I respect your opinion."
The three elders of the Academic Committee chuckled happily. They hadn't expected Ye Lan's romantic luck to arrive so suddenly. Not only had he befriended the Poison Douluo, but the Poison Douluo was even throwing in Dugu Yan for free.
The three elders knew Dugu Yan well—she was strikingly beautiful. In terms of looks, aside from the veiled Ye Leng Leng, Dugu Yan's beauty was unrivaled at the academy. Unfortunately, her martial soul was so toxic that no one dared get close. They had recently heard that Yu Tianheng was trying his luck, but things weren't looking promising.
Ye Lan and Dugu Yan, however, seemed like a perfect pair. After all, Ye Lan was immune to poison. Most importantly, both were students of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Naturally, the three elders raised all six of their hands in support.
While the four of them laughed in delight, Prince Xue Xing, standing nearby, was anything but pleased, his face as dark as black iron.
He hadn't expected that not only had he failed to get revenge for Xue Beng, but Ye Lan would also be staying at the academy. Worse, it looked like Ye Lan was about to become Dugu Bo's grandson-in-law. Having already offended Ye Lan, Xue Xing wondered: in the future, would Dugu Bo side with him… or with his grandson-in-law? The favor of saving Dugu Bo's life had been repaid in full long ago. If it had been any other Titled Douluo, he would be lucky to still be on speaking terms.
Meanwhile, Xue Beng, hiding behind Xue Xing, had mentally collapsed and given up. He did his best impression of an ostrich, staying silent and hoping not to draw Ye Lan's attention.
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere, Dugu Bo pulled Ye Lan over to Xue Xing.
"Ye Lan, this is my savior, Prince Xue Xing. Although you had some unpleasantness over Xue Beng, it was a minor incident. I don't want you to become enemies over it."
Xue Xing, seizing the chance to mend the relationship, immediately dragged the ostrich-like Xue Beng out from behind him.
"Xue Beng! Apologize at once! If Ye Lan had truly wanted to harm you yesterday, you wouldn't have lived to come crying to me for help." With that, Xue Xing immediately shifted all the blame onto Xue Beng.
(End of Chapter)