[Blazing Apricot Delicate Sapling]
[Level: 10]
[Attribute: Extreme Fire]
[Attribute: Extreme Fire]
[Potential: 7]
[Next Evolution Stage: Blazing Crystal Rock Sapling]
[Skill: (Azure Profound Grade) Lava Crystal: Body melts into a liquid fire-crystal lotus platform. Petals are condensed from lava, the lotus core spews magma flows, which on landing form a continuously burning [Path of Molten Flame] with temperatures reaching 4000°C, equivalent to a volcanic vent.]
It only had a single skill, but it was already very formidable.
Su Wen looked at the immortal herb floating above his palm and revealed a satisfied smile.
Though it was still only palm-sized, its power was not to be underestimated.
"You're really just taking one?"
Dugu Bo watched Su Wen toss out a Ball-like capsule, then draw the immortal herb into it and summon it out at will. The sight was rather uncanny to him, but the youth had, after all, saved his life; there were many secrets he felt it was better not to pry into.
"One is enough." Su Wen said with a smile.
Hearing this, Dugu Bo said no more.
Regarding this mysterious young man, now that he had shown goodwill, it would be best not to provoke him…
…
Several days passed in a flash.
"Buzz…"
Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on the ground. A dark-green aura revolved around him, then concentrated entirely on his left leg. His previously pale face slowly regained color. In the past, tormented half to death by poison, he lived like a viper lurking in damp, shadowy places. Now, he could finally stand beneath the sun.
"Thank you."
Looking at the youth lounging not far away—who had completely taken over his recliner—Dugu Bo's expression was filled with emotion.
"You're welcome." Su Wen replied with a bright smile.
At the same time, he manipulated the airflow, letting a gentle breeze disperse the damp, miasmic air in the surroundings.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo was quietly impressed. Over the past few days, their relationship had grown quite congenial; he had gradually accepted this sudden, out-of-nowhere guest.
"Grandpa!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the distance.
Dugu Bo's expression froze for a moment, then softened into a look of doting kindness.
The only one who could make this old venom-dragon show such an expression was, of course, Dugu Yan.
A young girl skipped happily toward them. Su Wen looked up. She had short deep-violet hair and pale-green eyes; even her fingernails were green. If he didn't already know this was a sign of poisoning, a normal person would probably think she'd painted her nails…
"What brings you back all of a sudden?"
Dugu Bo smiled and rubbed his granddaughter's head as he asked.
"Grandpa, can you come to the academy and stand up for us? Teacher Qin actually wants to let that bunch from Shrek Academy join the Imperial Academy!" Dugu Yan pouted coquettishly.
Dugu Bo frowned. "…"
This was indeed a bit of a headache.
If those kids really joined, they'd definitely seize a large portion of Dugu Yan's team's resources. Too many wolves, too little meat—this was the same everywhere. And with the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament about to be held, the main team slots were highly competitive. Clearly, Qin Ming and Shrek Academy had the same plan: display their talent, then ride the coattails of a bigger power.
From Dugu Yan's point of view, of course she wouldn't want the others to join.
But as the Poison Douluo, he also cared about his reputation. If he personally intervened in the petty struggles of a bunch of juniors, it would be beneath his dignity.
"If you were to become a worship elder for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, then you wouldn't need to say anything yourself. The board of education would turn them down on your account and keep Tang San and the others out." Dugu Yan continued to wheedle.
Dugu Bo looked troubled.
With his status and position, he really couldn't casually join any given faction; otherwise, he'd easily be dragged into their schemes and used.
Over the years quite a few had offered him extravagant conditions to recruit him, and he had turned them all down.
"Renown is something you earn for yourself. If you only rely on others, you'll never amount to much, little girl…"
Su Wen said with a genial smile.
"Who are you?!" Dugu Yan jumped in fright, her green eyes fixed on Su Wen, her little face full of surprise.
This was her grandfather's territory; in all these years she had never seen an outsider enter the valley. Yet the boy before her looked about her age and was actually lounging in her grandfather's chair as if he owned it. The scene left her rather stunned.
But that feeling was quickly replaced by shy indignation.
"If we have access to resources, why shouldn't we use them? Besides, if Grandpa becomes an worship elder of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he'll be treated as an honored guest. He'll also receive a higher status and resources befitting a Title Douluo. Why wouldn't he do it?"
"…"
Su Wen nodded slightly.
"You're right."
Dugu Yan: "…"
In the original story, Dugu Bo could be seen as making a kind of bet as well. It's just that compared to a certain lucky bastard, his luck was terrible—he ended up giving away the entire Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well and even himself, going to Shrek Academy as an worship elder.
Even someone as shrewd as Ning Fengzhi wound up losing both people and resources in the end, let alone this old fellow.
So, following the original plot, Dugu Bo going to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy actually wasn't a bad move. At least there the resources were sufficient, and his status would be high. That was leagues better than Blue Tyrant Academy plus the newly hatched, ramshackle Shrek.
"Hmph, you make it sound so good—why don't you go apply to be an worship elder yourself?" Dugu Bo snorted lightly.