Damn it, what can that Yu Tianheng possibly compare with? On the other side, after hearing Yang Yunhai's thoughts, Dugu Bo just felt the difference in intelligence between the two was too great, especially after comparing their ages. He gave a small nod, sighing in admiration:
"Xiao Hai, since you've thought everything through so thoroughly, Grandpa won't say more."
Saying this, something came to mind, and he couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Xiao Hai, has your foundation been restored yet?"
If it hadn't, he felt he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
"It's already been restored." Yang Yunhai smiled. "And not only that, it's even improved further."
"My physical strength has increased a lot as well, and my soul power has risen by 4 ranks."
'Since my rank increased, I'll inevitably come into close contact with Grandpa Dugu, and the chances of exposure are high. Better to cover it with the excuse of training my body in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Trust has already been built up this far, so a little more sincerity and a little less scheming is better…' he thought to himself, but out loud he continued:
"Although the effects of those two immortal herbs mainly worked on my body, they still contained immense energy. Naturally, my soul power received quite a boost."
"Grandpa Dugu, you're already a Titled Douluo. I can't say for sure how much your cultivation would rise after taking an immortal herb, but for Sister Yan, I think her soul power could rise by several ranks at least."
"Of course, compared to soul power, I think the improvement to one's martial soul and physical foundation is of far greater value."
Rank 32 plus 4 ranks meant he was now at rank 36. His foundation was restored and even improved, with absolutely no side effects. At this age, his future was limitless! As for Yan'er, if her martial soul and body were enhanced and her soul power also rose by several ranks, her future would also be boundless. Even Dugu Bo's eyes couldn't help but flash with light. Strongly suppressing his excitement, he gave a slight nod.
"Well said!"
Then he sighed. "Xiao Hai, you've done so much for Grandpa, I really don't know how I can ever repay you."
'Only way is to have my granddaughter give herself to him… but of course, I can't just say that out loud.'
From what he'd seen so far, Yang Yunhai valued loyalty deeply. With a girlfriend Zhu Zhuqing already, and with Yu Tianheng as a teammate blocking the way, he likely wouldn't agree. Using drugs? That was even more impossible—this kid was sharp, and he knew medicine. If he noticed anything, he'd definitely be on guard, which would ruin everything.
'No, I'll have to take it slow, step by step, and then strike when the time is right…' Dugu Bo thought to himself.
Yang Yunhai shook his head. "Grandpa Dugu, this medicine garden was yours to begin with. I'm just using what's already here."
"Besides, I've already gained more than enough." He paused, then asked tentatively, "Grandpa Dugu, do you need me to find a suitable herb for Brother Tianheng too? There aren't any immortal herbs here for him, but there are rare herbs that can strengthen his foundation."
"Him? Is he even worthy?" Dugu Bo snorted coldly on the spot.
'So the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's reply must have disappointed Grandpa Dugu…' Yang Yunhai thought. He then deliberately asked, "The clan's reply came already?"
"Don't even mention it, nearly pissed me off on the spot!" Dugu Bo curled his lips. "That damn Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan actually wanted to use a 10,000-year soul bone as a bride price to fix Yan'er's marriage to Yu Tianheng. As if I'd try to swindle their soul bone."
"A 10,000-year soul bone? Do they really think I'd care about that?"
"I just wanted to test that kid's attitude towards Yan'er. But what did he do? From beginning to end, he just wrote a letter, then relayed back the elders' reply. Nothing else. With that attitude and behavior, he dares to think he's worthy of marrying my Yan'er? He's dreaming!"
'That's pretty ridiculous…' Yang Yunhai also felt speechless.
A 10,000-year soul bone was indeed precious, but to a Titled Douluo, getting one wasn't difficult—especially for a poison-attribute, large-scale attack type Titled Douluo.
Even without mass slaughter in the forest, there were political favors to call in. The Heaven Dou Empire was a powerful nation. In the royal treasury, surely there were at least a few ordinary 10,000-year soul bones. Would Xue Ye really refuse to give one?
And if not, he could always go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Promise to serve as a guest elder, and Ning Fengzhi would definitely hand one over.
No matter how precious a soul bone, it was still a dead thing. How could it compare to the value of a living Titled Douluo standing by your side?
Besides, they only needed an ordinary 10,000-year strength-type bone, not something rare. For Ning Fengzhi, this would be a sure-win deal, and he'd probably rush to offer it himself.
So what was there to worry about if Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan broke up later? The soul bone wasn't something they couldn't afford to lose.
Honestly, offering just an ordinary 10,000-year soul bone as a bride price to marry someone's only living family, while also gaining a Titled Douluo in the process… it was insulting.
'Marry a wife and get a Titled Douluo as part of the deal, and they think one ordinary soul bone is enough? That's cheapening the dignity of a Titled Douluo!'
He truly couldn't understand what the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was thinking. And Yu Tianheng too—after receiving the letter, couldn't he have held back the news and gone home himself? Even if he couldn't change the decision, at least making the effort would have shown something!
At least then it would have been an attitude.
But the way he handled it, he just played a winning hand into a pile of trash.
"To be honest," Dugu Bo said, glancing at Yang Yunhai, "back when Yu Tianheng chose not to join his own clan-supported Thunderclap Academy, and instead came here to Heaven Dou Academy where Yan'er had just joined, I could tell right away what that kid was up to."
"But, it wasn't Yu Tianheng's idea—he doesn't have the brains or foresight. It was obviously that old fox Yu Yuanzhen's scheme. Nothing more than paving the road for Yu Tianheng, making it easier to pass down the position of clan head."
"Build ties with the Heaven Dou royal family, win over Yan'er to secure my support, and if they could beat Yu Tianxin's Thunderclap team in the Soul Master Tournament, then Yu Tianheng's position as future clan master would basically be guaranteed."
"I didn't expose them back then for two reasons. First, I thought the kid's feelings for Yan'er were genuine. Second, I was thinking of Yan'er's future. I'm old, and the poison in my body grows stronger every year. Even with this place suppressing it, I can't guarantee I'll always be here. If Yan'er married Yu Tianheng, with Yu Yuanzhen's full backing, then even if she'd be dependent on others, her safety would at least be secured. Even if I suddenly died from poison, she'd be fine."
"But…" His voice suddenly turned cold, "after this test, I'm completely disappointed. A man with no backbone, no responsibility, and no discernment—I can't trust him with Yan'er's future. With those stubborn old fossils in the clan, and with Yu Tianheng being so weak and useless, Yan'er would only suffer if she married him."
"This is already clear from their reply this time."
"If I really do pass away one day, and Yan'er's poison hasn't been cured, the suffering she'll face… I can't even imagine it."
This was undeniable. Yang Yunhai couldn't help but admit it in his heart.
Without her maternal family for support, with her own strength weakened by poison, and even passing the poison to her children… how could she ever be treated well?
Even if the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was handed over, it wouldn't matter—Yan'er herself would have no protection.
Her tragic end would be all but guaranteed.
Yang Yunhai had to admit, Dugu Bo's care for his granddaughter really was beyond reproach, painstaking and thorough.
And the fact that he was willing to confide all this in him showed just how much he valued his savior. 'That's not bad at all…'
'So, once their poison is cured, what comes next…?' Yang Yunhai didn't speak, nor could he. Advising them to break up? As an outsider, it wasn't his place. So he simply stayed silent, playing the role of a good listener.
Then he heard Dugu Bo frown, his voice turning serious again.
"Aside from this test that disappointed me, there's something else that kid did which made me even more unhappy."
Yang Yunhai straightened, showing solemnity, giving the impression he was listening closely.
"Xiao Hai, that story about you finding immortal herbs—Yan'er told me privately." Dugu Bo's voice sank. "And afterward, I went to check that area around Nuoding City myself."
"And while I was searching, I found people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were also scouring the mountains."
"Who leaked the information—there's no need to spell it out."
(End of Chapter)
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