Chapter 38: Zhu Zhuqing with a stubborn face: "You will no longer be my brother!"
In response to her grandfather's question, Dugu Yan said calmly, "When I was studying recently, I heard others mention that there seemed to be treasures on this continent that could enhance the talent of soul masters. I was thinking, Grandpa, since you know so much about herbs, will you find some peculiar herbs that can help people improve their talents or increase their soul power?"
After thinking for a moment, Dugu Bo shook his head and said, "Yanyan, I don't remember any herbs that can enhance the talent of soul masters. If there were, I would have gone to find them long ago."
Dugu Yan felt a little disappointed as she did not receive a satisfactory answer from her grandfather.
Her grandfather was renowned for his poison skills on the mainland; he knew a lot about herbs and alchemy. If even he didn't know about the existence of the Immortal Herbs, who else on the mainland could know it aside from Dai Yichen and Tang San?
"Well, it seems that I can only practice harder. I don't know when my martial soul will evolve into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul like my grandfather so that my Jade Phosphor Serpent venom will become stronger." Dugu Yan clenched her fists and encouraged herself.
However, Dugu Bo's expression became a bit uneasy as he replied gently, "Yanyan, with Grandpa here, you don't need to stress so much. It doesn't matter if you practice slowly. The most important thing is to be happy."
Dugu Yan didn't grasp the meaning behind her grandfather's words, interpreting it as him not wanting her to push herself too hard. She smiled and reassured him: "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm not unhappy. Every time my soul power improves, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Besides, Grandpa, you are a Titled Douluo. As your granddaughter, I can't embarrass you."
"Okay, Grandpa, Lingling is still waiting over there to go to the mimicry practice room with me. I'll leave first."
As Dugu Yan walked away, Dugu Bo observed her retreating figure with a complex expression that was difficult to conceal.
It's ironic that, as a Poison Douluo who believed his poison skills were the best on the continent, he couldn't even cure the poison that afflicted him, which ultimately caused the early deaths of his son and daughter-in-law.
He didn't want his granddaughter to practice too quickly; her hair and eyes had turned purple and green due to poisoning.
Dugu Yan was unaware that she was poisoned; she believed it was a normal reaction to practicing with the Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul. After all, her body didn't feel any discomfort.
Only Dugu Bo understood that this was only a temporary state. As her cultivation level progressed, the toxicity from the Jade Phosphor Serpent venom would intensify. When her body could no longer absorb it, the full effect of the poison would erupt at once!
As for the herbs his granddaughter mentioned, he had seen them in the Sunset Forest, but there were too many unfamiliar herbs. He didn't know if any of them were the ones that could improve cultivation talent or increase soul power.
Yet, based on his experience, the more vibrant the herbs, the more likely they were to be toxic.
And he didn't want his granddaughter to practice too fast; what if the Jade Phosphor Serpent venom manifested early because of consuming so many herbs?
Could some herbs could assist in detoxifying or controlling toxins?
---
Star Luo Palace.
After Dai Yichen spent half a day with the Zhu sisters, Zhu Zhuyun was ready to take Zhu Zhuqing away. They had been there long enough, and if they stayed any longer, the sun would set, making it inappropriate.
Dai Yichen escorted them to the palace gate and smiled, "Okay, I'll send you two here. Zhuqing, be good at home. I'll visit you in a few days."
Dai Yichen's tone resembled that of an older brother.
Zhu Zhuyun walked up to him, turning her back to Zhu Zhuqing, and whispered, "Brother Yichen, what you said today was bold. Aren't you afraid that Zhuqing will dislike you?"
Dai Yichen remained calm. "Sister Zhuyun, this is the most genuine thought in my heart. It's best to say it while we are still siblings; it will cause the least harm to Zhuqing, right?"
Speaking of this, he paused slightly, then looked at Zhu Zhuyun with an intense gaze. "Sister Zhuyun, consider future scenarios. If I defeated my elder brother, what would you do? I don't want you to get into trouble, if possible."
"Alright, let's stop here. Sister Zhuyun, if you're interested in the throne, you'd better prepare early. My elder brother can't beat me."
After speaking, Dai Yichen walked in front of Zhu Zhuqing, squatted down slightly, touched her head, and smiled, "Remember to take whale glue every day after you get home. When you finish it, tell your brother that you will be able to get your first soul ring of a higher age than I did!"
Brother?
Zhu Zhuqing was slightly taken aback, looking at Dai Yichen with wide eyes. This was still Brother Yichen, referring to himself as "brother" in front of her.
It was a more intimate title, but why did she feel an invisible barrier between them because of this "brother"?
"Zhuqing, let's go." Zhu Zhuyun approached and took her sister's hand.
She felt unsure how to respond to what Dai Yichen had just said. Did she want the position of queen?
To sit upon it and manage the three thousand beauties in the harem?
What good would that do her? It would be better if her sister flourished.
As Zhu Zhuqing was pulled away by Zhu Zhuyun, Dai Yichen stood up and watched the two depart.
Zhu Zhuqing kept glancing back, filled with reluctance.
Suddenly, she didn't know where she found the strength to break free from her sister's grasp. She ran toward Dai Yichen, who instinctively opened his arms to embrace her.
"What's wrong?"
Zhu Zhuqing rubbed her small head against Dai Yichen's arms and said in a faint and sulky tone, "Brother Yichen is a rogue! You were so kind to me before, but then you said those things today. I won't back down!"
Zhu Zhuqing gently pounded her small fists against Dai Yichen's chest, breaking free from his embrace. She raised her little face, revealing a stubborn expression in her eyes. "Today is the last time I'll call you brother! I don't want to be your sister anymore! Humph!"
"I will train hard after I go back. When I awaken my martial soul in a year, I'll surprise you!"
After declaring this, she dashed back to her sister without looking back.
At that moment, they were all illuminated by the glow of the sunset. Dai Yichen's mind stirred, capturing the serene beauty of their backs beneath the sunset, forever frozen in a photo.
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Day 2
(End of this chapter)