Chapter 69: Curious Dugu Yan, Extra Cautious Han "Timid"
On the road from Heaven Dou City to Sunset Forest, three figures moved swiftly.
Well, to be precise, it was two figures running while one was being carried by soul power.
The trio consisted of Guang Ling and the Dugu grandfather granddaughter duo. They had all made some disguises, but their extreme speed made onlookers instinctively step aside, avoiding eye contact as if afraid of attracting trouble.
Dugu Yan, looking at the leading figure who had been completely silent since they met, couldn't help but whisper, "Grandpa, who is he? He hasn't spoken a word to us this entire time. Isn't that a bit disrespectful to you, a Title Douluo?"
Dugu Bo immediately covered her mouth, signaling for her to be quiet. Inwardly, he sighed Oh, dear granddaughter, please shut up. If he hears this, you might be fine, but I'll be the one suffering.
Seeing that Guang Ling didn't seem to react or turn around, Dugu Bo quickly lowered his voice and warned, "Yan Yan, be patient. You'll find out soon. And be respectful address him as 'Your Eminence'."
"He's also a Title Douluo?"
Dugu Yan couldn't help but exclaim, but realizing what she'd just done, she hurriedly shut her mouth again.
Her grandfather's attitude already spoke volumes he wasn't this person's match.
But how was that possible? This wasn't the first Title Douluo she'd encountered. She had seen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo before.
Although this man seemed younger than her grandfather, he still looked like a middle aged adult at the very least.
But this person… She had seen his face under the hood. He looked no older than seventeen or eighteen!
How could someone so young be a Title Douluo? Even the Clear Sky Douluo, who was widely rumored to be a prodigy, had to be older than this man, right?
She had no idea that Guang Ling's baby face was simply natural.
"Just wait. You'll understand everything soon."
Dugu Bo felt a headache coming on. He could tell from Guang Ling's level that the man was definitely much older than himself. But with his youthful appearance, he could easily deceive people.
More importantly, his strength was terrifying. Otherwise, Dugu Bo would have definitely mocked him just like he did with Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Seeing her grandfather's firm attitude, Dugu Yan didn't ask further, though her curiosity only deepened. She started speculating about who exactly they were going to meet and what kind of force was behind all this.
The journey was quiet.
With two Title Douluo moving at full speed, and since they had set out early, they arrived at the edge of Sunset Forest by five in the afternoon much earlier than expected.
Guang Ling suddenly stopped and turned to Dugu Bo. "Can you fly?"
Dugu Bo awkwardly smiled. "I can hover for a short time, but flying…"
"Forget it. We'll go on foot. You know the terrain better lead the way. Let's not keep Xiao Li waiting." Guang Ling cut him off, pointing ahead.
"Got it."
Dugu Bo grabbed Dugu Yan's arm, signaling for her to stay quiet, and took the lead. Guang Ling followed behind.
To Guang Ling's surprise, Dugu Yan suddenly turned her head and stuck her tongue out at him before quickly pulling her grandfather forward.
Feisty little girl, huh?
Guang Ling chuckled but didn't take the provocation seriously. He simply quickened his pace.
Soon, they reached the poisonous mist barrier, where Dugu Bo pulled out three pills and handed them over.
"These are detox pills. They'll protect you from the miasma here."
Guang Ling accepted one but didn't immediately swallow it. Instead, he put it away and retrieved a different bottle from his storage belt, pouring out a pill and swallowing it.
"Did Xiao Li make those?" Dugu Bo glanced at the bottle in surprise.
"Yeah. If you want to study them, go ask him yourself. He has plenty." Guang Ling clearly had no intention of sharing.
"Fine. Yan Yan, take your pill and stick close to me."
Dugu Bo watched Dugu Yan swallow the detox pill, then took one himself. After activating his soul power barrier, he led them into the mist.
With a "local guide," their speed through the poisonous fog was much faster than last time. In just over half an hour, they arrived at the platform where Guang Ling and Han Li had first landed.
By now, the sky was dimming. The fog and surrounding peaks made this place even darker than the rest of the forest.
Dugu Yan, standing on the platform, looked down in awe. Even though some of the precious plants had been taken, the scenery was still breathtaking. Seeing this kind of view for the first time, she couldn't help but exclaim,
"This is it? Grandpa, it's so beautiful!"
Hmm? A new voice? A girl's voice?
Ever since Guang Ling and Dugu Bo had left, Han Li had felt incredibly unsafe.
After some thought, he had taken his twin blades and carved out a stone chamber in the cliffside beneath the platform.
Of course, he didn't destroy the vines hanging over the entrance. Instead, he reinforced them with materials from his storage, making sure that if someone arrived, they wouldn't immediately notice his hiding spot.
And now, hearing an unfamiliar female voice, Han Li immediately switched to battle mode.
His twin blades, now significantly altered, silently appeared in his hands. He deliberately suppressed their elemental glow, making sure they wouldn't emit any light. The only thing he couldn't fully conceal was his soul rings, faintly flickering in the darkness.
He didn't dare to probe upwards. Instead, he suppressed his breath and carefully moved toward the entrance. If someone descended, they wouldn't escape his ambush.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan continued admiring the scenery, chatting with her grandfather.
But Guang Ling and Dugu Bo both wore strange expressions, as if they were holding back laughter.
Han Li didn't dare to investigate, but they could. The moment they arrived, they had sensed his presence below, and his movements were clear as day to them.
Well… He was definitely cautious.
Dugu Yan eventually noticed her grandfather's odd expression. She stopped talking, touched her face nothing was wrong.
"Grandpa, what's up with you?"
Clears throat.
Guang Ling forcibly suppressed his laughter and interrupted, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
"Xiao Li, come out. We're back."
Below, Han Li, still in full alert mode, stiffened for a moment upon hearing the familiar voice. His expression shifted slightly.
After a few seconds, his face returned to normal. Without a word, he dismissed his martial soul, pushed aside the vines, and stepped out.
"Understood, Master. Senior, you can come down now."
Hearing his voice, Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. So this was the boy her grandfather had mentioned?
She was eager to see what kind of person he was. A child younger than herself, progressing at an insane speed, knowledgeable beyond his years, and capable enough to gain her grandfather's recognition.
Guang Ling and Dugu Bo exchanged glances and nodded before leading Dugu Yan down into the basin below.
(End of Chapter)
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