Douro Continent

Chapter 249 The Auspicious Pouch and the Soul-Chasing, Life-Stealing Gallbladder (Part 2)

"Old monster, do you really want me to leave?" Tang San looked at Dugu Bo's somewhat lonely figure.

Dugu Bo said calmly, "Do you think I can keep you here forever? The outside world has a much wider space, that's where you should go. Without enough experience, what makes you think you can become a Title Douluo in the future?" He didn't hide his admiration for Tang San at all. If it weren't for the huge age difference, perhaps this could be called mutual appreciation.

The air seemed to freeze. Tang San and Dugu Bo fell silent. Tang San didn't answer Dugu Bo's question, but simply walked to his side and stood there, looking at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye in front of him, his brows furrowed, quietly pondering.

After a long while, Tang San's furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, as if he had figured something out. He looked at Dugu Bo with confidence and said, "Old monster, you still have two things to do for me, right?"

Dugu Bo nodded. "I always keep my word. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll agree."

Tang San chuckled and said, "Alright, I've already thought about the other two things."

"Have you thought it through?" Dugu Bo frowned deeply, thinking to himself, "What does this brat take my promise for? Doesn't he know how important these three promises are to him? With his strength as a Title Douluo, there are few things in this world that he can't accomplish."

Tang San nodded, his gaze sweeping around the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. "My second condition is that I must take the herbs I need from here, and you cannot stop me."

"That's all?" Dugu Bo looked at Tang San with annoyance. Although the herbs around the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well were precious, they weren't that important to a Title Douluo like him whose strength had already reached its peak. By giving Tang San the Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch, he had already tacitly agreed that Tang San could take any herbs from there.

Tang San asked, "So, will you agree or not?"

"I agree? Why wouldn't I agree to something so simple?" Dugu Bo said calmly, while also subtly reminding Tang San not to make demands lightly. Even if it's just to keep it for later use, it's fine.

Tang San said thoughtfully, "This is too easy. The next condition is a bit difficult. I don't know if you can do it."

Dugu Bo said arrogantly, "What could be difficult for me?"

Tang San tentatively asked, "So, you're saying you agree?"

Dugu Bo was no impulsive young man; the cunning and shrewd Dugu Bo was not one to easily make promises. "Tell me your conditions first."

Tang San smiled and said, "Actually, it's quite simple. Our Shrek Academy's teaching staff is relatively weak, and we need someone to keep things in order. My third condition is to invite you to be a senior advisor at our Shrek Academy..."

"No." Dugu Bo refused decisively before Tang San could finish speaking. "What I fear most in my life is having my freedom restricted. This is a matter of principle. I cannot agree to it. You little monster, you actually want me to be a thug? Even the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family doesn't restrict my abilities."

Tang San said irritably, "Who's restricting you? You can come and go as you please. It's just a nominal appointment. At least that way I can see you legitimately. It's not like I'm making you a consultant for life. After I graduate, you can do whatever you want, who cares?"

Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment, then looked down at Tang San. Tang San was also looking at him, and his eyes even revealed an emotion that Dugu Bo had never seen on him before, a mixture of three parts expectation and seven parts pleading.

"Just a nominal position?" Dugu Bo asked with a hint of doubt.

Tang San quickly nodded, "Of course. Do you think anyone would care what a Title Douluo like you does? Of course, if you have time and are willing to give us some pointers, I won't object."

Dugu Bo snorted irritably, "Do you, little monster, need me to guide you? It's good enough that you don't bother to guide me."

Tang San was overjoyed. "So, you're agreeing?"

A smile appeared on Dugu Bo's face. "As long as your teachers don't kick me out, that's fine. Let's go."

"Go? Where to?" Tang San asked, puzzled.

Dugu Bo said, "I never procrastinate. Since you've agreed to be that consultant, I'll just send you back and bring my granddaughter over for you to treat."

Tang San was in high spirits, relieved to be able to stay with Dugu Bo. He chuckled and said, "Don't rush. Have you forgotten your second condition? I still need to bring some medicine from here, and sorting it will take time. We've been here for half a year already, what's a few more days? Give me three days. We'll go back to the academy in three days."

three days later.

"You little monster, you bastard, I'll fight you to the death!"

Enraged, Dugu Bo raised his hand to strike Tang San. Tang San quickly used Ghost Shadow Step to turn and run away. "Old monster, you told me to take whatever I wanted, but you didn't say how much. Besides, I kept the roots and seeds; they'll grow back in a few years. But, old monster, your Ruyi Treasure Pouch is really good; it can hold a lot."

It's no wonder Dugu Bo was so furious. He had been cultivating in the cave for the past three days, waiting for the appointed time before coming to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to fetch Tang San. However, when he descended to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well again, he saw the devastation of his precious land being completely ransacked, how could he not be enraged?

Looking around, the once thriving 'Botanical Garden' has now become a mess, as if it had just been plowed, with soil turned up everywhere and no greenery left.

Seeing such a scene, how could Dugu Bo not be furious?

Tang San said with dissatisfaction, "Old monster, you promised me I could take whatever I wanted, but you didn't say how much I could take. I just chose all of it. Don't worry. Look, I didn't touch the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. With its nourishment, it won't be long before this place is thriving again." What he didn't say was that even if the immortal items he dug up were here at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, it would take hundreds of years for them to have a chance to grow again.

"You...you little monster are really driving me crazy." Dugu Bo was so angry that he couldn't speak. It was indeed the condition he had agreed to. Although these medicinal herbs were not very useful to him, they had been with him for decades, so how could he not feel sorry for them?

Tang San tentatively asked, "Shall we go?"

Dugu Bo glared at him fiercely, "Let's go." After saying that, he ignored Tang San, took off, and headed towards the mountaintop.

Tang San quickly released the Eight Spider Lances, carrying his body as he swiftly pursued Dugu Bo.

Although there were many powerful spirit beasts in Sunset Forest, Dugu Bo had been there for many years, and his aura was already extremely familiar to all the spirit beasts. No one dared to approach this old poisoner. Tang San followed Dugu Bo out of the forest and did not encounter any attacks from spirit beasts.

To avoid attracting attention, Tang San retrieved his Eight Spider Lances after leaving Sunset Forest, relying solely on Ghost Shadow Tracking to follow Dugu Bo. He knew he had gone too far, but those top-grade herbs weren't easy to find, and they would be extremely useful in the future. Moreover, he had the Ruyi Treasure Pouch, a top-quality soul tool that could preserve things, so he couldn't resist taking everything.

Along the way, Tang San dared not provoke Dugu Bo again, and Dugu Bo ignored him. The two returned to Tiandou City in silence.

Because most of the poison in his body had been integrated into his soul bone, Dugu Bo's appearance was no longer as conspicuous as before, so he did not attract the attention of passersby. After entering Heaven Dou City, the old monster stopped and glanced at Tang San, who was following behind him, panting heavily. "Little monster, lead the way."

Tang San moved closer to Dugu Bo and whispered with a chuckle, "Old monster, you're not angry anymore?"

Dugu Bo glared at him. "I never go back on my word. But you better remember this: this is a one-time exception."

Tang San quickly nodded in agreement, secretly chuckling to himself that even if there were a next time, it would be at least several decades later. The old monster was clearly giving himself a way out.

Seeing that Dugu Bo's anger had subsided somewhat, Tang San quickly led the way, and the two headed towards what used to be Blue Tyrant Academy, now Shrek Academy.

As they walked, Tang San couldn't help but say to Dugu Bo, "Old monster, it's actually quite suitable for you to come to our academy. Our Shrek Academy is also known as the Monster Academy, wouldn't it be wonderful for an old monster to teach a little monster?"

"You're so great." Dugu Bo raised his hand and tapped Tang San on the head. He was tall, a full two heads taller than Tang San, who was about 1.7 meters tall at the time.

Tang San winced in pain, "If you knock my smart brain out, who will treat your granddaughter's poison?"

Dugu Bo seemed to have thought of something. His cold and solemn expression suddenly softened as he looked Tang San up and down, a smile gradually appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Tang San would rather see Dugu Bo's sour face than his smiling face. A chill ran down his spine. "Old monster, what are you laughing at?"

(End of this chapter)