Bab 298: Chapter 298: Heading to Hunt Spirits, Dugu Yan’s Rambling Thoughts
Xiao Wu nodded, accepting the spiritual technique book. After a few hours, she finally reached the beginner level. A small disc formed in her mind, which should be the "millstone" Brother Su Ming had mentioned.
Seeing Xiao Wu grasp it so quickly, Su Ming smiled, pleased. "Not bad."
After a while, Xiao Wu opened her eyes and looked at Su Ming. "Brother Su Ming, there's a slight stinging sensation while practicing this technique, but it's manageable. As for any growth in spiritual power, I can't tell yet."
Su Ming gently patted her head and said, "You've only practiced once, so it's natural not to feel much. Although this technique develops spiritual power slower than mine, it has the advantage of being gentler, allowing you to train daily."
That night, Xiao Wu stayed in Su Ming's dorm under the pretext of "training."
Early the next morning, Xiao Wu teleported back to her dorm stealthily.
Not long after, there was a knock on Su Ming's door. When he opened it, Dugu Bo stood there.
"Well, old monster, what brings you here today?" Su Ming chuckled.
Dugu Bo, hands behind his back, replied in a raspy voice, "Yan Yan has finished absorbing the Immortal Grass soul bone and finally reached an entry level in the Heavenly Poison Manual. She can now control her poison. She's been stuck at level 40 for quite some time; it's time to take her to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a spirit beast."
"I'm here to ask if any of your companions have reached level 40 after absorbing Immortal Grass. I can take them along as well."
Hearing this, Su Ming's eyes lit up. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had both reached level 40, and he had been wondering whether to take them himself or let the academy or Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan help with the hunt.
"Perfect, then let's go together, old monster. I have two companions at level 40 who need spirit rings."
He added, "Dugu Yan's strength at level 40 is reinforced by her Immortal Grass soul bone and the Heavenly Poison Manual, so she should be able to absorb a spirit ring under ten thousand years."
Dugu Bo nodded, "I thought the same."
"Alright, notify your companions. We'll meet at the academy gate in an hour."
An hour later, Su Ming arrived at the academy gate with Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were already there. Su Ming couldn't shake the feeling that Dugu Yan was looking at him strangely.
Just then, a guard approached and said in a low voice, "Excuse me, is one of you Su Ming?"
Su Ming stepped forward, slightly puzzled. "Yes, that's me. May I ask what's going on?"
The guard replied, "Our Crown Prince invites Su Ming and your companions to a banquet, as an apology for the Fourth Prince's previous disrespect."
Su Ming didn't think much of it. After all, the current Crown Prince, Qian Renxue, portrayed a polite and courteous persona.
Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances, sensing something amiss. This Crown Prince impersonator, Qian Renxue, was likely using the invitation as a pretense to meet Su Ming rather than to apologize for Xue Beng's offense.
Su Ming glanced at Dugu Bo and replied, "Apologies, but we're headed to Star Dou Forest to obtain spirit rings with Senior Dugu Bo. Please inform the Crown Prince that I'll certainly visit after I return."
The guard nodded, showing no displeasure. The Crown Prince had instructed them to treat Su Ming, an academy prodigy, respectfully. And with Poison Douluo present, he didn't dare be rude.
After the guard left, Dugu Bo commented, "Little monster, should I come with you? This Crown Prince isn't simple."
Su Ming shook his head, "No need. No matter how complex the Crown Prince is, I doubt he'd dare harm me. Don't worry, I'll meet him when I'm back. Do you still doubt my strength?"
Dugu Bo laughed, "True, you're indeed a little monster!"
Dugu Yan watched Su Ming, recalling her grandfather's words urging her to consider marrying Su Ming, saying it would be beneficial for her. He had also mentioned that the Immortal Grass soul bone and techniques were gifts from Su Ming.
Even though the Immortal Grass was her own, without Su Ming's explanation, she would have remained unaware of its power and would have missed the opportunity to enhance her strength.
Dugu Bo reassured her that Su Ming was trustworthy. He had also hinted that Su Ming might not be a one-woman man and left it up to her to decide. With only one granddaughter, Dugu Bo wanted what was best for her, but he wouldn't force it if she didn't wish to marry.
Marrying Su Ming didn't bother her much. He had cured their poison, boosted their strength, and demonstrated genuine care for her grandfather. Besides, she felt no attachment to Yu Tianheng after past events; in their next encounter, it would be either him or her. But before that, she wanted answers.
Once this task was over, she'd consider her grandfather's suggestion. Like many women, she admired strength, and Su Ming's actions had impressed her — well, aside from his amorous tendencies.
Yet, there was something that concerned her: with her grandfather and Su Ming becoming close friends, constantly calling each other "old monster" and "little monster," did that mean Su Ming and her grandfather were of the same generation? What should she call Su Ming, then?
Dugu Bo paused momentarily at her question, surprised that Yan Yan was concerned about such a trivial matter. He laughed heartily, saying, "I call him what I want, and you can do the same. It doesn't matter in the least!"
Dugu Yan felt slightly exasperated but agreed this was probably the best solution. She certainly couldn't call Su Ming "Uncle" or "Grandpa"; even the thought made her uncomfortable.
Little did she know, Su Ming hadn't considered that Dugu Yan would dwell on this issue. He found her musings unnecessary; he had no intention of having her call him "grandfather" — just perhaps a certain two other words at an intimate time.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone