Chapter 21: Investment and Commitment.
"My precious granddaughter has been abducted, so as her grandfather, I naturally have to check on her."
Dugu Bo's tone was tinged with sourness, but his eyes showed great satisfaction with Ye Xuanming.
The fact that the Great Soul Master defeated the Soul Venerable with two different energies demonstrates his talent.
Ye Xingyue chuckled softly from the side: "Is Your Majesty the Poison Douluo arranging a marriage for Yanzi?"
Ye Xuanming looked at the legendary Poison Douluo in front of him, but he wasn't too nervous.
He knew very well that although Dugu Bo appeared fierce, he genuinely loved Dugu Yan and wouldn't really do anything to him.
"What guidance do you have for me, Senior Dugu?" Ye Xuanming asked.
Dugu Bo looked Ye Xuanming up and down; this kid wasn't intimidated at all.
Who else is in the family?
"orphan."
Who was your teacher?
"Self-taught."
Dugu Bo asked several questions in a row, and Ye Xuanming answered them truthfully.
This made Dugu Bo relax his guard a little.
"Your martial soul is very special," Dugu Bo said. "A companion martial soul—this is the first time I've ever seen one in all my years of life."
"You flatter me, senior."
"However, you saved Yanyan, and I, Dugu Bo, will remember this kindness."
Dugu Bo's tone softened considerably.
"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me."
Seeing that Dugu Bo was about to ask something else, Dugu Yan spoke up:
"Grandpa, Xuanming was just injured. Don't ask anymore, let's go back first."
Dugu Bo turned to leave, saying, "I'm getting old. Even Yan Yan is starting to dislike her grandpa."
Dugu Yan blushed and whispered:
Grandpa, what are you saying!
Ye Xingyue covered her mouth and chuckled to herself. Ye Lingling's gaze was somewhat blank. Was this still the proud and rational Yanzi?
Ye Xuanming secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems that Dugu Bo has a good impression of me, which will be very helpful for my subsequent plans.
Just then, more and more people gathered at the entrance of the college.
News of the battle has spread, and many nobles and soul masters from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy have come to catch a glimpse of Ye Xuanming's prowess.
"Is that the kid? Level 21?"
"The second ring in a thousand years, that's outrageous!"
"He even fought to a draw with Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family!"
"Such a genius would definitely be sought after by all the major powers."
The crowd was buzzing with discussion, and Ye Xuanming could feel countless gazes fixed on him.
Dugu Bo smiled and said, "It seems that today's battle of souls will definitely spread throughout Heaven Dou City."
"Young Ye, you're about to become famous."
Ye Xingyue nodded: "Indeed, it's difficult for a genius of Xuanming's caliber to keep a low profile."
Dugu Yan asked with some concern, "Xuanming, are you in danger?"
Ye Xuanming shook his head: "It shouldn't be. Tiandou City is relatively safe."
Dugu Bo suddenly spoke up: "Kid, come with me."
"Grandpa, where are you taking Xuanming?" Dugu Yan asked nervously.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt him." Dugu Bo turned to Ye Xuanming, "I have something I'd like to talk to you about alone."
Ye Xuanming looked at Dugu Yan, then at Ye Xingyue, and finally nodded: "Okay."
Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Dugu Yan:
"Yanyan, you go back with Patriarch Ye first. I'll send this kid back after I finish talking to him."
"But..." Dugu Yan wanted to say something more.
"No buts." Dugu Bo's tone left no room for refusal.
Ye Xingyue patted Dugu Yan on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Yanzi, His Majesty the Poison Douluo won't make things difficult for Xuanming."
Dugu Yan could only nod reluctantly: "Then come back soon."
Watching Dugu Yan, Ye Xingyue, and Ye Lingling leave, Dugu Bo turned to Ye Xuanming:
"Kid, come with me."
The two left the academy and headed towards the outskirts of Tiandou City.
On the way, Dugu Bo suddenly asked, "What are your thoughts on Yanyan?"
Ye Xuanming thought for a moment and answered honestly, "Yanzi is very good. She has a straightforward personality and is quite capable."
"That's right, she's my granddaughter, how could she not be good?" Dugu Bo's face showed a smug smile. "That Yu Tianheng from the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan also wanted to pursue Yanzi, but I interrupted him."
"Why?" Ye Xuanming asked curiously.
Dugu Bo suddenly fell silent, paced back and forth a few steps, and slowly said:
"Yu Tianheng's pursuit of Yanzi is partly an attempt to win me over."
Ye Xuanming nodded: "Of course."
Although the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan is one of the three upper sects, Dugu Bo, as a titled Douluo, holds a transcendent position.
If Dugu Bo could be won over, it would be a huge boost to any force.
Dugu Bo turned around, a complex emotion flashing in his green eyes:
"My biggest regret in this life is that I was unable to give Yanyan a complete family."
Her parents both died young for various reasons, leaving only me, an old man.
"I want to find someone for Yanzi who is more genuine."
Ye Xuanming listened quietly, already guessing Dugu Bo's worries.
Dugu Bo was well aware of his physical condition; the poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King had penetrated deep into his bone marrow, and even a Title Douluo like him could not completely suppress it.
If he passes away and Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng get together, Dugu Yan will lose Dugu Bo as her powerful backer, and her status in the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family will definitely decline.
The heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family cannot be just one woman.
By then, Dugu Bo, who will be with Yu Tianheng, will probably only be a concubine.
In contrast, Dugu Bo would naturally choose Ye Xuanming, a young man with a clean background and outstanding talent.
Dugu Bo could tell that in a few years, Ye Xuanming's soul power would probably surpass Dugu Yan's.
If you invest in him now, the returns will be obvious.
If we could bring the two of them together, that would be the best outcome.
After a brief encounter, Dugu Bo could tell that Ye Xuanming was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness.
As can be seen from the battle just now, Ye Xuanming is very composed, yet he also has the drive of a young man.
"Young Ye, I'll get straight to the point." Dugu Bo suddenly stopped and turned to face Ye Xuanming.
"I want to invest in you. When you are weak, I will protect you and help you become stronger. When you become strong in the future, I will not need you to do anything. Just help me protect Yanzi."
Ye Xuanming was taken aback, not expecting Dugu Bo to be so blunt.
"I originally wanted to set you up with Yanyan, but I won't interfere in matters of the heart."
Dugu Bo waved his hand and said with a smile,
"It would be best if we could be together, but it doesn't matter if we can't. As long as you agree to this condition."
Ye Xuanming was shocked by Dugu Bo's straightforwardness. Naturally, Ye Xuanming would not refuse to have a Title Douluo as his protector.
Moreover, Dugu Bo possesses the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, so in a way, Ye Xuanming actually came out ahead.
After a moment's thought, Ye Xuanming's gaze hardened, and he slowly said:
"Yanzi is a good person, but when it comes to matters of the heart, let nature take its course. After all, right now..."
"However, I am grateful that Your Majesty the Poison Douluo is willing to invest in me."
Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction and took out an exquisite treasure pouch from his soul tool, handing it to Ye Xuanming:
"There is one million gold soul coins here, as well as some herbs to aid cultivation."
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(End of this Chapter)