Standing at the academy entrance.
Watching Xiao Wu following a few meters behind Tang San, Ye Qiu couldn't help but smile slightly.
Once the fine hairs standing on his arm returned to normal.
Tang Hao's spying presence receded.
Only then did Ye Qiu slowly turn and leave. His direction was exactly opposite to where Xiao Wu was heading.
He was going to the Sunset Forest to input and extract the code for the Immortal Herb.
Yes.
Ye Qiu intended to fool Du Gu Bo—or rather, help him suppress the toxins inside his body.
After all, he was now a lone man.
So what if he ate the Immortal Herb?
In this world, just having talent without background doesn't get you far.
Out in the world, your status is something you fight for yourself.
Du Gu Bo was a perfect candidate—a wild Title Douluo, belonging to no faction, with only one relative left: his granddaughter Du Gu Yan, who desperately needed saving. Ye Qiu thought he could easily trap Du Gu Bo.
Regarding Du Gu Bo's symptoms, Ye Qiu remembered they resembled rheumatism, so he had memorized the code quite clearly.
Besides, most fanfiction would write it out at least once.
Immortal Herb Extraction Code:
On rainy, overcast days, Du Gu Bo experiences numbness and itching around his ribs, which gradually intensifies, lasting for over an hour, occurring twice daily at noon and midnight.
Around midnight, roughly at the third watch, sharp, needle-like pain stings the top of his head and the soles of his feet, causing whole-body convulsions lasting at least half an hour.
...
Ye Qiu was still new here.
Even with a clear goal to reach Sunset Forest, he remained cautious and prudent.
After all, on the road, he could only rely on himself for protection.
Once in the city, things were much easier. Ye Qiu could use his identity in the Martial Soul Hall to get free food and lodging, plus free night guards—allowing him to sleep soundly.
After half a month, Ye Qiu finally arrived at Sunset Forest and immediately began searching for the poisonous mist at the forest's center. Several times, he was discovered by ancient soul beasts.
Fortunately, Ye Qiu quickly activated his Martial Soul, turning into a puddle of black liquid, getting trampled mercilessly, then slowly finding a place to recover.
Hard work pays off!
After three days, Ye Qiu finally found the poisonous mist outside the Ice-Fire Two Phenomena Eye.
...
Nottingham Academy.
One year equals one semester; one holiday lasts about two months.
In the blink of an eye.
The new semester had arrived.
This year.
Would be Ye Qiu's last year at Nottingham Academy.
Xiao Wu and Tang San had already returned early from Saint Soul Village to the academy.
"Xiao Wu, want to go eat together?"
In the Seventh Dormitory.
After packing up, Tang San walked to Xiao Wu and invited her.
Xiao Wu had already finished packing and was sitting on the bed, staring unblinkingly at the Seventh Dormitory's door. Hearing Tang San's voice, she glanced at him briefly then looked away, shaking her head slightly.
"Xiao San, I don't have an appetite. You go on by yourself."
"All right."
Tang San knew Xiao Wu was waiting for Ye Qiu's return and looked a bit uncomfortable. He spoke to comfort her, "Don't worry, Ye Qiu promised to come back. He won't break his word. Maybe he's already on his way here."
"Mm, I know he'll come back."
Xiao Wu nodded slightly, smiled faintly, but didn't look at Tang San again, continuing to gaze at the door.
...
Tang San opened his mouth but had nothing to say. He sighed helplessly and turned away, his expression a bit gloomy.
As the only girl in the Seventh Dormitory, after all these years, even the pure and virtuous Tang San couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Xiao Wu. But Xiao Wu had hung her entire heart on Ye Qiu, and no matter how much Tang San tried to show kindness, he couldn't get close to her.
During this time, Ye Qiu was away.
Tang San often thought.
If back then, when Xiao Wu looked at him with longing under the quilt, he had invited her to share it, would Xiao Wu's thoughts now be on him?
Unfortunately, there is no "if."
Ye Qiu was still here, so all Tang San could do was treat Xiao Wu as a little sister.
After Tang San left.
The entire Seventh Dormitory fell silent.
Xiao Wu stared at the door, a bit dazed, pouting in grievance. She walked to Ye Qiu's bed and began tidying the bed she had prepared for him earlier.
...
Several kilometers outside Nottingham City.
A man with short black hair, wearing black tight clothes, was being carried through the air.
The man carrying Ye Qiu had dark green whiskers, wore a gray robe, his eyes were dark green too, his body tall and straight as a spear, with a sinister smile on his face.
"Senior Du Gu, just drop me off here. Sorry for the trouble." Ye Qiu looked at the small city in the distance and forced a smile. Du Gu Bo's speed was too fast; the wind hit him hard.
"Ke ke ke."
Du Gu Bo chuckled weirdly, landing in a small forest and threw Ye Qiu to the ground.
"Kid, I really don't get why you came to this small place. If you ask me, wouldn't it be better to go to Tiandou Royal Academy and follow my granddaughter Yan Yan's wishes?"
"Damn it! Senior, can't you be gentler? You're going to break me."
"If you keep acting like this, I'm going to complain."
Ye Qiu flipped twice midair to dissipate the impact, then stood steadily on the ground, looking resentfully at the old playful yet evil Poison Douluo in front of him.
"Haha. With your constitution, no matter how strong you get, you won't get hurt." Du Gu Bo stood on a treetop, stroking his dark green beard and lectured, "Remember when you tried to steal medicine and fell off the cliff into Yan Yan's bath and didn't die?"
"You talk! Speaking of Yan Yan, I haven't said anything about you. Even if you're eager for grandchildren, you can't just drug us." Ye Qiu rolled his eyes, surprised that this old poison master had such a personality—even drugging his own granddaughter.
"Hmph! What's wrong with a cooked rice? Watching you young ones all lovey-dovey makes my liver hurt!" Du Gu Bo thought about how his granddaughter first despised Ye Qiu, wanting to attack him on sight, but later clung tightly to him. It was painful for him to watch.
The most disgusting was Ye Qiu. How dare he seduce his granddaughter with his married-man act, making Yan Yan love but not have him? That was gutsy!
A married man sticking to his granddaughter daily, claiming it's for faster cultivation and toxin clearing, but really just wrapping black silk around her legs.
What kind of married man is that!
Seeing Du Gu Bo's unfriendly gaze, Ye Qiu felt a bit guilty and dodged. He wasn't afraid of being trapped by Du Gu Bo—he was afraid for his precious bunny! How could he give them a warm home in the future if that happened? Of course, he wanted Du Gu Yan to clearly state her stance. He wanted to be responsible but didn't want to suffer a battlefield of emotions. Although enviable, it was exhausting and harmful.