Chapter 21: Presenting the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid
After half a day's journey, Dugu Chen and his group returned to Heaven Dou City from the Star Dou Great Forest by nightfall.
Upon arriving at Dugu Mansion, they each returned to their own courtyards to rest. Both Dugu Yan and Oscar needed time to stabilize their breakthroughs and adapt to their new spirit abilities.
Dugu Chen, however, didn't head back to his own room. Instead, he followed Dugu Bo to his private residence.
Dugu Bo sat at a stone table in the pavilion, leisurely brewing tea. Dugu Chen leaned against the railing, his eyes falling on the medicinal herbs planted throughout the courtyard.
These were herbs Dugu Bo had transplanted from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—not particularly precious in that environment, but to the outside world, they were still considered rare and valuable.
Ning Fengzhi had come more than once to inquire about the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, but Dugu Bo always claimed it had long since been used. The herbs planted here were merely for display.
Despite that, the transplanted herbs were clearly struggling. Without the nurturing environment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, their vitality was fading.
"Teacher, your herb-growing skills could use some work," Dugu Chen teased with a grin.
Dugu Bo shot him a glare. "Then why don't you teach this old man, Young Master Dugu?"
Dugu Chen chuckled and shook his head.
At that moment, the tea finished steeping. Dugu Bo poured two cups and said, "Try this—'Cloud Concealed Tea' from Ning Fengzhi. Supposedly, it replenishes qi and calms the mind. Quite rare."
Dugu Chen took a seat, picked up his cup, and inhaled the refreshing fragrance. Just a sip sent a wave of clarity through his mind, dispelling the exhaustion of the past few days and sharpening his thoughts.
After setting the cup down, he sighed. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan really lives up to their reputation. This tea nourishes the spirit—it's a rare treasure in itself."
Dugu Bo nodded. "To the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, things like this are nothing. Ning Fengzhi sees things clearly. If he truly believed we still had immortal-grade herbs, he'd have acted long ago. Don't let his gentle demeanor fool you—he's sharp. To bring his clan this close to replacing the Clear Sky Sect as the continent's number one, he's not ordinary."
Dugu Chen agreed. "Ning Fengzhi is a friend, not an enemy. For now, it's best to maintain the current relationship."
After a pause, Dugu Chen asked, "Teacher, what do you think of the Crown Prince and Prince Xue Xing?"
With the original novel's context in mind, Dugu Chen was wary of Dugu Bo getting too close to Xue Xing. He didn't believe Xue Xing could defeat Qian Renxue—and more importantly, for Dugu Chen's own development, he couldn't allow Qian Renxue to return to Spirit Hall. With her grandfather's support, she could inherit a god position within a few years. If that happened, the game would be over before it even began.
The incident at the Heaven Dou Auction House was still fresh in his memory. Dugu Chen disliked the nobility, especially the way they treated commoners.
While Spirit Hall had its flaws, it was perhaps the only power that offered real opportunities to commoners.
Dugu Bo furrowed his brows. "Why ask that?"
After a moment, he continued, "Xue Qinghe's wisdom is renowned across the Empire. As for Xue Xing… he's shown goodwill many times, but does he really think I can be bought so easily?"
Dugu Chen smiled. "If possible, I hope Teacher will side with the Crown Prince."
Dugu Bo looked at his disciple, eyes unreadable, but didn't object.
Between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, Dugu Chen preferred Qian Renxue. Not just because he couldn't reach Bibi Dong, but because Qian Renxue, though prideful, was still rational. Bibi Dong's mind was too far gone—twisted by the Rakshasa God's influence and consumed by obsession, not love.
After a brief silence, Dugu Chen said, "Teacher, I plan to give the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid to Oscar."
Dugu Bo paused, then nodded. "Up to you. Oscar's a good kid. His talent is the best I've seen among food-type spirit masters. If nurtured properly, he'll be a valuable ally to you."
He looked at Dugu Chen with pride. With such a gifted disciple—and with Yan Yan and Oscar beside him—their generation's rise would come in twenty years. Dugu Bo suddenly found himself looking forward to that day.
Dugu Chen smiled, then stood up. "Teacher, I'll take my leave. You should rest too."
"Go on, no cultivation tonight. That's an order. I'll also send someone to investigate those two soul beasts—Mirror Image Beast and Silver Spirit Beast," Dugu Bo said.
Dugu Chen acknowledged the order and left.
---
Three Days Later – Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well
Dugu Chen led Oscar to a snow-white orchid with eight petals, radiant and pure. The fragrance it released cleared the mind, refreshing both body and spirit.
"Oscar, this is the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid. It's an immortal herb. Food-type spirit masters, even those with innate full soul power like you, develop slowly. But this herb will strengthen your foundation, cleanse your body, and fix that flaw. You won't need to worry about your cultivation speed until you reach level seventy."
Oscar's eyes widened. "Brother Chen, this is too precious, I—"
"If I'm giving it to you, just take it. No 'I don't deserve it' nonsense. If you want to repay me, then train hard. Become the first food-type Titled Douluo. Then we'll talk about repayment," Dugu Chen said, patting him on the shoulder.
Oscar looked into Dugu Chen's eyes and nodded solemnly.
'I will never forget Brother Chen's kindness… or Senior Dugu's… or Big Sister Yan Yan's...'
Seeing the overly emotional look on Oscar's face, Dugu Chen kicked him lightly. "Quit looking at me like that. Hurry up and eat it. No fancy method—just chew it. It's sweet. Gather your spirit power to refine it."
Oscar chuckled, didn't argue, and immediately began cultivating after consuming the herb.
Seeing that everything was on track, Dugu Chen left to check on Dugu Yan.
She was meditating by the spring of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The unique environment was perfect for helping her refine the medicinal properties of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot Delicate Seed.
Dugu Chen didn't disturb her and headed to a nearby cave built by Dugu Bo.
Inside, Dugu Bo was grinding herbs and compounding medicine to soothe muscles and boost circulation. He didn't even glance up as Dugu Chen passed—he was focused, and his disciple knew better than to interrupt.
Dugu Chen walked into a narrow, dark tunnel beyond the cave. A flame ignited in his palm, illuminating the space as he moved deeper inside.
Ten minutes later, the tunnel opened up into a small stone chamber. Inside was a large wooden barrel filled with medicinal liquid.
Floating in the barrel was a small girl—Xiao Wu.
She had been captured from Nuoding City a year ago, her true identity a 100,000-year soul beast in human form.
Now, her eyes remained tightly shut, her body submerged in herbal fluid. The barrel was filled with powerful medicinal nutrients that kept her alive and asleep. Dugu Bo had spared no expense—something only possible with the resources of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
If Xiao Wu ever woke up and saw her current state, she would regret not listening to the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Ox Python. She had chosen to leave too early—chosen wrongly.
Dugu Chen silently confirmed that all was well, then turned to leave.
As he walked back, he muttered to himself, "Why did Teacher dig this tunnel so deep? He's not a pangolin spirit beast... Then again, snakes do like to burrow."
When he emerged, Dugu Bo was still at work, so Dugu Chen made his way to the area where the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma had once grown. A small sprout had emerged from the original seed, thriving in this blessed land. Dugu Chen sat beside it and began to cultivate.
---
Later That Day
Oscar finally finished refining the herb and stretched. "Ah, so comfortable!"
He checked his soul power and was momentarily stunned before breaking into a wild grin.
"Hahaha! Brother Chen, I'm level twenty-nine! I'm gonna be the youngest Spirit Elder!"
Dugu Yan and Dugu Chen both came running.
"What are you yelling about?" Dugu Yan said. "Junior Brother was already a Spirit Elder at your age. That record isn't yours."
Oscar didn't mind. He scratched his head and chuckled, "Hehe, true. I'll settle for second… no, third!"
He quickly corrected himself under Dugu Yan's withering glare.
Dugu Chen chuckled. "Alright, Oscar. Even though immortal herbs won't cause instability in your spirit power, you should still take time to adjust and familiarize yourself with the changes. Level thirty is your first major hurdle—take it seriously."
Oscar nodded solemnly, fully aware of the responsibility now resting on his shoulders.