A delicate fragrance drifted from Dugu Yan's graceful figure.
Feeling the incredibly soft sensation, Qi Lin was stunned. His gaze shifted forward—and his pupils suddenly contracted.
Dugu Bo!
Why is he back so suddenly!?
Not good!
As their eyes met, a wave of guilt surged in Qi Lin's heart.
Instinctively, he wanted to create some distance between himself and Dugu Yan. But as if sensing his hesitation, Dugu Yan only grew bolder, even teasing him with a grin.
"Little Qi Lin, why are you acting all shy again?"
"It's not like this is the first time you've held me."
With the senses of a Title Douluo, how could Dugu Bo not hear what she just said?
Shocked, he couldn't help but think, Didn't Yan Yan like that Yu Tianheng brat?
Why is she being so close with Qi Lin?
This doesn't seem like the behavior between ordinary siblings... Could it be…
Has Yan Yan changed her heart?
If that's the case, then I really didn't need to come back today...
On the other side, Qi Lin cleared his throat and whispered, "Yan Zi… Senior Dugu is back."
"Ah!" Dugu Yan gasped, her delicate body trembling slightly. She quickly released Qi Lin and stepped back.
Turning around, she saw Dugu Bo standing not far away, a knowing smirk on his face. A rosy blush spread across her now even fairer cheeks.
"G-Grandfather… why are you back so suddenly?"
Dugu Bo chuckled, "I finished my business, so of course I came back."
"If I'm not welcome here, I can always give you two some space."
Hearing that, Dugu Yan's face turned even redder. She hurriedly said, "Grandfather, let me explain! It's not what you think!"
Dugu Bo coughed lightly and waved his hand. "Yan Yan, no need to explain anything. Your grandfather isn't as rigid and old-fashioned as you think."
Still flustered, Dugu Yan anxiously tried to clarify, "Grandfather, there's really nothing between me and Brother Qi Lin!"
Dugu Bo didn't believe it. "Is that so? Then why are you two acting so intimate?"
"That's because—"
Dugu Yan quickly recounted the entire story from beginning to end.
As he listened, Dugu Bo's expression turned increasingly shocked.
Especially when he heard that after consuming the Creation Mending Pill refined by Qi Lin, Dugu Yan's martial soul had evolved into a true dragon. He was beyond ecstatic.
"Yan... Yan Yan! You're saying your martial soul evolved into a True Dragon!?"
"Is that true!?"
Dugu Yan's face glowed with excitement. "It's true, Grandfather!"
"My martial soul should now be called the Jade Phosphor Dragon!"
As she spoke, she instantly activated her martial soul. Emerald-green scales emerged along her arms and neck, forming what looked like a soft, jade-like armor that shimmered with a gem-like luster.
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted as he looked at her transformed state.
He could feel it—dragon might—radiating from her!
This could only mean one thing: Dugu Yan's evolved martial soul was likely far stronger than his own Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
Thinking of this, Dugu Bo burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Wonderful! Wonderful!"
"Little Qi Lin, Yan Yan's martial soul evolution is all thanks to you. From now on, your matters are mine as well!"
Qi Lin smiled. "Senior Dugu, you're too kind. I'm just happy I could help Yan Zi."
Dugu Yan's smile bloomed even brighter at his words.
She continued, brimming with joy, "Grandfather, that's not all! After fully absorbing the medicinal effects of the pill, my soul power has reached Rank 40. I think after I obtain my next soul ring, it'll rise by several more levels!"
"What!?"
Dugu Bo's face was filled with disbelief. He immediately placed a hand on her shoulder and concentrated.
Moments later, his eyes lit up.
"She really did reach Rank 40!"
Then, Dugu Bo suddenly turned to Qi Lin. "Little Qi Lin, since Yan Yan took one of the pills, you must have taken one too, right?"
"What rank is your soul power now?"
Qi Lin chuckled lightly, "Rank 60."
His martial soul hadn't changed at all—still the Four-Leaf Clover. But his soul power had grown significantly.
He suspected his soul power increase might've even exceeded Dugu Yan's.
After all, most of the pill's medicinal power had likely gone into evolving Dugu Yan's martial soul.
Yet strangely, his own martial soul hadn't changed in the slightest.
"Rank 60!?"
Dugu Bo, standing off to the side, couldn't help but swallow hard.
Sixtieth Rank at thirteen years old!
Goodness! Such talent had never been seen before!
Dugu Bo was certain—even legendary figures like Tang Chen or Qian Daoliu from decades past couldn't compare to Qi Lin.
If Qi Lin continued to grow like this, he might one day become…
A god!
With that thought, Dugu Bo's gaze toward Qi Lin became fiery with excitement. He secretly made a decision in his heart.
No matter what, I must make Qi Lin my grandson-in-law!
While Dugu Bo was lost in thought, Qi Lin took out a jade bottle containing the Creation Mending Pills.
"Senior Dugu, this bottle contains the pills I refined—eleven are left."
"My parents and a few close friends also need them, so I've taken six as my reward."
"The rest are yours—take one for yourself, and keep the others as heirlooms or gifts, however you like."
He then added, "But remember, the pill only works the first time."
With that, Qi Lin handed the bottle with five pills over to Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo accepted it, drew one pill out, and returned the rest of the bottle to Qi Lin.
"Haha, Little Qi Lin, if not for you, I wouldn't even be able to recognize half the herbs in that medicine garden, let alone get this miraculous pill."
"So I'll only take one. The rest are yours to deal with."
Qi Lin didn't stand on ceremony.
Seeing the returned pills, he cheerfully tucked them away and smiled. "You're very generous, Senior."
Dugu Bo laughed at his straightforwardness. He thought Qi Lin might decline politely—but he accepted without hesitation.
But to Dugu Bo, this simply showed Qi Lin's true character—and made him even more fond of the boy.
This kid really is the perfect choice for a grandson-in-law!