Chapter 30: Everything is Settled
"It's exactly what you're thinking," Snow Empress replied.
"This... it's too precious, I can't accept it!" Ah Tai shook his head, trying to hide the desire in his eyes. This was the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Ice Marrow! With it, he could safely overcome the 300,000-year heavenly tribulation and live for another 100,000 years!
"Take it. It's a gift," Snow Empress didn't give Ah Tai a chance to refuse. "While I'm away from the Extreme North, protect the people here!"
"I won't let you down, Snow Empress!" Ah Tai lowered his massive head in respect. When he looked up again, Snow Empress had already vanished.
Ah Tai smiled wryly, stored the Cold Ice Marrow safely, and walked back into the ice cave.
...
Splash!
The sound of water breaking echoed at the bottom of the well. Du Bushi opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them as a smile spread across his face.
"Finally out."
A black figure shot up from the well, stopping ten meters above the ground. It was a 'youth' standing at 1.8 meters tall, bare-chested, with two small dragons, one red and one blue, coiled around his arms. His back was adorned with dragon wings, transitioning from red to blue, which flapped gently, creating a faint sound of wind and thunder.
"Alright, enough showing off. There's no one else here. Get down and put on your clothes!" Du Bushi laughed and scolded.
Du Qianjue opened his eyes, his handsome face full of embarrassment.
"I'm not showing off! I just woke up from deep meditation and wasn't fully awake!"
"Yeah, sure," Du Bushi replied dismissively, tossing a white robe to Du Qianjue.
Du Qianjue felt his molars ache. For the first time, he regretted some of his past actions. What had he taught this old man?
"Granduncle, how long did I sleep this time during deep meditation?" Du Qianjue asked casually while dressing.
Wait, why did I say "again"?
"About nine months?" Du Bushi rubbed his chin, estimating the time. He had been cultivating himself, so he hadn't noticed the passage of time much.
Du Qianjue was speechless. He had spent three months in deep sleep for ice and fire tempering, two years for merging with the Chaos Dragon King Spirit, and now another nine months in deep meditation. It seemed like he had slept through three of his eleven years! Given that he couldn't cultivate before six, half his life had been spent sleeping!
Second coming of Tianmeng Iceworm? Becoming stronger through sleep? If others knew, they would be green with envy.
Du Bushi also realized this, giving Du Qianjue a peculiar look.
"You kid, from awakening your spirit at six to now at eleven, you've slept for three years and become a Soul King? Why didn't I have this luck back then?"
Du Qianjue coughed awkwardly. It wasn't something he could control. He didn't want to sleep all the time! It made him feel like a second Tianmeng Iceworm!
"Alright, since you've gained the benefits and ended your deep meditation, let's head back," Du Bushi said.
"Okay. Has Xue'er returned?" Du Qianjue asked.
He had seen the note Xue Linglong left, knowing she went to face her tribulation. Despite knowing she had the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Ice Marrow to help, he couldn't help but worry. In Douluo, tribulations for soul beasts were like divine punishment, not a test for growth.
"No, she left about half a year ago. She should be back soon," Du Bushi shook his head. "From her expression before leaving, she seemed confident. Don't worry too much."
Du Qianjue knew Xue'er was confident because of the Cold Ice Marrow, making it nearly impossible for her to fail. But he still worried about his wife!
Du Bushi gave Du Qianjue a crooked smile, looking somewhat disdainful. What's so good about women? At such a young age, being troubled by emotions, even if this woman was the stunning Snow Empress, it was too early!
"Alright, go inform the Dragon Gate's master, then we'll head back to the Body Sect. I miss home too," Du Bushi said, grabbing Du Qianjue by the collar and dragging him to the Dragon Gate's main hall.
Nan Shui Shui, busy with sect affairs, stood up quickly to greet them upon seeing Du Bushi.
"Greetings, Body Title Douluo!"
"There's no need for formalities. My great-grandson has finished his training, so we'll be leaving," Du Bushi said.
"Won't you stay a bit longer? We haven't properly entertained you yet," Nan Shui Shui offered politely.
Du Bushi almost rolled his eyes. Did you really want us to stay longer? He didn't want to call her out on it.
"No need, maybe another time," Du Bushi shook his head. "If you ever get the chance, you're welcome to visit the Body Sect."
"Certainly!" Nan Shui Shui bowed.
Du Bushi, still holding Du Qianjue by the collar, left the Dragon Gate, ignoring his reluctant expression.
Soon, a green light fell on the Body Sect's main hall, revealing Du Bushi's calm demeanor and Du Qianjue's dazed face.
Who knew if Du Bushi was playing a prank, but the shield's occasional gust of wind felt like sitting in a wind tunnel, slapping Du Qianjue's face constantly.
Du Qianjue instinctively sucked back the drool at his mouth, glaring at Du Bushi with resentment.
"Well, since we're back, go and do your own thing. I need to check with Jinpeng if anything major happened in the sect," Du Bushi coughed awkwardly before disappearing.
What else could Du Qianjue do but forgive this old trickster?
"Sigh!" Du Qianjue sighed, spreading his dragon wings, flying towards his courtyard. It was his first time truly flying on his own since gaining the dragon wings. He usually relied on Du Bushi or Xue Linglong for long distances.
Now, flying alone, he couldn't help but get lost in the thrill. The Body Sect disciples below looked up enviously at their young sect master, proud of his new external spirit bone.
After a long while, Du Qianjue finally landed in front of his courtyard, only to see Xue Linglong waiting for him with a teasing smile.
"Cough, Xue'er, you're back?"
(End of Chapter)
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