Chapter 123: Reunion
Du Busi gave Du Qianjue a strange look, particularly looking at the hand Du Qianjue had around Xiaoxiao's slender waist, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating. Aren't you afraid that the snow Empress will be jealous? Also, isn't she this young lady from Shrek Academy? How did you take her like that?
Du Busi didn't say a word, but his eyes seemed to communicate everything he was thinking. Just by looking at him, Du Qianjue could understand what he meant to say.
"Ahem, great-uncle, let me introduce her," Du Qianjue cleared his throat with a cough and gestured with a fist to his lips, "This is Xiaoxiao, a former student at Shrek Academy. She has withdrawn and wants to join our Body Sect."
"I've already agreed to Xiaoxiao joining us."
"Is she a native martial soul? I remember her soul being used as a cooking pot, wasn't it?" Du Busi circled around the two, smacking his lips thoughtfully.
"While I'm happy to poach from Shrek, she isn't a native soul, which doesn't quite fit with our sect's rules. This puts me in a difficult position."
Hearing Du Busi words, Xiaoxiao's expression turned somewhat somber, her arms tightening around Du Qianjue's waist. Du Qianjue squeezed Xiaoxiao's waist gently, signaling her to relax.
Du Busi wasn't really against taking Xiaoxiao in; he just wanted to see what trick Du Qianjue would pull to convince him. This was the first time he had seen Du Qianjue wanting to recruit someone into the Body Sect, especially someone without a native martial soul.
As for whether someone without a native soul could join? Du Busi 's stance was clear: as the sect leader, he had the final say.
"Yes, Xiaoxiao isn't a native soul," Du Qianjue acknowledged openly.
Du Busi nodded, his face clearly saying, 'continue, I'm listening.'
"But she has a twin spirit."
"?" Du Busi 's eyes widened, a question mark practically appearing above his head.
"Come, Xiaoxiao, show our great-uncle your second soul." Du Qianjue looked down at Xiaoxiao.
Nodding, Xiaoxiao extended her right hand, and a crystal-clear green flute appeared in her grasp. Beneath her feet, a hundred-year soul ring also appeared.
Du Qianjue, observing the yellow soul ring at Xiaoxiao's feet, couldn't help but feel a bit regretful. The advantage of having twin spirits was being wasted by Xiaoxiao, a true pity.
"Xiaoxiao, until your Three Lives Soul Cauldron reaches Titled Douluo level, let's not add any more soul rings to your Nine Phoenix Dirge Flute," Du Qianjue instructed.
"Okay, brother, I understand," Xiaoxiao nodded obediently.
"Brother?" Du Busi's eyes widened even further. Playing pretty clever, aren't you? Aren't you really afraid that the Snow Empress will chop you up?
"Alright, great-uncle, stop teasing. Haven't we said that joining our Body Sect makes us all family?" Du Qianjue shot Du Busi an annoyed look. "Since we're family, what's wrong with her calling me brother?"
"Ah right, right." Du Busi responded half-heartedly.
Seeing Du Busi's skeptical look, Du Qianjue felt a headache coming on. Ever since he opened the door to Du Busi mischievous capabilities, his ability to irritate had skyrocketed. And Du Qianjue found himself unable to do anything about it.
"Xiaoxiao, you go back to the Body Sect with my great-uncle. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be able to accompany you back," Du Qianjue said as he enveloped Xiaoxiao in his soul power, sending her towards Du Busi .
Du Busi protectively wrapped his soul power around Xiaoxiao.
"Brother, when will you return?" Xiaoxiao asked, her voice tinged with reluctance.
"I'm not sure, it could be a few months, or even a few years," Du Qianjue shrugged. "I'm going to travel around the continent. When I finish my travels, I'll return."
Xiaoxiao nodded silently.
"Then I'm off, goodbye." Du Qianjue waved his hand, and once again, a pair of ice and fire dragon wings appeared on his back. Even the gold coin-level nine flying soul guidance device that Ye Yu Kong had burst out was strapped to his body.
Brilliant streaks of light cut through the sky, leaving a long trail behind.
"Little lady, let's go too," Du N Busi otDie said gently to Xiaoxiao.
"Yes, Sect Leader." After Du Qianjue left, Xiaoxiao became noticeably more reserved. Du Qianjue had briefly mentioned Du Busi to her, telling her about his relationship with Du Busi and his status within the Body Sect.
Curious, Xiaoxiao had asked about Du Busi's cultivation level.
Du Qianjue had replied with four words: "Level ninety-nine."
Such a realm was unimaginable for Xiaoxiao; a level ninety-nine extreme Douluo was a legendary figure. Facing such a powerful figure, how could Xiaoxiao not feel nervous?
"Ha ha, no need to be so formal. Since you recognize Qianjue as your brother, then you can call me great-uncle too," Du Busi laughed heartily.
Blinking, Xiaoxiao sweetly called out, "Great-uncle."
This delighted Du Busi immensely. From when Du Qianjue was small until now, he had never really experienced the feeling of taking care of a child or had that elder-looking-over-a-younger one sensation. Instead, it was a strange mix of being both a teacher and a friend.
But the pure grandparent-grandchild affection he felt from Xiaoxiao, Du Qianjue's adopted sister, truly warmed his heart. Du Busi was immensely pleased with his new-found grand-niece.
It should be said, Xiaoxiao was quite sharp-minded, evident from how in the original story, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong apprenticed under Mu En, and Xiaoxiao cleverly took the opportunity to apprentice under Xuan Zi. Whether Xuan Zi was a qualified master or not, the fact that Xiaoxiao had a level ninety-eight backing was undeniable.
Although her willingness to call Du Busi 'great-uncle' was mainly because of Du Qianjue, it was enough to show her cleverness.
In great spirits, Du Busi took Xiaoxiao on a ride using his extreme Douluo skills, tearing through space for travel. While Du Qianjue could also perform this trick, the distance from Star Luo City to the northernmost lands was too great.
Long-distance space tearing, frankly, was not as fast as using his wings and flying soul guidance device. The teleportation step that Xiu Xuan Zi used when he came out was only good for showing off; for actual travel, flying was necessary.
The scenery gradually changed from hills to plains, and from plains to plateaus. When a hint of silver appeared on the horizon, Du Qianjue knew they had reached the northernmost lands.
That hint of silver was the outskirts of the Frozen Forest.
Du Qianjue didn't stop, even increasing his soul power output to his wings and flying soul guidance device. The perennial clouds above the northernmost lands were torn open by the airflow driven by Du Qianjue.
Because Du Qianjue made no effort to conceal his aura, Snow Linger, who was always at the core of the northernmost lands, detected Du Qianjue's approach immediately. With a flash, her tall, slender figure appeared in the air.
The streak of light that was Du Qianjue paused in front of Xue Linger, his handsome face breaking into a smile.
"Xue´er, I'm back."
(End of Chapter)