100 powerstones! Thank you guys. I hope we reach 100 again next reset or 150 even.
Anyways here's your bonus chapter
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"Then it's settled—you can't go back on your word."
With Aether's confirmation, Xue Qinghe felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart.
Paimon's story had shaken the obsession he'd been harboring, making his resolve waver. Now that he thought about it, perhaps he'd been too narrow-minded.
Since he couldn't travel the continent alongside him, then he would focus on accomplishing what he had already planned—only better.
He had witnessed everything that happened in the auction hall. In hindsight, many of Aether's actions could have been resolved in far more effective ways.
By abolishing the aristocracy from the root of legislation, he could create a society where people were no longer divided by rank or birth.
And if there was anyone who both had the power and authority to implement such sweeping reform, it would be the emperor of that nation.
Aether loved helping people. He cherished the harmony and kindness of the human world.
Then, once he became emperor, Xue Qinghe would work to make that vision a reality.
And when Aether returned one day, he would be able to hold his head high—not feeling the least bit inferior—shouting his name aloud and sharing all he had accomplished.
He would show him a different version of himself and say, proudly:
"I'm strong too."
Aether nodded gently in response. A promise made would be a promise kept.
With Xue Qinghe's "commission" accepted, the mood in the private room once again became lively.
Most of the conversation was Xue Qinghe and Yu Keke bombarding Aether with questions about his travels, while Paimon excitedly animated every tale with flair.
Knock knock~
After some time, two knocks echoed at the door. Yu Keke, who had been slouched over the table, perked up and ran to open it—only to find it was the same elderly man from earlier, the one looking for Aether.
Hearing the noise, Aether looked up. Outside the door stood only Dugu Bo—no one else.
Did he not find his granddaughter?
As if to answer Aether's unspoken question, Dugu Bo stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said,
"Milord… I deeply apologize for keeping you waiting."
Watching Aether's expression carefully and seeing no change, he continued bitterly,
"My granddaughter has gone to Soto City. The journey from here to there takes some time… I'm afraid she won't be able to return right away. I beg you, milord, please grant me another chance…"
He was about to kneel, but Aether waved his hand casually, stopping him in place.
This man, one of the continent's peak powerhouses, was willing to go to any lengths for his granddaughter.
In his past life's memories, Tang San had used the excuse of detoxifying poison to trick Dugu Bo into getting his trust. He had then claimed the entirety of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for himself—leaving not a single blade of herb behind.
The Immortal herbs within that treasure trove were divided among the Shrek team, while Dugu Bo didn't even get a taste.
Though Tang San ultimately cured his poison, Dugu Bo ended up as little more than his errand boy.
To repay Tang San's grace, he even blew up his soul bones in the final battle against the Spirit Hall, risking everything just to improve Tang San's chances.
This seemingly sinister old man, whose venomous aura made him feared far and wide, was in truth someone deeply loyal to those he cared about.
"Soto City… then she should be back soon."
Thinking of the old man's ultimate fate stirred a rare trace of sympathy in Aether.
"I—I asked her academy's head instructor. Apparently, she's already been in Soto City for over twenty days…"
Dugu Bo looked uncertain.
According to the instructor, their group might return soon—or they might be delayed. He dared not make assumptions in front of someone like Aether.
So he pressed on,
"Milord, I shall depart at once and search for my granddaughter along the route. I earnestly beg for a little more time."
He had come here first to apologize, and second to explain the situation. If there was still a chance, he would immediately set out toward Soto City, without rest or delay, to bring his granddaughter back.
Aether shook his head.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo's face turned ashen. Despair washed over him as he murmured,
"Is the Dugu bloodline truly cursed by the heavens…?"
"Old man, I haven't even met your granddaughter yet. Why the long sigh? What if I can cure her?"
"Huh? Milord, you mean… you're willing to wait until I bring Yan Yan back?"
Dugu Bo couldn't believe what he was hearing. This request had seemed unreasonable even to himself, and yet this mysterious figure was granting it.
"Not quite."
"Milord, please… don't tease me like this…"
His emotions were a roller coaster.
"I mean you don't have to go get her. She'll be back in a day or two anyway. I'll wait."
Aether laid it out directly.
He hadn't meant to play with him earlier—he just wanted to give Dugu Bo a small lesson, a bit of karmic feedback for what he'd blindly sacrificed in another life.
As for why Aether knew Yan Yan would return soon—it was because her appearance in Soto City had been arranged by her academy instructor, Qin Ming, who had taken them to visit his teacher at Shrek Academy under the pretense of academic exchange.
Later, the Heaven Dou Royal Team would be defeated by Shrek—because Tang San had chemically countered Yan Yan's venomous martial soul, leading to their crushing loss.
This defeat, and Tang San's ensuing offer to detoxify Yan Yan, was what entangled Dugu Bo with him in the first place, and eventually allowed him to claim the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"Understood, milord!"
Dugu Bo answered immediately, no longer questioning how Aether could possibly know Yan Yan's travel plans.
Anyone he called milord was surely someone with unfathomable insight.
And now that this being had agreed, even if Yan Yan didn't return in the next two days, he believed Aether wouldn't go back on his promise.
"Old man, your love for your granddaughter is admirable—but ignoring your own poisoning has caused trouble for my companions…"
In the short time Dugu Bo had been inside the private room, the stench of snake venom had once again permeated the air.
Xue Qinghe, bolstered by his soul power, was unaffected. But poor Paimon and Yu Keke were not so lucky.
The two had huddled together in the corner, their tiny heads pressing into each other's shoulders to block the foul odor from their noses.
"I… I've wronged you, milord…"
Dugu Bo scanned the room and instantly understood. He added quickly,
"Milord, I'll take my leave for now to deal with it…"
Though unintentional, his presence had indeed been disruptive. With that, he prepared to depart.
He had always relied on his vast soul power to resist the backlash of his venomous martial soul. His body constantly exuded a faint reptilian stench—but never this strong.
Today's unusually intense odor stemmed from his anxiety before Aether and his worry over his granddaughter's fate, which destabilized his spiritual control over his martial soul. The resulting toxin overflow had effectively turned him into a walking bioweapon.
_
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