"Feng'er, you were the one who took the Fire Crystal from the soul beast king, weren't you?"
Dugu Bo stepped forward, his eyes full of curiosity.
"Yes, Grandpa Dugu."
Lin Feng pulled the Fire Crystal out of his soul tool and placed it before Dugu Bo.
Compared to the Fire Crystals from ten-thousand-year Flame Beasts, this one was noticeably larger and emitted a rich, deep crimson glow. The earlier crystals had traces of yellow mixed into their red—this one was purer, more potent.
"Grandpa, it wasn't just Lin Feng—it was also Uncle Lin. We got it together!"
"You have no idea how dangerous it was in that lava!"
"That Flame Beast King, dozens of meters long, charged straight at us. I was so scared I couldn't even speak."
…
Dugu Yan chattered excitedly, recounting the harrowing moments of their hunt.
"Thankfully, Lin Feng and I had our Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and Uncle Lin was with us too."
"Hahaha! Well done, Yan'er! That's my granddaughter!"
"I saw the wound on the Flame Beast King's head and figured it had to be your doing—looks like I was right."
"You don't know how funny it was watching that old Chrysanthemum try to guess whether there was some hidden fire-type Titled Douluo out there."
"Thinking back to his sour expression now still makes me laugh!"
Dugu Bo burst into hearty laughter, visibly pleased. Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to relax.
Lin Feng smiled faintly. The old man was clearly in a great mood.
Though it had all played out by coincidence, Lin Feng had still taken the Fire Crystal thanks to the diversion caused by Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
And Lin Feng was someone who always repaid kindness.
He always called him 'old man' sometimes right? Fine, I guess calling him 'Grandpa Dugu' permanently will do.
"Hehe, Grandpa, that's not quite right. Who said we didn't know?"
"Lin Feng stayed behind in the lava, waiting for you until he was sure you'd left safely."
Dugu Yan giggled as she nudged Lin Feng's arm, acting every bit the doting girlfriend trying to win favor with the family.
"Feng'er!"
Dugu Bo's eyes widened with surprise, moved to his core.
He was truly touched.
Lin Feng—a mere Soul Ancestor—had risked staying behind on a battlefield with multiple Titled Douluo just to make sure he was safe.
Even a biological grandson might not go that far.
Despite Lin Feng having a self-created stealth-type soul skill that made him hard to detect, it had still been extremely dangerous.
But he had done it.
At this moment, Dugu Bo felt a tightness in his chest and his eyes stung.
Just picturing Lin Feng silently waiting for him in the depths of the battlefield while he fought for his life—he couldn't put into words the emotion he felt.
An old man, warmed to his heart by the concern of a junior.
Lin Feng scratched his nose and said nothing.
Yes, it had been risky—but letting Dugu Bo know what he'd done was worth it.
What Lin Feng didn't know, however, was that Dugu Bo had already made a silent vow in his heart: even if it cost him his life, he would ensure Yan'er and Lin Feng lived safe, peaceful lives.
"Don't worry, Yan'er, Feng'er. Grandpa will protect you both."
His heart was firm.
"Feng'er, what do you plan to do with this Fire Crystal?"
"Will you keep it on you to enhance your cultivation insight and speed?"
"Or absorb it all at once to boost your soul power directly? That method could make your soul power unstable, though."
Lin Ye spoke up, diverting the topic. As Lin Feng's father, he was getting a bit jealous seeing how well his son got along with Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo, for his part, was also curious.
Both of them had already decided from the start that the Fire Crystal would go to Lin Feng. A child with such talent deserved to be nurtured at all costs.
As for Dugu Yan—
After years at Lin Feng's side, she had gained more from him than even her grandfather could've provided.
"Father, Grandpa, I've thought it through—I'll absorb it to raise my soul power directly."
"Even if it causes some fluctuation, my body can handle it."
Lin Feng answered without hesitation. He had already copied the trait [Fire Crystal].
Naturally, it was time to use it.
"Alright. Then I'll stay with Grandpa and keep watch for you."
Dugu Yan beamed, her face full of anticipation.
Then Lin Feng took out a Fire-Heart Seven-Leaf Flower from his storage pouch and handed it to Lin Ye.
"Father, this immortal herb can significantly enhance your flame quality."
"It might help you break through to Titled Douluo. While I'm absorbing the crystal, you should absorb this."
Lin Feng offered the plant with a calm smile.
"Hahaha! Then thank you, Feng'er! And thank you, Senior Dugu!"
Lin Ye's face lit up with joy upon hearing the herb's effect.
As for why he thanked Dugu Bo?
He glanced around the area. It was clear most of the rare herbs he and Lin Feng had eaten recently had likely come from Dugu Bo.
Naturally, gratitude was in order.
"Hahaha! No need for thanks—we're all family."
"Feng'er's knowledge of immortal herbs now rivals mine."
"But this little rascal has swindled me more than once, you know."
Dugu Bo chuckled, waving his hand.
He remembered how Lin Feng had given Dugu Yan an herb that transformed her physique and evolved her martial soul—even before knowing about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
It had probably been something from the Lin family.
Given Lin Feng's age, there was no way he'd acquired something that rare on his own.
With so many favors exchanged between the two families, they were long past keeping score.
The two men—Lin Ye and Dugu Bo—shared a smile, full of mutual appreciation.
Senior Dugu, we can only repay your kindness through Feng'er.
And you, Feng'er, have treated me and Yan'er better than anyone else could.
Their eyes exchanged all the gratitude their mouths didn't say.
"…What are you two doing?"
Dugu Yan looked at the pair, puzzled by their silent eye contact and emotional glances.
"N-Nothing!"
Both men averted their gazes in unison.
"Alright then, Feng'er. I'll take this for now."
Lin Ye accepted the herb and tucked it into his soul tool.
"Feng'er, go ahead and start absorbing the Fire Crystal."
"Clan Leader Lin, you do the same with your herb."
"Yan'er and I will guard you."
Dugu Bo composed himself and gave his instructions.
"Yes, Grandpa and I will keep watch."
Dugu Yan smiled brightly, happy to be of help.
"Thank you, Senior Dugu."
"Thanks, Grandpa."
Lin Feng and Lin Ye bowed respectfully.
After Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan left the room—
Lin Feng and Lin Ye entered separate chambers within Dugu Bo's wooden house and sat cross-legged to begin cultivation.
Lin Feng placed the Flame Beast King's crystal before him.
"System, copy trait [Fire Crystal], replace [Fire Immunity]."
He issued the command inwardly.
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