Chapter 44: Two Months of Gains

"Kid, are you sure you don't want me to see you off? Don't come crying to Yan Yan later." Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, his beard twitching as he glared at Ye Qiu.

"No need to trouble you, Senior."

Ye Qiu politely declined.

He couldn't let Dugu Bo get too close—if the little mouse noticed, things would get messy. To prevent Xiao Wu's identity from being exposed, the mouse might just kill the snake outright.

"Fine! But remember this, brat—if you dare to run after seeing my Yan Yan's body, touching and kissing her, don't blame me for not being polite!" Dugu Bo's expression darkened, and the nine-section jade snake on his shoulder hissed menacingly at Ye Qiu.

"Rest assured, Senior. Since I've signed that marriage contract, I will take full responsibility!" Ye Qiu wasn't some fickle playboy—he couldn't bear to be one.

With that, Ye Qiu didn't linger any longer. He waved to Dugu Bo, turned toward Notting City, and bid farewell. "Senior, send my regards to Sister Yan Yan. I'll be off now."

Dugu Bo watched Ye Qiu's departing figure with a satisfied smile. It seemed all his worries had been solved by this kid.

His snake venom was significantly alleviated, and his granddaughter's future was settled.

After standing there for a while, Dugu Bo turned and flew away.

It was time for him to study the poison pill in his body, so he could guide Yan Yan to replicate it and prevent her from ever suffering the backlash of snake venom.

On the road to Notting City, Ye Qiu felt completely refreshed. The scorching sun above couldn't even make him sweat, and the occasional breeze only made him feel more invigorated.

After consuming the Fiery Apricot Delicate Jade and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Ye Qiu's body had become impervious to extreme temperatures. Even poison no longer had a weakness to heat. Immunity to fire and ice was just basic.

Over the past two months, Ye Qiu had spent a quarter of his time traveling. He had ventured into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and, before Dugu Bo could torment him, successfully entered the "Immortal Herb Code."

By some twist of fate, he had also developed an ambiguous relationship with Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan. Under Ye Qiu's coaxing, she had become deeply attached to him.

Compared to Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan's mature body often led Ye Qiu into daydreams. Meanwhile, she frequently found herself flustered by the vivid images in her mind, causing her to threaten Ye Qiu with castration multiple times during her detoxification sessions.

However, when Ye Qiu jumped into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and remained silent for days, she grew so anxious that she lost her appetite and couldn't rest.

After Ye Qiu used his own blood to detoxify Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan's attitude toward him changed drastically. This eventually led to a game of push and pull between them—until Dugu Bo couldn't stand it anymore and schemed to force Ye Qiu into her room. Fortunately, Ye Qiu managed to resist at the last moment, only knocking on the door before being driven out by a splash of hot water.

Though he had come close to crossing the line, Ye Qiu chose to respect Dugu Yan and didn't rush things. If their love was destined, did it matter whether they spent every moment together? He was in no hurry.

However, precisely because of this close encounter, Dugu Bo clung to him like a leech, insisting that he become his grandson-in-law. Ye Qiu gladly agreed and "willingly" signed a marriage contract with Dugu Yan, officially making them fiancés.

Naturally, the beautiful snake took full advantage of this and wrapped her tail around him, showing him the true meaning of warmth and softness. Ye Qiu almost drowned in the pleasure. Anyone who had experienced it would understand—snakes were just as soft as rabbits, but with a cool, silky touch. Simply put, it was amazing!

Despite his passionate relationship with Dugu Yan, Ye Qiu didn't lose sight of his goals. He had no intention of copying her martial soul abilities. His own poison attribute was already strong enough, and storing Dugu Yan's poison in his venomous fangs was more than sufficient.

As for the Immortal Herbs, Ye Qiu had carefully picked them all—whether he recognized them or not—leaving behind only roots and small seedlings to prevent waste and keep them from being stolen by some sneaky kid.

Now that he was Dugu Bo's future grandson-in-law, whether Tang San could even find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was another question entirely.

During this break, Ye Qiu's cultivation had skyrocketed.

The Fiery Apricot Delicate Jade and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass mainly strengthened his body and granted immunity to all poisons rather than boosting his soul power. When he emerged from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had only reached Rank 33.

Later, he consumed the Autumn Water Dew, which enhanced his spiritual power instead of his cultivation.

But that wasn't a loss.

This herb gave him the ability to see through illusions and identify rare treasures at a glance.

After refining it, his barely trained Purple Demon Eyes advanced to the third realm, the Mustard Seed Realm. His spiritual power skyrocketed, and his "spider sense" became incredibly sharp. With these enhancements, even Qian Renxue's Angelic Roar wouldn't faze his venom.

His time in the Sunset Forest made him realize that, despite eliminating weaknesses like heat and noise, his Venom ability still had flaws.

Being stomped into a puddle of goo by soul beasts had taught him that his body's stability was lacking. It was too easy to get smashed apart.

To counter this, Ye Qiu set his sights on the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

Consuming it would grant him an indestructible body!

He just wanted his Venom form to be a bit tougher—to stop getting pierced and shattered by attacks.

What? Immortal Herbs shouldn't be consumed too frequently?

Ye Qiu had already eaten three. He didn't care anymore.

Soon, he absorbed the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

The result didn't disappoint—his Venom form was still flexible, but its resilience had drastically improved. Even if he fell from the sky, he wouldn't splatter. He'd still look somewhat human.

After consuming the herb, his cultivation, which had just reached Rank 33, shot up five levels, bringing him to Rank 38.

Eleven years old and already at this level—he was undoubtedly a prodigy!

After wandering for half an hour, Ye Qiu finally arrived at Notting City's gates.

Instead of heading directly to Notting Academy, he made his way to the Spirit Hall first. Having already visited the Spirit Temple in Heaven Dou City and secured his identity, he could even report to Spirit City if necessary. But for now, there was no need.

At the Spirit Hall, he collected his monthly stipend of 100 gold spirit coins before leisurely making his way toward Notting Academy, grabbing some food along the way and storing it in his soul tool.

Regarding soul tools...

Ever since seeing Tang San's Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, Ye Qiu had always wanted one.

Luckily, with Dugu Yan as his fiancée, she thoughtfully found several for him, letting him choose as he pleased.

He had to admit—living off a woman really was the way to go!

And this wasn't just any "soft rice"—it was big, soft, fragrant, smooth, and long-lasting.

Ye Qiu couldn't help but reminisce.

Handling the storage devices had been a delightful experience, but it paled in comparison to the feeling of Dugu Yan wrapping her tail around him. That silky, coiling sensation was unforgettable.

During their entanglements, he often wondered—if he actually went through with it, how many years would Dugu Yan be sentenced to?

Shaking his head, Ye Qiu cleared away those thoughts. He couldn't let himself get lost in pleasure.

Strength. Power. Only by growing stronger could he protect his people.

Before long, he arrived at Dorm Seven.