The old man let out a strange laugh as he slowly approached Meng Bei. Xiao Wu, frightened, immediately burrowed into Meng Bei's arms.
At this moment, Meng Bei did not dare to be careless. The fact that the old man had recognized Xiao Wu's identity indicated that he was most likely a Title Douluo.
As Meng Bei observed the old man's green pupils and the green hair hidden under his gray robe, he began to form a guess in his mind.
At that time, Tang Hao was hiding in the shadows, preparing a deadly strike. As soon as the old man got closer, with a single command from Meng Bei, Tang Hao would strike with his Great Sumeru Hammer, ensuring the old man would never return.
However, the old man didn't sense the danger approaching and continued to move closer to Meng Bei. Meng Bei placed one hand behind him, ready to signal Tang Hao to act. Suddenly, the old man's hoarse voice sounded:
"Not bad, not bad. This Soft Bone Rabbit will serve as your dowry for joining the Dugu family!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Bei froze, halting his movement.
[Ding! Side mission triggered!]
Side Mission: Poison Douluo's Attack
Title Douluo Dugu Bo wishes to forcefully take Shrek's team leader Meng Bei as his son-in-law. To protect Shrek's honor, please resolve this crisis properly.
Difficulty: Hard
Reward: Random Ten Thousand-Year Soul Bone.
[Ding! Side mission triggered!]
Side Mission: Xiao Wu's Identity Crisis
Xiao Wu's identity has been discovered by Title Douluo Dugu Bo. To protect Shrek's honor, please ensure Xiao Wu's safety.
Difficulty: Nightmare
Reward: True Blood of the Demon Emperor.
Meng Bei steadied his nerves and decided against making a move. He looked at Dugu Bo and, pretending to be unaware, asked:
"Senior, are you perhaps the Poison Douluo, the venerable Dugu Bo?"
Dugu Bo smiled and replied:
"Indeed, I am. But from now on, you will call me Grandfather-in-law!"
As he spoke, Dugu Bo grabbed both Meng Bei and Xiao Wu by their collars and flew off with them.
Meng Bei frowned but did not resist. He signaled to Tang Hao behind him to follow.
Dugu Bo likely didn't realize that if he hadn't said "joining the family... father-in-law…" too quickly, he would have already been struck down by Tang Hao's Great Sumeru Hammer, and the Soul Bone "Medusa's Gaze" would have fallen out.
Under the speed of a Title Douluo, it didn't take long for the four of them to fly from Heaven Dou City to the Sunset Forest.
Dugu Bo headed straight for the heart of the Sunset Forest, diving between two mountains and passing through the surrounding mists. Soon, they arrived at a newly-built manor.
Looking down from the mountains, one was as hot as fire, while the other was as cold as ice. Meng Bei and the others were situated in the valley between the two peaks, where the climate was balanced, making it a suitable location to build a manor.
Not far off, there was a deep valley. Meng Bei speculated that this might be the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, where the immortal herbs that would form the foundation of Shrek's Seven Monsters' rise were likely located.
Looking at the current Shrek Seven Monsters, aside from Tang San's twin martial souls, the others' talents were not particularly impressive. They were slightly stronger than ordinary geniuses, but their strength had clear limits.
For example, before consuming the immortal herbs, Meng Bei bet that Ma Hongjun's talent was 100% weaker than the younger generation of the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
It could be said that it was the immortal herbs that made Ma Hongjun and the Shrek Seven Monsters.
Now, however, it seemed that because of his involvement, the plot had changed. Tang San didn't come to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye; it was Meng Bei who came instead. Would the Shrek Seven Monsters still achieve the same feats as in the original story?
While deep in thought, Dugu Bo had already landed from the sky and released Meng Bei and Xiao Wu.
"Will you walk on your own, or should I carry you?" Dugu Bo asked, somewhat threateningly.
Seeing this, Meng Bei did not resist and calmly replied:
"Poison Douluo, I will walk on my own."
Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction and began walking ahead.
Meng Bei, still holding the frightened Xiao Wu, followed suit.
As they walked, Dugu Bo continued to remind Meng Bei:
"When you meet Yan Yan later, don't mention what I said earlier. She has a stubborn temper and probably won't easily accept my arrangements."
Meng Bei, hearing this, voiced his confusion.
"If that's the case, Senior, why must you insist on this? You should know I am already betrothed, and to…"
Dugu Bo interrupted him.
"Hmph, to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, right?"
Turning around, Dugu Bo coldly looked at Meng Bei and sneered:
"Accept your fate, kid. I've already investigated you thoroughly. Do you think I went to all this trouble to trick you out here for no reason?"
"Now that you're on my turf, even if Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo come together, I still have ways to deal with them. Give up on any hope of escaping!"
After speaking, Dugu Bo turned and continued walking, warning:
"Remember what I said. If you cooperate honestly, I'll let you temporarily keep this Soft Bone Rabbit. Once you or Yan Yan reach level 90, then I'll kill her. Otherwise, I'll kill her and take her bones right now!"
After that, Dugu Bo didn't fear Meng Bei escaping and walked ahead alone.
Dugu Bo was extremely confident; the valley was full of deadly traps. Where could Meng Bei escape to?
Meng Bei, seeing this, obediently followed with Xiao Wu behind him.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao closely followed in the shadows.
Soon, Meng Bei followed Dugu Bo into the manor in the valley. It resembled a small estate, not very large in size, but fully equipped, not unlike the noble estates outside.
In the courtyard, a purple-haired girl was practicing martial arts, punching and kicking a training dummy, seemingly honing her close combat abilities.
The girl quickly spotted Dugu Bo and the others, then ran over with a bright smile.
"Grandfather!"
Dugu Yan happily ran up to Dugu Bo.
"Yan Yan!"
Dugu Bo gently ruffled her hair.
Dugu Yan, somewhat reluctantly, pushed his hand away and pouted.
"Alright, Grandfather, I'm grown up now. Don't treat me like a child anymore!"
Just then, Dugu Yan noticed Meng Bei and Xiao Wu following behind Dugu Bo.
Since they had interacted before, Dugu Yan recognized them, especially Meng Bei, who had made a deep impression on her. Seeing him again now, she was delighted.
"Ah, Meng Bei, Xiao Wu, why are you here?"
"Eh? Xiao Wu, what's wrong with her? She seems a bit off."
Dugu Yan asked, puzzled.
Xiao Wu, who was still hiding in Meng Bei's arms, looked extremely timid.
Meng Bei, holding Xiao Wu and not letting go, calmly responded:
"Yan Yan, I was invited here by Poison Douluo. Xiao Wu isn't used to the environment here, but she should be fine after a while."
"Oh, I see."
Dugu Yan nodded, then glanced at Dugu Bo with some reproach, saying:
"It's all Grandfather's fault. Why do we have to live in such a strange place? Not only is it inconvenient, but now even our guests are affected. Sigh, I really don't know what to do with you."
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