Duolou: Reborn with reality Pen

Eren walked calmly to the campfire and sat on a large stone. From his storage ring, he took out skewered meat, a small jar of soy sauce, and another of garlic sauce.

Across from him, Dugu Bo's eyes widened. His gaze locked onto those bottles with a hunger that could shame a starving wolf, his tongue unconsciously licking his lips.

Eren dipped the meat into the sauce and took a slow bite, savoring the taste as if deliberately taunting the old man.

"Mmm… now this," he murmured with satisfaction, "is what meat should taste like." He turned his eyes toward Dugu Bo. "Now… where was I? Ah yes. Your answer. Are you joining, or not?"

The Poison Douluo jolted as if waking from a trance. He scrambled forward and sat beside Eren, his hands trembling as his eyes refused to leave the sauce bottle. His breathing quickened like a man who'd found his long-lost lover.

"C-Can I really… get an unlimited supply of those sauces?" His voice quivered. "And… can you truly cure me, and my Yanyan?"

Eren gave a simple nod and handed him the sauce bottle without another word, taking another bite of meat as if the matter were trivial.

Dugu Bo clutched the bottle as if it were the most precious treasure in the world. "Don't misunderstand!" he added quickly, desperate to preserve his pride. "I'm doing this for my granddaughter. Otherwise, I would never bow to anyone!"

Eren's mouth twitched. "Granddaughter, hm? Judging by your expression, that sauce seems more important than your so-called principles."

The old man stiffened, unable to refute the truth.

"So," Eren continued, his tone calm and cold, "what is your answer?"

Dugu Bo hesitated only for a moment before he stood, straightened his back, and bowed deeply.

"Boss, from this day forth, I will be in your care! And… if possible, I want my Yanyan to join as well. If your organization can give her a better future than Spirit Hall, then I will trust her to you!"

Eren's gaze softened slightly. "No need for formality. Sit. Eat."

The old man obeyed without hesitation, grabbing a piece of meat and devouring it like a starved beast.

Eren flicked his wrist, and a jade storage ring flew toward Dugu Bo. The old man caught it reflexively, blinking in surprise.

"What is this?"

"Starter resources," Eren said casually. "Inside, you'll find all the sauce you could ever want, along with pills and elixirs to increase your soul power without side effects. There are also medicinal herbs for baths, these will enhance your physique and make it easier to absorb high-level soul rings."

Dugu Bo's hands trembled as he stared at the ring, his heart pounding wildly. Treasures beyond imagination, just casually handed to him!

"And that," Eren added calmly, "is only the beginning. Work hard. Contribute to the organization. There will be more."

Then, he set his skewer aside and slowly raised his hand. From his palm bloomed a lotus, a radiant, multicolored blossom glowing with sacred light. Two crimson rings emerged from the ground, hovering around him like twin suns.

The entire Yin-Yang Well seemed to hold its breath.

Dugu Bo's eyes went wide as his mind shattered under the weight of what he saw. "That… that… what… is…" His voice broke into incoherent murmurs.

"This," Eren said lightly, "is my martial soul. And as I told you, the ring holds herbs with the same essence. Absorb them completely, and your strength will rise beyond anything you thought possible."

The old man's lips trembled. His rings were full, but Yanyan still had a future. If Eren spoke the truth… it was priceless. He bowed again, his voice hoarse with gratitude.

"Thank you, Boss… for your generosity. My granddaughter and I will never forget the kindness of Black Lotus."

"Enough," Eren said calmly. "Come closer. I'll cure you now."

Dugu Bo obeyed without a shred of hesitation. The lotus floated between them, dazzling and serene. Its rainbow-hued petals pulsed with life, radiating divine power.

"Purify," Eren whispered.

Brilliant light exploded, flooding the Yin-Yang Well like a second sun. The poison that had ravaged Dugu Bo's body for decades disintegrated in an instant. Wrinkles smoothed, vigor returned, and his aura swelled with renewed life force.

When the glow faded, Eren withdrew his hand. The lotus dissolved into motes of light.

Dugu Bo opened his eyes slowly, and froze. The agony that had plagued him for decades was gone. His body felt light, his strength surged, and even his appearance looked years younger.

He stared at his hands, trembling, not from weakness, but from awe.

"This… this is…"

Eren had already picked up his skewer, taking another bite with an indifferent air.

"Your second life," he said simply.

Dugu Bo clenched his fists, his heart pounding with disbelief. He could feel it clearly, his soul power had surged to Rank 93. The bottleneck that had trapped him for years was shattered effortlessly. He was no longer the weakest among the Titled Douluo of the continent.

"This… this is real…" His voice trembled, filled with awe and a trace of fear.

Eren stood up, dusting his hands as if the miracle he had performed was nothing more than a casual gesture. His crimson eyes flicked toward Dugu Bo, cold and sharp.

"Don't you dare bow again. It's cringey," he said flatly.

The Poison Douluo froze mid-motion, his old habits checked by the chilling authority in Eren's voice.

"I'm leaving," Eren continued, his tone calm yet commanding. "I'll send someone with the medicine. Within a month, your granddaughter's poison will be fully purged. There's no need for your anxiety to eat you alive."

Before Dugu Bo could respond, the space around Eren rippled. His figure blurred, then vanished without a trace, as though he had never been there.

The old Douluo stared at the empty spot for a long time, his breathing uneven. Then, slowly, he looked down at his hands, strong, steady, brimming with vitality.

A dry laugh escaped his lips, rising into a manic chuckle that echoed across the Yin-Yang Well.

"What… what kind of monster have I joined?"

His laughter faded into a whisper.

"Yanyan… your future… is secured."