Douluo Dalu 2: Reincarnated as the Auspicious Beast

This was the largest store on the entire street.

A signboard inscribed with the three characters "Emerald Pavilion" hung under the eaves. A pair of swallows seemed quite fond of the place and had built their nest there.

Unlike the other buildings on the street, the Emerald Pavilion stood taller and appeared to have two floors from the outside. Its entrance lacked the vine-covered shade or street-side stalls commonly seen elsewhere.

Though it shared the same green roof and golden-brown walls as its neighbors, the colors of the Emerald Pavilion seemed richer, with a faint jade-like luster that exuded an understated luxury.

On either side of the grand entrance were flowerbeds brimming with vibrant blossoms. From within the purple flowers came soft chirping, and the blooms swayed as a few fuzzy, jade-green ducklings emerged.

"These are hatchlings of the Emerald Swan. We call them Emerald Ducklings," Wang Rui explained. "Their parents should be nearby."

The ducklings tilted their heads, curiously observing the visitors for a moment before diving back into the flowerbeds.

Huo Yuqing felt utterly charmed by their cuteness.

Wang Rui took a deep breath and pushed open the door. A rush of cool air, tinged with a faintly bitter and strange fragrance, wafted out.

The moment Huo Yuqing smelled it, her mind went blank for a second.

She felt as though she had suddenly been transported to a mountain valley bursting with flowers, the vitality almost overwhelming.

"So fragrant..."

Once her olfactory senses adjusted, the strange scent subsided, but it left her feeling mentally sharper.

Meanwhile, Wang Rui frowned, covering his nose with one hand while steadying himself on the doorframe with the other. He sneezed several times in a row before straightening up and rubbing his nose.

The interior of the Emerald Pavilion was cooler than the outside, effectively dispelling the sweltering heat of the summer sun.

The layout inside was straightforward. Opposite the entrance was a wide wooden counter, behind which a young woman had been seated. When she saw Wang Rui and Huo Yuqing enter, she quickly stood up with a warm smile.

Behind her was a row of intricate, multi-compartment herbal cabinets. Each drawer was labeled and fitted with a button, with arcane runes engraved into the side panels.

Huo Yuqing couldn't discern the exact material, but it didn't seem to be wood. She guessed it might be a soul device.

To the right of the counter was a narrow staircase leading to the second floor.

A faint grinding sound, "scritch-scritch," echoed in the quiet room, likely coming from someone upstairs.

Similar cabinets lined the walls on either side of the hall, their many small drawers creating an imposing presence. A small ladder rested against one of the cabinets.

The source of light wasn't obvious, yet the room was bathed in a soft and suitable glow. In several corners stood bird-shaped incense burners, gently emitting wisps of white smoke—the apparent source of the store's unique fragrance.

"Welcome!" The young woman behind the counter greeted them with a smile. "Are you here to buy elixirs?"

She was strikingly beautiful, her features radiating a perfect blend of brightness and restraint. Her fair skin was like polished jade, her long neck graceful, and her eyes exuded a gentle allure. Her wavy golden hair cascaded in front, adding to her poised elegance.

She wore a short, pale-yellow cross-collar blouse paired with a high-waisted, pleated lavender skirt. The contrasting colors gave her a refined yet lively appearance.

"We're not here for elixirs. I'm here to see Lu Mingyou," Wang Rui replied lazily, as if completely indifferent to her beauty.

The grinding sound stopped abruptly.

The young woman was visibly taken aback for a moment but quickly recovered. "You're looking for Teacher Lu? She's upstairs."

"I'll be right down," came a raspy female voice. It carried a peculiar cadence—soft and smooth yet textured with a gritty undertone.

A middle-aged woman descended the narrow staircase gracefully.

Her curvaceous figure was wrapped in a deep-purple silk dress embroidered with camellia patterns. Her hair, dark and voluminous, was styled into an elegant bun held in place by a camellia hairpin. On her wrist glimmered a violet jade bracelet.

Her movements were gentle and elegant, exuding an indescribable charm.

But her face—though strikingly perfect in its features—was marred by a large patch of purplish-red scarring that extended from her left cheekbone to her forehead.

Such a beautiful person... Huo Yuqing, unable to conceal her emotions, revealed a hint of regret.

Noticing her expression, Lu Mingyou raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "Sweet child, no need to pity me."

Realizing her thoughts had been seen through, Huo Yuqing awkwardly curled her fingers.

Lu Mingyou chuckled softly. "No need to feel embarrassed. I was born with this face and have seen plenty of malicious stares. Yours, filled with kind regret, is a rare one indeed."

She then turned to Wang Rui and offered a slight bow. "Greetings, Young Master Rui."

Huo Yuqing glanced sideways at Wang Rui, her suspicion about his high status deepening.

"There's no need for such formalities..." Wang Rui seemed a little awkward.

"You jest, Young Master," Lu Mingyou replied, her tone carrying a teasing hint. "What brings you to me today?"

"I'm here to crash at your place," Wang Rui said nonchalantly. Then, pulling Huo Yuqing forward, he added with a grin, "This is my friend, Huo Yuhao. He'll be crashing here with me. By the way, do you have any work he can do? He's a bit short on funds. Don't be fooled by his age—he's a spiritual-type soul master!"

"Spiritual type?" Lu Mingyou's eyes lit up with pleasant surprise. "How rare... Sweet child, would you like to learn alchemy from me? Spiritual types have a great advantage in this field."

She stepped closer to examine Huo Yuqing, checking her hands, lifting her chin, and gently tousling her slightly frizzy short hair.

"This child has suffered a lot..." Lu Mingyou murmured as if to herself. Then, as though entering a trance, she began listing herbs under her breath and moved toward the herbal cabinets.

"Occupational habit," Wang Rui quipped. "She's a healer and an alchemist—she can't help diagnosing everyone she sees."

As Lu Mingyou mumbled names of herbs, she wandered back behind the counter, moving the girl aside as if she were in the way, and started rummaging through the drawers.

"Do you two both plan to stay here?" the girl behind the counter asked helplessly, giving her teacher a glance before turning to look at the two guests. Her expression was friendly and curious. "There's a room upstairs, but only one has been prepared. You two...?"

"No need to trouble yourself. We can share a room," Wang Rui casually slung his arm around Huo Yuqing's shoulder, pulling her closer.

"Yeah, one room is fine," the girl muttered shyly, her ears turning bright red.

"Eh—hehehe~" TianMeng's eerie laughter sounded in her mind.

"Shall I show you the room upstairs?" the girl asked.

"You take him up first. I still have some things to discuss with your teacher down here," Wang Rui shook his head.

The girl nodded and led Huo Yuqing upstairs.

A wave of invisible spiritual power spread out, trembling as it sealed off the stairs, buzzing faintly. No matter what was said downstairs, it was no longer audible upstairs.

"Word from the Moonshadow Wolf Pack says you've found a human contractor... Is that the child from earlier?" Lu Mingyou, who had turned around at some point, now spoke with the respect owed to a superior, her tone earnest. "He's a good child, but his talent..."

"I know, I chose him for a reason," Wang Rui interrupted her, his golden eyes filled with an unyielding authority. "Do we still have Heavenly Water Pills? Give him one, and try to help him recover, but don't do it in my name—use the sect's name instead."

The Heavenly Water Pill was a refined version of the Mysterious Water Pill from the hidden sect of the Heavenly Dou Empire, Xuan Ming Sect, made from the blood of dozens of water-type soul beasts and high-quality water herbs. It was highly precious, gentler than the Mysterious Water Pill, and more effective at washing the marrow and nourishing the body.

"The Heavenly Water Pill is available," Lu Mingyou responded, slightly puzzled. "But you're caring for his emotions… Wouldn't it be better for him to remember your kindness?"

"I'm dealing with him as a friend right now. It's not the time for him to owe me too much," Wang Rui shook his head. "If he owes me too much, we won't be able to remain friends."

"Is that so?" Lu Mingyou nodded in understanding. "Has he joined the sect yet? Should we add his name to the list in Emerald City?"

"Not yet. You can try to win him over, but don't force him if he doesn't want to."

"You really trust this human, don't you?" Lu Mingyou's eyes showed a hint of disapproval.

"He carries hatred on his shoulders and wants to avenge his father. His father is Duke White Tiger from the Star Luo Empire." Wang Rui sneered. "Dai Hao represents the military power of the Star Luo Empire… I'm afraid Huo Yuhao doesn't want the sect involved in a personal grudge of such a scale."

"I see…" Lu Mingyou's expression softened significantly. "That child probably doesn't understand just how strong the sect is, right? A mere Dai Hao is nothing..."

The gentle woman seemed to have realized something. "That child has clear old injuries, combined with malnutrition. It's evident he was bullied at home… And he doesn't even share the same surname as Dai." Despite her youthful appearance, Lu Mingyou had lived for over a hundred years, so she quickly deduced what had happened to Huo Yuqing. A hint of contempt flashed across her face. "Duke White Tiger, so loyal, yet can't even manage his own household. Tsk."

"Also, get a recommendation letter from Shrek Academy," Wang Rui added.

"That's simple. A lord from the Douling Empire is currently in Emerald City seeking medical treatment for his young son," Lu Mingyou nodded. "Do you plan to go to Shrek with him?"

"Yes," Wang Rui said solemnly. "I've already received word that Shrek seems to be reneging on their agreement."

The woman's face hardened for a moment before her smile returned with a seductive edge. "Then I wish you a pleasant trip."