Douluo Dao : Soul Archer: The Bow of Destiny

Dugu Bo stood at the edge of a high cliff, overlooking the grand cityscape of Heaven Dou Empire. His expression was unreadable, but the tightening of his jaw and the furrow in his brows spoke volumes about his thoughts.

He had come here with a singular purpose—to secure a spirit bone for his granddaughter, Dugu Yan. He had exhausted many means to find a suitable cure for the poison in their bodies, but even though Feng Xuan had alleviated their suffering, a spirit bone would still grant Dugu Yan long-term stability and potential growth.

His destination had been the palace of Xue Xing, the prince.

But he had been refused.

It was humiliating, in a way. Dugu Bo wasn't some ordinary spirit master; he was a Title Douluo, a figure of great prestige. But even that status meant nothing in the face of royal politics.

"Apologies, Senior Dugu," Xue Xing had said with a polite but firm smile. "Spirit bones are far too precious, even for someone of your status. The Empire has to prioritize its own direct bloodline."

The rejection had been swift.

Dugu Bo wasn't foolish—he understood that the royal family wouldn't simply hand over a treasure like a spirit bone. But a part of him had still hoped for an exception, given his service and strength.

Disappointed, he had left the palace.

But what truly weighed on his heart was not his personal failure.

It was his granddaughter.

While Dugu Bo had gone to the palace, Dugu Yan had gone to see Yu Tianheng.

She had always loved him. He was strong, confident, and a leader in their generation. But after what she had experienced recently—the discovery of her poison's true nature, Feng Xuan's help, and the realization that even the most powerful figures couldn't be trusted—she had begun to wonder.

She needed to know if Tianheng truly loved her for who she was… or if he only saw her as an asset.

So, she tested him.

She had sat with him in a quiet, moonlit garden in Heaven Dou City.

"Tianheng," she had begun, her voice softer than usual. "I need to tell you something important."

He had looked at her curiously. "What is it, Yan?"

She had forced a sad smile. "My body is suffering from a terrible poison. I won't live past thirty unless I obtain a spirit bone to stabilize it."

For a moment, Yu Tianheng had simply stared at her.

She had expected shock. Concern. Even desperation.

But instead—

He had gone silent.

And after that day, he had begun to distance himself from her.

At first, she tried to ignore it, hoping it was just his way of dealing with difficult news. But as time passed, his messages became fewer. His presence in her life slowly faded.

He didn't visit her.

He didn't try to comfort her.

He didn't even ask if there was another way to help.

And that was when she knew.

She had waited a few more days, watching as his avoidance turned into outright indifference. And then, finally, she had confronted him.

"Tianheng," she had said, standing before him with her arms crossed. "Let's end this."

His eyes had widened in surprise. "Yan, what are you saying?"

She had let out a bitter laugh. "I'm saying that this relationship is over."

He had opened his mouth as if to argue, but then he had hesitated.

And that hesitation was her final answer.

She knew that if he had truly loved her, he would have protested. He would have fought for her. He would have tried to convince her that they could find a solution together.

But instead—

He said nothing.

Dugu Yan had taken a deep breath, pushing down the ache in her heart. She refused to shed a single tear in front of him.

"I was hoping… you'd prove me wrong," she had whispered. "But I guess I was just a fool."

And with that, she had left him behind.

Her heart was broken, but her spirit was stronger than ever.

Now, she understood.

The people who truly cared for her weren't bound to her by love or blood.

It was an outsider—Feng Xuan—who had helped her when she needed it most.

And she would never forget that.

When Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo returned to their secluded home near the Yin-Yang Spirit Well, neither spoke for a long while.

The journey had been silent, filled with unspoken regrets.

Both grandfather and granddaughter had been betrayed in their own way—one by politics, the other by love.

As they arrived, Dugu Bo let out a long sigh, glancing at his granddaughter. "You did the right thing, Yan."

She forced a small smile. "I know. It still hurts, though."

He nodded. "That's the nature of life. People reveal their true selves when you need them most."

She chuckled bitterly. "Seems like the only one we can count on is ourselves."

But before Dugu Bo could respond—

A familiar figure emerged from the shadows of the forest.

Dugu Yan's eyes widened in surprise, and even Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow.

Feng Xuan had arrived.

His form flickered slightly as he used Spatial Blink, appearing just a few meters away from them. His long coat fluttered as he landed smoothly, golden eyes gleaming with power.

Dugu Yan immediately felt a strange sense of relief upon seeing him.

"Feng Xuan…" she whispered.

Dugu Bo crossed his arms. "Back already? Didn't expect to see you here so soon."

Feng Xuan exhaled. "I've finished my task in Star Dou Forest. I needed to return here to consolidate my gains."

He studied them for a moment, noticing the exhaustion and hidden sadness in their eyes.

"You two look like you've had a rough time," he remarked.

Dugu Bo let out a dry chuckle. "You could say that. Seems like we were both looking for help in the wrong places."

Feng Xuan didn't pry further, but Dugu Yan took a step forward.

She clenched her fists, looking at him seriously. "Feng Xuan… you were the one who helped me when I was at my worst."

She took a deep breath. "From now on, if you ever need anything—anything at all—just say the word."

Dugu Bo nodded solemnly. "Same here, kid. We owe you more than we can ever repay."

Feng Xuan was silent for a moment.

Then, a small, genuine smile formed on his lips.

"I'll hold you to that."

And from that moment on, the bond between them was no longer just one of gratitude.

It was a promise—one that neither time nor fate could break.