Dugu Bo

To ensure that the age of the Third Soul Ring and the talent that was Master Xia remained undiscovered, Commissioner Meng Shenji decided to personally travel to Dragon Valley within Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan territory, capture a five-thousand-year Bone Dragon, and only then allow Xia Liang to absorb the Soul Ring at a secluded location in the academy.

Xia Liang was naturally willing. He had never even imagined that the academy would go to such lengths to conceal his extraordinary talent.

"Since it has been decided, we shouldn't delay. This old man will set out for Dragon Valley shortly to search for a Soul Beast."

As he spoke, Commissioner Meng Shenji rose to his feet and looked at Xia Liang. "Master Xia, wait patiently for my return over the next few days. All right?"

"All right. Thank you for your trouble." After replying, Xia Liang felt that he could no longer conduct his Whale Rubber business with the Shui Family in Skywater City.

Otherwise, if he was discovered, people would sooner or later connect his ability to absorb high-age Soul Rings with the benefits brought by Whale Rubber.

"Now that everything has been settled, may we adjourn? Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince?" Prince Xue Xing asked somewhat anxiously.

Xue Qinghe nodded. "Imperial Uncle, if you have urgent business, you may leave first. The same goes for everyone else. There is no need to be overly restrained. I still have matters to handle, so I will not be leaving."

Upon hearing this, Prince Xue Xing was the first to depart, followed by the Three Education Commissioners and Qin Ming.

Xia Liang was the last to leave. Just as he was about to close the office door, Xue Qinghe suddenly looked over and said, "Master Xia, come to the Imperial Palace when you have time. Your cooking is quite unique. I rather enjoy it."

"All right. When I have time, I'll make you some noodles." With that, Xia Liang closed the door and left.

Naturally, he would not refuse an opportunity to build a good relationship with Xue Qinghe. With Xue Qinghe backing him in the future, he would be able to get by anywhere, whether in the Heaven Dou Empire or Spirit Hall.

This meeting did not end until noon.

Ring, ring, ring.

The academy's dismissal bell rang.

The students streamed out from teaching areas such as the Mimetic Field, training grounds, and classrooms. Their destination was the same: the academy cafeteria.

Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the other seven members of the Imperial Fighting Team walked together.

Seeing the longing for the cafeteria on Dugu Yan's face, Yu Tianheng could not help asking, "Yan Yan, I heard that you and Master Xia were very intimate at the cafeteria entrance a few days ago, and it seemed like you had already kissed. Is that true?"

Not only Dugu Yan, but even Ye Lingling, who was walking beside her, was slightly stunned. Only Osler, Yu Feng, and the others pricked up their ears, eagerly awaiting Dugu Yan's answer.

"Who did you hear that from?" Dugu Yan looked at Yu Tianheng strangely.

Before Yu Tianheng could speak, Osler answered first. "It has already spread throughout our boys' dormitory. Yan, you didn't really..."

"You are all overthinking it. There is nothing between Master Xia and me. I do not even know his full name, so how could I possibly be intimate with him? And who exactly said that we kissed?" Dugu Yan shot Osler a vicious glare.

Osler waved his hands. "I do not know. I only heard it from others."

Just as the seven were gossiping, a deep voice suddenly rang out. "Yan Yan."

Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, Osler, and the others all turned toward the voice and discovered a Dark Green Haired Elder walking slowly toward them with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Grandfather!" Dugu Yan cried out as she ran over and threw herself into the Dark Green Haired Elder's embrace.

At that moment, Xia Liang and Prince Xue Xing, who had just finished the meeting, emerged from the entrance of the Principal's Building.

When Xia Liang saw the Dark Green Haired Elder reach out and pull Dugu Yan into his arms, he immediately understood. That elder was most likely Dugu Yan's grandfather, Dugu Bo.

No wonder he had sensed an inexplicable pressure the moment he came outside.

Halfway there, Xia Liang stopped and intended to take a detour. Yet his sudden movement immediately drew Dugu Bo's attention.

"Mr. Dugu, my deepest apologies for keeping you waiting. I have troubled you to make this trip with me." Prince Xue Xing suddenly said respectfully to Dugu Bo.

"We can discuss our matters later." With that reply, Dugu Bo kept his hands behind his back and walked toward Xia Liang.

Gradually, a pressure arose from nowhere.

Watching Dugu Bo approach step by step, Xia Liang once again felt small. The last time he had felt this way was when he encountered the Titan Snow Demon King in the Extreme North Land.

Dugu Bo stopped five meters away from Xia Liang. He said nothing, merely stood with his hands behind his back and stared coldly at him.

"Greetings, His Excellency Poison." Xia Liang struggled to cup his hands in salute. He felt as though he were about to suffocate. This pressure was immense; Dugu Bo was clearly directing it at him deliberately.

Dugu Bo had probably learned that Xia Liang had defeated Dugu Yan twice in cross-rank Soul Battles, so he wanted to give him a warning on behalf of his granddaughter.

"Boy, I heard that your Martial Soul's defense is very strong. Strong enough to ignore the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison of my clan. Is that right?" Dugu Bo's voice carried a hint of menace.

Xia Liang's expression turned ugly as he met Dugu Bo's gaze and shook his head with difficulty. "I would not dare."

"But why did I hear that you questioned whether my granddaughter's Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison was garbage?" Dugu Bo's voice carried even more pressure this time.

Xia Liang did not answer. His fists clenched tightly. He was currently enduring the mental pressure of a Titled Douluo; being able to respond with a few words without losing composure already showed exceptional mental fortitude.

"Grandfather!" Dugu Yan's sharp cry caused Dugu Bo to withdraw his mental pressure.

Only then did Xia Liang feel his entire body relax. He did not feel wronged, because facing Dugu Bo's pressure had always been an unavoidable part of his plan to obtain Immortal Herbs.

"The Ring Fusion and External Mixed Poison methods you told Yan Yan about are quite good. Since you could withstand my mental pressure, Yan Yan did not lose to you unfairly. The Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch is yours."

After saying that, Dugu Bo turned and left. When he passed Prince Xue Xing, Prince Xue Xing followed behind him with great respect.

This showed that Dugu Bo had not come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to visit Dugu Yan. He had come at Prince Xue Xing's invitation.

"Yan Yan, Grandfather is going on a long journey. I probably will not be back anytime soon. If you want to improve your strength, do not neglect your cultivation."

After giving that instruction, Dugu Bo asked, "You have remembered everything Grandfather taught you, right?"

"I remember. Grandfather, be careful while you are away." Dugu Yan spoke worriedly.

Dugu Bo nodded, then left together with Prince Xue Xing.

Only after Dugu Bo's figure had completely vanished from sight did Xia Liang's tense mind relax somewhat. Fortunately, his heightened alertness had focused his hearing, allowing him to clearly hear Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's conversation just now.

Dugu Bo was going on a long journey, and he would not be returning anytime soon.

During this period, Xia Liang could enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, eat Immortal Herbs, and soak in the hot springs.

Touching the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch hidden beneath his clothes, a vicious glint flashed through Xia Liang's eyes. He would consume the Ice-Fire Immortal Herb to improve his aptitude. Once he possessed the strength of a Peerless Douluo, he would impose mental pressure on Dugu Bo once as well, then ask him whether the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison was garbage.