On that very same day, a different story was unfolding elsewhere.
A group set out from Suotuo City, steadily making its way toward Heaven Dou City.
The group was sizable, with twenty or thirty teachers and students in total. They were the entire former Shrek Academy, along with the teachers and students of the Royal Fight Team.
Shrek Academy was planning to join the Royal Academy as a whole.
During their previous match at the Soul Arena, the Royal Fight Team had lost to the Shrek team. Tang San's performance in particular had been dazzling—five of them had faced seven opponents and still won.
The Royal Fight Team had been thoroughly humiliated, and many of its members were unwilling to accept the merger of the two schools.
But the teachers had already made their decision. No matter how dissatisfied the students were, they had no room to argue.
Everyone knew that once they returned to Heaven Dou City, the Royal Fight Team would most likely face dissolution and reorganization.
Dugu Yan was especially resentful. During the match, Tang San's Eight Spider Lances had devoured her snake venom and even injured her snake tail. For someone as proud as her, it had been utterly humiliating.
"Poison arts must not be insulted" was the creed of the Dugu family. This battle had left her with an abysmal impression of Tang San.
She secretly calculated that once they returned to Heaven Dou City, she would tell her grandfather, Dugu Bo, everything and have him stand up for her.
If she had the chance, she even wanted her grandfather to secretly intervene and ruin the merger between the two teams.
Thus, the two groups, each harboring their own thoughts, set out for the Heaven Dou imperial city.
Perhaps due to Ye Feiyang's indirect influence, Tang San, who should have spent around half a year cultivating in Suotuo City according to the original course of events, decided to leave after only a little over three months.
Ever since Xiao Wu had left, he had thrown all his energy into cultivation, progressing at an astonishing pace.
The protagonist's halo was quietly at work as well. After absorbing his third soul ring and the Eight Spider Lances, his Soul Power had now reached level 35.
Yu Xiaogang was extremely satisfied with Tang San's current state. He even secretly thought, Had I known Xiao Wu leaving would give him such tremendous motivation to cultivate, I should have found a way to separate them long ago.
Just as the group reached the middle of their journey, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared.
The newcomer was covered in dust, with travel grime still clinging to his clothes. It was obvious that he had been rushing for days without much rest.
This person was none other than Dugu Bo, who had hurried from the Yin Yang Well in desperate search of his granddaughter.
After leaving Falling Moon Forest, he had searched nonstop along the main road. Heaven rewarded his efforts, and he had finally caught up with the group.
Dugu Bo landed directly in front of the convoy, firmly blocking its path.
"Who are you? Why are you blocking the road?" the coachman at the front shouted.
He knew the carriages carried people of status, so he deliberately raised his voice louder than usual, trying to sound more confident.
Dugu Bo could not be bothered to waste words on him. He directly released the pressure of a Titled Douluo—the coachman was instantly crushed to the ground by the overwhelming force, unable even to raise his head.
Only then did the people in the carriages realize that they had encountered someone they could not afford to provoke.
Dugu Yan lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out. The moment she saw Dugu Bo ahead, a delighted smile appeared on her face. "Grandfather! Why are you here?"
She rushed over in a few quick steps and threw herself into Dugu Bo's arms, whining through tears, "Wuwu~~ Grandfather, your granddaughter has been bullied..."
The smile that had just appeared on Dugu Bo's face vanished instantly, and his tone turned grave. "Yan Yan, tell Grandfather quickly. Who bullied you?"
Before Dugu Yan could speak, everyone in the carriages had already climbed down.
Qin Ming was the first to cup his hands in greeting, his tone respectful. "Your Majesty Poison Douluo, why are you here? Did you come specifically to find your granddaughter?"
Then, he introduced the people from Shrek Academy to Dugu Bo.
Flender and the others hurried forward to pay their respects. "So it is Your Majesty Poison Douluo. Please forgive our earlier offense, Your Majesty."
Dugu Bo had no interest in their empty pleasantries. His gaze returned to Dugu Yan. "Yan Yan, who did you say bullied you just now?"
Dugu Yan raised her head and pointed at Tang San, her voice filled with grievance and anger. "Grandfather, it was that Tang San! Not only did he humiliate me in public, he even used poison to suppress the inherited poison arts of our Dugu family! Grandfather, you have to stand up for me..."
At that moment, Dugu Yan was still the same proud and willful young lady.
With Dugu Bo as her support, she lifted her chin and looked arrogantly at the people from Shrek Academy, her face full of smug satisfaction.
Tang San's expression darkened the moment he heard her complaint, and his impression of Dugu Yan worsened further—someone with such character was not worthy of becoming his teammate at all.
So what if he was a Titled Douluo?
Tang San had already carefully observed Dugu Bo and noticed certain clues from him.
Combined with the issues on Dugu Yan's body, Tang San believed he had the capital to negotiate.
Suppressing the anger in his heart, he calmly raised his head to meet Dugu Bo's gaze. His tone was neither servile nor overbearing. "Your Majesty Poison Douluo, it was a fair match at the time. Your granddaughter lost and is now making false accusations. As a Titled Douluo, are you also going to disregard right and wrong?"
Yu Xiaogang was also someone who dared to speak and act. He immediately stepped forward in agreement. "Your Majesty Poison Douluo, the facts are indeed as my disciple says. I trust that, as a senior, you will view this matter fairly..."
After hearing this, Dugu Bo merely gave a cold laugh—fairness? In his eyes, there was no such thing as "fairness."
Flender broke out in a cold sweat and cursed inwardly, Are these two insane? They actually dare to talk about fairness with a Titled Douluo?
He hurriedly tugged at Yu Xiaogang's and Tang San's sleeves, signaling for them to stop talking before they provoked Dugu Bo further.
The ridiculous part was that Yu Xiaogang and Tang San did not understand Dugu Bo's temperament at all—he had never cared about bullying the weak with strength. As long as someone bullied his granddaughter, he would never let it go.
Tang San was fearless because he had a trump card: he knew how to resolve the poison backlash afflicting Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
He did not believe the other party could refuse such temptation.
Without the slightest fear, Tang San walked up to Dugu Bo and spoke slowly. "Senior Dugu, don't you want to know how to resolve the trouble caused by the poison backlash in your body...?"
He had expected Dugu Bo to be shocked, but after waiting for a long time, he received no response.
When he looked at Dugu Bo again, he saw only a cold sneer on the latter's face.
The next second, a crisp slap rang through the area—
Slap!
"This slap is to teach you a lesson for disrespecting a Titled Douluo, and it is also the price for bullying my granddaughter..." Dugu Bo's voice was icy. "As for what you said about helping us solve our problem? A brat like you dares to boast here? Besides, I do not need your help at all..."
Compared with a greenhorn like Tang San, Dugu Bo naturally trusted Ye Feiyang more—after all, the abilities Ye Feiyang had displayed before were far beyond anything Tang San could compare to.
Tang San was sent flying several meters by the slap, his face filled with fury and unwillingness.
He had thought he had nothing to fear, which was why he had dared to speak those words publicly. He had never expected Dugu Bo not to take the bait at all. This time, he had completely overplayed his hand!
He struggled to step forward and argue, but Flender held him back tightly. "Little San, don't act rashly! Do you want all of us to accompany you in angering a Titled Douluo?"
Those words instantly woke Tang San up, forcing him to calm down.
He secretly glared at Dugu Bo and snorted inwardly. Since you refuse to appreciate it, then wait for the poison backlash. One day, you will come begging me!
Dugu Bo was focused on taking Dugu Yan to the Yin Yang Well, but he had not forgotten what Ye Feiyang had asked of him.
"Which one is Ye Lingling? Come out," he called toward the crowd.
Ye Lingling, who had been lowering her head and trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, was suddenly called out. She was immediately dumbfounded—she did not seem to have done anything wrong, did she?
She timidly walked out of the crowd and asked softly, "Your Majesty Poison Douluo, what do you need me for?"
Dugu Bo looked her over and replied calmly, "Someone wants to see you. Come with me."
Then he looked at Qin Ming. "Are you the teacher leading the Royal Fight Team?"
Qin Ming had been too terrified by the pressure of a Titled Douluo to speak earlier. Hearing the question now, he nodded quickly. "Y-Yes! Your Majesty!"
"Very good. From today onward, my granddaughter Dugu Yan and this Ye Lingling are withdrawing from the Royal Fight Team." Dugu Bo announced in a tone that allowed no objection.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling froze at the same time, their faces full of confusion. "???"
After saying that, Dugu Bo did not wait for Qin Ming to respond. He directly took the two of them into the air, and they soon vanished from everyone's sight.
The people left behind looked at one another, none of them knowing what exactly Poison Douluo intended to do.
Yu Tianxin watched Dugu Yan being taken away without even having time to say goodbye, his heart filled with disappointment—he had liked Dugu Yan for a long time and had thought the merger would give them more chances to interact. He had not expected her to leave the team just like that.
The group was deeply frustrated but had nowhere to vent it. They could only reorganize the convoy and continue toward Heaven Dou City.
Yu Xiaogang's mood was not quite as bad—now that Dugu Yan, who had clashed most with Tang San, was gone, there was one fewer obstacle to the merger. He even felt it was a good thing.
"Little San, a blessing may be hidden within a misfortune. Don't take temporary gains and losses too seriously." Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder in consolation. "If you want revenge, then work even harder at cultivating. You need to become stronger."
Although Tang San was still burning with anger, he knew now was not the time to act impulsively. He could only nod sullenly and silently mark down this debt in his heart.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan, who had been forcibly taken away, finally could not help asking, "Grandfather, why did you make Lingling and me withdraw from the team?"
"It would be one thing if I withdrew, but how could you decide for Lingling so casually?" Her tone carried a trace of dissatisfaction.
Dugu Bo shed his imposing manner and revealed a kindly smile. "Yan Yan, don't worry. Grandfather has his reasons."
"I found you a good teacher. Once you meet him, you will definitely like him."
He turned to Ye Lingling, who had remained silent beside them, and asked casually, "Girl Ye, you do not blame this old man for making the decision for you without permission, do you?"
How could Ye Lingling dare speak her true thoughts? She could only answer in a low voice, "N-No, I don't blame you, Your Majesty..."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "See, Yan Yan? Girl Ye has no objection, so stop complaining."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes in anger—who would dare say they had objections after Grandfather asked like that?
"Grandfather, you're too much. I'm not talking to you anymore!" She turned her face away, pretending to be angry.
Dugu Bo sighed softly, his tone full of helplessness. "Ah, you child. Grandfather has truly worried himself sick over you..."
Thinking about how he had practically packaged up his entire herb garden and given it to Ye Feiyang, Dugu Bo's heart ached. Still, he pretended to remain calm. "It's fine if you do not understand now. Once you meet that person, you will know to thank Grandfather."
Ye Lingling was like a helpless little lamb. She had not been involved in any dispute, yet she had been dragged into all of this. Still, she did not dare say a word and could only silently follow Dugu Bo as they flew toward the Yin Yang Well.
At the same time, over at the Yin Yang Well.
Ye Feiyang settled his several disciples and told them to cultivate here in peace and strengthen their bodies.
As for himself, he left with Xue Qinghe and found a quiet place amid the mountains and waters. The two strolled through the woods, listening to the murmuring stream. It had a charm of its own.
Xue Qinghe rarely had such peaceful leisure, and she greatly enjoyed the atmosphere of being alone with Ye Feiyang.
She was the first to break the silence, asking softly, "Feiyang, do you have something you want to tell me?"
Ye Feiyang raised his brows at that, a crafty smile appearing on his face. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? Aren't you the one who has something to tell me? Do I have to bring it up first?"
Xue Qinghe paused, then remembered that she had hinted before leaving that she wanted to discuss something important.
After thinking for a moment, she finally made up her mind. "Feiyang, were you serious about what you said before?"
"You mean taking you as my disciple?" Ye Feiyang asked directly.
"Yes. I want to know whether you were joking at the time." Xue Qinghe stared intently at Ye Feiyang, her eyes earnest.
Ye Feiyang put away his smile and answered seriously, "Of course I was serious. And I told you before that I would make you 'so happy you'll take off flying.' I was not lying about that either."
"I imagine you've seen the changes in my disciples. Their progress is obvious to anyone."
Xue Qinghe had investigated Ye Feiyang before and had also learned about his disciples—their rate of improvement was nothing short of astonishing. Even Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er, who had only recently joined him, were visibly growing stronger.
She took a deep breath, as though making a major decision. "Actually, I've thought about this for a long time. I've been struggling over whether I should be honest with you."
"But I'm also worried that, after learning the truth, you'll draw a line between us..."
"Some things are beyond my control. I did not deliberately mean to hide them from you. I value our friendship very much. You can feel that, can't you?"
After hearing her out, Ye Feiyang nodded lightly.
He knew Xue Qinghe was laying the groundwork for the confession to come, but he felt that she was being far too roundabout.
He gazed at her with deep eyes and said nothing, quietly waiting for her to continue.
"Y-You have to promise me that after you learn my secret, you won't distance yourself from me because of it, okay?" There was an almost imperceptible plea in Xue Qinghe's voice.
Ye Feiyang secretly found it amusing. Her words actually carried the delicate charm of a young woman.
He cooperatively nodded, then said something shocking. "I promise that even if you are the young mistress of Spirit Hall, I will not distance myself from you."
The instant those words came out, Xue Qinghe froze in place.
Her pupils contracted slightly, disbelief filling her eyes as she asked in a trembling voice, "Y-You... how did you know?"
Ye Feiyang looked at her with a half-smile, his tone teasing. "What do you mean, how? You've been hemming and hawing like some little girl, taking forever to get to the point."
"How about I say it for you? Qian Renxue, young mistress of Spirit Hall, inheritor of the Angel God, Bibi Dong's biological daughter, and also my future sixth disciple..."
"Well? Was I right? Do you need me to add anything else?"
"Little Xue, stop spacing out. Hurry up and show your true form so your master can admire your real appearance."
He maintained a gentle smile the entire time, trying his best not to make her feel unfamiliar or frightened.
But Qian Renxue was already completely stunned, her beautiful eyes opened wide.
She had never imagined that the secret she had agonized over whether to reveal had long been known to him!
She shakily raised a finger and pointed at Ye Feiyang. "You... who exactly are you? How do you know all this?"
Ye Feiyang reached out and caught her finger, his tone relaxed. "I have no special identity. If I have to name one, then I'm the person about to become your teacher—are you willing to accept that identity?"
"Little Xue, trust me. I am not your enemy, and I will not disrupt your plans. Besides, if you become my disciple, I will treat you well." His voice softened, carrying a soothing warmth.
Those words interrupted Qian Renxue's urge to continue questioning him and even stirred a faint warmth in her heart.
He had always known her identity? Yet he had never shown anything unusual?
He said he would treat her well—what kind of well did he mean?
He had freely given her pills and Immortal Herbs before, and he truly had treated her well. But was he really so certain she would agree to become his disciple?
Qian Renxue's heart was in complete turmoil. She could no longer deliberately suppress her emotions for the sake of endurance as she had before. Just moments ago, she had gathered her courage to reveal her identity, but now it seemed entirely unnecessary.
If it had been anyone else, upon learning her identity, she would probably already have been planning how to silence them forever.
But when facing Ye Feiyang, she felt faintly happy instead—at last, she would not need to wear a mask or struggle over whether she should confess.
A golden light suddenly flashed over Qian Renxue's body. When it faded, her figure changed, revealing a peerlessly beautiful face—she chose to return to her female form, which was exactly what Ye Feiyang had hoped for.
Moonlight fell upon her, outlining her graceful figure.
Ye Feiyang quietly watched her as a gentle breeze blew past, stirring her skirt.
The spring breeze seemed not to understand human propriety, lifting the hem of her skirt and revealing a stretch of long, beautiful leg.
Ye Feiyang instinctively stepped forward and pulled her skirt back down for her.
"Why did you pull my skirt?" Seeing his movement, an absurd thought suddenly surfaced in Qian Renxue's mind: was this man trying to take off her skirt?
Ye Feiyang paused, then explained frankly, "I saw the wind lifting your skirt, so I helped press it down."
"Don't you need that?" As he spoke, he deliberately lifted her skirt again.
Qian Renxue instantly had the urge to kill him—just moments ago, she had secretly been pleased, thinking her beauty had captivated this lecherous old pervert. Yet this man had actually put his hands on her directly, utterly ruining the mood!
She slapped Ye Feiyang's hand away and retreated two steps, her tone carrying annoyed embarrassment. "Stay right there. Don't come any closer!"
Ye Feiyang obediently stopped, but his gaze openly traveled over her from head to toe—what kind of "bird person" was Qian Renxue? She was clearly a breathtaking beauty...
Qian Renxue had an exceptionally tall figure, standing around one meter eighty. Her waist-length golden hair swayed in the wind, dazzlingly radiant.
The Six-Winged Angel mark between her brows was clearly visible. Beneath it were a straight nose and full lips, her features so exquisite that one could not help wanting to lean close and steal a kiss...
Below her long, fair neck, she wore a ceremonial golden gown woven with gold thread. The skirt fluttered in the wind, occasionally revealing a section of her pale leg and stirring wild thoughts.
It had to be admitted that Qian Renxue possessed a nearly flawless golden ratio in her figure. Even the way she walked carried the elegant rhythm of lotus flowers blooming beneath each step.
At that moment, she slowly walked toward Ye Feiyang.
The two stood facing each other. Fortunately, Ye Feiyang was one meter eighty-five tall, or he truly would have been overshadowed by the tall Qian Renxue.
Seeing Ye Feiyang looking her over like that, with even a hint of fascination in his eyes, Qian Renxue secretly smiled. A trace of mischief flashed through her gaze. "Feiyang, am I beautiful?"
Before you continue