Seeing Dugu Bo Again, Ning Fengzhi's Worries, and Little Angel's Great Contribution

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the glazed tiles of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, weaving mottled patterns of light and shadow across the Bluestone Road.

Lin Yao had just finished absorbing his third Soul Ring. The Soul Power fluctuations brought by it had yet to fully settle, and his fingertips still seemed to carry the scent of the Ground Splitting Tiger from the hunt.

However, the matter of the Immortal Herbs weighed on his mind. It was crucial to improving the strength of those he cared about, so he hurriedly bid Chen Xin farewell.

As they parted, the longsword in Chen Xin's hand still reflected the sunset. A trace of approval flashed through Sword Douluo's eyes, but he said nothing, merely nodding lightly to permit Lin Yao's departure.

Lin Yao passed through the academy's tree-lined paths. The plane tree leaves beside the road rustled softly in the evening breeze.

His pace was hurried yet steady, every step containing the restrained Soul Power of a Soul Elder.

The passing students only felt a breeze sweep by, never realizing that this seemingly young boy already possessed strength on Heaven Dou's level.

Lin Yao had a clear destination: the small courtyard on the academy's western side where Dugu Yan cultivated, half-hidden beneath vines.

Before he even reached the courtyard gate, Lin Yao keenly caught two familiar Soul Power fluctuations.

One was gentle yet enduring—the power of Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia. It was continuously pouring forth, clearly driving a soul skill at full force.

The other carried traces of disorder and weakness. It belonged to Dugu Yan, and that Soul Power was mixed with a faint fishy sweetness, like a sign of toxin backlash.

Lin Yao's heart sank. His steps instinctively quickened, even stirring a faint current of air.

When he pushed open the door, it let out a soft creak, and the scene in the courtyard instantly came into view.

An unfinished cup of tea sat on the stone table in the yard, droplets clinging to its rim. Clearly, cultivation had been abruptly interrupted.

Ye Lingling stood beside the stone table, her forehead covered in fine sweat and her face pale as paper. Her hands formed seals as the yellow Soul Ring of the Nine Heart Begonia slowly spun beneath her feet. Strands of luminous white Soul Power, like silk threads, wound around Dugu Yan's body.

Dugu Yan, meanwhile, leaned weakly against a stone bench. Her long hair lay messily across her shoulders, and her once-rosy cheeks had become utterly bloodless, her lips tinged bluish-purple.

Her right hand clenched the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles white from exertion. A mouthful of dark, inky blood remained on the ground, its edges faintly jade-colored—the color of Jade Phosphorous Serpent Venom.

Her chest rose and fell faintly, every breath carrying a slight tremble. She was clearly enduring the agonizing pain of toxin backlash.

Lin Yao saw through the problem at once.

Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Venom had never had a vessel to contain it; her body had been forcibly bearing it all along. Recently, in order to keep up with him, she had cultivated more and more diligently, even progressing far beyond the original story.

Such reckless haste had ultimately pushed her body to its limit, giving the poison an opportunity to backlash.

If Ye Lingling had not been maintaining her soul skill beside her in time, Dugu Yan would likely have already fallen unconscious. Then the toxins would have invaded her meridians, damaging her foundation and leaving behind a lasting illness that would only become harder to resolve later.

Seeing the scene before him, Lin Yao remembered the agreement he had made with Dugu Yan half a year ago, and guilt rose in his heart.

He had promised to help her resolve her poison problem as soon as possible, but he had wanted to wait until after breaking through to Soul Elder so he could be more confident. That delay had stretched into half a year.

Now that he saw Dugu Yan in danger because she had pushed her cultivation too hard, his guilt deepened. He immediately stepped forward and said gently:

"Ling Ling, leave everything to me. Just withdraw your soul skill and rest."

Hearing his voice, Ye Lingling abruptly looked up. Surprise flashed through her eyes before being replaced by confusion.

More than half her Soul Power had already been exhausted, and even the hands maintaining her soul skill trembled faintly. Yet faced with this sudden situation, she was still uneasy after hearing Lin Yao's words:

"Yao, you're back? Hurry and find the teachers. Have them contact a Healing System Soul Saint, or invite Senior Dugu here. Yan Yan, she..."

Before she could finish, Ye Lingling froze.

She clearly sensed an even stronger yet equally gentle Soul Power radiating from Lin Yao's body.

It was the fluctuation of a Soul Elder.

Her small mouth fell slightly open, her eyes filled with disbelief. Even the Soul Power maintaining her soul skill nearly broke off.

Looking at Lin Yao's figure, she could not help murmuring inwardly, A Soul Elder? It's only been two days, and he already broke through to Soul Elder? He should only be seven this year!

It was not as though Ye Lingling had never seen geniuses before, but even Sword Douluo's Personal Disciple, taught by a Title Douluo, should not have been this monstrously gifted.

She thought of the renowned geniuses across the continent, yet none could compare with him.

One had to know that the Soul Elder threshold was no simple hurdle. Even that theoretical master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been stuck there for half his life.

Lin Yao's breakthrough speed was as effortless as eating and drinking. Even Ye Lingling, a girl of exceptional talent herself, felt somewhat inferior.

Lin Yao ignored Ye Lingling's shock and walked straight to Dugu Yan before sitting cross-legged in front of her.

He raised a hand and summoned his Martial Soul. The Star Sword instantly appeared in his grasp, its blade flowing with silver, green, red, and yellow light, corresponding to the powers of stars, wood, fire, and earth.

His fingers shifted slightly, and the three powers of wood, fire, and earth peeled away from the blade, turning into three gentle streams of air that circled in his palm.

These three kinds of Elemental Power possessed no aggressiveness whatsoever. Instead, they carried a warm vitality.

Wood nourished the meridians, fire gently dispersed the cold, and earth stabilized Soul Power.

Lin Yao mobilized the liquid-like Soul Power within his body and slowly injected these three forces into Dugu Yan.

His movements were incomparably gentle, afraid of aggravating Dugu Yan's injuries. His Soul Power control was precise down to every thread, nourishing her damaged meridians like spring rain while suppressing the restless Jade Phosphorous Serpent Venom.

Although the Tri-Element Power of the Star Sword could not compare to the Nine Heart Begonia in pure healing efficacy, it was gentle and comprehensive. It could suppress the toxin while conditioning the body, sparing Dugu Yan the agonizing cycle of destruction and restoration.

Lin Yao was now a level thirty-four Soul Elder, and his Soul Power was extraordinarily dense.

The three streams of Elemental Power poured into her without end, gradually relaxing Dugu Yan's tightly drawn body and greatly easing the pain on her face.

Ye Lingling's shock deepened as she watched.

She could clearly sense that Lin Yao's Elemental Power was not only suppressing the toxin, but also slowly repairing Dugu Yan's damaged meridians. The results far surpassed her expectations.

She withdrew the Soul Power of the Nine Heart Begonia and sat wearily on the stone bench, yet her eyes remained fixed on Lin Yao, filled with curiosity and admiration.

This top-tier Sword Martial Soul, famous for its offense at Heaven Dou Royal Academy in Lin Yao's hands, actually possessed such healing and restorative abilities.

Dugu Yan's consciousness gradually awakened from its haze.

She first felt a gentle warmth spreading through her body. That warmth dispersed the searing pain caused by the toxin, allowing her tense nerves to relax.

Then she slowly opened her eyes, and Lin Yao's focused profile entered her sight.

The boy's brows were slightly furrowed, his gaze serious. The Star Sword in his hand emitted a gentle glow, making his face especially clear.

Beside him, Ye Lingling watched her anxiously. Noticing that she had awakened from unconsciousness, a relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Ling Ling... Yao..."

Dugu Yan's voice was still somewhat weak, but she could already speak clearly.

She moved her fingers, wanting to prop herself up. Lin Yao immediately noticed and said softly:

"Don't rush. Rest a little longer. The toxin hasn't been fully suppressed yet."

Dugu Yan obediently lay back down. Feeling the gentle power continuously flowing through her body, warmth surged in her heart.

Looking at the two of them, a faint smile appeared on her pale face. Her voice was soft but sincere. "Thank you both."

"Yan Yan, it's good that you're all right."

Ye Lingling hurried forward and reached out to check Dugu Yan's pulse. Feeling that it was still weak but now steady and strong, she finally relaxed completely, a genuine smile appearing on her face.

Lin Yao also withdrew his Martial Soul. The Star Sword turned into points of light and vanished into the air. Rising to his feet, he dusted off his knees and said gently:

"Sister Yanyan, it was nothing."

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by an aged yet anxious cry: "Yan'er!"

Before the words had faded, the gate was violently pushed open, and an old man dressed in jade-green robes strode inside.

The old man was tall and thin, his hair streaked with white, yet he was full of vigor. His green eyes were especially sharp, like an eagle's. He was none other than Dugu Bo.

Though the Soul Power fluctuations around him were not fully released, they carried the distinctive pressure of a Title Douluo, making the air within the courtyard seem to congeal.

Seeing him, surprise flashed through Dugu Yan's eyes. She struggled to sit up. "Grandfather, why are you here?"

Dugu Bo quickly went to her side and carefully supported her arm, afraid of hurting her.

The instant his fingers touched Dugu Yan's wrist, he sensed the condition inside her body, including the remaining toxins and that gentle conditioning force.

He let out a breath of relief, pain evident in his voice.

"You foolish girl. I left a protective Soul Power mark on you. When I sensed the mark acting strangely just now, I hurried over."

As he spoke, Dugu Bo's gaze swept over the bloodstain on the ground, and a shadow passed through his green eyes.

He remembered his son and daughter-in-law. Back then, they too had died young from the backlash of Jade Phosphorous Serpent Venom, forcing him to witness his children die before him.

Now, seeing his granddaughter face the same crisis, pain stabbed through his heart.

Dugu Yan was only twelve years old, a genius who would soon break through to Soul Elder. She should have had a bright future ahead of her.

Yet she had to be bound by the poisonous inheritance of her Martial Soul, like dancing at the edge of a cliff, able to fall into the abyss at any moment.

However, recalling the specific condition he had sensed in Dugu Yan's body, a trace of confusion arose in him.

The toxin within her still existed, but it had been suppressed by an unfamiliar force. The damage to her meridians was also far lighter than he had expected, even much better than after his first outbreak, when he had spent more than a month sorting through his condition.

"So that's how it is..."

Dugu Yan understood why her grandfather had come. She tugged on Dugu Bo's sleeve, a guilty smile appearing on her face.

"I was too anxious during cultivation today and accidentally triggered a toxin backlash. Luckily Ling Ling and Yao were here. Otherwise, I definitely would have suffered terribly this time."

"Is that so..."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo lovingly stroked Dugu Yan's hair. His rough palm carried a warm touch as countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Then he turned his gaze toward Lin Yao and Ye Lingling, who stood nearby.

"Greetings, Poison Douluo."

Noticing Dugu Bo's gaze, Lin Yao and Ye Lingling offered their greetings at just the right moment, respectful without being servile.

This was not only because he was a Title Douluo, but also because he was Dugu Yan's grandfather. Their respect was both reverence for a powerful expert and courtesy toward an elder.

Dugu Bo looked at the young boy and girl before him. The sharpness in his eyes gradually softened as he said quietly:

"Thank you. Yan'er often mentions you at home, saying that you are her best friends. Now that I see you, not only are you young and promising, but you are also loyal and righteous. She chose her friends well."

"You flatter us, Senior Dugu."

Lin Yao spoke modestly, and Ye Lingling nodded as well. The paleness had not fully left her face, but she had recovered her usual cool demeanor, though her eyes now carried a little more warmth.

She had nearly exhausted all her Soul Power to save Dugu Yan just now. Though tired, she was relieved that her friend was safe.

Dugu Bo waved a hand and chuckled.

"How is that flattery? You protected Yan'er in a critical moment and helped suppress her toxin. I will remember this favor.

If you ever need help in the future, just say the word. There is no need to stand on ceremony with me."

In truth, Dugu Bo had already learned about Lin Yao and Ye Lingling. The first time he met Lin Yao had been in Sunset Forest half a year ago, though they had not been familiar then.

At the time, he had accompanied Dugu Yan to obtain a Soul Ring and personally witnessed this boy with Innate Full Soul Power suppress a several-hundred-year-old soul beast with the strength of a Soul Grandmaster, allowing Dugu Yan to obtain her Soul Ring smoothly.

Later, after Dugu Yan joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she would mention Lin Yao every time she returned home, telling him how exceptionally gifted he was and how he had begun to shine at the academy.

Not only did he possess two Thousand-Year Soul Rings beyond his age limit, but he could also contend with—and even suppress—students at the Soul Ancestor level.

At first, Dugu Bo had thought his granddaughter was exaggerating, but after sensing the vast, restrained Soul Power faintly emanating from Lin Yao today, he finally understood the truth of those words.

This boy was a peerless genius seen once in several thousand years.

As for Ye Lingling, Dugu Bo had long heard of her as well.

As the continent's foremost Healing System Martial Soul, the Nine Heart Begonia had few inheritors because of its inheritance restrictions, yet it possessed terrifying healing ability.

As the inheritor of the Nine Heart Begonia, Ye Lingling was exceptionally gifted and steady in temperament. Since she was close with Dugu Yan, she was undoubtedly an added layer of protection for her.

Listening to Dugu Bo, Lin Yao felt no pride. Instead, he remained clear-headed, knowing that bringing up the Immortal Herbs now would seem opportunistic. Thus, he did not take the opening and merely said softly:

"Thank you, Senior Dugu. If I ever need help, I certainly will not stand on ceremony."

Ye Lingling nodded as well.

Her nature was already cool and reserved, and she had now returned to her usual self. Yet her gaze toward Dugu Yan still carried concern.

Seeing Lin Yao's composed manner, Dugu Bo grew increasingly satisfied. Remembering the Tri-Element Power he had sensed in Dugu Yan's body just now, he asked curiously:

"Yao, I sensed the power of wood, fire, and earth inside Yan'er just now. You must have helped her, correct?

I remember that your Martial Soul is the Star Sword, known for its offensive strength. How can it release such gentle restorative power as well?

And your Soul Power strength is more than ten times greater than Yan'er's. You were both Soul Grandmasters before, so how could there be such a great gap?"

Dugu Bo's tone was probing, but he bore no ill intent.

Though he was a Title Douluo and somewhat solitary by nature, he was particularly cautious in matters involving Dugu Yan.

However, Lin Yao had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sword Douluo backing him. Dugu Bo did not wish to make an enemy of such a genius over a misunderstanding, which was why he asked so gently.

Lin Yao met Dugu Bo's gaze and answered calmly:

"Senior Dugu, I have already broken through to Soul Elder. My Soul Power quality has improved, so the effects of suppressing the toxin are somewhat better."

The moment those words fell, the courtyard became silent.

The smile on Dugu Bo's face froze. Shock filled his green eyes as he instinctively raised a hand and pressed it against Lin Yao's shoulder, sensing his Soul Power.

It was true. Those were indeed Soul Elder-level fluctuations, and his Soul Power was solid and condensed, far surpassing that of an ordinary level thirty-four Soul Elder!

Dugu Yan was stunned as well. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but she found herself speechless.

She had known Lin Yao for a year and watched him go from Soul Master to Soul Grandmaster in merely half a year.

Now, another half year had passed, and he had directly advanced from Soul Grandmaster to Soul Elder. This speed was so unbelievable that even she, a so-called genius, could hardly accept it.

Ye Lingling had already known, yet hearing it again still stirred waves in her heart.

She looked at Lin Yao, admiration flashing through her eyes.

A seven-year-old Soul Elder—there was likely no other such case in the entire history of Douluo Continent.

Dugu Bo took a deep breath before suppressing the shock in his heart. Looking at Lin Yao's young yet composed face, he could not help wondering, Does the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have too much confidence in its own strength, or are they really this careless? How dare they let such a genius move freely around the academy? Aren't they afraid Spirit Hall will set its sights on him?

What he did not know was that Lin Yao had been able to grow safely not only because of the protection of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sword Douluo, but also because a Little Angel had been quietly working in the shadows, helping him avoid countless dangers.

At that moment, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi stood by a window, holding a letter about Lin Yao in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed.

He had initially believed that Lin Yao was merely an exceptionally gifted genius who could grow into a Title Douluo comparable to Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, enough to safeguard the foundations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But Lin Yao's growth rate had far surpassed his expectations.

A seven-year-old Soul Elder, and one with two Thousand-Year Soul Rings and one Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Such talent already gave him the potential to become the continent's strongest.

He could completely become like the Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen from several centuries ago, supporting a transcendent force all by himself—or perhaps becoming even greater.

Ning Fengzhi felt both delight and concern.

He was delighted that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed such a genius, but worried why Spirit Hall had still not made a move.

Given Spirit Hall's methods, they would never tolerate such a genius being allowed to grow.

Yet they had delayed taking action. Was it because the internal reshuffling of power caused by Qian Xunji's death several years ago had not ended, or did they have another scheme?

Ning Fengzhi sighed softly and put away the letter. Other great powers feared that their disciples were not talented enough, while he was troubled precisely because his disciple was too talented.

Yet the unknown calm beneath the undercurrents left him deeply uneasy, though it could not shake his resolve.

No matter the price, he had to protect Lin Yao. Even if he had to abandon most of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's foundations, it would be worth it.

Of course, he did not possess a god's-eye view, so he naturally had no idea how terrifying the Little Angel's efforts on Lin Yao's behalf had been. She had cleared away an unknown number of troubles for him, revealing how precious her determination was.

It could be said that the Little Angel had made an enormous contribution by quietly working behind the scenes, allowing Lin Yao to grow safely without suppressing his talent.

Lin Yao had also accurately judged the Little Angel's personality, which was why he dared to run about so freely under the watchful eyes of Spirit Hall's massive power.

If he had not opened a path through the Little Angel's side and gained the confidence that Spirit Hall—a force possessing top-tier strength capable of crushing the entire continent—would not come down on him, Lin Yao would have been more cautious than anyone.