Senior Dugu, You're Not Dead, Are You?

"Senior jests. This Humble One has no connection to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Yu Cheng said calmly.

"This Humble One once joined Martial Soul Hall, but held no official post—merely a reserve member."

"As for my greatest backing now, it should be the Viscount of Heaven Dou Empire and Lord of Nuoding City."

Dugu Bo looked Yu Cheng up and down for a long while.

"Boy, joining a sect for shelter is nothing wrong in itself. Whether Martial Soul Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it's your freedom."

Dugu Bo patted Yu Cheng on the shoulder and said earnestly:

"But remember this one thing: once you enter a sect, it's as deep as the sea. Joining is easy, but getting out—that's hard."

Back when he became a Title Douluo, Martial Soul Hall had tried to recruit him.

He didn't want to be bound by rules, so he refused.

Later, by chance, he joined the Heaven Dou imperial family as a guest elder. Though he was free in name, sometimes he still had to act against his own will.

"Senior's earnest teachings—Yu Cheng will keep them engraved in his heart!"

Yu Cheng nodded heavily.

"Alright, I can't be bothered to mind you. Since you can't cure Yan Yan's snake venom, I'll send you back tomorrow morning."

Dugu Bo gazed into the distance.

Dark clouds rolled across the sky, heralding a violent storm.

"Boy, don't wander around tonight. No matter what strange sounds you hear, don't go out."

Dugu Bo gave this inexplicable instruction, then flew straight down the cliff.

Watching Dugu Bo's receding figure, Yu Cheng nodded to himself.

It seemed Dugu Bo was beginning to accept him; otherwise, he wouldn't have offered so many words of caution.

"Sigh, even becoming a Title Douluo doesn't let you do as you please."

Yu Cheng sighed inwardly.

"Indeed."

Youth Yu Cheng echoed.

"Back then, I only wanted to dissect a few death-row prisoners, but a bunch of old fossils blocked me."

"..."

Yu Cheng fell silent for a moment.

This guy was way too fierce.

Dissecting corpses was one thing, but he even wanted to study living people?

The Douluo Continent's mindset was very conservative. Youth Yu Cheng's heretical behavior would hardly be accepted by anyone.

Luckily, he was in the Shrek faction, where the teachers protected their own.

If he were in another force, he'd probably be judged an Evil Soul Master and thrown into Slaughter City.

"Bro, don't dwell on the past."

Yu Cheng looked at the steep cliff and couldn't help twitching his mouth.

"How am I supposed to get down now?"

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Main hall.

Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"Uncle Sword, according to what you said, Yu Cheng might be Dugu Bo's disciple?"

He set down the cup, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Correct."

Chen Xin nodded.

He carefully recalled the scene he'd witnessed atop the mountain. Yu Cheng's expression had been natural, not like someone being coerced by Dugu Bo.

Clearly, some relationship existed between the two.

"No wonder Yu Cheng can refine pills. That explains it."

Ning Fengzhi nodded to himself.

Then another question occurred to him, and he asked, "How did Yu Cheng come to know Dugu Bo? I heard that after arriving at the Royal Academy, he barely left his room."

Chen Xin thought for a moment. "I've heard Yu Cheng is on good terms with several members of the Imperial Dou Team. Dugu Yan is the team captain, so it was likely through Dugu Yan's introduction."

"Slap~"

Ning Fengzhi slapped the table, saying regretfully, "One move short. If only I had sent Rongrong to the Royal Academy earlier."

"In that case, should Rongrong's schooling be postponed?"

Chen Xin spoke up.

In his view, Ning Rongrong didn't need to deal with these interpersonal relationships.

He and Gu Rong were still in their prime among Title Douluo, able to shield the sect for decades yet. Let Rongrong remain a carefree little princess.

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, then said, "She still has to go. Making a few more friends is never wrong."

He stood up and walked to the window.

In the distance, dark clouds gathered, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling.

"Since the Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain, the continent has been peaceful for many years. But I always feel that in the shadows, a new storm is brewing."

Ning Fengzhi sighed.

Chen Xin nodded. "I hope the next generation grows up quickly."

Behind a pillar, Ning Rongrong quietly pulled her head back.

"Stupid Dad, actually trying to send me to school! And Grandfather Jian, he didn't even try to talk him out of it."

"Hmph, I'm not going to school. I haven't had enough fun yet."

Her eyes darted around, and an escape plan gradually took shape in her mind.

Crown Prince's Mansion, study.

Xue Qinghe sat in the main seat, two Title Douluo standing respectfully to the side.

"Are you certain that person was Chen Xin?"

Xue Qinghe asked again.

"Correct."

Ci Xue nodded affirmatively.

If he hadn't used his poison to conceal their tracks, they would have likely run straight into Chen Xin.

Xue Qinghe said doubtfully, "When did Yu Cheng come into contact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

She Long and Ci Xue exchanged glances.

"What are you looking at me for? His Highness is asking you!" She Long said, stiffening his neck.

Ci Xue spread his hands. "How would I know?"

Xue Qinghe watched the two shift blame onto each other and helplessly waved a hand. "You two elders have worked hard. Go rest for now."

She Long and Ci Xue were fine as enforcers, but asking them for strategic advice was truly a stretch.

"Yes."

They answered respectfully and left the room.

"So my teacher is a bit restless with the current situation."

Xue Qinghe walked to the window, looking at the distant dark clouds, his expression somewhat gloomy.

That Yu Cheng could refine medicine was something he had only recently learned.

And Ning Fengzhi's information network was so well-informed that he had likely planted people in Heaven Dou Academy.

Originally, Xue Qinghe had only wanted Yu Cheng to cultivate in peace.

He never expected that not only would the other party quickly break through to level twenty, but he would also attract the attention of major powers with his alchemy skills.

Lan Ba, Seven Treasure, Dugu Bo...

"It seems I need to increase my investment in Yu Cheng."

Xue Qinghe thought to himself.

Ever since she was young, anything she set her eyes on, no one could take away!

Night.

"Rumble~"

Thunder and lightning flashed across the sky as rain poured down in torrents.

Yu Cheng lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

The events of the past few days seemed more thrilling than everything he had experienced in the last eleven years.

Even Title Douluo had appeared four at once!

In the latter half of the night, Yu Cheng finally felt drowsiness creep in.

"Mm..."

"Ah...!"

He had just closed his eyes when he suddenly heard a pained groan, faintly discernible through the rainstorm.

"Damn, this weather! Could Dugu Bo's Snake Venom be acting up?"

Yu Cheng turned over and sat up.

"Buddy, do you have any way to treat his Snake Venom?"

Yu Cheng thought inwardly.

"No."

Youth Yu Cheng shook his head. "Unless you confess the effects of the Immortal Herb to Dugu Bo right now. But he might not believe you."

"Buddy, since Dugu Bo's Snake Venom originates from his bloodline, if I let some of his blood out, could it ease his suffering?"

Yu Cheng spoke aloud.

He and Dugu Bo had already built a certain level of trust; just washing his hands of it felt wrong to Yu Cheng.

Besides, even if the treatment failed, he could still score some presence in front of Dugu Bo.

"You mean the Blood Sacrifice Array?"

Youth Yu Cheng thought for a moment. "It's worth a try."

Yu Cheng nodded.

He went to Dugu Bo's room and knocked heavily on the door.

"Senior Dugu, you're not dying, are you?"