Ice and Fire Body Tempering, Heaven Dou Imperial Family Shaken

Sunset Forest, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Ha ha, this old man has finally broken through!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo abruptly opened his eyes. Feeling the vast, surging Soul Power within him—far greater than before—he could not help but laugh heartily.

In the distance, Ji Xuan had already stored most of the Immortal Herbs in the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch. Hearing the commotion, he turned to look at Golden Crocodile Douluo, whose aura had changed completely.

Ji Xuan walked forward and cupped his hands in congratulations. "Congratulations, Martial Uncle, on taking your strength another step further."

"Ha ha, Xiao Xuan, it is all thanks to you."

Golden Crocodile Douluo strode over to Ji Xuan and patted him on the shoulder.

He had been trapped at the peak of Level Ninety-Eight for many years and had thought there would be no further chance of a breakthrough in this lifetime. Who would have thought that this trip would bring him such a fortuitous opportunity?

"You flatter me, Martial Uncle." Ji Xuan smiled faintly. "Since you have successfully broken through, I should also make haste and refine the Immortal Herbs."

"Go ahead." Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded slightly. "With this old man guarding you, you can rest assured. I also happen to need time to stabilize my cultivation."

Ji Xuan nodded in acknowledgment and turned toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Only as he drew closer to the spring did Ji Xuan truly experience the terror of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Two utterly opposing extreme energies—searing heat and bone-chilling cold—constantly eroded his body.

An ordinary Soul Master would likely suffer severe injuries in an instant.

With a thought from Ji Xuan, the Power of Order quietly circulated, and most of the discomfort immediately faded. Though he could not resist it completely, he could now handle it with ease.

His current comprehension of the Power of Order was at roughly twenty percent. He could already break free from his reliance on his martial soul and directly manipulate basic Natural elements.

However, he still could not affect energy derived from soul skills.

He vaguely sensed that once his comprehension exceeded thirty percent, he might be able to glimpse the threshold.

Ji Xuan's gaze fell on the two Immortal Herbs growing beside the spring.

The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot—if picked and consumed together—could forge a body immune to all poisons.

Ji Xuan condensed wind blades in his right hand. With a flick of his fingertips, two sharp blades precisely severed the stems of the two Immortal Herbs.

This would reduce some of their efficacy, but it did not matter much to Ji Xuan.

Ji Xuan then manipulated the Wind element to blend the two Immortal Herbs together before sending them into his mouth without hesitation.

He took off his shirt and leaped into the center of the spring.

In an instant, alternating red and blue light flickered across Ji Xuan's body. The energies of ice and fire continuously washed through his limbs and bones, every impact bringing waves of piercing pain.

Thanks to his exceptionally powerful physique, this ice-and-fire tempering—something ordinary people could hardly endure—remained within his control.

Seeing Ji Xuan leap into the spring, Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes flashed with concern. But when he saw that Ji Xuan's aura remained steady, he relaxed. Immediately after, he found an open space to consolidate his new realm.

After that, Ji Xuan would briefly come ashore every two days to replenish his expenditure.

Whenever he thought of this, he could not help feeling speechless. Douluo Continent truly was the bottom rung of fantasy worlds—even a Title Douluo still had to eat.

Time passed, and a month went by in the blink of an eye.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, inside the training grounds' lounge.

Dugu Yan nestled against Yu Tianheng, her brows tightly furrowed as she clutched the corner of her clothes.

"Tianheng, my Grandfather hasn't returned for a month. In the past, he would come back to spend a few days with me after at most half a month, but this time..."

Yu Tianheng gently took her hand and comforted her softly. "Yanzi, why don't you ask the Heaven Dou imperial family for help? Your Grandfather is, after all, an Imperial Guest Venerable."

He paused, then added, "If there is still no news, I will do my best to ask my family for assistance."

"Thank you, Tianheng." Dugu Yan raised her head, gratitude in her eyes.

Seeing this, Yu Feng also spoke up to comfort her. "Vice-Captain, don't worry too much. Senior Dugu is a Title Douluo. What could possibly happen to him?"

The other team members nodded in agreement. "That's right, Vice-Captain. Yu Feng is right."

Though the usually aloof Ye Lingling said nothing, she lightly nodded as well.

Dugu Yan stood up and swept her gaze over them. "I understand. Thank you, everyone. I'll go find the Three Deans now."

Dugu Yan hurried out of the lounge.

Yu Tianheng watched Dugu Yan's departing figure and silently sighed, his brows knitting slightly.

Back then, in order to give him an advantage in the family competition, his Grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, had specifically sent him to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and told him to pursue Dugu Yan, using this to win over Dugu Bo.

After several years of effort, Dugu Yan had finally accepted his feelings not long ago.

But if something had truly happened to Dugu Bo... would Grandfather still support him being with Dugu Yan?

"Knock! Knock! Knock..."

The office door was rapped urgently.

"Come in."

An old man's voice came from inside the room.

Dugu Yan pushed open the door and entered. All three deans were present.

"Miss Dugu, what brings you here?"

The speaker was a moderately built old man with white hair and beard, his face glowing with health.

He was none other than the Dean of Academic Affairs, Meng Shenji. His martial soul was the Black Demon, and he was a control-type, eight-ring Battle Soul Douluo at Level Eighty-Five.

Beside him stood another very fat old man, the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Bai Baoshan. His martial soul was the Heavenly Star Furnace, and he was a defense-type, eight-ring Battle Soul Douluo at Level Eighty-Four.

The other old man had an ordinary appearance and average build. He was the Third Dean of Academic Affairs, Zhi Lin. His martial soul was the Azure Vine, and he was a control-type, eight-ring Battle Soul Douluo at Level Eighty-One.

All three of them turned their eyes toward Dugu Yan.

"Three Deans," Dugu Yan said with a slight bow, "my grandfather has been out of contact for a month. Could I ask you to help find him?"

"Senior Dugu?" Meng Shenji pondered for a moment. "How about this? We'll first seek an audience with Your Majesty."

"Thank you for troubling yourselves, Three Deans."

"Miss Dugu, don't worry too much. Senior Dugu is extremely powerful. Nothing should have happened to him."

After offering a word of comfort, Meng Shenji headed for the imperial palace with the other two deans.

Inside the Golden Palace of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Three Deans of the Royal Academy request an audience."

"Summon them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"By His Majesty's decree, the Three Deans of the Royal Academy are summoned to enter the hall and attend court!"

The three deans entered the grand hall.

"Three Deans, what important matter brings you here?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty." Meng Shenji spoke first. "Senior Dugu has not returned for a month, and Miss Dugu wishes to seek the royal family's aid in finding him."

After hearing the three deans' report, Xue Ye's brow furrowed deeply.

Dugu Bo was a guest venerable of the Heaven Dou royal family and their only Title Douluo. If anything had happened to him, the strength of the Heaven Dou royal family would suffer a severe blow.

After a moment of contemplation, Xue Ye said, "Mr. Dugu is a pillar of the empire. This matter must not be neglected. Dean Meng, I authorize you to mobilize the Imperial Guards to investigate, especially in Sunset Forest."

"This subject accepts the decree." Meng Shenji bowed as he received the order.

Xue Ye then looked toward Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin. "The two of you will coordinate the academy's forces and conduct a thorough search within the city and its surrounding areas. Report any clues immediately."

Xue Ye added, "Remember, this matter must be handled in secret. Do not spread word of it, lest it cause unnecessary unrest."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The three answered in unison, then immediately withdrew from the hall.