This crushing defeat was a sobering splash of cold water, but also the beginning of their true growth. From then on, the Heaven Dou Team trained as if their lives depended on it.
Their second collision came at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, on the preliminary-round stage.
When the two sides met again, neither was the same as before. The battle was far more intense than their first encounter. The Heaven Dou Team showed astonishing resilience and growth, and their tactical execution and teamwork had visibly improved...
Seeing this, Dugu Yan relaxed a little. It seemed that learning from humiliation really did help.
[But in the end, the ones left standing were, of course—Shrek Academy Team.]
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, lakeside.
"..." Dugu Yan nearly choked.
Ye Lingling sighed softly too. So the protagonist's team really was invincible?
[Only after these two rounds of "tempering" did the team truly transform from the academy's star team into a formidable unit of steel. Their pride gave way to composure, Dugu Yan's poison techniques grew even more unpredictable, and their teamwork reached perfection. Though the road to the championship was bound to be arduous, they had absolutely earned everyone's respect.]
[Glory is worth protecting, but there's no need to fear failure. Sometimes, losing to the "protagonist team" isn't shameful; it's a necessary step on the path to becoming stronger. I'm still pretty optimistic about this team's future—after all, being a major supporting backdrop twice is a sign of strength in its own right.]
[That's all I know about the "Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team." We'll have to wait and see what the future holds.]
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, lakeside.
The diary's final line faded away, but the air seemed to freeze.
"Supporting backdrop... Supporting backdrop..."
Dugu Yan stared at those three words, fire burning in her jade-green eyes. Her teeth ground together with a sharp click.
"Shrek Seven Devils... Tang San... Fine. I'll remember you! You want to use us as stepping stones? Dream on!"
Her chest heaved, and a powerful surge of indignation and fighting spirit seemed ready to burst out of her.
Twice! The diary said they would lose twice! And lose miserably! That was even harder to accept than being told outright that she was weak.
Ye Lingling gently placed a hand on her friend's trembling shoulder. Her cool voice held the calm of someone who saw things clearly. "Yanzi, at least we know now. We know who our opponents are, where the gap lies, and... what path to take after a defeat."
Her gaze shifted to the lake. "Seeing the ending in advance may not be a curse. It could be an opportunity."
Shrek Academy, girls' dormitory.
"Wow! We're really that amazing in the future! We even beat Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team twice!" Xiao Wu jumped up excitedly, her ponytail flying high.
Ning Rongrong's lips curved into a smile, a hint of sharpness showing through her refined, young-lady elegance.
"Looks like we'll have to work even harder. We can't let the title of 'protagonist team' go to waste."
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, merely nodding slightly. A sharp glint flashed through her cool, catlike eyes.
The name "Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team" had already been firmly etched into her list of opponents.
Blue Tyrant Academy, Courtyard Seven.
Yu Tiancheng closed the diary in his hands, invisible to anyone else, and stretched. A satisfied expression crossed his face.
"That's a good amount of information. I think this themed diary turned out pretty well."
He was curious: with this bit of "spoiler" information, would the two teams destined for a fierce clash continue along their original paths, or would they... spark something different ahead of time?
The following morning.
"Ding—"
The system's crisp notification rang in his mind right on time, dragging Yu Tiancheng out of his sleep.
He rubbed his eyes and grumbled inwardly: I've slept so soundly without that alarm this week.
[Calculating rewards...]
[Basic rewards: Soul Power increased by five levels; all Spirit Rings' age increased by 2,000 years]
[The increased age of the host's innate Spirit Ring has also enhanced the host's physical constitution]
A surging wave of warmth swept through his limbs. His bones hummed softly, and the muscles beneath his skin seemed to tighten as an invisible force hammered them into shape.
Yu Tiancheng could clearly feel his strength, speed, and resilience rapidly increasing.
Even more astonishing was the Qi Sea in his dantian. His Soul Power surged as if boiling, smashing through bottlenecks one after another!
Level 28!
In a single night, he'd gone up five levels! The rocket-like pace made Yu Tiancheng grin. At this rate, he'd reach level 30 next week—or next month at the latest—and obtain his third Spirit Ring!
But the system's announcement wasn't over yet.
[Special reward: Myriad Poisons True Explanation]
[An ancient manual of poison arts. It can neutralize all poisons in the world and reveal the medicinal properties of every herb.]
A phantom tome, neither metal nor jade and steeped in an ancient aura, slowly opened in his consciousness.
"Myriad Poisons True Explanation?" Yu Tiancheng paused, then his eyes lit up with delight. "Talk about perfect timing!"
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! A treasure trove of Immortal Herbs!
How could he forget this top-tier opportunity, one every transmigrator had to claim? He'd held back until now for two deadly reasons. First, he didn't know how to neutralize poison; if he went in, he'd probably end up as fertilizer for the Immortal Herbs. Second, he couldn't beat the old monster guarding it—Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.
Now, the first problem had been solved! Myriad Poisons True Explanation sounded like a peerless scripture of poison arts. Neutralizing the poison in Dugu Bo's body might be nothing more than an introductory exercise.
"I'll have to move up my plans..." Yu Tiancheng rubbed his chin, his eyes gleaming. "I need to master the essentials of Myriad Poisons True Explanation as soon as possible, then... find a way to approach Dugu Yan and get in with Dugu Bo. Poison treatment in exchange for Immortal Herbs—that's a deal worth making!"
He focused his mind, ready to immerse himself in the mysteries of Myriad Poisons True Explanation. But the system panel chimed again, flashing a golden notification.
[This month's special feature has refreshed!]
[This month, the host may attempt to "bind" one holder of a Diary Copy! If the binding succeeds, the host will randomly copy one of that holder's Soul Skills!]
[Would you like to use this month's binding opportunity now?]
"I almost forgot about that!" Yu Tiancheng smacked his forehead. He couldn't waste the chance to "draw a card" once a month.
His aunt and Hu Liena were almost certainly holders. He'd bound those two for the past two months.
"System, bind Liu Erlong!" Yu Tiancheng ordered without hesitation.
[Binding successful]
[Randomly drawn Soul Skill: Soaring Flame]
Boom!
A scorching, violent aura surged from Yu Tiancheng's palm. Crimson flames appeared out of thin air, curling around his fingers and dancing merrily. Their heat was fierce, yet they didn't harm him at all.
He clenched his fist. The flames abruptly contracted into a tiny spark and vanished from his fingertips.
"What explosive power!" Yu Tiancheng felt the fiery energy hidden within him and beamed.
This was exactly the kind of powerful offensive Soul Skill he'd been missing. Combined with his improved physical constitution, it would be formidable.
Level 28 Soul Power, Spirit Ring ages increased by leaps and bounds, a powerful offensive Soul Skill added to his arsenal, and the key to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—Myriad Poisons True Explanation...
Yu Tiancheng stood and pushed open the window. The morning sunlight spilled across his face, brimming with vitality.
"Everything's ready." He spoke softly, his gaze turning toward the distance. It seemed to pass through the academy buildings and reach the outline of Sunset Forest. "Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo... The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It's time to claim the opportunity that belongs to me."
Before you continue