The True Solution to Ten Thousand Poisons

This crushing defeat was cold water washing away the halo, and the true beginning of growth. After this, the Heaven Dou team's training could only be described as life-risking.

The second clash: the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, preliminary round stage.

The two sides met again, both having changed significantly. The intensity of the battle far surpassed the first, with the Heaven Dou team displaying astonishing resilience and growth. Their tactical execution and teamwork visibly improved...

Reading this, Dugu Yan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that learning from shame and striving for improvement was indeed effective.

But in the end, the ones standing victorious were, of course—the Shrek Academy team.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, by the lake.

"..." Dugu Yan almost choked.

Ye Lingling also sighed softly. As expected, were the protagonist's team truly invincible?

After these two "quenchings," this team truly transformed from an academy ace into a formidable force. Their arrogance was tempered into composure, Dugu Yan's poison techniques became more cunning, and their coordination reached perfection. Although the path to championship was destined to be bumpy, they had undoubtedly earned everyone's respect.

Glory is worth protecting, but there's no need to fear failure. Sometimes, losing to the "protagonist team" is not shameful; instead, it's a necessary path to becoming stronger. I'm still quite optimistic about this team's future—after all, being a heavyweight stepping stone twice is also a testament to their strength.

This concludes my understanding of the "Heaven Dou Royal Academy team." We shall see what the future holds.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, by the lake.

The last line of the diary faded, but the air seemed to freeze.

"Stepping stone... stepping stone..."

Dugu Yan stared intently at those three words, her emerald pupils burning as if with fire, her teeth grinding audibly.

"Shrek Seven Devils... Tang San... Very well, I remember you! You want us to be your stepping stones? Dream on!"

Her chest heaved violently, a powerful sense of unwillingness and fighting spirit almost bursting from her body.

Twice! The diary said they would lose twice! And suffer crushing defeats! This was even harder for her to accept than being told she was weak.

Ye Lingling gently placed a hand on her friend's trembling shoulder, her clear voice carrying a calm, insightful tone. "Yanzi, at least we know now. We know who our opponents are, we know the gap between us, and we know... how to move forward after failure."

Her gaze drifted to the lake. "Seeing the ending in advance might not be a curse, but an opportunity."

Shrek Academy, girls' dormitory.

"Wow! We're really that amazing in the future! We even beat the Heaven Dou Royal Academy first team twice," Xiao Wu exclaimed, bouncing excitedly, her ponytail swinging high.

Ning Rongrong's lips curved, a hint of sharpness beneath her ladylike elegance.

"It seems we need to work even harder. We can't live up to the title of 'protagonist team'."

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, merely nodding slightly. A sharp glint flashed in her cool, cat-like eyes.

The name "Heaven Dou Royal Academy team" was firmly etched into her mental list of opponents.

Blue Tyrant Academy, Courtyard Seven.

Yu Tiancheng closed the diary, which was invisible to others, stretched, and wore a satisfied expression.

"The amount of information provided is more than enough. This themed diary should be completed well."

He was curious. With this "spoiler," would the two teams destined for a fierce clash continue on their original paths, or would they... spark some different kind of fire ahead of time?

The next morning.

"Ding--"

A crisp system notification rang out in his mind precisely on time, pulling Yu Tiancheng from his sleep.

He rubbed his eyes, muttering, "Without this alarm clock this week, I slept so soundly."

[Calculating reward settlement...]

[Base Reward: Soul Power increased by five levels, all Soul Ring years increased by 2000 years.]

[The lifespan increase of the innate Soul Ring drives the host's physical fitness to improve synchronously.]

A surging torrent of warmth instantly swept through his limbs and bones, his bones emitting a faint hum, and the muscle fibers beneath his skin seemed to be tempered and tightened by an invisible force.

Yu Tiancheng could clearly feel his strength, speed, and resilience rapidly increasing.

What surprised him even more was his dantian's sea of qi. His Soul Power grew as if boiling, breaking through bottlenecks like a rampaging force!

Level 28!

Five levels in just one night! This rocket-like leveling speed made Yu Tiancheng grin. At this pace, next week, or at the latest next month, he would be able to attempt Level 30 and obtain his third Soul Ring!

However, the system's announcement was not yet over.

[Special Reward: Myriad Poisons True Elixir]

[Ancient poison technique secret manual, capable of detoxifying all poisons in the world and knowing the medicinal effects of all herbs in the world.]

A phantom tome, neither gold nor jade, exuding an ancient aura, slowly unfurled its cover in his consciousness.

"Myriad Poisons True Elixir?" Yu Tiancheng was stunned at first, then his eyes erupted with ecstatic light. "It's exactly what I was thinking!"

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! The Immortal Herb treasure trove!

How could he forget this ultimate opportunity that every traverser must seize? He had held back until now for two fatal reasons: First, he didn't understand detoxification, and entering there would most likely make him fertilizer for those Immortal Herbs. Second, he couldn't defeat the old monster guarding the place—the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.

Now, the first problem was solved! Myriad Poisons True Elixir, judging by its name, was a prestigious sacred text of poison arts. Detoxifying Dugu Bo's poison might just be an introductory lesson.

"The plan needs to be moved up..." Yu Tiancheng rubbed his chin, his eyes flickering. "I need to master the essence of the Myriad Poisons True Elixir as soon as possible, and then... find a way to contact Dugu Yan and get on Dugu Bo's good side. Detoxification in exchange for Immortal Herbs, that's a deal worth making!"

His mind raced, and he wanted to immediately immerse himself in the profound world of the Myriad Poisons True Scripture. But then, the system panel popped up with a golden, shimmering notification:

[Monthly Special Function Has Been Reset!]

[Host can attempt to "bind" a diary copyholder this month! If successful, you will randomly copy and obtain one of that holder's Soul Skills!]

[Do you wish to use this month's binding opportunity immediately?]

"I almost forgot about this!" Yu Tiancheng patted his forehead. This monthly "gacha" opportunity couldn't be wasted.

Currently, his aunt and Hu Liena were almost certain holders. He had bound them in the previous two months.

"System, bind Liu Erlong!" Yu Tiancheng commanded decisively.

[Ding, Binding Successful]

[Randomly drawing one Soul Skill from her: Soaring Flame]

Boom!

A scorching, violent aura instantly surged from Yu Tiancheng's palm. Crimson flames materialized out of thin air, coiling around his fingers and dancing joyfully. The temperature was intense, yet it didn't harm him at all.

He clenched his fist, and the flames suddenly retracted, transforming into a single spark that vanished at his fingertip.

"What powerful explosive force!" Yu Tiancheng felt the fiery power hidden within his body, his face beaming with joy.

This was precisely the powerful offensive Soul Skill he currently lacked. Combined with his improved physical condition, its power would be considerable.

Soul Power level 28, Soul Ring years skyrocketing, a new powerful offensive Soul Skill, plus the key to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Myriad Poisons True Elixir...

Yu Tiancheng stood up and pushed open the window. The morning sunlight streamed onto his face, full of vitality.

"Everything is ready." He whispered to himself, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if piercing through the numerous buildings of the academy to see the outline of the Sunset Forest. "Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo... Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It's time to go and claim the opportunities that belong to me."