Dugu Yan in Pear Blossom with Rain

[It's just that the place where those herbs grow is extremely dangerous, and it's guarded by Senior Dugu Bo's Medicine Garden Restriction. To obtain them, one not only needs strength and luck, but also the right timing and destiny. I wonder if I'll have the chance to try and pick this "antidote."]

Liu Erlong stopped in her tracks, gazing out the window, and finally let out a long sigh.

"Brat... you win."

She could tell that Yu Tiancheng's words in the diary were not so much a monologue as they were written for her to see.

This child understood her too well.

He knew she was soft-hearted, knew that although she was strong, she wasn't unreasonable, and even more so, he knew that deep down, she actually hoped he could have his own opportunities and growth.

"Fine." Liu Erlong rubbed her temples, a hint of decisiveness flashing in her eyes. "Since you're determined to go on this trip, don't even think about trying to be a hero alone."

She turned and walked back to her desk, taking out a specially made Sound Transmission Token.

This was an emergency communication tool only possessed by the Dean of Blue Tyrant Academy.

"Listen carefully," she said sternly into the token, "For the next few days, the academy's daily affairs will be jointly discussed and decided by the four Directors. I have important matters and will be leaving the academy, with no set return date."

After speaking, she put away the token, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly.

"Want to go to Sunset Forest alone? Not a chance. Your Aunt... will personally accompany you!"

At the same time, Yu Tiancheng closed his diary, a "Scheming Success" smile appearing on his lips.

"The groundwork is laid. Now, it's up to Aunt's reaction..."

The entrance to Blue Tyrant Academy was a different scene.

The morning sun was shining brightly. At the school gate, two figures hurried from afar.

Dugu Yan practically ran over, her long, deep purple hair somewhat disheveled. Her face, usually held high with pride, was now frighteningly pale. Her eyes were red and swollen, tear tracks still visible on her face, clearly having cried all the way.

Beside her was Ye Lingling, who had also rushed over. The usually cool and composed young girl's face also showed a rare anxiety.

"Yu Tiancheng! I need to see Yu Tiancheng!" she rushed to the On-duty Student, her voice choked and trembling. "Where is he? Take me to him!"

The On-duty Student was startled by her appearance and, after a two-second pause, responded, "May, may I ask who you are..."

"I am Dugu Yan! The granddaughter of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo!" Dugu Yan had no regard for etiquette or demeanor at this moment, directly revealing her identity. "I have an urgent matter to see Yu Tiancheng about! A matter of life and death!"

The granddaughter of Poison Douluo Dugu Bo?

The On-duty Student's heart tightened, and his attitude immediately became respectful. "Junior Yu Tiancheng should be in the Back Mountain Courtyard. I'll take you there right away."

"Hurry and lead the way!" Dugu Yan stamped her foot anxiously.

Ye Lingling, who had been following closely, gently patted her shoulder, trying to soothe her. "Yanzi, calm down. Since Yu Tiancheng said in his diary that he could cure it, he won't stand by and watch."

As the two were talking, a burly figure strode over from the training grounds.

It was Tailong.

He had just finished his morning strength training and was covered in sweat, preparing to return to his dorm to wash up. As he reached the doorway, he stumbled upon this unexpected scene.

Tailong's steps halted.

He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the newcomer—a school uniform from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, purple hair, and extremely beautiful features.

Wait, isn't that Dugu Yan?

As a core member of the Blue Tyrant Academy team, Tailong naturally recognized the vice-captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team.

She was known to be arrogant and difficult to deal with. Last year, during the Academy Exchange Competition, she had used the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison to inflict considerable losses on Blue Tyrant Academy.

But the girl crying her eyes out, completely distraught before him, had none of her usual haughty demeanor.

And the person she was rushing to see was Yu Tiancheng?

Tailong's mind raced.

How many days had Yu Tiancheng been at the academy? He looked so gentle and refined, how could he have made a girl from Heaven Dou Royal Academy like this?

Could it be...

Tailong recalled the "Three-Move Agreement" a few days ago—he had been toyed with by Yu Tiancheng's bizarre Space-Time Martial Soul and lost miserably.

Although he accepted the loss as per the bet, the lingering feeling of dissatisfaction hadn't dissipated.

Seeing this scene now, a thought uncontrollably surfaced: This kid, could he be relying on his abilities to bully a girl?

"Wait!"

Tailong strode forward, blocking the student who was about to lead the way.

His gaze fell on Dugu Yan's swollen eyes, his thick brows furrowed. "What's going on? What did Yu Tiancheng do to you?"

Dugu Yan's mind was filled with the image of her grandfather spitting blood and the words "only a few more years" from the diary. She hadn't really listened to Tailong's words.

She only heard the words "Yu Tiancheng" and instinctively nodded, her voice choked with sobs, "I, I must see him immediately... Please..."

This nod, in Tailong's eyes, was an admission!

Good heavens! It's true!

The sense of justice in Tailong's chest ignited instantly.

He was already holding back his frustration from losing to Yu Tiancheng last time, and now he stumbled upon this—bullying a girl? And with those kinds of methods?

"Follow me!" Tailong waved his hand and turned towards the direction of the back mountain, his steps vigorous. "I want to see what else this kid has to say!"

"This classmate, you've misunderstood..." Ye Lingling tried to explain.

But Tailong walked quickly, and Dugu Yan followed him even more anxiously. Ye Lingling's words were drowned out by the sound of footsteps, and she could only shake her head helplessly and quicken her pace to keep up.

And so, a strange procession formed—Dugu Yan, crying like a pear blossom with rain; Ye Lingling, looking anxious; Tailong, brimming with a sense of justice; and the bewildered on-duty student.

Students from Blue Tyrant Academy they encountered along the way all turned to look.

"Isn't that Dugu Yan from Heaven Dou Royal Academy? What is she doing here?"

"Judging by her appearance... she's crying?"

"Senior Tailong is leading the way... who are they going to see?"

"I heard it, it seems they're looking for the new student, Yu Tiancheng..."

"Yu Tiancheng? Dean Liu's nephew? What did he do to her?"

Whispers spread like a tide. Curious students began to follow in twos and threes, and the group grew like a snowball.

By the time they reached the detached courtyard in the back mountain, over thirty onlookers had gathered behind them.

Tailong stood before the courtyard gate, took a deep breath, and raised his hand—

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

He slammed the door forcefully, the sound making the door panel tremble.

"Yu Tiancheng! Come out!"

Inside the courtyard, Yu Tiancheng was studying the Myriad Poisons True Elixir at his desk. Hearing the noisy commotion and the rough knocking outside, he frowned slightly and put down the scroll in his hand.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and saw an unexpected scene—

Tailong, with an angry expression and tense muscles;

Dugu Yan, with swollen eyes and an anxious demeanor;

Ye Lingling, looking somewhat helpless and shaking her head gently;

And in the distance, a dense crowd of onlookers, peeking and craning their necks.

Yu Tiancheng immediately understood.

Dugu Yan could also see the diary, but this spectacle...

Wasn't it a bit too much?