In the warm firelight, Chen Jieqi tore off a piece of fragrant roasted bird meat and chewed slowly,
then glanced at Dugu Yan beside him, whose eyes were sparkling, and lowered his voice.
"Yanyan, I won't be going back to the academy for now."
Dugu Yan paused with the twig in her hand and tilted her head at him.
"You're not going back? Then where are you going?"
"I'm going back to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to focus on cultivation."
Chen Jieqi set the bone aside and wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth with his fingertip.
"I'm only six and a half, and I've already reached level 23. Isn't that practically telling everyone there's something unusual about me?
Being so blatantly exposed in public doesn't fit my Dao of Caution."
He paused, looked at Dugu Bo, then turned back to Dugu Yan, warmth and sincerity in his eyes.
"Besides, I haven't fully grasped my Spirit Bone or Soul Skills yet. Once my Soul Power improves and I'm old enough, I can still consider joining an academy.
Then, whichever academy you go to, I'll be able to keep up—and protect you."
Dugu Bo snorted, but tossed another log onto the fire. Sparks flew.
"At least you've got some sense, brat. You haven't let your current achievements go to your head, and you know when to keep a low profile!"
Dugu Yan's cheeks warmed slightly. She put the most tender piece of roasted bird meat in his hand and muttered, "Who needs you to protect me...
"But it's probably for the best that you stay there.
"You're still too young, after all."
The morning mist had yet to lift. Dew clung to the leaves of the Sunlight Parasol Tree, dampening their trouser legs with a chill.
After the three of them had packed up, they stood in a clearing in the Yaori Forest Zone. Chen Jieqi took a deep breath.
"Vmmm—"
Golden patterns appeared at his shoulder blades. A pair of Wings of Light, more than two meters long, burst through his clothes and spread wide.
A gentle aura of light instantly scattered the morning mist. The gilded glimmers along the edges of his wings shimmered so brightly in the sunrise that they were hard to look at.
"Careful!"
Dugu Yan clutched the hem of her clothes and couldn't help taking half a step back, her eyes full of nervous anticipation.
Dugu Bo stood nearby with his hands behind his back, seemingly nonchalant, but Soul Power gathered around him unobtrusively, ready to catch Chen Jieqi at any moment.
Chen Jieqi gave his wings a gentle flap. Wind swept the mist past him as he slowly rose from the ground.
He wobbled at first, but quickly steadied himself and adjusted his wing angle to match the current.
The next moment, he was like a golden bird returning to its nest, gliding lightly over the treetops and tracing a golden arc through the morning breeze.
"I did it!"
Dugu Yan clapped and cheered, her voice brimming with delight.
Chen Jieqi looked back from midair. Sunlight fell across his smiling face, gilding even his silver hair with warmth.
"Grandpa, Yanyan, look!
"I can fly!"
He tried speeding up. The Wings of Light turned into a streak behind him, and he nearly caught up with the birds darting through the forest. Even Dugu Bo couldn't help nodding.
"That speed is probably on par with some four-ring flying Soul Masters."
Chen Jieqi nearly crashed to the ground like an albatross. Bracing his hands on his knees, he panted a few times and murmured in amazement,
"...Even after two lifetimes,
"this is the first time I've really flown."
He lifted his eyes toward the morning light in the distance, complicated emotions surging in their depths. The images in his memories were growing increasingly blurred. Perhaps going back had become...
Dugu Yan edged closer, her eyes sparkling.
"Two lifetimes? Little Qi, have you flown before?"
"Sort of... I flew in a dream."
Chen Jieqi smiled.
"I used to wish I could see the world from above. Now I've finally experienced it for real."
Dugu Bo watched with his arms crossed, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. Then he spoke with a note of understanding.
"All right. Let's get ready to head back."
Dugu Bo turned first, and Chen Jieqi and Dugu Yan followed side by side, talking quietly now and then.
"Quit dawdling and keep up."
Dugu Bo's voice came from up ahead. He slowed his pace to let them catch up, then added,
"We might run into a few Hundred-Year Soul Beasts on the way back. Xiao Qi, you can try your new Soul Skills on them and get used to your strength."
Chen Jieqi nodded solemnly.
"Okay. Thanks, Grandpa. This'll be a good chance to get used to my Soul Skills and Spirit Bone."
The three of them gradually disappeared into the distance, heading out of Corona Forest.
The gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were busy with people coming and going. Students in uniform hurried along,
until a tall, imposing figure approached with a young woman. The commotion at the entrance came to an abrupt halt.
The arrivals were Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, returning from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest.
Dugu Bo walked ahead. His dark green robe stirred despite the lack of wind. Although he deliberately kept his Titled Douluo pressure in check, he still had an aura that warned others to keep their distance.
Students and teachers stopped in their tracks as they passed, their eyes full of respect. Everyone recognized the old man as Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo and honored guest of the Heaven Dou Empire!
Beside him, Dugu Yan stood tall, with a steadiness in her features that she hadn't possessed before. Her usual girlish charm was now tempered by a newfound maturity.
Ignoring the crowd's varied reactions, the two headed straight for the Education Committee hall.
The hall was quiet and solemn, sandalwood incense drifting through the air. Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin, the three members of the Education Committee, were seated around a table, discussing business.
Suddenly,
a servant's respectful announcement sounded from outside the hall.
"Honored Committee Members, His Excellency Dugu and Miss Dugu Yan have arrived!"
Before the words had even faded, the doors swung slowly open. The three members of the committee stopped talking in unison and looked up, their expressions freezing in utter disbelief.
Since absorbing the snake poison, Dugu Bo, who walked in at the head of the group, had been completely transformed.
He had always been imposing, but his demeanor used to have a certain stiffness to it. His aura was powerful, yet it had always been accompanied by a pungent, sweetish smell.
Today, however, his once-jade-green beard and hair had turned a natural snowy white, and his withered, rigid face had softened.
Most startling of all was his presence and pressure. He no longer concealed the power of a Titled Douluo. It was as if a sleeping behemoth had quietly awakened.
Invisible waves of pressure spread slowly, making the air in the hall heavy and still. Even the tea on the table rippled faintly.
All three committee members were Soul Douluos, yet they still found themselves holding their breath under the pressure.
Astonishment filled the eyes of Meng Shenji, head of the committee.
"Your Excellency Dugu... What happened?"
"I had a small breakthrough after some new insights."
Dugu Bo smiled slightly at their astonished expressions.
Dugu Yan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, honored committee members. I've made some progress recently, so I've returned to end my leave."
Bai Baoshan paused as he stroked his beard, his gaze lingering on Dugu Yan.
"Miss Dugu Yan, you look so different now. Have you reached the Soul Elder rank?"
Zhilin also spoke with astonishment.
"Miss Dugu Yan, you're only thirteen this year, aren't you? And you've already reached the Soul Elder rank!"
"Yes. I'm currently a level 34 Soul Elder. My Martial Soul has also evolved from the Jade Phosphor Snake into a Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon."
Dugu Yan gave a slight nod. Her tone was calm, but her confidence was unmistakable.
She then activated Martial Soul Possession. A horn sprouted from her forehead, dark golden scales covered her body, and her hands transformed into dragon claws. Every detail displayed her Martial Soul's new form.
Two yellow and one purple Soul Rings revolved slowly around her, further confirming her Soul Elder strength.
Dugu Bo raised his hand slightly, easing his pressure. The oppressive air in the hall gradually lightened. His tone was even, but his presence brooked no argument.
"I took Yanyan away for half a year. We were fortunate enough to encounter an opportunity, and her Martial Soul and strength have improved."
He didn't offer any further explanation, instead getting straight to the point.
"I came today for two reasons. First, so the three of you would know that Yanyan has reached the Soul Elder rank.
"Second, to end her long leave. She'll officially return to the academy tomorrow and continue her studies and cultivation."
The three committee members exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock and respect in the others' eyes.
Meng Shenji congratulated her with a smile.
"Miss Dugu Yan, there's no need to be so formal. To reach the Soul Elder rank at your age is already a remarkable achievement. Now both you and His Excellency Dugu have grown stronger. This is truly cause for celebration.
"We'll arrange the end of your leave at once.
"And I promise the academy will devote as many resources as possible to your cultivation from now on."
Bai Baoshan and Zhilin nodded repeatedly.
"Exactly!
"That's only right!
"From now on, you'll have top priority for the academy's mimetic cultivation environments and teaching resources!"
Dugu Bo smiled slightly at their response, satisfied at last, and eased his pressure further.
That was exactly the attitude he wanted.
He wanted the world to know that his granddaughter, Dugu Bo's, had extraordinary talent and was receiving the best training and protection from both him and Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
It would also make the schemers lurking in the shadows think twice and rein in their audacity.
Dugu Yan bowed slightly, her manners impeccable.
"Thank you for your kindness, honored committee members. I, Dugu Yan, will live up to the academy's expectations."
Dugu Bo nodded in satisfaction. Without another word, he vanished from the hall in an instant.
The condensation of his Soul Core had greatly increased his strength. Even his departure was effortless and decisive.
The three committee members stared at the empty doorway, unable to recover for a long while.
Meng Shenji stroked his long beard, his voice full of complicated admiration.
"What an extraordinary Dugu Bo. What an extraordinary Dugu Yan...
"After only half a year, they've changed beyond recognition."
Zhilin looked at Dugu Yan, admiration practically overflowing from his eyes.
"A Soul Elder at thirteen and a half, with a Martial Soul that's evolved into a Sub-Dragon Species. Even the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall might not be able to outshine that!"
Bai Baoshan went further, making the decision on the spot and nodding quickly.
After Dugu Yan left the Education Committee, the news spread as if it had grown wings...