Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
That evening, the Ice Jade Scorpion excitedly ran to the front of the Wooden House, its crystal-clear tail hook swinging excitedly from side to side.
" Valley Master! Valley Master! The Ice Cave is completely stable!"
Luo Can came out of the house, looked at the smug scorpion in front of him, and couldn't help but laugh, "So fast?"
"Of course!" Ice Jade Scorpion puffed out its breastplate. "I sealed the entire Cavern with Ultimate Ice, which not only reduces the impact of the escaping cold air, but also continuously creates a small-scale ice-attribute environment outside. Other ice-attribute Spirit Beast can move in directly in the future!"
It paused, then added, "Furthermore, I've designed three different temperature zones—the deepest part is the storage zone for the Mysterious Ice Marrow, the middle is the cultivation zone, and the area near the entrance is the adaptation zone. Pretty thoughtful, right?"
Luo Can nodded and patted its cold shell. "Well done. As for the tribulation, I'll have Ju Zi forge you a Thunder-Resistant Soul Tool to ensure your safe passage."
"Hehe! Thank you, human!" The Ice Jade Scorpion's eyes shone even brighter.
Soon, Luo Can moved the two-meter-tall Ten-Thousand-Year Mysterious Ice Marrow into the Ice Cave.
As soon as the ice pillar entered the cave, the surrounding cold air became several times more intense. Pale blue Ice Mist rose from the surface of the Mysterious Ice Marrow, and a thick layer of frost instantly formed at the cave entrance.
"Perfect." The Ice Jade Scorpion looked at its work with satisfaction, its pincers gently tapping the ice wall, producing a crisp "ding-ding" sound. "Rest assured, Valley Master, with me here, there will be absolutely no problem with this Mysterious Ice Marrow. Anyone who dares to steal it, I'll freeze them into an ice sculpture!"
Luo Can chuckled, "Thank you for your hard work."
He stepped out of the cave, watching the sky gradually darken, and began to plan his next move.
There's no need to rush to contact Yue Guan, and there's no need to worry about Qian Daoliu for now. The disciples' cultivation is also progressing steadily... Next, we should focus on improving our own strength.
My Points have already exceeded 700,000, and I'm getting closer and closer to my goal of one million Points. Once I've accumulated enough Points, the rewards from upgrading my license should allow me to further improve my strength.
Also, Xiao Xiao's First Spirit Ring should be prepared. Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan's Third Spirit Ring should also be put on the agenda...
What are you thinking about?
Qian Renxue's voice came from behind him. He didn't know when she had walked up to him.
Luo Can took her hand, and the two walked side by side. "I'm thinking about the next steps. I plan to go and hunt for Xiao Xiao's First Spirit Ring in a few days."
Qian Renxue nodded and leaned on his shoulder. "Yes, can you leave it to me?"
"Of course," Luo Can said with a smile. "With you here, I feel much more at ease."
Qian Renxue didn't say anything more, but simply rested her head on his shoulder and quietly watched the sunset.
Night deepened.
The clinking sounds of Ju Zi researching her Soul Tool drifted from the Wooden House; on the Lake Heart Island, Ice Jade Scorpion and Xiong Da were bickering over whose territory was of a higher level.
"My Ice Cave can store Ten-Thousand-Year Mysterious Ice Marrow! What can your dilapidated pit do?"
"What's wrong with a pit? A pit is warm! Your icy hole is freezing, even a dog wouldn't stay there!"
"You're the dog! Your whole family are dogs!"
"Say that again?!"
Luo Can couldn't help but laugh as he listened to the commotion in the distance.
These kinds of days are pretty good too.
Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City.
Dugu Bo brought Ji Juechen to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest, arranged a simple place for him to stay, and then went to the Dugu Manor in Heaven Dou City by himself.
Not long after entering, before he even had a chance to drink a sip of tea, Xue Ye's eunuch rushed over.
"Your Majesty Poison Douluo," the eunuch bowed respectfully, "His Majesty inquires whether you may come to the palace tomorrow? He has important matters to discuss."
Dugu Bo frowned slightly. "What happened now?"
The eunuch lowered his voice. "We received intelligence a couple of days ago that a major battle took place Nuoding City, with a huge commotion. Later, an elder from the Spirit Hall personally investigated, and it seems that something was taken from the traces of that battle..."
He paused, then continued, " The Spirit Hall has blocked information about the specifics, and our people can't find out. But His Majesty finds this matter suspicious and would like to discuss it with you and Sect Master Ning."
Dugu Bo's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive. "I understand. I will go to the palace tomorrow."
"Then I will return to the palace to report," the eunuch said, bowing as he withdrew.
As the door closed, Dugu Bo sat in the armchair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
The commotion caused by the Pavilion Master has only just reached Xue Ye... It seems the Spirit Hall has kept things well hidden.
He stood up, and in a flash, disappeared from the spot.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Ji Juechen sat cross-legged beside the spring, the Judgment Sword lying horizontally on his lap. A sharp sword intent emanated from his body, creating a subtle confrontation with the surrounding atmosphere of heat and cold.
Dugu Bo landed beside him and cut to the chase. " Ji Juechen, I'm going to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace tomorrow. Would you like to come along?"
Ji Juechen opened his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly. "Will I be able to see Sword Douluo?"
Dugu Bo thought for a moment, "It's hard to say. Ning Fengzhi is usually protected by Sword and Bone Douluo in turns whenever he goes out. Who it will be tomorrow... depends on luck."
Ji Juechen was silent for a moment, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "It's good to go and take a look."
Dugu Bo patted him on the shoulder and laughed, " Bone Douluo isn't weak either. He's known as the number one Defense System Titled Douluo on the continent. Meeting him... isn't bad at all."
Ji Juechen nodded and remained silent. However, a hint of interest finally surfaced in his usually calm and collected eyes.
The next day, early morning.
Dugu Bo and Ji Juechen set off early for the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. With Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, leading the way, the two smoothly entered the depths of the palace and arrived at the side hall where Xue Ye had arranged a meeting.
The palace doors opened, but the atmosphere inside made the two of them pause slightly in surprise.
Besides Xue Ye, there were quite a few other familiar faces.
Ning Fengzhi sat in the first seat on the left. Today, he was accompanied by Chen Xin, dressed in white, who looked like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, her brilliance fully revealed.
In addition, there were two important ministers, the First Prince Xue Qinghe, and Prince Xue Xing.
"Your Majesty, you've arrived." Prince Xue Xing greeted him with a smile and respectfully led Dugu Bo to a seat. "Please, have a seat."
His gaze fell on Ji Juechen behind Dugu Bo, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Eh? Who is this...?"
"A good friend of mine," Dugu Bo said calmly, his strength... surpassing mine.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes in the hall focused on Ji Juechen.
Especially those with Chen Xin.
From the Ji Juechen stepped into the palace, Chen Xin's gaze never left him. A rare hint of surprise appeared in her usually calm eyes.
This is a... master swordsman.
Ji Juechen's gaze also fell on Chen Xin.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
No words, no movements. But in that instant—
Buzz!
Two invisible sword-like pressures collided!
The temperature inside the hall plummeted, and a thin layer of frost quickly formed on the tables, chairs, floor, and even the walls. It wasn't real cold, but rather the "momentum" transformed from the extremely sharp sword intent, chilling to the bone and making one's heart tremble.
Ning Fengzhi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly asked, " Uncle Sword! What's wrong with you?"
A rare smile appeared on Chen Xin's face.
"This person is very strong," he said slowly. "His swordsmanship is probably no less than mine."
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi deeply moved.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, inheritor of the Seven Kill Sword, a level 96 Super Douluo, whose attack power is unparalleled on the continent. The number of people who can make him say "not below me" is very small, and can be counted on one hand throughout the entire continent.
His gaze, filled with curiosity, fell upon Ji Juechen.
Ji Juechen withdrew his gaze, sat down next to Dugu Bo, and closed his eyes to rest. But if one looked closely, one could see a faint smile curving up at the corner of his mouth.
This brief exchange momented even Xue Ye into a daze. However, being an emperor, he quickly regained his composure, cleared his throat, and broke the heavy atmosphere in the hall.
"Your Majesty Dugu, Sect Master Ning," Xue Ye spoke, his voice steady, "Now that everyone is here, let's... discuss important matters."
"Hmm." Dugu Bo nodded.
Xue Ye took a deep breath, his expression solemn:
"According to intelligence, the battle that took place Nuoding City was extremely terrifying. The battle traces suggest it was a clash between experts at the Super Douluo or higher. Later, the Spirit Hall intervened and seemed to have discovered something there... What exactly it was is being kept secret by the Spirit Hall, and we have no way of knowing."
He paused, then said:
" The Spirit Hall must have obtained something from there. Currently, we've found nothing regarding the border massacre, and the Spirit Hall is hiding something about this... I summoned you here to discuss this—"
Xue Ye raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall:
"Should we terminate our cooperative investigation with the Spirit Hall?"