The aftershocks of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament had yet to die down, but the Heaven Dou Royal Academy delegation had already returned safely to Heaven Dou City under the escort of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's three powerhouses.
Ning Fengzhi was decisive and efficient. As soon as he returned to Heaven Dou City, he formally requested a meeting with Poison Douluo Dugu Bo in the name of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The negotiations were set to take place at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
In the reception room, one side was represented by Ning Fengzhi, the wealthy sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, now backed by two Super Douluos. Behind him stood Sword Douluo Chen Xin, whose aura was like a drawn blade, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, as unfathomable as an abyss.
On the other side sat Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, alone, his expression dark and shifting.
The enormous gap in strength and influence left little doubt about how the negotiations would go.
Ning Fengzhi didn't throw his weight around. Instead, he spoke sincerely. First, he praised Dugu Bo for discovering and guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Then he offered a deal Dugu Bo could hardly refuse: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would pay a tremendous price—including a vast sum of Gold Soul Coins, several treasured and rare Soul Bones, and a promise that either Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo would personally help him completely resolve his problem with the backlash of the poison in his body—in exchange for ownership of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Faced with such generous terms, especially the promise to "completely resolve the poison backlash," Dugu Bo's greatest weakness had been struck directly.
He knew that, on his own, he could hardly develop and protect such a treasure land to its full potential. Better to trade it for tangible benefits and future security than invite disaster by keeping it.
After a difficult struggle within himself, Dugu Bo finally let out a long sigh and nodded.
The two sides signed a Soul Guidance Contract, and ownership of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well officially passed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
To ensure this newly acquired strategic stronghold was completely secure, Ning Fengzhi immediately decided that Bone Douluo Gu Rong—who had just broken through to level ninety-six, grown much stronger, and possessed a Martial Soul well suited to guarding the place—would personally oversee the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He also dispatched some of the sect's elite disciples to establish a branch there, begin cultivating spiritual herbs in an organized manner, and turn the grounds into a secret trial site for the sect's core disciples.
With the major matter settled, Ning Fengzhi took Ning Rongrong, who was in a complicated mood, back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Rongrong had now "graduated" from Shrek Academy as well. As the sect's future heir, she had to begin gradually taking charge of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's vast business network and internal affairs. It was a responsibility she couldn't shirk.
Before leaving, she looked at Lin Yi with the same complicated gaze, but there was less of her old capriciousness and more quiet composure.
At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Chief Meng Shenji and the others treated Lin Yi like an honored guest and urged him to keep serving as the Imperial Fighting Team's leader.
Since he still needed a public identity and a place to stay for the time being, Lin Yi agreed.
The team members were also approaching turning points of their own.
After fusing with the Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone, Yu Tianheng's strength increased greatly. His family summoned him back, clearly intending to groom him as a core member of the next generation.
Dugu Yan chose to stay at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and become an instructor. This would make it easier for her to see her grandfather, Dugu Bo, while also serving certain personal motives.
Ye Lingling also chose to stay and teach. Her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul was a valuable resource for the academy.
As for Osler, Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo, they hadn't reached level forty in Soul Power and hadn't graduated, so they still had to continue their studies at the academy.
As for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, their positions had become somewhat unusual.
Xiao Wu remained Lin Yi's "sidekick" and stayed at the academy in peace, protected by Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
Zhu Zhuqing, meanwhile, formally honored her promise to serve as his "maid for three years." She followed quietly and conscientiously at Lin Yi's side, taking care of everyday errands. Her expression remained cold, as if she had accepted her new status and fate.
Once he had arranged all the miscellaneous matters, Lin Yi didn't delay any longer.
Accompanied by Bone Douluo Gu Rong, he set out once more with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing for the secret realm now belonging to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect: the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
This time, his goal was clear: seclude himself and cultivate with all his might, breaking through the level-seventy bottleneck! He also planned to use the spiritual herbs there to help Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing grow stronger.
The group entered the valley with ease through a newly built passage, guarded closely by disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The valley was still a place where ice and fire mingled, its energy surging. But compared to before, it was now more orderly. Several areas had been cleared for planting and cultivating spiritual herbs.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong found a place to sit on his own, taking charge of the guard and keeping watch over the area. Since he was stationed here now, he could also use the surroundings to stabilize his level-ninety-six cultivation.
Lin Yi went straight to the Ice Spring with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
"We'll cultivate here for a while," Lin Yi told them. "Xiao Wu, stabilize your cultivation and try to break through soon.
"Zhu Zhuqing, your Martial Soul leans toward coldness and speed. This place will benefit you too, so don't slack off."
Xiao Wu silently nodded, walked to one side, sat cross-legged, and began circulating her Soul Power. Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Lin Yi and gave a soft "Mm" before finding a place to cultivate as well.
Though her status was that of a "maid," Lin Yi hadn't treated her unfairly when it came to cultivation. He had even provided her with this excellent environment. It slightly eased the humiliation she felt, replacing it with an even more complicated emotion.
After seeing to the two girls, Lin Yi went to the heart of the Ice Spring and sat cross-legged. He took out the "Spirit Gathering Wisdom Skull" he had won as a tournament reward and began absorbing and fusing with it without hesitation.
A surging flood of spiritual power poured into his Sea of Consciousness, merging with and strengthening the million-year spiritual power source left behind by the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm! His spiritual power rose at an unprecedented rate. His senses grew sharper, and his control over Soul Power became ever more precise!
With the Wisdom Skull and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well supporting him, Lin Yi's secluded cultivation officially began.
Time flew by. A year had passed since Lin Yi entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with the two girls to cultivate in seclusion.
Over the course of that year, the valley of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had changed beyond recognition.
With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect pouring in its abundant wealth and manpower, rows of buildings and defensive fortifications had been erected around the valley, turning it into a heavily guarded sect estate.
Hundreds of sect disciples were stationed there. They took turns standing guard, keeping watch and cultivating spiritual herbs, while a few core disciples were allowed to cultivate in the surrounding area, drawing on its rich spiritual energy. Bone Douluo Gu Rong oversaw the center of the grounds. His aura had grown ever more attuned to the place, and his strength had become even more unfathomable.
The valley's heart, beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, remained forbidden ground within forbidden ground.
That day, Lin Yi had been sitting cross-legged beside the Ice Spring with his eyes closed. Suddenly, the aura around him surged! The Soul Power within him, rushing like a great river, reached a critical point and then smashed through the sturdy barrier!
Level seventy!
A tremendous wave of energy spread outward from him, making the Ice Spring churn and the Fire Spring steam! Bone Douluo Gu Rong, keeping watch not far away, abruptly opened his eyes. A trace of astonishment and delight flashed through them. "A Soul Saint already... Twin Martial Souls are truly extraordinary!"
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