Azure Luan Douluo casually released a wisp of spiritual power to probe below, and a disdainful sneer immediately curled across his lips:
"What excitement did I think it was? Turns out that fellow named Flender is recruiting students for some Shrek Academy."
Azure Luan Douluo shook his head, his tone full of mockery:
"With such a rundown, third-rate academy, how many promising talents could it possibly recruit?
It's simply leading people astray."
Shui Bing'er glanced down and nodded in agreement:
"It doesn't even have a proper school gate. It truly is absurd."
Listening to the two of them, Huang Yan remained outwardly calm, but secretly laughed to himself.
His teacher and Shui Bing'er did not know, but he knew all too well.
There were quite a few "promising talents" in that third-rate academy right now.
However, a trace of doubt soon arose in Huang Yan's heart.
His teacher was a level ninety-seven Peak Douluo. When his spiritual power had swept over the people below just now, he had actually failed to notice the aura of Xiao Wu's hundred-thousand-year transformed spirit beast?
After thinking about it briefly, Huang Yan understood.
Tang Hao, lurking in the shadows, must have intervened.
That old dog had always followed Tang San in secret like a nanny.
With Tang Hao using his Soul Power to conceal her, his teacher's casual scan naturally could not uncover anything suspicious.
Just like in the original story, Dugu Bo had been only a few meters away from Xiao Wu yet still failed to discover her true identity.
What ordinary transformed spirit beast would be like Xiao Wu, swaggering into the human world before even reaching maturity?
Thinking of this, Huang Yan had no intention of exposing her.
There was no point in exposing Xiao Wu now.
Even if he killed her now, his current level made it impossible for him to absorb a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. Forcing it would only make him explode and die.
He might as well let her stay by Tang San's side for now.
Once his strength and physical condition met the requirements, and the time was right, he could harvest this free spirit ring and Spirit Bone.
The most pressing matter now was going to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest!
As long as he took all the Immortal Herbs there first, his flames could completely transform into Ultimate Fire.
More importantly, if he could find a suitable Immortal Herb for his teacher to refine...
At this time, Tang Hao's Soul Power was at most level ninety-four.
Once his teacher used the Immortal Herb's power to break through to level ninety-eight, would a mere Tang Hao, still suffering from unhealed hidden injuries, not be easy to crush?
As a level ninety-seven Peak Douluo whose martial soul was the speed-focused Azure Luan Divine Bird, Azure Luan Douluo flew through the skies with the two of them at astonishing speed.
In less than half a day, Spirit City appeared in the trio's sight.
The three of them landed at a private courtyard on the outskirts of Worship Hall.
"So this is Spirit City..."
Shui Bing'er softly sighed as she looked around at the solemn, majestic buildings.
"It's far more impressive than Skywater City."
Huang Yan smiled and said gently:
"This will be your new home from now on.
Bing'er, rest in the courtyard for a while. Later, I'll take you to Spirit Hall Academy to complete your enrollment."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
Shui Bing'er nodded obediently.
After seeing Shui Bing'er off to rest in a guest room, Huang Yan turned and followed Azure Luan Douluo into the study.
"Teacher, your disciple has a favor to ask."
Huang Yan said bluntly.
Azure Luan Douluo sat down in a grand chair and lifted his teacup, blowing on it lightly.
"You brat, why are you being so polite with me?
Go on. Have you set your eyes on some Spirit Bone in Spirit Hall's treasury?"
Huang Yan shook his head, a glint flashing through his eyes.
"Not the treasury.
I would like to ask Teacher to accompany me to Sunset Forest."
"Sunset Forest?"
Azure Luan Douluo frowned slightly.
"What are you going there for?
Your Soul Power hasn't reached the point where you need another spirit ring yet, has it?"
"For Ultimate Fire."
Huang Yan looked directly at Azure Luan Douluo.
"Your disciple once read in an ancient text that there is a treasure basin called the 'Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well' in the center of Sunset Forest. Countless rare Immortal Herbs grow there.
One of them can certainly allow my flames to completely transform into Ultimate Fire!"
Azure Luan Douluo paused, set down his teacup, and his expression grew more serious.
"Are you certain?"
Sunset Forest was Dugu Bo's territory.
Although Azure Luan Douluo did not care about the attitude of Dugu Bo, a level ninety-one Title Douluo who was basically bottom-tier.
Azure Luan Douluo still possessed the bearing of an expert.
He would not casually bully others, since that would not reflect well on his reputation.
"Your disciple is completely certain."
A confident smile curved across Huang Yan's lips.
"What does the weakest Title Douluo amount to before you, Teacher?
Besides..."
Huang Yan deliberately drew out his words and leaned closer.
"The Immortal Herbs there possess the power of heaven and earth. They would not only be useful to me.
If we find a suitable one, it might help you, Teacher... directly break through the bottleneck to level ninety-eight!"
"Really?!"
Azure Luan Douluo abruptly rose to his feet, a terrifying gleam bursting from his eyes.
At his realm, raising his cultivation by even one level was harder than ascending to heaven. He would never let go of even the slightest hope.
"How could your disciple dare deceive you about such a matter?"
Huang Yan said with certainty.
"Good!"
Azure Luan Douluo swept a hand through the air and gave a bold, lofty sneer.
"Time waits for no one. Once Bing'er is settled in, I'll personally accompany you on this trip!
I'd like to see whether that old poison Dugu Bo dares block my path!"
Inside Pope Palace.
Gui Mei knelt on one knee beneath the steps and respectfully reported:
"Your Holiness, Azure Luan Worshiper and Huang Yan have returned.
Judging by how restrained Huang Yan's Soul Power is, he should have successfully absorbed his fifth spirit ring and officially advanced to a level fifty Soul King."
Bibi Dong, seated high upon the Pope's throne, slowly opened her eyes. A complicated expression flickered across her stunning face.
"A Soul King at eighteen... As expected of an unparalleled genius possessing the twin supreme martial souls of the Evil Fire Phoenix and Dark Sacred Dragon."
Bibi Dong sighed softly, undisguised regret coloring her voice.
"When he first joined Spirit Hall twelve years ago, I was still the Saintess and could only bide my time for the greater plan.
I had intended to take him as my personal disciple once I became Pope, pouring Spirit Hall's resources into carefully nurturing him."
"What a pity... In the end, I was one step too late.
By the time I dealt with that beast Qian Xunji, that brat had already been claimed by that old fellow Azure Luan and become a member of Worship Hall."
Gui Mei lowered his head, not daring to respond to anything concerning the former Pope. He merely continued his report:
"Your Holiness, there is one more matter.
The spies report that when they returned to the city this time, they had an exceptionally beautiful young woman with them.
According to the investigation, she should be from Skywater Academy, and the two of them seem rather close."
"He brought back a woman?"
Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly. Her fingers lightly tapped the armrest, and a hint of worry appeared on her face.
Huang Yan had spent a full twelve years at Spirit Hall's Advanced Soul Master Academy.
With his terrifying talent and strength that crushed those of his peers, he had long been the unquestionable core of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
As for her personal disciple Hu Liena's admiration and affection for Huang Yan, who in Pope Palace did not know about it?
Before you continue