Dugu Yan's Uncontrollable Descent

Upon hearing that the completion condition would be replaced with a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, Dugu Yan's little head immediately shook like a rattle.

Her own grandfather wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's teeth.

By comparison, it was much better to prey on her classmates' pets.

And so, for the next few days, Dugu Yan transformed into a cute-pet harvesting machine.

The pet dogs, pet cats, hamsters, and other adorable creatures raised by her classmates were not spared, all falling victim to Dugu Yan's schemes.

Fortunately, Dugu Yan's methods were quite clever; even after twenty pets had vanished, their owners had no idea who was responsible.

They could only grieve in private, lost in the sorrow of missing their beloved companions.

Feeling guilty as a thief, Dugu Yan didn't visit the pet market for several days, which surprised Ye Lingling, who was usually dragged along for a stroll every now and then.

However, she was quite happy to stay further away from those venomous snakes.

She only felt a secret worry in her heart for her good friend.

After all, a few days ago, the other girl had committed an act comparable to defecating in the middle of the street.

"Yanzi, what's been going on with you lately?"

"You haven't even asked me to go shopping."

Dugu Yan was like a mute eating coptis—she had bitter words she couldn't speak. She couldn't very well go around telling everyone she had gained the favor of a god and needed to complete trials, could she?

Setting aside whether people would believe her, what if it attracted those with ulterior motives?

"It's... it's nothing, I've just been feeling a bit unwell lately."

Ye Lingling thought back to the other girl's behavior in class and understood instantly.

"Why don't you get a boyfriend, Yanzi? That way you won't feel so restless all over!"

Dugu Yan, understanding her good friend's train of thought, saw her pretty face darken instantly.

"Go away, go away. If you've got nothing to do, go find a boyfriend yourself. As a little support-type, you need a Battle Soul Master boyfriend even more."

"I'll be fine in a few days!"

"Bam!"

Staring blankly at the tightly shut door, Ye Lingling scratched her hair in confusion.

Wasn't she just being kind?

"Forget it, I won't worry about that brat anymore."

"Yanzi, remember to keep an eye on your snakes! Someone has been stealing pets lately!"

"Got it!"

Back in her room, Dugu Yan sighed. She had only completed two trials and had already attracted attention; what was she supposed to do later on?

Fortunately, she only needed two more pets to reach the target of twenty for this trial. She could only hope that the Snake God wouldn't issue such shameless trials again in the future.

Dugu Bo, who had been observing in secret, naturally saw everything his granddaughter did.

Already feeling that his granddaughter had been acting very strange lately, his heart grew even more suspicious.

At the same time, he made up his mind to find out the reason behind her sudden change.

At night, Dugu Yan covered her face and set out under the cover of darkness once more.

Her target was the two Seven-Colored Birds kept by the academy committee member, Bai Baoshan.

These birds had already transcended the category of ordinary pets and were considered ten-year Soul Beasts.

Bai Baoshan, who loved raising birds, regarded them as treasures.

Having already wreaked enough havoc on the pets kept at the academy, Dugu Yan had no choice but to set her sights on those two Seven-Colored Birds.

Sneaking quietly into the villa area, she climbed over the wall and entered Bai Baoshan's residence.

The two Seven-Colored Birds, which liked to chirp incessantly during the day, were now closing their eyes to rest.

Fortunately, they were kept in a cage; otherwise, trying to steal such highly vigilant Soul Beasts would have surely required a great deal of effort.

Not to mention anything else, if she woke Bai Baoshan up, it would be very difficult to explain.

Silently spiriting away the birdcage, Dugu Yan quickly returned to her dormitory.

The two Seven-Colored Birds were instantly transformed into fodder for her snakes and insects.

"Phew, being a thief really isn't something just anyone can do."

Wiping the sweat from her forehead caused by the tension, Dugu Yan's face was filled with relief.

In a hotel room outside the academy, Lu Xian, who had already drifted off to sleep, was suddenly awakened by a system notification.

[Wish Rank F, Executor Dugu Yan completion rate: 100%.]

[Reward: 50 days of cultivation, Soul Ring age increased by 25 years.]

"She's quite diligent, going out in the middle of the night to complete the task!"

Completely unaware of how unscrupulous the trial he had set was, Lu Xian merely sighed to himself in his heart.

After docking the vast majority of the rewards as well, Lu Xian distributed the portion of the salary belonging to Dugu Yan, then rolled over and continued his slumber.

At the same time, a notification sound indicating the completion of a trial echoed within Dugu Yan's mind.

"Snake God Second Trial, Hunting, has been completed."

"Reward: 15 days of cultivation, soul ring age increased by 4 years."

The pure soul power surging into her body once again caused Dugu Yan's irritable mood to instantly improve.

There was nothing that made a worker more excited than receiving a paycheck.

"The rewards seem to be increasing with each attempt. If I reach the fortieth or fiftieth trial, how bountiful will the rewards be!"

Even though she had yet to find a way to resolve the toxins in her body, Dugu Yan still felt a burning sensation in her heart.

She felt as if a path leading to the pinnacle of soul masters was laid out right before her eyes.

As for the toxins, she was not worried in the slightest.

The Snake God would surely not watch its chosen examinee die of poison, right?

"Let the trials come even more fiercely!"

The next day, Dugu Yan swept away the gloom of the past few days and returned to class, radiating glory once again.

With a beautiful face and the background of a Title Douluo in her family, Dugu Yan never lacked pursuers in the academy, even if she liked playing with snakes.

And Yu Tianheng, the grandson of Yu Yuanzhen from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect, was one of them.

Although approaching Dugu Yan involved instructions from his grandfather, with the goal of winning over Dugu Bo by wooing her, it was hard to say that Yu Tianheng's own lust wasn't at play.

Seeing Dugu Yan return to class after several days, Yu Tianheng stepped forward with great concern to greet her.

"Yanyan, I heard from Lingling that you haven't been feeling well these past few days?"

"Do you need me to find a healing soul master to take a look at you?"

Hearing the way he addressed her, Dugu Yan instinctively frowned.

Usually, only her grandfather would address her like that.

The other party's intentions were written all over his face; naturally, Dugu Yan could not fail to notice them.

Although she didn't dislike him, Dugu Yan, whose mind was currently filled with trials, naturally had no energy to spare for romance.

"Thanks, I'm already better, a healing soul master won't be necessary."

"Is that so? Then Yanyan, let's have lunch together; I've booked a restaurant."

Just as Dugu Yan was about to refuse Yu Tianheng's invitation, a prompt regarding the divine trial echoed in her mind once again.

"Snake God Third Trial, Do Not Associate with Loaches."

"As the inheritor of the Snake God, how can you associate with muddy loaches?"

"Directly challenge this toad who has no self-awareness, and defeat him under the gaze of everyone."

"Time limit: three days."

Dugu Yan's eyes brightened slightly; she hadn't expected the trial to be triggered at any time based on circumstances.

Although this trial was not simple either, it was still much better than defecating in the street or engaging in petty theft.

In high spirits, Dugu Yan immediately raised an eyebrow at Yu Tianheng.

"You want to pursue me?"

"Uh..."

Yu Tianheng's face turned uncharacteristically red; it seemed he hadn't expected Dugu Yan to be so direct.

After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and nodded.

"That's right, Yanyan, I like you, and I ask that you..."

"Hey, hey, hey, wait... wait."

"I didn't make it clear just so you could confess. What I want to say is, I, Dugu Yan, will not accept a partner weaker than myself."

"It's not impossible for me to agree to your pursuit, but defeat me first."