You're the One!

Theory classes did not last long. Heaven Dou Royal Academy offered far fewer theory courses than Soul Power courses; after all, strength was supreme.

Aside from the necessary courses, students spent most of their time going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy's library on their own to learn whatever knowledge they needed.

Liu Bai likewise did not intend to put too much effort into theory. He only planned to learn what he needed, such as choosing suitable soul beasts, what kinds of Soul Skills different soul beasts could grant, and how to determine a soul beast's age.

These were things he absolutely needed to understand. As for everything else, he only intended to learn selectively and did not plan to spend too much time on it.

His time was precious. The sooner he reached Soul Grandmaster, the sooner he reached Dou Zhe, the better his chances would be when facing future crises and opportunities.

Over in the Battle Through the Heavens World, he currently did not have many chances to show what he could do. After all, he was still too weak, merely at the Dou Qi stage.

If he wanted to go out and gain experience or find a good faction to join, he at least had to become a Dou Zhe.

For example, joining the Misty Cloud Sect required first traveling to Misty Cloud Mountain in Gama Holy City.

Could they really expect someone who was not even a Dou Zhe to walk for over a month to get there?

It was far too dangerous. He did not have Yao Lao protecting him.

Nor could Ma Qi quit working just to escort him. He was already immensely grateful that Ma Qi had taken him in and taught him cultivation and Dou Techniques. There was no need to trouble him further.

Besides, unless he could directly become Yun Yun's disciple, the Misty Cloud Sect was not worth joining. The mere fact that Protector Wu was hidden within it was terrifying enough.

That was a Dou Zong. Someone like him, who was not even a lowly Dou Zhe, would die from a single glare.

So in the short term, the Douluo World offered greater returns.

After all, as long as he got close to Dugu Yan, he would not have to worry about failing to get close to Dugu Bo.

Once he got close to Dugu Bo, the Immortal Herbs would be within easy reach!

Time passed slowly amid day after day of cultivation.

During the day, Liu Bai studied Martial Soul and Soul Power knowledge with Qin Ming in the Douluo World and built good relationships with Dugu Yan and the others. At night, he returned to the Battle Through the Heavens World to meditate, cultivate, and temper his Dou Qi.

His days could be said to have been incredibly fulfilling.

In just one year, he broke through to level twenty. As long as he obtained a Soul Ring, he would become a true Soul Grandmaster.

Dugu Yan also broke through to level thirty in less than a year. However, compared to Liu Bai gaining four levels in a year, her two levels seemed a little slow.

After a year of spending time together, and under Liu Bai's deliberate guidance, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had become very close to him.

When she learned that Liu Bai also needed to obtain his second Soul Ring and had no one to help him, she waved her hand and said that he could simply come with her, and her grandfather would take both of them to obtain Soul Rings.

Naturally, Liu Bai could not refuse. He was even delighted by the arrangement. Wasn't this the perfect chance to get close to Dugu Bo?

The two agreed to set out for Falling Forest together today.

Before the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Liu Bai and Dugu Yan stood side by side.

Liu Bai had grown a few more centimeters. He was now only half a head shorter than Dugu Yan. He was only eight years old, yet children on Douluo Continent grew incredibly fast.

Whenever Ma Qi returned in the Battle Through the Heavens World, he would sigh over Liu Bai's impressive development. They clearly ate the same food, yet Liu Bai grew taller than everyone else. Soul Power must have some kind of special bonus for physical growth.

"Sister Yanyan, when will Senior Dugu arrive?"

Liu Bai asked Dugu Yan beside him.

Dugu Yan estimated the time.

"He should be here soon. I wrote to Grandpa ahead of time, so he won't be late."

Sure enough, not long after they finished speaking, a dark green figure came rushing in from afar and landed steadily before them.

He was an elderly man with rare green hair. His figure was somewhat thin, but his aura was immensely powerful.

The instant Dugu Yan saw Dugu Bo arrive, she hurried over to him.

"Grandpa."

It's Decided, It's You!

"Ah, let Grandpa see whether Yanyan has put on any weight lately."

The moment Dugu Bo saw Dugu Yan, his gaze immediately softened. He pulled her into his arms and weighed her in his hands.

"You've gotten chubbier again!"

Dugu Bo laughed.

Dugu Yan immediately jumped away when she heard that.

"Oh, Grandpa, where am I chubby? Honestly."

Then Dugu Yan pulled Liu Bai over and introduced him to Dugu Bo.

"Grandpa, this is the little brother I just recognized, Liu Bai. He's coming with us this time to hunt for Soul Rings."

Dugu Bo looked Liu Bai up and down a few times before slowly nodding.

"Mm, that's fine."

Seeing that Dugu Bo did not seem to care much, Dugu Yan spoke up at once.

"Grandpa, don't underestimate Xiao Bai. He's an eight-year-old level-twenty Soul Grandmaster!"

"What? Eight years old?"

Dugu Bo was startled. His figure vanished in an instant as though he had used Teleportation, and in the next moment, he appeared before Liu Bai.

He was so fast that Liu Bai only caught a fleeting afterimage.

Before he could react, Dugu Bo had already grabbed one of his wrists.

"He really is eight."

He marveled inwardly. When his Yanyan had written to say that she had broken through to level thirty and wanted to obtain a Soul Ring, he had been happy for a long time. But the moment he saw that she wanted to bring along a boy, he could no longer smile.

His first thought had been whether he should find an opportunity to poison this boy to death. Of course, it was only a thought; he would never actually poison him.

How dare this brat come after his granddaughter? Yet when they finally met, the other party turned out to be only an eight-year-old child, and one with extraordinary talent at that. Reaching Soul Grandmaster at eight years old meant he could very likely break through to Soul Elder before the age of twelve. As long as such talent did not die young—

There was a great chance he would become a Title Douluo in the future.

He released Liu Bai's wrist.

Liu Bai immediately cupped his hands.

"This junior is Liu Bai. Greetings, Senior Dugu."

Dugu Bo nodded, one hand behind his back.

"Not bad. Your talent and temperament are both good. You're worthy of my Yanyan, but you're still too weak. If you want to pursue my Yanyan, you're not quite there yet."

Dugu Yan's face immediately flushed red.

"Oh, Grandpa, what are you talking about? Xiao Bai is only eight."

How was she supposed to face Xiao Bai afterward if her grandfather said things like that in front of him?

Liu Bai paused. How was he supposed to respond to that?

Dugu Bo frowned.

"What? Do you think my granddaughter isn't worthy of you?"

Liu Bai hurriedly shook his head.

"How could that be? This junior is afraid that I am not worthy of Sister Yanyan."

Dugu Yan did not know what to say. What did Xiao Bai mean by that? Could Xiao Bai really be interested in her?

It seemed possible. If it was Xiao Bai, he was handsome, strong, and especially gentle. The more Dugu Yan thought about it, the redder her face became, until she felt a little embarrassed.

What are you thinking, Dugu Yan? He's six years younger than you.

You're robbing the cradle.

Dugu Bo, on the other hand, was extremely satisfied with Liu Bai's answer.

"Heh, you know how to talk, boy. I like that."

Then he turned to look at Dugu Yan.

Seeing her flushed face, how could he fail to understand that his granddaughter likely had some feelings for Liu Bai as well?

However, he did not intend to oppose it. This boy's talent was outstanding, and he was worthy of his granddaughter.

Led by Dugu Bo, the two quickly arrived at Sunset Forest.

Although Sunset Forest was not as vast as the Star Dou Great Forest, it was still an enormous soul beast forest. Countless soul beasts lived within it, including even some ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

One of them needed a third Soul Ring, while the other needed a second Soul Ring. Sunset Forest was more than sufficient for them.

"Tell me, boy. What type and age of soul beast do you need?"

Dugu Bo asked Liu Bai. Dugu Yan had already recovered from her earlier embarrassment and looked at Liu Bai as well.

Dugu Bo knew exactly what kind of Soul Ring his granddaughter needed, so there was no need to ask. But he truly did not know what kind of Soul Ring Liu Bai needed, since he did not even know what Liu Bai's Martial Soul was.

Liu Bai thought for a moment.

"I want a thousand-year Fire Earth Dragon."

Dugu Bo nodded subconsciously.

"A Fire Earth Dragon."

This soul beast was somewhat rare, but one could still be found in Sunset Forest.

Wait, how many years had he just said?

A thousand years?!

He looked at Liu Bai in surprise.

"Boy, you're not joking, are you? Are you sure you want a thousand-year soul beast's Soul Ring?"

Liu Bai nodded firmly.

"That's right. Senior Dugu, you heard correctly, and I'm not joking. I want a thousand-year Soul Ring for my second Soul Ring!"

Dugu Yan moved closer in confusion and brushed a hand across his forehead.

"You don't have a fever. Why are you talking nonsense?"