Dugu Bo looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice. "A year ago, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects, sent a disciple here named Yu Tianheng. He's the Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen's own grandson, and he's known as one of the 'Blue Lightning Twin Stars' alongside Yu Tianxin, the grandson of Yu Luomian, the clan's second-in-command. He's very suspicious."
"You should know that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has always remained neutral, supporting neither of the two great empires. As for their direct descendants, they've always either trained them within the clan or sent them to Thunder Academy, which they founded and funded. In the past hundred years, there's never been a precedent for one of them entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"At first, I thought the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had changed its strategy and wanted to curry favor with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."
"After all, Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, became Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's teacher, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect publicly pledged its support to the Heaven Dou Empire. They must be hoping to expand their influence and grow by relying on the Imperial Family's power. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan probably sent Yu Tianheng here because they didn't want to be left behind."
"It would also keep him from attending the same academy as another strong candidate to inherit the clan, Yu Tianxin, and prevent the rivalry from causing trouble."
"But recently, I noticed something was off. Ever since Yanyan advanced to Tianzhu Level, she's naturally spent less time with Lingling, who's still at Tianwei Level. That's when Yu Tianheng started secretly watching Yanyan all the time."
Dugu Bo's expression turned serious. "I suspect the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wants to use him to get close to Yanyan, then win me over."
"So I want you to protect Yanyan and keep a close eye on Yu Tianheng. He's from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, so as long as he doesn't go too far, don't make a move against him. Just keep a strict watch on him!"
Dugu Bo naturally had his own motives. Yu Tianheng was certainly a fine young man, with an excellent family background and talent. He was clearly a good match for Dugu Yan.
But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was domineering and very clannish. There were only two people left in the Dugu Family: him and his granddaughter.
As a Titled Douluo, he could ensure Dugu Yan wouldn't suffer while he was alive. But he was afraid that if he died one day, she'd be bullied.
In the past, Dugu Bo might have merely been a little displeased and stayed out of it. But now there was Xing Tian.
Dugu Yan had feelings for Xing Tian. Officially, Xing Tian was a relative of Ye Renxin's; in reality, he was an orphan—the perfect candidate. Dugu Bo only had to wait for him to grow up.
But Xing Tian was both helpless and speechless. Dugu Bo was asking him to act as Dugu Yan's shield.
And no matter how you looked at it, this meant offending the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Although he still didn't understand the Soul Master factions on the continent or what the Upper Three Sects meant, they sounded like trouble.
He wasn't afraid, but it would still be a hassle, and things could end up dragging the Ye Family into it.
What left him speechless was that Dugu Yan was only eleven, and Yu Tianheng was probably about the same age. Were they really getting into this sort of thing already? Were people on the Douluo Continent all so precocious?
There was nothing he could do. Dugu Bo was his benefactor, and a Titled Douluo, someone he'd need to rely on in many ways. He could only agree. "All right~"
"Hahahaha, good. From now on, if you ever want to ask me about anything, just come right over. And as for your Soul Rings, as long as they're not hundred-thousand-year ones, I'll take care of them!"
Dugu Bo patted Xing Tian on the shoulder, satisfied. Xing Tian nearly stumbled.
After chatting with Dugu Bo for a few more minutes, Xing Tian finally entered the dormitory. A handsome boy with a lean build, dressed in black and sporting short golden hair, was sitting on a bed meditating.
This was Xing Tian's roommate, Osler.
Seeing Osler meditating, Xing Tian didn't disturb him. He simply began arranging his bed and personal belongings.
By the time Xing Tian had nearly finished, Osler woke from his meditation. He noticed someone new in the room and looked surprised, but quickly figured it out. "You're my new roommate, right?"
"Yes. I'm Xing Tian."
"That's a cool name."
Osler's eyes lit up with envy, then quickly dimmed with disappointment.
"Why couldn't my parents give me a bold, badass name? Osler sounds like some random nobody!"
Then he looked puzzled. "I feel like I've heard that name somewhere..."
Suddenly, all his disappointment vanished. Brimming with energy, he jumped off the bed.
"My Martial Soul is Ghost Leopard. I've got Innate Soul Power of seven, just turned ten, and I'm a Level 22 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master. You can just call me 'Leopard.'"
Osler's mercurial, restless nature left Xing Tian stunned. He'd never met anyone like him before, and wondered if living with him would be a real ordeal. Maybe Dugu Bo should've kept quiet.
Still, he answered politely. "All right. My Martial Soul is Dark Evil Spirit Mantis. I have Innate Full Soul Power, I'm eight, and I'm a Level 21 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Osler instantly turned to stone. His jaw seemed ready to dislocate, and his mouth gaped wide enough to fit several eggs.
After who knew how long, he seemed to go limp as if his soul had left his body. He floated back to his bed and collapsed face-first into the pillow. Then he spun around three hundred and sixty degrees, wrapped himself up in his blanket like a spring roll, and lay there with a little dark cloud hovering over his head.
"What's wrong?"
"Ugh..."
Osler let out a weak breath, utterly dejected. "Comparing yourself to others will drive you mad... Don't talk to me. Let me be alone for a while..."
Xing Tian thought, Then I'll go find Sister Lingling and surprise her.
He started toward the dormitory door, but Osler stopped him. Turning around, he stared at Xing Tian resentfully. "Where are you going? You're just going to leave me here?"
Xing Tian furrowed his brow and tilted his head, looking confused. "Didn't you say you wanted to be alone for a while?"
Osler looked like a wronged wife. "I didn't tell you to leave. And I'm not even allowed to complain a little? Besides, you've hit me this hard, and I'm two years older than you. Can't you at least comfort me?"
Xing Tian couldn't bear to look. Osler was clearly handsome, and at first glance, he'd seemed like the cold, aloof type. But now he was acting like a wronged little wife.
"I don't know how, and I don't want to!"
Xing Tian refused outright and tried to keep walking. "I'm going to find someone."
Osler sprang up, flung off the blanket wrapped around him, and suddenly became bright and cheerful, not a trace of gloom left.
"Who are you looking for? A guy or a girl?"
Osler looked curious, then seemed to guess. With a mischievous grin, he pointed at Xing Tian. "A girl! You sly dog, you've already hooked up with a female classmate on your first day!"
"Who is she? Tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Osler struck a pose as if swearing an oath. Seeing that Xing Tian still ignored him, he darted forward, dropped to the floor, grabbed Xing Tian's legs with both hands, and kicked his own legs around wildly.
"Oh, come on, just tell me! I'll forgive you for hitting me so hard if you do."
Osler peeked at Xing Tian, then started rolling around and throwing a tantrum again. "Tell me!"
Before you continue