Plot Deviation?!

Not long after!

Gourmet Street, Scripture Depository.

Bang, bang—

"Boss, I'm back!"

This time, there was a clear lightness and familiarity in Dugu Yan's tone.

Li Jingzhe remained seated cross-legged, continuously consolidating his insights into the Three-in-One Technique. To climb high, one must lay a solid foundation, yet just then, Dugu Yan knocked and entered.

"It seems our Miss Dugu is not very punctual."

Li Jingzhe didn't move an inch, not even lifting his eyelids.

Dugu Yan choked... Could you die if you spoke nicely for once?

But then she reconsidered. Forget it, forget it. I'm here to maintain a relationship. Don't get angry, don't get angry!

She stepped forward and placed the prepared Snow Silkworm and Red Ginseng in front of Li Jingzhe. "I was just afraid you'd get impatient waiting. Look, I, Dugu Yan, keep my word. I've brought the items, twelve of each... the extras are an apology for offending you earlier."

"Oh? That's a rather light apology."

"You... I shouldn't have bothered with you in the first place!"

Dugu Yan stood up and began wandering between the bookshelves on her own: "Seven Injuries Fist... Blazing Blade... Leopard Tail Kick... Triple Cloud Step..."

Every time she passed a set of shelves, she couldn't help but read the titles aloud, flipping through them one by one. Just as she had suspected, these shelves were filled with Self-Created Soul Skill manuals.

She had already witnessed the profound nature of the Thousand Spider Poison Hand, and because of that, she was curious if the other Self-Created Soul Skill manuals here were just as marvelous.

Perhaps she could even pick out another one that suited her?

Unfortunately, after a full circle, while they were indeed profound, none were suitable for her. Either the style didn't fit, or the attributes were incompatible... That Triple Cloud Step, however, would be quite suitable for Ye Lingling; her mobility was too poor, and this would be the perfect remedy.

However, when it comes to soul skills, it's best to choose what feels right for oneself.

With that thought, she immediately dismissed the idea of buying it for Ye Lingling and turned to look at Li Jingzhe.

"Boss, do you have any other Self-Created Soul Skill manuals here? Preferably something like the Thousand Spider Poison Hand that would suit me."

"I do!"

Really?

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, and she rushed to Li Jingzhe in an instant, only to hear him say, "Wait for me to write one for you."

Tch—

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes. "I'll believe that when I see it. You're going to write one? If you don't want to reveal the source of these things, just say so. Why make up stories?"

"I see it now. You're just a little clerk, and the big boss behind the scenes hasn't told you when the next shipment is coming, right?"

This Scripture Depository had nine floors. In such a massive place, there shouldn't be only these few Self-Created Soul Skill manuals, and where would a mere Soul Master get so many of them?

The only explanation was that this guy was just an employee, and he didn't know when new stock would arrive either!

Perhaps behind this was some reclusive, fallen family? Or a sect?

"Ignoring me again... I'm leaving!"

Seeing that Li Jingzhe had no intention of continuing the conversation, Dugu Yan couldn't be bothered to waste time with him. She still had to rush to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to discuss the preliminary tournament with Tian Heng!

Walking to the door, swish—

Dugu Yan tossed a token at Li Jingzhe. The front was carved with a Jade Phosphorus Serpent, and the back bore the character "Dugu." Li Jingzhe reached out two fingers and easily caught it.

"Not bad reflexes... Keep that. If anyone gives you trouble, show it to them. Seeing the token is like seeing the Poison Douluo himself; everyone will have to give you three points of respect."

Without caring if Li Jingzhe heard her, she came with flair and left with flair.

Exiting the Scripture Depository, she boarded her carriage.

"Let's go, Uncle Fu, to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"

"Yes!"

Li Jingzhe looked over the Snow Silkworm and Red Ginseng that Dugu Yan had brought. Not bad, all top-quality century-old goods.

The medicinal herbs are here, but it's not the right time yet...

I need to let my body reach a state of depletion first so it can better absorb the medicinal power!

It was the same principle as being hungrier and then eating a big meal—it's easier to absorb the nutrients.

Right, when dawn breaks, I'll need to buy other auxiliary herbs... and I must buy Whale Rubber!

Currently, it was the era of the first Douluo series. The true value of Whale Rubber—enhancing physical fitness and increasing the absorption limit of soul rings—had not yet been discovered. The price was relatively low; commoners couldn't afford it, and nobles just used it for play.

It's no wonder people here only know the "what" but not the "why." To think they use such a precious item for that purpose...

For now, using Whale Rubber to assist in practicing the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Technique would be much more cost-effective than buying Bosi Qu Snake Gallbladder from the system store.

With his plan set, Li Jingzhe stood up and began to circulate the Three-in-One Technique. His feet traced the I Ching Sixty-Four Hexagrams, ethereal and agile, while incorporating the grand, open-and-close stance of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Technique. As for his primary cultivation method, the Muscle and Tendon Classic, it was already running quietly in the background.

Over and over again, until he realized the sky had already turned bright!

"Boss, do you have any Self-Created Soul Skill here that I can master quickly?"

Bang—

The doors to the Scripture Depository were shoved open. Before the person even appeared, a hurried, impatient voice echoed inside.

Li Jingzhe had just finished his stance training and was winding down; before he could even check his soul power growth, he saw Dugu Yan push her way in. "Why is it you again?"

"I just thought you'd finally learned some manners and how to knock, but it seems you've reverted to your true colors after one trip out?"

"Oh, spare me the bickering... do you have it or not?!"

Dugu Yan's pretty face still held traces of lingering anger, her eyes slightly red, with tear stains on her cheeks.

Strange. Hasn't she already mastered the Thousand Spider Poison Hand? Looking at this state, it's as if she just had a good cry.

"I know you're in a rush, but don't rush."

Li Jingzhe sat down in his chair and teased, "You look like you're in a foul mood. What, did a man dump you?"

"You're the one who got dumped by a man!!"

Dugu Yan snorted coldly. "The men lining up to pursue this young lady could stretch all the way to the Star Dou Great Forest!"

She had figured it out by now: when dealing with this jerk, you couldn't be impatient. The more impatient you were, the more he treated it like entertainment!

She immediately changed the subject. "Come to think of it, we can be considered... friends now, right? I still don't know what to call you?"

"Li Jingzhe!"

Li Jingzhe chuckled. "You can also just call me Pavilion Master!"

"Tch, 'Pavilion Master' indeed..."

Dugu Yan curled her lip, then as if remembering something, she suddenly asked, "Right, will you be coming to watch the Soul Master Tournament this afternoon? I can get you two tickets."

"Not going!"

Li Jingzhe scoffed. "Newbies pecking at each other... what's there to watch?"

"Hey, what do you mean by 'newbies pecking at each other'?"

Dugu Yan turned the phrase over in her mind three times before the meaning hit her, and she immediately retorted with dissatisfaction, "This is a grand event that every young soul master is dying to participate in! How is it so pathetic in your eyes?"

"Heh... only the finals are slightly interesting. The preliminary rounds are just at the level of children fighting."

Li Jingzhe looked entirely disdainful.

"Hey, hey, you've gone too far! If the preliminaries are just children fighting, then what does that make me?" Dugu Yan snapped.

"What do the preliminaries have to do with you?"

Li Jingzhe asked, surprised. "If I recall correctly, you're on the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's first team, aren't you? Aren't you seeded directly into the finals?"

Hmph—

Dugu Yan gave a light snort. "What's the point of being seeded into the finals? This young lady wants to fight her way into the finals fair and square!!"

Hm?

Li Jingzhe was somewhat stunned... Dugu Yan wanted to fight in the preliminaries? How was this different from his memories?