Nighttime Report! Xue Qinghe of the Crown Prince's Mansion!

He looked at Dugu Yan, a glint flashing through his eyes.

That glint held fighting spirit, admiration, and something else that could neither be named nor explained.

Yu Feng leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan several times. The corner of his mouth curled up in a meaningful smile.

He said nothing, but that smile already explained everything.

Osler and the Shi Brothers exchanged glances, each seeing pressure in the other's eyes.

Even Dugu Yan had become this strong. If they did not work harder, they would end up holding the Imperial Dou Team back.

"Training."

The eldest of the Shi Brothers spoke in a muffled voice.

"Extra training."

"Extra training."

The second brother nodded along.

Yu Feng also dropped his smile and straightened up. "I'm in too."

Osler rolled his wrist. "Count me in."

Yu Tianheng drew a deep breath. The thunderous power of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon erupted completely, purple lightning forming a pillar of light around him. "Today's goal: no rest until we break through."

The training ground boiled with fighting spirit.

Watching her teammates kindle their determination one after another, Dugu Yan felt a trace of warmth flicker through her jade-green Dragon Eyes.

These were her teammates. They would not envy her progress, nor would they distance themselves because she had grown stronger.

They would only work harder, fight more desperately, and stand beside her.

"I'm in too."

Dugu Yan released her Jade Scale Dragon Martial Soul, its jade-green Dragon Might spreading through the training ground.

Yu Tianheng glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Then come on."

At the Education Committee Office Building, in the office of the three Education Committee members.

Qin Ming stood before the desk and reported every detail of Dugu Yan's situation.

After listening, the three Education Committee members fell silent at the same time.

Meng Shenji, the chief Education Committee member, was an eighty-sixth-level Soul Douluo. His Martial Soul was the Black Demon, and he was the most senior Education Committee member at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

He stroked his beard and slowly said, "The Jade Python Snake evolved into the Jade Scale Dragon. Her fourth Soul Ring is a ten-thousand-year black ring, and she broke through from level thirty-four to level forty-five in three months... Such talent is indeed astonishing."

Bai Baoshan nodded. "If she truly possesses such talent, then the academy should indeed provide her with more resources."

Zhilin said nothing, but a trace of shock also showed in his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, Meng Shenji made his decision. "Apply for a special-grade cultivation resource quota for her, including permission to use the Soul Power cultivation rooms, priority selection rights at the Resource Pavilion, and an additional monthly cultivation allowance. As for her Martial Soul and Soul Rings, there is no need to investigate further. Dugu Bo is a Titled Douluo. He has his own methods."

Qin Ming nodded and turned to leave the office.

By the time he returned to the training ground, the sky had already darkened.

Qin Ming stood at the edge of the field, watching the team members train desperately. A trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes.

Yu Tianheng in particular. The thunderous power of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon surged wildly around him, and his Soul Power fluctuations were far stronger than before training. He was only one step away from becoming a level-forty Soul Ancestor.

The corner of Qin Ming's mouth rose slightly. He did not disturb them further and turned to leave.

As the night deepened, training finally came to an end.

Yu Tianheng was drenched in sweat, and the Martial Soul power of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon had been completely exhausted.

He sat on the ground, gulping down breaths of air, but his gaze fell on Dugu Yan as she packed her things in the distance.

Yu Feng passed by him, looked down at him, then followed his gaze toward Dugu Yan. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Captain, what are you looking at?"

Yu Tianheng withdrew his gaze, his face expressionless. "Nothing."

Yu Feng chuckled and said nothing more. He patted Yu Tianheng on the shoulder and left.

Yu Tianheng rose to his feet and walked toward Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan looked up, confusion in her jade-green Dragon Eyes. "Captain, is something wrong?"

Yu Tianheng fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Tomorrow, I'll break through level forty."

Dugu Yan froze for a moment, then smiled. "Then congratulations, Captain."

Yu Tianheng looked at her smile, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly before he turned and left.

Dugu Yan watched his retreating figure, confusion flickering through her jade-green Dragon Eyes.

She had heard Yu Feng ask what he was looking at.

Yu Tianheng had said he was looking at nothing. She did not believe him.

But she did not dwell on it. After packing her things, she left the training ground.

Moonlight spilled over the grounds of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, its silvery glow shrouding everything.

Dugu Yan walked along the road back to her dormitory, her jade-green hair gleaming faintly beneath the moonlight.

Three months ago, when she had left this place, she had still been a sickly girl tormented by poison, destined not to live past thirty.

Three months later, when she returned, she was already a level-forty-five Soul Ancestor, owner of a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring and the Jade Scale Dragon.

Her grandfather had given her a second life.

She would not let him down.

That night, at the Education Committee Office Building.

Meng Shenji had not returned to his residence. Instead, he sat in his office, the tea before him long gone cold.

Bai Baoshan and Zhilin had already left, but there was one matter he could not put aside.

Dugu Yan.

This student had changed too much—so much that even an old man who had lived for more than sixty years felt uneasy.

The Jade Python Snake had evolved into the Jade Scale Dragon. In three months, she had advanced from level thirty-four to level forty-five, and her fourth Soul Ring was even ten thousand years old.

Such talent was exceedingly rare across the entire continent.

And behind Dugu Yan stood the Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo.

Meng Shenji was not worried that Dugu Bo would harm the academy.

Dugu Yan was studying at the academy. Dugu Bo had no reason to act against it.

What worried him was that if he did not report this matter and something went wrong later, he would not be able to bear the responsibility.

The Imperial Dou Academy was affiliated with the Tiandou Imperial Family, and its direct overseer was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

The Crown Prince had always paid close attention to the Imperial Dou Team. He had personally received core members such as Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan.

Now that Dugu Yan had undergone such a tremendous change, the Crown Prince ought to know.

Meng Shenji stood, draped an outer robe over himself, and left the office.

The Crown Prince's Mansion was located in the eastern district of Heaven Dou City. It covered a vast area, and its manor was imposing and magnificent.

By the time Meng Shenji arrived, it was already late at night.

He presented his calling card. The gatekeeper went inside to report his arrival, and before long, someone led him into the residence.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe received him in the study.

"An Education Committee member visits so late at night. What important matter brings you here?"

Xue Qinghe sat behind the desk, her voice gentle and her expression calm, betraying no emotion.

Meng Shenji bowed in salute, then reported every detail of Dugu Yan's situation.

"The Jade Scale Dragon?" Xue Qinghe's brows moved slightly. "A true dragon-type Martial Soul?"

"Yes." Meng Shenji nodded. "This old man saw it with his own eyes. It is indeed a true dragon, not a snake. Its quality is at least top-tier. I estimate that it is no weaker than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, perhaps even stronger!"

Xue Qinghe fell silent for a moment, her fingers lightly tapping the desk.

"A level-forty-five Soul Ancestor, a ten-thousand-year fourth Soul Ring, and a breakthrough from level thirty-four to level forty-five in three months."

Xue Qinghe repeated the numbers. Her voice remained calm, but an imperceptible gleam flashed deep within her eyes. "Dugu Bo had been hiding something. That was quite a fortunate opportunity!"

"Your Highness, Dugu Yan's change, should we..."

"There is no need to worry."

Xue Qinghe waved her hand, interrupting Meng Shenji. "Dugu Yan is a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, a member of the Imperial Dou Team, and a talent under the Crown Prince's Mansion. Her becoming stronger is a good thing for us."

Meng Shenji felt relieved and hurriedly nodded. "Your Highness is right."

"You may return." Xue Qinghe lifted her teacup. "I know about Dugu Yan's matter. Give her the resources she deserves. As for the rest, there is no need to ask further questions."

"Yes."

Meng Shenji bowed and withdrew from the study.

As he walked out of the Crown Prince's Mansion, the night wind swept past him, and Meng Shenji realized that cold sweat had already soaked his back.

The Crown Prince's presence had become increasingly oppressive.

She was clearly only a Soul Ancestor in her forties, yet sitting there, she possessed an aura that made even him, an eighty-sixth-level Soul Douluo, afraid to meet her gaze.

Meng Shenji shook his head, casting those thoughts from his mind, and quickly disappeared into the night.

Inside the study, Xue Qinghe set down her teacup.

Her face flickered between light and shadow beneath the candlelight. Her golden hair draped over her shoulders, and the corner of her mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

"Dugu Bo... Dugu Yan... Jade Scale Dragon."

She softly murmured the names, a golden light flashing through her eyes.