Dugu Yan: How Could My Grandfather Be in Trouble?

"Therefore, I need you to come with me."

"Me?"

"A treasure trove like the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well might already be occupied by a powerhouse; it wouldn't be safe for me to go alone."

"Your portal can whisk us away at any time, and your strength provides me with a high level of security."

Tribios tilted her head.

"Dean, aren't you capable of defeating a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"

A flicker of fear flashed in Ye Qiong's eyes.

"My body isn't immune to poison."

"If the opponent happens to be a master of toxins, I might end up lying dead before I even see what the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well looks like."

"That would be far too embarrassing."

Tribios couldn't help but chuckle.

She hadn't expected her Dean, despite his formidable strength, to be so excessively cautious.

Consequently, she nodded and said with a smile:

"Fine, I'll go with you. Leaving now?"

"Right now."

Upon hearing this, Tribios raised her right hand, and the next second, a golden triangular gate slowly pulled open in the center of the office.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong stepped through it quickly.

Sunset Forest.

The surroundings were silent, save for the faint sounds of birds and beasts.

However, just then, a golden rift suddenly tore open in the air, startling the nearby wildlife.

The rift vanished in a flash, and the next second, two figures appeared in the woods.

It was Ye Qiong and Tribios.

Ye Qiong looked around, confirmed the location was correct, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"We've arrived. This should be the Sunset Forest."

Tribios stood beside him.

"Dean, where exactly is the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well located?"

Ye Qiong shook his head and pulled a map from his robes.

"I only know we're in the Sunset Forest, but I don't know the specific coordinates."

"However, I have a clue: as long as we find a mountain that is half-covered in ice and half-engulfed in flames, we'll be there."

Hearing this, Tribios tapped her chin with her finger, lost in thought.

"A mountain that is half ice and half fire shouldn't be too hard to identify."

"Exactly. Such a feature is very distinct, and since it's a mountain, we should find it quickly if we search carefully. Let's go."

After saying this, Ye Qiong put away the map and took the lead, walking forward.

Seeing this, Tribios followed.

A clearing on the outskirts of the Sunset Forest.

A thousand-year-level soul beast lay in a pool of blood, transforming into a purple soul ring.

A young girl sat cross-legged beside the carcass, closed her eyes, and circulated her soul power to draw the soul ring toward her.

A little further away, a middle-aged woman stood with her arms crossed, watching the girl.

"This soul ring is seventeen hundred years old. Will Yue'er really have no issues absorbing it?"

The one speaking was another girl who looked identical to the one on the ground.

She was the girl's older sister, Shui Bing'er, and the middle-aged woman was the Dean of Tianshui Academy.

At this moment, she was watching her younger sister, Shui Yue'er, her face full of worry.

The Dean shook her head.

"Bing'er, Yue'er's physical constitution is different from ordinary soul masters. She has practiced in extreme cold environments since she was young, and her meridians are much tougher than those of her peers. It's just a seventeen-hundred-year soul beast; she can handle it."

Shui Bing'er wanted to say something more, but a girl with long green hair leaned in from the side.

"Classmate Shui Bing'er, don't worry. My grandfather has even praised Classmate Shui Yue'er's constitution; she will be fine."

Shui Bing'er glanced at her and offered a forced smile.

"Thank you, classmate Dugu Yan."

The girl called Dugu Yan waved her hand, her gaze drifting back to Shui Yue'er as her thoughts wandered far away.

Why hasn't Grandfather returned yet?

He had clearly promised to bring her to the Sunset Forest to find a place to suppress her toxicity.

Yet, upon arriving at the wooden cabin on the outskirts, he told her to wait while he went deep into the forest alone to scout the path.

She had been waiting for two days now.

These past two days, she had been bored out of her mind.

Fortunately, some people from Tianshui Academy happened to pass by, allowing her to join them.

The dean of Tianshui Academy was bringing Shui Yue'er to hunt for a soul ring, and since she was already somewhat acquainted with the group, it was only natural that she tagged along.

Wait, could something have happened to Grandfather?

However, she quickly dismissed this thought.

How could that be possible?

Her grandfather was a Titled Douluo; there were only a handful of people on the entire Douluo Continent who could cause him harm.

She was just scaring herself.

Inside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

A figure slammed heavily into the ground, coughing up a streak of blood.

It was an old man.

He struggled to get up, but the excruciating pain in his chest made it impossible for him to even straighten his back.

He could only glare with indignation at the gray-haired man in front of him.

At this moment, the gray-haired man was resting a baseball bat on his shoulder with one hand, his posture casual and unrestrained.

He was none other than Ye Qiong.

"Poison Douluo? You don't seem like much."

Ye Qiong tapped his shoulder lightly with the baseball bat, his eyes filled with a hint of disdain as he looked at the old man.

Dugu Bo gritted his teeth, barely managing to prop up his upper body.

"Who... who exactly are you?"

Ye Qiong smiled, patting the baseball bat with his left hand.

"Me? I'm just a passing Trailblazer."

Dugu Bo's pupils constricted sharply. He had never heard the word "Trailblazer" before.

But he had no time to ponder it; the broken ribs in his chest made even breathing difficult.

Ye Qiong looked around, then glanced back at Dugu Bo.

"Although you found this place first, treasures of heaven and earth have always belonged to the strong, and you have already lost."

Dugu Bo laughed in extreme anger.

"You arrogant brat, how dare you!"

"You are merely a Soul Saint; you must have used some secret technique to defeat me. If we talk about true cultivation, you aren't even worth a single hair on my head."

Ye Qiong shrugged and waved his hand indifferently.

"Just tell me whether you lost or not. If you're not convinced, you're welcome to challenge me at Amphoreus Academy in Soto City anytime."

Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, about to say something more, when his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of the valley entrance.

He saw a woman walking slowly from the entrance, her demeanor incredibly composed.

Yet, the aura radiating from her made Dugu Bo feel as if he were looking at an ancient goddess!

Dugu Bo weighed the situation for a moment.

In the end, he swallowed the harsh words that were about to spill out.

As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood!

In a word: run!

Thus, he struggled to climb up from the ground and stared at Ye Qiong, asking, "Little brat, state your name."

Ye Qiong smiled, not bothering to hide it.

"I do not change my name or surname wherever I go; I am Ye Qiong."

Dugu Bo glared at Ye Qiong through gritted teeth, as if trying to etch his appearance deep into his memory.

"Ye Qiong... is it? Very well. I have noted today's humiliation."

Having said that, he spoke no more. Dragging his injured body, he turned and walked toward the valley exit without looking back.

Watching his silhouette disappear at the mouth of the valley, Ye Qiong finally put away his baseball bat and looked at Tribios.

"The annoying guy is finally gone. I didn't expect him to be so fragile; that wasn't quite satisfying enough."

Hearing this, Tribios looked at Ye Qiong and offered a helpless smile.

Who was the one dragging her along earlier, claiming to be afraid?

Just then, Ye Qiong pulled a booklet from his pocket.

"Here, this manual is for you."

Tribios took the booklet, glanced at it, and was instantly startled.

"This is..."