Dugu's Breakthrough

"Boom—!"

A muffled rumble of thunder came from the distant horizon, drowning out the patter of rain outside. →

Ling Yi sat in the empty palace, his face turned to the open palace door, watching the rain outside fall in a continuous stream, connecting the sky and the earth.

As the gaze moves downwards, large raindrops fall from the palace eaves, splashing onto the ground. In the instant they shatter, each tiny droplet seems to reflect a hazy world.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

The sound of boiling water came from the copper kettle on the low table in front of him, and a wisp of white steam rose rapidly.

Just then, a slender white hand ignored the intense heat of the copper kettle, grasped the scalding handle, lifted the kettle, and poured hot water into a nearby purple clay teapot with its lid off.

Ling Yi withdrew his gaze from outside, glanced at the silvery, needle-like tea leaves swirling in the hot water, and waited for the owner to put down the copper kettle, cover the purple clay teapot, pour two cups of tea, and then softly say, "Thank you."

"Master Ling, you're too kind." Dixiya picked up a teacup with her fair, jade-like hand, parted her red lips slightly, blew away the steam rising from the clear tea, and replied in a gentle voice.

Taking a sip of hot tea, the Empress turned her head to look at the petite figure in the center of the palace, a doting smile on her face like that of an ordinary mother.

"Xue'er is very happy that Master Ling came to visit Xue'er— "

Following Dixiya's words, Ling Yi also turned his head and looked over, and saw Xue Qianxun meticulously practicing several bird and beast forms in the "Basic Body Tempering Technique".

Time flies, and it is now August of the 2623rd year of the Douluo Calendar. Xue Qianxun, who was born in mid-July of the 2618th year of the Douluo Calendar, has just celebrated her fifth birthday.

The girl, who was about 1.3 meters tall, was wearing a loose white and gold robe. Her smooth, bright gold hair was tied back with a gold headband. Her fair and delicate face was covered with glistening beads of sweat, but she still maintained the standard of each movement with meticulous care.

On her Swan -like, slender neck, a delicate gold chain adorned a warm yellow jade pendant, the first gift Ling Yi had given her, the "Spirit-Sealing Jade."

Under the effect of the "Spirit-Sealing Jade", the little guy has been growing up under the influence of light attribute Soul Skill for the past five years. His body is more healthy, stronger and cleaner than ordinary children because it is nourished by pure light attribute elements.

Of course, Ling Yi's "Fourth Soul Skill - Holy Light Illumination" which he used five years ago could not last for five years. Even with the effect of the "Spirit-Sealing Jade", the pure light attribute energy carried by the Soul Skill was exhausted after lasting for about forty days.

This is because infants have low activity levels and spend most of their time sleeping. Otherwise, if it were a three- or five-year-old child, running around and playing, the effect of the Soul Skill would disappear in about ten days at most.

Fortunately, the former Crown Princess, now Empress Dixiya, comes from the Radiant Bird of Paradise Clan. Although most of the family members follow the combat route, there are still a few who follow the Support System route.

Even though her cousin, who was her maid, only possessed the strength of Two-Ring Grand Soul Master, and her First Soul Ring was only at the tenth-grade level (white), it was precisely this "weak" First Soul Skill that allowed the pure light attribute energy it released to heal minor injuries to replace Ling Yi's "Fourth Soul Ring - Holy Light Illumination," continuing to nourish Xue Qianxun's body.

At most, one needs to replenish their Soul Skill every other day, or even every half day, but this frequency is not a problem for a Two-Ring Grand Soul Master.

Picking up the slightly cooled tea, Ling Yi took a sip, a hint of apology appearing on his handsome face. He said gently, "I was planning to come last month, but unfortunately something came up and I missed the little girl's birthday. I'm afraid I disappointed her?"

"It's alright~" Dixiya looked at Xue Qianxun with gentle eyes, a smile playing on her lips. "Although not seeing you in person did make her a little disappointed, the gift you sent made her happy for over half a month, until today..."

As she spoke, she raised her starry eyes and glanced at Ling Yi, then looked towards a corner deep within the palace.

There, a Bird's Nest, about a meter square, was placed on a low wooden frame.

The Bird's Nest's nest is made entirely of beige twigs, lined with pale yellow down, and decorated with small blue grasses with white veins, which are called "Light Blue Silver Grass".

In the very center of the Bird's Nest, on a bed of pale yellow down, lies a milky white bird egg, about the size of a human fist.

The bird egg of the Soul Beast "Radiant Bird of Paradise" was a fifth birthday gift from Ling Yi to Xue Qianxun.

Ling Yi, who was also looking at the bird's Bird's Nest, sensed the presence of the eggs, raised an eyebrow, and showed a hint of surprise on his face. "What a coincidence, it looks like they'll be hatching soon, probably in the next day or two."

Upon hearing Ling Yi's words, a look of surprise appeared on Dixiya's pretty face. She couldn't help but turn around and look at Ling Yi, feeling that this man was magical, as if he carried some kind of mysterious power that could bring joy and surprise to the world.

As Xue Qianxun slowly withdrew her body-tempering stance and turned around to look at him with a joyful expression, she saw her mother staring blankly at Uncle Ling Yi Ling Yi, who was looking at her with a smile on his lips.

Her little head was blank; she only felt that the scene before her was beautiful and she liked it very much.

Leaving aside the seemingly heartwarming scene of a "family of three" in this palace, several miles away in another grand hall, Xue Ye was playing chess with a refined and handsome middle-aged man.

"... Since Sect Master Ning is willing to serve as Qianxun's teacher, I am naturally happy to do so."

The majestic aura emanating from Xue Ye grew stronger with each passing day. He made his move, maintaining a sufficiently friendly demeanor and tone towards the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"It is an honor for Qianxun to become Sect Master Ning's student."

Ning Fengzhi clearly sensed the goodwill extended by Xue Ye and returned the gesture with a bright smile. He picked up a chess piece, placed it down, and said, "Not at all. As His Majesty's eldest daughter, the Princess is of noble birth. It would be my honor to become her teacher."

"But..."

Ning Fengzhi withdrew his hand from the chessboard, but a look of hesitation suddenly appeared on his refined face.

Seeing this, Xue Ye picked up a black piece, but instead of looking at the chessboard, he turned his gaze to Ning Fengzhi in front of him. "Sect Master Ning, if you have any concerns, please speak freely!"

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire have always maintained a good relationship. Three days ago, the Empire sent a messenger to inform them that their sect leader Ning Fengzhi, would be meeting Xue Ye at the palace today.

During a casual chat, Ning Fengzhi casually suggested that he should become Princess Xue Qianxun's teacher, which was a very good suggestion for Xue Ye.

On the one hand, this can deepen the friendship between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, making their relationship even closer.

One is one of the two great empires of the Douluo Continent, and the other is a top-tier Soul Master force, one of the Upper Three Sects alongside the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The former has a vast territory and extremely strong middle and lower-level forces, while the latter has a considerable number of high-end Soul Master and is one of the forces with the most Support System Soul Master on the Douluo Continent. The two complement each other quite well.

On the other hand, it stems from a reason that cannot be explicitly stated.

Faced with the ever-growing power of the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, the Star Luo Empire's frequent troop movements and restless ambitions, and the increasingly influential Lingyun City, both Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi felt a faint sense of crisis.

The Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect check and balance each other. Although Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi were suppressed by these two families and were unhappy, they did not have much of a desire to resist. The difference in strength made it clear to smart people what to do.

As for the Star Luo Empire, with the Spirit Hall's "Balance Doctrine" and the Clear Sky Sect, whose style is as domineering as, or even more powerful than, the White Tiger Dai Family, Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi were not too worried.

For Xue Ye, at most it would mean more fighting on the border and some casualties among the peasants, but it wouldn't damage the vitality of the Heaven Dou Empire.

As for Ning Fengzhi, it was even less of a problem. After all, their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was Soul Master sect, and the Star Luo Empire was only targeting the Heaven Dou Empire, which was also an empire. They couldn't find anyone to target Ning Fengzhi.

The real reason that Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi sat together was because of Lingyun City and Ling Yi!

Only three years have passed since Ling Yi stepped on Tang Hao, the chosen one of heaven, to show off the strength of Lingyun City to the mainland.

However, in these three years, the speed of Lingyun City's development has exceeded everyone's expectations on the continent.

Putting everything else aside, just the fact that Lingyun City can influence all ordinary people except Soul Master simply by centrally purchasing and distributing "Blue Silver Rice" and thus setting the current food prices in the Douluo Continent!

Looking across the Douluo Continent, how many Soul Master are there? The number of ordinary people far exceeds that of Soul Master by more than a hundred times!

To give a simple example, the Heaven Dou Border Army has a million soldiers, but only a few thousand are Soul Master. Even if you include those who hold high positions or are descendants of established military families, the number is still just over ten thousand.

Even for these Soul Master, their daily diet is no different from that of ordinary soldiers. At most, their wealth makes them more resilient to fluctuations in food prices than ordinary soldiers.

Aside from the most common resource, "Blue Silver Rice," the trade and circulation of various conventional herbs and "Blue Silver Grass" are also controlled by the "Green Wood Merchant Association," a subordinate organization of "Lingyun City," which holds more than 80% of the market share!

Calling it a monopoly is not an exaggeration at all.

However, in the areas of metal tool manufacturing and mineral raw materials, because the "Gengxin City," where the "Blacksmith Association" is located, is within the territory of the "Star Luo Empire," the "Green Wood Merchant Association" is not yet as dominant as it is in the areas of food and herbs due to the interference of the other party.

But this comparison only highlights the incompetence of the Heaven Dou Empire and Xue Ye.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Ning Fengzhi are in a similar situation to Xue Ye. Because their positions overlap considerably with those of Lingyun City, the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has been greatly reduced over the past three years. However, due to the power of the Titled Douluo who lives in seclusion in Lingyun City, Ning Fengzhi can only swallow his anger and back down step by step.

"Smack!"

A white chess piece landed on the board, Ning Fengzhi said casually, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the Eldest Princess seems to have a good relationship with Master Ling, and Master Ling's talent and wisdom are known to all. I am ashamed to admit that I am inferior to him..."

"It's alright!" Before Ning Fengzhi could continue, Xue Ye lifted Hei Zi's hand, stopping him, and said domineeringly, "It's none of an outsider's business whose student Xue Ye daughter should be!"

"Sect Master Ning, you only need to agree, and I will arrange for Qianxun to deliver the master's gift and announce this matter to the public!"

"In that case, I, Ning, will await good news," Ning Fengzhi at the opportune moment.

"Hahaha—!" *2

The two looked at each other and laughed, both satisfied with the consensus they had reached.

"What are you laughing at? Why are you so happy?"

Just as Ling Yi returned to the Green Wood Merchant Association's base in Lingyun City, he heard a burst of joyful and hearty laughter echo throughout the Chamber's backyard.

If it weren't for the Soul Guidance Array blocking it, the sound could probably have reached the Chamber of Commerce building in front, or even the street.

"Brother Yi!" / "Lord of the City!" *N

The people who had gathered in the courtyard turned around and saw Ling Yi's figure, and they all greeted him immediately.

Ling Yi stepped forward, nodded to Mang Li, Mo Yuxiong, Li Yang, and the others, and finally asked Yang Shelly and Ah Yin, "Why are you all gathered here? Also, was that laughter from Senior Dugu just now?"

"Hmm~" Yang Shelly ignored the gazes of others, grabbed Ling Yi's arm, nodded, and said, "Not long after you left this morning, Senior Dugu said he felt he was about to break through, so Ah Yin and I called people over to protect him."

Beside him, Ah Yin didn't cling to Ling Yi like Yang Shelly did, but her watery eyes were almost welded to him as she silently nodded.

"This is truly a joyous occasion!" Ling Yi exclaimed with delight.

Ling Yi first met Dugu Bo at the auction in Shabak City in the year 2607 of Douluo Calendar. At that time, the sixteen-year-old Ling Yi was just a Two-Ring Grand Soul Master of the Healing System, while the forty-one-year-old Dugu Bo was a sixty-two-level Battle Soul Emperor of the Control System.

Despite the vast difference in their social status and strength, Ling Yi's deliberate efforts to befriend them led to a close friendship between them.

Later, in the year 2613 of the Douluo Calendar, under the influence of the overflowing aura from the "Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well" in the Sunset Forest, Dugu Bo's strength advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching level 70. Later, under Ling Yi's scheme, he successfully hunted down the "Demon Dragon Zixi," who had cultivated for nearly 50,000 years. Not only did he successfully advance to the Seven-Ring Soul Sage, but his Martial Soul, "Jade Phosphorous Serpent," under the influence of the "Demon Dragon Zixi's " Soul Ring and the Dragon Pearl's inner core, underwent a bloodline transformation, becoming the "Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor," possessing dragon blood!

As for the "Medusa Skull" of the ten-thousand-year level, a precious Soul Bone that could cause brothers to turn against each other and spouses to betray each other, Ling Yi waved his hand and handed it over to Dugu Bo to absorb.

Now, ten years have passed, Dugu Bo fifty-seven years old. His Soul Power has finally increased from the initial stage of Soul Saint to level eighty, making him a Quasi-Soul Douluo. He only needs to absorb a Soul Ring to become a powerful figure of great importance on the Douluo Continent!

Although a Soul Douluo- level combat power may not bring about any qualitative change to Lingyun City in the present day, its significance is entirely different.

Although Yang Shelly and Ah Yin's "Martial Soul Fusion Skill - Blue Silver Overlord Spear" can give them Soul Douluo- level combat power, they are ultimately not Soul Douluo.

Although Chen Xin is Soul Douluo, he joined the game halfway through his career. His status in Lingyun City is more like that of a guest elder. Unless Ling Yi invites him when he goes out, he rarely leaves the city to do things.

Dugu Bo is different. He is an old man who has been with Ling Yi since before the establishment of Lingyun City. He has an excellent relationship with Li Zhishu, Long Yin and others. His son, Dugu Xin, is the Minister of the Ministry of Ministry of Justice in the Three Offices and Six Ministries of Lingyun City.

It can be said that Lingyun City and Dugu Bo are almost inextricably linked.