Returning to the Heaven Dou Empire, First Meeting with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling

After leaving the Star Luo Empire, Yi Chen did not return directly to Shrek Academy, but instead took a detour to Heaven Dou City.

He wanted to see how Dugu Bo's progress was coming along.

The carriage traveled along the wide imperial road, the scenery along the way transitioning from the plains and hills of the Star Luo Empire to the mountains and rivers of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Yi Chen leaned against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest, his consciousness sinking into the system panel to check the current registration data.

[Current registered players: 12,847]

[Phase Two mission progress: 12,847/1,000,000]

Over twelve thousand people.

There was still a significant gap to the goal of one million, but considering that the Battle of the Golden Spatula had been officially promoted for less than two months, this growth rate was already quite impressive.

Once the branch in the Star Luo Empire was built and operational, the number of registered users should see an explosive surge.

Yi Chen nodded with satisfaction and exited the system panel.

The carriage arrived outside Heaven Dou City at dusk. Yi Chen did not enter the city immediately, but first went to Dugu Bo's residence on the outskirts.

Dugu Bo's residence covered a considerable area; while it could not compare to the grandeur of the estates belonging to wealthy noble families, it possessed a quiet and elegant charm of its own.

The area around the residence was planted with all sorts of exotic flowers and herbs, and the air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance—this was Dugu Bo's old habit, as he could never be without his medicinal materials, no matter where he went.

Yi Chen had just arrived at the entrance and had not yet had the chance to announce himself when a dark green figure hurried out from within to greet him.

"My Lord! You have finally arrived!" Dugu Bo's face was full of smiles as he cupped his hands in a salute, his attitude far more respectful than before.

After consuming the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb, his martial soul had evolved into the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor, and his cultivation had broken through to the ninety-fourth level. His entire spirit and vitality had been renewed, and even his temper had improved significantly.

Yi Chen looked him up and down and nodded with satisfaction. "It seems you have fully absorbed the medicinal power of the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb. Ninety-fourth level, and your foundation is very solid. Not bad."

Dugu Bo grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "It is all thanks to the immortal herb you bestowed, My Lord! Please, come in. I have many things to report to you!"

Yi Chen followed him into the residence, passed through the courtyard, and arrived at the reception hall.

After they were seated and a maid served fragrant tea, Dugu Bo began to report on the progress of his work during this period in a continuous stream.

"My Lord, as you instructed, I held three Battle of the Golden Spatula demonstrations in the square in the center of Heaven Dou City, and the effect was sensational! The first session had about five or six hundred people, the second doubled that, and the third had nearly three thousand! Now, every soul master in Heaven Dou City with any connections knows about the game, Battle of the Golden Spatula."

Dugu Bo became more excited as he spoke, gesturing wildly. "Furthermore, I have persuaded the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, to support the promotion of the Golden Spatula in the Heaven Dou Empire in the name of the royal family. In exchange, we provide the royal family with a batch of exclusive experience cards and training slots. Xue Qinghe has already agreed, and he even said that when the Heaven Dou branch is built, he wants to come and cut the ribbon himself!"

Yi Chen held his teacup, listening quietly and nodding in approval from time to time.

Although Dugu Bo had a foul temper and an eccentric personality, his ability to get things done was truly beyond reproach.

To have achieved this level of promotion for the Golden Spatula in the Heaven Dou Empire in just one month, and to have secured the support of the royal family, had indeed exceeded his expectations.

"Well done." Yi Chen set down his teacup and offered a sincere compliment.

Dugu Bo chuckled and was about to be modest, but suddenly remembering something, he said, "Oh, right, My Lord, there is one more thing. After my granddaughter, Yan'er, consumed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon you gave her, her martial soul has successfully evolved! Would you like to see her?"

Yi Chen nodded. "As it happens, I would like to see how she is doing."

Dugu Bo hurriedly stood up and called toward the back hall, "Yan'er! Come out and meet My Lord!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a slender figure walked out from the back hall.

Yi Chen looked up, his eyes brightening slightly.

She was a young girl of seventeen or eighteen, with long, dark green hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, her figure graceful and her temperament outstanding.

Her features were delicate and well-defined, and between her brows was a sense of heroism and confidence that belied her age. Her pair of emerald-green eyes were as bright as gemstones, with faint golden light swirling within them.

"Yan'er greets My Lord." Dugu Yan walked up to Yi Chen and bowed gracefully, her voice crisp and pleasant. "Thank you, My Lord, for bestowing the immortal herb. Yan'er will keep this life-saving grace in her heart."

Yi Chen waved his hand. "No need for such formalities. It was merely a small effort."

He studied Dugu Yan for a few moments, then asked, "How do you feel after your martial soul evolved?"

A flash of excitement crossed Dugu Yan's eyes as she answered truthfully, "Reporting to My Lord, my Jade Scale Golden Dragon martial soul possesses the attributes of poison, metal, and earth, making it capable of both offense and defense. After the evolution, my soul power broke through directly from the thirty-fifth level to the bottleneck of the fortieth level. I only need to obtain my fourth soul ring to officially step into the Soul Ancestor realm."

"Not bad." Yi Chen nodded in approval. "With your current foundation, as long as you obtain a suitable soul ring, you will be able to step firmly into the Soul Ancestor realm. Your subsequent cultivation will also be much smoother than before."

"I accept your auspicious words, My Lord," Dugu Yan replied obediently, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Yi Chen looked at her, then suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, do you know how to play the Battle of the Golden Spatula?"

Dugu Yan was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "I do. Grandfather taught me, and I usually study some lineups and strategies on my own."

"Oh?" Yi Chen became interested. "Then what is your skill level?"

Before Dugu Yan could answer, Dugu Bo interjected, "My Lord, this girl has a real talent for the Golden Spatula! She reached the highest difficulty after playing for only a week, and she has even beaten me several times in the game! I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone that I, a Titled Douluo, am actually losing at a game to my own granddaughter!"

(PS: It is currently a mode similar to a duel, with card combination battles.)

Dugu Yan, having her secret exposed by her grandfather, lowered her head in embarrassment, though a hint of a proud curve played on her lips.

Watching her, Yi Chen already had a plan in mind.

"Since you have the talent, then practice hard," Yi Chen said. "When the eight-player battle mode is launched, I hope to see you appearing in the high-level matches."

Dugu Yan looked up, a flash of surprise and determination in her eyes. "Rest assured, My Lord, I will definitely work hard!"

Yi Chen nodded and was about to say something else when Dugu Yan hesitated and spoke up. "My Lord... I have a friend who is also very interested in the Golden Spatula and plays it very well. Would you... like to meet her as well?"

"A friend?" Yi Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, her name is Ye Lingling, and she is the legitimate daughter of the Ye family in the Heaven Dou Empire," Dugu Yan explained. "Her martial soul is the Nine Heart Begonia, a top-tier healing-type martial soul. She has a rather introverted personality and doesn't like socializing much, but she has a special fondness for Battle of the Golden Spatula. She hasn't been playing as long as I have, but her skill level is already on par with mine."

A flicker of interest crossed Yi Chen's eyes.

The Nine Heart Begonia? That was one of the most elite healing-type martial souls on the Douluo Continent, extremely rare across the entire land.

Furthermore, according to the original setting, Ye Lingling was indeed a cold and reticent girl, yet she possessed immense talent.

"Where is she now?" Yi Chen asked.

Dugu Yan hurriedly replied, "She happens to be a guest at my estate today. I'll go call her right now!"

With that, she walked briskly toward the back hall. Before long, she returned, leading a young girl.

The girl looked slightly younger than Dugu Yan, appearing to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

She wore a long white dress, her figure slender, with a head of silver-white hair cascading over her shoulders like moonlight.

Her features were exquisite and beautiful, yet her expression was remarkably indifferent, as if she cared little for anything around her.

Her silver-gray eyes were clear to the point of transparency, yet they carried a sense of detachment that kept others at a distance.

She was Ye Lingling.

"Lingling, this is the Senior Yi Chen I mentioned to you," Dugu Yan introduced.

Ye Lingling walked up to Yi Chen, bowed slightly, and spoke in a cold, polite tone: "Lingling greets you, Senior."

Yi Chen looked at her and nodded inwardly.

This girl's temperament was somewhat similar to Zhu Zhuqing's; both were of the cold and introverted type.

However, Zhu Zhuqing's coldness carried an edge and stubbornness, while Ye Lingling's coldness was more like a pool of still water—tranquil, undisturbed, and indifferent to the world.

"Yan'er says you're very good at Battle of the Golden Spatula?" Yi Chen asked, getting straight to the point.

Ye Lingling was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting him to ask this, but she answered truthfully: "I suppose I'm alright."

"How 'alright' is 'alright'?"

Ye Lingling was silent for a moment before saying calmly, "When I play against Yan'er, I win seven out of ten games."

Dugu Yan grumbled indignantly from the side, "That's just because you're lucky! You always manage to roll the core pieces!"

Ye Lingling did not refute her, but the corners of her mouth curled into an almost imperceptible arc.

Watching the two bicker, Yi Chen couldn't help but let his own lips curve upward.

"Since you both enjoy Battle of the Golden Spatula, that's perfect," Yi Chen said.

"In a while, I will be hosting a small-scale Battle of the Golden Spatula tournament at Shrek Academy. If you are interested, you are welcome to participate."

"Really?" Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "I'll definitely be there!"

Ye Lingling also nodded gently; though she didn't speak, a glimmer of anticipation flashed in her eyes.

Looking at the two girls before him, a new idea suddenly struck Yi Chen.

If Battle of the Golden Spatula was to truly sweep across the continent, relying solely on the older generation of powers like Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Dugu Bo would not be enough. It required the active participation and promotion of the younger generation.

And these two girls were undoubtedly excellent candidates.

"Alright, it's getting late, and I should be heading back." Yi Chen stood up and looked at Dugu Bo. "Old Dugu, keep monitoring the situation here in Heaven Dou City. If any issues arise, contact me at any time."

Dugu Bo nodded quickly. "Don't worry, Senior, leave it to me!"

Yi Chen glanced at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling once more, a faint smile on his lips. "You two, practice well. Next time we meet, I'll be checking your progress."

With that, he turned and walked out of the estate, disappearing into the twilight.

Dugu Yan watched his retreating figure, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Lingling, did you hear that? Senior said he's hosting a tournament! We must show them what we're capable of when the time comes!"

Ye Lingling gave a soft "mm," but her gaze remained fixed on the direction where Yi Chen had vanished, lost in thought.

That person was completely different from what she had imagined.

She had assumed that someone capable of creating a game like Battle of the Golden Spatula would be a white-haired old man or an unkempt eccentric. She hadn't expected him to be so young, and so... dazzling.

She withdrew her gaze and looked down at her own hands.

Perhaps, she could try to take that step.