After leaving the Star Luo Empire, Yi Chen didn't return directly to Shrek Academy. Instead, he took a detour to Heaven Dou City.
He wanted to see how things were progressing on Dugu Bo's end.
The carriage rolled along a wide imperial road. The scenery along the way gradually changed 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 and closed his eyes to rest. His consciousness sank into the system panel as he checked his current registration data.
[Currently registered players: 12847]
[Second-stage mission progress: 12847/1000000]
More than twelve thousand people.
There was still quite a gap between that and the goal of one million, but considering that Teamfight Tactics had been officially promoted for less than two months, this rate of growth was already quite impressive.
Once the branch in the Star Luo Empire was built and running, the number of registered players should surge.
Yi Chen nodded in satisfaction and closed the system panel.
The carriage arrived outside Heaven Dou City at dusk. Yi Chen didn't enter the city directly, but first headed to Dugu Bo's estate on the outskirts.
Dugu Bo's estate covered a fair amount of land. It couldn't rival the grand manors of the wealthy and powerful, but it had its own quiet, elegant charm.
All kinds of rare flowers and herbs filled the grounds, and the faint scent of medicine hung in the air. It was one of Dugu Bo's old habits: wherever he went, his medicinal herbs were never far away.
Yi Chen had barely reached the entrance when a dark green figure hurried out from inside to greet him.
"Senior! You're finally here!" Dugu Bo said with a beaming smile, clasping his hands in greeting. He was much more respectful than before.
After taking the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb, his Martial Soul had evolved into the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor, and his cultivation had broken through to level ninety-four. His whole being seemed revitalized, and even his temper had improved considerably.
Yi Chen looked him up and down, then nodded in satisfaction. "Looks like you've fully absorbed the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb's medicinal power. Level ninety-four, with a solid foundation too. Not bad."
Dugu Bo grinned, showing a row of white teeth. "It's all thanks to the Immortal Herb you gave me, Senior! Please, come in. I have a lot to report to you!"
Yi Chen followed him into the estate, crossed the courtyard, and entered the reception hall.
After they were seated, a maid served them fragrant tea, and Dugu Bo launched into a detailed report on the progress he had made over the past while.
"Senior, as you instructed, I held three Teamfight Tactics demonstrations in the square at the center of Heaven Dou City. They caused quite a sensation! The first drew around five or six hundred people, and the second drew twice as many. The third brought in nearly three thousand! Now every Spirit Master in Heaven Dou City with even a little influence knows about Teamfight Tactics."
Dugu Bo grew more excited as he spoke, gesturing animatedly. "I also convinced Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire to support the promotion of Teamfight Tactics in the empire in the royal family's name. In exchange, we'll provide the royal family with a batch of exclusive trial cards and training spots. Xue Qinghe agreed, and even said that once the Heaven Dou branch is built, he'll come in person to cut the ribbon!"
Yi Chen held his teacup and listened quietly, nodding in approval from time to time.
Dugu Bo might have a bad temper and an eccentric personality, but he was undeniably capable.
In just one month, he had managed to promote Teamfight Tactics throughout the Heaven Dou Empire to this extent and secure the royal family's support. It had genuinely surpassed Yi Chen's expectations.
"Well done." Yi Chen set down his teacup and offered his sincere praise.
Dugu Bo gave a chuckle and was about to modestly wave it off when he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Senior. There's something else. My granddaughter Yan'er took the Earth Dragon Golden Melon you gave her, and her Martial Soul has successfully evolved! Would you like to meet her?"
Yi Chen nodded. "As it happens, I'd like to see how she's doing."
Dugu Bo quickly rose and called toward the back hall. "Yan'er! Come meet Senior!"
As soon as his voice fell, a tall, slender figure emerged from the back hall.
Yi Chen looked up, his eyes brightening slightly.
She was a girl of seventeen or eighteen, with long, dark green hair that fell to her waist like a waterfall. She had a graceful figure and an outstanding air about her.
Her features were delicate and well-defined, and her brows held a confidence and spirit beyond her years. Her emerald-green eyes glittered like jewels, with a faint golden light flowing within them.
"Yan'er greets Senior." Dugu Yan walked over to Yi Chen and gave him a graceful curtsy. Her voice was clear and pleasant. "Thank you for granting me the Immortal Herb. I'll always remember that you saved my life."
Yi Chen waved a hand. "There's no need for such formalities. It was nothing."
He looked her over, then asked, "How do you feel after your Martial Soul evolved?"
A spark of excitement flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes as she answered honestly, "Senior, my Jade Scale Golden Dragon Martial Soul combines poison, metal, and earth attributes, giving me both offense and defense. After evolving, my Soul Power rose straight from level thirty-five to the bottleneck at level forty. I only need to obtain my fourth Soul Ring to officially enter the Soul Ancestor realm."
"Not bad." Yi Chen nodded in approval. "With your current foundation, you'll steadily reach the Soul Ancestor realm once you obtain a suitable Soul Ring. Your future cultivation will also be much smoother than before."
"Thank you for your kind words, Senior." Dugu Yan replied obediently, gratitude in her eyes.
Yi Chen looked at her, then suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, can you play Teamfight Tactics?"
Dugu Yan paused, then nodded. "I can. My grandfather taught me, and I also study different lineups and strategies on my own."
"Oh?" Yi Chen grew interested. "How good are you?"
Before Dugu Yan could answer, Dugu Bo cut in. "Senior, this girl has a real talent for Teamfight Tactics! She reached the highest difficulty after playing for just a week, and she's beaten me in the game several times! I'm too embarrassed to tell people that I'm a Titled Douluo who can't beat his own granddaughter at a game!"
Dugu Yan lowered her head, a little embarrassed that her grandfather had let the secret slip. Yet a hint of pride curved her lips.
Seeing her expression, Yi Chen had already made up his mind.
"If you have a talent for it, then keep practicing," Yi Chen said. "Once the eight-player battle mode opens, I hope to see you in the high-level matches."
Dugu Yan looked up, surprise and determination flashing in her eyes. "Don't worry, Senior. I'll work hard!"
Yi Chen nodded and was about to say something when Dugu Yan hesitated, then spoke again. "Senior... I have a friend who's also very interested in Teamfight Tactics, and she's quite good at it too. Would you... like to meet her as well?"
"A friend?" Yi Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Mm. Her name is Ye Lingling, and she's the legitimate daughter of the Ye Family of the Heaven Dou Empire," Dugu Yan explained. "Her Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia, one of the top healing-type Martial Souls. She's rather introverted and doesn't enjoy socializing, but she's especially fond of Teamfight Tactics. She's played for less time than I have, but she's already nearly as good as me."
Interest flickered in Yi Chen's eyes.
The Nine Heart Begonia? It was one of the top healing-type Martial Souls on the Douluo Continent, and exceedingly rare across the entire continent.
Moreover, according to the original story, Ye Lingling really was a cool-tempered, quiet girl with exceptional talent.
"Where is she now?" Yi Chen asked.
Dugu Yan quickly replied, "She happens to be visiting my estate today. I'll go get her!"
With that, she hurried toward the back hall. A moment later, she returned with another girl.
The girl looked a little younger than Dugu Yan, around sixteen or seventeen.
She wore a long white dress and had a slender figure. Silvery-white hair flowed over her shoulders like moonlight.
Her features were stunningly delicate, but her expression was utterly detached, as though she cared little about anything around her.
Her silver-gray eyes were crystal clear, yet held a distant air that kept others at arm's length.
She was Ye Lingling.
"Lingling, this is Senior Yi Chen, the one I told you about," Dugu Yan introduced.
Ye Lingling walked up to Yi Chen and inclined her head slightly. Her voice was cool but polite. "Lingling greets Senior."
Yi Chen looked at her and nodded to himself.
Her bearing was somewhat like Zhu Zhuqing's. Both had that cool, reserved air.
But Zhu Zhuqing's coolness had a sharp edge and a stubborn streak, while Ye Lingling's was more like a still pool, undisturbed and detached from the world.
"I hear from Yan'er that you're good at Teamfight Tactics?" Yi Chen asked directly.
Ye Lingling paused slightly, apparently not expecting him to ask about that, but answered honestly. "I'm decent."
"How decent is 'decent'?"
Ye Lingling fell silent for a moment, then said calmly, "When I play against Yan'er, I win seven out of ten matches."
Dugu Yan muttered unhappily beside her, "That's only because you're lucky! You always manage to get the core pieces!"
Ye Lingling didn't argue, but the corner of her mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible smile.
Watching the two girls bicker, Yi Chen couldn't help smiling too.
"Since you both enjoy Teamfight Tactics, this works out perfectly," Yi Chen said.
"In a while, I'll hold a small Teamfight Tactics tournament at Shrek Academy. If you're interested, you can come take part."
"Really?" Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "I'll definitely come!"
Ye Lingling also gave a slight nod. Though she said nothing, a glimmer of anticipation flashed in her eyes.
Looking at the two girls before him, Yi Chen suddenly had a new idea.
For Teamfight Tactics to truly sweep across the continent, support from established forces like Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Dugu Bo wouldn't be enough. It would also need the active involvement and momentum of the younger generation.
And the two girls before him were undoubtedly excellent prospects.
"All right, it's getting late. I should be heading back." Yi Chen stood and looked at Dugu Bo. "Dugu, keep an eye on things here in Heaven Dou City. If any problems come up, contact me at once."
Dugu Bo nodded quickly. "Don't worry, Senior. Leave it to me!"
Yi Chen looked at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling once more, a faint smile on his lips. "You two, keep practicing. I'll be checking your progress the next time we meet."
With that, he turned and left the estate, disappearing into the dusk.
Dugu Yan watched him go, excitement shining in her eyes. "Lingling, did you hear that? Senior said he's holding a tournament! We have to show off when the time comes!"
Ye Lingling gave a quiet "Mm," but her gaze remained fixed on the direction where Yi Chen had disappeared, lost in thought.
He was nothing like she had imagined.
She had thought the person who created a game like Teamfight Tactics would be an old man with white hair, or an eccentric who didn't care about his appearance. She hadn't expected him to be so young, so... dazzling.
She lowered her eyes and looked at her hands.
Perhaps she could try taking that step.