The Third Soul Hunt

"It's just training. Missing one day won't make any difference," Dugu Yan said nonchalantly.

Because of her martial soul, Dugu Bo never urged Dugu Yan to devote her energy to training. In fact, he deliberately encouraged her to slow her cultivation.

But Dugu Yan's talent was undeniable, and the Jade Phosphorus Snake was no commonplace martial soul. Even though she hardly worked diligently, her soul power had already reached rank twenty-nine.

"Little Yang isn't like you. He's not even eight yet, but his soul power is already at rank twenty-seven or twenty-eight. I don't think it'll be long before he overtakes you," Ye Lingling said with a soft laugh.

"What!?" Dugu Yan exclaimed in shock.

She was almost fifteen this year, and her soul power had yet to reach rank thirty. Yet Lu Yang was only eight, nearly seven years younger than her, and he was already about to catch up?

Actually, Ye Lingling couldn't guarantee that Lu Yang's soul power was at rank twenty-seven or twenty-eight. She had only heard it from her mother, Ye Qingling.

Ye Lingling had been there when Ye Qingling remarked that a little genius like him, discovered by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe at such a young age and supported by the imperial family, was bound to achieve extraordinary things. Ye Lingling had marveled at him herself.

Ye Lingling's martial soul was a support type, and although her soul power rose more slowly than a Battle Soul Master's, she knew very well how terrifying someone's talent had to be to break through rank thirty before the age of ten. That was also why she had taken some interest in Lu Yang.

After learning from Ye Lingling that this assessment had come from Ye Qingling, Dugu Yan believed it. But that very assessment left her unable to sit still.

Although she had only met Lu Yang that day, she was still known as a genius at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. If some little brat actually surpassed her cultivation, what did that make her title of genius worth?

At that thought, Dugu Yan promptly bid Ye Lingling farewell and jogged out of the Ye Family's Medical Clinic.

Watching Dugu Yan's retreating figure, Ye Lingling stood alone in the Medical Clinic's backyard. A cool breeze swept past, and she smoothed her slightly tousled hair before turning and walking inside.

The people Qian Renxue had assigned to watch over Lu Yang reported that he had gone shopping with Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan that day. Reading the letter delivered to her, Qian Renxue raised her eyebrows.

Not long ago, she had told She Long that she had no idea what Lu Yang desired. Now, seeing this news, she couldn't help letting her thoughts wander.

Could it be that little Lu Yang likes playing with pretty girls too? Qian Renxue wondered.

After spending so many years in Heaven Dou City, she had learned quite a bit about its major families. Ye Lingling of the Ye Family and Dugu Yan of the Dugu Family were both girls with considerable reputations in the city.

But Qian Renxue believed that, whether in background or looks, she could crush those two until not even a scrap remained. So why had Lu Yang never gone shopping with her?

Once that inexplicable thought took root, Qian Renxue felt thoroughly out of sorts. It never occurred to her that her relationship with Lu Yang didn't allow for that sort of interaction.

Besides, Lu Yang had been dragged along; he hadn't invited them himself. Asking Lu Yang to go shopping with her was something this proud little angel simply couldn't do. At least for now, Qian Renxue would never take the initiative to invite him.

Meanwhile, at the Dugu Family's home.

After returning home, Dugu Yan shut herself straight in her room. Usually, she went to bed early, but that day, contrary to her normal habits, she spent a long time meditating and cultivating.

Only late at night did she emerge from her room, intending to wash up before going to bed.

Seeing that Dugu Yan was still awake so late, Dugu Bo naturally asked after her with concern. When he learned that she had been spurred into deciding to train diligently, he immediately felt thoroughly out of sorts.

This won't do. If Yanzi speeds up her cultivation, wouldn't that... Dugu Bo was beside himself with worry, but there was nothing he could do at present. He couldn't take his anger out on someone and kill them just because Dugu Yan felt they were catching up to her cultivation, could he? How many people would he have to kill before that was enough?

However, when Dugu Yan mentioned that the person was connected to the Ye Family, an idea came to him. He had previously considered whether the problems with his family's poison martial soul could be addressed through other means. But for various reasons, he could only do his utmost to conceal the matter, afraid someone might use it against him.

Only he and Dugu Yan remained of the Dugu Family now. If he were gone, what would happen to Yanzi? Thus, Dugu Bo could only rely on himself to find a solution. Yet after so many years, he still had no leads.

Now that Dugu Yan wanted to speed up her cultivation, he had no choice but to begin considering other methods. Perhaps the Ye Family's Nine Heart Begonia, the continent's foremost healing martial soul, could help him. For the moment, though, he had no idea how to broach the subject with Ye Qingling.

As time passed, Lu Yang's cultivation finally reached rank thirty. Meanwhile, after several months of diligent effort, Dugu Yan's cultivation also rose to rank thirty.

When Lu Yang told Ye Lingling that he was going to obtain his third soul ring, Dugu Yan said she was going too and invited him to join her soul hunt. With her grandfather accompanying them, she assured him, safety wouldn't be an issue.

After hearing Dugu Yan's offer, Lu Yang gladly accepted her invitation. This was an excellent opportunity to get close to Dugu Bo, and he naturally didn't want to miss it.

As for exposing his talent, Lu Yang wasn't worried. If he went soul hunting with Dugu Bo, he didn't believe Qian Renxue would refrain from secretly sending someone after them. If Dugu Bo really intended to harm him, he wouldn't come out of it any better.

Besides, Lu Yang had no intention of directly prodding Dugu Bo's fragile nerves. He had already abandoned the idea of attempting a ten-thousand-year ring for his third soul ring, planning instead to seek an opportunity to obtain immortal herbs after his breakthrough and attempt a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring for his fourth. Naturally, this method of entering the password would have to proceed one step at a time.

Learning that Lu Yang would be joining Dugu Yan on a soul hunt sent Qian Renxue's mind racing once again. In the end, however, she didn't stop him. Dugu Bo was on Prince Xue Xing's side; if she could use Lu Yang to win him over, that would benefit her too.

Yet for some reason, Qian Renxue still felt a little displeased. She didn't know why, but lately, she seemed to be paying more and more attention to Lu Yang's affairs.

Two days later, Lu Yang, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan left Heaven Dou City in a carriage and headed for the Sunset Forest.

Originally, Ye Lingling hadn't intended to accompany them, but with Dugu Yan insisting and Lu Yang encouraging her, she eventually came along. Dugu Yan simply wanted her best friend with her, whereas Lu Yang had encouraged Ye Lingling to come so that his plan could proceed more steadily.