Dugu Bo: Was cultivating this easy now?

"Bing'er, how did it feel?"

Xue Wu sidled up to Shui Bing'er's ear with a mischievous air and gently blew into it.

"Stop talking about it."

Shui Bing'er's voice was filled with embarrassment and indignation, and the blush across her cheeks and neck lingered for a long time.

Honestly, how had she ended up kissing him? He was a younger brother, younger than her-even if she had given him that designation herself.

But actually, come to think of it, Little Emperor had felt... felt rather nice.

Shui Bing'er startled herself when she realized what she was thinking.

Pah! What kind of monstrous thought is that? Get out of my head!

Only after a long while did Shui Bing'er climb out of Xue Wu's arms. A trace of red still lingered on her face, but her expression had more or less returned to normal.

Yet her pounding heart and the sweat left on her hands by her nervousness and embarrassment still showed how unsettled she was, unable to calm down.

Over the next month, every time Yun Tian entered the lounge, he could sense something indescribably strange about the atmosphere.

Especially when Shui Bing'er looked at him, there was always an inexplicable meaning in her eyes.

"Excellent. You truly did a splendid job on this assignment. In just one month, you completed the year's worth of soul fighting assignments the sect master gave you."

Elder Xu stood in the lounge, looking at Shui Bing'er and the others seated on the sofa before him.

His kindly face was full of satisfaction. This cohort made this Skywater Academy's most promising year.

"Elder Xu, now that we've finished all our assignments, can we go back?" Xue Wu suddenly stood up and asked.

She had wanted to go back for ages. How could Suotuo City possibly be as comfortable as Skywater City?

Elder Xu nodded, and a mysterious smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Don't think going back is a good thing. There are less than three years until the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. During those three years, your training will only get harder."

"I won't say any more. Pack your things. We'll set off for Skywater City today."

After Elder Xu left the lounge, Yun Tian followed right on his heels.

"Elder Xu." Yun Tian called out to stop him. This time, he wanted to tell Elder Xu that he would not be returning to Skywater City with them just yet.

"Elder Xu, I have a good friend in Heaven Dou City. Since I rarely get to come out, I'd like to visit him. I'll return within a month at the latest."

Elder Xu turned around, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.

"All right. Our dean has quite a connection with the head of the Ye family in Heaven Dou City. If you run into any difficulties there, you can take the token the dean gave you before we left and seek them out."

At this, Yun Tian's eyebrows rose slightly.

The Ye family of Heaven Dou City-presumably, that was the Nine Heart Begonia Ye family.

That made sense. Shui Qingwu was a Soul Saint and the dean of an advanced academy, and they were both from the Heaven Dou Empire.

It was only natural that the two knew each other.

"All right, I'll remember."

Just then, Shui Bing'er happened to push open the door and step out. She had heard what Yun Tian said as well.

The next moment, Shui Bing'er approached Yun Tian and spoke in a tone he had never heard from her before:

"Heaven Dou City isn't like Skywater City or Suotuo City. Crouching tigers and hidden dragons lurk there, and members of the imperial family are active there too. Once you arrive, put caution first. Hold your tongue whenever you can."

Yun Tian froze for a moment. Something was wrong. Was this really the Shui Bing'er he knew?

"I'm not some reckless brute who only knows how to use his fists. You can relax."

Shui Bing'er nodded, then her expression abruptly changed.

"I'm just worried you'll cause trouble there and only be able to become my sister when you come back."

After saying that, Shui Bing'er cast an almost imperceptible glance downward, and the sensation from a month ago seemed to flood back into her hands.

Yes, that's more like the familiar flavor.

Yun Tian shifted his body, dodging Shui Bing'er's gaze.

Then he summoned Sang Biao, climbed on, and headed for Heaven Dou City.

Although being a dog knight sounded rather strange, there was no denying how useful Sang Biao was.

His soft fur made for a comfortable seat, and he was fast and steady. Yun Tian could even cultivate on his back without any trouble.

Three days later, upon reaching Heaven Dou City, Yun Tian did not enter the city but instead went straight to Dugu Bo's residence.

Dugu Bo's residence was a small courtyard nestled in a treasured spot among hills and water on the outskirts.

Yun Tian walked up to the courtyard gate and knocked.

Soon, a plainly dressed middle-aged man opened the gate.

"Who are you?" The middle-aged man looked at Yun Tian in confusion.

In the past, visitors had all been princes, crown princes, and other members of the imperial family, or people of considerable standing.

This was his first time seeing a stranger like Yun Tian.

"I'm here to see Senior Dugu."

As he finished speaking, Yun Tian took the token Dugu Bo had given him out of his Storage Soul Tool.

The middle-aged man's expression immediately changed when he saw the token in Yun Tian's hand.

His previous confusion vanished, replaced by the utmost deference.

"Honored guest, please follow me."

The middle-aged man stepped halfway aside. Only after Yun Tian entered did he close the courtyard gate again and jog up behind him.

He kept precisely far enough away for Yun Tian to see his guiding gestures without moving ahead of him.

Yun Tian gave him a brief glance.

This man has been rigorously trained!

After walking for a while, Yun Tian was led into a courtyard by the middle-aged man.

"Sir, please have some tea and rest here for a moment. I'll fetch His Excellency at once."

After pouring Yun Tian some tea, the middle-aged man was just about to withdraw to fetch Dugu Bo when Dugu Bo's voice rang out.

"No need."

Dugu Bo's figure became a green blur, appearing on the stone chair opposite Yun Tian in the blink of an eye.

"You may leave." Dugu Bo waved at the middle-aged man beside them.

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Only after the middle-aged man left the courtyard did Dugu Bo speak:

"Run into a problem?"

Yun Tian nodded, admitting it outright.

"You should already know, right? At the Soto Great Soul Arena, someone named Tang San overcame your granddaughter's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison."

The members of the Imperial Fighting Team had returned to Heaven Dou City much faster than Tang San and the others. After all, they were willing to spend a great deal of money.

Hearing this, Dugu Bo nodded, his eyes betraying no surprise.

Since Yun Tian knew, that could only mean he had been in Suotuo City too.

"In a few days, they'll arrive in Heaven Dou City and head to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I'd like you to take Tang San away when they approach Heaven Dou City. Just bring him to your Medicine Garden."

This time, a trace of surprise did appear in Dugu Bo's eyes.

That Tang San was, at most, a Soul Elder, while this young man before him was already level fifty-nine... no, wait, level sixty!

Dugu Bo's eyes widened again.

Wait, since when has cultivating been this easy? How long has it even been? He's gained another level already?!

And now, that Tang San was even less likely to have any connection to Yun Tian. He simply wasn't worthy!

If that boy could be called a minor genius, then the one before him was a genius among geniuses among geniuses.

There was absolutely no reason their paths should ever cross!

Still, he did not ask. This was Yun Tian's business; he only needed to get it done.

"All right."