"Grandpa, there's no Soul Bone."
Then Yu Tianming inspected the Tyrant Dragon's corpse and confirmed that there was no Soul Bone.
"All right, let's go, then."
Yu Tianming and Ye Lingling had both obtained their Second Soul Rings, so they lingered no longer.
Just as he had on the way there.
Yu Yuanzhen lifted Yu Tianming and Ye Lingling with his immense Soul Power and flew through the air, heading straight out of the Star Dou Great Forest.
There were no mishaps this time. Everything went smoothly until they reached Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Boom!
A muffled thunderclap rolled from the horizon as dazzling lightning approached from afar.
Soon, the lightning stopped in the air outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy, revealing Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Tianming, and Ye Lingling.
"We're here." Yu Yuanzhen withdrew his Soul Power, and the three landed steadily before the academy gates.
Seeing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader arrive in person, the Soul Masters guarding the gates hurriedly bowed in greeting.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded slightly and turned to Yu Tianming. "Tianming, you've obtained your Second Soul Ring. Focus on cultivating from now on."
"Remember, although Dragon Breath is powerful, it also consumes a great deal of Soul Power. Be mindful when using it."
"I understand, Grandpa."
Yu Tianming nodded solemnly.
Ye Lingling said softly, "Thank you for looking after us along the way, Grandpa Yu."
Yu Yuanzhen gave her a kindly smile. "Lingling, there's no need to stand on ceremony."
"Your Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul has tremendous potential. You'll certainly become one of the continent's very best healing-type Soul Masters in the future."
"Thank you, Grandpa Yu."
Ye Lingling thanked him sweetly.
Then Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Tianming and took an exquisite box from his robes. "I heard from Tian Heng that you're on good terms with Old Poison's granddaughter too. Give this to her."
Yu Tianming looked at his grandfather, not knowing what to say.
After some thought,
he accepted the little box after all.
Ye Lingling had the jade pendant his grandfather had given her. It wouldn't be very good if Dugu Yan had nothing...
Seeing that it was getting late, Yu Yuanzhen instructed them, "Head back into the academy and rest. I'll visit the three education commissioners, then return to the clan."
Before his words had faded, he had already turned into a streak of lightning and vanished.
Yu Tianming turned to Ye Lingling and saw her blinking her bright eyes, simply looking at him without saying a word.
"Ahem."
Yu Tianming gave a light cough.
"Lingling, let's go inside."
At his words, the corners of Ye Lingling's lips lifted slightly into a faint smile. Her gaze was gentle as water as she nodded lightly and said,
"All right."
Her voice was cool, yet carried a measure of softness.
The two walked into the academy side by side, the sunset's lingering glow stretching their shadows long.
Ye Lingling suddenly asked softly, "Tianming, are you hungry?"
Yu Tianming turned his head, meeting her clear eyes, and smiled. "A little, actually. What about you?"
"Me too."
"Then let's go to the dining hall, or we could eat outside," Yu Tianming suggested.
Ye Lingling said softly, "The dining hall."
They had just reached the dining hall entrance when they heard familiar laughter.
"Tianming! Lingling!"
Dugu Yan rushed over like a gust of wind, her purple hair streaming behind her.
She hooked her arm through Ye Lingling's, but her eyes were fixed on the box in Yu Tianming's hand.
"What's that?"
Yu Tianming smiled helplessly and handed her the box. "Grandpa told me to give it to you."
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up, and she eagerly opened the box.
Inside lay a bluish-purple jade pendant, its surface likewise carved with a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon design, with faint ripples of Soul Power flowing through it.
"Wow! It's beautiful!"
She cried out in delighted surprise, then looked suspiciously at Ye Lingling. "Lingling, did you get anything?"
Ye Lingling smiled with her lips pressed together and pulled an azure jade pendant from beneath her collar.
"Hmph! I knew it!"
Dugu Yan puffed out her cheeks, but soon smiled again. "Mine's prettier, though!"
Watching the two bicker, Yu Tianming couldn't help shaking his head with a laugh.
Both jade pendants were of very high quality, and both bore Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon designs. Neither was better than the other; both were the finest of jade pendants.
Just then, Yu Tianheng walked over with Yu Feng and the others.
"You're back? Did obtaining your Soul Rings go smoothly?" Yu Tianheng asked with concern.
"Very smoothly."
Yu Tianming nodded. "Lingling and I both got suitable Soul Rings."
Yu Feng leaned closer and said with a grin, "Then we have to celebrate properly tonight! I heard the dining hall has a new cook whose roasted Soul Beast meat is second to none!"
Osler patted his shoulder. "All you think about is food!"
Everyone burst out laughing, the mood relaxed and cheerful.
At dinner,
everyone sat together.
Yu Tianming briefly recounted how they had hunted for their Soul Rings. When he mentioned encountering the Titan Giant Ape, shock and worry appeared on everyone's faces.
Only after hearing that neither of them had been injured did they breathe sighs of relief.
"What got into that Titan Giant Ape? Thank goodness Grandpa Yu took you to hunt for Soul Rings, or you really would've been in danger," Dugu Yan said.
"Indeed."
Yu Tianming nodded in agreement. "The Titan Giant Ape is very powerful. An ordinary Titled Douluo is absolutely no match for it."
At the same time, Yu Tianming made up his mind.
Once he was strong enough, he would definitely seek revenge on the Titan Giant Ape!
Ye Lingling sat quietly beside Yu Tianming, occasionally placing food in his bowl.
"Lingling, I want some too."
Dugu Yan saw it and pouted, but she also poured Yu Tianming a cup of clear wine.
Smiling, Ye Lingling put some food in Dugu Yan's bowl too. "Here, eat."
"Let's apply to advance to the senior academy together tomorrow." Yu Tianheng looked around at everyone with a smile.
"Sure! Let's all go together!" Dugu Yan said excitedly.
Yu Tianming, Ye Lingling, Yu Feng, and the others all voiced their agreement.
As the night deepened,
everyone headed back to the dormitories together.
Although the men's and women's dormitories were separate, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's dormitory building was not far from Yu Tianming and the others'.
On the way back, Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan walked beside Yu Tianming.
The two girls chatted and laughed.
In the moonlight, Ye Lingling's profile looked especially soft and lovely, while Dugu Yan looked full of spirited vigor, with an uncanny allure.
Looking at the two beauties beside him, Yu Tianming couldn't help the corners of his mouth lifting.
A residence in Heaven Dou City.
This was the Dugu Family's residence in Heaven Dou City, a gift from Prince Xue Xing. At that moment, Yu Yuanzhen and Dugu Yan were sitting opposite each other at a stone table in the courtyard.
This was not their first meeting. As fellow Titled Douluo, they had known each other for a long time.
However, knowing that his precious granddaughter liked Yu Tianming, Dugu Bo wore a somewhat dark expression.
By contrast,
Yu Yuanzhen's face was full of smiles.
Dugu Bo lifted his teacup and snorted coldly. "Old Dragon, you've certainly worked out a fine scheme. You think you can lure my granddaughter away with a single jade pendant?"
Yu Yuanzhen laughed heartily. "Old Poison, we old fellows should stay out of the children's affairs. Yanyan is a bright, clever girl. She and my Tianming are a fine match."
"A fine match?"
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, his emerald eyes narrowing slightly. "The threshold of your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is too high for my Dugu Family to reach."
Yu Yuanzhen's smile faded, and he said earnestly, "Old Poison, we've known each other for years. Why speak as though we're strangers?"
Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment, his gaze turning toward the violets blooming in the courtyard.
They were Dugu Yan's favorite flowers.