The following morning, a thin mist swirled around the entrance to the Clear Sky Sect.
Tang Feng and Tang Lie bid farewell to Sect Master Tang Xiao, and then bowed to each of the elders.
Behind them, the Flame Dragon Wings spread out, spanning three zhang, with dark golden flames flowing around them. In the next instant, the grandfather and grandson took off simultaneously, transforming into two streams of light, one golden and one red, pointing straight towards the direction of Heaven Dou City.
The grandfather and grandson descended from the clouds and landed on a barren slope Heaven Dou City. It was early summer, and the vegetation was lush. In the distance, the city walls stood majestically, and banners fluttered in the wind.
To avoid being exposed and causing unnecessary trouble, they wore masks and walked like ordinary travelers, arriving at the South Gate in no time.
Upon entering the city, they were greeted by a cacophony of noise. Tang Feng had a clear goal: he led his grandfather through the streets and alleys, heading straight for the Dugu Manor in the west of the city.
The Dugu Manor remained serene and quiet, its gates simple yet exuding a medicinal fragrance.
Tang Feng rang the brass ring, and soon the old steward poked his head out. He recognized Tang Feng at a glance and immediately beamed with joy. " Young Master Tang! You've finally arrived!"
The butler quickly stepped aside to lead the way, "Master often speaks of you, please come in!"
The bamboo grove inside the manor remained unchanged, its green shadows swaying in the breeze. Just as one reached the entrance to the main hall, a burst of wild laughter rang out. "Hahaha, Little Monster, three years have passed, and you've finally remembered this old bone of mine!"
A flash of green, Dugu Bo strode out. He was still dressed in a dark green outfit and long robe, but his eyes and brows had a rosier glow, clearly indicating that he had taken good care of himself over the years.
Tang Feng rolled his eyes and returned a wicked grin. " Old Monster, it's been years, and your words have become even more mushy."
"Hey, you little ingrate!" Dugu Bo pretended to hit Tang Feng on the head, but his gaze fell on Tang Lie. His pupils shrank slightly, revealing a hint of seriousness and surprise.
Tang Feng quickly stepped aside to introduce him, "Old monster, this is my grandfather—Tang Lie, the Blazing Sun Douluo, a level 95 Super Douluo."
"Grandpa, this is the Heaven Shaking Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. By the way, Old Monster, what is your strength now?"
Dugu Bo put away his joke and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting, "So you are His Majesty Blazing Sun, my apologies for my rudeness! I am Dugu Bo, at the peak of Level 94, just one step away from Level 95!"
Tang Lie returned the greeting with a smile, " Poison Douluo are too kind. I have long heard of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's unparalleled power. It is my great fortune to meet you today. Thank you very much Poison Douluo, for saving my grandson's life in the past!"
"Hahaha, no need to be so polite!" Dugu Bo laughed, waved his hand, and pulled the two of them into the hall. "Come on, let's drink until we drop!"
Then he instructed the steward to inform Dugu Yan to return home immediately, as she was currently at the Heaven Dou Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy outside the city.
The hall was brightly lit, and the delicious food was steaming. As the group chatted and laughed, a clear voice called out from the corridor, "It's Little Fengzi! I was wondering where this distinguished guest had come from!"
Before the words had even faded, Dugu Yan burst into the living room. The eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl was in the prime of her youth, her tall figure accentuated by a dark green outfit, and her ponytail swung, exuding a unique air of valor and liveliness.
Tang Feng looked up, a smile instantly spreading across his face. He cupped his hands and joked, "Haha, Sister Yan, you've become even more beautiful in the years we haven't seen each other!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, not bad, your mouth has become sweeter, you've learned to compliment girls now. Looks like you've seduced countless girls these past few years!" Dugu Yan pointed at the boy, feigning reproach.
"Alright, alright, you two stop bickering, the food's getting cold," Dugu Bo interrupted with a laugh, gesturing for everyone to sit down.
A variety of delicious foods were quickly laid out on the jade table, and the four of them began to eat and chat.
Dugu Yan enthusiastically shared her recent news, " Little Fengzi, you've come at just the right time! I just got back from training with the team!"
"Oh, what kind of training?" Tang Feng asked.
"I joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team and became the captain. The Education Committee arranged for us to train in various Great Soul Arena. We just came back from the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena," Dugu said proudly.
" The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team? Are you going to participate in the Soul Master Tournament? Sister Yan, what level are you now?" Tang Feng asked in confusion.
"Of course!" Dugu Yan raised her chin slightly, looking proud. "I'm level 49 now, just one more level and I'll be Soul King, isn't that amazing?"
Tang Feng quickly calculated in his mind. When he left three years ago, Dugu Yan was level 37. She had increased by 12 levels. After deducting the two-level boost from her Soul Ring, that meant she had increased by 10 levels through her own cultivation. At the Soul Ancestor stage, she could only increase by a little over three levels a year on average, which was already quite good. It seemed that the Dragon Snake Fruit had a significant effect on her improvement, and she must have also put in some effort over the past few years.
Tang Feng nodded with a smile, flattering her, " Sister Yan is exceptionally talented; she's naturally hard to beat in the Great Soul Arena."
"That's right, don't you know who your Sister Yan is? We achieved a complete victory." Dugu Yan said proudly.
She changed the subject, a hint of lingering fear in her eyes. "However, at our last stop in Suotuo City, we encountered a team called the Shrek Seven Devils, who caused us a lot of trouble and almost caused us to capsize in a ditch."
"Oh? It's rare to find someone who can give you trouble." Tang Feng put down his jade chopsticks, intrigued, and asked deliberately.
Dugu Yan frowned and recalled, "They had a guy named Tang San Martial Soul was actually Blue Silver Grass. I didn't take him seriously at first, but who knew he would use realgar wine in combination with a fat guy's fire breath to burn my Jade Phosphorous Poison Mist to ashes! Luckily, I used my Fourth Soul Skill in time, and I narrowly escaped."
Tang Feng couldn't help but chuckle, "Realgar wine produces smoke when it comes into contact with fire, which is a natural counteracting agent for poisons. This is common knowledge in the world of poisons; Sister Yan was careless this time."
"Yes, yes, you're so knowledgeable." Dugu Yan glared at Tang Feng, then continued to explain, "Judging from their age, they should be from some academy, and I assumed they were like us, using Soul Fighting only to prepare for the Soul Master Tournament. I didn't expect them to use external objects, which doesn't comply with the rules of the Soul Master Tournament; it's a bit unfair."
After saying that, she proudly raised her chin and said, "By the way, what level is Little Fengzi at now? Don't let me leave you too far behind!"
"Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Sister Yan." Tang Feng's lips curled into a wicked smile. "I... recently broke through to the Soul King."
"What?!" Dugu Yan's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief. "You're already Soul King? Grandpa was right, you really are Little Monster!"
She pressed down on her already developed chest, looking dejected, but then her eyes lit up, and she leaned closer, urging, "Why don't you join our Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team? With you there, the championship is practically guaranteed! I heard the Spirit Hall is offering three Soul Bone as a prize for the champion this time!"
Tang Feng shook his head and chuckled, "You know about my blood feud with the Spirit Hall, Sister Yan. Going to Spirit City would be like throwing myself to the wolves. Besides, I have my own plans, so I won't join in the fun."
Tang Feng had already considered whether to participate in the Soul Master Tournament. However, he realized that the competition rules only allowed the use of Martial Soul and not the Ruyi Jingu Bang Clear Sky Hammer, his identity would be immediately exposed, which would inevitably attract the Spirit Hall's pursuit. That would be simply asking for trouble.
Tang San could still rely on his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul for cover. If he could refrain from revealing his Clear Sky Hammer, he might be able to get away with it.
No matter how precious Soul Bone is, you still need to be alive to get it. Taking such a great risk to your life for a few Soul Bone is not Tang Feng's style.
"Alright, alright, it seems I'll have to rely on myself!" Dugu Yan shrugged nonchalantly. Then, she immediately asked with interest, "What's your plan?"
Tang Feng put down his wine glass, his gaze intense. "My maternal grandfather is coming to Heaven Dou City soon to attend the gathering of the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans. We're planning to go see him. After that, I'm going to the Slaughter City for training."
" The Slaughter City? What kind of place is that?" Dugu Yan frowned, looking puzzled.
"It's a place of exile, without rules, only slaughter. It imprisons Evil Soul Master, fallen ones, and some heinous criminals. Only through endless killing can one escape," Tang Feng said.
Dugu Yan gasped, "Isn't that even more dangerous than participating in the competition?"
"That's different. Although it's equally dangerous, it's fair to everyone there. Titled Douluo can't use their Soul Skill there. Besides, it's the only path for the strong. Compared to the Soul Master Tournament, that's a true life-or-death struggle. And there might even be unexpected gains. I have to go and try it!"
After Tang Feng finished speaking, there was a brief silence. Dugu Yan solemnly raised her glass. "Then I wish myself a championship victory, and I also wish you a triumphant return from the Slaughter City!"