After returning home that night, Dugu Yan went back to the academy as usual the next day.
She remained as bright and cheerful as ever, joking and laughing with the members of the Imperial Fighting Team, giving orders with composure, as if the worry and vulnerability she showed in the garden pavilion that night had never happened.
However, someone as observant as Ye Lingling could occasionally catch a fleeting glimpse of expectation and a hint of barely perceptible anxiety deep in her friend's eyes.
She knew that Yanzi was waiting, waiting for news from her grandfather.
Lin Yan remained as low-key as ever, spending most of his time in the library or cultivating alone. His interactions with Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan were kept at a natural and comfortable pace; when they occasionally met in the library, they would nod to each other or discuss some Martial Soul Theory.
He didn't rush to ask anything, as if it were just something he mentioned casually that day.
Ye Lingling was caught between the two, feeling somewhat conflicted.
Her curiosity about Lin Yan grew daily; his mystery drew her in like a magnet.
She would sometimes take the initiative to ask Lin Yan questions about Martial Soul or medical skills, and Lin Yan would always share generously, speaking sincerely and logically, which made Ye Lingling feel that he was unfathomable while benefiting greatly from his words.
And so, seven or eight days passed peacefully.
That afternoon, the sun shone brightly, and the library was quiet and peaceful, with only the rustling of turning pages and the occasional soft footsteps.
Lin Yan, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan all happened to choose to read in the same area.
Lin Yan was consulting records about the geography of the mainland and strange places, Ye Lingling was holding a book of profound healing-type Soul Skill analysis, while Dugu Yan was absentmindedly flipping through a Soul Beast encyclopedia, her eyes occasionally glancing out the window.
Suddenly, a series of slightly hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A servant dressed in the attire of the Dugu Family peered around the library entrance. After receiving permission from the librarian, he quickly approached Dugu Yan and said in a low, urgent voice, "Miss, Master wants you to return to the manor immediately. He says it's very important!"
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan was first taken aback, then her eyes suddenly burst forth with a dazzling light, and the long-suppressed anticipation instantly transformed into excitement.
She stood up abruptly, not even bothering to tidy the books on the table, and hurriedly said to Ye Lingling and Lin Yan, " Lingling, Lin Yan, I have an emergency at home, I have to go back first!"
He then quickly left the library with the servant, their figures soon disappearing through the doorway.
Ye Lingling watched her friend's hurried departure, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, her eyes revealing doubt and a hint of worry.
She turned her head to look at Lin Yan, who was still calmly flipping through a book beside her, and asked softly, "Did something happen at Yanzi's house? She looks so anxious."
Lin Yan closed the book in his hand, looked up to meet Ye Lingling's gaze, a knowing smile appearing on his lips, and calmly said, "Perhaps nothing has happened, but... her grandfather has already prepared a Soul Bone for her."
Ye Lingling was stunned, then subconsciously retorted, "How do you know? Soul Bone are incredibly precious. Even Senior Poison Douluo couldn't possibly find a suitable one in such a short time, right? You must be talking nonsense."
Lin Yan didn't argue, but simply smiled meaningfully, his eyes as deep as an ancient well. "Whether it's nonsense or not, we'll wait and see. Perhaps tomorrow we'll have the answer."
His tone was so certain that Ye Lingling was momentarily at a loss for words.
Looking at Lin Yan's confident and composed expression, her curiosity and doubts deepened. Could this Lin Yan truly be prophetic? Or was all of this within his expectations, or even... his calculations?
The next day, just as Lin Yan had predicted, the answer was revealed.
The morning Cheng Gang ended, and Lin Yan was about to leave the classroom when a slender figure in green rushed up to him – it was Dugu Yan.
Unlike her haste in leaving yesterday, she was radiant today, her eyes and brows brimming with uncontainable joy and excitement, as if she were glowing.
" Lin Yan! Lin Yan!" Dugu Yan's voice was somewhat loud due to excitement, attracting the attention of many students around her.
But she couldn't care less about any of that at that moment. She grabbed Lin Yan's arm and said urgently, "It worked! It really worked!"
Looking at the ecstatic girl before him, Lin Yan revealed a hint of doubt and anticipation on his face. "Senior Sister Dugu, what happened that made you so happy?"
"It's Soul Bone! Grandpa found a Soul Bone that suits me!" Dugu Yan lowered her voice excitedly, but the excitement in her tone was not diminished at all. "It's a left arm bone. Although it's only at the thousand-year level, its attributes are very compatible with my Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul! I fused with it immediately after I got back yesterday, and the process went very smoothly!"
She paused, her eyes shining even brighter, and continued, "Then, following your previous method, I tried to guide some of the toxins accumulated in my body into the Soul Bone. Guess what? The effect was excellent! Although it couldn't solve all the problems at once, I could clearly feel that the faint stagnation and pressure in my meridians had lessened considerably! The Soul Bone can indeed accommodate and stabilize those toxins!"
She held Lin Yan's hand tightly, her voice filled with gratitude and anticipation for the future. " Lin Yan, thank you so much! If you hadn't enlightened me and suggested this method, I'd probably still be worrying silently, not knowing what to do. Grandpa also said this is the right direction! If... if we can really find an External Soul Bone that can grow alongside Soul Master in the future, then the problem of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison will truly have a complete solution!"
Lin Yan smiled sincerely and said humbly, "Senior, you flatter me. I only offered a suggestion. The main reason for the success is that Senior Poison Douluo has extraordinary abilities and found a suitable Soul Bone, as well as your own exceptional talent, which allowed you to fuse and utilize it so smoothly. I am truly happy to see you overcome your difficulties."
Dugu Yan shook her head vigorously. "No, your guidance is crucial!"
As if suddenly remembering something, her tone became more serious, "Oh, right, Lin Yan, my grandfather... he wants to meet you. He asked me to bring you home for a simple meal tonight so he can thank you personally. Are you... free tonight?"
It's finally here.
Lin Yan's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. He nodded, his tone gentle and polite. "How could I refuse an invitation from an elder? Since Senior Poison Douluo has summoned me, Lin Yan will certainly be there on time tonight."
He paused, a hint of curiosity and admiration for the strong, befitting his age and status, in his eyes, and added, "Moreover, it would be an honor for me to have the opportunity to witness the prowess of the renowned Poison Douluo."
Seeing that he agreed so readily, Dugu Yan beamed with joy. "Great! I'll wait for you at the school gate after school, and we'll go home together!"
Watching Dugu Yan's cheerful departing figure, Lin Yan's smile deepened slightly.
The second step of the plan, contacting Dugu Bo, is finally about to begin.
He knew that tonight's "family dinner" would be more than just a simple thank-you meal.