Dugu Yan's Rejection

The next morning, Yan Zu bid farewell to his companions who were undergoing acclimatization training and took Little Jade to Dugu Bo's residence in Heaven Dou City.

As soon as Yan Zu reached the entrance of the mansion, two guards dressed in dark green uniforms came to greet him. They clearly recognized Yan Zu and bowed respectfully. "Young Master Yan, the master has instructed that you be invited in immediately upon your arrival."

Yan Zu nodded his thanks and led Little Jade into the manor. The manor was filled with pavilions and towers arranged in a pleasing manner, with small bridges and flowing water complementing each other, a stark contrast to the gloomy impression Dugu Bo had previously given. Clearly, after being cured of the poison, this Poison Douluo's taste and state of mind had changed.

Led by a servant, Yan Zu arrived at a courtyard deep within the manor. In the courtyard, Dugu Bo was leisurely sitting on a stone bench, sipping tea. His face, which appeared to be in his early forties, looked heroic and composed in the morning light.

"A-Zu is here!" Dugu Bo stood up immediately upon seeing Yan Zu, a hearty smile spreading across his face. "Please sit down, please sit down!"

"Bring the best tea!"

"Grandpa Dugu." Yan Zu smiled and bowed, then sat down on the stone bench.

Dugu Bo looked Yan Zu up and down, his dark golden eyes flashing with approval. "Not bad, not bad, your aura is more composed now."

Oh, right, that girl Yanyan ----"

Before he could finish speaking, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard. "Little Brother A-Zu!"

Dugu Yan strode into the courtyard, but her expression surprised Yan Zu. Her blue-green eyes were slightly red, and although she forced a smile, her brows betrayed an undisguised sense of loss and shame.

"Sister Yanyan." Yan Zu stood up.

Dugu Yan walked up to Yan Zu, bit her lip, and suddenly bowed deeply. "Little Brother A-Zu, I'm sorry, I have no face to see you."

Yan Zu quickly helped her up. "Sister Yanyan, what are you doing? Get up, let's talk this out."

Dugu Bo sighed and waved for the servants to leave, leaving only the three people and one beast in the courtyard.

Dugu Yan raised her head, her eyes already brimming with tears. "I—I thought Tian Heng would readily agree to go to the Blue Tyrant Academy with me, but I never expected—"

Her voice choked with emotion. "When I told him about your invitation, he flew into a rage, saying—asking if I had taken a fancy to you, which was why I wanted to transfer schools to find you. He also said that he, Yu Tianheng, a direct descendant of the prestigious Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, would never condescend to attend an obscure academy, especially because of an outsider's invitation—"

Yan Zu frowned slightly. "Senior Tian Heng has misunderstood. Sister Yanyan, have you explained it to him clearly?"

"I explained, I explained everything!" Tears finally streamed down Dugu Yan's face. "I said you saved my grandfather's and my life, you're a great benefactor to our Dugu Family. I said you're powerful, of noble character, and a trustworthy partner. I said that although Blue Tyrant Academy isn't well-known, with Teacher Liu Erlong overseeing it, its future potential is limitless—but he wouldn't listen, he wouldn't listen to anything!"

She wiped away her tears, her voice filled with grievance.

Dugu Yan truly felt wronged.

She asked herself honestly, and her feelings for Yan Zu had always been pure and innocent. There was gratitude for her benefactor, pity and love for her younger brother, and sincere admiration for his abilities, but there was absolutely no romantic love between them.

In fact, Dugu Yan in the original novel was never someone who admired strength or was fickle.

Look at others: Huo Wu lost the match and rushed up to kiss Tang San; Qian Renxue Tang San's talent and strength and wanted to subdue him, and later even fell in love with him.

But what about Dugu Yan? After losing to Tang San at the Soto Great Soul Arena, she was furious that Tang San used despicable methods, injured people with Hidden Weapon, and even forced Ling Leng to treat the Shrek members first after the Soul Fighting, and that Qin Ming, leading the team, also took sides.

Everyone has connections, so she immediately ran home and called her grandfather to teach Tang San a lesson. No matter how strong or promising you are, if you hurt my partner, I will get justice.

Therefore, what Dugu Yan values is affection and what she cares about is justice. Yu Tianheng's slander has truly hurt Dugu Yan's heart.

Moreover, since Yan Zu has brought such a great opportunity to the Dugu Family, Dugu Yan also wanted to provide some assistance to Yan Zu within her capabilities, so she proposed to come to the Blue Tyrant Academy with Yu Tianheng.

Secondly, Dugu Yan also had her Dugu Yan selfish motives. Given her character, since she had promised Yan Zu to keep it a secret, she would not reveal the secrets of pills and Soul Spirit Contract. However, Dugu Yan also hoped to use the team to bring Yu Tianheng and Yan Zu closer. If their relationship improved in the future, it was possible that Yan Zu would be willing to take the initiative to train Yu Tianheng.

However, this premise must be proposed by Yan Zu himself and be voluntary; Dugu Yan would never bring it up on her own initiative.

The only thing Dugu Yan didn't expect was Yu Tianheng's firm rejection and his suspicion that Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan was both heartbroken and ashamed, so she didn't dare to see Yan Zu.

Dugu Bo snorted coldly, a chill flashing in his dark golden eyes. "I've said it before, that brat Yu Tianheng's pursuit of Yanyan isn't for pure motives. On the surface, he likes Yanyan, but in reality, he's after me, Titled Douluo. Yanyan and he have fiery personalities, and they're always bickering together. I've long since stopped being able to stand it."

He looked at Yan Zu, his tone softening. "Yan Zu, please don't blame yourself for this. It has nothing to do with you. It's that Yu Tianheng who's narrow-minded and unworthy of my Yanyan."

Yan Zu was silent for a moment, then gently patted Dugu Yan's shoulder. "Sister Yanyan, don't be sad. It's alright if Senior Tian Heng doesn't want to come. Don't let this hurt your relationship. If he really misunderstands, I can go and explain to him myself."

"No need!" Dugu Yan raised her head, a stubborn glint in her eyes. "Since he doesn't believe me, there's no point in explaining. Besides—"

She bit her lip. "And Little Brother A-Zu, I think Grandpa is right. Tian Heng and I may really not be suitable. He's too proud, too concerned about status and position, while I—I, Dugu Yan, value loyalty and sincerity. His reaction this time has made me see many things clearly."

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. "Yanyan, you've thought it through?"

Dugu Yan nodded, then shook her head, her expression complex. "I don't know—but Little Brother A-Zu, if I say I'll come, I definitely will! I can't bring Yu Tianheng, but I'll definitely bring you another top-tier Soul Master! You wait!"

After saying that, she wiped away her tears and turned to run outside.

"Sister Yanyan, wait!" Yan Zu called out to her, "Don't force yourself. I can figure out a solution for the team's situation slowly. Don't do anything impulsive out of guilt."

Dugu Yan turned around, a bitter but determined smile on her face, "It's not out of reluctance, nor out of impulse. Little Brother A-Zu, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. This Soul Master is absolutely worthy of your team, and is absolutely willing to come."

After saying that, she didn't linger and rushed out of the courtyard.