Yanzi Severed Her Romantic Ties

On the way back, Yan Zu deliberately slowed down. Xiao Wu leaned on his shoulder, looking at the mountains and rivers rushing past below, and whispered, "A-Zu, what do you think will happen to Aunt Ah Yin in the future?"

Yan Zu was silent for a moment. "She will slowly recover and gradually digest those truths. Hatred can be her motivation to live, but I hope she can eventually find new meaning instead of being completely consumed by hatred."

"I also hope Aunt Ah Yin is doing well," Xiao Wu said softly. "She's so pitiful, deceived and used by the person she loves most—if it were me—"

She didn't finish speaking, but Yan Zu understood what she meant. He gently held Xiao Wu's hand. "Don't overthink it, you won't encounter such a thing. I will always protect you."

Xiao Wu smiled with relief and nodded vigorously.

Two days later, Blue Tyrant Academy came into view. Little Jade returned to her small form and jumped back onto Yan Zu's shoulder.

When the two returned to the academy, it was during afternoon training time.

On the training field, Ning Rongrong was practicing the precise assistance of the Ten Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Zhu Zhuqing was practicing a new way to use Moonlight Teleportation, Oscar was making various Sausage, and Ye Lingling was practicing the control of the healing range of the Nine Heart Begonia.

Upon seeing Yan Zu and Xiao Wu return, everyone immediately gathered around them.

"Little Brother A-Zu! Big Sister Xiao Wu! You're back!" Ning Rongrong was the first to rush over and throw herself into Yan Zu. "How are you? Are Uncle and Auntie alright? Did they bring me any gifts?"

Yan Zu smiled and took out a wooden box from his Storage Soul Tool: "This is osmanthus cake, a specialty of Nuoding City. I brought it especially for you."

"Wow! Little Brother A-Zu!" Ning Rongrong happily took the box, eagerly opened it, and tasted a piece. "So delicious!"

Xiao Wu then took out gifts for the others: a pair of exquisite hair ornaments for Zhu Zhuqing, an ancient book on food processing for Oscar, a tea set for Ye Lingling, a pair of emerald green earrings shaped like Entanglement snakes for Dugu Yan, and a red jade hairpin carved with lifelike Fire Dragon patterns for Liu Erlong.

"Thank you, Xiao Wu (Sister)!" everyone said in gratitude.

Liu Erlong looked Xiao Wu up and down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Xiao Wu, your aura—it seems to have gotten stronger again?"

Xiao Wu proudly raised her chin. "Teacher Erlong has a good eye! This time when I went home, A-Zu helped me find a suitable Soul Beast. I have successfully condensed my Fifth Soul Ring and am now a level 54 Soul King!"

"Level 54?" Everyone stared in shock.

Ning Rongrong counted on her fingers. "Big Sister Xiao Wu, you were only level 50 when you left, and now you're level 54—a breakthrough that leveled you up four levels in one go? That's too exaggerated!"

A look of surprise flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's usually cold eyes. "The Fifth Soul Ring can increase Soul Power by four levels? The age of this Soul Ring..."

"Fifty-seven thousand years," Yan Zu said calmly.

The training ground fell into a deathly silence.

"Five... fifty-seven thousand years?" Oscar's voice changed. "Xiao Wu, your Fifth Soul Ring is fifty-seven thousand years? How is that possible! Isn't the limit for the Fifth Soul Ring around twelve thousand years?"

Liu Erlong stared at Xiao Wu in shock. "Fifty-seven thousand years—that's almost the lifespan of Soul Douluo -level Soul Ring. Xiao Wu, how did you do that?"

Xiao Wu chuckled, "Thanks to A-Zu for improving my constitution, and Little Jade's auspicious aura for my aid, plus my own efforts, I barely managed to succeed!"

Although she spoke lightly, everyone knew that she must have gone through unimaginable hardships and risks. For a moment, everyone felt immense pressure. Xiao Wu had already gone ahead of them, and so far.

Ning Rongrong clenched her little fists. "No, no, I have to work even harder! I can't fall too far behind Big Sister Xiao Wu!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded silently, her eyes blazing with even stronger fighting spirit.

Oscar rubbed his hands together. "Looks like I'll have to work really hard, or I won't even be qualified to make Sausage for you guys anymore."

Although Ye Lingling didn't speak, a hint of determination flashed in her cool eyes. After joining this team, she truly understood what it meant to be "there are always people more capable than you, and the sky is always higher than the heavens."

Seeing everyone's high spirits, Yan Zu felt gratified. He cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, don't be too anxious. Everyone has their own pace of growth. However, now that Xiao Wu has broken through, we should prepare for the next Soul Hunting Operation."

He turned to Liu Erlong: "Teacher, I suggest we depart for Sunset Forest in three days. There are three main objectives this time:"

One is to help the teacher obtain his Eighth Soul Ring, which is expected to take 70,000 to 80,000 years to grow.

Secondly, it is to obtain the Fourth Soul Ring for Rongrong and Brother Ao, with a lifespan of approximately 18,000 years.

Thirdly, Zhu Zhuqing also needs Third Soul Ring, with a lifespan of less than six thousand years.

Liu Erlong nodded. "Alright, we'll do it your way. Senior Sword Douluo will accompany us to ensure our safety. Everyone, please make final preparations and get into the right mindset over these three days."

With the plan set, everyone threw themselves into intensive training again.

Yan Zu then began preparing all the necessary supplies for the Soul Hunting: pills, antidotes, food, tents, and so on. The blue sachet at his waist swayed gently with his movements, emanating a faint spiritual fluctuation from Ah Yin, who seemed to be observing everything around her.

The following afternoon, a commotion arose at the entrance of the college.

Liu Erlong, who was instructing everyone on the training field, frowned slightly and looked up. He saw a young man in blue with a cold demeanor standing at the academy gate, none other than Yu Tianheng.

"Yu Tianheng? What brings him here?" Liu Erlong, somewhat surprised.

"Sister Yanyan, it's Brother Tian Heng." Ye Lingling said softly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. She knew Yu Tianheng's personality—proud and stubborn—and today probably wouldn't end well.

Dugu Yan took a deep breath, composed herself, and said to Liu Erlong, "Teacher Erlong, I'm going out for a bit."

"Do you need me to go with you?" Ye Lingling asked.

Dugu Yan thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, Lingling, you can come with me."

The two walked out of the training ground and arrived at the academy gate. Yu Tianheng Yu Tianheng saw Dugu Yan. Although he had seen Dugu Yan's Martial Soul Evolution before, he was still amazed when he saw her again.

But soon, that initial amazement was replaced by anger.

Dugu Yan assumed that Yu Tianheng, having calmed down for so many days, had finally come to his senses and perhaps was here to ease tensions. She even subconsciously smoothed a strand of hair at her temple, her tone tinged with anticipation. "Tian Heng? What brings you here?"

"Dugu Yan, you've finally come out to see me." Yu Tianheng's voice was icy.

The glimmer of hope that had just risen in Dugu Yan's heart was instantly extinguished. She had thought that Yu Tianheng had come to reconcile, but she hadn't expected him to speak in such a tone from the very beginning.

"Tian Heng, what's wrong?" Dugu Yan tried her best to keep her voice calm.

"What is it?" Yu Tianheng sneered. "I want to ask you, what exactly do you mean? You left the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team without permission, and even took Ye Lingling with you. Do you know how much of a loss this has caused the team?"

Dugu Yan frowned. "Tian Heng, I've already explained this before. Blue Tyrant Academy is more suitable for my development, and Leng Ling joined voluntarily. We haven't wronged anyone."

"You haven't wronged anyone?" Yu Tianheng's voice suddenly rose, "You're the team's vice-captain! You're the core of the team! You just leave like that, what about the team? What about us teammates?"

"Furthermore," Yu Tianheng's gaze swept over Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, his tone even colder, "I heard you've taken on some kind of adopted brother here? Calling Little Brother A-Zu -law' all the time? Dugu Yan, I never expected you to be this kind of person, fickle and easily swayed!"

These words thoroughly enraged Dugu Yan. She was a proud person by nature, and how could she tolerate such slander?

"Yu Tianheng! Watch your words!" Dugu Yan's voice also turned cold. "Yan Zu is my grandfather's adopted grandson, my rightful younger brother! My relationship with him is completely innocent, it's none of your business to slander me!"

"Completely innocent?" Yu Tianheng scoffed. "Then how do you explain leaving the team for him? How do you explain constantly revolving around him? Dugu Yan, if you admit your mistake now and come back with me, I can forgive you. Otherwise—"

"Otherwise what?" Dugu Yan looked at him Lengleng.

"Otherwise, we'll officially break up!" Yu Tianheng said, enunciating each word clearly. "I, Yu Tianheng, don't need a fickle girlfriend!"

"You!" Dugu Yan trembled with rage. She never imagined that the person she had loved for so many years would be so indiscriminate and so blatantly insult her dignity.

Seeing this, Ye Lingling quickly stepped forward to persuade them, "Brother Tian Heng, Sister Yanyan, please calm down. Sister Yanyan did join Blue Tyrant Academy for a reason, she—"

"Leng Ling, you don't need to say anything more." Dugu Yan interrupted Ye Lingling, looking at Yu Tianheng, the last trace of warmth in her eyes vanished. "Yu Tianheng, since you've put it so bluntly, then I have nothing more to say."

She took a deep breath, her voice eerily calm. "Let's break up. From now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine."

Yu Tianheng was stunned. He had thought that Dugu Yan would back down, admit her mistake, and beg for his forgiveness. He had only threatened to break up with her, not that he really wanted to. But to his surprise, Dugu Yan agreed so readily.

"What—what did you say?" Yu Tianheng's voice trembled slightly.

"I said, we're breaking up." Dugu Yan repeated firmly, "Since in your heart I'm the kind of person who's fickle, then there's no need for me to explain anymore. I wish you find someone who truly deserves you in the future."

After saying that, she turned and left without looking back.

"Yanyan!" Yu Tianheng wanted to call out to her, but he swallowed the words back. His pride wouldn't allow him to back down.

Ye Lingling glanced at Yu Tianheng, then at Dugu Yan's departing figure, sighed softly, and quickly followed after her.

Back at the training ground, Dugu Yan appeared to be perfectly normal, chatting and laughing with everyone. But those who paid close attention could see that her smile was somewhat forced, and deep pain was hidden in her eyes.

After training in the afternoon, Dugu Yan returned to her dormitory alone. The moment she closed the door, she could no longer control herself, threw herself onto the bed, covered her face with the blanket, and cried silently.

In the stillness of the night, the arguments of the day, Yu Tianheng's heartless words, and sweet memories of the past surged through her mind like a tide, causing her heartache so intense she could hardly breathe.

She left her dormitory and wandered aimlessly around the college. Before she knew it, she had arrived at the lake behind the college.

Moonlight spilled across the lake, creating shimmering ripples. A gentle night breeze brought Sisi coolness. Dugu Yan sat on a rock by the lake, gazing at the water, her mind filled with memories of her past with Yu Tianheng.

They joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team together, trained together, competed together, laughed together, and cried together.

Every detail is still vivid in my mind. But all of that is now in the past.

"Why—why did it turn out like this—" Dugu Yan murmured softly, tears welling up in her eyes again.

She didn't know how long she cried, until her tears were almost all gone, before she sat down helplessly on the grass by the lake, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the water. The night breeze ruffled her hair, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart.

Just then, a slightly hesitant voice sounded from the side, "Yan... Sister Yanyan? Is that you?"

Dugu Yan was startled and turned her head sharply, only to see Oscar scratching his head, standing not far away, looking somewhat embarrassed. He had obviously finished cultivating his Soul Power that evening and came out for a walk, only to stumble upon this scene.

"Oscar?!" Dugu Yan hurriedly wiped away her tears, forcing herself to remain calm. "You—what are you doing here?"

Looking at Dugu Yan's swollen eyes and nose, Oscar could easily tell that she had just been crying.

He recalled the rumors he had vaguely heard during the day about Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng arguing, and guessed seven or eight parts of the story.

He was a kind-hearted but somewhat sleazy guy. Seeing Dugu Yan like this, he wanted to comfort her but didn't know where to start. In a moment of madness, that familiar lewdness of his came back.

He chuckled, trying to break the awkward silence in his usual way. "Um— Sister Yanyan, the night is long and I can't sleep. I see you're also having a hard time sleeping alone, and you don't look well. Do you need to replenish your energy? How about Big Sausage to cheer you up?"

As he spoke, he deliberately used an extremely lewd tone to recite his incantation. "Old man, you have a big, fragrant sausage!"

A thick Sausage appeared in his hand, emitting an enticing aroma.

Dugu Yan was taken aback at first, but then she understood Oscar's intention. He wasn't teasing her; he just saw that she was in low spirits and wanted to cheer her up in this exaggerated way.

This kind of method is just so annoying!

Dugu Yan looked at Oscar's ingratiating smile, then at the oddly shaped Sausage in his hand, and suddenly, an "evil" thought popped into her head.

Dugu Yan suddenly twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a wicked and dangerous smile, her emerald eyes gleaming eerily in the moonlight. "Thank you, Oscar. However, Recovery Big Sausage is useless right now."

Oscar paused, then said, "How about Detoxifying Sausage? To cool me down and reduce internal heat?"

Dugu Yan slowly stood up, brushed the grass clippings off her skirt, and said leisurely, "No. Give me one of your Thousand Illusions Clone Sausage."

"Huh? Clone Sausage?" Oscar was a little confused, not understanding why Dugu Yan wanted Clone Sausage, but he still recited the incantation as instructed, "I have a Thousand Illusions Clone Sausage!" A Thousand Illusions Clone Sausage with illusory patterns appeared.

Dugu Yan took the Sausage and ate it without saying a word. In an instant, her Soul Power fluctuated, and four clones, identical to Dugu Yan's original body and even sharing the same aura, appeared around her!