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A crisp slap echoed like thunder within the training field.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Everyone's eyes widened, staring incredulously at the scene before them—Dugu Yan's right hand was still suspended in mid-air, and five clear red marks had already appeared on Yu Tianheng's handsome profile.
Even Feng Xiao, who was usually composed, couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly, clearly not expecting Dugu Yan to be so fierce.
"Sister Yan… you…" Yu Tianheng's voice seemed to be squeezed through his teeth, and the blue electric light flickering in his eyes showed the intense fluctuations within him.
Dugu Yan withdrew her hand, her emerald eyes as cold as frost: "Enough, Yu Tianheng." Her voice was not loud, but every word was like ice. "How many times have I told you, I only treat Xiao Feng as a younger brother. Taking care of him is what I should do, as for the reason, Grandpa told me not to say." She took a deep breath. "If you don't even have this much trust, then we truly aren't suitable to be together."
With that, she turned and rushed to Feng Xiao, pulling his hand without explanation: "Xiao Feng, let's go!"
"Sister Yan… sigh…" Feng Xiao hadn't finished speaking before he was forcefully dragged away by Dugu Yan. He looked back at Yu Tianheng, who was standing rooted to the spot, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
That slap seemed to have sobered Yu Tianheng quite a bit. Looking at the departing figures of the two, the anger in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a hint of regret. Dugu Yan's righteous attitude, on the contrary, dispelled most of the doubts in his heart.
"The captain wasn't beaten silly by Sister Yan, was he?" Yu Feng leaned close to Oslo, lowering his voice.
Oslo gave him a cold glance, not answering, and with a flash of his figure, disappeared into the shadows of the training field. With his departure, the Huang Dou Battle Team members also dispersed, leaving only Yu Tianheng standing alone in the center of the empty training field.
Not long after, inside the Heaven Dou Royal Academy cafeteria.
Dugu Yan's emerald eyes were fixed on Feng Xiao, who was eating heartily, her slender fingers unconsciously tapping on the table. Watching the young man devour his food, an inexplicable surge of anger rose in her heart: "Eat, eat, eat! Sister kicked her own man for you, and you're here enjoying your food so much!"
Ye Lingling, hearing this, quickly covered her cherry lips with her delicate hand, but still let out a soft laugh. The girl's shoulders trembled slightly, clearly trying hard to suppress her laughter.
Feng Xiao helplessly put down his cutlery, raising his eyes to meet Dugu Yan's annoyed gaze: "Didn't you choose this yourself?" His tone carried a hint of innocence, mixed with a touch of teasing.
Dugu Yan rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. In her opinion, that guy Yu Tianheng's mind, aside from the pride and muscles of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, was simply empty. If she truly had feelings for Feng Xiao, with her status, why would she need to hide it? What's more, Grandpa had long ago instructed her never to reveal the hidden danger of the Bi Lin Snake Spirit to Yu Tianheng—this not only concerned the most taboo weakness of a Spirit Master, but also the bloodline inheritance of the Dugu family.
One must know that Dugu Bo was already infamous on the Douluo Continent for his poison. If people knew that the Bi Lin Snake Venom would integrate into the bloodline and be passed down through generations, in this Douluo Continent where bloodlines were extremely valued, which family would still be willing to marry into the Dugu family? How could Dugu Yan not understand the stakes involved?
"Yan Yan, are you really decided on breaking up with the captain?" Ye Lingling's voice was soft, with a hint of worry, her clear eyes quietly watching Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan's expression dimmed slightly, her fingertips unconsciously caressing the edge of the table. After a moment of silence, she sighed softly: "I don't know either…" Her tone carried a hint of confusion, clearly still struggling internally.
Both their gazes turned simultaneously to Feng Xiao, who was lowering his head and eating, seemingly trying to reduce his presence.
"Why are you looking at me?" Feng Xiao, noticing the gazes, looked up with a grain of rice still on the corner of his mouth, his expression slightly innocent.
"How dare you ask!" Dugu Yan's eyebrows shot up, and she reached out to pinch his ear, gritting her teeth: "If I wasn't afraid of you getting beaten black and blue by that guy, I wouldn't bother with you!"
Feng Xiao winced in pain but dared not struggle, only muttering softly: "It's not certain who would beat who…"
Dugu Yan irritably released Feng Xiao's ear, lightly flicked his forehead with her fingertip, and her emerald eyes widened slightly: "You're quite confident, aren't you? That guy is almost at level forty. If your spirit power were equal, I wouldn't bother stopping you; letting him suffer a bit would be good." She crossed her arms and snorted coldly. "But now? If he wins, it's just by relying on a higher level, what's there to be proud of? If he loses—" She glanced sideways at Feng Xiao. "The dignified heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, defeated by a Spirit Master below level thirty, what do you think would be his fate? And do you really think the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would let it go?"
Feng Xiao rubbed his reddened ear, deep in thought. As he carefully pondered Dugu Yan's words, he gradually understood the deeper meaning—if he truly defeated Yu Tianheng, who possessed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, with a cultivation below level thirty, he would likely immediately become the focus of attention for various major powers, and even attract unnecessary trouble. And if Yu Tianheng lost, not only would his personal reputation be ruined, but the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would be disgraced. The chain reaction that would follow would be far from a simple matter of victory or defeat.
Indeed, he was not Tang San after all—he didn't have a father like Clear Sky Douluo to back him up, nor did he have the protection of teachers from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Moreover, one-on-one combat was completely different from team battles. If a team battle was lost, it could still be attributed to unfamiliar coordination or tactical errors; but if he defeated Yu Tianheng one-on-one in front of everyone, it would not only push him into the limelight but also nail the other party to the pillar of shame.
The dignified heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, defeated by an unknown Spirit Grandmaster? Just this alone would be enough to make Yu Tianheng lose out in future competitions within the clan. Of course, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might not even last until the day of power transfer, but Feng Xiao would probably face countless open and hidden attacks before the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's demise.
Thinking of this, Feng Xiao put on a fawning smile and said flatteringly: "Sister Yan is still so thoughtful; I, your younger brother, am truly ashamed of my inferiority."
Dugu Yan, hearing this, gave him a sidelong glance with her emerald eyes and snorted irritably: "You're happy and carefree now, but I, your sister, have been terribly harmed by you. Now I don't even know how to resolve this."
Ye Lingling bit her lower lip lightly, hesitated for a moment, then softly suggested: "Yan Yan, why don't I go and explain to the captain?"
"No need!" Dugu Yan interrupted decisively, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes. "Let him think it through properly himself. If he can figure it out, he will naturally come to find me; if he can't figure it out…" She paused, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of her lips. "Then so be it. I, Dugu Yan, have no interest in being his mother."
Feng Xiao nodded slightly, saying nothing more. In his eyes, getting too deeply involved with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was not a wise move to begin with; being able to draw a clear line now was actually a good thing. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, an inadvertent look of relief appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"What?" Dugu Yan suddenly narrowed her emerald eyes, staring at him with a half-smile, "Looking at you like that, could it be that you're secretly celebrating?"
Feng Xiao nearly choked on his tea when he heard this, quickly putting down his teacup and waving his hand: "Sister Yan is joking, how would I dare…"
The setting sun slanted, and the last rays of afterglow filtered through the treetops, scattering at the cafeteria entrance. Feng Xiao contentedly put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped the corners of his mouth, and didn't forget to return his chair to its place as he stood up. Dugu Yan was already waiting outside the door, her emerald long hair gently swaying in the evening breeze.
"Let's go." She said without looking back, her slender figure casting a long shadow under the setting sun.
Feng Xiao quickly followed, and the three walked side by side through the tree-lined path. In the distance, the unique spirit power fluctuations of the Ni Tai Training Field were faintly perceptible.
Half a month later, inside the Ni Tai Training Field.
Feng Xiao sat cross-legged, spirit power surging around him like a tide, faint blue spirit power ripples spreading outwards. With a clear shout, the surging spirit power suddenly erupted, then instantly converged back into his body like a hundred rivers returning to the sea. When he opened his eyes, stars seemed to flow within them—level thirty, finally achieved naturally!
For the past half month, Feng Xiao had been living a life of nearly ascetic cultivation. During the day, he no longer went to the public training ground, but instead sought out secluded places to play his zither; his interactions with the Huang Dou Battle Team were limited to brief encounters in the cafeteria; at night, he unfailingly immersed himself in the Ni Tai Training Field, tempering his spirit power day after day.
Feng Xiao stood up and dusted off his robes. After a brief thought, he still decided to go to the training field. For some matters, he probably still needed the help of Senior Dugu.
When he stepped into the training field, the Huang Dou Battle Team members all cast surprised glances at him. Feng Xiao's mysterious disappearance during this period had already sparked many speculations within the team.
"Sister Yan." Feng Xiao called softly, his voice not loud but exceptionally clear.
Dugu Yan was sparring with her teammates and paused her movements when she heard him. She glanced at Yu Tianheng, who was looking gloomy not far away, then indifferently put away her Spirit and gracefully walked towards Feng Xiao.
"Oh, our busy man has finally decided to show his face?" Dugu Yan's red lips parted slightly, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"You… still haven't made up?" Feng Xiao asked tentatively.
Dugu Yan snorted lightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her emerald eyes: "Do you think a proud dragon would bow to a snake?"
Feng Xiao smiled knowingly, then said: "Never mind. Actually, now that I've broken through to level thirty today, there's something I'd like to ask Senior Dugu for help with."
"Level thirty?!" Dugu Yan's emerald eyes instantly widened. She looked Feng Xiao up and down in disbelief. "It's only been half a month, hasn't it?" She lightly patted her chest to calm her surprise, then quickly returned to her languid demeanor, leaning against an ancient tree and playing with her hair. "Let's go, I'll take you to see Grandpa."
Feng Xiao bowed with a smile: "Then I'll trouble Sister Yan."
Dugu Yan casually waved to the Huang Dou Battle Team members, ignoring Yu Tianheng's gloomy gaze, and left the academy side by side with Feng Xiao.
Not long after, deep within the Sunset Forest.
Dense poisonous mist swirled through the forest, and the two walked through it with practiced ease. Pushing aside the last layer of poisonous miasma, they saw Dugu Bo intently tending to several rare medicinal herbs.
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan called out cheerfully, flying towards the old man like a light butterfly.
"Yan Yan is here." Dugu Bo's face immediately broke into a loving smile, but when his gaze shifted to Feng Xiao, his expression suddenly froze. The old Poison Douluo squinted his eyes, incredulously sizing up the young man: "You kid—"
He walked around Feng Xiao once, then suddenly widened his eyes: "Level thirty Spirit Elder?!" His voice abruptly rose. "You broke through from level twenty-eight to level thirty in half a month?!" Dugu Bo grabbed Feng Xiao's shoulder. "Good heavens, you kid, you wouldn't be some hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast in human form, would you?"
Feng Xiao's lips curled slightly, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes: "How could a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast escape the discerning eyes of the Poison Douluo?"
"Hmph, you know how to talk, kid." Dugu Bo stroked his beard and glared at him irritably. "But is breaking through to level thirty worth a special trip here? Didn't those three old guys at Heaven Dou Academy treat you like a treasure?"
Feng Xiao straightened his posture and bowed, his tone sincere: "To be honest, this junior's visit is not just for the spirit ring. You, senior, are proficient in pharmacology, and I would like to ask for your help in testing my body's strength." He paused, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes. "For this third spirit ring, I want to try to break the conventional age limit."
"Break the age limit?" Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously stroking his chin. "You're quite daring to think that. But…" He looked at Feng Xiao meaningfully. "With your talent, perhaps you truly can do it. But do you know the consequences of failure?"
Feng Xiao blinked, revealing a knowing smile: "Didn't I get a lot of 'supplements' from you here?"
Dugu Bo's eyes flashed with brilliance, then he nodded understandingly: "Tell me, how do you want this old man to help you?"
"I want to ask you to use spirit power pressure to test my limits." Feng Xiao lowered his voice. "It's not convenient for the academy teachers to do this, and after thinking it over, you're the most reliable."
"Stop flattering me!" Dugu Bo cursed with a laugh, waving his sleeve. "Get ready and let's begin!" As he spoke, faint spirit power fluctuations already emanated from his body, and the phantom of the Jade Phosphor Serpent appeared faintly behind him.
"Stand firm!" Dugu Bo roared, his sleeves moving without wind, and a dark green spirit power fluctuation suddenly surged around him. The Spirit pressure of a Titled Douluo poured out like a tide, and the surrounding air seemed to become viscous.
Feng Xiao took a deep breath, his feet slightly apart, spirit power circulating within his body, muscles tensed. His eyes burned as he stared at Dugu Bo, indicating that he was ready.
"Kid, if you want to break through, start from thirty-five first."
Before Dugu Bo finished speaking, Feng Xiao felt an invisible pressure suddenly descend, as if a small mountain had been pressed onto his shoulders. His knees sank slightly, but he quickly stabilized his posture, his breathing still steady.
"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Interesting!"
Under Dugu Bo's control, the spirit power continuously increased with very subtle intensity!
Feng Xiao let out a muffled grunt, and the ground beneath his feet actually sank slightly, fine cracks spreading out like a spiderweb. Fine sweat beaded on his forehead, but his gaze remained clear, and the spirit power within his body circulated rapidly through his meridians, resisting the external pressure.
"Still able to hold on?" Dugu Bo's interest grew even stronger, his emerald eyes filled with anticipation.
As time passed, the terrifying spirit power pressure swept over him like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami. Feng Xiao's entire skeleton emitted faint "creaking" sounds, as if it would collapse at any moment. His face turned slightly pale, but a stubborn arc appeared at the corner of his mouth—he could still hold on!
"Good kid!" Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "You've already passed forty, let's try higher."
"Boom—!"
The violent spirit power almost solidified, and the air around Feng Xiao distorted for a moment. His legs sank deeply into the ground, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, but—he still did not kneel!
After a few breaths, Dugu Bo suddenly withdrew his power.
Feng Xiao staggered, then steadied himself, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, and grinned: "Senior, what do you think?"
Dugu Bo looked at him deeply, then slowly nodded: "Spirit pressure is external pressure, different from absorbing a spirit ring. Conservatively estimated, your body strength is enough to withstand a spirit ring below five thousand years."
"He actually skipped a whole rank directly." Dugu Yan said in surprise from the side.
Feng Xiao's eyes flashed with brilliance—this was exactly the answer he wanted!