2 chapters will be uploaded on daily basis i.e. 14 Chapters will be uploaded every week apart from the bonus chapters.
1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded for every 50 Power Stones or 1000 Collections.
All interested readers can read advanced chapters on: Free Members of Patreon can read 10 Chapters ahead of Webnovel for FREE.
[email protected]/Kingdom_Of_Ink
×××××××××××××××
Under Dugu Bo's guidance, Feng Xiao quickly found a four-thousand-year-old Spirit Bamboo.
At this time, the Spirit Bamboo was entirely jade-green, and a faint spirit power halo flowed between its nodes, clearly indicating its advanced age.
"This is it." Feng Xiao unhesitatingly struck it down, then sat cross-legged and began to absorb the spirit ring, which glowed with a faint purple light.
As spirit power surged, Feng Xiao's face gradually tensed, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, indicating that the absorption process was not easy.
"Grandpa, Little Feng… he'll be alright, won't he?" Dugu Yan clutched her sleeve, her emerald eyes filled with worry.
Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, saying indifferently, "Don't worry, this kid's physical strength is even stronger than that kid from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
A mere four-thousand-year spirit ring won't trouble him."
Hearing her grandfather mention Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan unconsciously hummed softly and turned her face away.
This subtle reaction naturally did not escape Dugu Bo's eyes.
He frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice, "What? Did that kid upset you again?"
Dugu Yan pursed her lips, a hint of grievance flashing in her eyes.
Taking advantage of the moment while Feng Xiao was focused on absorbing the spirit ring, she whispered, "No… it's that I slapped him."
Then, she recounted everything that had happened that day to Dugu Bo.
"Good hit!" A cold light flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes, and his voice carried a chilling coldness, "That ignorant little beast!
If he truly loses to Feng Xiao, let alone establishing himself in the Academy, even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't tolerate him!
By then—" He snorted coldly, "Even if that old dragon is protective, he won't be able to keep the position of this useless heir!"
Dugu Yan remained silent, merely squatting with her knees hugged to her chest beside a rock, her fingertips unconsciously fiddling with the small stones on the ground.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon her, stretching her slender figure long.
Looking at his granddaughter's forlorn profile, Dugu Bo's stern face gradually softened.
His rough, large hand gently stroked Dugu Yan's head, his voice deep and gentle: "Yan Yan… this matter was my oversight.
Back then, I arranged for you and that kid, thinking—" The old man's voice suddenly choked up, his fingertips trembling slightly, "In case one day I can't suppress the poison in my body… at least the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could protect you."
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan suddenly looked up, her emerald eyes glistening with tears.
She tightly clutched Dugu Bo's sleeve, "Don't talk nonsense!
You'll live a long life!" Her voice trembled slightly, "And… and Little Feng has already thought of a solution, you'll be fine…"
A hint of relief flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes as he gently stroked his granddaughter's beautiful hair: "Mm, Grandpa will be fine.
I still need to see our Yan Yan grow up, get married, and have children." As he spoke, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Feng Xiao, who was absorbing the spirit ring nearby, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yan Yan, that little beast from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan isn't worth it anyway." Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes meaningfully, "However, since this matter started because of that kid, why don't we…"
Noticing the teasing in her grandfather's words, Dugu Yan's pretty face instantly flushed crimson, and she stood up, stomping her foot in annoyance: "Grandpa! What nonsense are you talking about?
If that were true… wouldn't it confirm those suspicions?" Her voice grew softer and softer, "And I'm not that kind of person!"
As she spoke, Dugu Yan unconsciously lowered her head, her slender white fingers intertwined.
She herself couldn't quite explain what she felt for Feng Xiao, only that her heart was in a mess.
"Hmph! I'd like to see who dares to gossip!
I'll skin them alive!" A cold light flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes, then he revealed a loving smile, "But I do think this kid is much more reliable than that little beast from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Grandpa!" Dugu Yan's ears were red with embarrassment.
Just as she was about to say something to change the subject, suddenly—
"Buzz!" A powerful spirit power fluctuation erupted from Feng Xiao's body!
"It's about to succeed!" Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened, and his face showed anticipation.
The purple spirit ring was slowly integrating into Feng Xiao's body, and the spirit power fluctuations around him climbed steadily, finally stabilizing at a whole new level.
The powerful spirit power permeating the air caused the surrounding plants to tremble slightly.
Feng Xiao slowly opened his eyes, and what met his gaze were the focused eyes of Dugu Bo and his granddaughter.
He was about to get up and thank them, but then he noticed the unnatural blush on Dugu Yan's fair cheeks, and even her speech became stuttering:
"Con-congratulations, Little Feng." Her usually lively emerald eyes were now darting around, unwilling to meet his gaze.
Feng Xiao blinked in confusion: "Sister Yan, are you…?"
"Cough, cough!" Dugu Bo was about to speak, but Dugu Yan frantically interrupted him: "No, nothing!
It's just… I didn't expect you to succeed so quickly." She clutched at the corner of her clothes, her voice growing softer and softer, "I… I'm very happy for you."
Although Feng Xiao found it a bit strange, he still smiled gently: "It was just luck.
If it weren't for your and Senior's great help, I wouldn't have been so smooth." Saying that, he solemnly bowed to Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo stroked his beard, satisfied, and waved his hand: "Alright, alright, less of these formalities." He looked at Feng Xiao meaningfully, "You take care of Yan Yan more in the Academy for me."
Before he finished speaking, a sharp glare shot from the side.
Dugu Bo cleared his throat and quickly corrected himself: "Cough, cough… just take good care of Yan Yan's physical condition."
Feng Xiao was first taken aback, then nodded hesitantly: "Senior, rest assured, this is my duty." His lips held a gentle smile, but his curious gaze unconsciously drifted towards the composed Dugu Yan nearby.
Dugu Yan forced herself to calm down and took a few steps closer, though her emerald eyes couldn't hide her concern: "Is your body uncomfortable after absorbing the spirit ring?
Do you want Grandpa to check you?"
Before her words fell, Dugu Bo, who could no longer hold back, had already grabbed Feng Xiao's wrist.
The old man's withered fingers accurately rested on his pulse, and spirit power like threads probed into his meridians.
A moment later, a gleam flashed in his eyes, and he nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, the spirit ring was absorbed perfectly, not only leaving no hidden injuries—" Dugu Bo suddenly revealed a meaningful smile, "Instead, it stimulated the accumulated medicinal power in your body, directly breaking through to level thirty-three."
"Level thirty-three?!" Dugu Yan gasped, covering her mouth, her emerald eyes wide.
A hint of admiration flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes: "This kid not only absorbed a spirit ring beyond his level, but he also had unrefined medicinal power accumulated in his body from before.
It's perfectly normal for him to break through two more levels than an ordinary Spirit Master."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiao bowed solemnly: "All of this is thanks to Senior's guidance."
"Hahaha!" Dugu Bo laughed heartily, glancing meaningfully at his granddaughter beside him, "Why thank me?
You should thank Yan Yan.
If it weren't for this girl meeting you at the Moon Pavilion back then—"
Dugu Yan's pretty face instantly flushed crimson, and she stomped her foot in annoyance, interrupting: "Grandpa! You're talking nonsense again!" But her peripheral vision unconsciously drifted towards Feng Xiao, a hint of undetectable struggle flashing in her emerald eyes.
"Alright, alright, Grandpa won't say anything more." Dugu Bo stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes full of doting, "Let's go, I'll take you back to the Academy."
Dugu Yan hummed softly and nodded, but her earlobes still held a faint blush.
Feng Xiao looked at this strange grandfather and granddaughter pair with confusion, his brows slightly furrowed—during the time he was absorbing the spirit ring, something he didn't know seemed to have happened?
As the sun set and dusk gradually fell, Dugu Bo escorted the two to the entrance of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The orange afterglow cast upon the Academy's ancient gatehouse, coating the stone carvings with a warm golden edge.
After Dugu Yan bid farewell to her grandfather, Feng Xiao also respectfully bowed.
Just as he was about to leave with Dugu Yan, a spirit power transmission suddenly sounded in his ear:
"Kid, if there's a chance next time—" Dugu Bo's voice carried a hint of ruthlessness, "Give that little beast from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan a good lesson for me.
Whatever the consequences, I'll bear them for you!"
Feng Xiao's footsteps paused, and a flash of understanding crossed his eyes.
He slightly turned his head, subtly nodding, a knowing smile curving his lips.
Dugu Yan saw Feng Xiao suddenly stop, and couldn't help but turn to look, her emerald eyes filled with confusion: "What's wrong?"
Feng Xiao came back to his senses, a faint smile gracing his lips, and gently shook his head: "Nothing, it's just—" His fingertips unconsciously brushed the guqin case in his arms, "I suddenly thought of a key point in a musical score."
Dugu Yan gazed blankly at Feng Xiao, the young man's handsome profile bathed in a soft golden glow by the setting sun, that faint smile like a spring breeze caressing her heart, stirring ripples.
For a moment, she forgot to speak, only feeling her heart skip a beat, her emerald eyes reflecting the sunset, brimming with a tenderness she herself hadn't noticed.
Time flowed like water, quietly passing.
Feng Xiao's life gradually settled into a fixed rhythm—during the day, he continuously refined his Spirit and himself through playing the guqin; at night, he tempered his spirit power in the Ni Tai Training Field; and he regularly went to the Moon Pavilion to study etiquette, day after day, never slacking.
A month later, when Feng Xiao finished his training and stepped out of the Ni Tai Training Field, a familiar figure stood clearly in the morning light.
"Teacher Qin, good morning," Feng Xiao greeted him with a slight surprise, bowing.
"Little Feng, good morning." Qin Ming smiled gently, the morning breeze rustling his light-colored robes, "You're training very diligently."
"With such conditions, I must naturally strive to improve," Feng Xiao smiled.
Qin Ming nodded, sighing with emotion: "If the Academy could recruit more students, I'm afraid the Empire would produce even more talents."
Feng Xiao noticed that Qin Ming seemed to have something to discuss, and couldn't help but ask: "Teacher, why have you come…?"
"The Huang Dou Battle Team has received an invitation from a nobleman in Soto City," Qin Ming explained, "to perform a few exhibition matches at the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City.
You all have been cultivating for a long time, and it's time for some practical combat testing.
Moreover…" His gaze was far-reaching, "This is also preparation for the upcoming Elite Competition of Advanced Soul Master Academies of the Entire Continent.
We will depart today."
Feng Xiao understood and nodded: "Since it is Teacher's arrangement, your student will naturally comply." With that, he reluctantly looked back at the Ni Tai Training Field, where he had spent so much time.
"If you don't need to pack any luggage, then come with me now," Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, the morning light casting a soft halo around his gentle face.
"Your student is ready to depart at any time." Feng Xiao bowed in response, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
During these days of focused cultivation, Feng Xiao was deeply immersed in the joy of improving his strength.
But confined within the high walls of Heaven Dou Royal Academy day after day, his young heart could no longer suppress its yearning for the outside World.
"Soto City." Feng Xiao silently repeated the place name in his mind, several unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar figures vaguely appearing in his thoughts.
A meaningful curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
The morning sun shone on the majestic gate of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
When Feng Xiao followed Qin Ming to the meeting point, the members of the Huang Dou Battle Team were already ready to depart.
"Everyone, sorry to have kept you waiting." Feng Xiao greeted everyone with a gentle smile.
Yu Feng lazily waved his hand: "Morning~" The sunlight danced on his golden short hair; the usually serious Oslo merely nodded slightly, his stern face showing no emotion; the Shi Brothers grinned honestly, revealing their characteristic simple smiles; while Ye Lingling stood quietly to the side, a faint curve on her lips beneath her thin veil.
"Let's go, Little Feng," Dugu Yan skipped a few steps to Feng Xiao's side, her emerald hair gently fluttering in the morning breeze.
She naturally linked her arm through Feng Xiao's, "Come with us in one carriage, it'll be good for passing the time."
Ye Lingling smiled, pursed her lips, and lightly stepped to follow them.
Yu Feng looked around, seeing the quiet, uncommunicative men around him, and sighed exaggeratedly: "Ah, it seems it's still more fun to be with the girls." Saying that, he quickly caught up as well.
Yu Tianheng stood rooted to the spot, his knuckles white.
He stared intently at their retreating figures, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.
The morning breeze stirred his dark blue robes, but it couldn't disperse the chill that had solidified around him.
Yu Tianheng's white knuckles and gloomy gaze naturally did not escape Qin Ming's keen observation.
He watched the figures successively board the carriage, and couldn't help but sigh softly, a hint of worry appearing between his brows.
"It seems…" Qin Ming mused inwardly, "the rift between Tianheng and Feng Xiao is much deeper than imagined."
He shook his head, the sunlight stretching his shadow long.
As a mentor, he knew better than anyone—some conflicts cannot be resolved by time alone.
Especially when they are intertwined with the most sensitive emotions of youth.
Seven days later, when the Huang Dou Battle Team's carriage slowly drove into Soto City, the setting sun was casting a golden glow over the prosperous city.
"Finally here!" Yu Feng was the first to jump off the carriage, stretching widely, his golden short hair gently swaying in the evening breeze.
Dugu Yan, however, did not immediately get off the carriage, but instead looked thoughtfully at Feng Xiao beside her: "Little Feng, you don't seem very happy on this journey?"
"Yan Zi, you just noticed?" Yu Feng turned and leaned against the carriage wheel, winking mischievously, "Without the Ni Tai Training Field, even meditation isn't as good, right?"
Feng Xiao chuckled softly upon hearing this, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the Fuxi in his arms: "Indeed, the carriage is bumpy.
This kind of cultivation efficiency—" He shrugged helplessly, "It's not as practical as sleeping.
It's just…"
Halfway through his sentence, he looked at the carriage behind him with a slight embarrassment: "In Sister Yan and Ling Ling Jie's carriage, it's not really appropriate to actually fall asleep."