Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
"Haha!!!" Laughter echoed from the center of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Bone Douluo Gu Rong emerged from the training room with a radiant expression, yet a chilling smile lingered on his gaunt face.
"Bone Uncle, how is your health?" Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped forward to greet him, Sword Douluo Chen Xin following closely behind.
Gu Rong's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "This Jade Bone Pill truly works. My cultivation efficiency has improved by roughly five percent, and I feel no abnormalities."
"I see…" Ning Fengzhi muttered. Five percent was no exaggeration—he simply hadn't expected such a realistic assessment. His regard for Lin Yang rose to unprecedented heights.
Chen Xin's emotions stirred as well. This old man will probably break through that threshold in a few years.
Sensing Chen Xin's thoughts, Ning Fengzhi turned to him. "Uncle Jian, don't worry. I'll find a way to ask Lin Yang to refine more medicine."
Chen Xin merely smiled casually. "Leave it to fate. Even if more Jade Bone Pills can be made, the quantity will be limited. He might only have two doses left."
Ning Fengzhi pondered in silence. He agreed, yet couldn't voice it. "First, contact Qinghe and ask if he'll share what he has. No matter the cost, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can pay."
After a brief pause, he continued, "As for Lin Yang… Uncle Gu, I'd like you to make another trip and deliver these items to him personally."
Ning Fengzhi took a list from his pocket and handed it over. Gu Rong opened it and gasped. "Fengzhi, isn't this price excessive?"
"It's nothing," Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Uncle Gu, you've seen the pill's effect. We can only befriend someone like Lin Yang. We must never anger him. If they show sincerity while we hold back, this relationship ends."
Gu Rong was no fool. He understood the importance of befriending Lin Yang. He stored the list in his soul tool and said solemnly, "Understood. I will deliver it personally."
"Bone Uncle, thank you for your help!"
Gu Rong's figure flashed with light and vanished instantly from the spot.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace – Eastern Palace
Xue Qinghe was working at his desk when Snake Lance Douluo She Long appeared silently in the hall.
"Young Master, greetings!"
Xue Qinghe didn't look up. "Can it be analyzed?"
She Long paused. "Young Master, even that teacher couldn't analyze the ingredients, but he confirmed it's harmless to the human body."
Xue Qinghe—no, Qian Renxue—raised her head, twisted her wrist, and a vial of milky-white medicine appeared in her hand. She stared at it and murmured, "Lin Yang… let's see how many surprises you bring me!"
She opened the vial and drank every drop.
She Long's face paled. "Young Master, you—!"
Qian Renxue ignored him, sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began cultivating.
Moments later she opened her eyes, confusion flickering within. This medicine permanently increases cultivation efficiency. She had been born with innate level-20 soul power—a peerless talent. A five-percent boost was like adding wings to a tiger. It might even help recover the time she had wasted.
Her "brother" Yan's intentions ran deep. Unfortunately, the gift was addressed to Xue Qinghe, Heaven Dou's crown prince—not Qian Renxue, Spirit Hall's young master. A strange guilt washed over her, as if she were a liar.
The thought vanished as quickly as it came. We'll see how things develop. If she could win Lin Yang to Spirit Hall's side as its young master, she could atone for every deception.
She Long sensed something and vanished. Soon a sharp voice called from outside: "Your Highness, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Sect Master Ning Fengzhi requests an audience."
Qian Renxue's lips curved into a cold smile. So my teacher couldn't sit still any longer and set his sights on the vial in my hand. Too late.
Her face returned to its calm, perfect smile. She rose slowly and walked out of the hall.
...
Nuoding City
Nuoding City lay in a remote corner of the empire. A month after the Soul Master Elite Tournament ended, the official gazette finally arrived. Few cared—such events were distant dreams for ordinary people. Only a handful noticed the name "Lin Yang" printed within.
Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy
Yu Xiaogang read the gazette word by word. His brows furrowed at first, then relaxed. "Lin Yang… martial soul Nichirin Blade, level 48 Soul Ancestor… what a coincidence."
A memory flashed: years ago, a child pointing a knife at him. The face was blurry, but the name had been Lin Yang and the martial soul a blade. Yet his innate soul power had been only level 5—a malignant mutation. After graduation he vanished without trace. Judging by age, he should be eleven now, probably not even level 20.
Yu Xiaogang's lips curled with faint arrogance. Without my guidance, that malignant defect would have exposed itself long ago. Even if he kneels and begs now, it's too late. Once missed, some people are gone forever.
His direct disciple Tang San was only ten, yet already level 23. Under Yu Xiaogang's tutelage, the supposedly useless Blue Silver Grass had revealed its true potential as a control-type martial soul.
Yu Xiaogang harbored a secret ambition he had never voiced: the Soul Master Elite Tournament five years from now would be the stage where his disciples truly shone—and proved to the world that Yu Xiaogang was no failure.
Dean's Office
Su Hong carefully stored the gazette as if it were treasure. Others might not know, but he did: the Lin Yang listed was a graduate of his academy. He still remembered giving the boy the soul-beast illustrated handbook. In just a few years the child who once stood shorter than his waist had grown far stronger than him.
As dean he felt immense pride. He wanted to shout that Lin Yang was his disciple, his academy's genius, now standing on the continental stage. But he couldn't. Years ago a powerful figure had seized all information about Lin Yang and imposed a gag order. In return Su Hong had received vast cultivation resources—all thanks to Lin Yang.
...