Chapter 72: Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan
Bone Douluo's expression changed. "Innate soul power of level nine? That gives him a real chance to reach Title Douluo!"
"As long as he doesn't die young, it's highly possible," Ning Fengzhi said with a curious smile. "But he's from the Dugu Family..."
Bone Douluo scowled. "Dugu Bo's son, Dugu Xin, already died. Too many from that family perish early. We absolutely can't let Rongrong get close to that boy!
Fengzhi, are you not even a little worried? Dugu Feng's young, powerful, his soul skills are impressive—and that cold, commanding aura around him will surely attract her!"
Before Ning Fengzhi could reply, footsteps echoed through the hall, and a man in white strode in.
"Ha! Old Skeleton, since when did you start caring about romance?" Sword Douluo smirked.
"Hmph, Sword Freak, don't tell me you don't care about Rongrong either!" Bone Douluo snapped back.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a sigh, rising from his seat. "Uncle Bone, you're anxious for nothing. Rongrong isn't easily swayed—we've raised her as the sect heir.
You should have faith in her judgment. She's far more talented than any of my sons, and far wiser, too.
She'll handle her relationship with Dugu Feng properly.
Besides, being around geniuses will only make her grow stronger."
Bone Douluo still looked doubtful, the image of an overprotective elder unwilling to see his beloved girl taken away.
"Then I'll watch over them myself," he grumbled.
Ning Fengzhi chuckled lightly but didn't argue.
In truth, he too was curious whether Dugu Feng could overcome the Dugu line's long curse of toxicity and turn his family's weakness into strength.
If their clan's power grew, it would only benefit the Heaven Dou faction—something Ning wouldn't mind at all.
"Eleven years old," Dugu Feng murmured.
It had been seven months since his return from the City of Slaughter. He had now entered the highest grade of the Royal Junior Soul Master Academy.
In one year, he'd advance to the Royal Advanced Academy.
His soul power had climbed past level twenty-nine—one step shy of level thirty.
During this time, he had trained quietly at the academy, always accompanied by one persistent shadow—Ning Rongrong.
Her determination had surprised him; she practiced with him daily, and her own power had risen by two levels, reaching level twenty-four.
Their progress satisfied him.
Within another month, he'd reach level thirty and be ready to absorb his third ring.
Motivated, he walked toward his classroom—until Ning Rongrong intercepted him halfway.
"Come on! I'm taking you to watch something interesting!" she said mysteriously, tugging him toward the mountain path.
Dugu Feng could only follow.
"The Royal Advanced Academy is holding spirit battles today—you'll want to see this!" she added cheerfully.
They had grown closer over months of training; beneath her lively arrogance, she had found that his icy demeanor wasn't so difficult to approach after all.
"What's so great about a soul fight?" he asked. "It's probably just a few Soul Elders showing off."
"Of course not!" Ning Rongrong grinned. "You'll want to see this—it involves your cousin. Her rumored admirer announced that after winning first place, he'll confess his love to her—in front of everyone!"
"The whole academy knows. Everyone's playing along with Yu Tianheng's act—except your cousin, who's completely clueless."
Dugu Feng barely reacted.
Since returning, he'd already learned about Yu Tianheng's awkward pursuit of Dugu Yan. The boy had been chasing her even before he left for Soto City—and apparently hadn't given up yet.
Maybe this grand public confession would finally get her attention.
Ning Rongrong glanced sideways, a little disappointed at Dugu Feng's indifference.
Am I really that uninteresting? she thought bitterly.
They'd been spending so much time together, and still he hadn't shown any kind of emotional reaction toward her—just steady calmness, unshaken as stone.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng had the guts to use the whole academy as witness.
If Dugu Feng did that... would I say yes?
Her thoughts tangled in quiet confusion. For the first time, she doubted her own charm.
As they walked uphill, they soon noticed streams of students heading the same way.
The Junior Academy lay at the mountain's base, while the Senior Academy sat halfway up.
Before long, they reached the Royal Advanced Academy's duel arena.
The place was packed—crowds surrounding the stage, cheers echoing from all sides.
The northern end was a viewing platform already overflowing with spectators. Two familiar figures sat confidently in the middle—Feng Ling and Feng Li.
Dugu Feng smiled and nodded to them before taking a seat with Ning Rongrong beside him.
The brothers greeted him respectfully and shifted seats to make room.
Over time, their resentment toward Dugu Feng had faded completely.
They had long abandoned any foolish hopes of winning Ning Rongrong's heart.
After years of chasing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Princess, the Wind Sword Sect brothers had accepted their failure.
Instead, maintaining good relations with Dugu Feng—and through him, the Dugu Family—was their best option.
The Dugu Family's destruction of the Elephant Armored Sect had made its strength clear.
Wind Sword Sect didn't have that kind of power.
And without power, one learned humility.
Their brains weren't completely rusted—they understood that befriending talent was worth more than chasing dreams.
After all, wasn't that the reason they were at the academy?
No one came here just to train; the true purpose was alliances and future connections.
"Boss, Brother Dugu, that's Yu Tianheng down there—the one competing today. And there's Dugu Yan beside him," said Feng Ling, pointing toward the stage.
"Besides Yu Tianheng, the strongest are the Shi brothers—with their Black Tortoise martial souls. They're expected to battle Yu Tianheng for first place.
But honestly, I don't see much suspense. Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is already superior, and he's got higher soul power."
Following Feng Ling's gesture, Dugu Feng saw them all clearly.
Yu Tianheng stood tall in a fitted blue uniform—lean, energetic, and faintly handsome—with excitement burning in his eyes.
He was clearly determined today.
Beside him stood Dugu Yan, her short dark-purple hair framing a refined face. Her eyes gleamed green—the mark of her inherited toxin.
That color said enough about her lineage.
Born from Snake Spirit blood, she carried high toxins from the womb—but hunters from her branch deliberately avoided poisonous creatures during their soul ring hunts, slowing the poison's onset.
Thus, while her blood wasn't pure, its traces lent her an exotic charm instead of danger.
Compared to Ning Rongrong's beauty, Dugu Yan wasn't ethereal—but her cold, sharp allure radiated a sense of dominance that sparked a desire to conquer.
How do I get that immortal herb...
Watching Dugu Yan, Dugu Feng's thoughts immediately returned to his greatest goal—the search for the fairy grass.
(END CHAPTER)
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