Chapter 103: After Seclusion
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Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, outer region of the valley!
In a short amount of time, several small wooden houses had been built here by Wang Li and Dugu Yan.
In the past, whenever Dugu Bo suppressed his toxins using the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, he would simply find a random cave. Even if there were considerable movements during the process, it wouldn't affect much.
Now, with the grandfather and grandchildren planning to go into seclusion for a year or more, they decided to construct these wooden houses as places to rest during their downtime.
Dugu Bo spent most of his time in a cave near the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, focused on cultivating. He worked to integrate the earth-attribute energy provided by the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, which enhanced his body's capacity to bear the toxins. This was the key to allowing him to suppress the poison within himself independently.
As for Dugu Yan, after consuming the Acacia Broken Heart Red and the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, she no longer feared the corrosive effects of extreme heat or cold soul power. Most of her time was spent by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, studying the various immortal and poisonous herbs growing nearby.
With the legacy of her grandfather, Dugu Bo, and the knowledge passed down from the Poison Clan, Dugu Yan's expertise in poison-making had the potential to surpass nearly anyone on the Douluo Continent if she mastered everything.
Moreover, her martial spirit thrived on poison, allowing her to conduct research without worrying about being harmed by toxins.
Once she confirmed that the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was a treasure trove, Dugu Yan took it upon herself to meticulously tend the herb garden. She carefully cultivated the immortal and poisonous herbs, ensuring that even after harvesting, their roots remained intact so they wouldn't become extinct.
As for Wang Li, his cultivation path was far from ordinary. He left the valley alone frequently, often disappearing for extended periods.
In the Sunset Forest, Wang Li used his Blue Silver Domain to establish connections with every blade of Blue Silver Grass within its range. By granting them life energy, he commanded their loyalty, making them kneel in submission.
Through the feedback energy from the grass, he enhanced his soul power, spiritual strength, life essence, and Blue Silver affinity. This comprehensive improvement was far more efficient than traditional cultivation.
With a calm mind, Wang Li disguised himself as an ordinary Blue Silver Grass and wandered freely. He witnessed soul beasts fighting, soul masters hunting, and other events, always observing silently before quietly leaving. No soul master or beast had ever detected his presence.
He remained indifferent to external affairs, focusing only on the emotions of his subjects and offering them positive feedback.
Though weak, the Blue Silver Grass existed in overwhelming numbers, especially in a natural soul beast forest like Sunset Forest.
One by one, Wang Li united them, slowly yet comprehensively increasing his strength.
Unbeknownst to Wang Li, he was undergoing subtle changes. These were not physical changes in height, build, or appearance, but rather changes in his aura and temperament. He seemed to grow closer to nature, exuding a stronger sense of harmony and affinity.
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Meanwhile, at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!
The three school board members felt quite helpless. Ever since Dugu Bo had taken Dugu Yan and Wang Li away, he had not returned them to the academy for a long time.
With Dugu Bo's skills, hunting a thousand-year soul beast for Dugu Yan to acquire her fourth soul ring would be a simple task. It would take no effort at all.
However, their prolonged absence led the school board members to consider another possibility.
Dugu Bo had previously mentioned that after obtaining Dugu Yan's fourth soul ring, he would personally train both Dugu Yan and Wang Li for some time.
This likely stemmed from the incident in Heaven Dou City where Salas had threatened Wang Li and Dugu Yan, leaving lingering effects.
The board members could only sigh in frustration.
Still, with Dugu Bo's guidance and protection, Dugu Yan and Wang Li were undoubtedly safe, and their strength would only improve steadily.
Faced with this reality, they could do nothing but accept it. However, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy battle team was now down to only five members.
These remaining members were Oslo, Yu Feng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo'er, and Ye Lingling.
Yu Tianheng had not returned, and neither had Dugu Yan or Wang Li. Qin Ming, feeling frustrated, could only train the remaining five students at the academy in individual combat practice.
With the team incomplete, group training was out of the question. Thus, they focused on improving individual strength, striving for everyone to eventually reach the rank of Soul Ancestor.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe was paying close attention to the situation regarding Wang Li and Dugu Yan. Upon learning that they had been taken away by Dugu Bo and had yet to return, he furrowed his brows.
It seemed that instructing Salas to threaten Wang Li and Dugu Yan had provoked an intense reaction from Dugu Bo.
With Wang Li and Dugu Yan absent from the academy, Xue Qinghe was unable to proceed with his plans to win them over and had no choice but to set the matter aside for now.
Although things had changed, they somehow still felt much the same.
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Balak City, Soto City, Great Spirit Arena!
A middle-aged man with a shrewd and cunning expression stood by the Spirit Arena. Watching the young talents from his academy win yet another match, he beamed with joy, already calculating how much money he could make from their success.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang—whom Wang Li had once encountered at Nuoding Academy—approached slowly. He hadn't changed much, his tall and thin figure still rigid, his expression stiff as he stopped beside the shrewd-looking man and said calmly:
"Flender, you've made quite a profit again, haven't you?"
The man, none other than the principal of Shrek Academy, Flender, also known as the "Four-Eyed Owl," shivered when he heard Yu Xiaogang's words. His legs trembled as he immediately put on a pitiful expression and begged for mercy:
"Xiaogang, you've already emptied the last copper coin from my storage soul tool some time ago. If I don't earn a bit more, this academy won't survive!"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head upon hearing this, his tone cold and stern:
"It's not enough. It's far from enough. And what about that matter I asked you to consider? You should understand by now that Shrek Academy cannot provide the best training environment for these young talents. They're wasting time and squandering their potential here."
Flender fell silent at this, only managing a small, weak rebuttal:
"Xiaogang, Shrek is my life's work. You know that. Our academy only accepts monsters. Even if we let them develop freely, they'll grow into talents. Those who do become exceptional are the pride of Shrek Academy. As for those who don't succeed, we simply expel them. That's how all primary, intermediate, and advanced soul master academies on the continent handle students who fail to meet expectations."
Yu Xiaogang narrowed his eyes, his tone icy as he asked:
"Then who are you willing to expel?"
Flender was once again silent. How could he bring himself to expel any of the current young talents?
At this moment, Zhao Wuji, who had been standing by Flender's side the whole time, spoke up:
"How about contacting Qin Ming? We could borrow the training facilities at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. After all, we're his teachers, so he surely wouldn't refuse."
As soon as Zhao Wuji said this, Yu Xiaogang reacted as if a nerve had been struck. He exploded with anger, saying sharply:
"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? Even if we could get in, they already have their own geniuses. Do you think someone like Wang Li would care about our students? Would he care about Tang San? About Xiao Wu?"
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's outburst, Flender had to switch to consoling him instead.
"Fine, we won't go to Heaven Dou. If that doesn't work, there's another place we could go. I know the principal there well. Borrowing their facilities shouldn't be too difficult."
As Flender spoke, a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
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(End of Chapter)