"Now, no one can see that you're different," Ye Yin whispered, his voice full of conviction. "Not even a Titled Douluo."
Listening to his words, the last shadow of fear lifted from Xiao Wu's heart. Her downcast eyes brightened with newfound freedom. Overwhelmed with emotion, she suddenly threw her arms around Ye Yin's neck and gave him a long, passionate kiss.
The news that Ye Yin, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong had all broken through their bottlenecks and needed new spirit rings spread through Shrek Academy like wildfire. The other students were stunned, their eyes wide with intense disbelief.
"They broke through again?!" someone exclaimed.
"What kind of miraculous elixirs or Immortal Herbs did they eat?"
"Zhuqing just broke through to Level 30," Ma Hongjun muttered, patting his head in confusion. "And now she's already at Level 40? I just broke through to Level 30 myself and was getting ready to become a Spirit Elder, and then I get this news…"
Ye Yin just smiled slightly. "This is where Senior Dugu Bo comes in. I brought back some special medicinal ingredients from his home, and we all got a nice boost after consuming them."
Instantly, all eyes turned to Ye Yin, filled with eager hope. Tang San even swallowed audibly. "Third Brother, do you… have any more of those medicinal ingredients? We want to improve too."
Ye Yin shook his head gently. "Such opportunities can't be forced."
A collective sigh of disappointment went through the group.
Flender cleared his throat, his sharp gaze sweeping over his students. "What are you all thinking? Having a lucky opportunity is a good thing, but does that mean you'll stop cultivating if you don't have one? Will you just give up on aiming for the championship in the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament?"
His words were like a splash of cold water, waking everyone up.
"Since four of you need spirit rings, we'll set off for the Sunset Forest again!" Flender declared. "Now, everyone go back and prepare! We leave in one hour!"
Just as the students were gathering their gear, Ye Yin saw two figures descend from the sky. It was Dugu Bo and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
"Grandpa, Yan Yan, you've arrived," Ye Yin greeted them with a warm smile.
The moment Dugu Yan saw him, she ran forward and embraced him tightly. Her actions immediately earned her three resentful glares from Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. Dugu Yan simply offered the trio a slight, confident smile. "Hello, everyone."
Sensing the peculiar, tense atmosphere, Ye Yin gently pushed Dugu Yan towards the other girls. "Yan Yan, you should get to know them. And you all," he added, looking at his original three companions, "get to know each other well. Remember not to bully Yan Yan, okay?"
After speaking, Ye Yin beat a hasty retreat over to Dugu Bo's side, a lingering fear in his eyes. "You came to find me, so there must be something important, right?"
Dugu Bo nodded, his expression serious. "I'm going to be leaving for a while. During this time, I hope you'll take good care of Yan Yan for me."
Ye Yin rolled his eyes. "If you don't say anything, who would even know you left? Besides, Yan Yan is a Spirit Ancestor now with a ten-thousand-year fourth spirit ring and her own Domain. Ordinary people wouldn't dare to mess with her."
Dugu Bo gave him a light kick. "I just asked you to take care of her! Do you need to lecture me so much? I have some things to deal with. If I'm quick about it, I might even make it back in time for your tournament."
"What are you going to do?" Ye Yin asked casually.
A cunning smile spread across Dugu Bo's face. "I'm going to settle some personal grudges. This time, it all depends on that black garlic you gave me. I wonder if it's really as effective as you say." He waved a dismissive hand. "I won't tell you more. The other party's power is great, and knowing too much won't do you any good."
A name immediately appeared in Ye Yin's mind: Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan. He was the one person known to hold a deep grudge against Dugu Bo. Ye Yin took out another black garlic and a small, intricately carved dice. "Before the battle, throw this dice. It can make you a bit luckier. But remember, it only works once. The second time you use it, you'll be extremely unlucky."
Dugu Bo looked at the dice curiously. "Is this thing really useful? First time lucky, second time unlucky?"
"Believe it or not," Ye Yin said with a shrug.
Dugu Bo grunted and put away both items. "This old man will believe you. You've got too many strange things on you, kid. Alright, the matter is settled. I'll be taking my leave." Without another word, he soared into the air and flew away from the academy, heading straight east—in the direction of Spirit Hall.
When Ye Yin turned his head, he was surprised to see Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan chatting together harmoniously. It seemed Xiao Wu was giving Dugu Yan some very enthusiastic advice on how to break up with Yu Tianheng. Since they could get along so well, Ye Yin was relieved.
An hour later, the teachers and students of Shrek Academy once again set off for the Sunset Forest.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo traveled at top speed, his mouth curved in a malicious grin. "That effeminate man," he muttered. "This time, this old man will let you know my power!"
He soon arrived within Spirit Hall's territory. He swaggered into the outer city and bellowed, his voice laced with spirit power, "Yue Guan, you effeminate man, get out here for this old man!"
His voice instantly spread through the area. Though he was only on the perimeter and Yue Guan couldn't hear him directly, the message would surely be relayed.
At that moment, inside the Supreme Pontiff's palace, Yue Guan was discussing matters with Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei, and the Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong. When a guard reported Dugu Bo's cursing, Yue Guan's face flushed with rage, and he immediately couldn't hold back. "Your Holiness, Supreme Pontiff…"
Bibi Dong simply raised a hand. "Go."
Yue Guan bowed respectfully. "Your Holiness, I will return as soon as possible." With that, he flew out from the towering walls of Spirit City, following the undisguised aura of his old rival.
Dugu Bo sensed Yue Guan approaching and quickly retreated, stopping only when he arrived in a lush, dense forest far from the city.
"Dugu Bo, you old geezer!" Yue Guan's sharp voice echoed through the trees as he descended. "You still dare to provoke me! This time, I'll definitely make you suffer. And you actually dare to bring me into a forest? Don't you know that my Spirit is a plant-type? This place is most suitable for me!"
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