Chapter 18: Yu Tianheng’s Intentions

As a support-type Soul Master, Ye Lingling held a high position within the team, second only to Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan.

The arrival of Ning Rongrong made her realize that her status was likely to decline.

Although her martial soul was strong, it was too limited in scope and far inferior to the all-around support provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda.

Li Xun observed everyone’s reactions carefully.

Yu Tianheng needed no introduction; he had already been seen beside Prince Snow Star.

Ye Lingling’s situation, however, puzzled Li Xun.

After a moment’s thought, and glancing at Ning Rongrong, he suddenly understood.

Li Xun smiled warmly as he appraised Ye Lingling.

“I should find an opportunity to recruit her into the sect as well. It’s better for her to shine within the sect than to sit on the sidelines in the team.”

Although the Nine Heart Begonia’s role overlapped with that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda Sect, its healing abilities were extremely strong.

Who would ever dislike having more talent at home?

Li Xun felt like a talent scout everywhere he went. Whenever he saw someone with potential, he wanted to bring them into the sect.

There was no other way; the sect’s strength was weak, and his teacher still openly confronted the Martial Soul Hall.

“Wow! Are you two really that amazing? Only eight years old, and your soul power is already so high!” Dugu Yan exclaimed in shock.

Shaking off his thoughts, Li Xun turned his gaze to Dugu Yan.

“Sister Yan, you flatter me. At your current level, you are also among the best among your peers on the continent. The Azure-scaled Serpent is one of the top-tier martial souls.”

Dugu Yan laughed brightly, her now mature figure captivating attention. “Though it might be exaggerated, I’ll just take your word for it.”

“Everything I said is true. Even my teacher, Ning Fengzhi, praised the Azure-scaled Serpent martial soul highly. He also told me that when I arrive at the academy, I must definitely greet Senior Dugu Bo.”

As Li Xun spoke confidently, Ning Rongrong cast him a puzzled glance.

How come she had never heard her father mention this?

“All right, I’ll pass your regards to my grandfather,” Dugu Yan said, smoothing her hair with a very pleased expression. No one disliked hearing praise for their family, especially when it came from a sect leader of one of the top three sects.

Yu Tianheng frowned as he watched the two chatting happily. He keenly sensed that Li Xun was trying to poach someone from his side.

Of course, that someone was not Dugu Yan.

An eight-year-old child hasn’t even grown much hair yet; how could they be thinking about such things?

Yu Tianheng’s thoughts were on Dugu Bo.

Because Li Xun kept mentioning that name intentionally or not.

Having grown up amidst power struggles, if Yu Tianheng couldn’t see through this, he wouldn’t be fit to compete for the future sect leader’s position.

***

Everyone at the academy knew Yu Tianheng was courting Dugu Yan.

But few knew his other aim was to win over Dugu Bo.

In family circles, marriage ties sometimes served as bargaining chips.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect was no longer what it used to be; a powerful titleholder joining would not only strengthen the sect but also become a key ally in his future bid for sect leader.

Of course, if he and Dugu Yan gradually fell in love during the process, that would be a beautiful story as well.

Thinking this, Yu Tianheng’s eyes narrowed and his expression grew colder.

...

Thanks to Qin Ming’s introduction, Li Xun and Ning Rongrong soon integrated into the team and began training together.

The training was tedious and monotonous.

It was nothing but running or physical conditioning; the only time to relax was perhaps during meditation in the simulated environment.

Li Xun was fine with this; his essential need was to grow stronger, so the method of training didn’t matter much.

Ning Rongrong, however, struggled to keep up several times and only gradually adapted with encouragement from Li Xun and the other team members.

Three months passed in this way.

After this grueling training, his soul power had reached level twenty. Thanks to his divided focus controlling his chakra, it had also grown significantly.

During this period, he also experimented with whether he could absorb natural energy in Douluo.

To his puzzlement, he did not feel the sensation of absorbing natural energy; what entered his body was still soul power.

After repeated failures, Li Xun vaguely grasped a glimmer of understanding, but whether it was correct remained to be tested further.

His cultivation improved, and he also gained a lot in interpersonal relationships.

During training, Li Xun became familiar with the team members. Among them, his bond with Dugu Yan was undoubtedly the best, and through her, he met Dugu Bo several times.

He had been studying herbal knowledge in recent years, accumulating a rich mental store. When he deliberately engaged in conversation with Dugu Bo, they got along well. Sometimes his insights even amazed Dugu Bo.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo’s expertise in poison arts greatly benefited Li Xun, making him feel one step closer to mastering the Ice-Fire Two Poles Eye. He cared about nothing else.

Of course, every good thing has its downside.

For the past two months, Yu Tianheng’s gaze toward him had been strange, occasionally revealing coldness.

Though no conflict had yet occurred and Yu Tianheng had not deliberately caused trouble, Li Xun remained vigilant.

Because sometimes one must trust their first instincts.

“Perhaps it’s because of the relationship between Dugu Bo and his grandson,” Li Xun mused. Having lived two lives, he quickly analyzed Yu Tianheng’s thoughts.

But Yu Tianheng was very restrained; Li Xun couldn’t just beat him up because of a hostile look.

What kind of person would attack someone just for that?

...

“Xun, as a member of the team, we will find out about your second soul ring sooner or later.”

“This time, let me take you to acquire it! We can all relax a bit as well,” Qin Ming said with a smile, looking at Li Xun as if proposing a plan.

He was very curious about Li Xun’s martial soul. It was clearly a statue but could control trees, which completely contradicted everything he had learned.

Li Xun’s first soul skill he had already seen.

Qin Ming just wanted to know what changes would occur to the statue martial soul after Li Xun obtained his second soul skill.

“Li Xun, come along! Teacher Qin Ming is finally planning to give us a break,” Dugu Yan said as she strode over and casually draped her arm over Li Xun’s shoulder.

Perhaps because of good nutrition, Li Xun had grown rapidly in the past two years. At not yet nine years old, he was only slightly shorter than Dugu Yan.

They were very close.

Close enough that Li Xun could clearly hear Dugu Yan’s warm breath.

“Brother, I want to go too,” Ning Rongrong said, her small face creasing as she looked at Dugu Yan’s arm, quickly stepping forward to hold onto Li Xun’s arm.

She felt Dugu Yan was far too familiar.

“All right,” Li Xun nodded helplessly. If he was going with these few, he would have to prepare in advance.

He had originally planned to go with the Sword Douluo; a round trip would be quicker. But Qin Ming insisted on leading the team.

Fortunately, he had already informed those guarding the mountain foothills. He supposed the Sword Douluo would arrive soon as well; he just didn’t know where he was now.

“Then let’s go to the Soul Hunting Forest. It’s safer for you all,” Qin Ming said with a smile, clapping his hands as Li Xun agreed.

Just as the group was about to set off, for some unknown reason, Yu Tianheng also slipped into the team.

Li Xun glanced at him but paid no further mind.

He wanted to see how long Yu Tianheng could endure.