After bidding farewell to the branch hall master of Spirit Hall, the two set off for the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
However, neither the Bone Douluo nor Ning Rongrong were in a hurry. There was still some time before the finals.
The Bone Douluo had only recently broken through to level 98 and needed to stabilize his cultivation.
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, hadn't fully recovered either. The two also needed to discuss a few matters.
"Grandpa Bone, Shrek Academy lost to Blazing Wind Academy in the advancement matches?" Ning Rongrong was rather surprised when she heard this.
The advancement matches were a stage for one-on-one battles—meaning it was possible to defeat an entire team of seven in succession. As long as one side could take down all seven members of the opposing team, they would win. This was completely different from the qualifiers.
"Yes." The Bone Douluo sighed. "I didn't see it myself, but the message from Fengzhi and Chen Xin confirmed it."
For some unknown reason, Shrek Academy had forfeited their match against Glazed Academy, surrendering outright.
Instead, they had aimed for the second-place qualification—perhaps to avoid the humiliation of being swept by Dugu Yan in a one-versus-seven.
In any case, it wasn't important. What was strange was that Blazing Wind Academy had actually defeated Shrek Academy.
Huo Wu of Blazing Wind Academy had previously consumed immortal herbs—specifically, the Seven-Colored Flame Stone that Ning Rongrong had exchanged with her family to stabilize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, trading it for the Phoenix-Tailed Crown Orchid.
But Huo Wu was only level 48. Even with her Fusion Ring ability, it shouldn't have been enough to defeat Tang San.
"It wasn't one of Blazing Wind Academy's original members. It seems they added a new participant specifically for the advancement matches."
Seeing Ning Rongrong's confusion, the Bone Douluo explained further.
"From what I recall in the letter, it was a silver-haired maiden wielding a silver spear who single-handedly swept all seven members of Shrek's team."
"With her spear-type Martial Soul, she tore through Tang San's Asura Domain. This left a deep impression on both Fengzhi and Chen Xin, so they made sure to mention it."
"Hah, a one-versus-seven against Tang San?" Ning Rongrong stopped walking, her face twisting in disbelief.
Even though many of Tang San's so-called Tang Sect hidden weapons were unusable in the tournament, suppressing him would still require at least a Soul Emperor-level powerhouse.
"Grandpa Bone, are you sure you didn't misread?"
"I didn't see it myself." The Bone Douluo shrugged. "If you doubt it, then you'll have to question whether your father and that sword idiot have bad eyesight."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
"Then did she lose when fighting our Glazed Academy team?"
"No, she didn't participate in that match." The Bone Douluo shook his head. "Since Glazed Academy had already secured their advancement, she didn't take the field against them."
"I see…" Ning Rongrong fell into thought.
This silver-haired girl—was she another dark horse that had appeared out of nowhere?
"Do we at least know her name?"
She had competed, so her name must have been announced.
If they knew her name, perhaps Ning Rongrong could make some deductions.
"Her name… I believe it was Gu Yuena."
"WHAT?!"
Ning Rongrong's body jolted.
What the hell?!
Her brown eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She repeated the question with emphasis:
"Grandpa Bone, are you absolutely certain—without any doubt—that the girl who swept Shrek Academy's team was named Gu Yuena?"
"No mistake about it." The Bone Douluo didn't understand why Ning Rongrong was so startled. "With that level of strength, your father and Chen Xin would've definitely investigated her thoroughly."
"This is troublesome…" Ning Rongrong rubbed her forehead.
What the hell is this?!
A dragon of that magnitude—possibly even wanted by the Divine Realm—still injured and recovering…
Instead of lying low in the Star Dou Great Forest to lick her wounds, she's out here participating in a kindergarten-level tournament?!
Gu Yuena, a silver spear, white hair…
And a clear hostility toward the Asura Domain.
If this wasn't the Silver Dragon King of the Star Dou Great Forest, Ning Rongrong would eat her own name backward.
Watching Ning Rongrong's rapidly shifting expressions, the Bone Douluo grew curious.
"Rongrong, do you know Gu Yuena?"
"It's not about knowing her or not—it's about what she is…" Ning Rongrong tugged at her hair, feeling a headache coming on.
Her words trailed off as she hesitated over whether to explain the truth to the Bone Douluo.
She wasn't sure in what form Gu Yuena had appeared in the human world.
But if the Bone Douluo learned her true identity and accidentally revealed something during a meeting, it could lead to serious problems.
Ning Rongrong wavered—the more people who knew, the greater the risk.
The Silver Dragon King, Gu Yuena—a peak-level first-grade god.
Based on the hierarchy of the Douluo series:
A first-grade god's power typically ranged between levels 130 to 149.
A dragon of that level, acting like some naive child?!
Participating in a tournament for Soul Masters under 25? That age limit isn't even a fraction of your lifespan!
You're an ancient dragon way past your expiration date! Stop pretending to be young!
After a long hesitation, Ning Rongrong decided to reveal the truth.
If things went south, at least they'd be prepared. Remaining ignorant could cost them dearly.
"Gu Yuena, the Silver Dragon King—the true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Hiss—" The Bone Douluo stiffened at the words "ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest." "Rongrong, you mean…"
"A god. A peak first-grade god." Ning Rongrong sighed. "The Silver Dragon King I mentioned before. Logically, she shouldn't—and wouldn't dare—appear on the Douluo Continent."
"Tch!" Ning Rongrong clicked her tongue in frustration. "Grandpa Bone, I don't know whether the Gu Yuena in the tournament is her true form or just an avatar."
"But by the Douluo Continent's standards, a first-grade god's power ranges from level 130 to 149."
"Even if she's still injured, she should at least be able to exert the strength of an average second-grade god."
"A god…" The Bone Douluo smiled bitterly. "A god-level spirit beast. To think she would make a move… It seems Spirit Hall must've paid a heavy price to secure her cooperation."
"Rongrong, what do we do now?"
Honestly, the Bone Douluo was at a loss.
Level 98 was indeed powerful—but only compared to certain opponents.
Ning Rongrong had said Gu Yuena was above level 130.
No matter how reckless Gu Rong was, he knew this wasn't a matter of courage—it was outright suicide.
"I plan to discuss it with Father first before deciding."
"And…" Ning Rongrong paused. "We should try to figure out her motives. If possible, I'd prefer not to make an enemy of such an existence."
Kurumi was still dormant, digesting the Crimson Blood Nine-Headed Bat King. Even if she woke up, how much power Ning Rongrong could unleash by fusing with her remained uncertain.
"Head to Fengzhi first?" The Bone Douluo considered it, then nodded.
He then activated his Martial Soul, using his ninth and eighth soul skills to traverse space.
Without preset coordinates, he could only make rough jumps multiple times.
Thanks to the spatial manipulation experience gained from Kurumi—and his own level 98 strength—though it was mentally taxing, it wasn't impossible.
Soon, the Bone Douluo and Ning Rongrong located their target—the procession of academy teams escorted by the Heaven Dou Imperial Knights toward Spirit City for the finals.
The large, conspicuous group was impossible to miss.