As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the layers of clouds, casting their glow upon this mysterious land, the world seemed to stir from its deep slumber.
The undulating mountains loomed in the morning light, resembling slumbering beasts exuding an aura of majesty and enigma.
From atop a high vantage point, one could see blooming ice flowers, their crystal dewdrops shimmering like gemstones under the sun's embrace. The flowers swayed gently, releasing waves of an exotic fragrance.
To the west of the academy, a clear stream gurgled softly, its waters glinting silver under the sunlight like a lively, sinuous serpent.
It was now seven in the morning. Xiao Wu lay fast asleep beside Fu Ye, who had already left his mark on the winding path.
"Hmm..."
At this moment, Fu Ye was still locked in fierce combat with a dragon. Armed with a magical artifact, he clashed violently against the abyssal beast.
According to the latest reports, the evil dragon showed no signs of surrender.
"Evil dragon, why resist? Do not seek your own demise." (Tactical retreat.)*
Fu Ye glared at the battered crimson dragon before him, issuing his final warning.
"So what if you're a Dragon Knight? Dragons will never be enslaved!"
…
Meanwhile, within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well...
A disheveled young man with tattered clothes, an unsightly face, and a green mark between his brows carefully tended to the flowers and grass in the wasteland.
Behind him stood a beautiful blonde girl with piercing blue eyes, gripping a whip and watching him impatiently.
"Hmph!"
"Crack!"
"Aaaahhh!!!!"
With a single lash, the boy's already torn clothes split further, reopening the slowly healing wounds on his back.
"Faster! You dare trespass into my grandfather's medicinal garden, and on top of that, you had the audacity to disrespect me with your vile intentions! Be grateful I've spared your life!"
Her voice was sharp and clear, yet the boy, now sprawled on the ground from the whip's impact, moved even more sluggishly.
"Hmph!"
"Crack!"
"Aaaahhh!!!!"
"Hmph!"
"Crack!"
"What the—?!!!!"
"Stop hitting me! I'm speeding up! I—Aaaahhh!!!!"
Yes, the one being whipped was none other than the ruthless man who had arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well two years ago—intent on plundering its treasures, enslaving Dugu Bo, and forcibly taking Dugu Yan for himself.
This was Tang Chuan, the reincarnated God King Tang San!
But fate had twisted in ways he never anticipated.
Not only had he failed to find a single magical herb in this vast paradise, but he had also been caught red-handed by Dugu Bo and his granddaughter.
When he had arrogantly revealed Dugu Bo's supposed illness—claiming that the only cure was handing Dugu Yan over to him—the old man had simply dripped a drop of his own poison onto Tang Chuan's forehead, reducing him to nothing more than a lowly medicine slave.
The antidote rested with Dugu Yan, who doled out a single pill each day—just enough to keep him alive.
"You disgusting toad! How dare you entertain such delusions about me? Work faster, or I'll have Grandfather remove your limbs!"
Hearing her words, Tang Chuan wished he could bash his head against a block of tofu and die.
Everything had changed!
Dugu Bo's condition was nothing like in his past life. Aside from negligible traces of lingering poison, the old man was perfectly healthy—and worse, he seemed to have found a way to purge the toxins entirely!
The realization filled Tang Chuan with rage.
First, that mysterious youth had stolen both his past and present-life wives. Then, Dugu Bo had somehow cured himself.
Even more infuriating—both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan carried the scent of immortal herbs. They had already consumed them!
In his past life, Tang Chuan had deliberately destroyed all herbs that could cure Dugu Bo, forcing the old man to rely on his slow, miraculous treatments.
This manipulation had bound Dugu Bo to him in gratitude, even driving him to slaughter Spirit Hall's forces to ease Tang Chuan's burdens.
And when the final war came, Dugu Bo perished just before the divine conflict—ensuring no blame fell upon Tang Chuan, the future Sea God.
"Hmph!"
"Crack!"
"Aaaahhh!!!!"
"Move faster! Do you still want the antidote?"
Dugu Yan's whip lashed across Tang Chuan's already hideous face, further distorting his features into something grotesque.
Unnoticed by her, his expression darkened with malice.
"Boy, are you tired of living? How dare you look at my precious granddaughter with those eyes?"
Dugu Yan hadn't seen it—but Dugu Bo, who had just returned from hunting a few century-old soul beasts for food, had.
"Senior, I—"
"Crack!"
With a mere flick of his hand, the 94th-ranked Titled Douluo sent Tang Chuan flying.
Dugu Bo radiated vitality. His once-jade-green hair had darkened to a healthy black, and his entire demeanor resembled that of a man in his early twenties.
"Grandfather!"
Dugu Yan immediately dropped her whip and rushed to his side.
"Ah, Yanyan!"
Dugu Bo's love for his granddaughter was boundless. Having lost his son and son-in-law early, she was now his most precious treasure.
"Grandpa, he ruined my flower garden! I made him replant it, but he keeps slacking off!"
Her pitiful expression ignited Dugu Bo's fury. How dare this wretch bully his little Yanyan?
"Boy, I recall you stole two of my newly planted spirit herbs when you first arrived. Now, you've reached Level 30."
A sly amusement flickered in Dugu Bo's eyes.
A twelve-year-old Soul Elder was indeed a genius—but this brat had dared to covet his home and granddaughter. Unforgivable.
"Senior, you—"
Tang Chuan's hopes rose. Was Dugu Bo finally acknowledging his talent?
"You've been working here for over a year. Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll grant you a top-tier spirit ring. Do you accept?"
Dugu Bo spoke solemnly, but Dugu Yan stifled a laugh behind her hand.
She knew her grandfather well—when he acted serious, he was usually scheming.
"Yes! I accept!"
Tang Chuan's excitement surged. A top-tier spirit ring from a Titled Douluo? This had to be extraordinary!
Perhaps Dugu Bo was finally warming up to him. Soon, he'd become the old man's son-in-law, and then—
Before his fantasies could flourish, Dugu Bo hurled a hairy piglet at him.
"This hundred-year-old Long-Haired Pig's spirit ring is undoubtedly top-tier. But don't think of refusing—the alternative is death."
…
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