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Yu Tianheng had originally pursued Dugu Yan as his girlfriend solely because of the man standing behind her—Dugu Bo.
Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was one of the three upper sects, it had only a single Title Douluo guarding it.
If Yu Tianheng could draw another Title Douluo into the sect, his own position within it would become even more secure.
Do not forget, Yu Tianheng was already over twenty years old.
At such an age, claiming he had no schemes at all was impossible.
Besides, in San Shao's stories, both men and women matured early.
To say Yu Tianheng had no ulterior motives was simply unrealistic.
As he looked at Dugu Yan's back, a trace of coldness flickered in Yu Tianheng's eyes.
"If you don't reveal the secret, then I'll just take you back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Once you're there, I'll have plenty of ways to make you talk."
But Dugu Yan had no idea what Yu Tianheng was truly thinking. She only wanted to reveal the secret and observe his reaction.
When they reached a secluded place, the two of them stopped.
Yu Tianheng's tone carried a hint of urgency. "Yanzi, how did you manage to increase your strength so quickly? And how were you able to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring at just your fourth spirit ring?"
Dugu Yan did not answer immediately. Her tone turned serious. "Tianheng, if I tell you my secret, can you promise not to reveal it to a second person?"
"Of course. I only want to become stronger. I don't want to be left behind by you. I just want to stay by your side."
Without even furrowing his brows, Yu Tianheng spoke smoothly.
At any other time, hearing such words might have melted Dugu Yan's heart.
But now, to test whether Yu Tianheng would truly keep her secret, she continued.
"Tianheng, this secret is tied to my very life. If you tell anyone else, I will be in mortal danger. Can you swear never to tell a second person?"
Her bright eyes shimmered as she looked at Yu Tianheng expectantly.
Yu Tianheng's face softened with a hint of indulgence, his voice gentle. "Of course. You are the most important person to me. Without you by my side, what meaning would my life even have?"
Hearing this, Dugu Yan instantly succumbed, throwing herself into his arms.
Yet where she could not see, a cold sneer tugged at the corner of Yu Tianheng's lips as scorn filled his heart.
"Hmph, what does your death have to do with me? You're the one willingly telling me this. Once I bring this information back to the clan, even if your grandfather comes seeking revenge, he won't be able to do anything to me."
At that moment, Yu Tianheng was already envisioning his bright and glorious future.
But what he failed to realize was that after becoming a Spirit Ancestor, Dugu Yan's perception had sharpened greatly.
She could sense Yu Tianheng's insincerity, and her heart sank.
Just as she was puzzling over it, Yu Tianheng asked again, "Yanzi, now you can tell me your secret to becoming stronger, can't you?"
Dugu Yan set aside her doubts and spoke directly.
"My spirit power advanced so quickly because I consumed an immortal herb. I don't know its exact source—it was given to me by my master."
"As for why I could absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring at my fourth one, it was because of a soul beast in the Ice-Sealed Forest called the Ice Silkworm. This creature enhances a spirit master's spiritual power, which is why I succeeded in absorbing it."
Her words were half-true and half-false. She wasn't foolish—she knew what to say and what not to reveal.
She truly didn't understand what kind of person Lan Minghua was.
Yu Tianheng's heart surged with excitement at her words.
"Immortal herbs and Ice Silkworms… I've never heard of them, but once people in the clan investigate, they'll definitely uncover the truth."
Dugu Yan keenly noticed the change in his emotions, and her heart jolted.
"No… Tianheng would never betray me. I already told him this secret is linked to my life. He would never break his word. I shouldn't scare myself."
But in the end, only time would tell.
Rising to her feet, Dugu Yan said affectionately, "Tianheng, I need to return now. Otherwise, my grandfather will notice I'm gone."
"Mm, go ahead, Yanzi. Once I've grown stronger, I'll definitely win your grandfather's approval."
Though Yu Tianheng acted reluctant, deep down he couldn't wait for Dugu Yan to leave so he could rush back to the clan with the information.
As Dugu Yan left with lingering attachment, she still believed Yu Tianheng would never betray her.
Yet, shortly after she departed, Dugu Bo appeared, dragging along two Soul Saints who were poisoned and on the brink of death.
Seeing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan uniforms on them, Dugu Yan asked doubtfully, "Grandfather, they're from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Dugu Bo nodded, his expression dark. "That's right. They're members of that clan. If you hadn't revealed the secret to Yu Tianheng just now, they were going to abduct you and drag you back to their sect by force."
"How could that be?!" Dugu Yan covered her mouth, her pupils trembling violently.
Dugu Bo sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness. "Yanyan, you still don't understand how sinister human hearts can be. That little bastard Yu Tianheng is no good."
"No, that can't be. Tianheng wouldn't do such a thing. With you standing behind me, how could they dare lay a hand on me? Grandfather, you're lying to me, aren't you?"
Dugu Yan still refused to believe—truly living up to the name of being lovestruck.
Knowing she would not be convinced so easily, Dugu Bo produced two Mirror Image Sausages.
Lan Minghua had gotten them from Oscar and thrown them to Dugu Bo after they parted ways, specifically for a situation like this.
Only by letting Dugu Yan see with her own eyes would she completely give up on Yu Tianheng.
Handing her one sausage, Dugu Bo said, "You're more familiar with this sausage than I am, I imagine. Eat it, transform into this Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Soul Saint, and see the truth for yourself."
Without hesitation, Dugu Yan swallowed the sausage.
In an instant, her appearance transformed dramatically, turning into that of one of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Soul Saints.
Not only did her looks match perfectly, but even her voice and spirit power became identical.
Of course, it was only a façade—once combat began, the truth would be exposed.
Even so, Oscar's Mirror Image Sausage was already remarkably powerful.
In critical moments, it could even serve as a means of intimidation.
Unlike in the original story, Oscar's sixth spirit ability here was not limited to simply duplicating skills.
Disguised as the Soul Saint, Dugu Yan rushed back without pause.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng was still shadowboxing, wary that Dugu Yan might suddenly return.
After all, with only two Soul Saints guarding him, if Dugu Bo found out, his chances of survival were nonexistent.
After some time passed without incident, Yu Tianheng finally relaxed.
"It's been so long. That wretched woman Dugu Yan should be gone by now."
Then, turning to a certain spot, he whispered, "Come out. Take me back to the clan. I have urgent matters that must be reported directly to the Sect Master."
At that very moment, the disguised Dugu Yan appeared.
Hearing Yu Tianheng's words, her heart plummeted to rock bottom.
Yu Tianheng frowned slightly upon seeing only one person, but he didn't suspect anything.
In fact, the fewer people who knew, the better.
"Good. Since you're here, take me back immediately. This concerns the clan's future prosperity. You can't afford any delays."
Dugu Yan remained motionless and asked, "What matter is so important?"
"You don't need to know." A smug look appeared on Yu Tianheng's face.
But still young and arrogant, he couldn't resist revealing a little.
"It's a secret about absorbing a ten-thousand-year spirit ring at the fourth ring. How about that? Is that surprising enough for you?"
Dugu Yan's heart turned to ashes. She hadn't expected Yu Tianheng to so easily betray her for the sake of his so-called clan interests.
She had clearly told him that if others knew this secret, she would die.
She never imagined that after making a solemn vow just moments before, he would forget everything in the next instant.
When she didn't respond, Yu Tianheng sneered, "What's wrong? Surprised? Didn't expect this, did you?"
Dugu Yan gave a bitter laugh as her disguise melted away, revealing her true form.
"Tianheng, are you surprised? Didn't expect this, did you?"
Yu Tianheng's eyes went wide with disbelief. "You—you're Dugu Yan?!"
The next moment, Dugu Yan's hand became a blade, piercing straight through Yu Tianheng's chest with a sickening sound.
(End of Chapter)