Liu Erlong felt her entire world had turned into a mockery of fate. For more than ten years, she had yearned, loved, and waited for Yu Xiaogang. Every bitter night she hardened her heart, telling herself that one day, despite everything, they could finally become husband and wife. Yet now, reunited… the truth was unbearable.
Not a husband. Not even a man.
Her sharp heart refused the reality before her; her fiery spirit screamed against it. She could neither accept nor escape. If this is fate… then fate is cruel beyond measure.
Flander, standing by, patted her trembling shoulders. His words stumbled out as comfort. "Erlong… to go through the Star Dou Great Forest, clash with two hundred-thousand-year beasts and yet return alive—that in itself is a blessing. Don't lose yourself now."
He steeled himself, then added what he didn't believe but hoped might console her. "Perhaps… perhaps we still need not despair. This continent is vast, beyond even Hall's full grasp. Rare spirit master lineages exist with unique martial souls. Who can say? Perhaps someone could restore what was lost. Don't drown in grief—hold on to hope."
Liu Erlong bit down until blood tinged her lips. "Xiaogang… don't worry. Even if I must search every corner of the continent, I will find a way to heal you. I don't believe that with the networks of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan, not even a single solution exists. I will even beg my cheap father, if that's what it takes!"
Her voice trembled but was resolute, her love as stubborn as her wrath.
Tiandou Imperial Academy—Ning Rongrong's Dormitory
The atmosphere was lighter here. Ning Rongrong had just returned from a visit to her sect's branch messengers and hurriedly called Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing into her room.
"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing—listen! I just received word. Flander actually brought the leftovers of Shrek into Tiandou City this afternoon."
Xiao Wu blinked, her face darkening immediately. "What!? Why are those annoying people still clinging on? What business do they have here!?"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned, her calm face twitching briefly. "Here, of all places? Could it be… they have an acquaintance in the city?"
"Yes," Ning Rongrong answered with a sigh, "they went to Lanba Academy. That school was founded by Liu Erlong—the last member of the famed Golden Iron Triangle. She is a descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan."
"Liu Erlong…" Zhu Zhuqing muttered, recognizing the name.
"So you're saying," Xiao Wu pressed bitterly, "we could run into Tang San and Dai Mubai while walking in the city?" Her expression twisted sour as if she'd bitten into old fruit. The thought of facing Tang San again knotted her chest unpleasantly.
Zhu Zhuqing offered a small, practical smile. "Don't worry yourself, Xiao Wu. We won't have the time to run into them anyway. Our days are already packed."
She wasn't wrong. Ning Rongrong nodded immediately. "Exactly. With the whale glue we've been taking, our training time is barely enough! We need every second. I absolutely must hit level 30 soon. If Xiao Tian isn't back by then—heaven forbid—I'll ask Grandpa Jian or Grandpa Gu to help me hunt the highest-age beast possible. I won't lag behind."
Zhu Zhuqing's quiet nod matched her determination.
Xiao Wu, however, sat silently, her eyes clouding with conflicted thoughts. She was different. Unlike her human companions, she was a soul beast in disguise. Every time they spoke of hunting rings, her chest grew heavy. Those rings weren't just "resources"—they were her kind. Her people. She hated the rules, hated the law of the continent that demanded soul beasts must die for human growth.
But no matter her feelings, what could she do? Even Da Ming and Er Ming had long accepted the world's cruel law. Resistance was impossible now. She clenched her fists, eyes stinging. Why must the world be like this? Why must humans hunt soul rings just to survive?
Seeing her quiet, Ning Rongrong gave her a gentle pat. "Xiao Wu, don't think too much. We're together now. No need to frown over the past."
Xiao Wu nodded faintly, though deep pain lingered in her gaze.
The days pressed on, and the three girls drowned themselves fully in cultivation.
Sunset Forest—Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well
Two months slid by like flowing water.
Amidst the mist of poison and paradise herbs, Xiao Tian finally rose from his seat. He stretched, gazing at Ah Yin, Da Ming, Er Ming, and the familiar green-haired elder hovering near him.
"Hehe… old monster, Ah Yin." Xiao Tian's lips curled, his tone casual as always now. "We've been here two months. Time to head back. The sooner Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhuqing take these immortal herbs, the better their progress will be."
He no longer called Dugu Bo "Senior." After endless days of sworn trust, of medicine and martial guidance, their bond had turned into easy camaraderie. He called him what everyone did outside: Old Monster.
And this "old monster" had transformed.
Over sixty days, the Poison Douluo had crushed his torment beneath the Poison Spirit Purification Technique. The poison that once ravaged him was now subdued, refined, his poison pill burning with control. He had digested the peerless immortal herb Xiao Tian chose for him. His strength skyrocketed, surging past bottlenecks.
Level 96.
A Super Douluo now stood where once had been an aging, crippled Titled Douluo writhing with his own venom.
His emerald eyes gleamed with new confidence, his aura sharp enough to slice the wind.
Ah Yin too had felt the blessings of this miracle land. With the immortal grass Xiao Tian had gifted her, her foundation strengthened dramatically—her roots thickened, her petals glowed. Two months at the Yin-Yang Well accelerated by the contract's synergy had pushed her back to 20,000 years of cultivation. 5,000 of those years alone came directly from the herb's power. A terrifying rebirth.
Compared to a soul master, she was once again a formidable fighter.
Though reluctant to leave the blessed spring, Ah Yin nodded gently at Xiao Tian. "Alright. Let's go." She was deeply grateful. She knew Xiao Tian could have left early, yet he had waited… all for her recovery.
Dugu Bo barked a laugh, arms crossed, exuding vitality he hadn't felt in decades. "Good! Enough dawdling. It's been two months—Yanyan should be nearing level 40 right about now. Just in time for us to hunt her fourth ring. Hahaha, I'll tell you the truth, Xiao Tian—after this breakthrough, I can spar evenly with Chen Xin and Gu Rong now!"
His poisonous aura swirled faintly, potent enough to rot even stone. Confidence radiated from his every pore.
Xiao Tian raised a brow. "Oh? Confident, are you?"
Dugu Bo chuckled darkly. "Don't misunderstand. Chen Xin's sword might still cut through my venom when his blade flares. Gu Rong's defenses and spatial tricks are tricky too. But against either one—I can hold my ground now. Even if it's only long enough to wound before I retreat. And in a fight to the death, well—I still have my trump card. Hah! The thought of them struggling against me is delicious."
Xiao Tian smirked before asking, "So then, Old Monster—what kind of soul beast do you want for Yanyan's fourth ring?"
At the question, Da Ming and Er Ming's immense eyes gleamed as they glanced at him. Dugu Bo stiffened, cold sweat trickling as both beast kings radiated silent pressure.
"…Sheesh," he muttered, "with those eyes, they look ready to eat me alive. Don't glare—I need to ask! Xiao Tian, you choose!"
Da Ming's voice finally rolled like thunder over mountains. "Poison Douluo, don't tense yourself. We understand soul masters need rings, just as beasts need years. This is the law of conflict. By nature, humans and beasts are enemies. We know this. But—"
His rumbling tone softened. "Xiao Tian has promised that when he becomes the strongest on the continent, he will change this law. He will find a way to end this eternal blood cycle."
Er Ming's crimson eyes glowed. He pounded his chest once, a silent affirmation.
Dugu Bo inhaled deeply, then nodded, the respect in his gaze quietly thickening. "Hmph. Then so be it. Xiao Tian, we'll follow your lead."
And for the first time, the Poison Douluo's lonely, venom-clad heart felt warmth—not just relief from his torment, but trust in a boy who dared to claim he'd change the very nature of their world.
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