A sudden thought struck Xiao Tian. He patted his chest, pulled out a jade bottle, and shook out three crystalline pills. Each one shimmered faintly red and blue, suffused with both fiery yang and icy yin auras.
"These," he said with a calm smile, handing them each a pill, "were created from two immortal herbs of the Ice-and-Fire Well—the Eight-Angled Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot. When you take them, your bodies will undergo refinement—you'll gain powerful resistance to fire and water, your physiques will grow stronger, and most importantly, you'll develop innate immunity to toxins. No ordinary poison will ever harm you again."
The three girls froze, stunned at such heavenly benefits condensed into something so deceptively small.
"What? Just this pill… and we'll gain all that?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed with disbelief.
Xiao Wu twirled the pill curiously in her palm before looking up, ears twitching. "Brother, since when do you just casually hand us miracles? How did you even make these?"
"Oh, I didn't make them alone." Xiao Tian chuckled. "The old monster and I did this together. If you ever cross paths with Dugu Bo, remember to thank him too."
At the mention of old monster, Xiao Wu blinked and leaned closer, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Brother, when did you get so close to Senior Dugu Bo that you call him that? What exactly were you up to while you vanished for two whole months?"
"Yes, yes!" Ning Rongrong leaned forward eagerly, her gaze gleaming with nosy mischief. "Tell us everything! Don't hold back—we'll know if you do."
Xiao Tian smiled wryly at their gossiping faces. He then calmly summarized what he had done at the Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire over the past two months: refining poisons for Dugu Bo, devising the Poison Spirit Purification Technique, and helping him break through.
He omitted, of course, the existence of Da Ming, Er Ming, and Ah Yin. Some things remained secrets only he could guard.
The girls listened intently, their surprise mounting with every sentence.
Then Zhu Zhuqing's icy calm cracked, her eyes widening. "You mean… you're already a Soul King?"
"Mm." Xiao Tian nodded in confirmation. Soul rings flickered into being around him. One purple. Then black. Black. Black. Black. Five in total, gleaming with restrained majesty.
"Level fifty-six." His voice was quiet, weight making it resound.
The three girls gasped lightly, stunned.
"Impossible…" Ning Rongrong whispered. "In just two months, to advance two levels at your stage… Xiao Tian, you…"
"But wait." She frowned suddenly. "Wasn't your fourth ring originally purple? I saw it myself."
Xiao Tian had already prepared his excuse. He shrugged lazily. "At that time, I couldn't afford to show off. So I used a method to reduce the color of the ring, blending in instead of drawing suspicion. Now that we have the old monster backing us, I don't need to conceal it anymore."
He winked knowingly. "If you don't believe me—Xiao Wu was with me when I absorbed it. She can testify."
Xiao Wu's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Of course. We didn't want to be too dazzling in Shrek. Xingxing, you know how people are—genius attracts jealousy. Considering Brother has always hunted higher-age rings, it was only natural."
The two girls exchanged looks, then exhaled helpless laughs. Xiao Tian's explanation fit perfectly.
But what surprised them next was when Xiao Tian materialized not herbs, not weapons, but six small books glowing with spiritual light.
"These… are for you."
The girls tilted their heads at him curiously.
Smiling, Xiao Tian explained: "During my two months secluded in the Yin-Yang Well, I didn't just aid Dugu Bo. I calculated arts for you three as well. This book contains a spiritual cultivation technique—'Spiritual Heart Illusion.' It sharpens mind affinity, strengthens perception, and builds resistance against mental interference."
He placed another book in each of their hands. His eyes gleamed. "And this… is the 'Star Body Tempering Technique.' Follow its methods daily, and your bodies will become tougher, your stamina longer-lasting, your foundation perfectly strengthened. Physical endurance is as important as soul power."
His face hardened seriously. "But take heed. These can only be practiced by you three. They cannot, and must not, be passed on to anyone else. If others force you, hide them, destroy them. If these methods get out, the consequences… would be disastrous."
His eyes bore into theirs firmly and unflinchingly, making sure his warning sank deep.
The three froze. Then their hearts throbbed violently.
Xiao Wu's eyes softened with warmth, ears quivering. This was his goal for two months? To create gifts for us.
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the book in silence, but her knuckles whitened faintly as she held it close, something stirring inside her icy heart.
Ning Rongrong blinked rapidly, her throat constricting. Her Nine Treasures Pagoda had evolved thanks to him. Now, he'd gone as far as to rewrite her very path forward with new techniques. The gratitude tightened in her chest, rising dangerously close to longing.
Before they could speak, a sound echoed deep inside Xiao Tian's mind—
[Ding. Congratulations to the host. Favorability increases detected from: Shura Sword Sheath Xiao Wu, Speed God Zhu Zhuqing, and Nine-Colored Goddess Ning Rongrong. Favor bonds with Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Oscar have collapsed further. System approval gained. Triggering critical-hit reward!]
[Reward list: Spiritual Yuan Jade, complete knowledge of all soul guide forging methods, 'Divine Sword Lightning Control Secret.']
Oh shit.
Xiao Tian's eyes flicked wide a moment. He had not expected this. At this point, the girls already cherished him deeply. He had thought their favor could scarcely rise higher. Yet the system had responded dramatically, almost gleefully, showering him with rewards.
He took a steadying breath, cooling his racing heartbeat. This, he realized, was reasonable: the things he had given them—personalized techniques, priceless immortal herbs—weren't trivial favors. They were destiny-changing.
He picked up the glowing jade nestled in his palm. Its light was pure, like moonlight controlled. The system explained: Spiritual Yuan Jade—a treasure containing the purest spiritual energy under heaven, light able to dispel all evil and darkness.
A slow grin spread across his lips. Yes. I know exactly who needs this. How timely.
At the same time, inside Tiandou Academy—Dugu Bo's room
"Grandpa! You're back!" Dugu Yan bounded forward, eyes bright. "Did Xiao Tian really cure you?"
Her grandfather's mouth split wide into a laugh. "Haha! Yanyan, indeed he did. But before we celebrate, let me ask—you've reached level 40, haven't you?"
Her proud little head bobbed. "Mm! Two days ago exactly. I would've gone to hunt a fourth ring already, but Grandpa, you told me to wait in case you weren't back. So I held on."
Dugu Bo let out a long sigh of relief. "Good child. You did well."
Although confused, she tilted her head. "Why? Did… did you bring something for me?"
"Oh, indeed I did."
He placed his treasures on the table one by one: a refined pill, a martial technique written out by Xiao Tian, an immortal herb pulsing softly, and… the external soul bone of the Eight Spider Lances.
Her jaw dropped. "Th-this…? Grandpa, Xiao Tian gave you all of this to pass to me? Isn't he being… a little too good to you? Don't tell me the two of you have some special 'affair'!?"
Her teasing curl to her lips broke Dugu Bo's composure. His face flushed as he coughed violently. "Nonsense! Don't spout such words. Xiao Tian is simply… a true friend. In fact, I'd go so far as to call him a brother." His eyes softened fiercely.
Yanyan giggled, covering her mouth.
Dugu Bo's tone hardened. "Take a few days, steady yourself with these things. Once we've stabilized, I'll bring you myself to Sunset Forest for your fourth ring. Xiao Tian's companions will be going too. We'll prepare you properly."
His granddaughter beamed.
Then his expression shifted, his venomous aura flickering. "…Tell me. Did anything happen while we were gone? Any troubles from… Tiandou's princes?"
At mention of Yu Tianheng, Yanyan's smile vanished. Anger flashed over her.
"Grandpa—you don't know. Soon after you left, the Education Committee declared Xiao Tian the captain of the Royal First Team. They even said all the regular members would be reselected in six months to forge the strongest team possible. Yu Tianheng… lost everything to him."
She clenched her fists tightly. Fury gleamed in her emerald eyes.
Dugu Bo, however, simply chuckled coldly. Strength begets authority. And Xiao Tian—his little monster of a friend—was rewriting all the rules.
--
Loving the story? Read 200+ extra chapters on my Patreon — link's in the description! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" & "Douluo Dalu: My Harem System is Bugged!" — don't miss out!