Hearing his disciple's question, Chrysanthemum Douluo felt a faint bitterness rise in his heart, mixed with indignation. He nodded slightly. "So that's why I want you to stay with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team. With your martial soul control ability and your current strength, I believe that even the Golden Generation, who are Soul Kings, will find it difficult to escape. Besides," his eyes flashed, "I never handed over your theory on secondary martial soul skill development. That further narrows the gap."
"Disciple, when it comes to martial soul development, I have never seen anyone stronger than you. Your unpredictable and ever-changing martial soul abilities will add far more uncertainty to the final outcome."
"Moreover, with your intelligence, I believe you will definitely be able to lead a team of companions who can work seamlessly with you."
With Yu Tianheng gone and Qin Ming gone, there was no question: from now on, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team would be led entirely by his disciple.
"The Spirit Hall team is strong, but because of the Golden Generation, they rely too much on individual strength, seeking to crush their opponents outright. In terms of teamwork, they fall short." Chrysanthemum Douluo curled his lips, then continued, "Her Holiness the Pope favors the Golden Generation far too much."
Soul bones predetermined, resources overly concentrated — how could the rest of the team possibly have no objections? The truth was, this team was built only to support Hu Liena and her two teammates. Bibi Dong had poured resources into these three, but only into these three. That kind of favoritism would inevitably breed resentment. It was human nature, unavoidable.
And the martial soul theory? It only made Bibi Dong double down on focusing her efforts on the trio, widening that rift even further.
'Emotional favoritism, disparity in status — for the rest of their teammates, all they can do is obey. Team camaraderie? That's fake,' Yang Yunhai thought to himself.
Still, Bibi Dong didn't need to care. After all, three Soul Kings were already a formidable advantage.
"That's why I believe your Heaven Dou Royal Academy team does stand a chance at winning the championship." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded slightly. Then, with a wave of his right hand, he drew a finely crafted wooden box from his soul tool and held it out with a smile. "Here, I picked this for you. Open it and see."
"This is…?" Feeling the soul power fluctuation inside, Yang Yunhai had a guess. He looked up and asked cautiously, "A soul bone?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a slight nod, his eyes flashing with mockery.
"Your dealings with Dugu Bo led Bibi Dong to suspect that I know something about rare immortal herbs. She tried to trade a soul bone for my information. Naturally, I wasn't stupid enough to hand everything over. I kept part to myself. This time, I also came to cross-check with you, so she doesn't test you again later."
'Probably wants to find one for Hu Liena,' Yang Yunhai thought.
'Or perhaps… Yu Xiaogang?' A sudden idea struck him. Back in his letter, he hadn't written out the names of the two herbs. He quickly asked, "Teacher, did Her Holiness ask you specifically about the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia and the Land Dragon Golden Melon?"
"Correct." Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes flickered. "So I replied that their medicinal essence had already been consumed in martial soul evolution, and bleeding them again would be useless."
Yang Yunhai's heart tightened, his brows furrowing.
He realized then that perhaps Bibi Dong wasn't worth serving at all, nor worth spending effort trying to influence. Persuading her with reason? She was the Pope. Would she patiently listen to some junior with no ties to her? Trying to take a roundabout path, guiding her through Yu Xiaogang? That too would fail. Say a single bad word about Yu Xiaogang, and he might earn her hatred or even death. Nothing but thankless work.
'This woman's obsession with Yu Xiaogang has already reached the level of madness. In short — she's a lunatic!'
Noticing his disciple's expression, Chrysanthemum Douluo found himself venting. He sneered.
"Heh, I've served the Spirit Hall for decades. As for Bibi Dong — I've watched her grow since the days of the previous Pope, Qian Xunji. I've protected her countless times. When she succeeded the throne, it was your teacher and your martial uncle who supported her behind the scenes. Later, we helped her rise despite suppression from the Worship Hall, and we helped build up the Papal Hall's current prestige."
"But in the end, what did I get?"
"After so many years, not even a single 10,000-year soul bone as reward. My treatment is worse than some juniors."
"And now, even this one — I was forced to exchange information about rare herbs to get it. Hah! Two 35,000-year soul bones, and I could only choose one. Is my knowledge of rare treasures worth so little? Are decades of loyalty worth so cheap a price?"
Yang Yunhai stayed silent. He could feel his teacher's resentment. Anyone would feel aggrieved in his place.
But Chrysanthemum Douluo only shrugged indifferently. "Of course, these things no longer matter much to me now."
"Take it, Yunhai." He lifted the box slightly.
"Thank you, Teacher." Yang Yunhai accepted it carefully.
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled faintly. "If it were in the past, I'd have treasured this soul bone dearly. But after consuming the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum you gave me, not only did my cultivation break through again, but my talent improved. I even have hope of breaking through to that realm."
"So this soul bone is dispensable now."
"But for you, with your special thunder tempering ability, I figured you'd want to attempt a 10,000-year soul ring as your fourth. That requires a very strong body. To be safe, I chose this Wind Demon Tiger's left arm bone. Its age isn't too high, but the quality is excellent."
"This time, Bibi Dong prepared two strength-type arm bones — a left arm and a right arm. In combat, the right arm would be more useful than the left. With your potential, Yunhai, you have every chance of reaching rank 99 one day. By then, you must have a right arm bone of at least 50,000 years to fully unleash your strength and to help push past rank 95."
"As for the left arm, a slightly lower age isn't much of a problem."
Yang Yunhai nodded. "Senior Dugu Bo has already told me about the stages beyond rank 95."
"Funny — that old man hasn't reached it himself, but he knows plenty," Chrysanthemum Douluo muttered.
Yang Yunhai followed up. "Teacher, about obtaining a 50,000-year soul bone, I do have some ideas."
He then explained his and Dugu Bo's plan involving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Tang Hao, and added, "Teacher, with the Martial Soul Fusion Skill you and Martial Uncle have, I don't believe either Yu Yuanzhen or Tang Hao could escape, especially with Senior Dugu Bo's eighth skill and head bone skill supporting. As for the other clan members, Senior Dugu Bo's poison would be more than enough."
"…Afterwards, the soul bones acquired would be enough for you three to divide among yourselves. As for me, I'm still young and have time. With you and Martial Uncle behind me, do you think I'll lack opportunities for three 50,000-year soul bones?"
He smiled faintly. "Teacher, everything I know of medicine comes from you. The cover story about the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia and Land Dragon Golden Melon? You helped me hide that from the Pope. Even Senior Dugu Bo owes you a favor. He's a reasonable man — he'll honor that. When the time comes, I'll mediate. Cooperation will happen."
'Letting Dugu Bo poison them might be the simplest way. Brutal, but effective. And it ties him closer to us,' Chrysanthemum Douluo thought, and nodded.
"Then I'll agree. If Dugu Bo is willing, once it's done, he and his granddaughter can have first pick of the soul bones from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If both suit them, let them take both. We'll still have Tang Hao."
"Yunhai, once you reveal your fourth soul ring at the tournament, hmph, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't be the only ones eyeing you."
"As long as Dugu Bo is truly committed to protecting you, letting him take extra advantage is no loss."
Yang Yunhai was touched. His teacher was willing to concede so much for his safety.
"Speaking of which," Chrysanthemum Douluo shifted topics, "the Pope asked me to find out when Dugu Bo plans to reveal the rare herbs. I need to coordinate with him, and also test his current stance."
As he spoke, he produced a book. "And this."
"Your Martial Uncle intends to take Zhu Zhuqing as a disciple. This is his cultivation insights. Consider it both a gift of apprenticeship and repayment for the immortal herb you gave me."
"I'll speak with Zhu Zhuqing myself later — I think she'll agree."
Yang Yunhai accepted it with a smile. "As for the rare herbs, Senior Dugu Bo wants to conceal them until the tournament begins. For that, I've made some arrangements today."
He then explained the conditions he had laid out to Elder Meng.
"Now that I control the team, and our training is classified as top secret, as long as I smooth things over, the chances of Dugu Yan being exposed early are low. Yu Tianheng could spout his mouth off because of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan behind him. The rest of the team doesn't have that."
"As for me, I have my own means. I absolutely won't reveal my fourth ring early." Yunhai smiled faintly.
"But Zhu Zhuqing may need some cover. To be honest, Teacher, after her third soul ring, she made great progress. She's already at rank 36, close to rank 37. I intend for her fourth to be a 10,000-year ring. And this soul bone you brought is perfect for her. Truly timely."
"She's taken an immortal herb before?" Chrysanthemum Douluo was shocked at Zhu Zhuqing's progress.
"Yes." Yunhai nodded. "It was the Yearning Heartbroken Red."
"The Yearning Heartbroken Red!" Chrysanthemum Douluo exclaimed. His face flushed slightly with excitement.
"No wonder she's improved so much!" he murmured after regaining composure.
The Yearning Heartbroken Red was also perfectly suited to him. Unfortunately, it couldn't be taken alongside the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Besides, the Yearning Heartbroken Red required having someone you loved. How could his disciple have thought of giving it to a single man like him? The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, on the other hand, was a perfect match for his martial soul.
So, it made sense that Yunhai had chosen that for him instead.
'It's just fate. You can't have both,' he thought, letting it go.
Frowning slightly, he analyzed, "There are still 11 months before the tournament. With this soul bone, Zhu Zhuqing will surely gain at least 1 level."
"You said she's close to rank 37? Then she'll likely break through directly to rank 38."
"With her talent boosted by the Heartbroken Red, in no more than 7 months she'll reach rank 40. That leaves 4 months. Yes, her progress will need to be hidden. By then, both of you will be Soul Ancestors at your age, both with 10,000-year fourth rings. That will draw immense attention. Ning Fengzhi, for one, will definitely investigate."
"If he asks openly, you can at least deflect. The real danger is if others act in secret. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, already hostile, may strike. The Clear Sky Sect too. They declared seclusion precisely to hide their movements."
"And Tang Hao, he may also come after you for his son Tang San's sake."
"Isn't that just what I want?" Yunhai's eyes flashed with a smile. "I'll use myself as bait — and reel in some big fish."
"Don't worry, Teacher. Before the tournament, I'll make sure Zhu Zhuqing isn't exposed."
"Good." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. "During the tournament itself, by then Zhu Zhuqing will have absorbed the soul bone I gave, plus benefited from your medicine baths. Breaking through rank 40 won't be suspicious. At that stage, your Martial Uncle and I can apply to the Pope to watch over you secretly. She won't refuse. Two prodigies with 10,000-year fourth rings are worth that much."
"Then we'll just wait for Tang Hao to show his face." Yunhai nodded. "And if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan interferes too? Hah, who doesn't know Senior Dugu Bo's temper? If they provoke him openly, we'll have a perfect excuse to strike."
That was called fishing law enforcement — let them take the bait!
Chrysanthemum Douluo agreed. "Indeed, it's an opportunity."
He smiled faintly. "Yunhai, if there's nothing else, let's cross-check the herb information, then I'll be on my way. I need to discuss the details with your Martial Uncle."
"Understood." Yunhai nodded firmly. "Teacher, I'll win this tournament's championship, if only to bring you and Martial Uncle honor."
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled. "I'll be waiting. As long as you win with your own strength, not even the Pope will complain if you take the soul bones. And if she does — hmph, your Martial Uncle and I won't sit idle."
Yunhai nodded solemnly.
After verifying their information, Yunhai watched Chrysanthemum Douluo disappear, then turned back inside.
"Zhu Zhuqing." He called softly.
She slowly opened her eyes. "Yun, what is it?"
Yunhai drew the wooden box from his soul tool and whispered, "Look."
Zhu Zhuqing carefully accepted it, opened the lid — and her beautiful eyes widened. "A soul bone!" She looked up in confusion.
"Yes. From a Wind Demon Tiger. Age 35,000 years, of good quality." Yunhai nodded, lowering his voice. "Zhu Zhuqing, actually, I joined Spirit Hall when I was 6."
He recounted how he had joined Spirit Hall, and how Chrysanthemum Douluo had later sought him out as a disciple. Then he said, "Teacher knew I planned to absorb a 10,000-year fourth ring, so he brought this soul bone for me. But I no longer need it. You, however, need it right now."
"With this soul bone, I'm confident you can also absorb a 10,000-year fourth ring."
"What's more, Teacher's closest friend, Ghost Douluo, wants to take you as his disciple. This soul bone is part of the apprenticeship gift."
He then pulled out a book. "And this is Ghost Douluo's cultivation notes. He's a rank 96 Titled Douluo, and an agility-attack type like you. His insights will be invaluable."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing realized the decision was already made on her behalf — and it was a good one. To have a rank 96 Titled Douluo as her teacher was an honor. And before even formally accepting her, he had sent such precious gifts.
As for Yunhai joining Spirit Hall, she had no complaints. Spirit Hall had indeed helped him much, especially through the Changgong family.
What mattered most was that Yunhai treated her well, and all of this was for her sake.
She nodded softly. "Yun, if you get the chance, help me thank Teacher."
"Of course." Yunhai smiled. "Now, absorb the soul bone."
"Alright." Zhu Zhuqing didn't hesitate. She took out the bone, sat down, and began her absorption.
(End of Chapter)
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