A Titled Douluo is not someone you can see just because you want to, especially someone like Dugu Bo, who is solitary by nature, has an unpredictable whereabouts, and acts only on his own whims; trying to arrange a meeting with him is harder than ascending to heaven.
The first month after returning to the Exotic Beast Academy.
Yu Yan and Xiao Wu both mastered the Little Fish Meditation Technique. The high-level Meditation Technique gave them a comprehensive improvement.
The Exotic Beast Academy successfully contacted Prince Xue Xing, who was the easiest to reach, and began negotiations with him.
The five members of the Speed Clan who came to the school gradually became familiar with life at the Exotic Beast Academy. Having left their Family, they began to encounter new ideas.
The second month after returning to the Exotic Beast Academy.
Yu Yan and Xiao Wu both broke through to Rank 27. The cultivation speed of the high-level Meditation Technique was significantly faster than that of the low-level one.
Bai Qing, who had the highest Spirit Power Level in the Speed Clan, had to participate in the collective training of the Exotic Beast Academy Team and thus declined Yu Yan's invitation to be a sparring partner. After some twists and turns and a recommendation from Xiao Wu, Bai Chenxiang became the sparring partner for both Yu Yan and Xiao Wu.
The Exotic Beast Academy got stuck with Prince Xue Xing. While it was true that Prince Xue Xing was the easiest to contact, he was also the most greedy and difficult to deal with.
The third month after returning to the Exotic Beast Academy.
Balak Academy, having finally discovered that Yu Yan was studying at the Exotic Beast Academy, sent a letter of inquiry to Yu Yan and offered generous terms, hoping he would return to Balak Academy. Yu Yan burned this letter directly in front of Jiang Jing.
Because Prince Xue Xing's demands were somewhat excessive, the Exotic Beast Academy shifted its target to Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan. The Exotic Beast Academy was just an academy and did not want to get involved in the struggle for the throne.
The fourth month after returning to the Exotic Beast Academy.
Yu Yan and Xiao Wu successfully broke through to Rank 28. Having nothing else to do, the two returned to the Soul Fighting Arena to battle different Spirit Masters and gain combat experience. Their 100% win rate spoke of their invincible combat power among those of the same rank.
Under the strong recommendation of Yu Yan and Xiao Wu, Bai Chenxiang began to fight in the Soul Fighting Arena and complete tasks issued by nearby residents in the Soul Master Guild. She followed the example of Yu Yan and Xiao Wu, earning gold coins through her own strength.
"Yu Yan, your third requirement—we have finally accomplished it."
On an evening at the end of the fourth month, Jiang Jing, with her Martial Soul Possession active, ran to Yu Yan's residence and loudly announced the good news to Yu Yan, who was currently reading a book while petting his cat.
Four months, a full four months! They had finally settled Yu Yan's third requirement.
At the moment of success, Jiang Jing threw countless mental punches at Prince Xue Xing. Had she known that things would be so simple to settle on Dugu Yan's side, she definitely wouldn't have wasted more than two months haggling with Prince Xue Xing.
After half a month of contact with Dugu Yan, the Exotic Beast Academy used two mature ice soul grass plants and some special cultivation resources to trade for a chance to meet and chat briefly with Dugu Bo.
"The academy has truly gone to a lot of trouble for this." Hearing the good news, Yu Yan stood up excitedly. After a casual word of thanks to the academy, he hurriedly asked, "When can I meet Senior Dugu?"
The sooner he met Dugu Bo, the sooner he could consume the Immortal Herbs. The earlier he took the Immortal Herbs, the greater the benefits he would receive. This was a positive feedback loop.
According to Yu Yan's vision for the future, he hoped to consume the blazing apricot cactus and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass to improve his Physical Body's strength before Rank 30, and then absorb his third spirit ring.
"On Dugu Yan's birthday. The date is January 24th of next year."
After stating the date for the meeting with Dugu Bo, Jiang Jing explained to Yu Yan:
"Senior Dugu's whereabouts are unpredictable, and no one knows where he is. We can't expect him to wait for us, but he will definitely show up on Dugu Yan's birthday."
"And most importantly, Senior Dugu will never refuse a small request made by his granddaughter on her birthday."
There was a hint of cunning in Jiang Jing's eyes. The young Dugu Yan hadn't thought of that layer at all.
In fact, even if Dugu Yan had thought of it, she wouldn't have cared at all.
Over the years, many people had tried to contact Dugu Bo through Dugu Yan, but no faction had ever been as strange as the Exotic Beast Academy. They didn't need her to speak on their behalf or make any indirect promises; they just wanted to meet once and say a few words.
Such a unique request was the real reason Dugu Yan agreed to act as a bridge. She wanted to see what the Exotic Beast Academy was up to.
"Thank you, Academy, for mediating this. I will certainly keep this kindness in my heart."
Over these past months, Yu Yan had seen the academy's efforts and remembered them. There was a fair amount of genuine emotion in what he said.
It was now November 30th, 55 days away from Dugu Yan's birthday on January 24th next year. He had waited this long, so a little more time wouldn't hurt.
"This is something the academy promised you, so naturally we had to find a way to do it. Although I don't know what deal you want to make with Senior Dugu, I must warn you: the Poison Douluo has an eccentric personality and behaves erratically. You must be cautious with your words and actions when facing him. You'd better know what you're doing."
Jiang Jing's warning was also sincere. She didn't want the rare Genius that had finally appeared in her academy to perish prematurely because he offended Senior Dugu.
"Dean Jiang, rest assured. My deal with Senior Dugu is beneficial to both parties. I'm still young; I definitely won't do anything dangerous."
Whether it was from Dugu Bo's personality in the original book or his deeds in reality, everything indicated that Dugu Bo was a person of heavy sentiment and righteousness. He would not backstab a benefactor.
As long as he handed over the solution to the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul's flaw, he would definitely be able to obtain the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and earn Dugu Bo's friendship.
"I'm just reminding you. As long as you know what you're doing, it's fine."
Knowing Yu Yan's general character, Jiang Jing gave her reminder and then stopped nagging about the matter.
"Alright."
Yu Yan nodded and then shifted the conversation with Jiang Jing to other matters, such as the Exotic Beast Academy Team participating in next year's All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament.
Speaking of the Exotic Beast Academy Team, Jiang Jing let out a long sigh.
What else could be said? They could still squeeze into the finals, but their level was such that they wouldn't get a good ranking.
Regarding the goal for this session of the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament, Jiang Jing clearly stated she had only one goal: they absolutely could not lose to Balak Academy.
Because Yu Yan and Xiao Wu had joined the Exotic Beast Academy, although the Balak Kingdom hadn't taken any actual action against the academy, their daily verbal attacks and condemnations had not been lacking.
Was the Exotic Beast Academy willing to take it lying down? Naturally not.
The verbal sparring and condemnations between the two sides had recently become a source of amusement in the Spirit Master's world.
This led to a very mediocre relationship between the two academies. If they lost to Balak Academy in the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament, it would be a very humiliating thing.