After returning to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with Ye Lingling, Oscar immediately used the excuse of going into seclusion to cultivate. Every day, even though Ye Lingling would come to check on him, the two of them would only share a meal or some tea together. Oscar really didn't seem to have any romantic interest in her.
However, once Ye Lingling decided on something, not even ten oxen could drag her back. As long as Oscar didn't clearly reject her, she wouldn't give up.
At the same time, in Spirit City, Ailan was fully immersed in his own pursuits. Every month, he would secretly sneak into the Spirit Hall to meet with Hu Liena.
Now that Hu Liena and her group had returned from the Death Canyon and rested, that trip could only be considered a warm-up. Bibi Dong planned to assign them even harsher training afterward.
At this moment, Hu Liena was spending time alone with Ailan in her small courtyard. After more than a year, her soul power had risen from level 51 to level 55.
This improvement wasn't purely from her own cultivation,she had also absorbed a ten-thousand-year-level head soul bone.
Hu Liena had already decided to head to the City of Slaughter for training. This was an important mission Bibi Dong had given her. Only by obtaining the Killing God Domain would she truly have the potential to inherit Bibi Dong's mantle.
Before she left, Bibi Dong personally gave her another head soul bone, no less valuable than the Wisdom Skull Bone from the Soul Master Tournament. That alone showed how much Bibi Dong loved and nurtured her.
Now Hu Liena was saying farewell to Ailan. Her departure might mean several years of separation,or even a final goodbye.
Because of that, Hu Liena was unusually melancholic. Ailan leaned back in his chair while she rested her head on his lap, gazing at the drifting clouds outside the window, her enchanting eyes filled with reluctance.
"I'm leaving," Hu Liena said softly.
Ailan gently stroked her hair, his tone full of tenderness. "Must you go? I heard that once someone enters that place, getting out alive is almost impossible."
Hu Liena closed her eyes, as if making a momentous decision. After a long silence, she opened them again. "Based on the news over the past year, Oscar's status in the Sword Sect is rising rapidly. If we want our plan to succeed long-term, we must take risks and push forward."
"Don't worry, I'll come back alive."
Ailan smiled helplessly. "I'm almost at level sixty now. The sect hasn't been suppressing me; in fact, they've been giving me the best resources."
Hearing this, Hu Liena looked at him quietly. Then Ailan suddenly changed his tone. "But I've realized something this past year. If there's one regret in my life, it's you."
"Since he sits in that position, I can too. You go without worry. Leave the rest to me. When you return, we'll move forward together."
Hu Liena smiled, truly happy.
"All right."
After Ailan quietly left, Bibi Dong appeared at Hu Liena's residence. Seeing her teacher suddenly arrive, Hu Liena bowed respectfully. "Teacher, why did you come in person?"
Looking at Hu Liena's smiling face, Bibi Dong couldn't help but feel emotional.
After a long pause, she spoke softly. "The Sword Sect's power grows stronger by the day. What you and Ailan plan to accomplish won't be easy. Keep working hard, my child."
"If the Sword Sect refuses to cooperate when the time comes, I will personally open a path for you."
Hearing those words, Hu Liena's eyes welled with tears. She knelt heavily on the ground. "Thank you for your kindness, Teacher. I will never fail your expectations."
Bibi Dong waved her hand. "Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Ghost will escort you to the City of Slaughter, but once you're inside, everything will depend on you."
Hu Liena nodded solemnly. "Yes, Teacher."
After Hu Liena left with the two Douluo, Bibi Dong returned to her villa. Yu Xiaogang was pruning flowers in the yard. Seeing her come back, he immediately went up to greet her.
"Has Nana left?" Yu Xiaogang asked.
Bibi Dong handed him her shawl. Her mood, though heavy, lightened slightly under his gentle tone.
"She's gone. A fledgling bird must learn to fly on its own before it can stand tall."
Yu Xiaogang set the shawl aside and offered her a cup of honeyed tea. "The children are all working so hard. I shouldn't stay idle either. There's something I'd like to ask of you."
At his words, Bibi Dong shot him a look. "Between us, do you still need to ask? If there's something you want, just say it. As long as I can grant it, I will."
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "I want to visit the Star Dou Forest myself. I've only studied theory all these years. I want to observe ten-thousand-year soul beasts firsthand and conduct real research."
Bibi Dong frowned. "Must you go? You're only around level thirty. The Star Dou Forest is too dangerous."
Yu Xiaogang replied, "The Star Dou Forest has the greatest variety of soul beasts. Only there can I get what I need. If I never take this step, I'll be stuck in theory forever,and mocked by that brat."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong remembered what he had told her before,how Oscar had humiliated him at Shrek Academy, and how even Flender had sided with that boy.
Looking at the slightly obsessive Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong finally nodded. "If this is for the sake of advancing knowledge, I'll assign several Red-Robed Bishops like Lord Loldia to accompany you."
Yu Xiaogang smiled in satisfaction. He knew she wouldn't send a Titled Douluo for his protection, but Soul Douluo-level guards were already more than enough.
As long as he didn't act recklessly, even in the Star Dou Forest, those three Soul Douluo would be able to keep him safe.
After confirming the plan, Yu Xiaogang immediately set out for the Star Dou Forest. Under the escort of three Soul Douluo, he was determined to enrich his practical experience,and one day slap Oscar in the face with it.
That kid might have some family background and talent, but before Yu Xiaogang, the so-called Master, he was still too green.
Three days passed since Flender had gone to see Gai Yue. Tang Hao had yet to receive a reply from Ye Haitang, so he was still staying at the Sword Sect. Oscar told him that the response should come within a day or two, so Tang Hao wasn't anxious.
Whenever Oscar finished handling official matters, he would spend time with Tang Hao. Tang Hao rather liked the young man and tried to teach him what he could.
But once he started, Tang Hao realized that Oscar seemed to know everything already.
Whether in cultivation or combat, Oscar's talent far exceeded Tang Hao's own at the same age. There was almost nothing left for Tang Hao to teach.
So instead, Tang Hao simply shared his past experiences,how he had trained step by step to reach his current level,hoping there might be something Oscar could learn from.
But this was hardly necessary. While there were others in the Sword Sect stronger than Tang Hao, Oscar still listened intently, since within the sect there was truly no one whose combat power surpassed Tang Hao's.
Gai Yue and Dugu Bo were both at level ninety-five as well, though the difference was that they had already condensed their soul cores.
That day, Flender sent word for Gai Yue to meet Xue Qingluan at the Lingyu Restaurant in Heaven Dou City around ten in the morning.
Gai Yue thought for a moment, then sent his clone from the Sword Sect's Moli City branch instead. He didn't expect much, but out of respect for Flender and Liu Erlong's good intentions, he decided to at least show up.
No one expected what happened next,after that meeting, Gai Yue's whole demeanor changed.
He had always treated marriage casually, but after meeting Xue Qingluan, he was completely different.
He started writing letters, even decorating the envelopes with little flourishes. Oscar noticed the change and couldn't help giving him a knowing grin.
Serving Gai Yue tea, Oscar teased, "It's only been a few days, and you're already in love? Didn't you say you weren't interested in women before?"
Gai Yue ignored him. He himself couldn't explain it. From the moment he met Xue Qingluan, something had felt different.
They had lunch together, and Xue Qingluan was talkative and lively, somehow opening him up as well. The meal lasted half a day as they talked endlessly.
Gai Yue realized that true resonance existed,that love at first sight wasn't just a myth.
Being a straightforward man, Gai Yue directly told her he liked her. He also said that since they'd only just met, he hoped they could spend more time together, and if she thought he was suitable, he'd personally come to propose marriage with a grand procession.
Xue Qingluan had come only out of politeness, not wanting to disappoint Liu Erlong. But after meeting Gai Yue, she found his presence strangely comforting.
Though not strikingly handsome, he had a unique charm that drew her in. They talked about many things that day.
Xue Qingluan still had some concerns, but she knew that if Gai Yue was sincere, those concerns wouldn't be difficult for the Sword Sect's Grand Elder to resolve. So she decided to get to know him better.
If their rapport remained as natural as their first meeting, there was no reason they couldn't be together.
Despite their age, both of them had been single their whole lives. Their first experience with romance was awkward and sweet, like that of young lovers.
With Oscar acting as a wingman, Gai Yue's relationship progressed quickly. Before long, he was often absent from the sect,clearly visiting Xue Qingluan at Tianshui Academy.
Oscar was happy for his teacher. After all, Gai Yue could use a capable and kind companion by his side.
While Gai Yue's romance blossomed, Tang Hao finally met Ye Haitang. Oscar had already told her about Tang Hao's situation long ago but had delayed her visit on purpose,to draw attention away from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
After examining Tang Hao's condition, Ye Haitang's expression grew serious. The Nine-Heart Begonia was indeed unmatched in healing, and with her current level eighty-five cultivation, she could practically bring the dead back to life.
But Tang Hao's ailments had accumulated for over a decade. Healing him wouldn't be a quick process, though it wasn't impossible.
To fully restore his body would take at least a year of careful treatment and a large number of rare medicinal ingredients.
Fortunately, with the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well as a treasure trove, that wasn't a problem for Ye Haitang. However, Tang Hao would need to pay a hefty price in return,she was no longer a free healer but a member of the Sword Sect.
Tang Hao was not only unbothered but actually thrilled. He promised that if she could heal him, he would agree to any condition.
After all, he had accumulated some resources and allies over the years through his connections with the Strength Clan.
Oscar saw an opportunity in this. If he played things right, he could gain a powerful free ally.
No one denied Tang Hao's strength. A man who achieved the title of Titled Douluo at forty-four,the youngest in history,was a born powerhouse.
If his body could recover, his current level ninety-five strength would easily rival a level ninety-six Super Douluo, and his explosive attacks would no longer harm him.
Before Oscar himself reached peak power, having Tang Hao as an ally was an excellent move.
As for the issue of the Blue Silver Emperor and the stolen hundred-thousand-year spirit bone, Oscar had already prepared a perfect cover story, having left evidence to blame the Spirit Hall long ago.
Once Ye Haitang finalized Tang Hao's treatment plan, Oscar invited him to stay at the Sword Sect. Feeding one more person was no trouble, and it allowed Oscar to keep a close eye on him.
Besides, having such a powerhouse on-site meant that if anyone dared cause trouble, there would be someone ready to deal with it.
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