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"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is a treasure of the entire Douluo Continent. Since it has fallen into the hands of a soul master, it should naturally become the shared wealth of the soul master community. I will establish this place as a foundation for the Academy, providing welfare and growth for all soul masters," Su Wen declared.
Dugu Bo nodded, showing no signs of dissatisfaction. "In that case, I am at ease." At the very least, such a sanctuary would not go to waste.
"Grandpa Dugu, on behalf of the soul master community, I thank you for your contribution. The Academy only seeks ownership of the well. As for planting herbs or performing mimicry cultivation within this valley, I will not stand in anyone's way."
Whether someone was permitted to enter was no longer solely Su Wen's concern. He instructed Dugu Bo to weaken the surrounding toxic miasma just enough to deter soul beasts without being lethal to human soul masters.
But simply making it public wasn't enough. Su Wen summoned his Heavenly Tome. Pages fluttered above the twin eyes of the spring, seemingly manifesting and absorbing the profound artistic conceptions within.
Simultaneously, within his "Academic Realm," a new space began to tear open.
Rumble!
Rather than a palace, what opened this time was a replica of the valley itself. Su Wen perfectly mirrored the geography, using the pages of his Tome to transport the unique essence of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well into his mental world. While not a 100% physical duplicate, it was enough to project the aura of Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire for mimicry cultivation.
Dugu Bo watched with a complex gaze. This was Su Wen's way of ensuring the well's benefits reached the entire world. As Su Wen's contributions grew, Dugu Bo found himself unable to fathom the young man's ultimate goal. If the initial public release of cultivation methods was for fame or protection, what was the motive now? Su Wen's name as a "Grandmaster" already made the Pope wary and earned him the devotion of nearly every soul master. Why keep giving?
Was it truly out of a sincere desire for the strength of the soul master world? Dugu Bo marveled, his respect for Su Wen deepening. Regardless of the motive, Su Wen's actions earned him the reverence of all.
"Grandpa Dugu, I've called you here today because I need your help with something," Su Wen said, glancing at the uninvited Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng looked uncomfortable under that gaze. He knew he and his clan were alienated because of his uncle, Yu Xiaogang. A once-promising relationship had been strained to this point, and Tianheng couldn't help but feel a heavy resentment toward his uncle's actions.
Dugu Bo coughed. He had asked Dugu Yan to bring Yu Tianheng along in hopes of mending the rift. "What kind of help?"
"I plan to take action against the Stone Monster tribe deep in the Sunset Forest. I need you to step in," Su Wen replied.
"Oh?" Dugu Bo was surprised. The Stone Monsters were a massive tribe with multiple 10,000-year members. Even three Title Douluos would struggle to wipe them out entirely without some collateral. Having faced their 60,000-year leader and its 50,000-year lieutenants—and their devastating fusion attacks—Dugu Bo knew their power well.
When Su Wen offered no further explanation, Dugu Bo didn't press him. He considered it for a moment and agreed. "Very well!"
"Xiao Wen."
As Su Wen and Dugu Bo prepared to leave, Yu Tianheng spoke up, his expression heavy. "My uncle offended you greatly. I am deeply sorry. Thank you for sparing his life; the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan owes you." He pulled a black box from his storage tool. "This is our clan's apology."
A flicker of light crossed Su Wen's eyes. He took the box and stowed it away. "You're too kind. As long as he doesn't have another 'episode' in the future, I won't pay him much mind," Su Wen said dismissively.
Sparing Yu Xiaogang hadn't been about the clan's prestige; it was simply that Su Wen didn't want to provoke a certain "madwoman" just yet. The apology gift was an unexpected bonus.
"We will be facing over a dozen 10,000-year Stone Monsters. You two shouldn't come; it's too dangerous," Su Wen said to Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng.
Dugu Yan looked pouted. If Ning Rongrong could go, why couldn't they?
"Yan'er should come along," Dugu Bo countered. "She's been at Level 50 for a while. This is a good chance to get her fifth ring."
Su Wen didn't refuse.
"I'll go to support Yan'er too," Yu Tianheng added, hoping to contribute and perhaps ease the tension with Su Wen through battle.
Dugu Bo sighed, looking at Yu Tianheng with some helplessness. The boy was talented and decent, but too conventional and occasionally indecisive. Su Wen clearly didn't need a Soul King's help; he was excluding them for a reason. Specifically, excluding him.
"Tianheng, go back to your clan for now. Do you think I would fail to get the best possible ring for my own granddaughter?"
Noticing Dugu Bo's pointed look, Yu Tianheng relented. "Xiao Wen, I'll head back then. Yan'er, I'm going."
"Xiao Wen, Tianheng and the clan's attitude toward you has always been friendly. It's just that Yu Xiaogang is... well, he's a piece of work," Dugu Bo said once they were alone.
"Grandpa Dugu, I don't hold a grudge against the whole clan because of one man. Rest assured."
Vengeance will be had, just not today. When Su Wen no longer feared Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang would still have to die. For now, he just wouldn't let him live comfortably. Excluding Yu Tianheng was a deliberate message to the clan, ensuring their internal treatment of Yu Xiaogang would only worsen.
As for the risk of his relationship with Dugu Bo soured because of the clan? Su Wen didn't care. He had chosen not to pursue Dugu Yan romantically from the start, and he wouldn't regret it now. To fake a romance just for Dugu Bo's support would betray his own character.
"Xiao Wen, what's the plan? Are you researching the Stone Monster species?"
"I need their spirit rings. The more, the better. The higher the age, the better," Su Wen revealed.
"But you already have a Stone Monster ring," Dugu Bo said, confused. He hadn't heard of the Ring Substitution Method yet. Now that he was powerful enough to be less secretive, Su Wen explained the technique.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "You want to push a Stone Monster ring to the 100,000-year level?"
"Exactly."
"Then we're in for a real fight," Dugu Bo noted. Even with Su Wen's Title Douluo-level combat power, the fusion attacks of the three tribe leaders required careful handling.
"The area where they live also has traces of Medusas. If we find one of the right age, it would be a perfect fifth ring for Yan'er." Though her Jade Phosphor Serpent had strong dragon blood now, a Medusa ring remained highly compatible.
Medusa? Su Wen remembered Dugu Bo possessed a Medusa head spirit bone. "That place might truly be special..." he thought.
The remains of Stone Monsters were valuable ores with unique energy fluctuations. Su Wen had collected some for research before but had been too busy to follow up. Now that his Third Trial required a 100,000-year Stone Monster ring, he had re-examined his samples. There was something in those remains he hadn't sensed before—but he could now.
Deep in the Sunset Forest, at the rocky heights, Su Wen let out a faint smile. I was right. There are traces of a God here.
Dugu Bo was baffled by Su Wen's sudden joy. "Grandpa Dugu, I think your 'great opportunity' has arrived."
"My opportunity?" Dugu Bo was stunned. He thought he was just doing Su Wen a favor. For Su Wen to call it an "opportunity" for a Level 94 Poison Douluo, it had to be something that could push him to Level 95 and beyond.
Dugu Bo didn't doubt Su Wen; he was only curious. "What kind of opportunity?"
Su Wen could have invited the Sword or Bone Douluos, or even the Zhatian Douluo, yet he chose him. Dugu Bo felt a surge of gratitude. If Xiao Wen and the Blue Lightning clan ever come to blows, I'm standing with Xiao Wen, he decided silently. As for Yan'er and that boy... if Tianheng tries to force her to side against Xiao Wen, I'll break them up myself. At most, we lose one Immortal Herb.
"Grandpa Dugu, have you ever heard of 'Deities'?" Su Wen asked instead.
Deities? The word immediately brought the legend of Level 100 ascension to mind. Dugu Bo's heart hammered. Was it that big?
"Soul masters reaching Level 100?"
Su Wen shook his head. "A soul master over Level 100 is a god-level master, but not necessarily a 'Deity.' There is a difference. A Deity is one who possesses a 'Divine Seat'—a Godhead."
Dugu Bo's breath hitched. A Divine Seat?
"A Divine Seat isn't simple, but there is a high probability of a deity's legacy here. I'm just not sure what level it is."
Even getting an inheritance trial would be a massive stroke of luck. Dugu Bo took a deep breath to steady himself. "Xiao Wen, does this have to do with the Stone Monsters?" He thought of the Sea God and his followers. "Are these monsters... the followers of this deity?"
"Precisely," Su Wen nodded. "I believe this entire tribe is the handiwork of a God."
(End of Chapter)