Heavenly Dou Royal Academy
When word got out that Yin Xuan had come back, Dugu Yan didn't stick around.
"Dugu Yan, want to grab lunch together later?" Yu Tianheng called out, sounding friendly but with that confidence that comes with being from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He always acted like he owned the place, elegant in every move.
"I've made plans already," Dugu Yan replied, pausing just a moment before shutting him down.
She walked off before Yu Tianheng could say another word, leaving the Academy grounds.
Yu Tianheng frowned, clearly bothered. "This is so hard," he muttered. "I'm not bad-looking, so why is she so cold to me?"
He remembered what folks had been saying about Dugu Yan: She has a thing for pretty faces. Only the best-looking guys catch her eye.
The bet between Dugu Yan and Yin Xuan had everyone talking, Yu Tianheng included.
He started questioning things. "How handsome is this Yin Xuan, anyway? Does he really look better than me?"
He randomly approached a girl nearby. "Hey, do you know Yin Xuan?"
She looked about Dugu Yan's age — slim, elegant, with striking long legs. Her blue hair flowed down her back, deep blue eyes set in a face mostly covered by a black veil. She wore a black dress instead of a school uniform, which only made her stand out more.
She glanced at Yu Tianheng, didn't say a word, just shook her head and walked away.
Yu Tianheng just stared after her, touching his face as if double-checking his good looks. He used to have girls chasing him all the time. Now? He suddenly felt less appealing.
—
Dugu Mansion
The garden's peace got shattered by the sharp crack of a spear.
Yin Xuan stood tall, Overlord Spear gripped tight in his hands — dark gold and blue silver glistened coldly as he held it, feeling it pulse with his bloodline.
The Ice and Fire Body Refinement made him stronger. It gave his Dark Blue Silver Emperor martial soul immunity to both ice and fire, and with the Jade Bamboo, his soul power shot up, boosting his martial spirit even more. Not just immune — better, tougher, and more vital. As long as it had breath, the Dark Blue Silver Emperor stuck around. Now, it was as hard as black iron; Soul Masters on his level couldn't even scratch it.
With all that added toughness, the Overlord Spear got sharper.
Yin Xuan took a deep breath and twisted his waist, launching a sudden thrust. The spear tip shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, straight and unwavering, loaded with bold energy.
It felt like he could punch a hole right through space.
The Soul Breaking Spear, handed down in the Breaking Clan, was pure offense. No defense, just relentless attacks — always aiming for the enemy's weak spots. Soul skills? All offensive. Defending wasn't on the table; they lived for that single, decisive strike.
Yin Xuan kept driving his spear forward, slicing a clean arc in the air. The gusts from each swing made flowers and branches dance. Not once did he back down.
"Will you stop wrecking my garden?" Dugu Bo groaned from the side. "Honestly, the place isn't big enough for you to keep thrashing about!"
Yin Xuan ignored the complaint, raised his spear, and jumped. The ground shook from that single, massive strike. When he sheathed his spear, his hand tingled from the force. He stared at the vibrating gunpoint — that fierce energy ran right through the shaft and into him.
"It's weird, you know," Dugu Bo said, shaking his head. "A plant-type Soul Master with a weapon-type soul skill? Doesn't make sense. Plant souls are usually control types or that... annoying chrysanthemum barrier stuff." He grimaced, remembering how strong "Chrysanthemum Pass" was despite his annoyance with the poetry every time he released the ninth soul skill. "Chrysanthemums wilt, scars remain...," Dugu Bo shuddered at the memory.
Yin Xuan just shrugged. "This move's actually a single-target attack soul skill. It keeps its form and works like a real weapon." He shifted the spear in his hand as it turned to dark golden light, gathering in his palm. "You want to see what it can do?"
"I haven't hit anyone with it yet," he admitted.
Dugu Bo grinned. "Go for it! I'll test your soul skill's strength. Don't hold back, I won't dodge!"
Yin Xuan focused, golden light pulsing from his right hand — the dark golden spear stretched to three meters, looking sharper than ever. Suddenly, that whole spear shrank into a point of light and shot at Dugu Bo at crazy speed. As his power grew, his first soul ring evolved — now it packed the punch of a Soul Master's fourth ring. The strength matched the fourth soul skill, not just the first.
When Dugu Bo said he wouldn't hide, he meant it. His pupils narrowed to vertical slits as he grabbed the spear tip, stopping the strike cold with soul power braced in his hand.
The spear buzzed, vibrating in his grip, but he held firm.
"It's your first soul skill but hits like a fourth. Is that how your soul skill attacks?" Dugu Bo asked.
Yin Xuan nodded. "That's right. But honestly, soul skills aren't enough. I've been working to break through my clan's spear technique. Their marksmanship pairs well with my soul skills — both depend on momentum. No stalling, just straight to the point. But their style is still too basic."
Dugu Bo chuckled. "Soul Masters fight with soul skills, not old spear tricks. That isn't a real soul skill; it's just some tips about using a spear."
Yin Xuan smiled, ready for more. "I've got a combo move. Want to see how it works?"