"Where are you going?" Steve asked, noticing Dave walking toward the academy's main gates.
Dave looked back casually, his posture relaxed. "Nothing too serious. I'm just heading out to travel for a while. We're already strong enough—and unlike the rest of you, I'm not really bound by many limitations. I can recover most of my original power whenever I choose, and with the academy now stable, there's not much left here to keep me grounded. So, I figured it's time to roam the continent."
Steve nodded slowly, arms crossed across his chest.
"As much as I'd love to join you… this world isn't kind," he said quietly. "People kill just to thin out the competition. One wrong move and you're gone."
"And I'm not like you," Steve added with a sigh. "I don't have the strength to survive something like that. Not yet."
Dave gave a light laugh and stepped forward, briefly patting Steve's shoulder. "Well, when you reach Titled Douluo level, it won't matter anymore. Once you've reached that point, you'll be free to walk wherever you want—no one will dare stop you."
He turned to walk away but paused mid-step, smirking over his shoulder. "Also, get yourself a girl already. Stop clinging to the past. Even Peggy wouldn't have wanted you stuck like this forever."
Steve offered a faint smile, touched by the words. "Maybe… maybe I'll try." And he went back in the Academy.
Dave gave a soft nod, stepping to the side and watching the sunset as it cast a golden-orange hue over the academy. The day was drawing to a close—but for Dave, it marked the beginning of something new.
Moments later, another figure appeared from the academy's entrance—it was Meilin.
She walked toward him with calm, confident steps.
Dave turned slightly, eyes soft. "Are you ready to go?"
She gave a quiet smile and nodded. "Yes, I am."
And with that, the two of them walked away from the academy. Their first stop would be within Tian Dou City—a momentary pause in familiar territory before their long journey began.
"Where are we going?" Meilin asked curiously as they strolled down the road.
"Hm… just to an inn for now. Let's rest tonight—we'll begin traveling properly tomorrow morning," Dave answered with ease.
Meilin's cheeks turned pink almost instantly, her mind racing with innocent assumptions. An inn… just the two of them? Her thoughts spiraled wildly, and she suddenly found herself avoiding his gaze, her entire face heating up like an ember.
Dave noticed her sudden change and couldn't help but chuckle quietly. It didn't take much to realize she had misunderstood.
She's thinking this is some kind of romantic getaway…
But that wasn't it at all.
He had a specific goal in mind. The inn he selected was the same one where Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were staying. His real aim was to get close to Dugu Yan.
Dave knew that if he helped her—especially with the Dugu Clan's internal poison issues and the burden she carried due to her grandfather's dangerous martial spirit—she would slowly start to open up to him.
Through her, he planned to take control of Dugu Bo's Medicine Garden. Though Dave was already strong, he couldn't afford to leave such an invaluable resource for Tang San to find. Especially not someone like him—a so-called hero in this world, yet cruel enough to shatter his own daughter's soul in three pieces for the sake of cultivation.
Such a person couldn't be allowed to keep growing stronger—for the safety of countless innocents across the continent.
Eventually, Dave and Meilin arrived at the inn. As they entered, the innkeeper offered a respectful bow.
"Please, young master, have a seat. I'll bring the tea shortly."
Dave nodded and sat down with Meilin. After a few minutes, the innkeeper returned and led two young women down from the second floor. One had striking green hair, the other wore a delicate veil, her laughter soft and distant as she chatted quietly with her companion.
Dave's eyes flicked toward them, recognizing them immediately. He stood up calmly and walked over as they took their seats in the dining area.
"Excuse me," he said politely.
Both girls turned toward him, faint curiosity in their expressions.
Dugu Yan tilted her head slightly, a small amused smile on her face. "Yes? What can we do for you?"
Dave offered a courteous smile in return. "My name is Dave. I came over because I sensed something unusual. I don't know how familiar you are with your condition, but your martial spirit is… compromised. The toxin in your spirit is no longer just affecting others—it's starting to erode your own spiritual core."
Dugu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't understand. I wield the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial spirit. I'm meant to control poison—how could it be hurting me?"
Dave remained calm and steady. "It's because you've reached a point where your spirit's toxins aren't being expelled fast enough. They're starting to settle in your marrow. It's forming a toxic loop inside your own body that your spirit power alone can't stabilize."
Meilin stood silently behind him, watching attentively.
Dave continued, "There's a way to temporarily suppress it—but it's risky. You could store the poison in a spirit bone, using it as a sort of reservoir. That would slow down the internal damage and buy you time to recover. Of course, it's not a permanent fix. Even spirit bones have their limits."
He took a respectful step back. "You may not believe me. That's fine. But if things worsen—or if your body starts showing symptoms—you're welcome to come find me at Shrek Academy. I'll help you however I can."
With that, Dave nodded politely and turned back to Meilin. Together, they ascended the stairs, heading toward the room they had reserved for the night—leaving behind a pair of slightly dazed girls who weren't sure what to make of the encounter.
"Sister Yan, do you think he was just spouting nonsense to get our attention?" Ye Lingling asked quietly after they had returned to their rooms.
Dugu Yan, her closest friend, frowned slightly and shook her head. "I don't think so. He seemed sincere… and besides, my grandfather is a Titled Douluo. Anyone with ill intentions wouldn't dare lie to someone from my family—especially not with such a serious claim."
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