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An incense stick's time later, with the help of auxiliary-type soul masters, Ning Tianchen and Feng Xiaotian's soul power had recovered by more than half.
Because of Feng Xiaotian's presence, the afternoon training session was changed to a series of friendly sparring matches.
On a whim, Feng Xiaotian decided to spar with the Yu Die sisters.
The two sisters' coordination was already extremely fluid, and since Feng Xiaotian wasn't familiar with their martial souls, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage early in the match.
With his soul power and stamina not yet fully recovered to their peak, Feng Xiaotian eventually lost to the sisters' mixed doubles assault.
Ning Tianchen's previous victory over them was partly due to the suppression of their martial souls. After all, the butterfly wing guillotine wasn't a true blade or sword, and it would be at a disadvantage when clashing directly with the Seven Kill Sword. This naturally restricted their movements.
Feng Xiaotian's wolf claws, however, were far sharper than the butterfly wing guillotine. Once the sisters unleashed their full potential, they moved as if no one could stop them.
Feng Xiaotian smiled bitterly. "I thought you two were rather unremarkable, but I didn't expect you to be this formidable. This match is my loss."
Yu Die crossed her arms and said with a smile, "We've been working together for a long time. Unless there's a martial soul suppression, it's almost impossible for a single person to defeat us."
Feng Xiaotian suddenly felt a twinge of envy toward Ning Tianchen. Having such teammates must make spirit duels much easier for him.
As for Divine Wind Academy, unless something unexpected happened, this year's team would rely entirely on him to carry the burden.
Being the core of a team naturally provided countless opportunities to showcase oneself. But at the same time, he would also bear the entire pressure of the team.
If there was an opportunity to win effortlessly, who would want to exhaust themselves fighting against everyone on the field?
The afternoon's training ultimately ended amidst laughter and joy.
Before leaving, Ke Jie approached Feng Xiaotian.
"Principal Ke, do you need something?" Feng Xiaotian was genuinely worried that Ke Jie would try to recruit him into Seven Treasures Academy.
Leaving Divine Wind Academy wasn't a decision he could make on his own.
As a member of a prominent family, every word and action had to be made with the family's interests in mind—he couldn't act impulsively.
Ke Jie smiled and said, "This old man noticed that your self-created soul skill is similar to the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique of the Hao Tian Sect. Coincidentally, I've studied the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique, so I believe I can teach you how to cultivate your self-created soul skill."
Feng Xiaotian froze in place, astonished. "Principal Ke, are you joking?"
Although he had heard of the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique, he had never seen it firsthand, so he couldn't confirm whether Ke Jie's words were true.
If they were true, he might have to join Seven Treasures Academy to receive Ke Jie's guidance.
Ke Jie wasn't in a rush. He said, "You can ask the elders in your family about it when you return, and you'll know whether I'm telling the truth."
After Feng Xiaotian left, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong approached Ke Jie.
"Principal Ke, do you really know the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique?" Ning Rongrong asked, blinking curiously.
Among the top three sects, they were all competitors, and each had meticulously studied the others' martial souls and techniques.
For example, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's Dragon Transformation Secret Technique—Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had documented no fewer than three methods to counter it.
Although the Hao Tian Sect had withdrawn from public view, scholars within the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had never stopped researching the Hao Tian Hammer.
Ke Jie confidently stated, "This old man has never seen the secret manual of the Chaotic Windsplitting Hammer Technique, but I've witnessed many people using it. Based on my research in recent years, combined with Feng Xiaotian's own insights, helping him elevate his self-created soul skill to eighty-one consecutive strikes shouldn't be difficult."
---
In the following days, Ning Tianchen hadn't received a reply from Feng Xiaotian.
Day by day passed, and the construction of Seven Treasures Academy continued at a feverish pace.
One day.
A figure clad in dark green entered the grounds of Tiandou Imperial Academy.
Surprisingly, the academy guards didn't stop the white-haired, hemp-clothed elder.
At this time, after Qin Ming's psychological counseling, the Imperial Team had gradually emerged from the shadow of their defeat and begun the next phase of their training.
Compared to before, the members of the Imperial Team had reined in their arrogance and no longer rebelled against Qin Ming's training arrangements.
Suddenly, Dugu Yan, who was in the middle of her cultivation, sensed a familiar presence.
She quickly informed Qin Ming, "Teacher Qin, my grandfather has arrived. I won't be able to participate in the rest of today's training."
Qin Ming nodded in agreement.
Dugu Bo visited the academy periodically to check on Dugu Yan's cultivation progress and even personally taught her.
Yu Tianheng grabbed her arm and asked, "Yanzi, why don't I come with you to see Lord Dugu?"
As the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, everything he did was for the benefit of his sect.
His feelings for Dugu Yan weren't fake, but he wanted to use this relationship to bring Dugu Bo into the family. At that point, with two Title Douluo under its banner, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family would surely rise to glory once again.
Dugu Yan shook her head. "Tianheng, let's save it for next time."
---
Dugu Bo was well aware of his intentions. Visiting at this moment would only provoke resentment from the other side.
Dugu Yan returned to her dormitory, where Dugu Bo was already waiting.
"Yanyan, have you encountered any problems in your cultivation recently?" Dugu Bo asked anxiously.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent martial soul possessed powerful poison abilities, but the toxins accumulated in the body would backlash as one's cultivation improved. Several generations of the Dugu family had short lifespans because of this.
Only Dugu Bo, through a stroke of luck, had broken through to become a Title Douluo, temporarily suppressing the toxins within him.
Dugu Yan was his granddaughter and his only remaining family member. Naturally, he didn't want her to die prematurely due to the toxins.
Dugu Yan replied impatiently, "Grandpa, you always ask me this question. This is Tiandou Imperial Academy. Even if Teacher Qin can't answer my questions, there are still three elders here, aren't there?"
Seeing her normal complexion, Dugu Bo sighed in relief and stopped asking further questions.
After chatting for a while, Dugu Yan couldn't help but ask, "By the way, Grandpa, do you know of any alcohol that can neutralize the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison?"
Dugu Bo was puzzled. "Alcohol?"
Some weaker snake venoms could indeed be neutralized by alcohol. But the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison was extraordinary—even strong liquor wouldn't suffice, would it?
"Yanyan, did that brat Yu Tianheng say something to confuse you?"
Dugu Yan shook her head and recounted the events of that day's spirit duel.
"A disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect?" Dugu Bo was shocked.
He had no connection with the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, but if they had a method to counter the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison, he would lose his advantage completely. If the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect wanted to harm him, without the threat of poison, any single Bone Sword Elder could easily subdue him.
Even if they didn't kill him but used this as leverage to force him to do certain things—
At that point, would he comply or resist?
This wasn't just about losing a spirit duel—it was a matter of life and death for the Dugu family.
"Yanyan, who was that person?"
Even if it meant offending the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, Dugu Bo had to capture this person and interrogate them for details.
Dugu Yan warned, "Grandpa, don't act recklessly. Ning Tianchen's martial soul is the Seven Kill Sword—he might be the successor of the Sword Spirit Elder. Moreover, he could very well become the future leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect."
These pieces of information, she had overheard from Yu Tianheng.
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