Chapter 48: Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Paired with the God-Killing Spear!
"In certain duchies of the Heaven Dou Empire, once a soul master's cultivation reaches Rank Thirty, they can apply for a baron title."
"With your talent, obtaining a noble title in the future would be effortless."
At this point, Chen Xin finally threw out the olive branch he had long prepared:
"Of course, if you're unwilling to waste time chasing a title."
"As long as you're willing, I can write you a letter of recommendation."
"With my standing, recommending a genius with innate full soul power into Heaven Dou Royal Academy is not something those Education Committee members would dare refuse."
"Even without a noble title, no one would dare block your way."
Hearing this, the Dean's eyes lit up immediately.
He hurriedly leaned toward Lin Yuan and began frantically hinting at him in a low voice:
"Lin Yuan! Agree quickly!"
"Don't make another foolish mistake this time!"
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy! That's a top-tier academy with mimetic cultivation environments!"
"It's the place with the best resources in the entire empire!"
Seeing that the timing was just right, Lin Yuan no longer put on airs.
He slightly bowed toward Chen Xin, gratitude shining in his eyes.
"Then I'll have to thank Sword Douluo for your guidance."
"Once my soul power reaches Rank Twenty and I graduate from here, I will definitely head to Heaven Dou City."
With the matter settled, Ning Rongrong secretly made a "yes" gesture in her heart.
As long as Lin Yuan went to Heaven Dou City, wouldn't that mean they'd have plenty of time together?
At that moment, Dugu Yan—who had been standing beside Dugu Bo the whole time—finally couldn't hold herself back anymore.
"Lin Yuan."
Dugu Yan stepped forward, her emerald-green eyes blazing with a competitive fire.
She was tall, well-developed, and with her battle intent surging, she looked especially valiant and heroic.
"My name is Dugu Yan. How about we spar?"
"Since Sword Douluo has praised you to the skies."
"Saying you're a once-in-a-century genius who's even comprehended spear intent."
"Then I'm really curious."
"Just how talented are you? How strong are you?"
"Perfect timing—I'd like to see whether this so-called spear intent is really that powerful!"
Dugu Yan's challenge had a very clear purpose.
First, she truly was competitive and wanted to test Lin Yuan's strength.
Second—and far more importantly—
She needed to create an "interaction" with Lin Yuan. Only by fighting him and leaving a deep impression could she possibly be mentioned in his diary.
And once that happened, maybe he'd casually mention the specific method to detoxify the poison—then both her life and her grandfather's life would be saved!
Looking at the battle-ready Dugu Yan, the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth lifted slightly.
Of course, he understood this woman's little scheme.
"A spar?"
"Perfect."
…
As Dugu Yan's challenge rang out, the surrounding air seemed to heat up instantly.
The God-Killing Spear in Lin Yuan's hand trembled slightly, releasing a clear, dragon-like hum. The spear tip pointed straight at Dugu Yan, that youthful sharpness making even the two Title Douluo present nod in approval.
"Since Poison Douluo's granddaughter is in the mood."
"Then I'll respectfully comply."
Lin Yuan wore a faint smile, his posture upright like a pine.
He also wanted to see just how overbearing the Dugu Clan's Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison really was in the early stages.
However, just as Dugu Yan was about to activate her martial soul and make her move—
Dugu Bo, who had been standing beside her, suddenly frowned and stepped forward, blocking the two of them.
"Nonsense!"
Dugu Bo's face darkened as he looked at his overly fired-up granddaughter, reproach evident in his tone.
"Yan Yan, how old are you already? Don't you have any sense?"
"You're a Rank Twenty-Seven Soul Grandmaster, while this kid Lin Yuan has only awakened his martial soul a few months ago—at most, he's Rank Eleven or Twelve."
"And your Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison is incredibly vicious. A touch causes injury, contact spells death!"
"Is this a spar? You're trying to kill the boy!"
"If this gets out, that my Dugu Bo's granddaughter bullied the weak and young, where would I put my face?"
Being scolded like this, the green soul power rising from Dugu Yan's body immediately stalled.
She froze for a moment, then looked at the six- or seven-year-old boy in front of her and finally came back to her senses.
"Ah… right."
Dugu Yan scratched her head awkwardly, a blush of embarrassment appearing on her face.
She had been too focused on how to establish a "bond" with Lin Yuan and leave a strong impression.
She'd completely forgotten the massive gap in their cultivation levels.
"Then… what do we do?"
Dugu Yan muttered dejectedly.
"I can't exactly suppress my soul power and fight, can I? I can't even properly control the poison that way."
Watching this scene, Lin Yuan laughed inwardly.
This Dugu Yan—despite her fiery personality—was actually rather adorably clueless in some areas.
Still, this fight was happening today, no matter what.
Just as the situation seemed to reach a stalemate—
A clear, pleasant voice like a golden oriole suddenly chimed in.
"Hehe, Sister Yan Yan, isn't this easy to solve?"
Ning Rongrong clasped her hands behind her back and walked lightly to Lin Yuan's side, her lively eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Since your level is higher, I'll just buff Lin Yuan a bit to even the gap, won't that do?"
Before her words even finished—
Ning Rongrong spread her jade-like palm, soul power surging within her.
"Eight Treasures turn forth—Glazed Light!"
With that familiar incantation, a crystalline, radiant treasure pagoda slowly emerged from her palm, shining with dazzling multicolored light.
"Eight-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
Lin Yuan exclaimed subconsciously, his face filled with perfectly timed shock and disbelief.
That acting—
An Oscar was practically guaranteed.
After all, in the original setting, the Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had only seven levels—an unbreakable rule.
If he didn't look shocked, that would be suspicious instead.
Seeing Lin Yuan's stunned expression, Ning Rongrong secretly let out a sigh of relief, then allowed a smug smile to curve her lips.
Her eyes twinkled slightly as she delivered the explanation she had long prepared.
"That's right!"
"Lin Yuan, you're not seeing things."
"I'm the first person in the entire history of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to possess innate full soul power!"
"Maybe because my talent was just too good, my martial soul underwent a benign mutation."
At this point, Ning Rongrong sighed, looking a little regretful.
"Unfortunately, my martial soul only evolved into the Eight-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—not the legendary Nine-Treasure version."
In truth, Ning Rongrong's heart was pounding.
'Did I act well enough?'
'I didn't slip up anywhere, right?'
'Lin Yuan shouldn't be suspicious… right?'
Beside them, Chen Xin stroked his beard and smiled proudly.
"Indeed."
"Rongrong's talent is truly the greatest our sect has seen in ten thousand years."
"She has broken the shackle that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda cannot surpass Rank Eighty."
"Perhaps as her level rises further, or if she encounters some great opportunity, her martial soul may yet evolve again into the Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Chen Xin looked at Lin Yuan with anticipation in his eyes.
"Letting Rongrong join in is a good thing."
"Lin Yuan, the world's number one support paired with your top-tier power-attack type martial soul."
"I'm quite curious myself."
"What kind of combat power will that combination unleash?"
"Would you be willing to show me?"
—
End of Chapter