Chapter 259: Dugu Yan's Swift Decisions, Yu Tianheng's Schemes

Su Ming was a bit surprised by Dugu Yan's sudden decision. In the original story, Dugu Yan was a rather proud individual.

Despite losing to Shrek in the Great Soul Arena, when she encountered Tang San's group again during the Soul Master Tournament, she behaved just as confidently as before, unlike Yu Tianheng, who felt inferior after their defeat.

Dugu Yan's reason for asking Qin Ming to leave the academy was simple: he had shown favoritism toward Shrek. She had already learned the nature of Shrek's members through Su Ming's diary and what had just unfolded.

She was also trying to show goodwill to Su Ming, as she needed his help.

Qin Ming's expression froze, disbelief written on his face. "Yan, what are you saying? I'm your teacher!"

Dugu Yan replied indifferently, "You know you're our teacher, yet you chose to side with outsiders? Didn't Su Ming explain things clearly enough? Can't you distinguish right from wrong? Well, you're no longer our teacher now."

She turned to the group behind her and said, "Alright, everyone, stop standing around here. Let's head back to the hotel. We'll leave for the academy early tomorrow."

Yu Feng spoke up in a low voice, "Captain, if Qin Ming is no longer our teacher, are we going to return on our own tomorrow? Our strength isn't weak, but we could still encounter danger."

Dugu Yan glanced at Su Ming discreetly and said casually, "Don't worry about that. I'll handle it."

"Yu Tianheng, can you lead the team back to the hotel? Lingling and I have something to take care of, and we'll return later."

Yu Tianheng was taken aback by Dugu Yan's decisive actions. Normally, given their relationship, he would have asked why she was staying behind, but his mind was preoccupied with how to obtain Su Ming's cultivation technique.

The best course of action, he thought, was to return quickly, write a letter, and have someone deliver it to the clan as fast as possible. Given the value of this cultivation technique, it would be ideal for his grandfather to personally handle the matter.

Judging by its description, Su Ming's technique was no less valuable than the clan's Dragon Transformation Secret Technique. Entrusting someone else with such a task wouldn't be reliable—what if they took the technique and fled?

His mind racing, Yu Tianheng left with the rest of the Emperor Team.

The private room now contained only Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the remaining members of Shrek. Oh, and the eavesdropping Bone Douluo.

Su Ming, of course, knew why Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had stayed behind. With everything that had happened inside the room, it was time to wrap things up. "Alright, I've said what I needed to say. Tang San, here's my final advice—don't try any tricks. Let's go, Xiao Wu, Rongrong, Zhuqing."

Flender, knowing the outcome was already decided, sighed heavily and carried the unconscious Dai Mubai out of the room.

Tang San, meanwhile, stood in place, staring blankly at Xiao Wu's departing figure. His emotions were a tangled mess—was his first love over before it had even begun?

Yu Xiaogang tried to comfort him. "Xiao San, don't dwell on this. I can assure you, your future achievements will surpass Su Ming's. This is only a temporary setback! Once you cultivate your Blue Silver Grass to the rank of Soul Sage, you'll be able to add spirit rings to your Clear Sky Hammer. And think about it—when your Clear Sky Hammer is enhanced with ten-thousand-year spirit rings, your power will undoubtedly surpass Su Ming's!"

Tang San nodded slightly, though his heart was still filled with frustration. Even if he surpassed Su Ming in strength, how would that change the fact that the woman he loved...

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, his resentment grew. He was determined to speed up the production of his high-level hidden weapons and deliver a fatal blow to Su Ming!

Unbeknownst to him, a faint, invisible black aura was emanating from him, absorbed by his Blue Silver Grass, which darkened in color.

After leaving the restaurant, Su Ming turned to Xiao Wu and the others, saying, "I have some matters to discuss with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. You three head back first."

Dugu Yan's expression was a bit ambiguous as she looked at Xiao Wu and the others. "I do have something to discuss with Su Ming. Also, since you're planning to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I could help with an introduction. After all, my grandfather is a Titled Douluo."

Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing understood why Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling wanted to speak with Su Ming, so they didn't interfere and left them to their conversation.

Su Ming discreetly glanced toward a certain direction and sent a mental message: "Bone Douluo, Senior, you should go see Rongrong first. I'll handle things here and meet you afterward to talk properly."

Su Ming knew Gu Rong would agree, as he would surely want to confront Rongrong about the situation after learning the truth. It was the perfect chance for him to talk with her while Su Ming was busy.

Leading Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling to a secluded area outside the city, Su Ming set up a barrier and, with a mischievous grin, said, "So, you both trust me this much? Aren't you afraid I might do something to you?"

Ye Lingling's cold gaze met his, and she calmly replied, "You won't. I don't sense any ill intentions."

She had already realized what the system had hinted at earlier: she and Su Ming might be able to use a Spirit Fusion ability together.

Her certainty came from a sense of connection between their spirits. She felt a natural closeness toward Su Ming.

Looking at Ye Lingling's beautiful, cold face and her sincere expression, Su Ming suddenly felt a bit guilty—he wasn't as pure-hearted as she thought.

"Ahem... Let's get down to business," Su Ming said awkwardly.

He turned to Dugu Yan. "You'll have to wait a bit. Your matter is more complicated, so I'll handle things with Ye Lingling first."

Dugu Yan nodded in agreement. Her situation wasn't simple, and she wasn't in a hurry.

"Ye Lingling, you've probably noticed the resonance between our spirits, right? How about we test it? We might be able to perform a Spirit Fusion technique together."

Su Ming extended his right hand.

Though hesitant at first—this was her first time making physical contact with a man—Ye Lingling's curiosity and desire to confirm the resonance made her slowly reach out and take his hand.

The moment their hands touched, Ye Lingling's body trembled slightly, and a faint blush appeared on her cold, beautiful face.