Sunset Forest
Time flies like an arrow; the days and months pass swiftly. It has already been a month since the return to Heaven Dou City.
During this month, life has been simple for Zuzong. He occasionally attended lectures, completed his daily training, and spent weekends accompanying Xiao Wu around Heaven Dou City.
In addition to that, every few days, Zuzong would travel to the world of "Legend Of Qin" to visit the Yunmeng Mountain's Ghost Valley. He would ask Xuan Jian for guidance on swordsmanship and also deliver supplies. As for Xuan Jian's injury, under Zuzong's treatment with his Nine Yang Divine Skill's soul power, it was healed in just one day.
By the way, our so-called "Number One Pretender of Legend Of Qin," Uncle Wei Zhuang, often challenged Xuan Jian due to his superior sword skills, but ended up being beaten thoroughly.
After seeing Zuzong learning swordsmanship from Xuan Jian, Wei Zhuang also challenged Zuzong. Without comparing inner strength (soul power), they only competed in sword skills. However, under Zuzong's powerful Sharingan, Wei Zhuang was beaten even worse. Zuzong even learned quite a bit of Wei Zhuang's sword style, leaving the self-proclaimed "king of pretenders" questioning his life.
-
-
-
-
One morning, the members of the Emperor Team gathered as usual in the bamboo forest behind the mountain.
Zuzong took a sip of tea and looked around, noticing that everyone was present except for Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng.
Speaking of Dugu Yan, Zuzong found it odd. A month ago, on the way back to Heaven Dou City, Zuzong casually mentioned that she might have been poisoned, intending to lure out her grandfather, Dugu Bo, so he could visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
However, upon returning, Dugu Yan disappeared, and no one had seen her for a month. Even the academy teachers didn't know where she went. As for Yu Tianheng, he had been in seclusion, trying to break through the 40th level. Whether he succeeded or not was still unknown.
Interestingly, within the past month or two, everyone seemed to have made a breakthrough. The pressure from Zuzong and Xiao Wu was too overwhelming.
The most impressive one was Xiao Wu, who had recently advanced from level 34 to 35 in a short time. Even Zuzong, usually calm, was amazed. Apart from her natural soul beast transformation talent, the "Transformation Pill" had significantly enhanced her cultivation ability. Zuzong, who worked hard every day, hadn't yet reached level 40, while Xiao Wu, with just a little effort, saw her soul power rapidly increase.
However, Zuzong felt that his breakthrough to level 40 was just around the corner.
At that moment, Qin Ming and Yu Tianheng arrived, both smiling.
Zuzong examined Yu Tianheng and sensed that his soul power had reached the 40th level.
Qin Ming smiled and said, "I called everyone here not for training, but because last night, Tianheng successfully broke through to level 40."
Hearing this, everyone was happy for Yu Tianheng.
"Congratulations, Boss!"
"Wow, Boss, you broke through to level 40 so fast."
Zuzong also nodded and smiled, "Congratulations, Tianheng. You are the first among us to break through to level 40."
Yu Tianheng's smile faded slightly. It was true that he was the first to reach level 40, but it had taken him more than half a year to break through from level 39. Others who reached level 35 took about half a year to advance a level, yet Zuzong and Xiao Wu seemed to increase their soul power as easily as eating or drinking.
Yu Tianheng smiled bitterly, "I don't know whether to be happy or cry at your praise."
Zuzong didn't dwell on the topic. What concerned him most now was Dugu Yan. After all, she was key to obtaining the immortal herbs.
He changed the subject, "By the way, where's Yan? We haven't seen her for over a month."
Yu Tianheng suddenly remembered, "Oh, right! She said she was going to visit her grandfather and asked me to request a month's leave for her. At that time, I was focused on breaking through to level 40, so I went into seclusion and completely forgot about it."
Zuzong nodded, thinking to himself, "It seems Dugu Yan went to consult Dugu Bo."
Xiao Wu, leaning against Zuzong, was intrigued by the mention of Dugu Yan's grandfather and asked, "Who's her grandfather?"
Yu Tianheng replied seriously, "Her grandfather is the infamous Poison Douluo, also known as the Green Phosphorus Douluo."
"A Titled Douluo?" Xiao Wu exclaimed. Although she no longer had the aura of a soul beast, the thought of a Titled Douluo still terrified her, as her mother had been killed by a group of Titled Douluo.
Zuzong gently held Xiao Wu's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm here."
"Mm," Xiao Wu's voice choked slightly as she thought of her mother.
"What's wrong with her?" Yu Tianheng asked, puzzled. Talking about Poison Douluo shouldn't scare her this much, right?
Zuzong explained, "It's nothing. Xiao Wu experienced a great tragedy in her childhood and was reminded of sad memories."
"Oh, I see. My condolences," Yu Tianheng responded, not fully understanding but not prying further.
"Alright, enough with the small talk. Everyone, go get ready. We'll meet at the school gate in an hour to head to Sunset Forest and help Tianheng obtain his fourth soul ring," Qin Ming announced cheerfully.
Zuzong and Xiao Wu strolled through the campus. They didn't need to pack anything, so they took the opportunity to enjoy a walk together.
Zuzong, however, was preoccupied with how to explain things to Xiao Wu. Their journey to Sunset Forest would likely lead them to Dugu Bo. If that happened, Dugu Bo would surely question him about the antidote, and Zuzong needed to trick him into giving him the immortal herbs. This could take anywhere from one month to several months.
Looking at Xiao Wu, Zuzong said seriously, "Xiao Wu, I may need to leave for a while."
Xiao Wu's face turned pale, "Where are you going? I want to go with you."
Zuzong shook his head and replied calmly, "We're going to Sunset Forest. If we encounter Dugu Yan's grandfather, he might ask for my help, and I might have to stay with him for a few months."
Hearing the name Dugu Bo, Xiao Wu became anxious, her eyes filling with tears. "No, let's not go to Sunset Forest. I heard Poison Douluo is very dangerous and has a strange temperament. He poisons people for the smallest reasons. I don't want you to go!"
She clung tightly to Zuzong's right arm, refusing to let go unless he agreed.
Zuzong didn't resist, gently brushing Xiao Wu's windblown bangs aside and smiling warmly. "There's no danger this time, and when I return, I'll bring you a big surprise. Trust me, Xiao Wu."
"Alright, but you have to promise me you won't die."
"Don't worry, I'm not the kind of guy who talks tough, gets beaten up, and only survives because of some protagonist halo," Zuzong laughed.\
---
Check out my pa**on to read 100 advanced chapters. Link is in synopsis/description of this fic.
_____
If any of you find any error in the chapter, please point it out in the paragraph comments and I will correct it as soon as possible.