Chapter 24: August 23

“We have Jiang Jie to thank for this. If it weren’t for the Jade Narcissus you gave me, I wouldn’t have been able to advance my soul power so rapidly,” Dugu Yan said with a radiant smile.

The Jade Narcissus, known for nourishing muscles and bones and opening up the meridians, is exceptionally suited for a snake martial spirit soul master like Dugu Yan.

Although Dugu Yan is more akin to a spell-casting mage, the Jade Narcissus significantly enhanced her physical attributes and replenished her vitality, which had been depleted by inherited toxins.

Eight months ago, she was at level 25. After consuming the Jade Narcissus, she quickly reached the bottleneck at level 30.

Perhaps because much of the herb’s potency was used to replenish her meridians, the boost in her soul power wasn’t as dramatic as Zhu Zhuqing. After absorbing a two-thousand-year soul ring, Dugu Yan’s level was only 32.

With eight months of training to digest the herb’s effects, Dugu Yan has now reached level 36.

And she’s only thirteen years old.

Of course, to Jiang Jie, these were minor details. The most important thing was that after taking the Jade Narcissus, Dugu Yan’s figure had improved significantly…

Jiang Jie often felt like he was being strangled by a python—a terrifying and suffocating experience.

“That flower isn’t really mine. It came from Master’s herb garden. If you want to thank someone, thank the Master,” Jiang Jie said nonchalantly, waving his hand dismissively.

“Don’t say that. The Jade Narcissus was always there, but my grandfather didn’t recognize it. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the fortune to use it,” Dugu Yan said softly, her eyes glistening as she spoke.

Jiang Jie dared not respond. He vividly remembered the scene when Dugu Yan first received the Jade Narcissus, completely ignoring Dugu Bo and hugging him tightly in gratitude. Dugu Bo’s darkened face and piercing gaze were unforgettable.

So he just smiled silently at Dugu Yan, pretending the matter had nothing to do with him.

Seeing Jiang Jie’s indifferent attitude, Dugu Yan felt a mix of helplessness and fondness. Her feelings for this younger brother were complex, filled with affection and a hint of rebellious ambition.

But she knew this couldn’t be rushed; it needed to be approached gradually. So she changed the subject.

“Jiang Jie, have you thought about attending a soul master academy?” Dugu Yan asked, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

“I’m currently studying at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. If you’re interested, I can ask my grandfather to help you enroll there too.”

“Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, huh…” Jiang Jie murmured, recalling what he knew about the academy.

“Yes, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is affiliated with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and is the largest noble academy in the Heaven Dou Empire,” Dugu Yan explained. “Although there are many spoiled nobles, the academy boasts a strong faculty, including three Contra-level deans and numerous Soul Sage and Soul Emperor-level teachers.”

“Moreover, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy offers training environments for nearly all martial spirits and has abundant training resources and extensive soul master knowledge.”

Jiang Jie was indeed tempted. Despite Dugu Bo being a Title Douluo, his collection of books was limited, mostly notes on herbs and poisons. In terms of soul master theory, he had little.

Dugu Bo’s reclusive nature and lack of friends meant he had little need for extensive collections of soul master knowledge. The few books he had, Jiang Jie had read through in these eight months.

Jiang Jie had gained some expertise in pharmacology, but his knowledge of soul beasts and their skills remained limited. Without Dugu Bo’s records, he wouldn’t have been able to advise Dugu Yan on her third soul ring—a two-thousand-year-old Corrosive Black Mamba, granting her the skill Corrosive Venom Sting.

Thinking about the original Dugu Yan with her two support skills and one indiscriminate area attack, Jiang Jie felt a sense of accomplishment. Now, she was like a formidable assassin, capable of overwhelming opponents with her combination of skills.

“Alright, once Master returns and I get my second soul ring, I’ll enroll in Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!” Jiang Jie decided firmly.

Knowledge is never too much, especially now when there’s little else to do. He could train and learn simultaneously. Given the opportunity, why not make the most of it?

“Really?” Dugu Yan’s eyes lit up as she hugged Jiang Jie and kissed him on the cheek, oblivious to his sweat. “Great! We’ll be able to train together!”

Jiang Jie, gently touching his face where she kissed him, smiled. He had feelings for Dugu Yan too. This was a mutual affection.

Dugu Yan’s radiant smile faltered slightly as she realized something. “Wait, Jiang Jie, did you say you’re ready to get your second soul ring?”

“Yeah, I reached level 20 a couple of days ago. I just needed a Master to take me to get the soul ring,” Jiang Jie replied naturally. With a divine martial spirit and body-tempering herbs, his rapid progress was expected.

“How did you advance so quickly?” Dugu Yan was stunned. “You’re five years ahead of me!”

Dugu Yan’s confidence wavered, her clear eyes losing their sparkle. Jiang Jie, seeing her distress, hugged her and softly reassured her.

“Yan Yan, we’re different. I was born with full soul power and could get my first soul ring right after awakening my martial spirit. Plus, I took herbs to enhance my body and had a nearly thousand-year first soul ring. Without these advantages, I wouldn’t have progressed so fast.”

“You were slowed down by toxins before, but now that they’re resolved, your training speed has increased. At level 36, you’re a genius on par with the best in Douluo Continent. Don’t belittle yourself.”

Dugu Yan gradually regained her confidence, largely because Jiang Jie trained diligently without bragging, so she had no idea of his progress and assumed he was only at level 17 or 18.

“Don’t worry, Jiang Jie. I’m not that fragile,” Dugu Yan said, ignoring his sweat and leaning against him. “It’s good that you’re strong. Even though I’m there, it’s better if you can protect yourself.”

“Maybe in a few years, you’ll be the one protecting me.”

Jiang Jie’s pupils constricted as he looked at the alluring Dugu Yan in his arms, leaning in closer.

Dugu Yan’s eyes widened as she felt his breath on her face, her mind in turmoil. Her face turned red, and she felt weak, her hands resting on Jiang Jie’s chest.

Their breathing grew rapid.

Jiang Jie held her waist, and Dugu Yan instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Ahem…!!”

A sudden, angry cough startled them. Dugu Yan, her face as red as a tomato, quickly pushed Jiang Jie away and ran to her room.

Jiang Jie, equally embarrassed, looked at the old man standing nearby.

Unbeknownst to them, Dugu Bo had returned and witnessed their intimate moment.

“Master, you’re back?” Jiang Jie greeted me awkwardly.

“Oh, you still recognize me as your master? If I had been gone a few more days, would you have been calling me grandpa?” Dugu Bo’s voice was laced with sarcasm and bitterness.

Jiang Jie, embarrassed, could only chuckle. “It’s mutual affection, Master!”

“Mutual affection, huh? What do you know about that?” Dugu Bo huffed, giving Jiang Jie a light but firm slap on the head, causing him to wince but not hurt.

“Wait, you’ve reached level 20?” Dugu Bo asked, sensing Jiang Jie’s soul power state.

“Yes, I just broke through a couple of days ago, waiting for you to help me get my soul ring,” Jiang Jie confirmed.

Dugu Bo was shocked. “Your training speed is incredible!”

Training speed like this meant high potential, and Dugu Bo felt proud of his talented disciple.

“Since that’s the case, let’s waste no time. I’ll take you to hunt a soul beast and get your second soul ring!” Dugu Bo declared, grabbing Jiang Jie by the collar and soaring into the sky with his soul power.

Jiang Jie, bewildered, felt as if his fate was being firmly grasped.

“Yan Yan, Grandpa is taking Jiang Jie to hunt a soul beast. You stay home and train well!” Dugu Bo’s telepathic message reached Dugu Yan’s room.

A moment later, the door burst open.

“I’m coming too!” Dugu Yan stood at the door, her big eyes fixed on the duo in the air.

Jiang Jie glanced at Dugu Bo and said softly, “Let Yan Yan come too. With you, Master, the Sunset Forest is almost risk-free. We don’t need to worry about safety.”

“Alright, Yan Yan can come too.” Dugu Bo sighed, lifting Dugu Yan with his soul power, and they flew toward the Sunset Forest together.

(End of the chapter)