Outskirts of Tian Dou City.
This was Yang Fan's current hideout—cheap and quiet, perfect for alchemy.
Lately, Yao Lao's training regimen focused solely on pill refining:
1) Sharpen alchemy skills
2) Strengthen soul power for Grade-4 breakthrough
3) Stockpile herbs for future high-grade pills.
His body tempering aimed for one goal: securing a 30,000-year soul ring for his fourth soul ring.
But there was another reason for this secluded spot.
The Continental Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament began in six months.
Tian Dou City already buzzed with anticipation.
Why was this tournament Douluo Continent's grandest event?
First—soul masters' societal status.
Second—the tournament's life-altering stakes.
Two days prior, the Spirit Hall announced the championship prize:
The winning team would receive a personal escort from Spirit Hall Elders to hunt soul rings in the soul beast forest.
Don't underestimate this reward!
While the champions rarely worried about soul rings, the true prize was the Elders themselves—Title Douluos.
Historically, Title Douluos often recruited disciples during these hunts.
Even without direct mentorship, champions were groomed as future Platinum Bishops—or even Elders.
Refuse the Spirit Hall? Return home to an imperial peerage.
Beyond champions, standout performers attracted sects' recruitment offers.
This tournament was a young soul masters' career-defining turning point.
The surface may look calm, but underwater it was chaotic!
Talent poaching bred endless dirty tricks.
Example: A sect's prodigy might "accidentally" die before the tournament.
Douluo Continent saw no shortage of such "accidents."
With elite experts now flooding Tian Dou City, urban areas became death traps.
Not just for Yang Fan—but for Yao Lao's vulnerable soul form too.
Thus—isolate and develop alone.
"Hey—you come out!"
A familiar voice dripped with ominous intent. Yang Fan peeked through the curtains.
Of course.
Huo Wu stood outside.
How'd she find me?
Instantly, he deduced: The Huo family, though minor, had deep roots in Tian Dou City. Tracking a nobody like him? Trivial.
"I know you're in there," she called.
Yang Fan planned silence—to let this fade.
But he'd underestimated Huo Wu's resolve.
The door creaked open. Yang Fan stepped out.
"What do you want?"
"I want a rematch!"
Predictable.
As a clan prodigy raised on adoration, Huo Wu rarely lost. Humiliation demanded immediate redemption.
"Can't fight."
"Why?"
"My meridians are injured. Can't expend soul power."
"Really?" She doubted it—healthy two days ago, suddenly injured?
But the herbs piled in his room sold the lie.
After a tense pause, seeing his "sincere" eyes, she left—reluctantly.
Phew— Yang Fan exhaled.
Please don't come back.
He lived here as Yang Fan—one slip meant exposure.
"Heh—"
"This girl's interesting."
Yao Lao floated in the room, amused.
"Interesting?" Yang Fan disagreed.
His situation differed from most soul masters.
Though Salas was dead, the Spirit Hall had stationed a Level 86 Soul Douluo in Tian Dou City.
"This girl'll return soon," Yao Lao predicted.
He was right.
Next dawn, Huo Wu delivered a package—filled with meridian-healing herbs.
She didn't linger, but left a message: "Fight me when healed."
"Tsk tsk…" Yao Lao inspected the herbs. "Sandwood Root, Purple Mist Fruit, Celestial Maiden Flower, Calming Spirit Blossom…"
"With this girl around, why visit apothecaries? Just fake illnesses!"
"For shame," Yang Fan muttered. "Shameless old man."
The sheer herb quantity revealed Huo Wu's determination. Refusal seemed impossible.
Her heart wasn't cruel—just fiercely competitive.
To crush such pride required overwhelming force.
Beat her so bad she wets herself!
Make her feel the chasm between them. Fill her with utter defeat. Shatter her "prodigy" delusion.
Only then would she never challenge him again.
Staring at her morning delivery, Yang Fan hardened his resolve.
For these herbs… I'll teach her a lesson.
Decision made—he began refining a new pill:
Rebirth Pill.
At first, Yang Fan thought it resurrected the dead.
Reality was less dramatic—it rapidly restored Dou Qi and staunchly stopped bleeding.
Its cheap ingredients and healing prowess earned it Tier-3 status.
"Master, I'm starting," Yang Fan announced.
Yao Lao nodded, sealing the room in Dou Qi.
No sound would escape.
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