Chapter 75: Return to Heaven Dou

Noon the next day.

Yu Xiaogang only then slowly regained consciousness; the exhaustion radiating from his entire body made him inexplicably irritable, as if his body had been hollowed out.

Rubbing his stiff neck, Yu Xiaogang wore a look of confusion. After a careful inspection, he found no abnormalities in his body, only feeling that perhaps he had not rested well the previous night.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Shi Quan, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling were already on the country road back to Shi Family Village.

Everything that happened last night had not attracted anyone's attention.

One month later.

"I'm off, Mom. I'll come back when the next semester's break starts."

At the entrance of the village, the three of them waved goodbye to Li Meili and Shi Jian, embarking on the journey back to the academy.

Just as Shi Quan had expected, when he brought up the matter of moving to Li Meili and Shi Jian, both shook their heads in refusal. Facing the hometown where they had lived for many years, neither was willing to leave. They had already adapted to life here; going to a big city where they were strangers would not only make them feel constrained, but they also did not want to become a burden to Shi Quan.

Although Shi Family Village was a bit remote, life was stable and peaceful, so Shi Quan did not need to worry about them.

Regarding his parents' thoughts, Shi Quan expressed his understanding, only urging them to continue practicing the body-strengthening technique he had taught them.

This was something Shi Quan had taught them when he previously left Shi Family Village. It was just some basic movements combined with specific breathing methods, which could achieve certain effects of strengthening the body and prolonging life. Plus, every time Shi Quan returned, he would use his Internal Energy to help his parents nourish their bodies, so their health was much better than others in the village.

But for Shi Quan, this was not enough. Looking at the two vials of blood in his Hundred Treasure Bag, Shi Quan had already made his plans.

Of these two vials of blood, one was Shi Jian's, and one was Li Meili's.

With these two vials of blood, Shi Quan could use the Automated Alchemy Furnace to customize two Yi Jing Xi Sui Pills for them, changing their talent and allowing his parents to embark on the path of a Spirit Master.

His parents' existence was Shi Quan's weakness. Although he had not yet made a name for himself, in the future, Shi Quan would inevitably become enemies with Tang San. He might be able to protect himself through his own means, but his parents could easily become a handle for others to threaten him, so he had to ensure his parents possessed a certain ability to protect themselves.

Shi Family Village was also destined to be left behind. Since the two were unwilling to leave now, Shi Quan did not force them; he would just slowly persuade them later.

"Lingling, why did you put your veil back on?"

During the month or so Ye Lingling spent in Shi Family Village, she had never worn a veil. Now that they had just left, she had put it back on.

"Because we are going back." Ye Lingling looked back at Shi Family Village; within her hollow eyes, there seemed to be light, and also a bit more of a sense of belonging.

Shi Quan smiled and said, "I had already gotten used to you not wearing a veil. Now that you've put it on again, it feels strange."

"If you don't want me to, I can take it off," Ye Lingling paused and said. As she spoke, she prepared to remove the veil.

Shi Quan hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No need, just be yourself."

"Tsk tsk tsk, 'just be yourself'," Dugu Yan said sarcastically from the side, "Should I leave?"

"Yanzi, what are you saying?" Ye Lingling only then realized that what she had just said seemed a bit too intimate. With a flushed face, she said, "Yanzi, if you don't want me to wear it, I can take it off."

"No need, no need," Dugu Yan looked at Shi Quan with a smile and said, "We'll listen to Xiao Quan."

Shi Quan also shook his head helplessly.

But it had to be said that in the month or so since they returned, the relationship between the three had become much closer than when they first arrived.

The three did not return the same way they came. There were still ten days until the academy started, and there was plenty of time, so they specifically chose a detour, planning to slowly play and travel their way back.

……

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"What is our little Princess Rongrong thinking about again?" Ning Fengzhi's teasing voice sounded from behind Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong turned and ran into Ning Fengzhi's arms, rubbing against him coquettishly, "Dad, why are you here? Aren't you busy with sect affairs?"

Ning Fengzhi said with a smile, "Isn't it because I was afraid our little princess would be bored? No matter how busy I am, I still have to come and keep our little princess company."

"Dad is the best."

"That's not what you said when you first came back."

Ning Rongrong said indignantly, "Hmph, it's because you threw me into the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy without asking me."

"But our Rongrong has indeed learned a lot, hasn't she?" Ning Fengzhi touched Ning Rongrong's hair dotingly, "As for Shi Quan, what do you think of him?"

Hearing Ning Fengzhi mention Shi Quan, Ning Rongrong looked furious, "Hmph, that guy is busy with so many things all day long, he has no time to look after me at all."

"But he is indeed quite amazing..."

After saying this, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but mutter. Although her voice was not loud, Ning Fengzhi heard it clearly.

"Since you say he's amazing, shouldn't you seize the opportunity to hold onto him?"

Hearing Ning Fengzhi say this, Ning Rongrong's cheeks turned slightly red, but she still said stubbornly, "Sooner or later, I will be even more amazing than him."

"Of course, our Rongrong is the most amazing." Ning Fengzhi nodded in approval, but still said, "However, this guy Shi Quan is also quite good; he is a partner worth winning over and relying on. Rongrong, you must know that Dad, your Sword Douluo, and your Bone Douluo cannot protect you forever. Therefore, you must also find a partner worth relying on, someone like your Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, to whom you can entrust your back. As the most talented person in our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect depends on you!"

"I know, Dad."

Ning Fengzhi gently rubbed Ning Rongrong's head, "Rongrong, you have grown up too. I said I would only let you stay at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for one year. A year has passed; whether you continue to go or not, you decide for yourself."

"I decide for myself?" Ning Rongrong looked up at Ning Fengzhi. She had originally thought Ning Fengzhi was here to make her continue at the academy, but it turned out he was letting her decide for herself. This instead left Ning Rongrong not knowing how to choose.

"That's right, you decide for yourself. Dad believes in Rongrong; no matter what decision you make, Dad will support you."

"I will think about it carefully, Dad."

"Good, then you think about it first. Dad will go handle other matters. If you have decided, you can tell me at any time."

After saying this, Ning Fengzhi stood up and left.

"Fengzhi, you are letting Rongrong decide for herself?" As soon as Ning Fengzhi walked out of the room, the tall figure of Bone Douluo appeared beside him.

"Uncle Bone, Rongrong is not small anymore. After returning this time, she has become much more mature and steady. She should have her own ideas; I cannot guide her through everything. She must gradually grow up and learn to have her own thoughts and decisions. We cannot consider everything perfectly for her, otherwise, it will only make her develop a habit of dependency."

Bone Douluo said, "What you said is indeed correct, but isn't it a bit too hasty? Rongrong is only eleven years old. When you were eleven, you might not have been as good as Rongrong."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head and said, "When I was eleven, I wasn't as spoiled as Rongrong."

"Shi Quan is also eleven, and his achievements have already surpassed most Spirit Masters. Near ink, one gets stained; near vermilion, one gets reddened. I let Rongrong follow him, also hoping that Rongrong can become as excellent as him, and hoping that Rongrong understands this principle: as an Auxiliary Soul Master, the choice of partners is the most important."

"Shi Quan's background is simple, his origins are clear, and his talent, character, and strength are all top-notch. Previously, his martial soul was only Blue Silver Grass, but now it is different; his martial soul has already transformed into the Blue Silver King. The quality of his martial soul is at least a high-level martial soul, or even a top-tier martial soul."

"If he can continue to grow, his future achievements will definitely not be low. Such a person is the most worth investing in."

Bone Douluo shook his head and said, "Fengzhi, sometimes, I really feel you are a bit too utilitarian."

"Uncle Gu, you don't understand. As Auxiliary Soul Masters, we lack the ability to protect ourselves. If we weren't pragmatic, this vast Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have long since been carved up and devoured by other sects." Ning Fengzhi also revealed a helpless expression.

As the master of a sect, if he did not strive to bring benefits to the sect, how could he be worthy of being its master?

"Then what kind of choice do you think Rongrong will make?"

Ning Fengzhi's eyes held confidence as he said, "Rongrong will definitely go to the academy; I believe in her..."

"Whew, finally back."

Outside the towering city walls of Heaven Dou City, three tall figures came running toward them.

It was precisely Shi Quan and the other two, having set out from Shi Family Village.

Traveling and playing along the way, it took eight days, and the three of them finally returned to Heaven Dou City.

Dugu Yan said excitedly, "Xiao Quan, Lingling, come eat at my house today. School is about to start, and Grandpa should be home too."

"Is Senior Dugu there too?" Ye Lingling's expression was somewhat hesitant; she still felt some awe toward a Title Douluo.

"It's fine, Lingling, let's go." Dugu Yan linked her arm with Ye Lingling's, "When we get there, we'll have Xiao Quan cook and let Grandpa taste Xiao Quan's craft too."

Half-reluctantly, Ye Lingling still followed the two of them to the residence where Dugu Bo lived.

"Grandpa, we're back."

"Hmph, you still know how to come back?" Dugu Bo's voice came from inside the house.

A green figure walked out and glared at Shi Quan, "I thought you had run off with our Yan Yan directly."

"Grandpa Dugu, you're joking with me again; how would I dare?" Shi Quan gave a sheepish smile.

"Grandpa, this is Lingling, Ye Lingling; she went with us." Dugu Yan introduced her to Dugu Bo.

"The little girl from the Nine Heart Begonia family?"

"Junior greets Senior Dugu." Ye Lingling bowed respectfully.

Dugu Yan leaned close to Dugu Bo's ear and whispered a few words, after which Dugu Bo looked at Shi Quan and then at Ye Lingling, saying, "No need to be so formal. Since you are classmates and friends with Xiao Quan and Yan Yan, just treat me like an ordinary elder and call me Grandpa Dugu, just like Xiao Quan does."

"Grandpa Dugu."

"Good." Dugu Bo nodded slightly, "Come, let's go inside..."