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(T/N: 'Tianqiong' can be translated as 'Sky Dome')
In a fit of anger, Yu Tianheng turned and left Tiandou Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Team had always been a place where strength spoke loudest. Since Dugu Yan's strength now surpassed his, it was only a matter of time before others rallied behind her to make her the new captain.
Though his strength still exceeded that of most others, at least the position of vice-captain should have been secure for him.
But the drastic change in status was something he couldn't accept.
What he had said to Dugu Yan earlier was just casual talk. If you really asked him to give up the captaincy, how could he possibly agree?
Moreover, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family had an unwritten rule: any disciple of the sect who married a woman from outside the family must ensure her strength did not surpass his.
Now, Dugu Yan's strength had surpassed his. Once the elders within the sect discovered this, he would likely lose his eligibility to compete for the position of Young Clan Master.
In Yu Tianheng's eyes, Dugu Yan's refusal to help him improve his strength was tantamount to indirectly wanting to break up with him.
Thus, he went alone to a tavern in Tiandou City, hoping to temporarily forget his troubles by getting drunk.
---
Yu Xiaogang walked down the street, his face full of worry.
For several days in a row, he had failed to uncover any useful clues about the Seven Treasures team, leaving him feeling disheartened.
Just as he was about to return to the academy, he unexpectedly ran into Yu Tianheng vomiting outside the tavern.
Seeing that his complexion was off, Yu Xiaogang immediately approached him. Upon smelling the strong stench of alcohol, he quickly asked, "Tianheng, why are you drinking so much?"
The other party was clearly in low spirits, and here he was drowning his sorrows in drink. Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but suspect that something might have happened within the family.
"Uh, Uncle Xiaogang," Yu Tianheng let out a few drunken hiccups, swayed a few steps, and nearly fell over.
"Did something happen in the family?" Yu Xiaogang hurriedly asked.
Yu Tianheng didn't answer his question, instead muttering to himself, "Uncle Xiaogang, I'm no longer the captain of the Imperial Team. Dugu Yan received secret techniques from Elder Dugu, and her spirit power level has broken through several levels consecutively. Her strength now surpasses mine."
Yu Xiaogang's expression froze.
This situation wasn't unlike what had happened with the members of the Seven Treasures team.
A single person breaking through in spirit power in a short period of time might be coincidental, but so many people doing so consecutively? Even a fool could see that there was something strange going on.
Quickly, Yu Xiaogang formed a hypothesis.
The members of Seven Treasures Academy, as well as Dugu Yan, must have obtained some miraculous treasure that allowed them to collectively break through.
To verify whether his guess was correct, he shook Yu Tianheng's body and pressed further, "Tianheng, did Dugu Yan say anything about how she improved her strength?"
This matter was of great importance. If they could get their hands on it, the Shrek team's strength would undoubtedly undergo a transformation.
Yu Tianheng sobered up slightly and explained, "Uncle Xiaogang, I asked her, but Yanzi refused to tell me. Why won't she say anything, damn it!"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang knew that continuing to ask while the other party was drunk wouldn't yield any useful information.
So, he said, "If that's the case, why don't you join Shrek Academy? Under my guidance, you will surely surpass Dugu Yan in the future."
"Shrek Academy, huh…" After a moment's thought, Yu Tianheng agreed, "Uncle Xiaogang, I'm willing to go to Shrek Academy with you."
Having obtained the desired response, Yu Xiaogang, to be safe, immediately wrote a letter of withdrawal from school on behalf of Yu Tianheng as an elder and sent someone to deliver it to Tiandou Imperial Academy.
Given Yu Tianheng's personality, he definitely wouldn't return to Tiandou Imperial Academy after withdrawing.
By doing this, Yu Xiaogang had effectively tied him firmly to the ship of Shrek Academy.
---
After several days of hunting soul rings in the Star Dou Forest, Ke Jie successfully obtained his ninth soul ring and broke through to become a Title Douluo.
"Congratulations, Principal Ke. Now that you've become a Title Douluo, it's time to choose a title for yourself," Dugu Bo said calmly, his tone even.
Ke Jie gazed at the nine soul rings beneath his feet—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—and couldn't suppress his excitement. "Thank you, Senior Dugu Bo, for your help. In the future, if you ever need anything, I will not hesitate to assist."
This soul-hunting trip hadn't involved the sect's elders, so his contribution points within the sect hadn't been depleted. He wouldn't need to "work off debts" for the sect in the future.
However, he did owe a favor to Dugu Bo, which he would have to repay slowly over time.
After some thought, he said, "My martial soul is the Celestial Chessboard, so I'll call myself the Tianqiong Douluo."
Most Title Douluos chose titles related to their martial souls, though a few opted for other names.
As long as the chosen title didn't carry obvious hostile connotations, such as "Destroyer of the Hao Tian Sect Douluo" or "Destroyer of the Spirit Hall Douluo," the outside world generally accepted it.
"That works. Now that this matter is settled, I'll accompany you back to Seven Treasures Academy."
With that, Dugu Bo flew off in the direction of Tiandou City.
There was a vast gap between a peak Soul Douluo and a Title Douluo. After breaking through, Ke Jie could clearly feel his body rejuvenating, as if he had returned to the prime of his youth.
---
Within Shrek Academy
Yu Xiaogang supported Yu Tianheng as they entered the academy. Just then, Tang San, who was about to go out to buy metal, happened to run into them.
"Teacher, this is..."
Yu Xiaogang chuckled and quickly called him over to help steady Yu Tianheng.
Walking all this way, his old bones were clearly struggling.
Rubbing his aching shoulders, he said, "Xiao San, Tianheng has decided to join Shrek Academy. Take him to the dormitory first. We'll handle the enrollment procedures after he wakes up."
Tang San strongly suspected that Yu Xiaogang had taken advantage of Yu Tianheng's drunken state to trap him into joining.
But with Yu Tianheng joining the Shrek team, the team's strength would greatly increase, so there was no reason to turn him away.
Without further thought, Tang San quickly agreed and found an empty room in the dormitory building to settle Yu Tianheng.
---
Early the next morning,
Yu Tianheng's mind gradually cleared from the haze of alcohol. He opened his heavy eyelids to find himself in a simply furnished room.
Outside the window, the morning mist clung to the branches like a light veil; in the distance, green mountains seemed to embrace the tranquil waters.
The room contained only a bed, a desk, and a chair.
From the layout, this was clearly a dormitory within the academy.
Yu Tianheng sat up and rubbed his pounding head.
The night before, he only remembered getting drunk and running into Yu Xiaogang. Everything after that was a blur.
After tidying up his clothes, he stepped out of the dormitory, ready to get some answers.
Outside, Tang San had been waiting for some time.
"Tianheng, you're awake! From now on, we're classmates. Please take care of each other," Tang San said with a smile, extending his hand.
"Classmates?" Yu Tianheng was momentarily stunned, then immediately recalled the conversation he'd had with Yu Xiaogang the day before.
Returning to Tiandou Imperial Academy meant inevitably being replaced as captain by Dugu Yan.
Joining Shrek Academy seemed like a good choice.
Thinking this, he shook Tang San's hand. "I never expected we'd have the chance to become classmates."
After exchanging pleasantries, Tang San urged, "Tianheng, training will start soon. Today is your first day at Shrek Academy. Let's talk about the team's training arrangements as we walk."
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