Outside the valley.
The sky was gradually darkening, casting a golden hue across the earth.
Ning Fengzhi stood dressed in resplendent robes, the hem fluttering lightly in the wind.
He paced back and forth, brows tightly furrowed, his expression torn with hesitation.
Should he risk entering this volcanic valley once more?
Just then, a dark silhouette streaked across the horizon at incredible speed.
As the figure drew closer, an angry roar rang out:
"Ning Fengzhi, you've got some nerve—daring to covet my granddaughter's territory!"
The one arriving was none other than Dugu Bo.
His face was grim, white hair whipping wildly in the wind, and a chilling aura radiated from his entire body.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who had been standing beside Ning Fengzhi, immediately tensed at the voice.
Without thinking, his right hand gripped the hilt of his sword.
"That old poison freak... Why is he here already?"
Chen Xin's eyes were sharp with vigilance, fixed on the rapidly approaching Dugu Bo. His voice was low and grave.
Seeing Dugu Bo approaching with such fury, Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped forward.
"Your Grace, Poison Douluo, why such words? There must be some misunderstanding,"
he said with a courteous smile and a respectful bow.
Dugu Bo stopped in mid-air, letting out a cold snort as toxic mist surged violently around him.
In an instant, a massive poisonous cloud engulfed his figure entirely.
"Cut the crap! You think holding a tournament can hide your real intentions?"
"Where's my granddaughter? Where's my granddaughter's husband?"
"Bring them out, or none of you are walking out of here alive!"
As he spoke, the dense poison mist began spreading rapidly in all directions.
The acrid stench in the air was overwhelming, making people nauseous.
Everyone instinctively covered their mouths and noses, fear written across their faces.
Chen Xin didn't hesitate. With a flash of cold light, his sword was drawn and pointed directly at Dugu Bo.
"How dare you! This isn't a place for you to run wild, old poison freak!"
His voice boomed like thunder across the valley.
"Uncle Jian, please—calm down!"
Ning Fengzhi hurriedly raised his hand to stop him.
Then, turning back to Dugu Bo, he said:
"Your granddaughter is in the valley. Why not go in and see for yourself?"
At those words, the fury in Dugu Bo's eyes was briefly replaced by urgency.
Without wasting another second, he flew straight into the valley.
Before leaving, he turned back to issue a cold warning:
"You'd all better behave! If even a hair on her head is missing, hmph..."
The glint in his eyes was vicious and chilling.
"Arrogant fool,"
Chen Xin scoffed coldly.
"Uncle Jian," Ning Fengzhi said, shaking his head, "since Poison Douluo is here, we likely won't get in. Let's withdraw for now."
"If he sets a poison array here, none of our people will be able to get close."
Chen Xin watched Dugu Bo disappear into the valley, a deep frown forming as unease settled over him.
"Fengzhi, the dragon seems to have gone quiet. I don't think things are that simple..."
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the sky, sighed, and said,
"Let's leave it be for now. We'll return and check later."
With no better option, the group followed Ning Fengzhi's lead and withdrew. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty valley.
---
On the other side, Dugu Bo flew into the valley.
A faint mist lingered in the air, with the lingering scent of smoke and sulfur.
He spotted the Lin family members at once—and in their center, Dugu Yan.
"Yan'er!"
Seeing her unharmed, his eyes welled up. The weight of his worries lifted in an instant, replaced by excitement as he shouted.
Dugu Yan turned in surprise at the sound of his voice.
Breaking free from the protective circle, she ran straight into her grandfather's arms.
The two embraced tightly. Dugu Bo gently stroked her hair, his eyes full of affection.
"Grandfather! Hurry, find Lin Feng!"
Dugu Yan urged urgently.
Just then—
"The Young Master's out!"
Lin Xue, her forehead covered in sweat, cried out excitedly while pointing toward the volcano.
Lin Shui, who had been quietly standing nearby, vanished in a blur the moment she heard those words.
She reappeared instantly, standing firmly before Lin Feng.
"Patriarch, Young Master—you're safe!"
she exclaimed with emotion.
Lin Feng stepped forward and patted Lin Shui on the shoulder.
"Your spatial ability is becoming more refined."
Lin Shui smiled, then swiftly grabbed both Lin Feng and Lin Ye.
Her soul rings shone beneath her feet, distorting the air around them.
In a blink, the three vanished—reappearing among the group just a few flashes later.
"Lin Feng, are you alright?"
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling rushed over and hugged him tightly.
Ye Lingling's eyes were full of worry as she examined him.
"I'm fine,"
Lin Feng said with a gentle smile, reassuring them with a wave of his hand.
"Ling'er, could you help Lin Shui recover her soul power?"
Dugu Bo, now reassured of Lin Feng's safety, turned his full attention to Lin Shui with surprised curiosity.
He hadn't expected this young girl to possess rare spatial-type soul skills. The last time he'd seen that was on Bone Douluo.
"So the Lin Clan really does hide dragons among men—so many talents."
Lin Shui gave Lin Feng a grateful glance.
"Thank you, Young Master, for your concern."
Ye Lingling nodded and began channeling her soul power, a soft glow enveloping Lin Shui.
Nearby, Lin Feng's second uncle approached with a solemn expression, curiosity in his voice.
"Patriarch, what happened inside that volcano? Why did it suddenly stop?"
Lin Ye chuckled and looked toward Lin Feng.
"Let Feng'er explain."
Lin Feng gently nudged Dugu Yan to her feet and addressed the group:
"That dragon was slumbering here. It awakened upon sensing my martial soul."
"But it's been tamed. From now on, it will serve as the guardian of our Lin Clan's Flame Valley."
"What?! The Young Master tamed the fire dragon?! Wasn't that a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!"
"Are you stupid? Didn't you hear Sword Douluo say it's more than a hundred thousand years? Look how he ran—our Young Master is way more impressive!"
The group erupted in celebration and excited chatter.
Dugu Bo stood silent, inwardly shocked.
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast?
Sword Douluo... ran?
Did he hear that right?
A dragon that even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan feared—tamed by Lin Feng?
This child now had such power?
---
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