Chapter 240: The Ascendant Sky Douluo
While Yang Potian was reflecting on his recent battle, news of it spread across the continent. Despite the high-altitude location of the duel, its intensity was impossible to miss, and people were astounded that Yang Potian's strength was enough to hold his own against Qian Daoliu.
Receiving reports from Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Hu Liena, the Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong took her time before responding. "Notify all Spirit Hall members: unless absolutely necessary, avoid any conflict with Tianxing Academy," she finally ordered.
As word spread, Tianxing Academy was quickly regarded as one of the most formidable, untouchable forces on the continent.
Through this clash, Yang Potian gained new insights into both Limit Douluos and those with divine power. After a period of recovery, he planned to venture out in search of a fire-attributed spirit ring.
Meanwhile, the three Elemental Academies acted decisively. Their leaders had just visited Tianxing Academy, and following brief discussions, moved their entire institutions to the area, leaving only a skeleton staff at their original sites.
On this day, in Tianxing Academy on Mount Almo, Yang Wudi, Yang Zhentian, Niu Gao, and Dugu Bo gathered to formally receive the heads of the Elemental Academies: Feng Xuan of the Godwind Academy, Huo Lie of the Blazing Fire Academy, and Shui Qingrou of the Waterstream Academy. Alongside them were some of their academy's finest students, including Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, and Xue Wu.
Per their agreement, Tianxing Academy had established the Godwind, Blazing Fire, and Waterstream Divisions, each with its own operating area, though everyone was bound by Tianxing's regulations. Each academy was also granted a few places on the mountain's peak for direct descendants to train, much like the Tianxing Academy's established clans.
In addition, Feng Xuan, Huo Lie, and Shui Qingrou were named Vice Deans of Tianxing Academy. However, as only Spirit Douluos, they would not have voting rights on academy decisions, limited to advisory roles.
Feng Xiaotian glanced around, a question on his mind. "Dean Yang, might I ask why we haven't seen His Eminence Yang Potian?"
Yang Wudi responded, slightly awkward. "My apologies—Potian tends to be quite free-spirited and doesn't usually involve himself in academy matters. At the moment, he's in seclusion at home."
The academy leaders exchanged glances, surprised. Their three academies had just consolidated into Tianxing, a significant boost to the academy's power, yet Yang Potian himself seemed unconcerned.
Indeed, the Elemental Academies brought substantial strength: each institution housed 300 to 400 spirit masters, totaling over a thousand, with three Spirit Douluos, multiple Spirit Saints, and over a dozen Spirit Emperors. Combined, they rivaled any of the continent's lower-tier sects.
As discussions between Yang Wudi and the academy leaders proceeded, they finalized the new academy's operations. The Godwind Division would patrol the Mount Almo area; the Waterstream Division would assist the Broken Clan with medicinal herb cultivation, and the Blazing Fire Division would help enforce discipline. It was a practical distribution of tasks.
Two weeks later, Yang Potian emerged from his retreat. Stepping out, he was taken aback by the changes at Tianxing Academy. Originally, there had been only about 1,500 spirit masters on Mount Almo; now, the total exceeded 2,500, and new buildings were everywhere, housing the influx from the three academies.
When Yang Potian went to see Ye Lingling, he found her surrounded by quite a crowd: Yang Tianyue, Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, Shui Bing'er, Xue Wu, and Huo Wu were all training together, clearly enjoying each other's company.
He blinked, momentarily stunned. He had only meant to see Ye Lingling, but now it seemed he'd have to contend with a few "third wheels." Worse, they didn't seem the least bit inclined to leave, and he was at a loss for words.
Shui Bing'er, Xue Wu, and Huo Wu saw him and quickly bowed. "Greetings, Your Eminence."
Before he could respond, Yang Tianyue waved dismissively. "This is my brother; no need to be so formal. Brother, do you have something in mind?"
Yang Potian gave her a quizzical look. Was this really necessary?
Then, Yang Tianyue continued, "Brother, Grandfather and the others were asking you earlier—what will your title be? Since you're a Titled Douluo now, you'll need an official title."
After a moment's thought, Yang Potian said, "I'll go by 'Ascendant Sky Douluo.'"
Realizing he couldn't get any private time with Ye Lingling, he sighed and prepared to leave, only to be stopped again by Yang Tianyue.
"Brother, Bing'er, Xue Wu, and Huo Wu are some of my newest friends. Isn't it customary to give them a little gift for our first meeting?"
Yang Potian: "…"
He could only think, What kind of sister did I end up with? Not only do I have to take care of her, but now I'm expected to support her friends too? This is pushing it.
But seeing Shui Bing'er and the others' expectant faces, he gave in and handed each a thousand-year-old herb before making a hasty exit.
Watching him go, Yang Tianyue pouted. "Only three thousand-year herbs? You have plenty of ten-thousand-year herbs, don't you? How stingy."
Yang Potian heard her complaint and fought the urge to turn back and give her a piece of his mind. This girl doesn't realize how much I've sacrificed!
Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er looked a bit uneasy. "Tianyue, this seems too much. It doesn't feel right to accept such valuable gifts on our first meeting."
"It's no big deal, Bing'er," Tianyue replied. "My brother has plenty of treasures; he's just keeping them hidden."
…
Unfazed, Yang Potian left them to it, unbothered by a few herbs. His storage ring was already overflowing, and since the three girls were now part of Tianxing, it was a reasonable investment in their development.
Afterward, he went to see his grandfather, Yang Wudi, and was surprised to find Niu Gao, Dugu Bo, and three others present—the heads of the Godwind, Blazing Fire, and Waterstream Divisions.
Yang Wudi raised a brow. "Potian, you've finished your retreat already? How did it go?"
Potian nodded. "It went well, Grandfather. I gained a lot. I'm planning to head out for a while—there's something I need to take care of."
Turning to the man in red beside him, he asked, "Excuse me, are you Dean Huo Lie? May I ask you a question?"
Huo Lie, Shui Qingrou, and Feng Xuan quickly stood up. "Greetings, Your Eminence."
Yang Potian waved his hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. Now that you've joined Tianxing Academy, we're all family. Just call me Yang Potian."
He turned to Huo Lie. "Dean Huo, I wanted to ask if there are any hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts in the depths of Flame Canyon—or any beasts close to that level?"
Huo Lie thought carefully before responding, "Your Eminence, no one has ever ventured into the deepest parts of Flame Canyon because of the extreme heat. Even for me, it's difficult to go that far in. However, I suspect there might be a hundred-thousand-year beast there. I once hunted a sixty-thousand-year beast near the deeper regions for my eighth spirit ring. Afterward, I heard a powerful roar from further in that seemed to penetrate my soul, which only high-level spirit beasts can do. I've never mentioned this to anyone because of its significance."
Yang Potian shook his head. "No need to be so formal, Dean Huo. Just call me Yang Potian. I also wanted to ask, of the Flame Canyon, Blazing Mountains, and Flowfire Range, which of these areas is most likely to have the strongest spirit beasts? The older, the better."
Huo Lie considered it briefly before replying, "It's likely all three could harbor a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. However, with Fire Leopard Sect having joined Spirit Hall, if there's a high-level beast in the Blazing Mountains, Spirit Hall may already know. And they do have a few high-ranking fire-type Spirit Douluos.
"The Flowfire Range, with its constant eruptions, isn't ideal for spirit beasts of that age. But if there were one, it would be extremely fierce and very ancient.
"Lastly, I once heard of a fire-attributed beast in Star Dou Forest, but it's been years since anyone has seen it. Perhaps it's already been hunted."
Yang Potian nodded thoughtfully. "That fire beast in Star Dou Forest—most likely the Hellhound—must be in hiding. I'd rather avoid crossing paths with the Star Dou denizens, so I'll focus on the other areas first."
Yang Wudi looked a bit concerned. "Potian, are you heading out again? Maybe you should take Ping'an and the others."
"Not this time, Grandfather. The place I'm heading to is rather unique, and they might not be able to handle it. I plan to go alone for now. Plus, I have other plans. I intend to make another trip to the Slaughter City, so I might be gone for a while. No need to worry about me."
As he turned to leave, Dugu Bo called out, "Young rascal, you've kept your strength hidden since becoming a Titled Douluo. Now that you've finally shown what you're capable of, have you chosen your title?"
"Grandfather Dugu," Yang Potian replied with a smile, "I'll go by 'Ascendant Sky Douluo.' I think it suits my spirit well."
With that, Yang Potian spread his wings and flew from Tianxing Academy. He planned to first investigate Flowfire Range. With his abilities, reaching the depths of the range shouldn't be a problem, and if he didn't find a hundred-thousand-year beast there, he'd turn to Flame Canyon next.
By the current timeline, the Palace Coup in Heaven Dou City should be close. Tang San and his friends were likely prepared to counter Qian Renxue. But with Qian Daoliu emerging from seclusion, things in Heaven Dou City were bound to become quite heated.
(Chapter End)
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