Time passed slowly as the semester drew to a close. One major development in the academy this year was the announcement that, beginning next year, the reform plan would be officially implemented.
However, none of this had much effect on Yuan Changqing. He did as he pleased, and these changes hardly impacted the students either.
If a student showed a bit of talent, the academy would provide some resources. But if they lacked potential, they could only linger on campus and wait to receive their graduation certificate.
Starting next year, most of the academy's resources would be allocated to the gifted students in the Tiandou Class.
From then on, students in the Tianwei and Tianzhi Classes would all be of noble birth, while only the Tiandou Class would include civilian students. This was a compromise reached between the academy and the noble factions.
After all, geniuses would be welcomed wherever they went. If the nobility made things difficult for talented civilian students now, it was uncertain who would hold power in the future and who would end up making things difficult for whom.
But such matters had little to do with Yuan Changqing. They were concerns for the higher-ups of the Tiandou Empire.
…
After gathering the required materials, Yuan Changqing began building the base of a formation—starting with simple structures and gradually moving to more complex ones. With Catherine and Wang Yuyan now managing the clinic, it no longer required constant oversight.
Yuan Changqing would visit the clinic occasionally and sometimes met up with Dugu Xin for tea. The two had become good friends, and their families often traveled together.
…
It was another quiet weekend. Yuan Changqing spent the day at home studying elixirs or pondering how to construct a stronger formation base. His days were peaceful and fulfilling.
Suddenly, Catherine returned—this time with Hua Feiyan by her side. Feiyan looked visibly anxious.
Yuan Changqing asked, "Catherine, what's going on with Mrs. Hua? Is everything alright?"
Hua Feiyan hurriedly said, "Doctor Yuan, my family urgently needs your help. I went to the clinic but couldn't find you, so Catherine brought me here."
Yuan Changqing poured her a cup of tea, handed it over, and said gently, "Have a sip of water first, then speak slowly."
Catherine urged him, "Husband, don't worry about tea right now. Help Feiyan first—this is important."
"Alright, Mrs. Hua, what's happening? Is something wrong with Brother Dugu?"
"No, it's my father-in-law, Doctor Yuan. I need you to come with me right away—his life is at stake."
Hearing that, Yuan Changqing immediately stood up. "Let's go. Are you at home now?"
"No," Hua Feiyan replied, "we're at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in the Sunset Forest. Doctor Yuan, I'm sure you know the place."
Without hesitation, the three rushed out of Tiandou City. Since flying within the city was prohibited, they had to travel on foot until they were beyond the city limits. Of course, Titled Douluo could fly—after all, they were the peak existence on the Douluo Continent.
Once they had exited the city, Yuan Changqing turned to Catherine and said, "You're faster than me. Take me there first—it'll be quicker."
Outside Tiandou City.
"Feiyan, follow behind us," Catherine instructed.
Without waiting for a response, Catherine summoned her flying martial soul, lifted Yuan Changqing into the air, and the two soared toward the Sunset Forest. Under Yuan Changqing's direction, they quickly arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
As soon as Yuan Changqing saw the intricate poison array laid out before them, he knew it was Dugu Bo's handiwork.
Yuan Changqing himself was immune to all poisons, but Catherine was not. Fortunately, being an elixir maker, she always carried a supply of antidote pills.
He looked at the formation and said, "Catherine, take an antidote first. Then we'll go in."
When they reached the Eye of Ice and Fire, a thick poisonous mist clung to Dugu Bo's body. It was clear that he was suffering from a violent toxin eruption.
Dugu Xin rushed forward anxiously when he saw them. "Doctor Yuan, you're finally here. Please save my father!"
Yuan Changqing didn't waste a second. He stepped forward and began examining Dugu Bo. Thanks to his immunity to poison, he wasn't concerned about exposure.
After a quick inspection, Yuan Changqing frowned. He had no immediate solution. The Eye of Ice and Fire had not yet fully recovered its spiritual energy. That might be the reason Dugu Bo could no longer suppress the toxins within him.
Yuan Changqing thought back to the events of the original story. If memory served, Dugu Bo had once stumbled upon the Eye of Ice and Fire by accident. It was there, through sheer luck and opportunity, that he condensed a poison pill within his body, allowing him to suppress the toxic backlash and ascend to the rank of quasi-Titled Douluo.
Realizing this, Yuan Changqing quickly advised, "Senior Dugu, you must now try to condense the toxins in your body into a pill form, centered within your martial soul. I'll assist you."
Without waiting for a response, he activated his soul skills:
"Third soul skill—Praise of Life!"
"Second soul skill—Light of Life!"
Bathed in the gentle glow of Yuan Changqing's auxiliary soul skills, Dugu Bo began focusing his willpower, controlling the toxins within him, and attempting to gather them into his martial soul.
Time passed slowly.
With Yuan Changqing's continuous support, Dugu Bo gradually stabilized. The poisonous mist that had enshrouded him began to thin, then slowly dissipated.
As the toxic cloud cleared, Dugu Bo's figure was revealed. His complexion, once pale and ashen, returned to a healthier hue. The accumulated toxins had begun gathering steadily into his martial soul.
Seeing the improvement, Yuan Changqing encouraged, "Senior Dugu, continue condensing those toxins into a poison pill. It might just allow you to regain control over your condition."
Again, he cast his soul skills:
"Third soul skill—Praise of Life!"
"Second soul skill—Light of Life!"
Under his guidance, Dugu Bo's condition stabilized even further.
Turning to Dugu Xin, Yuan Changqing asked, "What exactly happened?"
Dugu Xin explained, "Doctor Yuan, remember how you once explained how to obtain soul bones? Thanks to your guidance and treatment plan, I finally managed to resolve the poison problem in my own martial soul."
"After that, we tried the same method and ventured into the Star Dou Forest. We were lucky enough to find a soul bone. The probability wasn't high, but still better than average."
"However, we encountered many ancient soul beasts. They were hard to handle, and my father had to use his martial soul frequently. As a result, more and more toxins built up inside him."
"Once we returned with the soul bone, we hoped to use it along with the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to purge the toxins from his body."
"But as soon as we began guiding the poison into the soul bone, the toxins inside his body reacted violently and began to erupt."
Before Dugu Xin could continue, Yuan Changqing interjected, "So that's when you asked Madam Hua to come find me?"
Dugu Xin nodded. "Exactly."