Douluo Dalu 2: Peerless Gu master

A few hours earlier, under the cold moonlight by the shore of Sea God Lake, a woman with a cold temperament stood gracefully.

Her skin was as white as jade, her features delicate and beautiful, and her posture tall and slender. She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, with soft, shiny black hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders.

Under the moonlight, she exuded an aura of isolation and pride. 

This woman was Ling Luochen, a student of Shrek Academy's inner courtyard and a well-known "iceberg" figure.

She had just returned from a mission outside and, upon arriving at the lake, felt a familiar heat emanating from the center of Sea God Lake.

Her eyelids twitched involuntarily as she realized who it was—Ma Xiaotao, an "acquaintance" with whom she had always been at odds. 

Initially, she had only glanced out of curiosity, but what she saw next left her stunned. 

'Oh my god, is Ma Xiaotao being so affectionate with a strange boy out in the open like this?' 

If Dean Yan Shaozhe found out, Ling Luochen was certain the dean would give that lucky boy a stern lesson. 

'Really, how can they act like this in broad daylight?' 

Ling Luochen felt a mix of secondhand embarrassment and disbelief. She couldn't help but wonder who this boy was, capable of taming the infamous Blazing Flame Demon of the inner courtyard. 

However, as someone who prided herself on her aloof demeanor, Ling Luochen had no intention of delving deeper into the matter. She simply sighed inwardly. 

'Maybe I should consider attending the next Sea God Fate Dating Conference. Even Ma Xiaotao has found someone. If I don't take the initiative, I might end up as an "older leftover woman."' 

The inner courtyard had become increasingly dominated by women in recent years, making it extremely difficult to find a suitable partner. 

Just as she was lost in thought, an intense cold spread through the air, catching her attention. Her martial soul, a top-tier ice attribute, resonated strongly with the chilling aura. 

With great curiosity, Ling Luochen turned her gaze toward Ma Xiaotao's "little lover." Her sharp eyes quickly deduced something that piqued her interest even more. 

'That boy's martial soul is also of the ice attribute, and its quality isn't inferior to mine!' 

This was no small revelation. Ling Luochen's martial soul was considered the pinnacle of ice attributes within Shrek's inner courtyard.

In the past, Ma Xiaotao had even approached her for help in suppressing the evil fire, but Ling Luochen had refused.

Not only did she value her own purity, but she also knew her ice attribute wasn't strong enough to fully neutralize the Phoenix Evil Fire. 

But now, seeing Ma Xiaotao's behavior and the boy's chilling aura, the pieces fell into place. 

'It must be Ultimate Ice! That boy possesses Ultimate Ice!' 

Ling Luochen's concern grew. It wasn't that she was attracted to the handsome boy—no, her interest was purely professional.

If she could train with someone who possessed Ultimate Ice, her own martial soul might have a chance to advance further. 

As Ma Xiaotao whisked the boy away, Ling Luochen's thoughts began to race. 

'If he's a freshman this year, then he must be in the outer courtyard. It wouldn't hurt to find a younger junior to train with, would it?' 

---

Huo Yuhao was walking back to Shrek's outer courtyard when he encountered the "wild" Ling Luochen. 

The beautiful woman, dressed in the red uniform of the inner courtyard, stood before him. 

[Ling Luochen] 

[Relationship: Acquaintance] 

[Achievement Task: There's a Guess, Which May Not Be Correct] 

Huo Yuhao feigned confusion and greeted her politely. "Hello, Senior Sister. Is there something you need?" 

Ling Luochen studied the handsome boy before her and spoke softly. "My name is Ling Luochen, a Level 52 Control-Type Spirit Master. Junior, you're not a student of Shrek's inner courtyard, are you? I don't recall seeing you before." 

Huo Yuhao, who wasn't wearing the standard Shrek uniform but rather clothes he had purchased in Shrek City, nodded. "My name is Huo Yuhao. I'm a freshman who enrolled this year." 

Under Ling Luochen's deliberate questioning, Huo Yuhao revealed that his martial soul was the Ice Jade Scorpion. The two continued to chat as they walked side by side along Sea God Lake, with Ling Luochen occasionally stealing glances at him. 

Though her expression remained cold, her mind was abuzz with thoughts. 

'It really is Ultimate Ice!' 

Her earlier guess had been confirmed, and she felt a wave of relief. While she had been 99% certain, there had still been a sliver of doubt.

That uncertainty had kept her restless all night, unable to meditate. Now, seeing Huo Yuhao in person, her worries were put to rest. 

[Achievement Triggered!] 

[Achieved Ling Luochen's "I Have a Guess, Which May Not Be Correct" Achievement. Reward: Jade Skin Gu.] 

[Jade Skin Gu: A first-level Gu worm, an enhanced version of the Copper Skin Gu. It transforms the user's skin into a solid jade-like layer with higher defense.] 

[Evaluation: True jade feet are on the feet.]1

As Huo Yuhao interacted with Ling Luochen, he couldn't help but think about the potential of the Jade Skin Gu. If he remembered correctly, in the original work, the Jade Skin Gu and the White Pig Gu could be combined to create the second-level Gu worm, the White Jade Gu. 

He decided to ask the system about it. 

[To unlock the combined refining function, you need to complete a specific personal achievement.] 

Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned. 

'System, can you at least tell me what this specific personal achievement is?' 

But the system remained silent, leaving him to figure it out on his own. 

'Well, I suppose combined refining is one of the key ways to upgrade Gu worms. This personal achievement should be relatively easy to trigger. No need to worry.' 

After all, his current combat strength primarily relied on his martial soul and soul skills.

After parting ways with Ling Luochen, Huo Yuhao found himself holding yet another medal. He couldn't help but chuckle. 

'Is this some kind of stamp collection? Why do I keep getting these?' 

He stepped onto the surface of the lake, the water freezing beneath his feet as he made his way back to the outer courtyard. 

After having a meal in Shrek City, Huo Yuhao returned to his dormitory. To his surprise, Wang Dong was actually meditating and practicing seriously for once. 

Using his powerful mental power, Huo Yuhao avoided disturbing her and prepared to meditate on his own bed. However, as he was about to leave, he noticed something outrageous. 

Wang Dong was meditating on his bed. 

Huo Yuhao blinked. 

'You've got to be kidding me.' 

After a moment of stunned silence, Huo Yuhao decided to retaliate in kind. He climbed onto Wang Dong's bed and began meditating there. 

If you're going to use my bed, I'll use yours. It's only fair. 

He couldn't help but wonder what Wang Dong's expression would be when she woke up and found him on her bed. 

…

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