Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 43 Throbbing
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window lattice, bathing the quiet room in a warm golden light. Feng Yao slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of light flashing in his pupils. After a whole day of cultivation, his temperament had undergone a subtle change—his original ethereal, otherworldly aura had become much more restrained, replaced by a refined elegance, like the patina that forms on an ancient zither over the years, understated yet exuding a deeper depth.

With a slight thought, the Fuxi Qin quietly appeared. Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, the natural, dark gold wood grain flowing across its originally simple body was clearly visible, and the jade frets inlaid at the tuning pegs gleamed with a warm luster. Feng Yao's slender fingers gently brushed across the strings, and without even applying force, the strings vibrated spontaneously, rippling out visible golden sound waves. Those sound waves lingered in the air for a long time, like ripples on the surface of water, refracting the light and shadow of the setting sun into a dreamlike brilliance.

"The soul power consumption has decreased by 30%, but the power has increased by nearly half." Feng Yao carefully experienced the changes in his martial soul, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. The enhancement of the martial soul's essence by this Qiluo Tulip was far greater than he had expected.

"As expected of a celestial item that can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

With a slight lift of his left hand, the Primordial Eight Trigrams Plate appeared as summoned. The originally pristine white jade plate now shimmered with a faint golden hue, as if bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The trigram symbols on the eight trigram positions shone with a brighter light than ever before: the white light of the Qian trigram was pure and clear, the dark light of the Kun trigram was profound and heavy, and the red light of the Li trigram was intense and fiery. The eight kinds of light intertwined and flowed endlessly across the surface of the plate.

As dusk settled, Feng Yao stood by the window, gazing at the last rays of the setting sun, a gentle smile unconsciously curving his lips. That noble figure flashed through his mind, and he murmured to himself, "It's time. I should go and surprise her."

After dinner, Feng Yao strolled to the simulated training ground deep within the Royal Academy. Pushing open the heavy oak door, he saw a familiar golden figure sitting as always in the center of the training ground, surrounded by a sacred radiance. This scene filled him with an inexplicable sense of peace.

"Why did you leave the field halfway through the match today?" Qian Renxue slowly opened her beautiful eyes, her voice flowing like a clear spring.

A sly glint flashed in Feng Yao's eyes, and he feigned surprise, saying, "Your Highness is so concerned about my whereabouts?"

Qian Renxue's eyes turned cold, and her aura suddenly sharpened. But soon, she keenly sensed the subtle changes in Feng Yao—the restrained fluctuations of his soul power, the subtle aura emanating from his body—how could his cultivation have improved so much in just half a day?
"What did you do this afternoon?" Her voice unconsciously carried a hint of urgency, and her slender fingers tightened slightly. Suddenly, she recalled Feng Yao's joking remark that he would surpass her, and a sense of crisis inexplicably welled up in her heart.

Feng Yao smiled calmly, "I've seen enough tactics, so naturally I need to focus on preparing for battle. After all..." He paused meaningfully, "Your Highness has given me quite a challenge; the Spirit Hall has three Soul Kings on their side."

"A jump of several levels from level 45 in half a day?" Qian Renxue scoffed, her golden eyes filled with disbelief. "I've never heard of such a method of consolidation."

During this period, Feng Yao and Qian Renxue cultivated at roughly the same time, so Qian Renxue was naturally very clear about Feng Yao's progress.

Just as the atmosphere became slightly tense, Feng Yao took out a box carved from red jade from his soul tool. The moment the lid was opened, a scorching aura rushed out, and a celestial herb shaped like a phoenix crown lay quietly inside, radiating a sun-like glow. "A good thing I found in Senior Dugu's herb garden. This is for you."

"Your Highness?" Feng Yao called softly when he saw Qian Renxue lost in thought.

Qian Renxue seemed to awaken from a dream, her long eyelashes trembling and drooping, concealing the complex emotions flashing in her eyes. She took the warm jade box, her fingertips inadvertently touching Feng Yao's palm, and she quickly withdrew as if electrocuted.

"This item is called the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," Feng Yao explained gently, "It is a pure Yang immortal product that can enhance soul power and the might of flames."

"How do you know me?" Qian Renxue suddenly fell silent halfway through her sentence, recalling how the strange, mingled sensations during her cultivation these past few days had already revealed the other's attributes. She looked up and met Feng Yao's smiling eyes, a blush suddenly rising on her snow-white cheeks.

Amidst their embarrassment and annoyance, their eyes met, and Qian Renxue involuntarily recalled the two youthful and beautiful figures in her mind. She lightly traced the edge of the jade box with her fingertips, asking casually, "Such a precious celestial item, Dugu Bo actually let you take it so easily?"

Feng Yao chuckled upon hearing this, a thoughtful glint in his eyes: "Senior Dugu's poison skills are unparalleled, yet this also means he's destined to be excluded from these celestial treasures." He tapped the table lightly with his fingertip. "These spiritual treasures of heaven and earth are, in a sense, similar to soul rings and soul bones, where the most crucial element is attribute compatibility. With his possession of potent poisons at the Title Douluo level, no one can predict what would happen if he rashly consumed them."

At this point, Feng Yao's expression gradually became serious. He knew clearly that the toxins in Dugu Bo's body had already mingled with his bloodline; otherwise, they wouldn't have been passed on to Dugu Yan. If the medicinal power of a celestial-grade medicine were to stimulate a mutation in the toxins, at best, one's cultivation would be completely destroyed, and at worst, one would die on the spot from poisoning. It was for this reason that, even though he knew of the miraculous effects of celestial-grade medicine from his memories, he had never rashly recommended it to Dugu Bo.

Although Tang San's method only addresses the symptoms, it's more than enough for someone of Dugu's age to live out his days. When it comes to matters of life and death, Feng Yao would never gamble with uncertain opportunities.

Feng Yao was extremely cautious in dealing with Dugu Yan. If Dugu Yan had no problems, he would generously share the immortal items with her. In his mind, it was safer to find her several soul bones with compatible attributes later than to risk letting her consume the immortal items.

Feng Yao knew very well that the seemingly kind and amiable Dugu Bo would instantly transform into the dreaded Poison Douluo once his granddaughter's safety was at stake. If anything happened to Dugu Yan because of his advice, the entire Heaven Dou City would likely be unable to withstand the overwhelming wrath of that Title Douluo.

Unless Dugu Bo personally requests it, he would never proactively suggest that Dugu Yan try these celestial ingredients. This isn't out of cowardice, but rather a proper reverence for life. After all, on the path of Soul Master cultivation, sometimes restraint requires more wisdom and courage than recklessness.

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in her beautiful eyes. Since even Dugu Bo hadn't obtained a celestial item from Feng Yao, then...
"What's wrong?" Feng Yao's gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.

Qian Renxue's long eyelashes trembled slightly, concealing the strangeness in her eyes: "It's nothing." She gently stroked the box with her jade-like fingers, "How should this celestial medicine be consumed?"

Feng Yao leaned forward, his voice unconsciously softening: "Remember, do not chew; swallow directly. Afterward, you must fully circulate your soul power to guide the medicine's effects." His tone suddenly turned serious. "No matter how painful the process, you must remain conscious, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain."

Seeing Qian Renxue about to open the jade box, Feng Yao suddenly remembered something and hurriedly raised his hand to stop her. Under Qian Renxue's questioning gaze, he took a few steps closer, slightly embarrassed. A delicate fragrance wafted to his nose, making his ears burn slightly.

“Your Highness,” Feng Yao whispered, almost touching her ear, “When the medicine takes effect, the fire power within you will…” His voice trailed off, the last few words almost inaudible. Qian Renxue was startled at first, then her jade-like face flushed crimson, her earlobes beneath her golden hair turning slightly red. She glared at Feng Yao, embarrassed and annoyed, only to see that he had already turned away tactfully, calmly leaving the training ground, carefully closing the door behind him.

Watching the white figure gradually disappear into the distance, Qian Renxue's heartstrings seemed to be gently plucked. She raised her hand and lightly touched her chest, feeling the unusual throbbing there.

As a young woman in the prime of her life, Qian Renxue naturally dreamed about her future. In those quiet, dark nights, she would gaze at the starry sky and imagine what kind of person would enter her destined extraordinary life.

She thought she should at least beat her, but fate dealt her the most unexpected blow—a young man playing the zither barged into her carefully constructed life. He inadvertently saw through her disguise, yet chose to protect her secret.

Qian Renxue looked down at the Phoenix Sunflower in her hand, the golden light flowing over the immortal herb reflecting her complex emotions. She suddenly realized that, without her noticing, the boy who always wore a gentle smile had already occupied a special place in her heart.

"How absurd," she murmured to herself, yet a faint smile played at the corners of her lips. She gently raised her hand and slowly placed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower into her mouth. In the final moments before the drug took effect, the image that flashed through her mind was Feng Yao's eyes, filled with a gentle smile.

"Well"

The moment the celestial herb entered her throat, Qian Renxue trembled. A scorching torrent surged from her throat straight to her dantian, and an unnatural flush rose on her snow-white skin. The six-winged angel martial spirit on her back manifested uncontrollably, its three pairs of pure white wings trembling violently in the scorching air.

Qian Renxue's long, golden hair moved without wind. Her magnificent palace attire had long since turned to ashes in the intense heat.

"what--"

A soft moan of pain escaped her lips. Qian Renxue felt every inch of her meridians being scorched by flames, but what terrified her even more was that the long-dormant angelic bloodline within her was beginning to boil. A wisp of crimson-gold flame energy gradually merged into the originally pure divine power.

Feng Yao leaned against the stone gate, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the strings of the Fuxi Qin. Every fluctuation of soul power emanating from within the barrier stirred his emotions.

Suddenly, a burning, stinging pain spread from her chest. At the same time, Qian Renxue's suppressed groans of pain came from inside the room. The sound seemed to be deliberately restrained, but one could still hear the heart-wrenching pain within it.

"You can even share the pain of absorbing immortal ingredients?" Feng Yao smiled bitterly and pressed his chest.

The temperature inside the training ground continued to rise, and even the door he was leaning against began to feel hot. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Feng Yao's forehead, but he remained standing guard outside the door, not leaving for a moment.

After a long three-hour wait, the sky finally began to lighten. As the first rays of dawn pierced through the thin mist, the sweltering heat within the training ground gradually subsided.

Feng Yao raised his hand and gently knocked on the door, his voice tinged with weariness and concern: "Your Highness, are you alright?"

A response came from inside the door; her usually cold voice now seemed to melt away like snow, gaining a touch of warmth: "Come in."

The moment Feng Yao pushed open the door, his breath caught in his throat—morning light streamed through the stained-glass windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow. Qian Renxue stood silently in the center of the light, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes. Her already stunning beauty was now even more breathtakingly radiant, a crimson-gold flame divine mark faintly visible between her brows, echoing the six-winged angelic martial spirit spreading behind her. The edges of her three pairs of gilded wings flowed with sun-like patterns, each feather radiating a sacred and blazing light.

"It seems," Feng Yao's eyes reflected the dazzling scene, a gentle smile unconsciously curving her lips, "that the effect is even better than expected."

Qian Renxue lowered her gaze to her palm, a cluster of crimson-gold flames dancing between her slender, white fingers. It moved as obediently as if it were her own arm. She looked up at Feng Yao, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, and her lips parted slightly: "Thank you." The two words, light as a feather, landed heavily on Feng Yao's heart.

Before Feng Yao could recover from this rare moment of tenderness, a flash of golden light appeared before his eyes, and Qian Renxue's figure had vanished. Only the faint fragrance lingering in the air and the slightly arrogant words in his ear, "Let's continue tonight," proved that everything just now was not an illusion.

Feng Yao gazed at the empty training ground, a smile gradually widening on his lips. Feeling the stickiness on his body, Feng Yao headed towards his dormitory.

A few days later, the preliminary rounds finally came to a close. Compared with previous years, the top five academies remained largely unchanged—aside from Shrek Academy, which emerged as a dark horse, the Four Elements Academy still secured its place in the next round. However, upon closer inspection, the situation differed significantly from the original story.

Since Tang San's serious injury and absence, the Shrek Academy team, lacking its core control-type martial soul, has struggled to advance. On the field, Dai Mubai, though incredibly brave, couldn't mask the team's chaotic coordination; Xiao Wu's teleportation, though agile, couldn't compensate for the tactical gaps. Even when Tang San returned injured later, his Blue Silver Grass control proved ineffective against the flames of Blazing Academy, the hurricanes of Divine Wind Academy, and the frost of Heavenly Water Academy. Plant-type martial souls crumbled under extreme elemental conditions, and their ingenious control tactics were often torn to shreds by the raging elemental turbulence from the very beginning.

This outcome was quite different from the original story as Feng Yao remembered it. Lacking the martial soul evolution brought about by the immortal herbs, and facing the suppression of the ultimate elements, Shrek Academy ultimately failed to create the miracles of the original story. However, Feng Yao knew that, given Tang San's personality, this setback would only drive him to seek a breakthrough even more frantically.

For Shrek Academy, advancing to the next round is already a success. The upcoming qualifying matches are clearly more advantageous for Shrek Academy. Whether it's Tang San, Dai Mubai, or Yu Tianheng, they will definitely have a huge advantage in one-on-one situations.

(End of this chapter)