Douluo: One man returns, Fan Tianyin smashes Tang San to death

These words startled Lu Yu.

He looked at Ning Rongrong and noticed a barely perceptible anxiety hidden in her eyes.

It reflects a lack of confidence in one's own abilities and a vague anxiety about the future.

He sighed softly, his voice gentle yet rational: "Rongrong, there is no shortage of talented people on the mainland, but talent is only the starting point. Whether one can turn talent into achievement depends on their own circumstances and efforts."

Yu Chen's talent is indeed amazing, but you don't need to underestimate yourself.

Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Martial Soul is already among the top-tier support-type Soul Masters.

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a bitter smile: "I know you want to comfort me, Lu Yu."

But I know very well that the reputation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the power of the apothecary mean that when I travel outside, people are never afraid of me, Ning Rongrong, but of you, or the sect.

I don't want to live forever in your shadow; I want to be someone who can hide my own shadow.

These words were so blunt that Lu Yu was speechless for a moment.

He could sense Ning Rongrong's inner struggle—she no longer wanted to be that "shadow" who only relied on the glory of others.

This desire for independence both pleased and worried him.

He frowned and said in a deep voice, "Rongrong, the outside world is not like the apothecary. The conflicts between empires are intensifying. It's too dangerous for a level 78 Soul Saint like you to train alone."

What if we encounter someone with ill intentions...?

"I know it's dangerous!"

Ning Rongrong interrupted him, her tone stubborn, "But if I don't even have this much courage, how can I keep up with you? Lu Yu, I don't want to be a burden to you, and I don't want to be able to stand far away and watch you fight at crucial moments."

Lu Yu remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on her face, before finally nodding: "Okay, I respect your choice."

But you have to promise me that if you encounter any danger, you'll tell me immediately.

His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an unwavering determination that left no room for argument.

Ning Rongrong was stunned for a moment, then revealed a relieved smile: "Okay, I promise you."

The conversation turned to the handover of management of the pharmacy. Ning Rongrong mentioned that she had temporarily entrusted the matter to Cheng Yufeng and was seeking Lu Yu's opinion.

Lu Yu was slightly taken aback, and the image of that taciturn but extremely reliable young man came to mind.

Although he hadn't seen Cheng Yufeng for a long time, he greatly admired his abilities and nodded, saying, "Cheng Yufeng is steady and reliable, I have no objection to this arrangement."

However, Ning Rongrong frowned and hesitated, saying, "Lu Yu, do you know Cheng Yufeng's identity? He is a descendant of the Min clan! The four great families are already mysterious, and now the Haotian Sect is supporting Dai Mubai."

Although your relationship with Dai Mubai has improved, what if things change in the future? Will Cheng Yufeng's identity cause trouble for the pharmacy? Just like the Star Luo Empire, internal problems keep arising...

Lu Yu sensed her worry, smiled, and said in a relaxed but confident tone, "Rongrong, you're overthinking it."

Cheng Yufeng suffered amnesia due to an accident and has a unclear understanding of his own background.

I have already looked into his situation, and there won't be any problems.

With me here, the apothecary will be fine.

Ning Rongrong breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then remembered something and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes: "By the way, Lu Yu, I once heard Cheng Yufeng mention you, and his face turned red."

Do you think you and him have some kind of inappropriate relationship?

She deliberately dragged out her words, with a hint of teasing.

Lu Yu was taken aback, then laughed and cried at the same time: "Don't think nonsense! Cheng Yufeng and I are completely innocent, there's nothing abnormal about us!"

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips, clearly not believing it, but she didn't press the matter further. She simply stood up and said, "Alright, I need to go back and pack my bags. I'm leaving tomorrow."

After saying that, she turned and left, her back view carrying a hint of stubbornness that was feigned nonchalance.

Lu Yu did not give chase.

He knew that Ning Rongrong needed to process her emotions on her own at this moment.

He stood there, his gaze gradually becoming profound.

He both understood and worried about Ning Rongrong's decision.

Douluo Continent has never been a safe place, especially now that various forces are stirring up trouble. Although the cultivation level of Soul Saint is not weak, it is still insufficient when facing true powerhouses.

He couldn't forcibly stop her from making her choice, but he would never let her leave without any security.

In the stillness of the night, Lu Yu stood alone in the alchemy room in the backyard of the apothecary, holding a jade pendant that emitted a faint light in his hand—"Heart of Guardianship".

This jade pendant is crystal clear, with starlight flowing inside. It is a treasure he crafted using a large amount of luck points. It can release light to offset a fatal injury when the holder faces a life-or-death crisis.

Previously, he had only crafted one for Zhu Zhuqing; now, Ning Rongrong will become the second holder.

Lu Yu stroked the jade pendant, his gaze softening slightly.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Ning Rongrong's abilities, but rather that he was well aware of the dangers of the Douluo Continent.

Compared to powerful figures like Liu Erlong, who possess formidable strength and the backing of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family, Ning Rongrong, despite having the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as her backer, might still attract lecherous individuals due to her beauty and status.

The covetousness of those who follow them.

This "Guardian Heart"
That was the last guarantee he could give her.

However, he also knew in his heart that the price of this jade pendant was not small.

Each instance of damage mitigation requires a large amount of luck points, and if used frequently, the cost becomes incredibly high.

But for Lu Yu, Ning Rongrong's safety was far more important than these points.

He carefully put the jade pendant away, deciding to secretly give it to Ning Rongrong before she left.

The next morning, before the mist had dissipated, Ning Rongrong, dressed lightly and carrying a simple bag, stood at the gate of the pharmacy on the bluestone path outside.

Her gaze fell on the direction of Lu Yu's room, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes.

She knew that Lu Yu might not have gotten up yet, but she didn't want to disturb him or make the atmosphere of parting too heavy.

She gritted her teeth, turned around and stepped onto the path, her figure gradually disappearing into the morning mist.

Ning Rongrong's heart was not at peace.

Although the decision to leave was her own, she only felt the heavy pressure when she actually took that step.

She knew that her strength was insufficient compared to Lu Yu and the others, and she understood that if she did not work hard to catch up, she might only be a bystander in the future.

She doesn't want this.

She longs to grow through experience into someone who can stand beside Lu Yu and offer him help, rather than forever remaining a "shadow" hidden in the shadow of others.

A morning breeze blew by, lifting the ribbon in her hair.

She gripped the shoulder strap of her bag tightly, her gaze hardening: "Lu Yu, wait for me to come back, and I will become even stronger."

Her voice was barely audible, yet it carried an unwavering determination.

Lu Yu stood at the second-floor window of the apothecary, silently watching Ning Rongrong's departing figure. He clutched the "Heart of Protection" in his hand.
In the end, they still couldn't catch up.

He knew that what Ning Rongrong needed was not his obstruction, but respect and support.

He looked down at the jade pendant and murmured, "Rongrong, may you return safely."

As the sun gradually rose and the fog dissipated, the apothecary returned to its usual tranquility.

Lu Yu turned and walked back to his room to begin dealing with the day's affairs.

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the vast and boundless earth. Countless stars twinkled in the sky, like countless indifferent eyes, overlooking the joys and sorrows of humankind.

Lu Yu hovered high in the sky, his robes fluttering in the night wind, his gaze following the fading figure in the distance.

Ning Rongrong's figure had already blurred, turning into a barely perceptible outline on the horizon, until it completely disappeared into the darkness.

Lu Yu's gaze lingered on that figure for a long time, as if it carried the softest longing in his heart. Only when the sky began to lighten did he slowly lower his eyes, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.

"She has her own path to follow, so why are you so reluctant to let her go?"

In my mind, a deep and slightly aged voice sounded, carrying a hint of sighing and comfort.

That was the voice of the remnant soul of the Qilin, carrying a hint of detached indifference, yet subtly revealing concern for Lu Yu.

Lu Yu did not respond immediately. He looked down at the sleeping mansion below, where the lights had long been extinguished, leaving only the night and silence.

It felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart, so heavy that he could hardly breathe.

He understood that Ning Rongrong's departure was her own choice; she had her own principles and goals, just as he had his own path to walk.

He understood, but the reluctance lingered in his heart like a vine, impossible to shake off.

He longed to protect her by his side, shielding her from hardship and danger, but he also knew that with his current strength, he was not yet capable of dealing with the mountain of troubles that were pressing in.

"I know she has her own purpose in coming here, and I also know that she might be able to help me in the future."

Lu Yu's voice was low and tinged with self-mockery, "But I still want to protect her, even if it's just for a little longer."

Unfortunately, I can't even do that.

The remnant soul of the Qilin remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering its words, before slowly saying, "This world is vast and boundless; what you and I see is but a corner of it."

Who can predict the future? One day, the two of you will meet again.

Perhaps her departure is for a better return.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's gaze sharpened slightly, and a hint of doubt arose in his heart.

The words of the remnant soul of the Qilin seemed to contain a deeper meaning, as if it knew some secrets that it had not yet touched.

He didn't press further, but simply nodded and turned his gaze back into the distance.

The light of dawn gradually fell, dispelling the chill of the night, but it could not dispel the melancholy in his heart.

He said in a low voice, "Never mind, I have my own path to walk."

Rongrong, you must stay safe.

He took a deep breath, as if suppressing all the distracting thoughts in his mind, and his gaze became firm.

He looked down at the mansion below, and he already had a direction in mind.

Although the remnant soul of the Qilin did not explicitly state it, it awakened him—the conflicts and secrets of this world far exceeded what he had seen, and he must become stronger in order to protect those he wanted to protect and to uncover the truth hidden in the mist.

Meanwhile, on the eastern edge of the Spirit Empire, outside a desolate city, a life-or-death chase was unfolding under the night sky.

Tang Hao and his son Tang San streaked across the night sky like shooting stars, flying at high speed.

Tang Hao's middle-aged face was full of fatigue, his complexion was as pale as paper, and there was a dark red patch on his right chest. Blood had already soaked through his robes, a shocking sight.

He covered his wound with one hand and gripped Tang San's shoulder tightly with the other. His soul power was fluctuating erratically, indicating that his injury was extremely serious.

Tang San's condition wasn't much better. His breathing was unsteady, his face was full of anxiety and anger, but his eyes revealed an indomitable stubbornness.

"Dad, hang in there! We'll definitely shake them off!"

Tang San's voice trembled slightly as he exerted all his soul power while supporting Tang Hao, trying to lighten his father's burden.

But he knew in his heart that their situation was already precarious.

Just then, a low, whistling sound suddenly came from the night sky, and several figures appeared in front of them like ghosts, blocking their path.

The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in black. He was thin, but his aura was as heavy as a mountain, and his eyes revealed a coldness and domineering nature.

Behind him, seven figures lined up in succession, each radiating terrifying soul power fluctuations—all of them were titled Douluo-level powerhouses! The eight of them spread out in a fan shape, vaguely forming an encirclement, trapping Tang Hao and his son in the center.

"Tang Hao, you are not leaving today."

The man in black spoke in a ghostly, cold voice, as icy as ice, "A year ago, your son Tang San assisted Dai Mubai in ruining the great affairs of my Martial Soul Empire."

The Spirit Empire of today is no longer the Spirit Hall of the past. You two, don't even think about escaping again!

Upon hearing this, Tang Hao's eyes flashed with anger, but due to his severe injuries and weak breathing, he could only barely stand up straight.

He whispered to Tang San, "Little San, if there's a chance later, you go first. I can hold them off for a while."

"father!"

Tang San suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with grief and indignation, "I will never leave! If we have to leave, we'll leave together!"

Ghostly sneered, said no more nonsense, raised his hand and waved, and the seven Title Douluos behind him attacked at the same time.

Seven terrifying waves of soul power swept in like giant waves, the air seemed to freeze under the pressure, and the ground cracked inch by inch under the impact of the soul power.

Tang Hao gritted his teeth, forcefully summoned his soul power, and swung the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. The hammer shadow was like a mountain, bringing with it a violent airflow, attempting to offset the incoming attack.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the aftershocks of the collision of soul forces uprooted the surrounding trees and created a huge crater in the ground.

Although Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer blocked part of the attack, the remaining soul power still pierced his chest like a knife.

He groaned, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and staggered, almost losing his balance.

"father!"

Tang San's eyes were bloodshot with rage as he glared at Gui Mei and the others. However, he was only a Soul Douluo and was powerless to resist the eight Title Douluos.

He could only watch helplessly as his father grew weaker under the attack, and despair surged through his heart like a tidal wave.

A cold glint flashed in the ghostly eyes. With a swift movement, the long sword in his hand, imbued with a sharp killing intent, pierced straight towards Tang Hao's chest.

Tang Hao roared and forcefully gathered his soul power, swinging the Clear Sky Hammer once more, unleashing a violent storm.

The entire area seemed to have been torn apart, the ground sank, and dust flew everywhere.

Taking advantage of the brief chaos, Tang Hao grabbed Tang San and fled into the distance with all his might. (End of Chapter)