"Ah!"
Dugu Yan covered her mouth, staring in disbelief at the three soul rings rising from Li Yu feet.
She had previously sensed that Li Yu soul power level was not much higher than hers.
However, in the earlier battle, Li Yu had never revealed his soul rings.
This meant that Li Yu had only mobilized his soul power all along, or perhaps had some means to hide his soul rings.
In any case.
For whatever reason, Dugu Yan had subconsciously thought that Li Yu soul power level was high.
But when Li Yu revealed his soul rings, and she saw that he was just a three-ring Soul Sovereign like herself, her perception was completely shattered.
The three soul rings were all purple, ten-thousand-year level!
The shock that this soul ring configuration brought her was even greater than the shock of killing a ten-thousand-year soul beast!
From what she had seen, she had never encountered a soul master with such a soul ring configuration!
At this moment, watching Li Yu step toward the rising soul rings, Dugu Yan was filled with a new surge of emotion.
Could it be that the older sister was going to try absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring at the fourth soul ring?
Is this really possible?
Dugu Yan subconsciously wanted to stop him.
Based on the knowledge her grandfather had taught her, attempting to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring at the fourth soul ring was practically a death wish.
But in the next second, she forcibly stopped herself from thinking that way.
Looking at Li Yu current soul ring configuration, this conventional knowledge did not apply to him at all.
Moreover, with his first, second, and third soul rings already being purple, ten-thousand-year level, it seemed only natural that his fourth soul ring would be a ten-thousand-year one.
At the same time, she suddenly realized.
Li Yu was only now absorbing his fourth soul ring, which meant that he had only just reached level 40, and had not even had time to hunt soul rings for himself!
Level 40, yet possessing such strength?
Dugu Yan instantly felt the gap between herself and Li Yu widening at an unprecedented rate.
It had grown so large that even with her grandfather, the Title Douluo, she could not compare.
Meanwhile, Li Yu had already seated himself beneath the flickering black soul ring.
He adjusted his breath slightly, then slowly closed his eyes, beginning to connect with the black soul ring.
During this process, he felt nervous.
According to Xiao Wu and Tang san, soul rings produced by soul beasts over ten thousand years old carried the "resentment" of the beast.
That was the difficulty of absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring!
And this soul ring, created by a soul beast proficient in illusions, likely contained even more resentment than usual ten-thousand-year soul beast soul rings!
It was also much more dangerous.
But now, it had come to this point, and how could Li Yu back out just because there might be danger?
The next moment.
The black soul ring gathered around Li Yu, slowly enveloping him.
Li Yu tightly closed his eyes, quietly absorbing the soul ring while remaining alert for the potential "resentment" attack that could come at any moment!
...
...
"Dugu Yan?"
"Li Yu, young lady?"
Dugu Bo floated in the air, his spiritual power sweeping through every inch of land in the Ice Fire Eyes, but he couldn't find the two of them.
He frowned, his face serious.
A few minutes ago, he had been quietly meditating.
However,
An explosion suddenly occurred, waking him up!
Of course, the explosion wasn't strong enough to warrant his attention, but it had caught his notice.
But then, he realized.
This was his secluded location, so why would an explosion suddenly happen?
And although its power wasn't much, it didn't seem like something that Dugu Yan or Li Yu could have caused.
Could it be that... someone discovered this hidden place and attacked?
How dare they!
Dugu Bo immediately broke his meditation, and with a flash, he appeared above the Ice Fire Eyes.
But everything was normal, and there was no sign of an attack.
He grew even more puzzled, wanting to learn what had happened from Dugu Yan and Li Yu.
But Dugu Yan and Li Yu were nowhere to be found.
"Did they leave?"
Dugu Bo thought to himself, then his face changed.
Could it be that the explosion just now, so close, was a sign that they encountered some danger?
Dugu Bo felt a little panicked, but then noticed that the methods he had placed on Dugu Yan had not been triggered, which helped him calm down a little.
But the next moment, he disappeared from his location, clearly still uneasy.
...
...
The explosion.
It was a violent explosion.
Such a situation was rare in the Sunset Forest, almost unheard of.
But when it did happen.
Without exception, it always meant that humans were coming to hunt soul beasts!
This meant that, for the soul beasts, enemies had arrived!
...
...
"Jade Phosphor Serpent!"
Dugu Yan third soul ring flashed, and purple poison mist spread out instantly.
The soul beasts charging toward her were immediately tainted by this purple poison mist.
In a matter of moments, the skin of those tainted by the purple mist began to rot!
"Roar!"
"Moo!"
Smash! Smash! Smash!
One soul beast after another fell to the ground, constantly rubbing its body on the ground, trying to stop its body from continuing to decay.
But it was all in vain.
In no time, more than ten white soul rings slowly rose.
"Damn!"
Dugu Yan gritted her teeth, her face a little ugly as she looked at the ever-increasing number of soul beasts around her.
Though the ones attacking were soul beasts that had not even reached a hundred years of age, she could easily take their lives.
However, among the soul beasts watching from the sidelines, she could already feel that many had reached the hundred-year and even thousand-year mark!
Clearly, these soul beasts were not without intelligence.
They understood strategy!
At first, a soul beast that had just reached a thousand years old attacked but was forcibly suppressed by her.
After sensing her strength, stronger ones began directing the lesser soul beasts to wear her down!
So.
Even though she killed easily, Dugu Yan mood grew heavier.
Half an hour had passed, but Li Yu still hadn't absorbed the soul ring.
The soul beasts closing in on them were increasing in number.
With her current strength, she couldn't hold out much longer.
And now, her soul power was almost exhausted!
As soon as she showed a flaw, those watching soul beasts would pounce on her!
Not only would she be in danger, but Li Yu, still absorbing the soul ring, would become their food as well.
"What should I do?"
Dugu Yan couldn't help but ask herself.
She had always been extremely confident in her own strength and talent; otherwise, she wouldn't have become the vice-captain of the Tiandou Royal Academy's team.
But she was ultimately a control-type soul master.
Facing such intense and prolonged combat, she was still somewhat powerless.
Just then.
"Roar!"
Another beast roar sounded.
Immediately, a group of soul beasts, like they had received some signal, launched an attack on Dugu Yan!
Clearly, they had realized that Dugu Yan was at her limit.
Dugu Yan looked at the scene with despair, exhausting all her soul power to release the final "Jade Phosphor Serpent."
Then, she closed her eyes, waiting for death to come.
At the last moment, she muttered in her heart: "If I could die with big sister, it wouldn't be so bad."
But just then.
A dignified voice suddenly rang out:
"insolent!"
The once despairing Dugu Yan froze, then quickly looked up with surprise.
It was Dugu Bo.
"Grandfather!"
At the sight of Dugu Bo, the tears in Dugu Yan eyes finally fell uncontrollably.
Dugu Bo looked at her with heartache.
But he knew very well that Dugu Yan had been protected too well for too long. Now, this was a good opportunity for her to gain experience.
Dugu Yan was already not a little girl; she should learn to face danger on her own!
Otherwise, with his strength, it would have been no problem for him to come here in just a few minutes.
There was no need to waste so much time to show up.
He had been watching in the shadows the entire time, wanting to intervene countless times, but had always refrained.
Only when Dugu Yan soul power was exhausted did he finally relax, and the tension he had been holding in for so long was finally released.
Seeing Dugu Yan like this, his anger immediately erupted.
A terrifying aura descended, and all the excited, predatory soul beasts exploded in an instant!
Pop! Pop! Pop!
One by one, the soul beasts burst open, their blood scattering all over the ground.
If not for the sharp stench of blood, the scene would have resembled a blooming flame flower.
And the rising soul rings added to the beauty of the scene.
"Grandfather~"
Dugu Yan sobbed as she threw herself into Dugu Bo embrace.
"It's okay, it's okay."
Dugu Bo didn't know how to comfort her and could only keep repeating that it was okay.
He certainly couldn't tell Dugu Yan that she had always been safe, that he had been watching her the entire time, right?
That would just make his granddaughter resent him!
He had been in the Soul Master world for many years, and he naturally wouldn't make such a mistake.
At the same time, seeing Dugu Yan so aggrieved, he cursed himself inwardly.
Now that he was a Title Douluo, why let his granddaughter suffer?
She should live as he pleases, as happily as she wants!
He, a Title Douluo, couldn't solve any problems a three-ring Soul Sovereign had to deal with, could he?
He couldn't think of anything!
As for the future?
Now that the poison in his body could be dealt with, he could continue to cultivate and level up, maybe even live longer than Dugu Yan.
Cough cough!
At that moment, Dugu Bo awakened!
What hardship education? To hell with that!
Thinking about it, he was about to say a few comforting words to his granddaughter.
But before he could speak, Dugu Yan had already calmed down.
She looked up at Dugu Bo with some concern and asked, "Grandfather, big sister is absorbing the ten-thousand-year soul ring for her fourth ring. Isn't that a bit too risky?"
Dugu Bo looked at Li Yu, who was still absorbing the soul ring, and did not answer Dugu Yan immediately. Instead, he introduced Li Yu:
"Her name is Li Yu, she is a bit older than you, just call her Sister Yu!"
"Li Yu? Sister Yu!"
Dugu Yan blinked, realizing that after all this time, she hadn't even asked for her name.
"Normally, absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring for the fourth soul ring is indeed like courting death!"
Dugu Bo's eyes showed an unknown emotion.
"But this Li Yu is different!"
"Her talent is truly amazing, and her spiritual power is incredibly strong!"
"She can even break illusions created by a ten-thousand-year soul beast, so she still has a chance to absorb this ten-thousand-year soul ring!"
He glanced at Dugu Yan and added, "Even if she can't absorb it, with me around, I can guarantee her safety."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan finally felt relieved.
She smiled and held onto Dugu Bo arm. "Grandfather, you're the best!"
Dugu Bo twitched his mouth, not replying, but his eyes were filled with complex emotions.
It seemed like Dugu Yan feelings for Sister Yu had become somewhat... complicated!
What should he do about this?
Sigh!
Shaking his head, Dugu Bo couldn't think of a solution, so he decided to hope that he was overthinking it.
Then, he looked at Li Yu back with a complex gaze and a bit of envy.