The evolution of Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng's martial spirits and the surge in their spirit power didn't cause the slightest stir in Tiandou City.
Like Lin Xiao, they spent most of their time in seclusion in Haitang Valley.
The occasional appearances at the Tiandou Royal Academy were merely as students.
Their true strengths were carefully concealed.
To this day, aside from Lin Xiao, Dugu Bo, and Ye Renxin, no one outside the world knew of the transformation these two young women had undergone.
Lin Xiao looked at Dugu Bo and Ye Renxin, then thought of the mature Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng, and a surge of pride welled up in his heart.
Unwittingly, the power gathered around him rivaled even some of the continent's top sects.
A level 95 Poison Douluo.
A level 91 Medicine God Douluo.
Add to that two exceptionally gifted Soul Master girls with boundless potential.
And then there was himself, a twelve-year-old Level 40 Soul Master.
If this power were revealed, it would be enough to shake the entire Soul Master world.
Thinking of this, Lin Xiao turned his gaze to Dugu Bo beside him, his eyes firm.
"Senior Dugu, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to accompany me on this journey to obtain my fourth spirit ring."
"I want to try my luck in the Star Dou Great Forest."
"I've formed a mercenary group there with plenty of manpower, so finding spirit beasts might be easier."
Dugu Bo's cloudy, triangular eyes flickered with interest upon hearing this.
He couldn't stand loneliness. Although his strength had greatly improved over the past three years, he was also truly bored.
"Going to the Star Dou Great Forest? Okay! When do we leave?"
Lin Xiao pondered for a moment.
"Let's set off tomorrow. Today... I want to spend time with Leng Leng first."
"I don't know how long it will take to find a suitable spirit ring in the Star Dou Great Forest. I should definitely tell her."
Dugu Bo curled his lips, but didn't say much, only a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
A month later. On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, in the Soul Hunting Town.
Lin Xiao and Dugu Bo, dusty and exhausted, appeared at the entrance of a rather impressive settlement on the edge of town.
Above the main gate hung a massive plaque, inscribed with the words "Dragon Soul" in powerful, bold strokes, exuding a subtle menacing aura.
This was the headquarters of the Dragon Soul Mercenary Group, founded by Lin Xiao.
Two figures had been waiting at the entrance for a long time.
They were the Dragon Soul Mercenary Group's two vice-captains, Xiao Zhan and Tie Shan.
Behind them stood hundreds of mercenary members, each imposing and possessing a fierce presence and piercing gazes.
Clearly, they had received Lin Xiao's message in advance and were waiting in formation.
Seeing Lin Xiao's presence, Xiao Zhan and Tie Shan perked up, quickly stepping forward and bowing.
"Subordinates! Greetings, Sect Master."
According to mercenary group etiquette, Lin Xiao should be addressed as "Captain. "
However, these two were core members of his faction, and even before the sect was officially established, they had always addressed him as "Sovereign Master."
The remaining several hundred people shouted in unison, "Greetings, Captain."
Dugu Bo looked at the imposing and majestic group of spirit masters before him, a rare hint of surprise in his turbid triangular eyes.
Hundreds of mercenaries, dressed in uniform, stood tall and had sharp eyes, a stark contrast to the loose and chaotic mercenary groups he had in mind.
"Little monster. I can't believe you were only eight or nine years old a few years ago, yet you quietly amassed such a massive force."
"You know, even the top three sects only have a few thousand disciples."
"Just these few hundred elite soldiers before you, on the continent, are a force that cannot be underestimated."
Lin Xiao's gaze swept over the group, a wave of emotion welling up in his heart.
It seemed Xiao Zhan and Tieshan had truly put in a lot of effort over the
past few years. Growing from a group of just over 100 to several hundred, while maintaining such strict discipline and adherence to orders, was truly remarkable.
However, right now, at the entrance to the base, was not the place for detailed discussions.
Lin Xiao retracted his gaze and addressed Xiao Zhan directly.
"Xiao Zhan, summon all key members of the group to the meeting hall. The rest of you, please disperse."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Xiao Zhan replied gravely, then turned and began to deliver his orders methodically.
Soon, the noisy crowd dispersed, leaving behind only a dozen figures with exceptionally powerful auras, who followed Lin Xiao and Dugu Bo into the meeting hall.
The spacious hall was decorated simply yet imposingly.
Lin Xiao took the main seat without hesitation.
Dugu Bo was seated at the first seat to his right, a guest seat symbolizing respect.
Lin Xiao's gaze slowly scanned the crowd standing below.
He discovered that besides Xiao Zhan and Tie Shan, there were nine other spirit masters qualified to stand in the hall.
Eight of them possessed varying auras, but without exception, all had reached the Soul King level.
There was also a tall, stern-looking female spirit master, standing just behind Xiao Zhan and Tie Shan.
However, the concentration of her aura was the strongest among those present, perhaps only a step away from becoming a level seventy Soul Sage.
Xiao Zhan and Tie Shan also possessed a rich and enduring aura, having surprisingly broken through to level sixty, becoming Soul Emperors.
A flicker of curiosity flashed through Lin Xiao's mind, but he didn't inquire immediately.
Right now, introducing Dugu Bo's identity to everyone was the most important matter.
He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everyone, this man beside me, from today on, will be the honored elder of our Dragon Soul Mercenary Group."
"As for the elder's identity..."
"I'm sure some of you have already heard of him."
"He is the renowned Titled Douluo in the spirit master world today, Poison Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo!"
As he finished speaking, the entire conference hall fell into a momentary silence.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Dugu Bo, their expressions filled with utter shock, awe, and disbelief.
Titled Douluo!
Those four words resonated like thunder in their minds.
They had already vaguely sensed that the elder accompanying Lin Xiao possessed an extraordinary bearing and unfathomable depth.
But they could never have imagined that this man would be the legendary Titled Douluo, the pinnacle of the spirit master world!
After all, across the Douluo Continent, there were only a dozen or so Titled Douluos.
Each one was a formidable figure whose mere stomp of the foot could shake the world, a figure countless spirit masters would struggle to reach in their lifetimes.
In the Soul Hunting World, those above the Soul Emperor level generally disdained such a career.
Yet, now, a living Titled Douluo sat before them.
Moreover, he had become the Honored Elder of their Dragon Soul Mercenary Group!
After a brief moment of dead silence, there was an uncontrollable surge of excitement and awe.
Led by Xiao Zhan and Tieshan, and including the female Soul Emperor with the strongest aura, everyone saluted in unison, their movements perfectly aligned and filled with immense respect and devotion.
"Junior! We pay our respects to His Majesty Dugu!"
(End of Chapter)