Although a soul master can only rely on themselves to absorb a spirit ring, if all their attributes are enhanced during absorption, then it's possible to break through the so-called theoretical limits.
It wasn't just Dugu Yan who was shaken by this realization—the Golden Generation felt as though they had discovered a new continent. Did this mean that, in the future, when they hunted for spirit rings, they too could surpass the absorption limits?
Hu Liena and the others exchanged glances, then automatically surrounded Su Linfeng and Dugu Yan, forming a protective circle. This spirit ring absorption was critical—and it was the very reason they accompanied her.
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate. Under the radiance of the Golden Flame Domain, she released her Jade Phosphor Snake Venom into the Mountain-Devouring Python's body.
A yellow spirit ring slowly rose into the air.
Half an hour later.
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes and exhaled deeply.
"Too powerful."
At the same time, Su Linfeng withdrew his Golden Flame Domain, and the Golden Generation immediately rushed over.
"What do you mean, 'too powerful'?" Hu Liena asked urgently. "Did you succeed?"
Dugu Yan shook her head—then turned her eyes to Su Linfeng, murmuring,
"I mean, he's too powerful. At first it hurt so much, but gradually… I adapted. And in the end, it actually felt kind of good."
Hu Liena: "…"
Su Linfeng: "…"
What the hell?!
Who taught her to phrase things like that? Could she not finish her sentences? Obviously, she meant his Golden Flame Domain—but the way she left it hanging made it sound… wrong.
"Ahem!"
Su Linfeng cleared his throat twice, a bit embarrassed.
"As long as it worked, that's what matters."
"It worked!"
Dugu Yan's face lit up with excitement. She looked at him gratefully.
"Thank you, Su Linfeng. You're incredible. Next time, I'll come find you again."
"Uh…"
Su Linfeng gave a wry smile.
"For now, let's take a look at your spirit ring."
Everyone from the Golden Generation leaned in, eyes filled with expectation.
"My Jade Phosphor Snake has evolved."
Dugu Yan released her martial soul. Behind her appeared a massive serpent more than five meters long.
The Golden Generation all gasped.
That was still supposed to be a snake?!
Though the Jade Phosphor Snake retained its original form, its size had become monstrous—five meters long, with scales of deep yellow mixed with jade-green, glimmering faintly as though still steeped in venom.
"My martial soul evolved into the Jade-Scaled Python," Dugu Yan explained.
"And it retained the original venomous attribute. My first spirit ability is Devouring Constriction—it can drain an opponent's soul power while also inheriting the python's strangling strength."
She paused, then added,
"Also, the Jade Phosphor Snake poison inside my body is gone. It's now infused into the python's scales. When I activate my first spirit ability, it adds a venomous paralysis effect."
Heaven-defying…
The Golden Generation stared blankly at her, stunned beyond words.
What an unbelievably powerful martial soul!
No wonder this was called the Dragon-Devouring Evolution Path. Her Jade Phosphor Snake had really mutated! And this first spirit ability was terrifying—
Drains soul power.
Physical constriction.
Paralytic venom.
Three attributes from a single spirit ring! If that wasn't heaven-defying, what was?
Almost simultaneously, every pair of eyes turned toward Su Linfeng, burning with fervent anticipation.
They looked as if they wanted to devour him whole.
Su Linfeng could only smile helplessly.
"We'll talk about your spirit rings when the time comes. For now, Dugu Yan can't remain in Spirit City too long. I'll escort her back, while the rest of you continue your trial. Return to the Academy by nightfall."
Back at Spirit Academy—
Dugu Bo was already waiting at the gates. He had been there for some time.
But his condition didn't look good. His face was swollen with dark bruises, no doubt from being pummeled again by Yue Guan.
Once a month, like clockwork.
As a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Snake venom had seeped into his very bones, beyond ordinary methods of removal.
Thus, Bibi Dong had devised a special detoxification method for him: using soul power guidance, the venom would be drawn out and stored inside his head soul bone.
But this came with a risk—if the venom ever erupted from the head bone, it could be fatal.
To counter this, Bibi Dong arranged for him to spar with Yue Guan periodically, forcing the stored venom out through battle.
Repeating this cycle not only allowed him to gradually purge the bone-deep poison but also helped him adapt to storing venom within the soul bone, enhancing his cultivation in the process.
History truly had its strange repetitions.
Once again, Dugu Bo and Yue Guan were tied together—this time not as hunter and hunted, but through a peculiar bond.
"Grandfather!"
Seeing Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan rushed over and clung to his arm.
"Your face…"
"It's nothing, that damned yin-yang freak hit me again!"
Dugu Bo was frustrated, but reassured her.
"Don't worry, just surface wounds."
"Hm?"
As he spoke, Dugu Bo's expression shifted. He sensed her soul power fluctuations, then lit up in surprise.
"Yan Yan, your soul power… you've reached rank eleven? Let me check your body condition— What is this…?!"
The moment his hand touched her head, his eyes widened sharply.
"Yan Yan! Your Jade Phosphor Snake poison—"
"It's gone."
Su Linfeng had just arrived, and he politely greeted him.
"Senior Dugu."
Gone?!
Dugu Bo stared in disbelief, barely hearing Su Linfeng's words as he frantically examined his granddaughter's martial soul again and again.
It was the first time Dugu Yan had seen him so completely lose composure. For once, she felt proud. She explained briefly how they had hunted the python, and how, after absorbing its spirit ring, not only had her poison been purged, but her martial soul had evolved.
Five hundred and eleven years!
Three attributes!
Even a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo twitched at the corners of his eyes when he heard it.
"Senior Dugu," Su Linfeng said, glancing at the darkening sky.
"Her poison is resolved. Since it's getting late, you should return to Heaven Dou. I'll head back to the Spirit Hall."
With that, he gave Dugu Yan a small nod, then turned and left.
"Su—"
Dugu Yan opened her mouth, wanting to call out—but no excuse came to mind. The words died on her lips.
All she could do was watch him leave, her eyes full of unspoken reluctance and hesitation.
It was then that Dugu Bo finally spoke, smiling faintly as he looked at her conflicted expression.
"You like him, don't you, Yan Yan?"
"Yes."
She answered without thinking. But the moment the word left her mouth, she realized her mistake. Her face turned crimson, and she stammered,
"Grandfather, what are you saying?! Don't misunderstand. The kind of 'like' I mean isn't what you think it is."
"Mm, Grandfather understands."
Dugu Bo's smile widened.
"Grandfather's been around long enough to know."
"Grandfather!"
Her face grew redder still. Stamping her foot, she spun on her heel and ran toward Spirit City.
Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore!