Nearly a month passed, and August came to an end.
One evening, Dugu Bo arrived at the valley.
"Grandfather Dugu, you've reached rank 94?" Yang Yunhai welcomed him into the wooden house with a smile.
"Of course. Otherwise my two months of seclusion would've been wasted." Dugu Bo nodded slightly. "Not only has my soul power advanced, but I've also grasped the abilities of my martial soul. Before the tournament begins, I'm confident I can reach rank 95."
"Because of the power of the earth?" Yang Yunhai's eyes lit up.
Dugu Bo chuckled. "Xiao Hai, you're still as sharp as ever. Yes, it's the power of the earth. I can draw that power into my body and refine it into pure soul power through my martial soul. With my current physical strength, there's no barrier at all to breaking through to rank 95."
"But after that, it won't be so easy." He sighed and went on, "Though I've not experienced it myself, I've heard much about the realms beyond rank 95. It's said that beyond soul power, one must also comprehend one's martial soul."
"Soul rings and soul skills ultimately come from soul beasts. They aren't fully a soul master's own strength. So after Titled Douluo, the higher realms require complete comprehension — integrating everything so it becomes truly your own power."
"To return to simplicity — that is the essence."
He looked at Yunhai meaningfully. "Soul power made me think of soul bones. Human lifespans can't compare to soul beasts. The total amount of soul power we can bear is limited. Training step by step raises that limit only so much. This is where soul bones become vital."
"In my estimation, to reach rank 99 smoothly, one must have at least three soul bones of fifty-thousand years or more. I've been considering whether to make another trip into the Star Dou Great Forest."
"As for comprehending one's martial soul — that depends entirely on one's own insight."
Yang Yunhai thought to himself, 'No need to 'comprehend' the martial soul. Just like Tang San in the original story, stack eighteen rings and a set of god-tier soul bones — you can brute-force your way to rank 99. Honestly, I don't believe Tang San ever truly comprehended his martial soul. Later on he was just swinging the Sea God Trident around.'
He nodded slightly. "Grandfather Dugu, I do have some thoughts about soul bones."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"Think about it. Once you spread word about the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma and the Land Dragon Golden Melon, do you really think the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will sit quietly? And do you think they'll let me — the one who ruined their plans — walk free?"
'This all started because of you. You'll have to carry the blame. So how about we take them out together?'
Dugu Yan, who had just come out to sit beside her grandfather, fell silent. Dugu Bo had already told her the full story.
'Ruthless. I like it.' Dugu Bo nodded slowly. "That path is possible. But we'll need to wait for the right moment."
He glanced at Yan Yan, then continued grimly, "Frankly, I suspect they'll want to kill us both and drain our blood."
Dugu Yan stiffened at his words.
"And there's one more person," Yang Yunhai added, eyes glinting. "Tang Hao."
"Hm?" Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed, and the image of the transformed soul beast Xiao Wu came to mind.
'With Xiao Wu and Tang San's bond, conflict with Tang Hao was inevitable. Strike first or be struck later. I understand this truth well.'
"Grandfather Dugu, you saw how his son treated me. You also know what Yu Xiaogang is like. My martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Tang San's martial soul is also Blue Silver Grass. Do you really think they'll have no designs on me?"
'They're all my future enemies. Best to wipe them out now. My teachers, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, will help. Master and Uncle handle the Titled Douluo, Grandfather Dugu clears the fodder, and we finish them all. If we plan it right, quietly erasing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan won't be impossible. Their wealth, Tang Hao's full set of soul bones — all ours to divide.'
'Dare to covet my future son-in-law? Then die.'
Cold light flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. "This must be carefully planned."
'First Tang Hao. He's too great a threat to leave alive — and it may involve the Clear Sky Sect as well.'
"No rush. We can afford to wait." Yang Yunhai nodded.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Dugu Bo had only recently taken immortal herbs. Their power was still rising rapidly. Especially Dugu Bo, who was close to rank 95 — a qualitative leap. Waiting a little would only make things more secure.
Three Super Douluo, one with Time Freeze, another with Polar Domain — Yang Yunhai could not imagine Tang Hao escaping that.
Dugu Yan stole a glance at Yang Yunhai. 'I've underestimated him. Just a few words, and he's already thinking several steps ahead. Ruthless and decisive… this is no ordinary youth. A little fox with sharp fangs.'
Compared to him, Yu Tianheng was nothing.
Her gaze slid to Zhu Zhuqing, calm as ever by Yang Yunhai's side. 'No wonder I can't see through her anymore. Growth by his side has changed her. Truly, who you follow matters more than anything.'
"Enough of this." Dugu Bo shifted the topic. "Xiao Hai, it's about time for you to get your next soul ring, isn't it?"
Yang Yunhai nodded, then asked, "Grandfather Dugu, in all your travels, have you seen places struck by lightning year-round?"
"Of course." Dugu Bo thought a moment. "Northwest of the Haagen-Dazs Kingdom, across the coast, lie three islands. The local fishermen call it the Devil's Triangle. The seas there are storm-wracked all year, with constant lightning."
"I went once as a Soul Douluo. Thought there might be treasure. But even from far away, I saw the coastline was barren — no trees, only scorched reefs, withered shrubs, a few weeds. Clearly everything had been blasted dead by lightning. I didn't even bother landing."
"Past that, only reefs, whirlpools, and treacherous currents. Not worth the risk."
"There's also an active volcano in the northeast of the Heaven Dou Empire, thunderclouds above it every day. And in the south of the Star Luo Empire, a chain of volcanoes — thunder roars there too. Even the Star Dou Great Forest once had a valley like that. I went there as a Soul Douluo. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan tried too, but came back charred and battered. In that valley, lightning could strike down at any moment."
"But that was many years ago. Now, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has claimed it as their territory."
"Why?" Yang Yunhai asked.
(End of Chapter)
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