Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo and Li Zhaoyan's refinement of the Immortal Herb had lasted an entire night. When the first rays of morning light entered the valley, Dugu Bo's body suddenly radiated a brilliant golden light.
"He's about to break through!" Yang Wudi keenly sensed the energy fluctuations.
They saw Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Spirit automatically manifest. A single horn grew above the serpent's head, dark gold in color with a faint glow at its tip. Most peculiarly, a dark green venom could vaguely be seen slowly flowing inside the horn.
"His Martial Soul has evolved!" Dugu Yan exclaimed joyfully. "Grandpa's Serpent Emperor has grown a horn!"
Dugu Bo slowly opened his eyes, a golden light flashing through them. "The Earth Dragon Golden Gourd is truly miraculous! This horn is condensed from the essence of my Martial Soul—all the potent toxins have been compressed and stored within it!"
He explained in detail: "A special venom sac structure has formed inside the jade horn. The Martial Soul toxins that were originally scattered throughout my body are now all concentrated within the horn. The golden scales provide a perfect defensive barrier, so the toxins will never backlash against me again."
After careful observation, Yang Wudi marveled: "What an exquisite toxin storage mechanism! The venom circulates within the horn, maintaining its toxicity while never eroding the main body."
Dugu Bo demonstrated: "Now when releasing toxins, I only need to shoot venom arrows from the horn's tip—much more precise and controllable than before." With a slight shake of the horn, a dark green venom arrow accurately struck a distant rock, instantly corroding a deep pit into it.
"This Martial Soul... deserves a new name." Dugu Bo pondered. "A horn storing venom, golden scales providing protection... let's call it 'Jade Horn Golden Scale Serpent'!"
His Soul Power aura surged dramatically, breaking through to the 93rd level. The color of his scales deepened throughout his body, shifting from dark green to golden brown, with clearly enhanced defensive capabilities.
"Congratulations, Elder!" Li Zhaoyan praised. "The toxin issue is completely resolved, and your strength has reached new heights!"
Just then, peculiar ripples emanated from around Li Zhaoyan. Everyone immediately felt overwhelming pressure, as if standing in a deep autumn maple forest.
"This is... a Domain!" Dugu Bo exclaimed in shock.
Li Zhaoyan opened his eyes and retracted the Domain before explaining: "The Domain is complete. It can suppress enemies' Soul Power and recovery by 15%. I'll call it Autumn Maple!"
He turned to Dugu Bo: "Elder, your jade horn design is exquisite. With toxins concentrated and stored, you can control them with precision during battle."
Dugu Bo nodded: "Exactly. Originally, toxins were spread throughout my body, inevitably harming myself when used. Now all venom is stored in the horn's sacs, released precisely through the horn's tip..."
He demonstrated again: fine pores opened at the horn's apex, shooting venom threads that glittered dangerously in the sunlight. "Venom quantity, range, and concentration can all be precisely controlled—this is the true way of using poison!"
Ye Qingwan asked with concern: "What about the original backlash problem..."
"Completely resolved." Dugu Bo said contentedly. "The golden scales isolate the toxins, while the jade horn specializes in venom storage. Look here..." He pointed to the dark golden patterns at the horn's base. "These are venom circulation channels. The toxins form their own system within the horn and will never spread throughout my body again."
After careful observation, Marco said: "The jade horn is like a sophisticated venom factory—capable of both production and storage, as well as precise delivery."
Dugu Yan was the happiest: "Grandpa will never have to suffer from toxin backlash again!"
Everyone stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Dugu Bo, sensing his newly enhanced power, nodded with satisfaction: "My Soul Power has increased by one level, and my defense has greatly improved. This trip has been quite rewarding."
Li Zhaoyan explained the effects of the Autumn Maple Domain in detail: "Maple leaves will drift within the domain, obstructing the enemy's vision and confusing their consciousness. Within the domain's range, it can suppress the enemy's Soul Power by 15% while also reducing their recovery rate by 15%."
As he spoke, he activated the domain again. Maple leaves swirled through the air, blurring their vision, and everyone clearly felt their Soul Power circulation becoming sluggish while their recovery speed noticeably slowed.
"What a formidable domain!" Yang Wudi exclaimed in amazement. "Dual suppression effects are invaluable in team battles!"
Ye Qingwan asked joyfully, "Zhaoyan, your Soul Power..."
"It broke through two levels consecutively. I'm now an 89th-level Soul Douluo," Li Zhaoyan said with satisfaction in his voice. "Just one more level, and I can break through to become a Titled Douluo."
Upon hearing this, everyone offered their congratulations. An 89th-level Soul Douluo was just one step away from becoming a Titled Douluo, and combined with his domain ability, his strength was already extraordinary.
"Father is amazing!" Marco praised sincerely. "With your domain ability and Soul Power improvement, your previous strength already matched that of an ordinary Titled Douluo, and now you're even stronger."
Ye Lingling also said happily, "Father will soon become a Titled Douluo!"
Dugu Bo sighed with emotion, "Brother Li has gained the most from this trip. Domain abilities are extremely rare - there are only a handful of Soul Masters on the entire continent who possess them."
Li Zhaoyan shook his head modestly, "I still have to thank you, Senior, for sharing the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had this opportunity."
At this moment, Dugu Yan asked curiously, "Grandfather, has your Jade Horn Golden Scale Serpent's Spirit Ability changed?"
Dugu Bo displayed his evolved Martial Soul: "The horn has enhanced the precision of venom spraying, and the golden scales have improved the effect of defensive Spirit Abilities."
He specifically demonstrated his fifth Spirit Ability "Golden Scale Body Protection." Golden-brown scales covered his entire body, and the defensive power had increased by nearly fifty percent compared to before.
"With this defense now, even a same-level assault system Soul Master would find it difficult to break through," Dugu Bo said with satisfaction.
After everyone became familiar with their new abilities, Dugu Bo suggested, "Now both Brother Yang and Qingwan need Spirit Rings. I'm quite familiar with the distribution of Soul Beasts in the Sunset Forest."
He pondered for a moment before saying, "There's a 40,000-year Armor-Rending Eagle on the northern cliff, skilled in armor-piercing attacks, suitable for Brother Yang's Soul Breaking Lance. In the ancient forest to the west, there's a 30,000-year Spirit Nurturing Tree with pure life energy, perfectly matching Qingwan's support characteristics."
Yang Wudi's eyes lit up, "The Armor-Rending Eagle is indeed suitable for me. Its armor-piercing characteristics can enhance the penetrating power of my Soul Breaking Lance."
Ye Qingwan also nodded, "The life energy of the Spirit Nurturing Tree is greatly beneficial for support system Soul Masters. It should allow my healing ability to advance further."
Feeling the unimpeded flow of Soul Power within his body, Dugu Bo revealed a long-absent, relaxed smile on his face.