...
As dusk fell, the setting sun cast a blood-red glow deep within the forest.
Xuanhao and Na'er were sitting on the shore of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, cultivating by taking advantage of the rich ice and fire elements here.
Although it was called cultivation, Na'er actually spent most of her time playing.
She seemed to have a natural ability to manipulate the elements; the violent ice and fire forces were like docile toys in her hands, which she molded into all sorts of small animals that flew around in the air.
"Brother, look! It's an ice rabbit!"
Na'er presented a small rabbit made of ice element to Xuan Hao like a treasure.
"Hmm, so cute."
Xuan Hao gave a perfunctory reply, but his mind was preoccupied with his own legs.
After completing the transformation of his body and soul bones, the two remnant souls of the Dragon Kings directly entered his two 100,000-year-old soul bones and fell into a deep slumber.
The Ice Dragon King took over Arou's Soft Bone Rabbit's left leg bone, while the Fire Dragon King took over Ayin's Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone.
The good news is that, because the two soul bones were strengthened by the power of the Dragon King, not only was their quality greatly improved, but the remnant soul of Arou, which was residing in the left leg bone, also benefited.
"Xiao Hao..."
A gentle voice echoed in Xuan Hao's mind.
It was A Rou's voice, "That...that Dragon King seems to be asleep."
"Yes, I know."
Xuan Hao responded in his mind, "Are you alright?
Sister Bing has a bit of a temper, did she bully you?"
"No...no."
Arou's voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that she was quite frightened by her "roommate."
"Although that person is dignified, she won't pay attention to me as long as I don't bother her.
Moreover... her aura is very beneficial to my soul.
I feel much more solid than before."
"That's good."
Xuan Hao breathed a sigh of relief.
He was genuinely afraid of the Ice Dragon King's volatile temper.
What if he suddenly lost his temper one morning and swallowed Arou's remnant soul as a snack?
He would have nowhere to turn then.
After all, in the eyes of these Dragon Kings, other soul beasts, even those that are 100,000 years old, are nothing more than food.
...
"Whoosh—"
Just then, a whooshing sound broke the tranquility of the valley.
Two figures descended from the sky and landed steadily on the open ground in front of the treehouse.
It was Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan who had returned from hunting for soul rings.
"Tsk tsk tsk..."
Xuan Hao opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the grandfather and grandson, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Old Poisoner, you're amazing!
This is practically a rejuvenation!"
At this moment, Dugu Bo's long hair, which was originally gray and withered, has now become jet black and shiny, with a few strands of mysterious dark green mixed in.
The wrinkles on his face have been reduced by more than half, and his skin is radiant and rosy.
He looks like a handsome middle-aged man in his forties, with no trace of his previous gloomy and old appearance.
More importantly, it was his aura.
The nauseating, corrosive stench of snakes that once filled people with revulsion has completely disappeared, replaced by a deep, heavy, yet somewhat domineering aura of majesty.
That is the Dragon's Might.
"Hahaha! Kid, how about that?
Were you startled?"
Dugu Bo was in high spirits and laughed heartily, "I am now the true Azure Dragon Emperor!"
"Thanks to you, not only has my martial soul evolved, but my soul power has also broken through to level ninety-two!
Moreover, the toxins in my body are being rapidly condensed and fused with the poison pills, transforming into a dragon ball that I can control at will!"
"I have a feeling..."
Dugu Bo clenched his fist.
"Give me time to adapt to this new cultivation method, and I might even be able to glimpse the peak realms above level 93, 94... or even 95!"
Congratulations!
Xuan Hao cupped his hands in greeting, "Now you won't be at the bottom among the Title Douluos anymore."
"..." Dugu Bo's smile froze.
"You brat, can't you say something nice?"
Xuan Hao shrugged, his gaze passing over Dugu Bo and landing on Dugu Yan behind him.
Upon seeing this, his gaze immediately became somewhat fixed.
If Dugu Bo's transformation was like "plastic surgery," then Dugu Yan's transformation was practically like "a head transplant."
Although the original Dugu Yan was considered a beauty, her serpentine and cold temperament always made people feel uncomfortable.
But now...
Her short, deep purple hair had grown into long, flowing locks that swayed in the wind.
Her features had become more refined and defined, especially her emerald green eyes, which were no longer the cold, vertical pupils of the past, but instead possessed a captivating blend of heroic spirit and allure.
Her figure is even more...
Her curves were perfectly proportioned, and the tight-fitting clothes could barely contain them, giving her a breathtakingly wild beauty.
and...
Xuan Hao's gaze unconsciously shifted downwards.
This development... isn't it a bit too good?
Dragon transformation has this function?
Breast enhancement?
Noticing Xuan Hao's somewhat fixed gaze, Dugu Yan not only didn't shy away, but instead puffed out her chest smugly, a playful smile playing on her lips:
"What's wrong?
Little brother, are you stunned?"
"Uh...that..."
Xuan Hao awkwardly looked away, touching his nose.
"I was just looking at you... um, your aura has improved.
Yes, your aura!"
This damn auto-aim!
"Cough cough..."
To cover up the embarrassment of his "instinctive aiming," Xuan Hao tactically coughed twice and quickly changed the subject:
"So, how does it feel?
The improvement from this evolution must be quite significant, right?"
"Of course!"
Dugu Yan proudly raised her chin:
"Not only has my soul power increased by nearly ten levels, reaching level thirty-three, but I have also discovered that as my martial soul evolved into the Azure Phosphorous Poison Dragon, my first and second soul skills have also mutated."
"In the past, it was just simple toxin control, but now... it seems there are some more violent attack methods."
"As expected."
Xuan Hao nodded.
"Soul skills are the product of the combination of martial soul and soul ring energy.
When the martial soul undergoes a qualitative change, the soul skill will naturally be sublimated as well."
"Before, you were a snake, and your attacks mainly consisted of coiling and spitting venom.
Now you are a dragon, and the power of the dragon, the breath of the dragon, and even the might of the dragon will be incorporated into your skills."
After speaking, Xuan Hao looked up at the sky.
The sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and night had enveloped the entire forest.
"Alright, we've been out for almost half a month now, it's time for us to go back."
Xuan Hao dusted himself off and pulled up Na'er, who was still playing in the mud... oh no, playing with elements:
"If we don't go back and show our faces soon, some people hiding in the shadows might get so anxious that they'll turn Tiandou City upside down."
This trip took quite a while, and the gains were far greater than expected.
As for the immortal herbs covering the ground in the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire, since the territory already belongs to him, there's no rush.
There will be plenty of time to harvest them later.
"Let's go, I'll take you back."
With a wave of his sleeve, Dugu Bo unleashed a gentle yet powerful surge of soul energy that instantly enveloped the three of them.
As his martial soul evolved into the Azure Phosphorous Dragon Emperor, his speed also increased significantly.
...
Tian Dou City, late at night.
The bustling capital city gradually quieted down, with only a few brightly lit and noisy places remaining.
A streak of dark green light silently streaked across the night sky and landed steadily in the shadows of the back alley of the Tiandou Royal Hotel.
"Put us down here."
Xuan Hao led Na'er out and said to Dugu Bo, "It's so late at night, let's not bother those old men at the academy.
Let's go back to the hotel and get some sleep, and then go to the academy to register tomorrow."
"I want to stay in a hotel too!"
Dugu Yan immediately came over, grabbed Na'er's arm, and winked at Xuan Hao, "Anyway, there are plenty of hotel rooms, I'll sleep with Na'er.
We can go to the academy together tomorrow, saving me the trouble of making a trip from home."
"No." Xuan Hao shook his head.
"You should just go home with your grandfather."
"Why?" Dugu Yan asked, somewhat disappointed.
"Are you afraid I might do something to you?"
"What are you thinking about?"
Xuan Hao asked helplessly.
"You just underwent a martial soul evolution, and your body and soul power have undergone tremendous changes.
Don't you feel it yourself?"
"Previously, you were a control-type Soul Master who relied on the venom of the Azure Phosphorous Serpent to control the field, and your physical strength was relatively weak.
But now, your Martial Soul is the Azure Phosphorous Poison Dragon, which not only has top-level poison attributes, but also the powerful physique and strength of a true dragon."
Xuan Hao pointed to Dugu Yan's long legs, which concealed explosive power:
"Your fighting style has changed."
"You are no longer a simple control type, but a powerful offensive type with strong control abilities."
"The change in your martial spirit and soul skills means that your previous combat habits and cultivation direction must all be overturned and started from scratch."
At this point, Xuan Hao looked at Dugu Bo, who seemed to be deep in thought:
"I can't teach you these things.
Looking across the entire Douluo Continent, the only one who can give you the most correct guidance right now is your grandfather, the newly-born Azure Dragon Emperor."
"When we get back tonight, I'll have your grandfather give you a good check-up on your body and soul skills.
Otherwise, you'll end up with all that dragon power but still wriggling around like a snake when you fight.
That would be embarrassing."
After listening to Xuan Hao's analysis, Dugu Yan was stunned for a moment, and then she realized what he meant.
Indeed, although she felt stronger, she was still somewhat unfamiliar with this newfound power, and even found it difficult to control.
"All right..."
Although Dugu Yan was somewhat reluctant, she knew that Xuan Hao was right.
Evolving one's martial spirit is a major event.
If one cannot adapt to the new fighting style as soon as possible, not only will one waste their talent, but one may even suffer losses in actual combat.
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