"Blondie," Building a Solid Foundation

"Poisoned..."

Lin Yao raised a brow at the sound, looking at Chen Xin with mild surprise.

He had known about the hidden danger of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent lineage only because of his limited knowledge of the original story.

Yet he had not expected Chen Xin to possess such sharp insight, seeing through the concealed ailment within Dugu Yan's body from only a few scraps of information.

Beside them, Dugu Bo looked at his granddaughter's pale little face. A trace of unconcealable sorrow flickered through his eyes, but it vanished in an instant as he unconsciously glanced at Chen Xin in the distance.

This Sword Douluo was renowned far and wide, with the massive Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind him. Perhaps he truly could find a solution.

But they had only met by chance. As a dignified Title Douluo, how could he lower himself to ask for help?

What was more, this concerned the deepest secret of the Dugu Clan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent and Jade Scale Snake Emperor Martial Souls. If it leaked out, it would inevitably draw the covetous eyes of those with ulterior motives.

Countless thoughts surged through his heart, eventually turning into nothing but a silent sigh.

Dugu Bo clenched the hand hanging at his side. His fingertips turned white from the force, but in the end, he did not say a word.

The scene fell silent. Only the wind passing through the forest leaves made a faint rustling sound.

Chen Xin watched Dugu Bo's hesitant appearance and reached his own conclusion.

Even with his cultivation as a Level 96 Title Douluo, he had nearly failed to see through the poison inherent in the Jade Phosphorous Serpent.

Had Dugu Yan not been absorbing a Soul Ring, with the fluctuations of Soul Power disrupting the poison's concealment, he might still have remained unaware.

The poison's ability to hide itself was truly beyond imagination. Was Dugu Yan's Soul Ring absorption process unusual, or was the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul simply that bizarre?

Seeing Dugu Bo acting so awkwardly, Chen Xin could not be bothered to ask further.

After all, even Dugu Bo, who was famed for poison, was helpless against it. What confidence could a swordsman like him possibly have?

It would be better to ask Fengzhi after returning. Perhaps he had some connections.

If they could truly resolve the hidden danger threatening Poison Douluo's granddaughter, they might be able to win this Title Douluo over. That would be a great help to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well.

With that thought, he temporarily put the matter aside and turned his gaze toward Dugu Yan, who was absorbing her Soul Ring.

Seeing the two big shots fall silent, Lin Yao also turned his attention back to Dugu Yan.

The girl before him was only eleven or twelve and had not fully grown into herself yet. She lacked the seductive charm she possessed when she first appeared in the original story, but she had a fresh, youthful grace of her own.

Especially her long, straight green hair, which fell over her shoulders like a waterfall. It made her palm-sized face appear all the fairer, carrying a touch of endearing childishness.

Lin Yao looked at her, making his own calculations.

This girl was beautiful and reasonably talented. If he could use her to befriend Dugu Bo, perhaps he could gain access to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye.

Such a treasured place would provide endless benefits to a Soul Master's cultivation. Before he broke through to the Soul Saint stage, it would be a crucial resource of immense help to him.

Of course, he had considered another path—using his teacher Chen Xin's power to force Dugu Bo into submission.

But after giving it another thought, he found it highly inappropriate.

Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo. Even if he was not among the strongest at his level, his poison techniques were terrifyingly lethal to low-level Soul Masters.

If they made a mistake and pushed him too far, they could easily create a deadly enemy.

Besides, even if he claimed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye with his current strength, he would have no control over it. He would instead waste the advantage of his foreknowledge, making it more trouble than it was worth.

With Spirit Hall under the rule of that madwoman Bibi Dong, there was no need to drive away a powerful person who could become a friend.

Lin Yao had always followed one principle: make plenty of friends and as few enemies as possible. There was no need to ruin a relationship over temporary gains.

Besides, Dugu Bo seemed solitary and irritable, but he was actually cold on the outside and warm within. Given the right opportunity, he might become an elder worth befriending deeply.

Unlike certain people...

Lin Yao silently curled his lip.

That Tang "Buddha" had people massacre a city and take the blame for him, then reaped all the benefits after they died.

He even relied on the Book of Ages in later generations to whitewash himself. In terms of shameless methods, Lin Yao admitted defeat.

Lin Yao knew very well just how terrifying Spirit Hall's power was. Even a sect like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which possessed two Super Douluos, could not withstand a single blow from them.

When the nest was overturned, how could any eggs remain intact?

He was now part of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, so naturally, he would advance and retreat with the sect.

But that did not mean he disagreed with some of Spirit Hall's ideas.

Slave trading was still widespread across this continent, while chaos and division existed everywhere. If he became strong enough someday, he truly wanted to give it a thorough "cleansing."

However, all of that depended on him growing strong first. Only then could he make his own voice heard and carry out his own will.

At that thought, the joy of breaking through to Level 16 faded away like receding tides, leaving behind only a heavy sense of urgency.

Just then, a faint wave of Soul Power spread outward.

The dark yellow Soul Ring around Dugu Yan gradually stabilized, floating at her side like a warm jade bracelet.

Her cheeks, which had been flushed red from absorbing the Soul Ring, slowly returned to their fair color. Then her eyelashes trembled as she gradually opened her eyes.

"Grandpa!"

The girl's voice was soft and sweet from having just awakened, but it could not hide her excitement. "I did it! I absorbed my second Soul Ring and became a Soul Grandmaster!"

The gloom on Dugu Bo's face vanished at once, replaced by a gratified smile. Even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes relaxed.

"Good, good! As expected of my precious granddaughter. Are you satisfied with this Soul Skill? You chose that Soul Beast yourself."

He looked at his granddaughter, but his heart was filled with mixed emotions. His son and daughter-in-law had passed away early, and she was his only remaining hope.

Yet as he watched her strength steadily improve, he felt both pride and pain—every increase in Soul Power brought her one step closer to the day when he, white-haired, would have to bury her black-haired.

But how could he stop her from becoming stronger?

In the survival-of-the-fittest Douluo Continent, mediocrity meant being at the mercy of others.

After he was gone, who would protect her?

Even a Title Douluo found it difficult to escape such helplessness.

Dugu Yan did not notice her grandfather's complicated feelings. She excitedly lifted her chin and released her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul.

The green serpent coiled around her shoulder. One pale yellow and one dark yellow Soul Ring rose and fell around her like flowing halos, looking particularly beautiful.

She glanced at Lin Yao and Chen Xin nearby. Not only did she have no intention of hiding her Soul Skill, she eagerly said instead,

"My second Soul Skill is called Jade Scale Purple Mist. It's a control-type Soul Skill, and it perfectly makes up for my weakness."

The moment she finished speaking, the dark yellow Soul Ring around her lit up sharply.

In an instant, a dense purple mist spread from her palm like a blooming poisonous flower, swiftly shrouding a small patch of forest nearby.

A constant sizzling sound rang out. The tree trunks touched by the mist were corroded into pits at a visible speed, while their originally verdant leaves instantly withered and blackened.

"Look."

Dugu Yan pointed at the corroded trees and explained to Lin Yao and Chen Xin.

"This mist is not only poisonous and harmful to the body, but it can also disrupt the circulation of Soul Power. It can control enemies and attack them directly. I think it's quite practical."

Lin Yao moved closer, carefully observing the mist's spread and corrosive effects before nodding.

"It really is good. Area-of-effect poisonous mist control should be very useful in team battles.

"Especially with the poison's corrosiveness—if an opponent with greater Soul Power carelessly gets touched by it, they'll probably be in serious trouble too."

There was sincere praise in his voice, without the slightest hint of perfunctory flattery.

A faint blush rose to Dugu Yan's face. She was a little excited. If someone else had praised her, she might not have thought much of it, but this person before her was a genius whose First Ring was a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, and he had even helped her. Naturally, his words meant more to her. She continued,

"Still, its biggest flaw is that it spreads a little slowly. If I encounter a fast Soul Master, I might not be able to trap them at all."

"Then you can only set it up in advance. You can't have both fish and bear's paw. This Soul Skill is already so lethal—if it spread quickly too, that would be terrifying."

Lin Yao smiled.

"When you're in a spirit battle, quietly release some mist in places your opponent might pass through. Once they enter the area, activate it with full force.

"Or cooperate with a teammate's control skill to limit their speed. That should allow it to show tremendous effectiveness."

Dugu Yan nodded with a smile. "That's what I was thinking too."

From the perspective of a control-type Soul Master, she had come up with the same approach. She had not expected this attack-type little brother with a Sword Martial Soul to think so clearly, his ideas perfectly matching hers.

Dugu Bo listened from the side. Seeing the sincere smile on his granddaughter's face, his previously tense expression unknowingly softened considerably.

This kid was not only talented, but quick-witted too. He could actually get along so well with his granddaughter, and everything he said made sense. He did not resemble a six- or seven-year-old child at all. Was this what a genius from a major power was like?

"And," Lin Yao continued, "your Jade Phosphorous Serpent's first Soul Skill is a buff-type skill, but it carries poison as well. It should be able to combine with your second Soul Skill. For example, use the mist first to disrupt the opponent's vision and Soul Power, then buff yourself while weakening the enemy. With the two poisons stacked together, you'll gain a huge advantage before the battle even begins."

Dugu Yan nodded repeatedly. The way she looked at Lin Yao changed, carrying a hint of curiosity and approval.

"You're right. My first Soul Skill can buff me and my teammates, while also weakening enemies. Its poison effect isn't inferior either. Now that it can stack with Jade Scale Purple Mist, it really can create explosive stacked damage."

She paused, then said a little sheepishly, "But my Soul Power isn't enough yet. Using both Soul Skills together consumes too much..."

"Take it slowly."

Lin Yao waved a hand.

"When your Soul Power increases and your control improves, you'll naturally be able to use them freely. Having such a Soul Skill combination at the Soul Grandmaster stage is already very impressive."

His tone was natural, without any deliberate flattery. It was more like he was seriously discussing and exchanging insights with someone his own age.

Dugu Yan felt warmth rise in her heart, and she could not help curving her lips into a smile.

"You're right. By the way, what's your name? What is your Martial Soul? I saw that you seemed to have only one Soul Ring, and it looked like a pale purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Was I mistaken?"

"My name is Lin Yao, and my Martial Soul is the Star Sword."

As Lin Yao spoke, the Soul Power in his body stirred slightly, and a longsword flowing with faint starlight appeared in his hand.

"And you weren't mistaken. My First Soul Ring really is a Thousand-Year Soul Ring."

"It really is a Thousand-Year Soul Ring?!"

Dugu Yan stared at the pale purple Soul Ring. After confirming her suspicion, her eyes widened round with shock.

"You're only a First Ring Soul Master, right? And you absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring? How is that possible?"

Even genius Soul Masters usually had First Soul Rings of around four hundred years. Thousand-Year Soul Rings placed an enormous burden on the body, and a single mistake could cause one to explode to death.

This boy looked two or three years younger than her, yet he had dared to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring at the Soul Master bottleneck—and had succeeded.

Could he be one of those exceptionally gifted geniuses who had spent several years training his body in order to absorb a Soul Ring of higher age?

Lin Yao smiled and did not explain much. "Just luck. Still, after absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, my Soul Power did rise faster. I'm Level 16 now."

"Level 16..."

Dugu Yan was even more stunned.

She had reached Soul Grandmaster at eleven, which already counted as outstanding talent.

But this boy looked to be eight or nine at most, yet he was already Level 16 and possessed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring? He was practically a monster!

If she knew Lin Yao was only six years old and had awakened his Martial Soul not long ago, she would likely be shocked beyond words.

It could only be said that the effects Soul Rings and Soul Power had on a child's physical development were simply too powerful. Six-year-old Lin Yao looked no different from an eight- or nine-year-old.

"Your Sword Martial Soul looks really powerful."

Dugu Yan asked curiously.

"What is your Soul Skill? Could you... could you show it to me? Or... could we spar sometime when we're free?"

The more she spoke, the more excited she became. She had already completely regarded the boy before her as someone she could exchange pointers with.

After all, at this age, it was truly rare to meet a peer with comparable talent who was also easy to talk to.

"Since you told me about your Soul Skill, I have no reason to hide mine. My first Soul Skill is called Ink Star Sword Shadow. It has both enhancement and burst effects."

Lin Yao readily agreed.

"As for sparring, no problem. There will be opportunities in the future."

"A very good Soul Skill, especially since it has two effects."

Dugu Yan nodded repeatedly, her face brimming with anticipation.

"Then it's settled. The next time we meet, we have to spar!"

Watching the two chat so happily and smile at each other, Dugu Bo's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and an inexplicable sense of crisis rose within him.

This kid...

At such a young age, he was not only talented, but sweet-tongued too. With just a few words, he had his precious granddaughter smiling from ear to ear.

If they kept talking, he might just run off with his granddaughter!

And this kid even had Sword Douluo as his backing. He could neither hit him nor scold him. It was simply...

Dugu Bo coughed a few times, his voice deliberately stern. "Ahem! Yan, it's getting late. We should return and rest. Senior Chen Xin, Yao, we'll take our leave first. We'll meet again if fate allows."

Without waiting for their response, he grabbed Dugu Yan by the wrist and turned to leave, his steps carrying a hint of haste.

"Grandpa, why are you in such a hurry?"

Dugu Yan stumbled as she was pulled along. Turning back, she called out to Lin Yao, "Lin Yao, don't forget our agreement! We have to spar next time!"

"Alright, I'll be waiting!" Lin Yao smiled and waved.

Watching the two hurry away, Chen Xin's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

This kid was rather good at getting along with girls. He would probably get along well with Rongrong in the future too.

The two continued along the forest path toward the edge of Sunset Forest.

Since they were in no rush to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Chen Xin used the time to continue teaching Lin Yao the foundations of swordsmanship.

"Yao, do you know why those who learn the sword must first practice the basics—chopping, thrusting, pointing, and sweeping—instead of learning the killing moves of my Seven Kill Sword from the start?"

Chen Xin leaned on his sword, its tip pressing a shallow mark into the bluestone as his gaze settled on Lin Yao.

Lin Yao tightened his grip around the Star Sword, thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head. "This disciple does not know. Please enlighten me, Teacher."

Chen Xin's longsword trembled slightly with a clear hum. A condensed stream of Soul Power slid along the blade's spine, drawing a straight silver line through the air.

"Basic swordsmanship is the 'bones.' The Seven Kill Sword Art is the 'soul.'

"A chop must be steady so you can hold your sword firmly in chaotic battle.

"A thrust must be accurate so you can find a flaw amid an army of thousands.

"A point must be swift so you can decide life and death in an instant.

"These seemingly clumsy repetitions do not train moves. They train sword sense—making your hands, eyes, and heart become one with this three-foot blade."

He suddenly stepped forward. The wooden sword in his hand seemed to come alive. An ordinary horizontal slash carried an irresistible Aura, splitting even the oncoming wind apart.

"My Seven Kill Sword Art emphasizes 'slash, intercept, rend, shatter, break, destroy, and annihilate.' The seven forms progress layer by layer, every move drawing blood.

"But look at the 'slash' formula. Its opening move is merely a basic chop, infused with killing intent and Soul Power.

"The 'intercept' formula is still fundamentally a variation of blocking, except it must sever the enemy's weapon within a hair's breadth."

Chen Xin turned his wrist, and the Seven Kill Sword abruptly accelerated. Sword shadows interwove into a dense net. Every turn and every swing followed the traces of basic swordsmanship.

"If your foundation is unstable, learning the Seven Kill Sword is like building a tower without a base. What you think is sharpness is nothing more than empty flash.

"No matter how fierce your killing intent is, it is useless if you cannot hold your sword steady. No matter how clever your techniques are, they mean nothing if you cannot strike a vital point."

He sheathed his sword and stood still, his gaze falling upon Lin Yao:

"From this day forward, swing your sword three thousand times every day. When you slash, cut through the airflow three inches before you. When you thrust, pierce the same point in the air every time.

When you feel that this wooden sword has become an extension of your arm, I will teach you the first form of the Seven Kill Sword.

Remember, the sword must be in your hand, but even more so in your heart. The deeper your foundation, the sharper your own sword's edge can become."

Lin Yao nodded solemnly. "This disciple understands."

For the rest of the journey, the two traveled at an unhurried pace. Chen Xin would occasionally instruct Lin Yao on his movements, correct the finer details of his exertion, and explain the essence of each sword technique.

Lin Yao practiced with meticulous focus. His sword swings gradually went from awkward to proficient. When his arms grew sore, he circulated his Soul Power to ease them for a moment, then resumed his training.

The journey from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to Sunset Forest took no more than half an hour for a Title Douluo, but for Lin Yao, who had to practice swordsmanship while traveling, it felt exceptionally long.

Yet he did not complain in the slightest. Instead, he found joy in it.

Every swing of his sword deepened his understanding of basic swordsmanship. The memories of sword techniques he had gained from the Academy World also gradually merged with the foundations Chen Xin taught him, becoming something truly his own.

Chen Xin watched it all and nodded to himself.

This child was not only astonishingly talented; more importantly, he possessed diligence and patience to match.

Previously, with the Thousand-Year Soul Ring, Lin Yao could rival a Soul Elder when he unleashed his full strength. Yet his swordsmanship had still been immature, carrying the raw awkwardness of experimentation.

After receiving Chen Xin's guidance, Lin Yao had not aimed too high. Instead, he settled down and honed his fundamentals. Now, even without using the power of his Soul Ring, he could contend with opponents at the Soul Grandmaster level without falling behind.

"Not bad."

As Chen Xin watched Lin Yao's figure swinging his sword, he silently praised him.

"No matter how great one's talent is, without proper refinement, it cannot become uncut jade. With Yao's steadiness, his future achievements will surely be boundless."

He looked at the Star Sword in Lin Yao's hand. The starlight flowing across its blade and the faint sword intent it emitted both spoke of the child's potential.

Still, he was far too young. His Soul Power remained shallow, and it would take time before he could truly wield this power.

"With the sword intent of the Star Sword, the sword qi of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, and a solid foundation, only then can Yao truly comprehend the heart of his own Sword Dao."