After waiting a short while.
Ye Qingxian had already absorbed the Snow Hoof Unicorn Horse's Soul Ring. A powerful aura erupted from her body, and although she was merely a Support System Soul Master, it still made Lin Xiao's heart tremble.
Dugu Bo said calmly:
"The two greatest dividing lines in a Soul Master's cultivation are the Soul Sage realm and the Titled Douluo realm. There is no need to explain the latter, but only upon reaching the Soul Sage realm can one possess a Martial Soul Avatar and unleash the Martial Soul's true power."
Lin Xiao nodded.
He agreed with that. Even Spirit Beasts that transformed and rebuilt their cultivation only became completely human after Level 70, to the point that even Titled Douluo could no longer see through their origins.
Ye Qingxian stood in white robes like snow, her sleeves fluttering in the breeze.
She opened her beautiful eyes, looking radiant and full of spirit.
"Once I use my Nine Hearted Begonia True Body, my healing Soul Skills can become three times more effective. Unless someone is killed instantly, I can pull them back from the brink of death and restore them to full condition in moments."
The Nine Hearted Begonia was a miraculous Martial Soul that took Healing to its ultimate extreme. Every Soul Ring skill it possessed had only one effect: area-of-effect Healing.
Even though Ye Qingxian's Martial Soul had evolved, this trait remained unchanged. Only the Martial Soul Curse had been broken, and its Healing effect had grown even stronger.
In the original story, when Tang San faced the Heaven Dou Royal Team with its Nine Hearted Begonia, he used the deadly poison on his Eight Spider Lances to incapacitate the other six, ultimately forcing Ye Lingling to heal Xiao Wu.
In other words.
As long as one was not afraid of control-type Soul Skills such as poison, a Soul Master supported by the Nine Hearted Begonia was practically immortal.
Lin Xiao felt that his little life was becoming increasingly secure.
Aunt Ye truly was a woman who made people feel safe!
Dugu Bo gave a straightforward assessment:
"The Nine Hearted Begonia's Healing ability is already terrifying, and it is an area-of-effect skill at that. On the battlefield, it can be even more troublesome than a Titled Douluo."
"Even in a battle between Titled Douluo, so long as the Nine Hearted Begonia Soul Master is not killed, fighting one against two would be no issue."
One against two, two against four, four against eight... tsk, tsk.
Unfortunately, no one would be foolish enough for that. In a real fight, they would spare no cost to focus-fire the Support System Soul Master first!
Ye Qingxian patted her skirt and said with a smile:
"Those two girls have been waiting at home for a long time. They must be worried sick and eagerly anticipating news. We should head back and bring them the good news."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily.
"Exactly! Exactly!"
It was not only those two girls who were anxious. Were they not also longing to return?
He could hardly wait to tell Yan Yan the good news!
That girl had suffered so much! How old was she when she lost both parents?
If not for a friend like Ye Lingling, and then Lin Xiao appearing later on, she would surely grow ever more withdrawn in the future, becoming more and more like him!
How could Dugu Bo bear to see that happen?
He slapped Lin Xiao on the shoulder, making him grimace in pain, but he shouted loudly:
"Kid Lin Xiao, thank you!"
"If you weren't so young, I might have entrusted Yan Yan to you! But getting you engaged first would work too. Once you grow up, I'll give Yan Yan to you!"
Dugu Bo had keen eyes and could tell at a glance that Lin Xiao was no ordinary person. Once he encountered wind and clouds, he would transform into a dragon!
In truth,
Innate Full Soul Power, a Phoenix Martial Soul, evolution through Immortal Grass, a powerful will, exceptional character... all these factors combined.
Who even needed keen judgment? Anyone who was not blind could see that as long as Lin Xiao did not die, he was bound to become someone who stirred the tides of the era!
Besides, the boy seemed rather self-disciplined?
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up.
He had been worrying over whom he could entrust Yan Yan to in the future. Wasn't that person standing right in front of him?
It did not matter if he was a little young. Dugu Bo could wait!
Lin Xiao's expression changed. He stared at Dugu Bo in horror and said indignantly:
"Senior Dugu, how old am I? How is this any different from forcing a deal on someone! If Sister Yanyan heard you say that, she would definitely be angry and think you were treating her cheaply!"
Dugu Bo's expression froze as he prepared to explain.
At that moment, Ye Qingxian's dissatisfied voice came from beside him.
"Why are you saying such things to a six-year-old child? Anyone who didn't know better would think Yan Yan couldn't get married. Who rushes to push a marriage like this? If I didn't know what kind of person you were, Poison Douluo, I would truly think you were the sort who sold his daughter for glory!"
Seeing Lin Xiao and Ye Qingxian speak so harshly.
Dugu Bo was left speechless.
In the end, he said awkwardly:
"I was only saying it casually. How did I become someone who sells his daughter for glory in your mouths?"
"I only said it because Yan Yan gets along well with the boy, and because I admire him. I meant well, yet I'm being slandered like this..."
"I won't bring it up again!"
With that, Dugu Bo flicked his sleeve and fell silent, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.
Only then did Lin Xiao let out a breath of relief.
The atmosphere was beginning to turn awkward.
Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo both remained silent.
Lin Xiao gave an awkward laugh, trying to ease the tension.
"By the way, this reminds me of something!"
No one paid him any attention.
Lin Xiao: "..."
He could only continue on his own:
"When I was in Suotuo City, my Evil Fire erupted for the first time. Aunt Qingxian wasn't there to heal me then, so I had to endure it on my own."
"I nearly died."
Ye Qingxian and Dugu Bo, who had been silent, both raised their heads and glanced at Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao continued:
"A powerful Soul Sage wanted to take me to a brothel, but I refused. He thought I found it dirty, so he gave me two options: spend money to buy a commoner woman's chastity, or get engaged to a girl from a respectable family."
"I refused them both."
"With something like Evil Fire, if you give in once, there will be countless more times afterward. In the end, you will lose your true nature and become a beast controlled by Evil Fire. That was the main reason."
"The other reason was that I thought it was unfair."
"Buying chastity with money is far too condescending. As for getting engaged to a girl from a respectable family, it is always the parents deciding for themselves. Who ever asks the girl what she thinks?"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly.
"This world has always been ruled by the strong devouring the weak. If a Soul Master takes a commoner's daughter and leaves behind money, that is already considered kindness! Yet there's an oddball like you?"
Ye Qingxian sighed:
"The Phoenix embodies the Five Virtues, a bird of noble purity. If you willingly sink into depravity, you may enjoy temporary ease, but I fear you will never again have the chance to see a broader sky, nor will you ever become a true Phoenix."
Lin Xiao smiled faintly.
"But that isn't the point of this story!"
"Senior Dugu, what I mean is that elders in this world always make their own decisions and arrange their descendants' lives. I have never even met that girl, much less her parents. Besides, her parents do not know what kind of person I am either."
"Yet her parents agreed to an engagement. Who cares about the girl's own wishes?"
"You just said you would give Sister Yanyan to me. Did you ask Sister Yanyan what she thought?"
Dugu Bo's old face reddened.
He knew that kid Lin Xiao was up to no good!
The dagger had finally been revealed—he had been lecturing Dugu Bo all along.
This brat is bullying me!
Dugu Bo said irritably:
"Enough! Stop beating around the bush and scolding me!"
"If Yan Yan were absolutely unwilling, would I force her to comply?"
"I was merely acting first and informing her afterward..."
Lin Xiao and Ye Qingxian both stared at Dugu Bo quietly without saying a word.
Dugu Bo felt uncomfortable all over under their gazes.
Irritated, he waved his sleeve.
"Let's go! The sooner we get back, the sooner this will be over!"
What were those looks supposed to mean!
Was he, Dugu Bo, really the kind of man who sold his daughter for glory?
He was merely trying to reserve a spot for Yan Yan first. If Yan Yan was unwilling when the time came, then at worst he would swallow his pride and break off the engagement...
Hah, what a headache!
Before you continue