Martial Soul Evolution!

The system's mission reward was too tempting for Qin Yuan to pass up.

Of course, he now understood how dangerous the mission was.

He could dodge Dugu Bo's poisonous mist by skipping the lessons, but he had no choice but to endure Dugu Bo's Soul Power attacks head-on. Several times, the blows had shaken him badly enough to cause internal injuries. If high-grade medicinal herbs had not grown everywhere here, ready to help him heal, he might have suffered lasting damage.

Roughly another month passed before Dugu Bo finally emerged from seclusion.

Whenever Dugu Bo recalled the perils he had faced during his seclusion, he could not help feeling fortunate.

It was as though the heavens themselves were on his side. Several times, when he had stood one step from death, some inexplicable force had dragged him back.

With his Poison Core formed and the Immortal Herb's help, Dugu Bo's Soul Power Level surged straight to level ninety-four.

He had not only shed the label of the weakest Titled Douluo; he could now count himself among the solid mainstays of their ranks.

The joy on Dugu Bo's face was unmistakable when he saw Qin Yuan.

Though he was a Titled Douluo, he set aside his status and bowed to Qin Yuan. "Brother Qin, I'll never forget what you've done for me. From this day on, you'll be a benefactor to the Dugu Clan for generations to come, honored with the family's incense offerings..."

Dugu Bo was not joking.

As a Titled Douluo, he had a long lifespan. Once Dugu Yan absorbed the Immortal Herb and formed her Poison Core, she too could cultivate normally all the way to Titled Douluo.

When that time came, the Dugu Clan would have no trouble putting out new branches and leaves.

To receive generations of offerings from another family was an honor even an emperor had never enjoyed.

Qin Yuan cupped his fists and said with mock annoyance, "Big Brother, if you truly see me as your brother, don't say things like that. We helped each other. This isn't about debts or obligations."

"My Innate Soul Power was only level five. Without the Immortal Herb, I'd have been lucky to reach Spirit Saint in this lifetime. I might not even have broken through to that rank. But now? I'm a hair's breadth from level sixty-nine, and there's nothing holding me back from level seventy."

"Tell me, isn't that helping each other?"

Dugu Bo threw back his head and laughed. He said no more about it, but silently engraved the debt of gratitude in his heart.

He put an arm around Qin Yuan's shoulders and declared generously, "Brother, from now on, half the herbs grown in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well are yours. Don't refuse. We're brothers now—we'll share good fortune and weather hardship together."

"Come on! I kept you waiting so long; that was my failing as your big brother. Let's go to Heaven Dou City. I'll put on a feast for you, and tonight we won't stop drinking until we drop!"

Before they had taken more than a few steps, the aura around Qin Yuan began to swell.

[Five-star commission completed. Reward: one opportunity for Martial Soul Evolution.]

[Name: Qin Yuan]

[Martial Soul: Long-Handled Battle Blade → Flame War Blade]

[Cultivation: Level 68]

Flames engulfed Qin Yuan, radiating a fearsome might.

Dugu Bo clicked his tongue in astonishment.

When the flames dispersed, the Battle Saber Martial Soul in Qin Yuan's hand had changed dramatically in appearance.

Once he summoned his Martial Soul, flames wrapped around the blade, and its power far surpassed what it had been before.

If it had once been an ordinary Martial Soul, it now belonged among the top-tier Martial Souls.

Even so, it remained a fair distance from a Super Martial Soul.

"Martial Soul Evolution. It seems you've had quite a stroke of fortune." Dugu Bo was sincerely happy for him.

Qin Yuan sighed softly, a smile on his face. "Looks like I chose the right Immortal Herb to absorb. With the spring water helping my cultivation, my Martial Soul finally evolved."

The two moved swiftly and soon reached Heaven Dou City.

Dugu Bo made no effort to avoid anyone. He strode openly through the streets, calling Qin Yuan his brother without the slightest hesitation.

With his keen senses, how could he fail to notice the watchers from the various powers nearby?

He did it to tell the world plainly: Qin Yuan was his brother, and he stood behind him!

Anyone thinking of making trouble for Qin Yuan would have to see whether Dugu Bo allowed it.

Qin Yuan had no idea that the various powers already had their eyes on him.

That evening, as he dined with Dugu Bo at a restaurant, a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disguised as a waiter quietly spoke to him between serving dishes. "Mr. Qin, I'm a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Our sect master asked me to tell you that the Golden Saber Shop is in serious trouble. Yu Luomian has set his sights on you."

With that, the disciple left the room without drawing attention.

Qin Yuan sobered up in an instant.

He knew exactly who Yu Luomian was!

The man was the vice sect master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Yu Yuanzhen's own brother. He wielded immense power within the clan.

At most, Qin Yuan had Dugu Bo backing him. How could he contend with the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?

The disciple had said something had happened to the Golden Saber Shop. He needed to get back and see for himself as soon as possible.

After arriving on the Douluo Continent, he had grown up an orphan, raised by Chen Ze's parents.

When the two of them left home, he had solemnly promised Chen Ze's parents that he would keep Chen Ze safe.

If something had happened to Chen Ze, how could he face them?

Dugu Bo's senses were exceptional. He had heard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciple's words, and when he saw Qin Yuan's face change, he immediately guessed what was wrong.

He slipped an arm around Qin Yuan's shoulders and said with a smile, "Yanyan's matter can wait. A day or two won't make a difference. If you have trouble, I'll help you deal with it first."

Qin Yuan's expression was grave. "Big Brother, I may really need your help."

He had never offended the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If Yu Luomian had come looking for trouble, there might be more to it.

For now, he did not know whether this was Yu Luomian acting alone or a decision made by the clan's leadership. If it was the latter, he was in serious trouble.

Dugu Bo paid it no mind. He patted Qin Yuan's shoulder. "What kind of talk is that? I happen to dislike Yu Luomian too. I wouldn't pass up a chance to teach him a lesson!"

The Golden Saber Shop.

When Chen Ze saw Qin Yuan return, it was as though he had finally found someone he could rely on. He hurriedly told Qin Yuan everything that had happened recently.

The matter was simple: something had gone wrong with a commission from a month earlier.

The client was a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and could legally enter Thunder Canyon, while the members of their Soul Hunting Squad were all outsiders. Once inside, they helped the client hunt a Spirit Ring. Not only did they fail to receive the final payment, they also walked straight into a trap.

Experts from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had surrounded them. Of the six, only one escaped and brought word back to Chen Ze.

Of course, the clan might have deliberately let that person escape to deliver the message.

"They said you have to go there in person, boss. Only then will they let the others go!"

Chen Ze clenched his fists. If he had been strong enough, he would have stormed over and rescued them long ago.

Now their brokerage business had stalled because of the incident. No squads dared work under their name; all were waiting to see what happened next.

If Qin Yuan could truly force the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to take a loss, pay what they owed, and release the hostages, plenty of people would want to work under them in the future. If not, that business was as good as lost.