More than a year had passed since Long Chen last visited the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Now, he noticed that some things had changed.
Nourished by the waters of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the medicinal herbs had grown rapidly.
The herbs that had once been tiny had become much more lush.
Dugu Bo asked with some anticipation:
"Kid, we're already here, so quit keeping me in suspense."
"Be patient. I have a special gift for you."
Long Chen smiled faintly, his gaze settling on a plant growing in a crevice in the rock, its surface giving off a faint golden glow.
It was a golden melon about the size of a fist. Veins that resembled the earth's own ley lines ran across its skin, and it seemed to emanate a weighty, ancient aura.
Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow at the sight, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
"Kid, you don't mean this, do you?"
Long Chen nodded.
"This is an Earth Dragon Golden Melon, an exceedingly rare treasure of heaven and earth."
As he explained, Long Chen carefully plucked the golden melon and held it out to Dugu Bo.
"After two years of cultivation, you should have completely absorbed the effects of that Ninth Grade Purple Zhi. Now that you've adapted to the poison in your body, you're ready to consume this Earth Dragon Golden Melon. Although it's earth-attributed, it contains a trace of dragon power. It might help your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul evolve."
Dugu Bo stared at the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, his face full of disbelief.
"This tiny melon can actually help my Martial Soul evolve?"
"This is an Immortal Grade Herb that has absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Even if it doesn't make your Martial Soul evolve, it'll still greatly increase your strength. Its main benefit is a boost in physical power."
"A boost in power?"
Dugu Bo took the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and examined it closely, unable to suppress the excitement welling up inside him.
As a Titled Douluo, he knew all too well what the evolution of a Martial Soul meant for a Soul Master.
His Green Lined Serpent Martial Soul had once evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, enabling him to reach the rank of Titled Douluo.
Though his poison was unmatched throughout the world, his single-target attack power was lacking. That was why people mocked him as the weakest Titled Douluo.
Because of his lack of offensive power, whenever he ran into Elder Ju Yue Guan of Spirit Hall, he was no match and had to flee.
Power had always been something he longed for.
If this Earth Dragon Golden Melon really could make him stronger, then his overall strength would undoubtedly improve tremendously.
Long Chen urged him on:
"Go ahead and eat it. Just chew and swallow it, then circulate your Soul Power to absorb its effects."
"All right."
Dugu Bo nodded without hesitation and put the Earth Dragon Golden Melon straight into his mouth.
The melon transformed into a warm yet scorching torrent of energy that surged through Dugu Bo's entire body.
He felt an immense power churning within him, as if countless tiny things were coursing through his meridians, bringing waves of tingling and aching.
Dugu Bo immediately sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused. Drawing on his years of cultivation experience, he slowly guided the immense energy into his body.
As time passed, the air around Dugu Bo seemed to grow heavier, and a faint ochre glow began to shine from within him.
After an unknown amount of time, when the last trace of energy had been fully absorbed, Dugu Bo suddenly opened his eyes.
He rose to his feet and sensed the changes in his body, overcome with delight.
Long Chen hurried over and asked eagerly:
"Well? How do you feel?"
"Kid, you were right. My Martial Soul has evolved again."
As he spoke, Dugu Bo unconsciously released his Martial Soul.
A Jade Phosphorous Flood Dragon, far larger than before, appeared out of thin air.
Its scales shimmered with a faint green-gold light, and it radiated a fearsome aura.
"Th-this is really my Martial Soul?"
Dugu Bo stared at the sight before him in disbelief, his voice trembling slightly.
Having witnessed Dugu Bo's Martial Soul evolve with his own eyes, Long Chen was excited too.
"Your Serpent Emperor transformed into a Flood Dragon! Congratulations, brother!"
"Flood Dragon..."
Dugu Bo gazed blankly at the scene before him.
The evolution of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor into a Jade Phosphorous Flood Dragon not only meant a tremendous improvement in his Martial Soul Quality, but also propelled his strength to a whole new level.
The ferocious offensive power of a dragon-type Martial Soul was beyond anything a serpent-type Martial Soul could match.
Dugu Bo recalled his Martial Soul, unable to hide his excitement.
Long Chen asked:
"Did your Soul Power increase?"
Dugu Bo chuckled.
"I was just about to tell you. The Earth Dragon Golden Melon didn't just evolve my Martial Soul—it helped me break through the bottleneck at rank ninety-three and reach rank ninety-four."
"That's wonderful."
For a Soul Master at the Titled Douluo level, every increase in Soul Power meant tremendous progress.
Breaking through by relying on cultivation alone was harder than reaching the heavens.
Dugu Bo had known Long Chen for only two or three years.
But Long Chen had helped him so much—not only solving the problem of his own poison turning against him, but also helping him grow stronger time and again.
His Martial Soul's evolution into a Flood Dragon had brought him to an entirely new realm of strength, one he had never dared to hope for.
Dugu Bo patted Long Chen on the shoulder, his eyes full of gratitude.
"Kid, this gift is too generous. I, Dugu Bo, owe you one. Whether it's the Soul Master Competition or anything else, if you need me, I'll give you everything I've got!"
Long Chen joked:
"I didn't do this just for you. I did it for myself, too. With a powerhouse like you backing me up, I'll have more confidence when facing strong enemies."
"Haha! You're still as straightforward as ever. That's what I liked about you in the first place. Compared to those Peak Douluos, I, Dugu Bo, may still fall a little short, but as long as I'm around, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."
As he spoke, Dugu Bo suddenly thought of something and furrowed his brow.
"Kid, will this Earth Dragon Golden Melon grow back?"
Long Chen understood what he meant and smiled.
"You're thinking of Dugu Yan, aren't you?"
"Mm. You really do understand me."
"It'll grow back, but it'll probably take several hundred years. Dugu Yan's Martial Soul hasn't evolved yet. What are you in such a hurry for?"
"Fair point. That's not something I need to worry about right now. Haha!"
The two chatted and laughed as they discussed their plans.
"Brother Bo, why not become a Special Advisor to Heaven Dou Royal Academy? That way, you can join our team in the Soul Master Competition as its Team Leader Teacher and look out for us."
"Sure. I'll do as you say."
Dugu Bo agreed readily.
After spending a few days at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the two of them left and returned to Heaven Dou City.
Not long afterward, Ye Lingling's Soul Power broke through rank fifty.
Long Chen took Ye Lingling to the Star Dou Great Forest and helped her hunt a Soul Beast.
After obtaining her first Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, Ye Lingling's Soul Power reached rank fifty-two.
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