The Direction of Spirit Ring Selection

"It's Grandfather coming out of seclusion!"

Hearing a hearty laugh echo from the mountain stream, Yanyan said with pleasant surprise.

The two, who were just about to tuck into a feast, immediately put down their food and ran toward the sound.

"Whoosh—"

With a sharp whistle of wind, an old man with white hair and beard appeared before them, causing the running Yanyan to crash straight into his arms.

The old man was none other than Dugu Bo, who had just finished condensing his Soul Core. He smiled and steadied his granddaughter, his tone filled with doting affection.

"Yanyan, slow down, don't fall."

"Grandfather, you've finally come out of seclusion! If I hadn't checked on your meditation every day for the past six months, I would have thought something had happened to you!"

Chen Jieqi stood to the side, feeling the terrifying pressure radiating from Dugu Bo that seemed to suppress everything around them. The Naaru Brand on his forehead flickered with a faint golden light.

He was secretly shocked in his heart; this was the power of a Title Douluo. With the Soul Core formed, it was a qualitative leap!

He smiled at Dugu Bo with a face full of joy.

"Congratulations to Grandfather on condensing the Soul Core and achieving great success in your cultivation!"

Before Dugu Bo could respond, Yanyan hugged Dugu Bo's arm even tighter, and tears couldn't help but escape her eyes, turning into crystalline droplets.

It was no wonder Yanyan had been so worried; she had never been separated from Dugu Bo for so long since she was a child.

Coupled with the fact that after her Martial Soul Evolution, she had been influenced by Chen Jieqi's concept of "prudence," she hadn't exactly been in a state of constant panic, but she had truly been afraid that something might happen to Dugu Bo.

Although Chen Jieqi's performance couldn't be judged by his age, in Yanyan's eyes, he was still just a little kid who couldn't provide her with enough sense of security.

Now that Dugu Bo had successfully emerged from seclusion and resolved the defects of her Martial Soul, Yanyan wept with joy, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Seeing Yanyan crying incessantly, Dugu Bo assumed she had been wronged while he was away and hurriedly comforted her.

"Yanyan, have you been wronged by someone?

Grandfather will stand up for you right now, and let whoever bullied you taste the agony of 'Ten Thousand Poisons Devouring the Heart'."

Hearing this, Yanyan couldn't help but burst into a giggle.

"With your 'reputation', Grandfather, who would dare bully me at the academy? I'm the only one who bullies others."

Before Dugu Bo could ask again, Yanyan recounted everything that had happened to her during this time in great detail—how her Martial Soul had evolved from a Jade Phosphor Snake into a Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon, how her attribute had shifted from poison to earth, how the hidden dangers of her toxins had been completely cleared, and Chen Jieqi's advice.

Listening to Yanyan's tearful words, Dugu Bo's expression shifted constantly.

From his initial wide-eyed anger, he turned to worry, then relief, then fear...

Until it finally settled into extreme ecstasy, and then a laugh even louder than before erupted from his throat.

"Hahaha...!!!

My granddaughter has the potential to become a Title Douluo too!!"

Yanyan felt a bit embarrassed by Dugu Bo's praise and muttered softly, "Title Douluo?

Grandfather, you're giving me too much credit..."

"Grandfather, why don't you rest for a moment, and let's eat first?"

Seeing Dugu Bo still roaring with laughter, Chen Jieqi couldn't help but interrupt while rubbing his forehead.

"You brat~"

Dugu Bo abruptly cut off his laughter and waved his hand, his tone full of high spirits.

"Let's eat first, then Grandfather will give you both a detailed physical examination before we go hunt for your soul rings.

After that, I'll accompany Yanyan back to the academy. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be staying in Tiantou City for the most part."

As soon as Dugu Bo finished speaking, his nose caught the aroma drifting from not far away.

It was the roasted meat the two hadn't had time to enjoy, mixed with the unique, refreshing scent of the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Yanyan's eyes lit up. She instantly forgot her tears, grabbed Dugu Bo's arm, and ran toward the campfire.

"Hurry, Grandfather!

Little brother Xiao Qi and I roasted some meat, and there's the snake soup you love most!"

Chen Jieqi followed behind, watching the backs of the grandfather and granddaughter, the corners of his mouth lifting involuntarily.

After they had eaten and drank their fill.

Dugu Bo first performed a detailed examination on Dugu Yan, finding her soul power incredibly solid throughout her body, with not the slightest sign of instability.

The poison attribute that originally resided in her body had completely transformed into an earth attribute, and even the hidden dangers to her meridians caused by the toxins had been thoroughly cleared away.

Her physical strength, meridian width, and blood vitality were several times stronger than before; this constitution was even a few notches superior to what he himself had possessed back in the day.

Dugu Bo thought it over carefully and decided that a range of 3,000 to 4,000 years was the safest bet, though he could relax the limit slightly if they encountered a more compatible soul beast.

"Xiao Qi, do you have any additions regarding the soul beasts?"

Dugu Bo turned his head to look at Chen Jieqi.

Dugu Bo now trusted Chen Jieqi's knowledge implicitly; after all, who could be as knowledgeable as a 'deity successor'?

"Grandpa, I had already considered things for Yanyan-jie before this. The soul ring selection should still focus primarily on earth-attribute and sub-dragon species soul beasts, with earth-attribute sub-dragons being the most compatible."

[Thorn Earth Dragon]

It belongs to the pure earth-attribute sub-dragon species. Its body is covered in thick, grayish-yellow scales with barbs, and its long tail is like a mace.

It can mobilize Earth Power to form earth armor, combining both offense and defense.

After obtaining its soul ring, it is easy to gain a boost to the martial soul itself or a base earth-attribute boost, making it the first choice that perfectly fits Yanyan-jie's Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon martial soul, allowing her earth-element control to be more refined and her offense and defense to be even more unstoppable.

[Tyrannosaurus]

It belongs to the earth-element and Golden Dragon King bloodline sub-dragon species. Its body is like a mountain, covered in thick, grayish-black scales, with a massive head.

Its physical offense and defense are at the pinnacle, making it the peak existence among earth dragons.

After obtaining its soul ring, there is a high probability of gaining a self-enhancement or a status-type soul skill, and its growth potential is extremely high.

[Single-Horned Dragon]

It also belongs to the pure earth-attribute sub-dragon species. Its body is thick and sturdy, covered in thick scales with a metallic texture, and it has a sharp, single horn on its head.

It possesses immense strength and excels at charging; it lacks long-range capabilities but crushes those of the same rank in close combat.

After obtaining its soul ring, there is a chance to gain a boost to the martial soul itself, as well as an earth-attribute boost or a soul skill similar to a charging displacement, making it a high-quality choice that balances strength and mobility.

"According to Yanyan-jie's development plan, the Thorn Earth Dragon is the top recommendation, followed by the Single-Horned Dragon or the Tyrannosaurus.

First, we should prioritize attribute boosts, followed by boosts to the martial soul itself."

Chen Jieqi explained everything in detail.

"Hmm, these types are all very suitable for Yanyan, and we should be able to find them in the Sunset Forest. If we really can't, we'll go to the Star Dou Great Forest."

Dugu Bo stroked his beard and smiled faintly, the approval in his eyes overflowing, "Then, Xiao Qi, do you have any plans for your own soul ring?

After all, you are already at level 20 now."

"Grandpa, my soul ring acquisition plan is the same as before. Since I chose the Sacred Scarab for my first soul ring, then for my second soul ring, either the Light Bird or the Sacred Radiance Pegasus would be fine."

Chen Jieqi looked up at Dugu Bo and tilted his head, "As for the age, choosing something just over a thousand years will do; it's safer."

"Hmm, with your current physique and martial soul characteristics, there is indeed no need to be rash.

The optimal range is between 1,200 and 1,800 years. As long as it doesn't exceed 2,000 years, you can basically withstand it steadily without damaging your foundation."

Dugu Bo nodded to himself, very satisfied with Chen Jieqi's caution, "Rest well tonight and keep your spirits up.

Tomorrow, Grandpa will take you both to obtain your soul rings."

As his voice fell, the crackling campfire splashed its warm light onto the faces of the three family members...