Chen Jieqi rubbed his sore shoulder, which the girl had squeezed tightly, and looked at her flushed cheeks.
He couldn't help smiling. Deliberately acting as if nothing had happened, he said,
"Yanyan, I'm curious—did your Soul Skills change along with your Martial Soul?"
After all, in the original story, Dugu Yan's first three Soul Skills—Jade Phosphor Red Poison, Jade Phosphor Blue Poison, and Jade Phosphor Purple Poison—were all pretty decent. She just had too few Soul Skills to work with.
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up at his question.
"Of course they changed!
"My old poison-type Soul Skills are all gone. Now they're all about using earth attributes!"
Dugu Yan took a deep breath, then activated Martial Soul Possession. Her dark orange hair instantly took on a bright yellow sheen, and a golden horn sprouted from her forehead.
Her earth-yellow eyes narrowed into vertical pupils. Fine dragon scales spread from her neck down her arms, and both hands transformed into flood-dragon claws. Then two yellow Soul Rings flashed one after another.
[First Soul Skill: Earth Power]
Consumes 20% of base Soul Power to awaken the free-floating earth elements in the air and empower the user. Increases earth attribute by 50% and halves the cost of earth-attribute Soul Skills. Lasts for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
[Second Soul Skill: Elemental Simulation]
With the use of Soul Power, earth elements can be simulated into ground spikes, rocks, earthen walls, and so on. The effects become stronger as Soul Power and attributes increase.
"See? When I activate my first Soul Skill, 'Earth Power,' my earth attribute gets a direct 50% boost, and the skills I use afterward cost half as much!"
"The second Soul Skill, 'Elemental Simulation,' is even more flexible. I can make ground spikes to skewer people or earthen walls to block attacks. In Soul Fighting, I'll be able to control the field and both attack and defend!"
Watching the earth elements shift fluidly before him, Chen Jieqi praised her sincerely.
"Yanyan, your Soul Skills have incredible potential and a solid foundation.
"With the same attribute strength and the same amount of Soul Power, even my Heart of the Naaru isn't as versatile or convenient as yours!"
Thanks to the traits of her Soul Skills, once Dugu Yan's Soul Power Level and attributes improved, she would essentially become a mage-warrior hybrid who specialized in earth elements.
At range, she could restrict the battlefield with all kinds of terrain, attack, and control her opponents. Up close, she could cover herself in armor and fight hand-to-hand.
For her later Soul Skills, the ideal choices would be to further increase her attribute or mental strength, and add a movement or life-saving skill.
"Sure enough, sometimes luck is part of strength."
Chen Jieqi smiled and shook his head. Then he looked at Dugu Yan and held out the Soul Power Crystal, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Yanyan, while we're at it, let's check your Soul Power. How much did it increase?"
"Sure, little brother Xiao Qi."
Dugu Yan smiled and placed her hand on the crystal. Bright yellow earth-elemental light poured into it, and the crystal erupted in a dazzling glow.
"Level 30?"
Chen Jieqi frowned at the crystal's brightness.
Dugu Yan withdrew her hand and felt the surging strength inside her. She shook her head gently.
"It's definitely higher than that. I just haven't obtained a Soul Ring, so there's no way to measure the exact number yet."
"Yanyan, it's a good thing that your Soul Power increased so much. But your Martial Soul and attributes are both different from before.
"You'll need to get used to them and learn how to control them again. Let's try to get that done within six months. Then we can go get your Soul Rings together."
Chen Jieqi spoke earnestly.
"Okay. I'll listen to you."
Dugu Yan nodded, her eyes full of anticipation for the future.
After all, her Jade Phosphor Snake Martial Soul had previously been all about releasing poison. She only had to let it loose. But the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon was different. Not only could she follow the usual path of a Beast Martial Soul and enhance her own abilities,
but its unique second Soul Skill also let her choose to focus on strengthening her elemental powers. That meant she wouldn't have to rely on any one Soul Skill,
and she would need to master her Martial Soul and attributes to a much higher degree—in fact, with near-exacting precision.
Because the evolution of Dugu Yan's Martial Soul had visibly changed her appearance, she took Chen Jieqi's advice and returned to the academy to request an extended leave. Then she continued cultivating at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
The two decided that Dugu Yan would stay away from Heaven Dou Royal Academy until Dugu Bo finished his seclusion.
After all, anyone with an interest in the matter would notice Dugu Yan's changed appearance and evolved Martial Soul. Although Dugu Bo's reputation might keep them from acting at first,
it couldn't deter desperate criminals or powerful factions from testing the waters. After all, Martial Soul Evolution was an immense temptation, whether for an individual or a faction.
The opportunity it offered was far greater than the Treasure of the Blood River—a Spirit Bone. It could benefit not only the person involved but also their descendants.
Yes, that meant you—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
They were practically obsessed with evolving their Martial Souls. If there was even the slightest chance, they wouldn't hesitate to get what they wanted by any means necessary.
Especially while Dugu Bo was unable to make an appearance, no one could guarantee that Dugu Yan wouldn't become the target of some extreme measures.
And at only Level 30, it wasn't impossible for Dugu Yan to be snatched away from the academy without anyone noticing.
Even if Dugu Bo came out of seclusion after achieving great mastery, it would be too late to do anything. He couldn't exactly investigate or retaliate against every faction in the world.
By then, it would be too late. There was no need to put ourselves in danger.
So Chen Jieqi advised Dugu Yan to lie low for the time being, and carefully explained the dangers involved.
Until she could protect herself, she couldn't be too cautious. There was no shame in that.
After hearing Chen Jieqi's reasoning, and considering that Dugu Yan wasn't foolish herself, she thought of a few things she'd heard or seen and understood.
Before, she'd never thought such things could happen to her, because Dugu Bo was like a nuclear weapon, deterring anyone who might try.
Now that Chen Jieqi had explained it, everything became clear to her. At their core, all risks
were tied to the potential gains and rewards. Dugu Bo's deterrent was real,
but people were prone to wishful thinking. If they took Dugu Yan and fled, what good would Dugu Bo's power be if he couldn't find them?
For some major factions, if they really figured out the reason behind Martial Soul Evolution, Dugu Bo's deterrent wasn't necessarily enough to stop them.
In the right circumstances, they might even take out Dugu Bo along with her.
Yes, that meant you again—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had the power to take Dugu Yan away without a trace, or even take out Dugu Bo along with her. It was only a question of the risks and rewards.
After all, as the head of an auxiliary sect, Ning Fengzhi would first consider settling things through a deal. But if Martial Soul Evolution was involved—or if he ever got carried away and decided to take extreme measures—that wasn't impossible either.
After all, Bone Douluo, one of the sect's guardian Douluos, was Gu Rong. He'd probably done his fair share of dirty work.
After the two talked things through, their days gradually settled into a peaceful routine.
Aside from making sure to spend enough time meditating and praying each day, Chen Jieqi helped Dugu Yan master her elemental power.
"Yanyan, try following the pulse of the earth. Don't force it."
Chen Jieqi stepped forward and lightly touched her wrist.
"Soul Power is the root, your earth attribute is the trunk, and your Soul Skills are the fruit. First, put down firm roots. Then the power can flow smoothly."
Dugu Yan followed his instructions and adjusted her breathing. She slowly channeled Soul Power into the earth beneath her feet, and the bright yellow earth elements instantly became docile.
They flowed along her meridians and finally gathered into fine grains of sand, which drifted away on the breeze.
"I think I understand..."
Her eyes lit up.
"Before, the Jade Phosphor Snake's power was about 'sending it out.' Now, the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon's power is about 'connecting.' If I connect with the earth, I won't lose control."