Martial Soul Iron-Eating Beast, Never a Slave

The main thing was to win over Zhao Mu, this promising young talent.

Once Zhao Mu fully matured, he might even be able to benefit from it himself.

Didn't that Old Chrysanthemum always strut around because Spirit Hall backed him?

Once Zhao Mu grew stronger, my second brother would be invincible across the land. Let's see who would still dare bully me!

"Sworn brothers?"

Dugu Bo's train of thought had leaped rather quickly. In no time, he had gone from son-in-law to disciple, and now to little brother.

"Are you sure, Senior? You're not joking with me, are you?" Zhao Mu felt that this was far too outrageous.

Dugu Bo was already several decades old, yet he wanted to become sworn brothers with a seven-year-old child like him?

Even counting his age from his previous life, the age gap was still far too great.

After proposing sworn brotherhood, Dugu Bo considered it over and over again, becoming even more certain of his decision.

Aside from family by marriage and master-disciple relationships, only brotherhood remained.

It couldn't possibly be man-to-man romance.

Having made up his mind, Dugu Bo continued, "I have always meant what I said. Since I'm incapable of being your teacher, surely I'm qualified to be your elder brother! After all, I'm somewhat older than you and have somewhat more life experience!"

Zhao Mu slowly nodded.

Indeed, Dugu Bo was much older than him. If they only considered age, let alone being his brother, he could easily be his grandfather.

At such an advanced age, he was instead becoming Zhao Mu's brother. It seemed Zhao Mu had gained two generations for free.

Zhao Mu was not very willing to acknowledge a father out of nowhere, but having an elder brother was still acceptable.

Besides, Dugu Bo was originally an elder, and his strength was that of a Title Douluo.

Especially now that his Martial Soul had evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Profound Dragon, Dugu Bo's strength had surged. While he could not yet be considered among the absolute peak of Title Douluos, he should have escaped the awkward position of being a mere gatekeeper among them.

Zhao Mu had no one to rely on, so having Dugu Bo protect him was not bad. Moreover, through the original novel, Zhao Mu had gained some understanding of Dugu Bo's personality. He was someone worth befriending.

After considering it, Zhao Mu was already somewhat inclined to agree.

But before Zhao Mu could speak, Dugu Yan shouted first, "No! Grandfather, you can't become sworn brothers with him!"

However, Dugu Bo did not take Dugu Yan's objection too seriously. He could naturally see that Zhao Mu was tempted.

When he had proposed taking Zhao Mu as a disciple, Zhao Mu had resisted. But now that he was proposing sworn brotherhood, Zhao Mu was clearly not as opposed.

Dugu Bo waved at Dugu Yan and rarely put on a stern face. "Go aside. When adults are talking, children should speak less!"

"..." Dugu Yan was momentarily choked up, but she still objected. "Grandfather, you're seventy or eighty years older than him! How can you become sworn brothers with him?"

Yet Dugu Bo remained extremely firm. "What's wrong with seventy or eighty years? I've always done things unconventionally in my life. Forget seventy or eighty years—even if we were a hundred years apart, I wouldn't mind!"

Zhao Mu secretly nodded. You really were unconventional. This was probably something only Dugu Bo could do.

"No! If Grandfather becomes sworn brothers with this brat, wouldn't I have to call him Grandfather? No, absolutely not!" At the thought of calling someone much younger than herself Grandfather, Dugu Yan shook her head repeatedly.

This time, Dugu Bo truly was not indulging Dugu Yan. After all, there were only a few suitable close relationships through which to win someone over.

"Hmph. If you think the generations are awkward and don't want to call him Grandfather, then let this brat marry you. Then the two of you will be of the same generation! In any case, choose one of the two! Either call him husband, or call him Grandfather!"

"No! I won't call him either!" With that, Dugu Yan stormed off in anger.

Seeing Dugu Yan turn and walk aside, Dugu Bo did not hurry to comfort her. Instead, while the moment was still hot, he pulled Zhao Mu over to settle the matter of sworn brotherhood first.

As for the ceremony, everything was kept simple.

Dugu Bo brought over a table, casually arranged a few offerings, and then knelt together with Zhao Mu.

"I, Dugu Bo!"

"I, Zhao Mu!"

"On this day, we willingly become sworn brothers of different surnames!"

"We shall share blessings and bear hardships together!"

After they kowtowed, the ceremony was complete. Only then did Dugu Bo learn Zhao Mu's name for the first time. Before this, he had only called him brat.

"Zhao Mu."

Unlike lousy names such as Tang San, Li Si, Wang Wu, or Zhao Liu, Zhao Mu's name sounded genuine, not something made up.

"His surname is Zhao... not Tang or Yu."

He recalled the prominent clans across the continent, but none seemed to bear the surname Zhao. It appeared Zhao Mu truly was a commoner soul master.

With no one to rely on, Zhao Mu would need to depend on him even more in the future. Thinking of this, Dugu Bo felt delighted.

He immediately stood up, patted Zhao Mu on the shoulder, and called out, "Second Brother!"

Zhao Mu likewise responded, "Big Brother!"

Then Dugu Bo called to Dugu Yan at the side, "Yan Yan, stop sulking. Come and greet your Second Grandfather!"

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Dugu Yan stomped her feet in fury.

Seeing that Dugu Yan was truly angry, Dugu Bo naturally ran over to coax her.

"Yan Yan, it's only a matter of relationship and seniority. Do you need to care so much? Besides, Grandfather is doing this for your sake. Second Brother's talent is something I've never seen or heard of before. A seven-year-old Quasi-Soul King—such a thing has never existed in the continent's history. Not even novels would dare write something like this!"

"His future achievements will be limitless. He will definitely become one of the continent's strongest experts. Grandfather is already old. Even if I protect you, how much longer can I do so? Once Grandfather is gone, with him around, he will surely protect you for the rest of your life. Then Grandfather can finally rest easy."

Hearing this, Dugu Yan immediately threw her arms around Dugu Bo and repeatedly said, "Grandfather, don't talk nonsense. You'll definitely stay healthy! The Martial Soul poison has already been resolved, so you'll definitely stay with me forever."

Dugu Bo gently patted Dugu Yan's back and spent a while persuading her. At last, he finally calmed her down.

"Grandfather, do you really think so highly of him? Talent cannot represent everything. There are many soul masters on the continent with outstanding talent, yet very few of them ultimately grow into true powerhouses."

Dugu Bo nodded and did not deny Dugu Yan's point.

"Yan Yan, you're right. Only those who grow up can be considered strong. Before one has strength, talent alone is indeed useless. That is why Grandfather intends to become the protector for both you and him, safeguarding the two of you as you grow."

"I even plan to recommend him to Prince Xue Xing and have Prince Xue Xing arrange for him to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy alongside you. At his age, he should be studying at an academy. When it comes to teaching people, I truly am not very good at it."

Dugu Yan said, "With you, Grandfather, and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family represented by Prince Xue Xing protecting him, then there truly would be nothing capable of stopping him from growing up."

Dugu Bo did not agree with Dugu Yan's view just because of that.

Even with him and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, they might not be able to protect Zhao Mu with absolute certainty. After all, there were still existences on the continent more powerful than both him and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Moreover, even the Heaven Dou Imperial Family might not be united as one. During the time he had spent with Prince Xue Xing, Dugu Bo had always felt as though an unseen hand was interfering with and controlling the Heaven Dou Empire from behind the scenes. The feeling even left him somewhat frightened.

After calming Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo brought her back to Zhao Mu.

"Second Brother, Yan Yan has also reached level forty. I plan to take her to hunt a Soul Ring, so come with us. While fighting soul beasts, you can also temper the practical combat abilities of yourself and that bear of yours." Since he intended to safeguard Zhao Mu's growth, Dugu Bo naturally wanted to do everything within his power.

"Obtaining a Soul Ring..." Zhao Mu then said softly, "Big Brother, would you and my granddaughter be interested in changing your approach?"

When it came to obtaining Soul Rings, both Dugu Bo's and Dugu Yan's Martial Souls had evolved.

Evolution itself was already a qualitative transformation.

Therefore, before obtaining a Soul Ring, they should first understand Dugu Yan's current Martial Soul: the Jade Phosphorous Jiao.

Soul masters had many different paths of development.

These included the Power Attack System, Agility Attack System, Control System, Support System, and so on.

Dugu Yan had previously been a Control System soul master, and her methods of control relied on poison—the poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent.

"Dragons are among the continent's strongest soul beasts, so naturally she should follow the Power Attack System. Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, known as the number one Beast Martial Soul under heaven, has always adhered to the Power Attack System." Speaking of Dugu Yan's future development, Dugu Bo was naturally very attentive.

Zhao Mu nodded after hearing this. Just as Dugu Bo had said, dragons truly were best suited to the Power Attack System.

Though Dugu Yan's Martial Soul was a Jiao, it had already shed its nature as a snake and become one of the most powerful Ferocious Beasts.

But speaking of a soul master's development path, what category did Zhao Mu himself belong to?

Zhao Mu looked at Heibai, who had returned to his normal size and was rolling around on the ground nearby.

Probably the Power Attack System!

"And a dragon relies on its formidable physical strength for its attacks, so Yan Yan's Fourth Soul Ring should come from a soul beast capable of enhancing physical strength." Dugu Bo continued.

Throughout the entire discussion, Zhao Mu did not say much. However, Dugu Yan seemed to have something she wanted to say, opening her mouth several times only to stop herself.

Dugu Bo naturally noticed this and asked, "Yan Yan, do you have something you want to say?"

Hearing Dugu Bo ask her, Dugu Yan finally voiced her thoughts.

"Grandfather, Second Grandfather, the soul skill granted by my First Soul Ring is Jade Phosphorous Red Poison—Poison of Excitement. It can stimulate the human nervous system, putting people into an excited state and greatly improving physical strength, attack power, and speed across the board. The second soul skill is Jade Phosphorous Blue Poison—Poison of Paralysis. While paralyzing the target, it can also eliminate a soul master's pain and enhance a soul master's defense."

"As for my third soul skill, it is the Jade Phosphor Purple Poison of the Jade Phosphorous Snake, modeled after the poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent. If... if my Martial Soul Evolution means I develop toward the Power Attack System, then wouldn't I have to abandon these three soul skills?"

Zhao Mu understood what Dugu Yan meant. She had essentially changed classes, but her old equipment had not been replaced and no longer suited her.

Unfortunately, Soul Rings could not be added again in Douluo.

Even Tang San from the original novel, after sacrificing his first seven Soul Rings to revive Xiao Wu, still chose Soul Rings of the same types.