Huang Yan sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, crimson flames churning around him.
The tyrannical medicinal power of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower turned into surging heat currents, rampaging through his body as it attempted to further purify his Fire Phoenix bloodline.
But Huang Yan's fire attribute had already reached its ultimate limit. There was no room left for improvement.
Without hesitation, Huang Yan guided that immense, nowhere-to-be-released medicinal power.
He launched a fierce assault toward that trace of light aura lurking deep within his bloodline.
Before long, a brilliant, sacred golden light suddenly blossomed amid the pure crimson flames surrounding Huang Yan.
Accompanied by a high, clear phoenix cry, the Fire Phoenix phantom behind Huang Yan soared into the sky.
A layer of dazzling, resplendent golden radiance swiftly covered its formerly crimson feathers.
Huang Yan slowly opened his eyes. Golden-red light flashed through them before he let out a long breath of turbid air.
"Yan'er, did it work?"
Azure Luan Douluo stared intently at the phoenix phantom bathed in golden-red flames, his gaze burning.
"It worked."
Huang Yan rose to his feet and nodded in satisfaction.
"With the medicinal power of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, I successfully fully awakened the latent light attribute.
Now, my martial soul is no longer a single-attribute Fire Phoenix, but a dual-attribute phoenix of fire and light: the Radiant Phoenix!"
"Radiant Phoenix... dual attributes of fire and light?"
Dugu Bo stood nearby, dumbfounded as he muttered to himself.
"I've lived to this age, and today has truly opened my eyes..."
Shui Bing'er hurried forward. Sensing the increasingly unfathomable aura around Huang Yan, she asked in delight:
"Huang Yan, did your Soul Power break through again?"
Huang Yan nodded.
"Yes, I directly broke through the bottleneck and reached level sixty."
"Level sixty?"
Dugu Bo froze for a moment.
"That Immortal Herb had such potent medicinal power, yet it only raised you two levels?"
"Not just two levels."
Huang Yan chuckled and explained.
"I haven't completely refined and absorbed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's medicinal power yet. I'm currently at level sixty because I've reached a bottleneck and been held there.
Once I absorb my sixth soul ring, the residual medicinal power accumulated within me will be fully released.
Conservatively speaking, my Soul Power should rise another two levels beyond that."
"In other words, once you obtain a soul ring, you'll directly reach level sixty-two?"
A sharp gleam flashed in Azure Luan Douluo's eyes as he laughed loudly.
"Good!
What a Radiant Phoenix!
A level-sixty Soul Emperor—with your current foundation of ultimate dual attributes, even if you encounter a Soul Douluo, you'll certainly be capable of fighting one!"
Dugu Bo had gone completely numb. He shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Monsters... truly a pair of complete little monsters..."
With both Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er having completed their transformations, Dugu Bo, an outsider, seemed particularly out of place.
Azure Luan Douluo also knew that if he refined an Immortal Herb,
then Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er's safety during that time would depend on the Dugu Bo he had subdued.
Azure Luan Douluo withdrew his gaze from his disciple and slowly turned to look at Dugu Bo, who had been standing at the edge all along.
Being watched by a level-ninety-seven Peak Douluo, Dugu Bo's heart suddenly clenched, and cold sweat once again seeped across his forehead.
The Immortal Herbs had been plucked, the formation had been broken, and now these two little monsters had received enormous benefits as well.
Could Azure Luan Douluo be planning to burn the bridge and silence him?
However, Azure Luan Douluo did not attack him outright. Instead, he looked toward Huang Yan and asked calmly:
"Yan'er, this old poisoner's herb garden has helped you two greatly.
How do you think we should deal with him next?"
Upon hearing that, Dugu Bo's heart leaped into his throat as he nervously looked at Huang Yan.
The life of him, the mighty Poison Douluo, was now in the hands of this junior.
Huang Yan looked at the tense Dugu Bo and silently weighed his options.
Killing Dugu Bo would certainly be easy, but it offered no benefit.
The best solution now was to completely subdue him.
After all, Huang Yan knew perfectly well about the agonizing backlash of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison, as well as the perfect method for detoxifying it.
That alone would be enough to make Dugu Bo tearfully grateful and utterly loyal.
With that thought, Huang Yan's lips moved slightly as he transmitted his voice directly to Azure Luan Douluo.
"Teacher, keeping him alive is more useful than killing him.
I know how to cure the Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison. Not only can I cure the poison in his body, but I can also save his granddaughter.
I want to use this opportunity to subdue him for the use of our Spirit Hall."
A trace of surprise flashed through Azure Luan Douluo's eyes. He replied through voice transmission as well:
"You can even cure that Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison, which is said to be beyond all remedies?"
"I am completely certain."
Huang Yan transmitted back firmly.
Azure Luan Douluo nodded slightly. A hint of approval appeared in his eyes as he transmitted:
"Good idea.
Dugu Bo is the only free Titled Douluo on the continent with no affiliation.
If we can make him willingly join Spirit Hall, not only will it increase the Hall's strength, but word of it will greatly enhance Spirit Hall's prestige.
We'll do as you say. I'll back you up."
After their covert exchange ended, Azure Luan Douluo withdrew his pressure.
Only then did Huang Yan turn around and calmly look at the uneasy Dugu Bo.
Huang Yan looked at Dugu Bo and slowly said:
"Senior Dugu, there is no need to be nervous.
We of Spirit Hall are not unreasonable people."
Dugu Bo gave a dry laugh. Not daring to respond, he merely probed:
"Then... how does little brother intend to deal with this old man?"
Huang Yan went straight to the point.
"I want to make a deal with you, Senior.
A deal concerning the lives of you and your granddaughter, Dugu Yan."
A must-have for every transmigrator: the Immortal Herb redemption code!
Although the Immortal Herbs already belonged to them now,
since they were here anyway, they had to go through this ritual for the sense of occasion.
Dugu Bo's expression changed drastically, and his gaze instantly sharpened.
"What do you mean?!"
Huang Yan spoke unhurriedly.
"Whenever the sky turns overcast or it rains, your flanks become numb and itchy, and the sensation gradually worsens.
At midnight, your scalp and the soles of your feet also suffer needle-like pain.
Your entire body convulses, leaving you wishing you were dead.
Am I right?"
Dugu Bo was struck as if by lightning. He staggered back two steps and cried out:
"You... how could you know?!
This is this old man's greatest secret!"
Huang Yan chuckled.
"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison is among the deadliest poisons in the world, but the martial soul inheritance of your Dugu family cannot grant immunity to this toxin.
You are powerful enough to forcefully suppress it with Soul Power, but what about your granddaughter?
The poison should have already seeped into her bones by now, shouldn't it?
If she isn't treated, she definitely won't live past thirty."
At the mention of his granddaughter, Dugu Bo completely broke down. Even his voice trembled slightly.
"Since you know so much... could it be that you have a way to cure it?!"
"Of course."
Huang Yan nodded confidently.
"Not only can I cure your poison, I can cure your granddaughter's poison as well.
I can even allow your poison arts to advance further and completely free you from the agony of backlash."
Dugu Bo's breathing quickened as he stared fixedly at Huang Yan.
"Why should this old man believe you?
I've spent my entire life working with poison and couldn't cure it, yet you're just a brat..."
Before you continue