Dugu Bo's Martial Soul Evolution, the Poison Soul Core Concept

Just then, the jade light around Dugu Bo's body withdrew as he slowly opened his eyes.

He awoke from his cultivation while absorbing the medicinal effects, letting out a long breath with a trace of relief and joy on his face.

However, when his gaze turned toward Shui Bing'er, that relief was instantly replaced by stunned disbelief.

"What is that?!..."

Dugu Bo's pupils contracted sharply. Almost instinctively, he vanished from where he stood in a flash.

In the next moment, he appeared beside Leng Jun, his eyes fixed on the incomparably magnificent phantom of a phoenix behind Shui Bing'er, where ice and fire intertwined.

The sight of ice and fire existing in perfect harmony and reflecting each other completely overturned his understanding of Martial Soul attributes.

"This... what is going on? Bing'er's Martial Soul..."

Unable to hide the pride on his face, Leng Jun laughed heartily.

"Brother Dugu, while you were taking that Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Bing'er also consumed a fire-attributed herb. With the foundation laid by the two herbs she took before, her Martial Soul evolved. It is now an Ice-Fire Phoenix that possesses both ice and fire!"

"Ice-Fire Phoenix?!"

Dugu Bo's face was filled with shock.

"Ice and fire—two utterly opposing attributes—can actually coexist so harmoniously within a single Martial Soul... How incredible! At my age, I have never seen such a thing, nor even heard of it!"

Shui Bing'er smiled faintly. With a slight shift of thought, the glow of the Ice-Fire Phoenix phantom behind her softened as well.

"My Martial Soul is still fundamentally ice-based. The fire attribute was incorporated later, and I can control whether it appears or not."

As she spoke, she focused her mind.

The blazing golden-red flames on the Ice-Fire Phoenix phantom slowly receded like the tide.

The searing aura swiftly dispersed along with them.

The magnificent phoenix phantom returned to its original, pure icy-blue appearance, radiating a cold and biting chill.

Dugu Bo clicked his tongue in amazement.

Shui Bing'er asked at the right moment, "Grandfather Dugu, how do you feel after refining the medicinal power of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon?"

At the mention of this, Dugu Bo perked up.

"Bing'er, the herb you chose is truly miraculous! My Soul Power had stagnated for years, stuck at the bottleneck of level ninety-one. Yet this time, I broke through in one stroke and reached level ninety-two! And just as you expected, my Martial Soul evolved!"

"Brother Dugu, your Martial Soul evolved too? Quickly, release it and let us see!"

Leng Jun urged curiously.

Dugu Bo nodded and took several steps back.

With a thought, he summoned it.

In an instant, jade-green light surged forth.

A phantom even more imposing than the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor coiled behind Dugu Bo.

Short horns protruded from its head, and claw-like bulges rose beneath its belly.

Its entire body was covered in jade-green scales, faintly gleaming with a layer of pale golden light.

The scales on its forehead and spine bore an even more pronounced golden hue.

It exhaled and inhaled dark green poisonous mist.

The poisonous mist had become denser as well, carrying a strange aura that blended draconic pressure with extreme toxicity.

Looking at the enormous phantom, Leng Jun's eyes filled with astonishment.

"Brother Dugu, this is... a flood dragon?"

"That's right. My Martial Soul has evolved from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor into the Jade Scale Flood Dragon!"

Dugu Bo's voice trembled with excitement as he felt the surging power within him and the elevation of his Martial Soul's essence.

"The medicinal power of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon has benefited my Martial Soul enormously! Not only did my Martial Soul evolve and my Soul Power increase, but my attack power and the penetrative force of my poison have improved considerably as well."

"Congratulations, Grandfather Dugu. With your Martial Soul's evolution and your physique being cleansed and strengthened by the medicinal power, the problem of suffering backlash from your own poison for so long should have been fundamentally alleviated. The bone-deep cold pain and the bouts of numbness that used to strike you may no longer appear in the future."

Dugu Bo withdrew his Martial Soul and carefully sensed the state of his body.

It truly was different.

His blood flowed faster, and he even seemed considerably younger.

"Bing'er, I have never felt this relaxed before. I truly do not know how to repay this kindness of detoxification and rebirth."

"You are too polite. Grandfather and I have cultivated here for half a year, and my Soul Power has also broken through level forty. I need to hunt suitable soul beasts to obtain a soul ring, so it is time for us to leave."

Dugu Bo nodded.

"Bing'er, to be safe, I previously left my Serpent Emperor Pellet inside your body. Since you are leaving, let me take it out."

"Alright."

Shui Bing'er parted her lips slightly.

Dugu Bo flicked his finger.

Soon, a glistening emerald inner pellet slowly flew out of Shui Bing'er's mouth and landed in his palm. He put it away.

"Meeting the two of you not only cured my poison, but also allowed my Martial Soul to evolve. It truly turned misfortune into a blessing. I, Dugu Bo, owe you a favor. If you ever have need of me, just say the word."

Shui Bing'er and Leng Jun exchanged a smile.

"Grandpa Dugu, you're overstating it. Your Martial Soul has evolved, and your control over poison has greatly increased. I have a suggestion that may help you make even better use of the poison within you."

"Oh? Do tell!"

"You already have the foundation for condensing a Serpent Emperor Pellet, and your control over your own poison-attribute Soul Power is exceptionally refined. You could try further compressing the poison-attribute Soul Power in your body and condensing it into a stable Poison Soul Core."

"A Poison Soul Core?"

"That's right. Since you walk the path of poison, condensing a Poison Soul Core unique to yourself would not only greatly increase the recovery speed of your Soul Power, but also bring your control and explosive output of poison to an entirely new level. Your foundation is deep, and your Martial Soul has already evolved, so the chances of successfully condensing a Soul Core are very high."

Dugu Bo pondered for a moment before suddenly realizing.

"Compressing it to condense a Poison Soul Core... brilliant! How had I not thought of that step? Indeed, with my experience condensing the Serpent Emperor Pellet, condensing a Soul Core does not seem difficult! Haha~ Little Bing'er, you truly are my lucky star! You not only cured my poison and helped me evolve, but also pointed out the path ahead! I, Dugu Bo, will remember this kindness deeply!"

Dugu Bo excitedly rubbed his hands as he looked at Shui Bing'er and Leng Jun.

"Little Bing'er, Brother Leng, the two of you have stayed here for half a year. You've truly suffered. Heaven Dou City is only two hundred li from here. Why not return to my residence with me now? I'll prepare a grand feast to properly reward you and show a little of my gratitude!"

Shui Bing'er and Leng Jun looked at each other.

Leng Jun smiled and nodded.

Brother Dugu had invited them so warmly that he could hardly refuse.

"Bing'er, hunting a soul beast isn't urgent enough to matter if we delay it by a couple of days."

"Mm. Besides, I'd like to visit Sister Dugu Yan. Her poison may not have seeped as deeply into her bones as Grandpa Dugu's, but it should still be treated and eradicated as soon as possible."

Dugu Bo was even more delighted.

"Little Bing'er, I'll leave Yanyan to you!"

"You're too polite."

Shui Bing'er looked around at the lush immortal herbs and precious medicinal plants.

"Grandpa Dugu, before we leave, I'd like to take some herbs from here for later use."

Dugu Bo waved a hand dismissively.

"I promised before that if you could cure Yanyan and me of our poison, I wouldn't mind giving you this entire herb garden. Take whatever catches your eye!"

"Then thank you. However..."

Shui Bing'er raised her wrist, revealing a storage ring on her finger.

"The space in this ring is limited, and most of these herbs are quite delicate. If they cannot be properly preserved after being picked, their medicinal effects will quickly dissipate. That would be a real pity..."

"What's so difficult about that?"

As Dugu Bo spoke, he removed the pale green leather pouch tied at his waist and handed it to Shui Bing'er.

"This is the Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch. It may not look like much, but it is a rare storage Soul Tool with considerable space inside. More importantly, it possesses a rare property that can preserve the vitality and liveliness of living things, making it perfect for storing these herbs. Today, I'll give it to you, Little Bing'er!"

Shui Bing'er accepted the Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch. With a slight probe of her spiritual power, she sensed its wonders, and delight appeared on her face.

"Thank you for such a generous gift, Grandpa Dugu!"

"As I should! Now that I'm no longer troubled by my own poison, there's no need for me to study herbs anymore. This Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch can only show its true value in your hands."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll begin gathering the herbs now."

"Go ahead. Take whatever you want."

Shui Bing'er began picking the herbs.

Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Snow Swan Kiss, Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma...

Everything she could name was gathered into the pouch.

Shui Bing'er also collected some cordyceps from beside the cold spring.

These cordyceps had grown from the corpses of snow silkworms. Though they could not be considered immortal-grade herbs, they were still greatly beneficial to Soul Masters with ice and water attributes.

Several hundred unfamiliar plants also grew beside the cold spring, some of which might be close to immortal-herb grade.

If she obtained an illustrated guide to immortal herbs in the future, it would not be too late to return and harvest them then.

After finishing everything, Shui Bing'er and the other two left the bottom of the valley and headed for Heaven Dou City.

Elsewhere.

Under Qin Ming's introduction, the Shrek group successfully entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy...