Stimulated by the True Dragon aura, Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul manifested behind her as well, raising its head to the sky in a painful, ferocious howl.
Its triangular snake head began to lengthen, while bulges on both sides gradually swelled and hardened into horns.
Its tiny fangs became thicker, longer, and tougher. Though they lost their venom, they became far more intimidating.
The dark green snake scales shattered layer by layer, only for diamond-shaped dragon scales like obsidian to emerge from beneath its skin.
Four limbs grew from its once legless underside, thick and powerful, while sharp dragon claws began to gleam with a chilling light.
As time slowly passed, the degree of dragonification grew higher and higher, until there was no trace left of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent.
Watching this scene, Dugu Bo let out a long breath of relief.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent had transformed into a Black Dragon. The places that once carried deadly poison had been replaced by dragonification, and there was no longer any need to fear the snake venom's backlash.
This could also be seen in Dugu Yan's appearance.
"Little friend Mu Ci, I truly have to thank you this time. If you ever need anything in the future, just tell me."
Dugu Bo turned to Mu Ci beside him and patted his chest as he spoke.
Mu Ci shook his head. "You can't put it that way. Senior Dugu discovered this place. You provide the medicinal herbs from this treasure ground, while I refine pills and take my payment. It benefits us both, so there's no need for either of us to thank the other."
At those words, Dugu Bo waved his hand in displeasure.
"How can that be the same? Yanyan's life is far more important than this place. As for payment, take whatever catches your eye here."
"If you can be with Yanyan, I'd even give this place to you as her dowry."
Before Mu Ci could speak, Mu Changsheng interrupted their conversation.
"Stop talking. The little girl is almost done."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dugu Yan's eyes opened. Her formerly emerald snake eyes had become brilliant golden dragon pupils, radiating a dense draconic might.
As she rose from her cross-legged position, her bones crackled loudly.
Feeling the earthshaking changes within her body, Dugu Yan saw her purple hair turn into soft black locks, while her unhealthy nails now carried a healthy rosy color. Her beautiful eyes immediately reddened.
Then she ran toward them.
Seeing his beloved granddaughter running over, Dugu Bo was filled with joy and opened his arms to embrace her.
The next moment.
Dugu Yan swept past Dugu Bo like the wind and threw herself against Mu Ci's chest, her voice choked with emotion.
"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know what to do in the future."
When Dugu Bo had first confirmed that she was poisoned, Dugu Yan truly had not known what to do.
Her parents had died from poison, while her grandfather often went out to suppress the backlash, each absence lasting longer than the last.
If Dugu Bo left her too, Dugu Yan would truly be homeless. Perhaps she might even die somewhere from snake venom without anyone knowing.
Watching the scene before him, Dugu Bo did not feel particularly depressed. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Now that Dugu Yan's safety was no longer an issue, it was time to consider her marriage. After all, the Dugu Clan had nearly always passed down through a single line over the past one or two hundred years.
Now that the Martial Soul problem had been resolved, the matter of continuing the Dugu Clan line also needed to be settled as soon as possible.
Looking at Mu Ci, whom Dugu Yan was hugging, Dugu Bo thought, This brat has good luck with women. When the time comes, I'll have Yanyan give birth to two children. It shouldn't be a problem if one takes the Dugu surname.
He then looked toward Mu Changsheng, who wore an auntie-like smile, and transmitted his voice. "Brother Mu, it seems we'll become in-laws sooner or later."
"I won't interfere in the children's affairs."
Mu Changsheng's expression did not change in the slightest as he replied calmly.
He did not care how many girls Mu Ci might attract in the future. As long as Mu Ci did not become a scumbag, he would support him.
After all, the Dugu Clan had only one heir per generation. Wasn't the Mu Family the same?
"Miss Dugu, tell Senior Dugu about your current condition first, or he'll worry."
Hearing Mu Ci's soft words by her ear, Dugu Yan gave a quiet hum, blushing slightly as she released him. Before leaving, she softly said:
"Don't call me Miss Dugu anymore. It feels too distant. Just call me Yanyan."
After saying that, she walked lightly over to Dugu Bo.
"Yanyan, how are you feeling now?"
Dugu Yan gathered her turbulent emotions. Rather than answering immediately, she directly released her Martial Soul.
"Martial Soul Possession!"
With Dugu Yan's delicate shout, her entire body was shrouded in a layer of black mist, her figure flickering in and out within it.
A resounding dragon's roar tore through the mist. Before everyone stood Dugu Yan, a dragon maiden clad in black dragon scales.
The black dragon scales resembled black crystal, cut into countless facets that reflected shimmering light. They stretched from her legs to both sides of her cheeks, outlining her proud figure.
Behind her was a dragon tail of moderate thickness. Whenever it swung, the wind howled, brimming with strength.
Her ink-black hair cascaded down her back, and her golden dragon pupils shone as brilliantly as the blazing sun, making her seem like a female war goddess.
"Grandpa, my Martial Soul is now called the Abyssal Ancient Dragon, a True Dragon Martial Soul with the darkness attribute."
"Because of the change in my Martial Soul, my soul skills have also changed considerably. My first soul skill, Jade Phosphorous Green Poison, has become Dark Dragon Breath with corrosive power."
"My second soul skill, Jade Phosphorous Red Poison, has become Dragon's Wrath. It has changed from its previous group-wide morale boost into an individual enhancement, increasing all attributes by thirty percent and slightly boosting the power of Dragon Breath."
Dugu Yan paused, then said excitedly, "My Soul Power, which was originally at level twenty-eight, has now broken through level thirty. I feel like I can break through again after absorbing a Soul Ring."
Listening to Dugu Yan's explanation, Dugu Bo's somewhat gaunt old face broke into laughter. However, he then looked at Mu Ci with some confusion.
"Earth Dragon Golden Melon doesn't sound like it matches the darkness attribute."
Mu Ci was not surprised by the question and explained:
"The attributes of Immortal Herbs are determined by nature. They may not perfectly match a Spirit Master. As for Yanyan's Dragon Transformation Pill, I retained only the purest True Dragon Bloodline without leaving behind even a trace of excess attributes."
"Only by awakening the Martial Soul's own attribute and combining it with dragon blood can it better suit the user."
After hearing Mu Ci's explanation, Dugu Bo nodded in understanding. It was not that he had to know; he had simply asked because he had a question.
"Good. Yanyan, wait here. We'll immediately go hunt your third Soul Ring. There is a cavern nearby with a nest of Sub-Dragon Soul Beasts inside. They should be just right."
Dugu Bo then looked at Mu Changsheng and Mu Ci with a smile. "I'll take Yanyan into the forest for a trip. Little friend Mu Ci, harvest whichever ones you like and use whatever you need. Don't stand on ceremony."
With that, he was about to take Dugu Yan and fly away.
Seeing this, Mu Ci hurriedly stopped Dugu Bo and said quickly, "Wait!"
"What is it?" Both of them looked at Mu Ci curiously after being interrupted.
"For this soul hunt, Senior Dugu should choose a Soul Beast with a higher cultivation age. Since Yanyan underwent the Dragon Transformation cleansing through the pills, her physical constitution is no longer that of an ordinary Soul Elder."
"She can obtain any Soul Ring below five thousand years. Only then can the effects of the Immortal Herbs be maximized."
Mu Ci thought for a moment, then added, "Lastly, when you return after obtaining the Soul Ring, it would be best to capture a venomous snake-type Soul Beast around ten thousand years old. The closer its bloodline is to the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, the better."
"This concerns Senior Dugu's treatment."
After listening quietly, Dugu Bo nodded.
He understood the reasoning behind the first part immediately. He simply had not considered it before.
However, the latter request to capture a Soul Beast left him rather confused. He did not understand why it had anything to do with his treatment.
Still, it did not matter. It was only a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Since it was needed, he would simply capture one.
Seeing that Mu Ci had nothing more to say, Dugu Bo released a pulse of Soul Power and flew into the forest with Dugu Yan.
Primordial Immortal Herb, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew
After Dugu Bo left, Mu Ci swept his gaze over the surrounding Immortal Herbs once more and took a white flower from among them.
Then he looked at Mu Changsheng and said, "Grandpa, our Everlasting Tree has no real weaknesses and does not particularly need other attributes or bloodlines for enhancement, so I'll have you take this Primordial Immortal Herb."
"Its effect is singular: it can greatly increase and condense Soul Power. There is no real need to refine it into pills. You only need to place the petals in your mouth one by one and refine them."
Mu Changsheng nodded, accepted the Primordial Immortal Herb, and said with a smile:
"All right. Your grandpa has truly benefited from you. Not only did I become a Title Douluo, but now I've obtained such an Immortal Herb."
Hearing this, Mu Ci shook his head with a smile. "Grandpa, absorb it in a while. I'll pick a few more Immortal Herbs and refine some pills for Grandma and the others. You can bring them home afterward."
"Grandma has also reached level eighty-nine over the past few years. She's only one step away. Then our family will have another Title Douluo."
Mu Changsheng smiled as well. Thinking that his wife would also break through to become a Title Douluo and that the two of them could spend another hundred years together, his joy was impossible to conceal.
Just as Mu Ci finished gathering all the Immortal Herbs he needed, he suddenly recalled a precaution regarding the Primordial Immortal Herb and said to Mu Changsheng:
"Grandpa, there's something I forgot to mention. When absorbing the Immortal Herb, pay attention. Its immense Soul Power will naturally condense a Soul Core within your body. You don't need to be too surprised. Just follow the feeling."
Hearing this term he had never encountered before, Mu Changsheng asked in confusion:
"Xiao Ci, what is this Soul Core you mentioned? Why have I never heard of it?"
At this point in time, the concept of Soul Cores did not yet exist. Mu Ci thought for a moment before explaining:
"I learned about Soul Cores from knowledge imparted by a Deity. At present, when Spirit Masters cultivate to the Title Douluo realm, they forcefully break through bottlenecks with massive amounts of accumulated Soul Power."
Mu Changsheng nodded upon hearing this. That was exactly what he had done. He had stagnated at level eighty-eight for more than a decade, and once freed, his accumulated Soul Power had surged like a burst dam, impossible to stop.
Even the level ninety Title Douluo bottleneck was merely a matter of making a few more attempts. Others were presumably the same.
"But the Soul Core I mentioned can reduce the difficulty of breaking through to Title Douluo. As long as it is successfully condensed, level ninety will no longer be a bottleneck. With sufficient Soul Power, one can break through directly."
"Those with exceptional talent can even condense one early at the fifth or sixth ring. The road ahead will then be nearly smooth sailing."
"And that is not the Soul Core's only benefit. It can also increase the recovery speed of Soul Power and more. In short, condensing a Soul Core brings quite good results."
Mu Changsheng nodded repeatedly and asked Mu Ci hopefully, "Xiao Ci, is there a specific method for the Soul Core you mentioned? Can your grandma use it?"
Mu Ci shook his head somewhat awkwardly. "No. The Deity's knowledge only includes an introduction to it, not a specific cultivation method. But Grandpa, you can experience it in advance this time."
"Perhaps you can work out a method. Besides, Grandma does not need this yet. With the pills I refine, there is no need to care about the level ninety bottleneck at all."
In truth, he had only remembered the matter of Soul Cores after seeing the Primordial Immortal Herb. He had never paid attention to it before.
The Medicine King Canon he had conceived—the Small Heavenly Cycle Medicine King Secret Method, Great Heavenly Cycle Medicine King Secret Transmission, and Internal Golden Core—all had clear goals.
The Small Heavenly Circuit corresponded to the cultivation stage below Spirit Saint, the Great Heavenly Circuit corresponded to Spirit Saint and above through level ninety-nine, while the Internal Golden Core corresponded to the God Core within the Deities of this world.
Before you continue