Douluo: Jianmu Martial Soul, Am I an Abomination of Abundance?

Under the stimulation of the True Dragon aura, Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul also manifested behind her. It threw back its head and let out a long howl, its expression pained and ferocious.

Its triangular snake head began to elongate, while bulges on either side gradually swelled and hardened into horns.

Its tiny fangs became thicker, longer, and harder. Their venomous nature faded, but they became all the more intimidating.

The dark green snake scales began to shatter layer by layer, only for diamond-shaped dragon scales like obsidian to emerge from beneath the skin.

Limbs grew from its formerly legless underside, thick and powerful, while sharp dragon claws began to gleam with an icy chill.

As time slowly passed, the degree of draconic transformation grew higher and higher, until not a trace of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent remained.

Watching this scene, Dugu Bo let out a long sigh of relief.

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent had transformed into a black dragon. The poisonous parts had been replaced by draconic traits, so there was no longer any need to worry about the backlash of snake venom.

This could also be verified by 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 provided the medicinal herbs from this treasure ground, and I refined pills in exchange for compensation. It benefits both sides, so there is no need for either of us to thank the other."

As soon as he said that, Dugu Bo waved his hand in dissatisfaction.

"How could 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 get together with Yanyan, I can even give this place to you as her dowry."

Before Mu Ci could respond, Mu Changsheng interrupted their conversation.

"Enough 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 dragon's might.

As she rose from her cross-legged position, her bones crackled loudly.

Dugu Yan felt the earthshaking changes within her. Her purple hair had turned into smooth black hair, while her unhealthy nails were now filled with a healthy rosy color. Her beautiful eyes instantly reddened.

Then she ran toward them.

Seeing his beloved granddaughter running over, Dugu Bo was overjoyed 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, saying in a choked voice,

"Thank you. If it hadn't been for you, I really don't know what I would have done 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. Her grandfather often went out to suppress the backlash, and each trip lasted longer than the last.

If Dugu Bo also left her, then Dugu Yan would truly be homeless. She might even die somewhere from snake venom without anyone knowing.

Watching this scene, Dugu Bo was not 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 issue of continuing the Dugu Clan line also had to be addressed as soon as possible.

Glancing at Mu Ci, whom Dugu Yan was holding, Dugu Bo thought to himself, This brat has pretty good luck with women. When the time comes, I'll have Yanyan give birth to two. It shouldn't be a problem if one takes the Dugu surname.

He then looked toward Mu Changsheng, who wore a broad, amused smile, and transmitted his voice, "Brother Mu, it seems we'll be 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, Mu Changsheng would support him.

After all, the Dugu Clan was a single line of descent. Wasn't the Mu Family the same?

"Miss Dugu, tell Senior Dugu about your current condition first, or he will be worried."

Hearing Mu Ci's soft words beside her ear, Dugu Yan gave a quiet hum. Blushing slightly, she released him, but before leaving, she softly said,

"Don't call me Miss Dugu anymore. It sounds too distant. Just call me Yanyan."

After saying that, she walked lightly over to Dugu Bo.

"Yanyan, how are you feeling now?"

Dugu Yan composed 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 covered in a layer of black mist, her figure flickering in and out of sight within it.

A resounding Dragon's Roar dispersed the mist. Before everyone's eyes stood Dugu Yan, a dragon maiden clad in black dragon scales.

The black dragon scales resembled black crystals, cut into countless facets that reflected glittering light. They covered her from her legs to the sides of her cheeks, outlining her proud figure.

Behind her was a dragon tail of moderate thickness. When it swung, the wind howled, brimming with strength.

Her ink-black hair spilled down her back, while her golden dragon pupils shone like blazing suns, making her seem like a valkyrie.

"Grandpa, my Martial Soul is now called the Abyssal Ancient Dragon, a True Dragon Martial Soul with the darkness attribute."

"My soul skills have also changed considerably because of my Martial Soul's transformation. 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 a group morale boost into an individual enhancement, increasing all attributes by thirty percent and slightly strengthening 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 make another breakthrough 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 fate. They may not necessarily be one hundred percent compatible with a Spirit Master. As for Yanyan's Dragon Transformation Pill, I retained only the purest True Dragon Bloodline, without leaving behind a trace of any excess attributes."

"Only by stimulating the Martial Soul's own attributes and combining them 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 merely asked because he had a question.

"Good! Yanyan, wait here. We'll immediately go hunt your third soul ring. There is a cave nearby with a nest of Sub-Dragon soul beasts inside. They should be just right."

Dugu Bo looked at Mu Changsheng and Mu Ci with a smile. "I'll take Yanyan into the forest for a trip. Little friend Mu Ci, pick whatever you like and use whatever you want. Don't stand on ceremony."

With that, he was about to take Dugu Yan and soar away.

Seeing this, Mu Ci hurriedly stopped Dugu Bo and quickly said, "Wait!"

"What is it?" Both of them looked at Mu Ci curiously after being interrupted.

"During this soul hunt, Senior Dugu should choose a soul beast with a higher cultivation age if possible. After Yanyan underwent the pill's draconic transformation cleansing, her physical constitution is no longer comparable to that of an ordinary Soul Elder."

"She can absorb any soul ring below five thousand years. Only then can the effects of the immortal herb be maximized."

After thinking for a moment, Mu Ci 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 your treatment, Senior Dugu."

After listening quietly, Dugu Bo nodded.

He understood the reasoning behind the first part immediately. He truly had not considered it before.

However, the matter of capturing a soul beast afterward left him rather puzzled. He did not understand why it was related to his own 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 shook his 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 small white flower from among the blossoms.

Then he looked at Mu Changsheng. "Grandpa, our family's Everlasting Tree has no real weaknesses, nor does it 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, so there is little need to refine it into a pill. You only need to place the petals in your mouth one by one and refine and absorb them."

Mu Changsheng nodded, accepted the Primordial Immortal Herb, and said with a smile,

"Alright. Your grandfather 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 moment. I'll choose a few more immortal herbs and refine some pills for Grandma and the others as well. You can bring them back when you return home."

"Grandma has also reached level eighty-nine over the past few years. She's only one step away. By then, our family will have another Title Douluo."

Mu Changsheng smiled as well. Thinking that his wife was about to break through to Title Douluo, allowing the two of them to stay together for another hundred years, he could not conceal his delight.

Just as Mu Ci gathered all the immortal herbs he needed, he suddenly remembered something that required attention regarding the Primordial Immortal Herb and said to Mu Changsheng,

"Grandpa, there's one thing I forgot to mention. When you absorb the immortal herb, be careful. Its vast amount of Soul Power will naturally condense a Soul Core within your body. You don't need to be too surprised. Just follow your instincts."

Hearing this term he had never encountered before, Mu Changsheng asked in confusion,

"Little Ci, what is this Soul Core you're talking about? Why have I never heard of it?"

At this point in time, the term Soul Core did not yet exist. Mu Ci thought for a moment before explaining,

"I learned about Soul Cores from knowledge bestowed by a Deity. When Spirit Masters of this era cultivate to break through to the Title Douluo realm, they all use massive amounts of accumulated Soul Power to forcefully break through the bottleneck."

Mu Changsheng nodded upon hearing this. That was precisely how he had done it. He had languished at level eighty-eight for more than a decade, and once he broke free, his accumulated Soul Power had surged forth like floodwaters bursting through a dam, unstoppable.

Even the level ninety Title Douluo bottleneck had only required a few more attempts to break through. 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. Once your Soul Power is sufficient, you can break through directly."

"Those with exceptional talent can even condense one ahead of time at five or six rings. The road afterward will be almost completely smooth."

"And the benefits of a Soul Core do not end there. It can increase the recovery speed of Soul Power and more. In short, the effects brought by condensing a Soul Core are quite remarkable."

Mu Changsheng nodded repeatedly and asked Mu Ci hopefully, "Little Ci, does this Soul Core you mentioned have a specific method? Can your grandmother use it?"

Mu Ci shook his head somewhat awkwardly. "No. The Deity's knowledge only contains 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, she does not need to care about the level ninety bottleneck at all."

In truth, he had only remembered Soul Cores after seeing the Primordial Immortal Herb. He had never paid attention to them before.

The Medicine King Canon he had devised—the Small Heavenly Cycle Medicine King Secret Method, the Great Heavenly Cycle Medicine King Secret Transmission, and the Internal Golden Core—each had clear goals.

The Small Heavenly Cycle corresponded to the cultivation stages below Spirit Saint, the Great Heavenly Cycle 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.