Battle! Earth Dragon King's Remnant Soul! (2) (Seeking Collection, Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Pfft—!"

As his soul skill failed, blood erupted from Dugu Bo's mouth like a fountain. His body shuddered violently, instantly wilting into a state of utter exhaustion.

Yet, even in this state, a fierce conviction to protect his disciple sustained him.

Having fully unleashed his Avatar of the Martial Soul, Dugu Bo did not hesitate; he coiled around Yu Tianshuo's entire body like a vine, clinging to his dragon claws.

However, the onslaught did not cease. Attacks rained down upon Dugu Bo's serpentine form like a torrential downpour, each strike bringing a piercing, agonizing pain.

This did not deter his resolve. Once he had covered the majority of his disciple's wounds, he simply remained coiled there in silence.

He showed no sign of retreat, nor did he make any attempt to dodge, as if the ferocious attacks were non-existent, shielding his disciple tightly with his own serpentine body.

Every strike hammered into him like a heavy mallet, yet he gritted his teeth and endured, refusing to let his disciple suffer even the slightest further harm.

His body trembled, but his gaze remained steadfast, devoid of the slightest wavering.

Meanwhile, Yu Tianshuo had been rendered unconscious by the dual blow of the violent external attacks and the sabotage within his sea of consciousness.

Deep within Yu Tianshuo's sea of consciousness, the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King stood in silence.

They watched everything unfolding in the outside world, as if none of it concerned them.

Yet, amidst this seemingly tranquil atmosphere, the Fire Dragon King suddenly spoke to the Ice Dragon King.

"Third Brother, do you think what we are doing is right?"

A trace of faint reluctance permeated its voice, as if it harbored concerns about their actions.

The Ice Dragon King slowly turned its head to look at the Fire Dragon King, its eyes revealing an indiscernible emotion as it replied indifferently.

"This is a necessary probe, Fourth Brother. You don't truly believe everything he said earlier, do you?"

The Ice Dragon King's words carried a sense of cold detachment, a stark contrast to the foolish demeanor it displayed during their usual banter.

At this moment, its eyes held only calm and indifference, as if it had seen through everything.

He continued to look at the Fire Dragon King, speaking calmly.

"Regardless of whether he is a Dragon King from beyond this realm or the Dragon God, it is perfectly fine to let him become the Dragon God of this place."

He paused slightly, as if contemplating how best to express his thoughts, before continuing.

"However, there are risks involved. After all, he has only given us a promise. We still need to observe just how far he is willing to go for the sake of his loved ones in this world."

His tone turned solemn.

"This is both a probe and a trial. If he can pass it successfully, then it is a joyous outcome for all; even if it requires my own sacrifice, I would not hesitate."

"As for you, you only need to assist him wholeheartedly, help him, and simultaneously keep a close watch on his every move."

Having said this, he paused briefly before adding.

"Once he has truly liberated the soul beasts, he will be free to do whatever he wishes."

The Fire Dragon King listened in silence, but tears gushed from its eyes like a bursting dam.

Its throat felt as if it were blocked by something, unable to produce a sound. It simply stared straight at the Ice Dragon King with tear-filled eyes, as if waiting for an answer.

Seeing this, the Ice Dragon King gently leaned its body against the Fire Dragon King and reached out a hand, tenderly wiping the tears from the corner of the Fire Dragon King's eyes.

Then, in a voice that was flat yet tinged with a hint of gentleness, he spoke to the Fire Dragon King.

"If he fails this trial, it only proves that his ability does not match his rhetoric."

"And if he is unfortunate enough to fail, it matters not."

"Once the Earth Dragon King devours his flesh and blood, it will also be able to use that power to attempt a resurrection."

"Once the Earth Dragon King possesses the energy of both of us and that monstrous body, with such a powerful foundation, it will be fully capable of attempting its grand plan to become the Dragon God. Since he could succeed, the Earth Dragon King who devours him certainly will be no exception."

The Ice Dragon King's tone was exceptionally calm, as if everything were within his control.

As he spoke, his eyes looked through the sea of consciousness toward the outside, watching both Yu Tianshuo and the Earth Dragon King.

Yu Tianshuo's consciousness gradually cleared, yet with his awakening came a bone-chilling, excruciating pain.

He tried to move his body, only to feel as if he were tightly wrapped by something, unable to budge.

Yu Tianshuo struggled, trying to see what it was, but when he finally recognized it, he was stunned.

His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, as if he were witnessing the most horrific sight in the world.

It turned out that the one tightly coiled around him was his master! His master had used his own body to block the attacks meant for Yu Tianshuo, bearing all the damage in his stead.

Yu Tianshuo's voice trembled; he used every ounce of his strength to force out a single sentence.

"Master..."

These two words contained a multitude of emotions: sorrow, rage, and overwhelming disbelief.

However, his master's murmur at that moment was like a sharp blade, piercing through Yu Tianshuo's final psychological defenses. His voice was weak, merely repeating.

"I... will... not... allow... you... to... hurt... my... disciple... again..."

Before the words had even faded, Dugu Bo's body seemed to lose all support, slowly sliding away from Yu Tianshuo.

His body slammed heavily onto the cold, sandy earth, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Just then, the voice of the Earth Dragon King echoed from all directions.

"Kid, I'll give you one last chance: tell me everything you know!"

As he finished speaking, the sand filling the sky once again transformed into chains, preparing to repeat the same trick and trap Yu Tianshuo once more.

Yet this time, the attack did not make contact with Yu Tianshuo; just before it could touch him, the chains lost all control, turning into dust and drifting away gently on the wind.

Yu Tianshuo's body gradually returned to human form, his eyes becoming vacant.

His mother's figure seemed to appear before his eyes, smiling faintly at him. Her mouth opened and closed as if she were saying something, but Yu Tianshuo could not hear it clearly; he only saw his master's figure gradually appearing beside her.

There was no blame in his master's eyes, only deep concern, and his mouth was also opening and closing, as if he too were saying something.

Gradually, he seemed to hear it.

"Run! Run away from this place!"

Must he run again?

After watching those who loved him pass away, must he run away like a dog once more?

Accompanied by rage and unwillingness, ice and fire began to meld within Yu Tianshuo's body.

Slowly, the two reached a perfect balance, gradually receding back into his core.

But the very next instant, Yu Tianshuo let out a roar.

"No--!"

Following Yu Tianshuo's roar, ice and fire began to spread rapidly from within his body.

The speed was so great that, in the span of a single breath, the entire carcass of the Earth Dragon King was frozen into an ice sculpture under such immense power.