"Pfft—!"
As the Soul Skill failed, blood gushed from Dugu Bo's mouth like a fountain. His body jolted, instantly growing limp and feeble.
But even so, his fierce resolve to protect his disciple continued to hold him up.
Dugu Bo, who had fully unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar, lost no time in winding himself around Yu Tianshuo's entire body like a vine, following the shape of his dragon claws.
Yet the attacks did not stop. They continued raining down on Dugu Bo's serpentine body, every blow bringing a piercing agony.
But this did nothing to weaken his resolve. Once he had covered most of his disciple's wounds, he simply remained there, wrapped around him in silence.
He showed no hint of retreat, not even making the slightest move to dodge. As if the vicious attacks did not exist, he used his serpentine body to shield his disciple tightly.
Every blow slammed into him like a sledgehammer, but he gritted his teeth and bore it, refusing to let his disciple suffer even the slightest harm.
His body trembled, but his gaze remained steadfast, never wavering.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianshuo had suffered a ferocious assault, and his spiritual sea had been ambushed as well. The double blow made him lose consciousness in an instant, leaving him in a coma.
Within Yu Tianshuo's spiritual sea, the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King stood silently.
They watched everything unfolding outside without a word, as if none of it had anything to do with them.
Yet amid this seemingly tranquil atmosphere, the Fire Dragon King suddenly spoke to the Ice Dragon King.
"Third Brother, do you think what we're doing is right?"
A faint trace of reluctance colored his voice, as though he had misgivings about what they had done.
The Ice Dragon King slowly turned to look at the Fire Dragon King. A hint of emotion, just as difficult to discern, appeared in his eyes as he replied calmly.
"This is a necessary test, Fourth Brother. You don't truly believe everything he said earlier, do you?"
The Ice Dragon King's words carried a calm detachment, starkly at odds with the foolish way he acted when they were playing around.
Now, his eyes held nothing but serenity and indifference, as if he had already seen through everything.
He continued speaking to the Fire Dragon King in an even voice.
"Whether he's a Dragon King from beyond this world or the Dragon God, there's certainly no problem with making him the Dragon God of our world."
He paused briefly, seeming to consider how best to express his thoughts, then continued.
"However, there's a certain risk involved. After all, all he's given us is a promise. We still need to see just how far he's willing to go for the loved ones he has in this world."
His tone grew serious.
"This is both a test and a trial. If he passes, it'll be a happy outcome for everyone. Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I won't hesitate."
"As for you, you only need to devote yourself wholeheartedly to supporting and helping him, while keeping a close eye on everything he does."
He paused, then continued.
"Once he truly liberates the Soul Beasts, he'll be free to do whatever he wants."
The Fire Dragon King listened in silence, but tears came pouring from his eyes like a breached dam.
It was as if something had lodged in his throat, leaving him unable to speak. He could only stare straight at the Ice Dragon King through tear-filled eyes, seeming to wait for an answer.
Seeing this, the Ice Dragon King quickly leaned his body gently against the Fire Dragon King and reached out to softly wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes.
Then, in a calm voice touched with a hint of tenderness, he spoke to the Fire Dragon King.
"If he fails this test, it can only mean that his abilities don't measure up to his boasts."
"Besides, even if he does fail, it won't matter."
"Once Fifth Brother devours his flesh and blood, he'll be able to use that power to try to resurrect himself as well."
"When Fifth Brother possesses the energy of both of us, along with that monstrous body, he'll have an immensely powerful foundation. He'll be more than capable of trying to carry out his grand plan of becoming the Dragon God. If he can succeed, then Fifth Brother, who devoured him, won't be any different."
The Ice Dragon King's tone was utterly calm, as though everything was under his control.
As he spoke, his gaze passed through the spiritual sea and fell on the world outside. He was watching both Yu Tianshuo and the Earth Dragon King.
Yu Tianshuo's consciousness gradually cleared, but with his awakening came a bone-chilling pain.
He tried to move, only to feel as if something had wrapped tightly around him, leaving him unable to budge.
Yu Tianshuo struggled, trying to see what it was. But when he finally recognized it, he froze completely.
His eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, as if he had witnessed the most terrifying sight in the world.
The one wrapped tightly around him was none other than his master! His master had used his own body to block the attacks that should have struck Yu Tianshuo, taking every blow in his place.
Yu Tianshuo's voice trembled. He used almost all his strength just to force out a single word.
"Master..."
That one word held too much emotion: sorrow, anger, and overwhelming disbelief.
But his master's whisper now pierced through Yu Tianshuo's last psychological defense like a sharp sword. His voice was weak, and all he did was repeat:
"...I...won't...let...you...hurt...my...disciple...again..."
Before the words had even faded, Dugu Bo's body seemed to lose its support and slowly slid off Yu Tianshuo.
His body struck the cold sandy ground with a heavy thud, sending up a cloud of dust.
At that moment, the Earth Dragon King's voice rang out from all directions.
"Boy, I'll give you one last chance. Tell me everything you know!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sand filling the sky once more transformed into chains, ready to use the same trick again and trap Yu Tianshuo.
But this time, the attack never touched Yu Tianshuo. Just before the chains could reach him, they all lost control and turned to ashes, drifting away gently on the wind.
Yu Tianshuo's body gradually returned to human form, and his gaze turned numb.
His mother's figure seemed to appear before his eyes. She merely smiled faintly at him, her lips moving as if she were saying something, but Yu Tianshuo couldn't hear her. He only saw his master's figure gradually appear beside her.
There was no blame in his eyes, only deep concern. His lips moved too, as if he were saying something.
Little by little, Yu Tianshuo thought he could hear him.
"Run! Get out of here!"
Did he have to run again?
After watching the people who loved him die, would he have to flee like a dog once more?
Anger and unwillingness surged through him as solid ice and blazing fire began to mingle around Yu Tianshuo.
Gradually, the two reached a certain balance and slowly returned to Yu Tianshuo's body.
But in the very next instant, Yu Tianshuo roared.
"No—!"
With Yu Tianshuo's roar, solid ice and flames began rapidly spreading out from his body.
They spread so quickly that, in the space of a breath, the Earth Dragon King's entire corpse was frozen into an ice sculpture by this tremendous power.
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