"It's mutated... no, it's evolved!" Tang San clenched his right hand. The sharp thorns not only had stronger defensive capabilities, but the neurotoxins they contained had also become more insidious due to the effects of the Death Warrior Pill.
However, rather than evolution, "darkening" is probably a more appropriate term. Tang San's Blue Silver Thorns did not transform from Blue Silver Grass. His original Martial Soul was the noble Blue Silver Emperor. When the Blue Silver Emperor was influenced by Evil Soul Master, it would turn into Blue Silver Thorns. However, Blue Silver Thorns is the easiest of the three states of Blue Silver Grass Blue Silver Grass cultivate. As the most abundant and common plant in the Douluo Continent, Blue Silver Thorns can directly absorb the Soul Power of the surrounding Blue Silver Grass and directly affect the Soul Master, providing the Soul Master with a continuous source of Soul Power.
"Hahaha! Gu Tian, did you see that?" Tang San couldn't help but laugh out loud, his laughter filled with long-suppressed madness. "My Martial Soul Evolution! So what if your Thousand-Year Soul Ring? In the face of this dark power, it's all a joke!"
The three of them Bu Le glances and then let out a series of wicked laughs, filling the entire secret room with a chilling atmosphere.
"The holiday isn't over yet." Tang San sheathed his Martial Soul, his eyes icy. " Bu Le, Tian Ya, E Kao, the three of you will come with me. According to that old good-for-nothing Yu Xiaogang's theory, the limit for the Second Soul Ring is over seven hundred years. Now that we have three skilled fighters like you, this holiday I'm going to hunt for the top-tier dark Soul Ring for my two Martial Soul!"
In the blink of an eye, winter has arrived, and the Heaven Dou Empire is once again facing its winter.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy was covered in a blanket of snow, even its usually lush green bamboo forest was adorned with glistening frost. With the end of the final exams, the academy finally welcomed its long-awaited winter break. The students, who had worked hard all year, breathed a sigh of relief, packing their bags in small groups and discussing where to go for the holidays.
In the hall of the villa on the back hill, the firewood in the fireplace crackled, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Gu Tian was lounging lazily in the large sofa, while the women sat around him, chattering about their travel plans.
"We finally have a long holiday, let's go have a blast in Heaven Dou City!" Ning Rongrong suggested, clapping her hands as her eyes sparkled. "A huge amusement park just opened in the south of the city, and there's also an ice sculpture festival in the west district. It's going to be so lively!"
"I agree!" Dugu Yan brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, unable to contain her excitement. "I can also take you to the old street where Grandpa used to live. There you'll find the most authentic Heaven Dou snacks. After we eat there, we'll go to the Star Luo Empire and demand an explanation from that damned Zhu Family!"
In planning this trip, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling were obviously the most qualified to speak, after all, they were all native daughters of Heaven Dou City, and in modern terms, they were definitely "masters of the capital," knowing every corner of Heaven Dou City like the back of their hand.
However, amidst this lively atmosphere, Xue Ke, sitting to the side, seemed somewhat forlorn. She clutched a soft cushion in her arms, her eyes slightly dazed, watching Rongrong and the others share their interesting anecdotes from the streets, yet unable to utter a single word.
To others, she was a high-ranking imperial princess, pampered and loved. But in her own heart, she was more like a "little fool." As the only beloved daughter of the royal family, she had almost no freedom. From childhood to adulthood, her life was filled with complicated royal etiquette, tedious practice of various musical instruments, and endless imperial history to memorize.
What frustrated her even more was that every time she went out of the palace for a trip, Xue Qinghe would arrange for hundreds or even thousands of imperial guards to escort her. The procession looked like a patrol wherever they went, which completely killed Xue Ke's desire to have fun. Of course, at that time, Xue Qinghe had not yet been replaced by Qian Renxue, and Qian Renxue's disguise was excellent. Even Xue Ke could not detect anything unusual. If there really was something, Xue Ke would only think that her crown prince brother had entered puberty, which was just a normal physiological phenomenon for boys in puberty.
"Brother Gu Tian ..." Xue Ke gently tugged at Gu Tian's sleeve, her voice somewhat downcast, "I can go to Heaven Dou City with you, but I'm afraid I won't be able to go with you when you go to Star Luo City."
Na'er paused for a moment, then asked with some regret, " Xue Ke, why? It's so much fun with so many of us together."
Xue Ke smiled bitterly, "My father is unwell, and Brother Qinghe said I have to stay in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace to accompany him during this holiday, and I also have to attend several royal sacrificial ceremonies. I'm afraid I won't be able to leave those red walls until school starts. Moreover, I am a princess of the Heaven Dou Empire. If I visit the Star Luo Empire as a tourist and something happens to me, it could cause a diplomatic incident between the two countries."
"Oh, I see..." Na'er hugged her with some sympathy.
Looking at Xue Ke's pitiful appearance, Gu Tian reached out and ruffled her short golden hair, gently comforting her, "Don't be sad. We'll go to the Star Luo Empire to deal with the Zhu Family's affairs and then come back as soon as possible, trying to return to be with you before the holiday ends."
Upon hearing Gu Tian's promise, Xue Ke's heart skipped a beat.
To be honest, during my time living in the villa in the back mountains, although I initially came with the mission of "monitoring Gu Tian's every move," it would be a lie to say that I wasn't attracted to Gu Tian at all. The mysterious and powerful attraction that Gu Tian possessed was far beyond what those timid and subservient noble children in the palace could match.
Xue Ke blushed and lowered her head, some embarrassing images involuntarily surfacing in her mind.
Although she was only ten years old, the precocious education she received in the royal family made her understand far more than ordinary children. Sometimes, when she passed by Gu Tian's room late at night, she could always hear some strange sounds coming from inside, sometimes urgent, sometimes suppressed, accompanied by the faint pleas of girls.
At first, she was completely clueless and didn't know what was going on. After all, Xue Ke was still a Xiao Bai novice in this area. But after eavesdropping a few times and seeing Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing looking radiant yet slightly languid the next day, she gradually understood what they were doing.
This vague understanding did not make her feel disgusted; on the contrary, it always made her feel a kind of inexplicable expectation when she was alone. To be honest, if she were not a princess of a country, she would also want to live like an ordinary person. After all, a life without restraint is the best.
"Then... you must come back soon." Xue Ke murmured softly, her emerald green eyes unconsciously filled with Gu Tian's reflection.