Dugu Yan's Martial Soul Evolution

Over the next two days, Ye Guchen spent most of his time with Zhu Zhuqing and his friends from Dou II.

Mu En came by once and personally examined Ye Guchen. As expected, everything was normal.

After confirming that Ye Guyi was completely fine, she stayed for only two days before preparing to take on another mission to hunt Evil Soul Masters.

Ye Guchen knew he couldn't talk Ye Guyi out of it. Still, to ensure his sister's safety, he decided to have her take Big Eye along.

Previously, Big Eye had been weaker than Ye Guyi, so bringing him along wouldn't have helped much. Now, though, Big Eye had reached the fifty-thousand-year level, and his fighting strength was no weaker than a Soul Douluo's. Combined with a Spirit-type Soul Beast's keen ability to detect danger, he could help them avoid plenty of trouble.

Outside Shrek City, Ye Guchen saw his sister off and summoned Big Eye.

He handed him to Ye Guyi.

"Guyi, take him with you. That way, I can feel a little more at ease."

Ye Guyi glanced at the tentacled eyeball Soul Beast in Ye Guchen's hand, and the corner of her mouth twitched. She teased him, "Sigh, having a little girlfriend really does make all the difference. You give other people cute little white tigers and things like that, but for me..."

She stopped herself before she could finish. She'd nearly forgotten that the little thing had a mind of his own.

Saying something like that might hurt his pride.

At her words, Ye Guchen immediately understood: his sister was jealous.

He took Ye Guyi's hand and placed Big Eye—now shrunk to the size of an ordinary eyeball—in her palm.

"Practicality matters most. Sure, Big Eye looks a little strange, but he's great at scouting and clearing the way. Besides, I'm your younger brother. You wouldn't blame me for this, would you?"

Big Eye propped himself up with his tentacles and looked at Ye Guchen. His other tentacles flailed about in protest as he sent a message through his Soul Power: "You two! Enough! Even as a pet Soul Beast, I have my dignity! Besides, back in the Evil Eye Tyrant clan, I was practically a handsome man. Master, you really have no taste..."

His words made them both burst out laughing.

Ye Guyi took Big Eye and poked him.

"Hey, little guy. You've got quite a temper!"

Big Eye had no choice but to brace himself against her finger with his tentacles.

"Master, do something about her..."

His voice was full of grievance, but paired with the babyish voice he'd only just learned to use, it was downright comical. Ye Guyi covered her mouth, giggling again.

Seeing that the mood had lightened, Ye Guchen gave Big Eye one last instruction. "Big Eye, your scouting ability is the best. I'm entrusting my sister's safety to you. If there's any danger, get her into your private space first and hide her there. Don't take any risks, and—"

Watching Ye Guchen fuss over her like an old woman, Ye Guyi felt a warmth spread through her heart.

Before he could say another word, she pulled him into her arms and ruffled his hair.

"Since when did you become such a worrywart? You're a grown man. Focus on your cultivation. Once you're strong enough, we'll wipe out the Evil Soul Masters for good!"

Ye Guchen felt her softness against him, but he didn't dare let his thoughts wander.

The person in front of him was his older sister!

Still, being tousled like he was a child, even at his age, left him feeling awkward.

He slipped out of her embrace.

"All right, sis. I'm not a little kid anymore, and your teammates are watching!"

At once, the other members of Ye Guyi's team looked away.

"We didn't see anything... Carry on."

The more Ye Guchen acted like that, the cuter Ye Guyi found him.

"Hey! I've seen you in every possible state. No matter how much you grow up, I'm still your sister!"

She ruffled his hair a few more times.

"Go on back. I'll take Big Eye with me. Train hard, and once you reach level seventy and can go out, we'll hunt Evil Soul Masters together!"

Then she took Big Eye and left with the others.

Watching Ye Guyi's retreating figure, his hair a mess, Ye Guchen could only smile helplessly. He sent Big Eye a message through his Soul Power: "Whatever happens, keep my big sister safe first!"

After that, Ye Guchen's life returned to normal.

Recently, however, he had reached an agreement with Xian Lin'er, head of the Soul Guidance Department, to buy all the level-five and lower Soul Tools made by its students during this period.

Meanwhile, on the Dou I side, he had acquired plenty of metal materials, various herbs, and Whale Rubber.

But unlike the Dou II timeline, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Dou I didn't have the Treasure Pavilion to support it, so it was still struggling.

Now, it desperately needed an auction to make a name for itself.

While Ye Guchen had been away and unconscious, Zhu Zhuqing had managed the Hundred Treasures Pavilion exceptionally well, far beyond his expectations.

To make up for the damage to her health from worrying about him for nothing, Ye Guchen's Dou I body stayed by Zhu Zhuqing's side.

She seemed to enjoy the feeling of managing a business, too. Even while out shopping, she never forgot to look for a new location for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

From time to time, she even sorted items on the market into categories based on how well they sold.

Ye Guchen saw that she had a talent for management. So he increased the working capital he gave her once again, letting her do as she pleased.

After spending two days with Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Guchen returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and dug up the Earth Dragon Golden Melon.

Looking at the sweet-potato-shaped fruit in his hand, Ye Guchen didn't hesitate. He handed it to Dugu Bo, who was standing beside him.

"Senior Dugu, this is an Earth Dragon Golden Melon. After a snake Martial Soul Soul Master eats one, there's a very high chance their Martial Soul will transform into a dragon-type Martial Soul."

Dugu Bo stared at him in disbelief. He had never heard of an herb that could make a Soul Master's Martial Soul evolve after birth.

"This..."

Seeing that Dugu Bo was still hesitating, Ye Guchen smiled and waved a hand.

"Senior, you're being too formal. This was yours to begin with. I'm just returning it to you."

At that, Dugu Bo burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, you're right. Then I won't refuse."

He took the two Earth Dragon Golden Melons, then seemed to think of something and looked at Ye Guchen.

"There's no need to keep calling me 'Senior.' If you don't mind, let's treat each other as equals. You can call me Old Poison, like the others do."

Ye Guchen didn't stand on ceremony.

"Hahaha, all right, Old Poison. No time like the present. You can start taking the Immortal Herbs now."

"I'll keep watch over you."

But Dugu Yan, standing nearby, immediately panicked and stamped her foot in frustration.

"Grandpa!"

"If you're treating him as an equal, then what does that make me?!"

Dugu Yan puffed out her cheeks, looking upset.

At her words, Dugu Bo's expression stiffened. He had noticed the recent change in his granddaughter's feelings toward Ye Guchen.

"This..."

"You can each call each other whatever you want. He can call me Old Poison, and you can still call her Miss Dugu."

When Dugu Yan heard that, her cheeks puffed out even more. Her green eyes widened. "Each of us gets to decide for ourselves? Grandpa, that's convenient for you!"

She stamped her foot and turned to Ye Guchen, her eyes carrying a hint of reproach. "Then what are you going to call me from now on? Miss Dugu?"

Ye Guchen spread his hands, looking innocent.

"What else? Call you Yanyan? I'm afraid your grandpa would poison me the moment I turned around."

"Pfft—" Dugu Bo nearly choked on his own spit. He coughed twice and turned away as if nothing had happened, though he secretly muttered to himself, This kid certainly knows how to talk.

Dugu Yan's face reddened slightly. She gave a huff. "Who told you to call me Yanyan? Just... just call me by my name."

After saying it, even she thought it sounded a little strange. She simply flicked her sleeve, took one of the Earth Dragon Golden Melons from Dugu Bo, and turned toward the other side of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. "I'll go take the Immortal Herb over there!"

Watching her walk away, Ye Guchen's lips curled slightly. He turned to Dugu Bo and said, "Old Poison, Miss Yanyan has quite a temper."

Dugu Bo stroked his beard and smiled knowingly. "You haven't seen her really lose her temper. Come on, enough of that. It's time I ate this Earth Dragon Golden Melon."

The two of them went to a flat slab of bluestone beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Dugu Bo sat cross-legged, holding the golden, sweet-potato-shaped fruit in both hands. He took a deep breath.

Even with the composure of a Titled Douluo, he couldn't help feeling stirred.

Martial Soul Evolution—it was practically a world-shaking change in fate for any Soul Master.

His Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's poison reigned supreme, but it was still only a snake-type Martial Soul. If it really could transform into a dragon...

He didn't hesitate any longer. In two or three bites, he swallowed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon.

The next second, Dugu Bo's body shook violently.

A violent wave of golden energy burst from within him, flattening the surrounding herbs.

Fine golden scales began to emerge across his skin. They weren't the deep green scales of the Jade Phosphor Serpent, but a dark gold with a metallic sheen!

"Roar—"

A deep growl rose from the depths of Dugu Bo's throat. It no longer sounded like a snake's hiss; it carried the overwhelming force of a dragon's roar.

His body began to tremble violently, veins bulging across his forehead. He was clearly enduring immense pain.

Ye Guchen narrowed his eyes. Soul Power flowed through his body, and he stood ready to intervene at any moment.

Martial Soul Evolution was no simple matter. The Earth Dragon Golden Melon's medicinal power was fierce. To rewrite a snake-type Martial Soul from its very foundations was like shattering and rebuilding a snake's bones, meridians, and bloodline.

Immortal Herbs had no side effects and generally posed no risk to life, but a Beast Martial Soul was connected to its owner's body. The pain of its transformation would still be every bit as real.

Time passed, second by second.

The golden light around Dugu Bo grew brighter and brighter. The golden scales began spreading over his arms, neck, and even his face.

Before, Dugu Bo had needed to constantly suppress the poison in his body, leaving his Soul Power stuck at level ninety-one.

After Ye Guchen had resolved the problem of his Martial Soul's poison backlash, Dugu Bo no longer needed to spend years suppressing it. His Soul Power had broken through to level ninety-two as well.

Now, as his Martial Soul evolved, his aura kept climbing. It only just managed to reach the threshold of level ninety-three.

One had to understand that it was extremely difficult to break through once one had become a Titled Douluo. Gaining a single level often took years of accumulation, yet in the time it took to burn one incense stick, his Soul Power had risen by a whole level!

An even more astonishing change was taking place in his Martial Soul.

A phantom of a massive, deep-green serpent appeared behind Dugu Bo. It was his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor.

But now, the serpent's body was twisting and swelling wildly. Its head gradually broadened, spines grew from its lower jaw, and dark golden patterns appeared across its body. Four limbs slowly emerged from its belly—snake to flood dragon, flood dragon to dragon.

Dugu Bo's Martial Soul had now officially transformed into a Jade Phosphor Poison Dragon, a top-tier Martial Soul on par with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

It wasn't a true dragon in the strictest sense, but once a pair of dark golden horns burst from its head, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor had changed beyond recognition.

It was a four-clawed dragon, more than ten meters long, its body entirely dark gold and its belly shimmering with a ghostly green light. A terrifying pressure radiated from it, enough to make it hard to breathe.

Coiled behind Dugu Bo, it swept the surroundings with cold, vertical pupils, like a king looking down upon all living things.

Dugu Bo suddenly opened his eyes!

Two beams of golden light shot from them, scorching two black trails into the air.

He slowly rose to his feet, felt the power surging through his body, and threw back his head with a long, triumphant roar.

His roar rang out with full force, carrying the might of a dragon. Ripples spread across the surface of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

At last, the roar faded.

Dugu Bo lowered his head and looked at his hands. Fine dark golden scales covered the backs of them, and his fingernails had grown into sharp hooks.

He clenched his fists and felt that unprecedented power. His eyes reddened slightly.

"My life... has been worth it."

His voice was choked with emotion.

Back then, he had stumbled into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and relied on its dense Soul Power to barely break through to Titled Douluo. He had also depended on this place to suppress the poison running wild in his body.

Later, he met Ye Guchen, who helped him solve the poison problem. But the limits of his Martial Soul had always been there. With a Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, even after resolving the Martial Soul's poison backlash, reaching level ninety-five would have been the best he could hope for in this lifetime.

But now, even reaching level ninety-six or ninety-seven no longer seemed impossible!

"Old Poison, how does it feel?" Ye Guchen asked with a smile.

Dugu Bo took a deep breath and withdrew his Martial Soul. The golden scales slowly sank beneath his skin. He turned around, beaming. "Couldn't be better!"

Seeing Dugu Bo's radiant smile, the fighting spirit Ye Guchen had been suppressing ever since his new insight into sword intent suddenly burst forth.

"Old Poison, how about we spar?"