Awakening

Zi Ji watched the energy levels of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well dropping and was clearly stunned.

She muttered to herself, "Isn't this a bit too fast? This absorption speed is even faster than that Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's devouring."

Xuan Qing actually had no idea what a massive commotion he had caused; he had fallen into a dormant state, his two cultivation techniques complementing each other as they frantically refined the ice and fire energy.

His two Martial Souls, the Azure Dragon and the Chaos Qilin, were also undergoing changes, their fusion with Xuan Qing deepening and becoming increasingly seamless.

If a Titled Douluo were here, they would surely have their jaws drop; after level ninety-five, every level gained deepens the fusion between body and Martial Soul.

Xuan Qing's current state was clearly the hallmark of a peak Titled Douluo, meaning he would face absolutely no bottlenecks before stepping into level ninety-six.

If someone who knew the ropes saw this, they would certainly look for a place to report him for cheating, though there was nowhere to report such things anyway.

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

Dugu Yan's Martial Soul Evolution took only a week to complete, transforming from a Jade Phosphorous Serpent into a Jade Phosphorous Poison Dragon, her strength skyrocketing.

She then returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for classes; after all, she was still a student who needed to attend.

Dugu Bo took roughly the same amount of time; his first Soul Core condensed successfully, and he rose from level ninety-one to the peak of level ninety-two.

He could break through to level ninety-three at any moment, the issue of the snake venom was completely resolved, and he looked at least ten years younger.

Xuan Qing slept for a full year before waking, and the energy within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well had dropped by twenty percent overall.

When he opened his eyes, he could clearly feel that the spring water was no longer as scalding, the temperature having dropped significantly.

Dugu Bo happened to be on guard, and seeing him wake up, he quickly bowed, "Congratulations to the Young Master for your breakthrough!"

Xuan Qing stretched his body, feeling filled with power, but his face darkened the next second.

"I say, you two, could you turn around first? I don't have a single piece of clothing on right now."

Zi Ji's face turned beet red instantly, and she turned around immediately; she had been so happy that she had completely forgotten about this.

Dugu Bo also turned around in embarrassment, his back to Xuan Qing.

Only then did Xuan Qing emerge from the spring water and retrieve clothes from his storage space to put on.

Dugu Bo clicked his tongue in secret, thinking it was fortunate that Yan Yan had finished her Martial Soul Evolution and left long ago; otherwise, it would be hard to say who would have taken advantage of whom here.

Xuan Qing put on his clothes and stretched his limbs, feeling as though he could kill a cow with a single punch.

"Have the issues between you and your granddaughter been resolved?"

At the mention of this, Dugu Bo wanted to laugh out loud.

"Resolved! All resolved! Many thanks for the Young Master's great kindness!"

He was truly grateful to Xuan Qing now, not only for saving their lives but for bestowing such a heaven-defying opportunity.

Xuan Qing waved his hand, not minding it at all.

"Zi Ji, you've worked hard during this time, but I won't be leaving just yet. I need to adapt to this surging power and fully master this little guy's abilities."

He hadn't forgotten about the two God Trials.

The Azure Dragon God Trial's second trial required him to break through twenty levels within two years, and there was one year left.

He needed to break through three more levels and master a Self-Created Soul Skill; although the two immortal herbs didn't increase Soul Power, they primarily targeted the physical body.

However, the Chaos Yin-Yang Canon had absorbed so much energy that the converted Chaos Qi specifically targeted Soul Power, allowing him to break through five levels in a year, bringing him to level seventeen now.

The Qilin God Trial required him to fully master all the basic abilities of the Chaos Qilin within five years, with three and a half years remaining.

This was the big prize Xuan Qing was looking forward to—ten levels of Innate Soul Power!

If he completed both trials, he would instantly increase his level by eleven.

And since it was Innate Soul Power, he would be at Innate level sixteen! Just thinking about it made him excited.

Xuan Qing casually condensed a burst of energy and threw it at the rock wall; the energy underwent multiple elemental reactions in mid-air.

Ice, fire, lightning, wind, light, and darkness—various attributes intertwined and collided, and with a boom, a massive crater was blasted into the rock wall before it vanished into nothingness.

Dugu Bo and Zi Ji watched, dumbfounded; they had truly never seen such a thing—it was too bizarre.

Xuan Qing stayed at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for another half year; he didn't focus on cultivation levels but instead concentrated on mastering the Chaos Qilin's abilities.

At the same time, he created a Self-Created Soul Skill; the reward for the Qilin God Trial was an instant ten-level increase upon completion.

Isn't that better than cultivating on his own?

Eventually, using the Azure Dragon's ability to manipulate rain, he imitated a certain cold-faced little azure dragon to create Panna Yao Yue.

This move could condense rain into the shape of a dragon, and when attacking, it could carry the various elemental attributes of the Qilin; it could be said that it was essentially an elemental reaction furnace.

He had completely mastered the basic abilities of the Chaos Qilin; he could skillfully use various elements and switch between them at will, making them as easy to use as pointing a finger.

The moment he achieved complete mastery, a majestic yet kind voice echoed in his mind.

[Qilin God Trial First Trial, master the basic abilities of the Chaos Qilin: Completed.]

[Reward: Innate Soul Power +10 levels.]

[Time taken less than half, exceeded expectations: Additional reward, Qilin Divine Ability: Qilin Heaven-Stamping Seal!]

Immediately following this, another majestic and grand voice resounded.

[Azure Dragon God Trial Second Trial: Completed.]

[Reward: Innate Soul Power +1.]

Eleven levels of soul power surged into Xuan Qing instantly, filling his meridians and causing his soul power to skyrocket.

He broke through directly from level seventeen to level twenty! It was only due to the lack of a soul ring that he didn't continue to advance.

Logically speaking, he should be level twenty-eight now—a level twenty-eight Soul Grand Master under the age of eight.

This scene left both of them completely dumbfounded.

Zi Ji was lost in thought; this was most likely help provided by the Azure Dragon himself, after all, Xuan Qing had said he was currently just an avatar.

The main body giving the avatar a few perks? Yeah! That makes perfect sense!

As for Dugu Bo, he didn't dare to ask at all. A mere Title Douluo might be able to throw his weight around outside.

But in front of these few, he had better behave himself. He tilted his head back, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.

Xuan Qing sat on a nearby rock, his mind in a mess. Just how many trials were there in total?

Two trials of the Azure Dragon were complete, and one trial of the Qilin was complete.

And then?

Nothing?

Last time, the second trial appeared immediately after the first. Could it be because his strength wasn't sufficient?

He sighed.

He would take it one step at a time. Regardless, increasing his strength was never a mistake.

Xuan Qing stood up, rummaged through the pile of immortal herbs, and finally picked up the Blood Swan Kiss, tossing it to Dugu Bo.

"Old Poisoner, catch."

Dugu Bo scrambled to catch it, looking at the blood-red immortal herb in his hands with a blank expression.

"Young Master, what is this?"

Xuan Qing explained, "This thing is called Blood Swan Kiss. It has only one effect: any poison released through it will be amplified a thousandfold."

"If some dim-witted fool tries to force their way in, just go to their home and release the poison. Anyone below level ninety-seven will turn into a puddle of sludge in moments, and even a level ninety-nine wouldn't have an easy time if they got it on them."

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. This thing was perfect for him! As an expert in poison, pairing it with this item would make him invincible.

"Guard this place well. Zi Ji and I are going to the Star Dou Forest. Keep this place secure and don't let any outsiders in."

"This is your payment. If you don't want to guard it, I'll find someone else to take your place immediately."

Dugu Bo grew anxious at once.

"Rest assured, Young Master! I am determined to guard this herb garden! With this thing here, even if Martial Soul Hall comes, I'll make them crawl back home."

He was full of confidence now. At level ninety-two peak, plus the Blood Swan Kiss, he wouldn't even fear a Super Douluo.

Xuan Qing nodded and looked at Zi Ji.

"Let's go. To the Star Dou Forest; it's time to obtain my second soul ring."

Zi Ji nodded, lifted Xuan Qing with her soul power, and the two soared into the sky, flying toward the Star Dou Forest.

Dugu Bo watched them leave, clutching the Blood Swan Kiss in his hand with a brilliant smile on his face.

With this thing around, whoever came would die.