Awakening

Zi JI stared at the rapidly declining energy in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, looking completely bewildered.

She muttered to herself, "Isn't this a little too fast? He's absorbing it even faster than that Dark Demon Evil God Tiger devoured things."

Xuan Qing had no idea what a huge commotion he was causing. He had already fallen into a state of hibernation, with his two cultivation techniques complementing each other as they frantically refined the Ice and Fire energy.

The Azure Dragon and Qilin Martial Souls were changing too. Their fusion with Xuan Qing grew deeper and tighter by the moment.

Any Peak Douluo who saw this would have been so shocked their jaw hit the floor. After level ninety-five, each level gained deepened the fusion between one's body and Martial Soul.

Xuan Qing's current state was clearly a sign of a Peak Douluo. In other words, he wouldn't face another bottleneck before reaching level ninety-six.

If anyone who knew what they were looking at saw this, they'd surely go find somewhere to report him for cheating. Though there wasn't actually anywhere they could report him.

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

Dugu Yan completed her Martial Soul Evolution in just one week. Her Jade Phosphorous Serpent evolved into a Jade Phosphorous Poison Dragon, and her strength soared.

Then she returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for classes. After all, she was still a student and had to go back to school.

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

He could break through to level ninety-three at any moment. The problem with his snake venom was completely resolved, and he looked at least ten years younger.

Xuan Qing slept for a full year before waking. The energy in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well had declined by a fifth overall.

When he opened his eyes, he could clearly feel that the spring water wasn't as scalding as before. Its temperature had dropped considerably.

Dugu Bo happened to be on guard. When he saw Xuan Qing wake, he hurriedly bowed. "Congratulations, young master, on your breakthrough!"

Xuan Qing rolled his shoulders, feeling full of strength, but the next second, his face darkened.

"Could you two turn around first? I'm not wearing a stitch right now."

Zi JI's face instantly turned bright red, and she hurriedly turned away. She'd been so happy she'd completely forgotten about that.

Dugu Bo awkwardly turned his back to Xuan Qing as well.

Only then did Xuan Qing climb out of the spring, take clothes from his space, and put them on.

Dugu Bo clicked his tongue inwardly. Fortunately, Yan Yan had completed her Martial Soul Evolution and left long ago. Otherwise, it would've been hard to say who was taking advantage of whom.

After dressing, Xuan Qing stretched his limbs. He felt like he could punch a cow to death.

"Have you two resolved your problems?"

At the mention of this, Dugu Bo nearly burst out laughing.

"Resolved! It's all resolved! Thank you for your great kindness, young master!"

He was truly grateful to Xuan Qing now. Not only had he saved their lives, he'd also given them an enormous opportunity.

Xuan Qing waved his hand, not at all concerned.

"Zi JI, you've worked hard during this time. I won't be leaving just yet, though. I need to adapt to my greatly increased strength and completely master this little fellow's abilities."

He hadn't forgotten the two God Trials.

The Azure Dragon God Trial's Second Trial required him to break through to level twenty within two years. One year remained.

He had to break through three levels and master a Self-Created Soul Skill. The two Immortal Herbs didn't increase his Soul Power; they mainly strengthened his body.

But the Chaos Yin-Yang Canon had absorbed so much energy, and the chaos energy it converted specifically targeted Soul Power. He'd gained five levels in one year and was now level seventeen.

The Qilin God Trial required him to completely master all the Chaos Qilin's basic powers. It lasted five years, and three and a half years remained.

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

If he completed both trials, he'd instantly gain eleven levels.

And it was Innate Soul Power, too. That would make him Innate Soul Power level sixteen! Just thinking about it made him excited.

Xuan Qing casually gathered a stream of energy and flung it toward the rock wall. Multiple elemental reactions erupted in midair.

Ice, fire, lightning, wind, light, and darkness—various attributes intertwined and collided. With a boom, a huge hole blasted into the rock wall, then vanished into nothingness.

Dugu Bo and Zi JI stared, dumbfounded. They'd never seen anything like this. It was far too bizarre.

Xuan Qing stayed at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for another half a year. He didn't cultivate his level, focusing instead on mastering the Chaos Qilin's abilities.

At the same time, he created a Self-Created Soul Skill. The Qilin God Trial's reward would raise him ten levels the instant he completed it.

Wasn't that much better than cultivating on his own?

In the end, he used the Azure Dragon's ability to control rainwater to imitate the move of a certain cold-faced little Azure Dragon and created Panna Yao Yue.

With this skill, he could gather rainwater into the shape of a dragon. His attacks could also carry multiple Qilin elemental attributes, making it a complete elemental reaction furnace.

He had completely mastered the Chaos Qilin's basic abilities. He could skillfully wield and freely transform the various elements, using them as easily as moving his own hands and striking wherever he pleased.

The instant he succeeded in mastering them, a dignified yet benevolent voice rang out in his mind.

[Qilin God Trial, First Trial: Master the Chaos Qilin's basic abilities: Complete.]

[Reward: Ten levels of Innate Soul Power.]

[Completed in less than half the allotted time: Additional reward, Qilin Divine Ability: Qilin Heaven-Stamping Seal!]

A second, majestic voice rang out right after.

[Azure Dragon God Trial, Second Trial: Complete.]

[Reward: One level of Innate Soul Power.]

Eleven levels of Soul Power poured into Xuan Qing's body in an instant. His meridians felt filled to the brim as his Soul Power surged.

He broke through directly from level seventeen to level twenty! He only stopped because he didn't have a Soul Ring.

By all rights, he should now have been level twenty-eight—a twenty-eight-level Soul Grandmaster not yet eight years old.

The sight left both of them completely dumbfounded.

Zi JI seemed to realize something. This was most likely help from the Azure Dragon itself. After all, Xuan Qing had said he was only an incarnation.

The true form giving its avatar a little perk—well, nothing wrong with that!

Dugu Bo didn't dare ask a thing. He might be a mere Titled Douluo who could throw his weight around elsewhere.

But in front of these people, he'd better keep his head down. He tilted his head back and pretended he hadn't seen anything.

Xuan Qing sat on a nearby rock, his thoughts in a muddle. Just how many trials were there in these two God Trials?

He'd completed two Azure Dragon trials and one Qilin trial.

And then?

Nothing?

Last time, the Second Trial had appeared immediately after he finished the first. Was it because he wasn't strong enough?

He sighed.

He'd take things one step at a time. Getting stronger couldn't possibly be wrong.

Xuan Qing stood up and rummaged through the pile of Immortal Herbs. In the end, he picked up the Blood Swan Kiss and tossed it to Dugu Bo.

"Old Poison, catch."

Dugu Bo fumbled to catch it. Looking at the blood-red Immortal Herb in his hand, he seemed a little lost.

"Young master, what is this?"

Xuan Qing explained, "This is called Blood Swan Kiss. It has only one effect: any poison released through it becomes hundreds or thousands of times more potent."

"If some blockhead tries to force their way in, just go to their home and release the poison. Anyone below level ninety-seven will turn to a puddle of water in moments. Even a level ninety-nine won't get off lightly if they're exposed to it."

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. This thing was perfect for him! He was an expert in poison, and with this, he'd be practically invincible.

"Guard this place. Zi JI and I are going to the Star Dou Forest. Keep watch here and don't let outsiders in."

"Consider this your payment. If you don't want to stand guard, I'll find someone to take your place right away."

Dugu Bo immediately panicked.

"Rest assured, young master! I'll guard this herb garden no matter what! With this thing, even if Spirit Hall comes, I'll send them crawling back."

He was brimming with confidence now. At the peak of level ninety-two, with the Blood Swan Kiss in hand, he wasn't afraid even of a Super Douluo.

Xuan Qing nodded and looked at Zi JI.

"Let's go to the Star Dou Forest. It's time to get my Second Soul Ring."

Zi JI nodded, lifted Xuan Qing with her Soul Power, and the two shot into the sky, flying toward the Star Dou Forest.

Dugu Bo watched them leave, gripping the Blood Swan Kiss in his hand. A brilliant smile spread across his face.

With this thing, whoever came would die.