Old Wu lightly waved his hand, and the surrounding air instantly exploded under the extreme heat.
Scorching flames swept forth like ocean waves, turning the ground within dozens of meters into a charred wasteland in an instant. Blazing heat waves rolled outward, even warping the air.
However, Old Wu knew that countless immortal herbs grew here. With his Soul Power shielding the area, none of those herbs were harmed.
The phantom of the Sun-Swallowing Heavenly Dog slowly shrank, ultimately merging with Old Wu.
The moment it vanished, a layer of crimson flame patterns emerged across Old Wu's body.
The energy around him had yet to fully dissipate. With every step he took, a scorched footprint was left on the ground.
"Young Master!"
Old Wu's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement.
"My Martial Soul has completely evolved into a top-tier fire-attribute divine beast Martial Soul—the Sun-Swallowing Heavenly Dog."
"Not only that, several of my soul skills have undergone earth-shaking changes as well."
He looked at Ye Ruilin, his expression full of gratitude.
There had once been a time when he believed reaching the Soul Douluo realm would be the limit of his life.
If not for the Young Master granting him that more than nine-thousand-year Explosive Flame Mastiff soul bone, helping him break through to become a Title Douluo—
He likely would never have been able to touch this level.
And now, the Young Master had bestowed this opportunity upon him, allowing his Martial Soul to undergo a qualitative leap.
His cultivation, originally at level ninety-one, had now broken through to level ninety-four. His combat strength had increased severalfold beyond what it had once been.
"Not bad."
Ye Ruilin gave a slight nod, his expression calm.
He had anticipated Old Wu's evolved Martial Soul.
There were not many top-tier fire-attribute canine Martial Souls.
The Sun-Swallowing Heavenly Dog could be considered one of the strongest among them.
The astonishment on Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's faces had yet to fade.
The transformation of a Martial Soul did not merely signify an increase in combat strength.
It also meant a breakthrough in one's cultivation ceiling.
With an ordinary Martial Soul, no matter how diligently one cultivated, it was difficult to reach the realm of a Title Douluo.
Given the grade of Old Wu's Blazing Demon Dog, if not for the aid of a soul bone, he likely would never have crossed that insurmountable chasm in his lifetime.
Now—
A single immortal herb had transformed Old Wu's Martial Soul into a top-tier divine beast Martial Soul.
No one knew how far Old Wu's future path could reach.
But one thing was certain: with Old Wu's current Martial Soul, he could absolutely reach the level of a high-ranking Douluo above level ninety-five.
Even Sword Douluo, whose Soul Power had reached level ninety-six, could not help but feel shaken upon sensing the aura emitted by Old Wu's Martial Soul.
Bone Douluo needed no mention.
His Martial Soul was somewhat special, but it still belonged to the beast Martial Soul category.
The Sun-Swallowing Heavenly Dog was a divine beast no inferior to dragons and phoenixes.
Among them, Dugu Bo was undoubtedly the most shocked.
He had monopolized the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for many years, yet had never discovered the true uses of this treasured land.
Nor had he ever known that immortal herbs capable of evolving Martial Souls grew within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
At this moment, watching Old Wu's imposing and spirited appearance—
A trace of regret and jealousy inevitably rose in Dugu Bo's heart.
Why wasn't it him?
Although his Jade Scale Serpent Emperor Martial Soul was also considered top-tier—
Compared to a top-tier divine beast Martial Soul, it was ultimately still a step inferior.
After hesitantly glancing at Ye Ruilin, Dugu Bo finally could not hold back any longer. He opened his mouth to ask, his tone carrying a hint of unease.
"Um, little brother, you... which immortal herb do you think suits me?"
"My Soul Power is only at level ninety-one. Further advancement in the Title Douluo realm is harder than ascending to heaven. If you can help me advance successfully, I, Dugu Bo, promise here and now that I will unconditionally do three things for you in the future, without refusal!"
"What do you think?"
In this short span of time, Dugu Bo's attitude toward Ye Ruilin had changed from disdain to acknowledgment, and now to unease and anticipation.
"Senior Dugu, there is no need to be anxious."
"Once the toxins in your body have been removed, I will naturally give you an immortal herb to help you break through!"
Ye Ruilin smiled faintly, his tone composed.
He understood that Dugu Bo had completely taken the bait.
He had Old Wu evolve here for two reasons.
One was to make Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo recognize his abilities, increasing his importance within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After all, at this stage, he still needed to cultivate in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for a while.
During this time, being able to obtain more resources would naturally be ideal.
The other reason was Dugu Bo.
What did one or two promises matter?
What he wanted was for Dugu Bo to recognize him as his master completely!
However, given Dugu Bo's temperament, if he directly stated his purpose, it would likely be difficult to achieve.
He could only use a roundabout method, allowing Dugu Bo to step into his trap bit by bit.
"Is that true?"
Upon hearing this, surprise and suspicion flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes.
He knew well that from the moment he agreed to bring these people to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, it had no longer belonged to him.
Even if this youth took every immortal herb within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, he had no right to stop him.
Yet this kid had voluntarily offered to give him an immortal herb suited to him for free.
Dugu Bo was both startled and doubtful.
But with Old Wu's example right before him, even with his doubts, he still wanted to believe the youth's words.
"Do I really not need to do anything?"
Dugu Bo asked hesitantly.
"No need!"
Ye Ruilin answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Old Wu, since you have successfully completed your evolution, stay here and stand guard."
Ye Ruilin then looked at Old Wu.
"Yes, Young Master."
Old Wu responded respectfully.
Ye Ruilin said no more and began searching for the immortal herbs he might need.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well possessed powerful ice and fire energies. To be safe, Ye Ruilin stored every immortal herb that might prove useful in his Space Ring.
After confirming that his preparations were complete, he walked straight toward the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo hurriedly spoke to stop him.
"Wait! The ice and fire energies within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well are intertwined. If you enter rashly and cannot withstand them, your body may explode!"
Dugu Bo spoke, hoping Ye Ruilin would not risk trying it.
Yet Ye Ruilin merely smiled calmly.
"Senior, thank you for your concern."
"What I need now is precisely these two extreme powers of ice and fire."
Before his words had even faded, he leaped into the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
The instant he entered, Ye Ruilin felt a force of ice sweep through his entire body.
It was as though even his soul could not escape this icy power.
Yet in the next second, the icy force within his body swiftly retreated, while scorching flame power erupted from within. His blood boiled, and his body felt as though it were being burned by raging fire.
Cold sweat instantly covered Ye Ruilin's forehead. Under the impact of these two forces, his body began to tremble violently.
His skin alternated between turning crimson and being covered in frost.
Gritting his teeth, he relied on his last trace of strength to directly circulate the Primordial Art, frantically drawing both forces into his body.
The vast power of ice and fire rushed into his body. The blazing flames seemed capable of burning everything away, and every impact caused unbearable pain in his meridians, as if they were being seared by fire.
The frigid frost, meanwhile, was like countless ice needles piercing into his bone marrow, bringing bone-chilling cold.
The immense power relentlessly ravaged his body.
Under the force of these two energies, his body instantly became riddled with wounds.
His entire body slowly sank to the bottom of the lake, vanishing from everyone's sight.
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