"Brother Ye, why did you choose to enter the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?"
Letting go of his arm, Ning Rongrong looked at Ye Ruilin curiously.
"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well contains incredibly powerful ice and fire energy. It is exactly what I need for cultivation."
Ye Ruilin explained with a gentle smile, his voice mild.
"Kid, what ability do you possess that let you emerge from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well completely unharmed?"
Dugu Bo stepped forward and studied Ye Ruilin curiously, seemingly trying to discern something.
Even he did not dare approach the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well recklessly, much less enter it.
"Just a minor trick."
"However, Senior, perhaps this time, I can help expel some of the poison from your body."
Confidence appeared on Ye Ruilin's face.
Ultimate Fire could completely burn away the toxins within Dugu Bo's body.
Standing before Dugu Bo, Ye Ruilin's expression was calm and focused.
He raised his hand slightly, and a ball of blazing flame quickly condensed in his palm. The fire was a deep golden-red.
Under his control, the power of Ultimate Fire seemed exceptionally docile. As the flames danced, even the surrounding air appeared to warp from the heat.
"Senior, are you ready?"
Ye Ruilin looked at Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo nodded, a trace of complexity in his expression as his eyes remained fixed on the flames in Ye Ruilin's hand.
For some reason.
Even as a Title Douluo, he felt a faint sense of dread when facing those flames.
"Relax."
Ye Ruilin spoke softly.
Dugu Bo took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and relaxed his body slightly as he waited for Ye Ruilin to act.
Seeing this, the youth no longer hesitated. The golden-red flame in his palm slowly drifted toward Dugu Bo's chest.
Under Ye Ruilin's control, the flame that could burn all things strangely merged into Dugu Bo's body.
The moment the flame entered his body, Dugu Bo's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
Because his Martial Soul was the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor, his body had remained cold and yin-like all year round.
Yet at this moment, he felt a warmth he had not experienced in a long time.
Under Ye Ruilin's precise control, Ultimate Fire seeped into Dugu Bo's meridians like fine strands of silk, then spread over the bones throughout his body.
The toxins within Dugu Bo's body seemed to have encountered their natural enemy and were swiftly engulfed and burned by the flames.
Strands of black smoke slowly rose from his skin, carrying a pungent, fishy stench.
Dugu Bo's body trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.
Yet the expression on his face grew increasingly relaxed.
He could clearly feel the toxins in his body being stripped away bit by bit.
The heaviness that had plagued him for years was gradually disappearing.
"Senior, how do you feel?"
As the flames vanished, Ye Ruilin's face had turned somewhat pale, though his expression remained concerned.
Dugu Bo slowly opened his eyes, a complicated emotion flashing through them.
He could clearly feel an unprecedented lightness and comfort in his body.
Even his pale complexion seemed to have gained some color.
"Good... very good!"
The toxins he had tried countless methods to remove had actually been burned out of his body by the flames.
Though it was only a small amount, it allowed him to see hope amid the darkness.
"Senior, my strength is still insufficient, so I cannot control Ultimate Fire for long."
A trace of apology flashed across Ye Ruilin's face.
Dugu Bo hurriedly shook his head.
"The fact that you can do this is already remarkable."
"I can afford to wait a little longer."
At this moment, Dugu Bo's emotions were more peaceful than ever.
His eyes were filled with gratitude as he looked at Ye Ruilin.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, standing nearby, both showed a flicker of astonishment.
He had merely taken a trip into the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, yet this kid's flames had become so much stronger?
Just how many more surprises did this kid have that they did not know about?
In the distance.
Ma Hongjun's body trembled slightly. His eyelids quivered before snapping open, a blazing red light flashing through his eyes as his pupils seemed to turn fiery red.
"Roar..."
A clear phoenix cry suddenly rang out. A pair of enormous flaming wings burst open behind Ma Hongjun, blazing with fire.
Everyone's attention was drawn by that phoenix cry, and they all looked toward Ma Hongjun.
The Martial Soul behind Ma Hongjun seemed to have undergone some changes.
The original Phoenix phantom spread its wings, every feather resembling burning flames, crimson red with a golden radiance shining through.
Even the edges of its wings flickered with scorching firelight.
"Brother Ye, why do I feel like this guy's Martial Soul is a little different?"
Ning Rongrong widened her eyes, staring at the phantom in the distance in disbelief.
She felt that Ma Hongjun's Martial Soul had changed, yet it still bore some resemblance to the original.
"This is the Vermilion Bird, though it does not seem to be in its complete form."
"Hong Jun's Martial Soul is evolving toward the divine beast Vermilion Bird."
"Could it be because the Nine Heavens Burning Flame Art contains the seven mansions associated with the Vermilion Bird, and Hong Jun unconsciously drew upon the power of the Vermilion Bird?"
At that thought, a smile appeared on Ye Ruilin's face.
After waking up, Ma Hongjun's initial confusion gradually turned into wild delight, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"Boss, you'll always be my boss!"
Ma Hongjun shot toward Ye Ruilin like a streak of red light and appeared before him in an instant.
He threw an arm around Ye Ruilin's shoulders and gave him several heavy pats.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Then came an arrogant burst of laughter.
"Alright, kid, you really are lucky. You actually invoked the power of the Vermilion Bird. Combined with the immortal herb, your Martial Soul directly began evolving toward the Vermilion Bird!"
"However, this is not its complete form. If you want to fully evolve into a Vermilion Bird, you must completely master the Power of the Seven Mansions."
Ye Ruilin said with a smile.
"Boss, look at my flames!"
Ma Hongjun directly released a ball of flame, carrying a familiar aura.
Ye Ruilin raised an eyebrow.
Ultimate Fire!
Ma Hongjun's flames had evolved from mere Evil Fire into Ultimate Fire.
"This is a good start. Keep cultivating diligently, and your Martial Soul will surely transform completely!"
Upon hearing Ye Ruilin's words, Ma Hongjun answered with a firm nod.
On the journey back.
Dugu Bo shamelessly joined their group.
In Dugu Bo's words.
Since Ye Ruilin possessed a way to remove the toxins from his body, he naturally had to stay by Ye Ruilin's side.
It was to prevent others from harming Ye Ruilin.
Old Wu saw through the man's intentions at a glance.
That fellow likely believed that even an immortal herb casually given out by the Young Master could evolve their Martial Souls into divine beast Martial Souls.
To get closer to the Young Master, he had decided to shamelessly stick by his side.
Old Wu could also guess Ye Ruilin's thoughts.
Since Ye Ruilin had not refused Dugu Bo, it meant he intended for Dugu Bo to remain at his side.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, meanwhile, regarded Ye Ruilin in a new light once again.
This kid already had a Title Douluo servant by his side.
Now, that servant's Martial Soul had even evolved into a top-tier divine beast Martial Soul.
The Sun-Swallowing Heavenly Dog's combat power far surpassed that of ordinary divine beast Martial Souls.
If they fought, even Sword Douluo himself would have no way of defeating Old Wu in a short time.
And now, Dugu Bo, who excelled in poison, had joined him as well.
With this kid's current strength, there were not many people in the Heaven Dou Empire who would dare offend him lightly.
After all, not everyone had two Title Douluo behind them who would strike wherever they were pointed.
Before you continue