As he spoke, a deep pang of regret flashed in his eyes. Dugu Ce's talent wasn't bad. If not for this accident, he might one day have reached Soul Douluo—or even inherited Dugu Bo's legacy. But now, it had all been ruined.
"Father, your son has failed you and caused you worry." Dugu Ce struggled to sit up, but Dugu Bo pressed him back down.
"Don't move. Get some rest." Dugu Bo's tone softened for once. Then he turned and, with solemn formality, bowed deeply to Yu Tianlong!
The bow startled everyone present. What kind of man was Dugu Bo? Arrogant and disdainful of everyone—he might not even lower his head before a Titled Douluo.
And now, he was bowing in gratitude to a six-year-old child!
"My young friend, words can't express my gratitude. From this day forward, you, Yu Tianlong, are my benefactor! If you ever need anything, even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of flames, I, Dugu Bo, won't so much as furrow my brow!" His voice was low and solemn, every word ringing with conviction.
Yu Tianlong quickly stepped aside and caught Dugu Bo by the arm.
"Senior Dugu, you're too kind. My Martial Soul just happens to have this ability. Being able to help was fate, and I wouldn't presume to take credit. Besides, I didn't come away empty-handed, either." He smiled, feeling the Soul Power within him grow stronger and sensing the lively energy radiating from Little Silver.
"Actually, I should be thanking your son."
He wasn't just being polite. After absorbing the poison of the Ten-Thousand-Year Jade Phosphorus Snake, Little Silver had clearly evolved by a great deal.
At that moment, it trotted over to Little Gold, looking thoroughly pleased with itself. It held its head high and puffed out its chest, showing off its newly acquired purple markings and larger body.
Little Gold lay lazily on the ground, cast it a sidelong glance, yawned, and wore an expression that said, "That's it?"
Little Silver flew into a rage and opened its mouth, spitting out a stream of dark green poisonous mist!
Little Gold flipped aside. The mist struck the ground with a sizzling hiss, corroding a patch of grass until it was scorched black. Little Gold glanced at the patch of burned earth, then at Little Silver. At last, a hint of seriousness appeared in its eyes.
"Luo!" Little Gold growled, then suddenly lunged!
The two Luo Sanpao got into another scuffle. This time, Little Silver wasn't completely helpless.
It nimbly dodged Little Gold's lunges, counterattacking now and then with a puff of poisonous mist or an ice spike. It was still at a disadvantage, but it could now hold its own for several rounds.
Golden fur and silver fur streaked with purple flew through the air, accompanied by their "Luo, Luo!" cries and the thud of their collisions. It was quite a lively sight.
"How fascinating, how fascinating!" Dugu Bo watched, his eyes gleaming with astonishment.
"In all my years, I've never seen such a wondrous Martial Soul. It can devour Soul Beasts and even absorb poison to evolve... Clan Head Yu, your family has produced an extraordinary young talent!"
Dugu Bo's gaze moved back and forth between Little Gold and Little Silver. The more he watched, the more intrigued he became.
He had lived most of his life and seen hundreds, if not thousands, of Martial Souls, but he had never encountered anything as strange as these two Luo Sanpao.
"Clan Head Yu, forgive my frankness, but this Martial Soul... surely this isn't an ordinary mutation?"
Dugu Bo stroked his chin, his eyes glinting with curiosity.
"I may not be known for my theoretical research, but I can see that these golden and silver beasts are completely unlike ordinary Beast Martial Souls, both in their auras and their abilities. The silver one in particular can absorb the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's deadly poison and turn it to its own use. Even after decades immersed in the study of poison, I couldn't do that so effortlessly."
At this, Yu Yuanzhen wore a faintly self-satisfied smile. Of course, he wouldn't tell Dugu Bo that just days ago, the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had treated these Twin Luo Sanpao as a joke.
He merely stroked his beard and said mildly, "You flatter me, Brother Dugu. Tianlong has indeed had a few fortuitous encounters, and his Martial Soul's mutation is rather rare. But when all is said and done, he's earned this through his own efforts."
Dugu Bo nodded. His gaze happened to pass over Yu Xiaogang, huddled in the corner, and the timid, pale-golden Luo Sanpao cowering at his feet. He remarked casually, "Come to think of it, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has produced two children with mutated Martial Souls this year. Their Martial Souls may not look like much, but since an anomaly like young Tianlong can emerge, perhaps the other one has something extraordinary about it as well. Twin Luo Sanpao, two outstanding talents from one family. Clan Head Yu, you're blessed indeed."
It was meant as a polite remark, even a sincere expression of admiration. But to Yu Xiaogang, the words grated like a needle scraping his skin.
"Twin Luo Sanpao... two outstanding talents from one family..." The words echoed over and over in his mind, each one seeming to mock him.
He clenched his fists so hard that his fingernails nearly dug into his flesh. What did Dugu Bo mean by "perhaps the other one has something extraordinary about it as well"?
Was he implying that Yu Xiaogang was inferior to Yu Tianlong? Or was he saying, in a roundabout way, that Yu Xiaogang was a good-for-nothing?
He jerked his head up, ready to argue, but met Dugu Bo's jade-green eyes.
There was no malice in them, only a trace of kind curiosity. Yet Yu Xiaogang read pity in that gaze—the pity he hated most!
"Could my Luo Sanpao... become like his, too?" The thought flashed through his mind, only to be ruthlessly crushed.
"No! That's not right! I'm the one who's right! Luo Sanpao is supposed to follow a defensive and control-oriented path! Yu Tianlong's crooked approach is bound to cause problems sooner or later! I can't learn from him! Absolutely not!"
He lowered his head, hiding his resentment and stubbornness in the shadows, and said nothing.
Dugu Bo noticed the strange emotions coming from the child and raised an eyebrow, but paid them no further mind. The thoughts of some brat weren't worth his attention.
Yu Yuanzhen had naturally noticed Yu Xiaogang's reaction as well. He sighed inwardly, but said nothing in front of everyone. Instead, he turned to Dugu Bo and said gravely, "Brother Dugu, my brother and I came to the Star Dou Forest primarily to obtain my Ninth Soul Ring. Now that Tianlong has successfully obtained his First Soul Ring, I should get down to business.
"I'm going deep into the core region in search of a Soul Beast at least fifty thousand years old. It wouldn't be convenient to bring the two children along. Would you be willing to do me a favor and take them back to a human settlement?"
Without hesitation, Dugu Bo nodded. "Rest assured, Clan Head Yu. Your son and young Tianlong will be safe with me. I was already planning to take Ce back to Heaven Dou City to recover, so it's right along the way."
"Then I'll be in your debt, Brother Dugu." Yu Yuanzhen cupped his hands, then turned to Yu Tianlong and instructed him, "Tianlong, train diligently when you get back and strengthen your foundations. When I return, I'll test you on what you've learned."
"Yes, Uncle." Yu Tianlong replied respectfully.
Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Xiaogang once more. His lips moved, but in the end, all that came out was a barely audible sigh. Then he turned and disappeared into the depths of the forest together with Yu Yuanzhen.
Watching the two Titled Douluo leave, Dugu Bo clapped his hands. "All right, you brats. Let's go."