Little Silver Evolves

Speaking of this, a flash of deep regret crossed his eyes. Dugu Ce's talent was not bad at all; had this accident not occurred, he would have had the potential to challenge the Spirit Douluo realm in the future, or even inherit his mantle. But now, everything was ruined.

"Father, your child is incompetent and has caused you worry." Dugu Ce struggled to sit up, only to be held down by Dugu Bo.

"Don't move, rest well." Dugu Bo's tone was uncharacteristically gentle. He then turned around and, with great solemnity, bowed deeply to Yu Tianlong!

This bow shocked everyone present. What kind of person was Dugu Bo? Unruly and arrogant, he would rarely lower his head even when facing a Title Douluo.

Yet now, he was bowing in gratitude to a six-year-old child!

"Little friend, great kindness needs no thanks. From this day forward, you, Yu Tianlong, are a benefactor to me, Dugu Bo! Should you ever have need of me, even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire, I, Dugu Bo, will not even frown!" His voice was low and solemn, every word ringing with weight.

Yu Tianlong quickly stepped aside to avoid the bow, supporting Dugu Bo's arm.

"Senior Dugu, you are too kind. It is merely a characteristic of my martial soul that allowed me to help; it is fate, and I dare not claim credit. Besides, I have not come away empty-handed." He smiled, feeling the surge of spirit power within him and the vibrant energy radiating from Little Silver.

"Speaking of which, I should be the one thanking your son."

This was no mere pleasantry. After absorbing the toxins of the Ten-Thousand-Year Jade Phosphorus Snake, Little Silver had clearly undergone a significant evolution.

At this moment, it was running triumphantly toward Little Gold, head held high, showing off its newly acquired purple markings and larger physique.

Little Gold lay lazily on the ground, glancing at it sideways with a yawn, its expression clearly saying, "Is that all?"

Little Silver was instantly enraged, opening its mouth to spray a beam of dark green poisonous mist!

Little Gold rolled aside to dodge, and the mist hit the ground with a "hissing" sound of corrosion, scorching the grass black. Little Gold looked back at the charred earth, then at Little Silver, a look of genuine seriousness finally appearing in its eyes.

"Luo!" Little Gold let out a low growl and pounced!

The two Luo San Paos were brawling again. This time, however, Little Silver was no longer without the ability to fight back.

It dodged Little Gold's pounces nimbly, occasionally countering with a spray of poison or an ice spike. Though still at a disadvantage, it was now able to hold its own for several rounds.

Golden fur and silver-purple fur danced in the air, accompanied by "Luo-Luo" cries and the sounds of collision, making for a lively scene.

"Interesting, truly interesting!" Dugu Bo watched the spectacle, his eyes gleaming with fascination.

"I have lived for so many years, yet this is the first time I have seen such a miraculous martial soul. Not only can it devour spirit beasts, but it can also absorb toxins to evolve... Clan Leader Yu, your clan has truly produced an extraordinary descendant!"

Dugu Bo's gaze shifted back and forth between Little Gold and Little Silver, finding them more curious the longer he looked.

He had lived for most of his life and had seen hundreds, if not thousands, of martial souls, but he had never heard of anything as strange as these two Luo San Paos.

"Clan Leader Yu, forgive my bluntness, but this martial soul... surely this is no ordinary mutation?"

Dugu Bo stroked his chin, his eyes flashing with an inquisitive light.

"Though I am not known for theoretical research, I can tell that these gold and silver beasts are fundamentally different from ordinary beast martial souls in both aura and ability. Especially that silver one, which can directly absorb the deadly poison of the Jade Phosphorus Snake and convert it for its own use—such a feat is something I, even after decades of immersion in the way of poison, could not achieve with such ease."

Upon hearing this, a hint of pride appeared on Yu Yuanzhen's face. Naturally, he would not tell Dugu Bo that just a few days ago, the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had treated these twin Luo San Paos as a joke.

He merely stroked his beard and said calmly, "Brother Dugu is too kind. Tianlong has indeed had some fortuitous encounters, and the direction of his martial soul's mutation is quite rare. But in the end, it is his own effort that counts."

Dugu Bo nodded, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Yu Xiaogang, who was huddled in the corner, and the timid, pale-gold Luo San Pao at his feet, as he remarked casually:

"Come to think of it, your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect has produced two children with mutated martial souls this year. Although that one looks unremarkable, since a freak of nature like little friend Tianlong can appear, perhaps the other one has its own extraordinary qualities. Twin Luo San Paos, two heroes from one house; Clan Leader Yu, you are truly blessed."

This was meant as a polite remark, perhaps even a sincere one. But to Yu Xiaogang, it felt like needles pricking his ears.

Twin Luo San Paos... two heroes from one house... These words echoed repeatedly in his mind, each one feeling like a mockery.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. What did he mean by "perhaps the other one has its own extraordinary qualities"?

Was he implying that he was inferior to Yu Tianlong? Or was he indirectly calling him a waste?

He jerked his head up, wanting to retort, but met Dugu Bo's emerald-green eyes.

There was no malice in those eyes, only a touch of well-meaning curiosity, yet Yu Xiaogang read pity in them—the very pity he hated most!

Can my Luo San Pao... also become like his? The thought flashed through his mind, only to be ruthlessly extinguished.

No! That's wrong! I am the one who is right! Luo San Pao was meant to follow the path of defense and control! Yu Tianlong's crooked path will lead to trouble sooner or later! I cannot learn from him! Absolutely not!

He lowered his head, hiding the resentment and stubbornness in his eyes within the shadows, and remained silent.

Dugu Bo sensed the strange shift in the boy's mood and raised an eyebrow, but he didn't pay it much mind. The thoughts of a little brat were not worth his concern.

Yu Yuanzhen naturally noticed Yu Xiaogang's reaction and sighed inwardly, but he said nothing in public. He turned to Dugu Bo and said sternly:

"Brother Dugu, the main purpose of my brother and me coming to the Star Dou Forest was for my ninth spirit ring. Now that Tianlong has successfully obtained his first, I must attend to my business.

I intend to head deep into the core area, targeting spirit beasts over fifty thousand years old, and it would be inconvenient to bring the two children along. I wonder if you could do me a favor and escort them back to human territory?"

Dugu Bo nodded without hesitation. "Rest assured, Clan Leader Yu. The safety of your son and little friend Tianlong is on me. I was already planning to take Ce'er back to Heaven Dou City to recover; it is on the way."

"Then I am in your debt, Brother Dugu." Yu Yuanzhen cupped his hands, then looked at Yu Tianlong and instructed, "Tianlong, cultivate diligently when you return and consolidate your foundation. When I return, I will test your progress."

"Yes, Great Uncle." Yu Tianlong replied respectfully.

Yu Yuanzhen glanced at Yu Xiaogang once more, his lips moving as if to speak, but it ultimately dissolved into an almost imperceptible sigh. He turned and vanished into the depths of the dense forest alongside Yu Yuanzhen.

Watching the two Title Douluos depart, Dugu Bo clapped his hands. "Alright, little brats, let's go."