Dugu Yan Evolves

Seeing his grandfather still focused on refining the immortal herb, Feng Baiyu gestured toward a spot a short distance away. Dugu Yan understood his intent, silently following his lead as they walked over together.

"Miss Dugu," Feng Baiyu said in a gentle tone, lifting his eyes to look at her, "after absorbing those two immortal herbs, have you noticed any unusual changes?"

"Young Master, please don't call me Miss Dugu anymore. From now on, I am your subordinate. You may call me Yanzi or Yan Yan." Dugu Yan showed no trace of the dismissive attitude one might have toward a "little brat," instead bowing her head respectfully. "After absorbing those two herbs, my Martial Soul has undergone a complete transformation. It is only a pity that I failed to retain the poison attribute; I fear I have disappointed you, Young Master."

"No poison attribute?" Feng Baiyu's lips twitched unnaturally as he listened to Dugu Yan.

It was true that the poison attribute was gone, but he was certainly not disappointed!

[Name]: Dugu Yan
[Martial Soul]: Ice-Fire Flood Dragon
[Age]: Twelve
[Cultivation]: Level 25 Great Soul Master
[Soul Skills]: [Flood Dragon Body], [Ice-Fire Body]
[Flood Dragon Body]: Increases attack, defense, and speed by 30%.
[Ice-Fire Body]: Increases ice-attribute and fire-attribute attacks by 30%.

Although Dugu Yan's Martial Soul had failed to retain its poison attribute, her [Jade Phosphorus Snake] had completed its metamorphosis, evolving into the formidable [Ice-Fire Flood Dragon]!

This was an evolution toward the path of an Eastern Divine Dragon, rather than the crude, lizard-like form of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. If Dugu Yan could secure further opportunities in the future, her Martial Soul might well evolve into the peerlessly powerful [Ice-Fire Dragon]!

Following the Martial Soul's transformation, her two previous support-type soul skills had also been comprehensively refined. As she was now, Dugu Yan could easily handle three of herself from before she had absorbed the immortal herbs!

Moreover, as her soul power level increased, she would only grow stronger.

"So what if the poison attribute is gone? You're a girl, why play with poison anyway!" Feng Baiyu had already thoroughly grasped all of Dugu Yan's data, yet he feigned ignorance and asked, "What has your Martial Soul become now? And how much has your strength improved?"

"My Martial Soul now..." The smile on the corners of Dugu Yan's mouth could no longer be contained; her eyes curved into crescents, her tone filled with irrepressible excitement: "It has evolved into an [Ice-Fire Flood Dragon]..."

Dugu Yan detailed the specifics of her Martial Soul's evolution, and as she spoke with growing enthusiasm, her eyes shone with undisguised fervor: "I feel terrifyingly strong right now!"

Feng Baiyu played along with a perfectly timed expression of surprise, then laughed and praised, "Truly impressive! Once you have fully matured, I fear the title of the world's number one beast Martial Soul will have to change hands!"

This is all thanks to you, Young Master, Dugu Yan sighed inwardly. Since meeting this Young Master, the benefits she had received were too numerous to count. The faint, lingering resentment she had once felt had long since vanished, leaving only a heart filled with genuine gratitude.

"Since you know it is my credit, then I shall look forward to your performance in the future." Feng Baiyu glanced at Dugu Yan with a playful look, his tone shifting as he added, "I never engage in losing trades!"

Although Feng Baiyu felt the Dugu Family would not rebel, the necessary reminders could not be omitted.

"Following the Young Master brings so many benefits; only a fool would betray you!" Dugu Yan's eyes curved, her smile full of conviction, her tone earnest and solemn: "I could never repay the Young Master's kindness in this lifetime. From now on, I am willing to entrust everything to you!"

"Entrust everything..."

Feng Baiyu looked at Dugu Yan but did not refute her.

Though Dugu Yan was not as breathtakingly beautiful as Sister Xue, she was only a step behind. If the day truly came where she had to offer everything, what harm would there be in accepting her?

At this moment, Feng Qingluan was still deep in the process of refining his immortal herb. Feng Baiyu glanced toward his grandfather from time to time while chatting idly with Dugu Yan.

Before long, Dugu Yan seemed unable to hold back any longer, leaning in closer to ask, "Young Master, your skin has become increasingly delicate and your features more handsome lately. Is this also the effect of the immortal herbs?"

"Skin? Appearance?"

Hearing this, Feng Baiyu smiled and rolled up his sleeve to glance at his arm. His skin was fair and delicate, a quality even the most pampered young ladies of noble houses would struggle to match.

Feng Baiyu pulled a bronze mirror from his storage soul tool and checked his reflection. The contours were familiar, yet it was as if he had been meticulously painted, looking as refined as if he had been touched by a soft-focus filter.

More noticeably, Feng Baiyu's stature seemed to have grown taller than before, shedding some of his youthful immaturity and gaining a sense of clean, sharp poise.

If his previous looks were at the peak of the Douluo world, then with this improvement, he had become handsome to the [Half-Step Reader Realm]!

In this world, besides the esteemed readers, who else could compare to him in terms of looks?

"I really have become even more handsome." Feng Baiyu nodded slightly as he observed his changes.

"It must be the effects of the [Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum] and the [Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone]," Feng Baiyu said. "It is said that these two are 'Mandarin Duck Immortal Herbs' that complement each other to provide greater benefits. Becoming more handsome must be one of the traits."

Hearing Feng Baiyu's words, Dugu Yan couldn't help but sigh with envy: "That is truly enviable!"

Dugu Yan had already checked her own condition while dressing and had noticed no such changes. Seeing Feng Baiyu become even better-looking, she felt a twinge of jealousy.

For a female soul master, appearance and strength were equally important!

"Caw~"

Just as the two were chatting, Feng Qingluan let out a long cry.

Feng Baiyu knew that his grandfather had finished absorbing the [Wind-Fluff Dew-Condensing Flower].

With a thought from Feng Qingluan, his Martial Soul appeared in response. A phantom of an Azure Phoenix with a wingspan that could cover the sky suddenly condensed behind him, its majestic form radiating an aura of disdain for all. But the most heart-stopping sight was the nine soul rings arranged in perfect order beneath the Azure Phoenix, revealing a terrifying, unfathomable strength.

Black, black, black, black, black, black, black, black, red!

A configuration of nine black and one red was completely beyond people's understanding of soul rings.

Aside from divine proxies like Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, only someone like Bibi Dong, who possessed a second Martial Soul, could achieve such a feat.

"Is this the strength of His Excellency Qingluan?" Gazing at the awe-inspiring Azure Phoenix Martial Soul and those shocking nine soul rings, Dugu Yan was completely stunned, her mouth hanging open and unable to close for a long time.

She had seen His Excellency Qingluan's soul ring configuration before, and it had clearly been the standard for a typical Title Douluo. But the scene before her eyes had long since surpassed the conventional; it was an unbelievable metamorphosis!

"This is all the change brought about by a single immortal herb!" Feng Baiyu looked at Dugu Yan's dumbfounded expression and smiled. "There is no need to be envious. The two immortal herbs you consumed can bring you even more benefits than this one my grandfather took!"

Dugu Yan nodded blankly, staring at the soul-shaking rings of the Azure Phoenix phantom, finally gaining a direct understanding of the heaven-defying value of the immortal herbs.

A single immortal herb could cause such a world-shaking transformation in His Excellency Qingluan's soul ring configuration, and she had consumed two! A bold thought quietly sprouted in her heart.

Perhaps, in time, she would not only catch up to the height of His Excellency Qingluan, but might even have a chance to surpass him? Thinking of this, a bright light suddenly erupted in her eyes, and her breathing grew slightly rapid.