Douluo: Breathing Makes Me Stronger, Tang San Was Terrified!

A trace of nervousness showed on Dugu Yan's face. She could clearly sense that the energy surging through her body far exceeded her thirty-fifth-level Soul Power.

If this energy went berserk, it would inevitably tear her body to pieces. This left Dugu Yan feeling frightened and uneasy.

Just then, Lu Chen's gentle voice reached Dugu Yan's ears:

"Yanyan, don't be nervous. Since the Dragon Origin Fruit has acknowledged you, it won't resist your absorption. Guard your mind, don't let your thoughts run wild, and carefully feel every change the Dragon Essence brings after merging into your body, soul, Soul Power, and Martial Soul."

Lu Chen's voice seemed to possess some kind of magic. After hearing it, Dugu Yan's tense emotions gradually calmed.

Following Lu Chen's instructions, she closed her eyes, guarded her mind, and carefully sensed the unprecedented changes brought about by the Dragon Essence of the Dragon Origin Fruit merging into her body, soul, Soul Power, and Martial Soul.

Every cell in her body was cheering at this moment, because the Dragon Essence of the Dragon Origin Fruit was thoroughly transforming her body.

This process was one of cleansing her sinews and marrow, remaking her from the ground up.

Put more directly, this process could also be called...

Dragon Transformation!

Purple light radiating astonishing energy fluctuations continuously erupted from Dugu Yan's body, enveloping her entire body and forming an enormous purple cocoon of light.

Within that purple cocoon, Dugu Yan was undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Her body, soul, Soul Power, and Martial Soul were all being remade completely.

Standing not far from Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo watched her turn into a purple cocoon of light. Although his expression remained unchanged, the anxiety in his eyes revealed just how unsettled he was inside.

When one cared deeply, one lost composure!

After all, the person within that cocoon was Dugu Bo's only family. Even with his heart as cold and hard as iron, he could not remain indifferent.

It was Lu Chen who walked over, comforting him with a relaxed expression.

"Brother Dugu, take a careful look. Isn't Yanyan's aura inside that purple cocoon constantly growing stronger?"

"So there's nothing to worry about. This is nothing but beneficial for Yanyan."

"Once Yanyan emerges from the cocoon, she'll have finished absorbing the Dragon Essence. Her Martial Soul will evolve, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent will evolve into the Jade Phosphorus Dragon, and she'll completely rid herself of the Martial Soul defect where Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison backlashes against her body."

Hearing Lu Chen's reassurance, the anxiety in Dugu Bo's heart eased somewhat. After a bitter laugh, he said helplessly:

"Brother Lan Chen, I know you're right, but she is my only granddaughter. My heart has been in turmoil the entire time. I simply can't calm down."

Lu Chen sighed inwardly. Who could have imagined that Dugu Bo, whom the world feared like a tiger, had such a tender side?

With his hands behind his back, he continued speaking with Dugu Bo.

"Brother Dugu, the Dragon Origin Fruit Yanyan consumed is one of the highest-quality Immortal Herbs in this entire valley, with some of the best medicinal effects."

"Actually, there's another Immortal Herb that I think is quite suitable for you. It's called the Earth Dragon Golden Melon."

"It is an Earth Attribute heavenly treasure and also contains a certain amount of Dragon Essence. The Earth Attribute is balanced and gentle, one of the mildest attributes, and it won't conflict with the poison attribute of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul."

"Yanyan has already consumed the Dragon Origin Fruit, so I think you should consume this Earth Dragon Golden Melon instead, Brother Dugu. Your Jade Phosphorous Serpent has already evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor."

"As you said, a single Immortal Herb may not be enough to make the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor evolve."

"However, the Earth Dragon Golden Melon can grant you a second attribute—the Earth Attribute. The poison and earth attributes will not clash in any way. Using the Earth Attribute to suppress the poison attribute would also allow you to rid yourself of the Martial Soul defect where Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison backlashes against your body."

After hearing Lu Chen's words, Dugu Bo's heart stirred. Based on this analysis, consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Melon would indeed bring him immense benefits.

At the same time, Dugu Bo could tell that Lu Chen was sincerely considering his interests. A touch of warmth appeared in his emerald eyes, and a faint smile hung on his face.

"Brother Lan Chen, I understand your good intentions, but for now, I'm still worried about Yanyan."

"Once Yanyan completes her Martial Soul Evolution, I'll find an opportunity to consume the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. The Immortal Herbs are all in this valley anyway, so there's no need for me to rush."

Since Dugu Bo had said so, Lu Chen did not say anything further.

Dugu Bo himself was not in a hurry, so why should Lu Chen be anxious beside him?

The Immortal Herbs weren't going anywhere, after all!

Lu Chen and Dugu Bo stood together, waiting for Dugu Yan to break out of her cocoon.

Time passed quickly without them noticing. Before long, dawn arrived. The red sun rose in the east, and warm rays of sunlight shone into the valley from outside, illuminating it brightly.

Meanwhile, within Heaven Dou City, the spies hiding near Dugu Mansion only belatedly realized that Dugu Bo and Lu Chen had vanished long ago.

Upon discovering this, they hurried back to report. Some went to the Crown Prince Mansion, while others went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Heaven Dou Weightlifting Champion

Crown Prince Mansion!

After getting up, washing, and beginning his breakfast, Xue Qinghe received a report from the spies he had arranged. Dugu Bo and Lu Chen had both disappeared.

They had likely slipped away silently under the cover of darkness the previous night.

Xue Qinghe raised his brows at this, neither particularly surprised nor angry.

Thinking about it, facing a massive threat like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect made remaining in the open far too dangerous.

It was better to move from the open into the shadows and hide for the time being. As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could not find them, they would be absolutely safe.

Dugu Bo was a dignified Titled Douluo. Taking someone away under the cover of night while evading those spies was simply too easy.

Xue Qinghe remained calm as he instructed them:

"Rise. This matter is not your fault. Monitoring a Titled Douluo truly isn't so easy."

"With Lan Chen's talent, so long as he does not die, he will sooner or later become an auxiliary-system Titled Douluo. My teacher will not let him go easily."

"From now on, you need not track Dugu Bo and Lan Chen. Instead, secretly monitor the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Once my teacher finds Dugu Bo and Lan Chen, he will definitely be unable to resist taking action."

"When that time comes, we can let the mantis stalk the cicada while the oriole waits behind. We can find an opportunity to save Lan Chen. With the debt of saving his life, recruiting him afterward will become much easier."

Upon hearing Xue Qinghe's orders, the spy he had arranged respectfully acknowledged them, then rose and left to make the arrangements.

After the man left, wisdom gleamed in Xue Qinghe's eyes as he thought to himself:

Lan Chen, your talent truly surprises me, but whether you are worth making an enemy of my teacher for depends on your own value—what kind of Martial Soul you possess, and what kind of six soul skills you have!

If your value is sufficient, I will not hesitate to summon Snake Spear Elder and Pufferfish Elder. I will certainly save your life.

If your value is insufficient, then I'm terribly sorry. I will not risk exposing myself just to become enemies with my teacher.

To accomplish my great ambitions, I need capable people to assist me. Those without value are not worth my effort.

Thinking of this, Xue Qinghe forcefully shook his not particularly broad shoulders, as though they bore a burden of enormous weight. The five great provinces, four kingdoms, and one duchy of the Heaven Dou Empire all rested upon his shoulders.

As Heaven Dou's weightlifting champion, he had to be extremely cautious.

At the same time, over at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

As the wealthiest sect on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had turned an entire mountain into its sect grounds. From afar, it looked like a mountain city.

At the foot of the mountain was the area where commoners lived. They were mostly family members, friends, and relatives of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Spirit Masters.

Halfway up the mountain was where Outer Disciples and members of affiliated clans lived. They were the backbone of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect claimed to have five thousand Spirit Masters. The vast majority were Outer Disciples and members of affiliated clans, all living in the mid-mountain area.

At the mountain peak was where Inner Disciples and members of the core clan lived. They were the true upper echelon of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Sect Master Ning Fengzhi usually handled his work in the main hall atop the mountain, while Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, the two Sect Protecting Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, were usually at Ning Fengzhi's side.

That morning, Ning Fengzhi arrived at the main hall atop the mountain, preparing to handle the day's work.

The spies he had sent out only yesterday returned the next day with uneasy expressions to report:

"Reporting to Sect Master, Poison Douluo and Lan Chen have disappeared from Dugu Mansion. They most likely slipped away secretly under the cover of darkness last night."

"We failed to notice in time. We ask Sect Master to punish us."

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's good mood from the morning was instantly ruined. His sharply slanted brows furrowed tightly, showing just how furious he was.

Boom!

Before Ning Fengzhi could say anything, Bone Douluo, who stood guard nearby, erupted with a powerful aura. A visible wave of air spread outward.

An incomparably furious expression appeared on Bone Douluo's skull-like face as he sternly berated the spy:

"Utter trash! I assigned you this task only yesterday, and you ruined it in a single night. You've taken your salary for nothing! You can't even handle such a trivial matter!"

As Bone Douluo berated him, the fierce visible shockwave blasted into the spy's body, sending him flying.

He let out a scream, coughed up a large mouthful of blood in midair, and only then crashed to the ground with a bang.

He was not dead, but he had clearly suffered serious injuries.

He did not dare complain in the slightest. After gasping heavily a few times, his face filled with terror.

Ignoring his injuries, he struggled back to his feet. Then his legs went weak, and he dropped to his knees, repeatedly banging his head against the ground.

Bone Douluo did not spare the man another glance. Turning toward Ning Fengzhi, his eyes filled with viciousness as he said in a low voice:

"Fengzhi, Lan Chen was taken away by Dugu Bo. It seems Dugu Bo is determined to become enemies with our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Since that is the case, there's no need for us to be polite. Dugu Bo's granddaughter is still studying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I'll go seize her right now."

"Make Dugu Bo bring Lan Chen to exchange for her. One life for one life. Dugu Yan is Dugu Bo's only granddaughter. If we capture Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo will definitely compromise."

Bone Douluo's idea could be called utterly vicious.

Using Dugu Bo's granddaughter to threaten Dugu Bo—if Bone Douluo truly succeeded in capturing Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo might really hand over Lan Chen for the sake of his granddaughter.

Ning Fengzhi raised his index finger and tapped the table again and again. He neither nodded in agreement nor shook his head in refusal, still considering the matter.

This plan was certainly feasible, but it would also completely offend Dugu Bo. If Dugu Bo bore a grudge in the future, it would be extremely disadvantageous for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had immense wealth and a vast foundation, while Dugu Bo was alone. Dugu Bo could not openly attack the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but he could still make their lives miserable in other ways.

Today, he could kill a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Spirit Master here. Tomorrow, he could slaughter a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect merchant caravan there. The day after, he could poison a water source near the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Such impossible-to-guard-against methods would be enough to exhaust them and leave them constantly scrambling to respond.

Either do nothing!

Or do it thoroughly!

Ning Fengzhi was considering whether, after using Dugu Yan to lure out Dugu Bo and Lan Chen, he should bring Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to ambush them, killing Lan Chen along with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, grandfather and granddaughter alike.

Only by eliminating all future trouble could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly rest easy.

However, at that moment, the spy trembled as he spoke:

"Reporting to Sect Master, according to the information sent back, Dugu Yan of Heaven Dou Royal Academy also suddenly disappeared last night. It is very likely that Dugu Bo took her away under the cover of darkness as well."

The moment these words were spoken, Bone Douluo's plan was completely ruined.

After all, how could they threaten Dugu Bo if they could not capture Dugu Yan?

Viciousness surged across Bone Douluo's face. With a wave of his hand, a burst of Soul Power struck the spy's body and sent him flying once more.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Amid a series of cracking bones, the spy's breastbone shattered. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted in midair before crashing to the ground with a bang. He was clearly breathing out more than he was breathing in, having suffered severe injuries.

Bone Douluo was still not satisfied. He cursed aloud:

"Trash. All of them are trash. They can't even handle such a small matter."

"Fengzhi, what should we do now?"

"That Lan Chen is a level sixty-nine auxiliary Spirit Emperor. He will probably break through to level seventy Soul Power soon. We absolutely cannot let him go!"

Ning Fengzhi's gaze turned cold and sinister. His usual refined and easygoing manner had vanished completely.

For the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he would absolutely not allow Lan Chen to continue living.

Ning Fengzhi first waved his hand, ordering someone to take away the unconscious spy and clean up the blood on the ground.

Only then did Ning Fengzhi rise to his feet. With his hands behind his back, like a deity ruling over life and death, he spoke indifferently:

"They think that hiding will make them impossible for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to find. Naive. Far too naive."

"The manpower and wealth of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are enough to surpass the entire continent. So long as Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Lan Chen appear anywhere on the continent, they will definitely leave traces behind."

"Immediately pass down the order. Mobilize all the manpower and financial resources of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to gather information on Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Lan Chen across the entire continent."

"Once we find them, we will immediately move to silence them. Lan Chen must die. As for Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, if they know what's good for them, we can spare their lives. If they don't, then eradicate them as well."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the continent's number one auxiliary Martial Soul. Its status must not be shaken in any way."

Bone Douluo immediately accepted the order: