Dugu Bo

The Dark Gulu Ball slammed into the Ghost Tiger's forehead, exploding into a mass of black light that enveloped the beast entirely.

The Ghost Tiger let out a deafening roar, struggling desperately.

Its body trembled violently within the black light, as if battling some unseen force.

The capture mechanism of the Dark Gulu Ball differed from standard Gulu Balls; it injected dark-attribute energy into the spirit beast during the process. If the beast's own attributes were compatible, the success rate increased significantly.

If they were incompatible, the spirit beast would suffer immense pain, even risking death.

The Ghost Tiger was highly compatible with the dark attribute. After struggling for about three seconds, its body suddenly stopped trembling and began to shrink.

The black light wrapped it into a ball the size of a fist, which slowly flew back into Luo Chen's hand.

Luo Chen caught the Dark Gulu Ball, feeling the sphere grow slightly warm in his palm.

The dark red patterns on the surface became brighter, pulsing rhythmically as if breathing.

Capture successful! Immediately, a purple spirit ring rose from beneath Luo Chen's feet. With his yellow, purple, and purple rings glowing, he had finally ascended to a three-ringed Spirit Elder. However, as Luo Chen sensed his own level, he realized that the spirit power he had suppressed for so long had awakened; once he absorbed the third spirit ring, his level surged directly to 38!

Before Luo Chen could even catch his breath, he felt a powerful surge of spirit power emanating from the King Ball!

"This Emperor has finally recovered to the thousand-year level!" The Evil Emperor's seal had been partially lifted, and relying on this surge of power, Luo Chen was pushed all the way to level 40!

Luo Chen let out a long breath. Fortunately, he hadn't fallen too far behind in his cultivation over the last ten years. Stowing the Dark Gulu Ball away, he turned toward Luo An'an.

Just then, an elderly voice drifted from behind him: "A four-thousand-year Ghost Tiger, taken down in a single round? Interesting."

Luo Chen spun around abruptly. An old man in dark green robes had appeared under a large tree ten meters away.

With his hands behind his back, his emerald hair and beard swayed slightly in the breeze. His pale skin looked even more eerie in the shade, and he squinted at Luo Chen with a half-smile.

Dugu Bo.

Luo Chen's heart tightened. He had been so focused on the Ghost Tiger that he hadn't sensed Dugu Bo's arrival at all.

As expected, even with his temporary Spirit Abyss Realm mental strength, it was impossible to detect a Titled Douluo if he wasn't paying close attention.

"Junior Luo Chen pays his respects to Senior Dugu." He bowed while holding Luo An'an.

"Oh? You recognize this old man?" Dugu Bo asked, curious.

"This junior is the one who wrote you the letter."

"So it was you!" Dugu Bo realized. "You said you could solve the problem that has plagued me for so long?"

"That is correct!" Luo Chen replied.

Just as Luo Chen began to speak, Dugu Bo interrupted: "Wait, that can wait. This poison has troubled me for more than a year or two. Right now, I'm actually more interested in that ball of yours. What is it? A spirit tool?"

Luo Chen was stunned, then smiled: "Senior, that is my martial soul, called a Gulu Ball."

"A martial soul? That captures spirit beasts? I've lived for decades and never heard of such a thing. Catch another one and let me see."

Luo Chen replied: "Senior, my martial soul has limitations. I cannot capture them at will; I must wait until I encounter a suitable one..."

"Tell me what you want. If it exists in this Sunset Forest, I can catch it for you."

"Senior, there is plenty of time for that. I came today to ask for your help."

Seeing Luo Chen skillfully steer the conversation away, Dugu Bo didn't press the matter. He replied: "You mentioned in your letter that you wanted to borrow my Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? I don't know how you found out I possessed it, nor what you intend to do with it."

Luo Chen explained Luo An'an's situation. Dugu Bo looked at the innocent-looking girl and couldn't help but be surprised.

"Devouring power? Twin martial souls? Are you kidding me? Both siblings are geniuses?" Dugu Bo's composure shattered. He had thought his own granddaughter was a genius, but he hadn't expected to find two such monsters here.

Dugu Bo continued: "I originally came today to send you away. A place like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well isn't for just anyone. But now," he paused, his gaze falling on Luo Chen's martial soul and Luo An'an, "I've changed my mind. You and your sister, follow me in. You can stay as long as you like, until you successfully awaken your martial souls."

Luo Chen felt a surge of joy and bowed.

"Many thanks, Senior Dugu."

"Don't thank me yet." Dugu Bo waved his hand. "I'm not letting you use it for free. First, don't forget what you promised. Second..." He glanced at Luo An'an, his lips curling slightly, "I am very interested in the martial souls of you two siblings."

Luo Chen's heart sank, though he kept his expression neutral.

"This junior understands."

Dugu Bo glanced at Luo Chen and said nothing more. He turned and walked toward the depths of the forest with his hands behind his back, his pace steady and leisurely, as if strolling through his own backyard.

"Keep up. Don't get lost."

Luo Chen held Luo An'an and followed quickly.

After walking for a distance, a visible layer of poison mist suddenly appeared in the air ahead. It was gray-green and viscous, like a translucent film permeating the atmosphere.

Shadows of snakes flickered within the poison, emitting a chilling, decaying aura.

This was the poison formation set up by Dugu Bo. If an ordinary person were to touch it, they would be severely poisoned at best, or die on the spot at worst.

Dugu Bo raised his right hand and traced a line in the air with his fingers. The poison mist tore open like a curtain pulled by an invisible hand, revealing swirling gray-white vapors where something seemed to be writhing.

The decaying scent in the air faded, replaced by an indescribable, crisp sensation—a unique odor born from the interweaving of ice and fire.

Luo Chen's mental strength keenly perceived that the poison had not vanished; it had simply switched from "defense mode" to "passage mode."

The patterns of the poison formation remained, but around him and Luo An'an, Dugu Bo's spirit power had quietly formed a protective layer, isolating the siblings from the surrounding toxins.

This was the spirit power manipulation of a Titled Douluo, precise to every inch and every thread.

"Come in." After walking for a long time, Dugu Bo stood at the entrance of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and glanced back at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen held Luo An'an and stepped forward. After passing through the poisonous mist, the scenery ahead suddenly opened up.

The dense forest thinned out, replaced by low shrubs and strange flowers and grasses covering the ground.

The temperature in the air also began to shift—alternating between hot and cold, one moment feeling like standing beside a furnace, the next like falling into an ice cellar.

"We're almost there," Dugu Bo said indifferently. Luo An'an poked her head out from Luo Chen's shoulder, curiously peering at her surroundings.

She saw a fiery red, gemstone-textured cabbage with tiny flames dancing on its petals, which startled her into shrinking back into Luo Chen's arms.

"Brother, that cabbage is on fire!"

"That's not on fire; it's just the way it is."

"Will it burn my hands?"

"Yes, it will, so An'an is not allowed to touch it!"

Luo An'an pulled her head back in again and tucked her little hands against her chest.