Dugu Bo's Martial Soul Evolves, Begins Laying Plans for the Heaven Dou Empire

Sunset Forest, medicinal garden valley.

The intense energy fluctuations continued for a full two hours before finally subsiding.

The vegetation surrounding the valley was shrouded in pure soul power, and the surrounding air trembled for a long time.

Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on a smooth, warm bluestone, the emerald-green poisonous mist swirling around him having undergone a qualitative change.

The mist, once murky, foul-smelling, and corrosive, had become clear and translucent, faintly shimmering with a holy, pale golden luster.

As the poisonous mist rolled and swirled, it vaguely condensed into the shape of a lifelike flood dragon, hovering above his head. The dragon shadow inhaled and exhaled spiritual energy, emitting a low, majestic dragon roar that shook the entire valley.

Suddenly, Dugu Bo snapped his eyes open!

Two beams of emerald-gold brilliance shot from his eyes like thunder, leaving two bottomless holes in the hard rock before him.

He stood up slowly and stretched his long-stiffened limbs. His entire skeleton emitted a series of crisp, crackling sounds, and a feeling of comfort, as if his marrow had been cleansed and his meridians washed, swept through his body.

He looked down at his hands intently. His skin, once withered, sallow, and scarred by toxins, had become supple, delicate, and lustrous. Faint, fine, pale golden patterns could be seen flowing beneath the surface, full of vitality.

The soul power within him flowed with unparalleled smoothness. The toxins and impurities that had clogged his meridians for years had been thoroughly purged, replaced by a new, purer, and more domineering power.

"Is this... the power of the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor?"

Dugu Bo muttered to himself, his eyes filled with shock and joy, as he slowly raised his right hand.

With a thought, a phantom of a flood dragon—entirely emerald green, with a single horn on its head and four claws beneath its belly—quietly emerged behind him. A majestic pressure spread out, far exceeding his peak state before his martial soul evolved.

His martial soul had truly evolved!

From the Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor to the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor!

Not only had the quality of his martial soul undergone a rebirth, but his cultivation had also surged from level 92 to level 94!

Moreover, he could clearly feel that this was not his limit. A portion of the potent medicinal power from the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb remained deeply settled within his limbs, bones, and dantian. As it slowly nourished his body and meridians over time, his cultivation would continue to grow steadily in the future!

"How does it feel?"

A gentle, clear voice drifted over from nearby, breaking the silence of the valley.

Dugu Bo turned his head to see Yi Chen sitting lazily on a nearby bluestone, holding a rare, golden, melon-shaped plant. He was examining it closely, his fingertips lightly brushing the texture of the plant.

Dugu Bo quickly restrained his surging aura, suppressed the wild joy in his heart, and hurried to Yi Chen. He knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and said, "Thank you, Senior, for the gift of rebirth! This subordinate is eternally grateful!"

His words were sincere and earnest.

The evolution of his martial soul not only greatly increased his strength, firmly placing him among the top powerhouses of the Douluo Continent.

More importantly, it had completely eradicated the stubborn toxin backlash that had plagued him for most of his life and constantly threatened his existence. This grace of rebirth was worth a sincere kowtow.

Yi Chen waved his hand, gesturing for him to rise in a gentle tone: "It was merely a small effort. Since you have completely refined the medicinal power and stabilized your cultivation, it is time for me to entrust you with some serious matters."

"Please speak, Senior! This subordinate is all ears!" Dugu Bo stood bowed and solemn, his attitude extremely respectful.

Yi Chen placed the golden plant in his hand onto the bluestone beside him, his expression turning serious: "I need you to promote the Battle of the Golden Spatula in Heaven Dou City and its surrounding areas in your capacity as a guest advisor to the Heaven Dou Empire royal family."

Dugu Bo was slightly stunned, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes: "Battle of the Golden Spatula?"

"A soul power strategy game of endless fun." Yi Chen briefly explained the basic gameplay and rules of the Golden Spatula before continuing.

"You do not need to personally manage the trivialities of operations. You only need to use your reputation, connections, and influence to help me open up the upper circles of the Heaven Dou Empire and initiate the promotion. I will send specialists to handle all the complex, specific affairs."

Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his heart, then nodded solemnly: "This subordinate understands. I have long-standing friendships with the Heaven Dou Empire royal family, court officials, and the top nobility. With me stepping forward, the promotion will certainly not be difficult."

"Very good." Yi Chen nodded with satisfaction, then picked up the spirit-filled golden plant beside him and tossed it to Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo quickly raised his hand to catch it steadily and lowered his head to examine it closely.

It was a golden, melon-shaped plant covered in fine, regular dragon-scale patterns. It continuously emitted a mellow and rich aura of the earth's origin, with a faint, ethereal sense of divine dragon majesty lingering around it.

"This is...?"

"Earth Dragon Golden Melon." Yi Chen said calmly, "Specially prepared for your granddaughter, Dugu Yan."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's eyes lit up instantly, and a monstrous joy surged in his heart!

"After consuming this Earth Dragon Golden Melon, it will completely purify the innate poison within her body, root out the hidden danger, and simultaneously force her Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor martial soul to evolve into a Jade Scale Golden Dragon."

Yi Chen paused, patiently adding, "The Jade Scale Golden Dragon is a top-tier super martial soul, possessing three powerful attributes: poison, metal, and earth. It has both offense and defense, with astonishing endurance. Its future growth potential is far beyond your Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor."

Dugu Bo held the precious Earth Dragon Golden Melon carefully in his hands, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement, his heart beating violently.

His greatest worry and heartache in this life had been the innate poison his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, was born with.

For years, he had watched Dugu Yan grow day by day, the toxins in her body accumulating and thickening, eroding her meridians and physique day and night. Yet, despite exhausting his lifelong knowledge of poison and medicine, he had been helpless, his heart filled with torment and guilt.

Now, not only had his own lifelong illness been eradicated and his strength surged, but there was also a path to a complete cure for the terminal illness that had plagued his granddaughter for years. This grace was as heavy as a mountain!

"Senior's great kindness is something Dugu Bo will never forget!" He knelt on one knee again, his usually cold and hard voice now carrying an undisguised choke and emotion.

"From now on, should Senior have any orders, Dugu Bo will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Yi Chen waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Enough, don't kneel at every turn. Get up and speak."

Dugu Bo rose slowly, carefully tucking the Earth Dragon Golden Melon away close to his body. His face was filled with irrepressible, radiant joy, and the gloom that had clouded his brow for years was swept away.

Yi Chen stood up slowly, brushed the non-existent dust from his robes, and said calmly: "Take care of the other ordinary medicinal herbs in the garden yourself. I will take those three top-tier immortal herbs. Later, I will have someone send over a batch of Golden Spatula experience tokens and complete promotional materials; you can arrange the promotion as you see fit."

"This subordinate obeys! I will certainly not fail Senior's trust!"

Yi Chen nodded slightly and turned to leave. After taking two steps, he paused, and without looking back, he added offhandedly:

"By the way, once your granddaughter consumes the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, if her martial soul evolution goes smoothly, you might as well let her try out the Golden Spatula.

I see that she has excellent aptitude and character, and her talent is outstanding; she might just turn out to be a brilliant prospect."

With that, he did not wait for Dugu Bo's response. His figure flickered, transforming into a dazzling streak of pure white light, and he vanished into the deep, dense woods of the Sunset Forest in an instant.

Dugu Bo stood silently in the valley, gazing in the direction where Yi Chen had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

After a while, he looked down at the Earth Dragon Golden Melon treasured in his arms, then closed his eyes to feel the surging, pure, and inexhaustible power of his soul within him, a carefree and unrestrained smile slowly spreading across his lips.

"Jade Scale Golden Dragon... a super martial soul... Hahaha!"

He threw his head back and laughed, his hearty laughter piercing through the valley and echoing endlessly among the mountains and forests.

Once he had laughed his fill, he suppressed his mirth, carefully put away the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, straightened his robes, and strode out of the herb garden with a light yet firm gait.

He could not wait to rush back to Heaven Dou City to share this monumental news with Yan'er.

While he was at it, it was time to immediately begin preparations and diligently complete the promotional task entrusted to him by that senior.