Sunset Forest, the herb garden valley.
The blazing energy fluctuations continued for a full two hours before gradually subsiding.
The plants and trees surrounding the valley were completely enveloped in pure Soul Power, while the air currents around them quivered without rest.
Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on a smooth blue stone. The emerald-green poisonous mist coiling around him had undergone a qualitative transformation.
The poisonous mist, once murky, foul-smelling, and corrosive, had now become clear and translucent, faintly shimmering with a layer of sacred, pale golden light.
As the mist swirled around him, it seemed to gather into the lifelike shape of a flood dragon, circling above his head. The dragon shadow drew in spiritual energy and let out a low, awe-inspiring dragon's roar that shook the entire valley.
Suddenly, Dugu Bo's eyes flew open!
Two beams of emerald-gold light shot from his eyes like thunderclaps, leaving a pair of bottomless holes in the hard rock before him.
He slowly stood and stretched his tightly wound limbs. A series of crisp cracks popped from his bones, and a bone-deep sense of comfort surged through him, as if his marrow had been cleansed and his channels reforged.
He lowered his head and studied his hands. His skin, once gaunt and sallow, marked by traces of poison, was now smooth, fine, and lustrous. Delicate pale-gold patterns could be seen flowing slowly beneath it, brimming with vitality.
Soul Power flowed freely through his body. The toxins and impurities that had clogged his meridians for years had been thoroughly flushed away, replaced by a new force that was purer, more domineering, and more vast.
"Is this... the power of the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor?"
Dugu Bo murmured to himself, his eyes filled with shock and delight, and slowly raised his right hand.
At a thought, the phantom of a flood dragon appeared silently behind him. Its body was entirely emerald-green, a single horn sprouted from its head, and four claws extended from its belly. Its immense pressure spread out, far surpassing the peak of his strength before his Martial Soul evolved.
His Martial Soul had truly evolved!
From the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor to the Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor!
Not only had his Martial Soul's quality undergone a complete, fundamental transformation, but his cultivation had also surged from rank ninety-two to rank ninety-four!
And he could clearly feel that this was not yet his limit. Some of the Dragon Blood Immortal Herb's potent medicinal power still lay deep within his limbs, bones, and dantian. As it slowly nourished his body and meridians over time, his cultivation would continue to rise steadily.
"How does it feel?"
A warm, clear voice drifted over from nearby, breaking the valley's silence.
Dugu Bo turned to look. Yi Chen sat lazily on a blue stone not far away, holding a rare, golden plant shaped like a melon. He gently traced the plant's patterns with his fingertips, examining it closely.
Dugu Bo hastily reined in his immense aura and suppressed his joy. He strode over to Yi Chen, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said, "Thank you, senior, for giving me a new life! I am eternally grateful!"
He meant every word. His voice was earnest and sincere.
The Martial Soul evolution had not only greatly increased his strength, placing him among the top experts on Douluo Continent.
More importantly, it had completely cured the poisonous backlash that had plagued him for most of his life and threatened his life at every moment. This life-changing kindness was worth a heartfelt bow.
Yi Chen waved a hand and gently motioned for him to rise. "It was a small favor. Now that you've fully refined the medicine's power and stabilized your cultivation, I have some business to discuss with you."
"Please, senior! I'm all ears!" Dugu Bo stood respectfully, his attitude utterly deferential.
Yi Chen set the golden plant in his hand gently on a nearby blue stone, his expression turning serious. "I need you to promote Teamfight Tactics in Heaven Dou City and the surrounding areas, in your capacity as a guest of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family."
Dugu Bo paused, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Teamfight Tactics?"
"A fascinating game of Soul Power strategy." Yi Chen briefly explained the basic gameplay and rules of Golden Spatula, then continued.
"You don't need to run it yourself or handle the trivial details. Just use your reputation, connections, and influence to open doors among the upper circles of the Heaven Dou Empire and get the promotion underway. I'll send people to take care of all the complicated arrangements."
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, quickly weighing the pros and cons, then nodded firmly. "Understood. I have longstanding ties to the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family, court officials, and the great noble houses. With me involved, promotion should be no trouble."
"Excellent." Yi Chen nodded with satisfaction, then picked up the golden plant beside him, brimming with spiritual energy, and tossed it to Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo quickly caught it and examined it closely.
It was a melon-shaped plant of golden hue, its surface covered in fine, orderly dragon-scale patterns. It continuously emanated a rich, pure aura of the earth, with a faint, sacred draconic Wei lingering around it.
"This is...?"
"Earth Dragon Golden Melon," Yi Chen said calmly. "I prepared it for your granddaughter, Dugu Yan."
At this, Dugu Bo's eyes suddenly lit up, and a wave of wild joy surged through his heart!
"After she consumes this Earth Dragon Golden Melon, it can completely purify the innate poison in her body and eliminate the hidden danger. It will also forcibly evolve her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul into the Jade Scale Golden Dragon."
Yi Chen paused, then patiently added, "The Jade Scale Golden Dragon is a top-tier Super Martial Soul, with powerful poison, metal, and earth attributes. It excels in both offense and defense and has astonishing staying power. Its potential for future growth far surpasses that of your Jade Scale Flood Dragon Emperor."
Dugu Bo held the precious Earth Dragon Golden Melon with both hands, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement as his heart pounded.
His greatest concern and deepest sorrow in life had always been his granddaughter Dugu Yan's innate poison.
For years, he had watched Dugu Yan grow while the poison within her steadily accumulated, growing ever more concentrated and eating away at her meridians and body day and night. Yet despite exhausting everything he knew of poison and medicine, he had been helpless, tormented by anguish and guilt.
Now not only had the ailments that had plagued him all his life been completely cured and his strength greatly increased, but his granddaughter's long-standing affliction could finally be cured as well. This kindness was as heavy as a mountain!
"Senior, I'll never forget your great kindness!" He knelt on one knee again, his usually hard voice now choked with emotion.
"If you ever have need of me, I, Dugu Bo, will brave fire and water without hesitation!"
Yi Chen waved his hand, his tone unconcerned. "Enough. Don't kneel every time. Get up and speak."
Only then did Dugu Bo slowly rise. He carefully tucked the Earth Dragon Golden Melon away, his face lit by an irrepressible smile as the gloom that had clouded his brow for years lifted.
Yi Chen slowly stood and brushed at the nonexistent dust on his robe. "Take care of the other ordinary medicinal herbs in the garden yourself. I'll take the three top-grade Immortal Herbs with me. Later, I'll have someone bring over some Golden Spatula trial tokens and complete promotional materials. You can choose the best way to promote it then."
"Yes, senior! I won't let you down!"
Yi Chen nodded, turned, and started to leave. After two steps, he paused and casually added without turning around:
"By the way, after your granddaughter consumes the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, if her Martial Soul evolves successfully, feel free to have her try Teamfight Tactics too.
"She seems to have excellent character and natural gifts, with an outstanding talent. She might turn out to be an exceptional prospect."
Without waiting for Dugu Bo to reply, he flashed away as a brilliant stream of pure white light, disappearing in an instant into the shadowy depths of Sunset Forest.
Dugu Bo stood quietly in the valley, gazing in the direction Yi Chen had vanished. He remained there for a long time without moving.
At last, he looked down at the Earth Dragon Golden Melon he had carefully kept close, then closed his eyes and felt the surging, pure, ceaseless Soul Power within him. A carefree grin slowly spread across his face.
"The Jade Scale Golden Dragon... a Super Martial Soul... Hahaha!"
He threw back his head and laughed aloud, his hearty laughter carrying through the valley and echoing among the mountains and forests.
When he had laughed his fill, he composed himself, carefully stowed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, straightened his robe, and strode toward the garden's exit with light, determined steps.
He couldn't wait to hurry back to Heaven Dou City and tell Yan'er the wonderful news.
And while he was at it, he should immediately begin preparing to carry out the senior's promotional task.