Metal Control Technique

It was impossible to tell how much time had passed before the warm current within Shi An slowly dissipated.

He could sense that his Earth Origin had undergone some changes. It seemed... he could control some other things now.

He stretched out his hand toward the ground, and a metal spear emerged from beneath the earth.

"This is... the Metal Control Technique!"

A flicker of delight flashed through Shi An's eyes. He had not expected such an unexpected gain.

In the future, he would have even more techniques at his disposal, and their power would increase accordingly.

Absorbing that Earth Crystal Fruit had not been in vain.

Moreover, his Soul Power had broken through to level 55. On one hand, the Earth Crystal Fruit's energy had not been particularly high; on the other, he was now at the Soul King stage, where advancing in level was naturally difficult.

Just then, the massive black cocoon enveloping Zhu Zhuqing in the distance also began to stir.

The cocoon slowly contracted inward, its black outer layer gradually fading to reveal Zhu Zhuqing's indistinct figure within.

As the black cocoon shrank, waves of Soul Power rippled outward and spread in all directions.

Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power Level climbed from level 33.

34...

35...

36...

Until it finally reached level 40. She had forcefully advanced seven Soul Power Levels.

"Meow~"

A soft, tender cat cry rang out. The black cocoon completely vanished, and Zhu Zhuqing was now in her Martial Soul Possession state.

The Spirit Cat phantom behind her was vastly different from before. Its claws had become sharper and more pointed, its fur had turned a dark, shadowy shade, and its slender tail swayed gently behind it. Even its eyes had become livelier and more spirited.

That cat cry had come from its mouth. At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul quality had likely reached the top tier.

Her future breakthrough to Title Douluo was practically guaranteed.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly before she opened her bright eyes.

Canceling her Martial Soul Possession state, she slowly rose from the bed and looked at Shi An, her red lips parting slightly.

She had already sensed the changes within herself. Not only had her Soul Power Level reached level 40, making her a Quasi-Soul Ancestor, but even the quality of her Martial Soul seemed to have improved greatly.

"How do you feel?" Shi An asked.

"Very good. I feel... as though my entire body has become completely clear," Zhu Zhuqing answered. Her gaze toward Shi An was filled with gratitude and attachment.

The man before her had changed everything about her. It seemed... she owed him even more now.

"You're already a level 40 Quasi-Soul Ancestor. Consolidate your cultivation for a few days, then take leave and I'll bring you to Sunset Forest to obtain your Soul Ring."

Shi An also rose to his feet. His senses spread outward, and everything within a three-kilometer radius appeared clearly in his mind.

Absorbing the Earth Crystal Fruit had not only granted him the Metal Control Technique, but had also increased his perception by a full fifty percent.

Sunset Forest, within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

After Dugu Bo finished absorbing the Spirit Bone, he did not continue absorbing Immortal Herbs. Instead, he stood guard over his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.

At this moment, a ring of purple mist swirled around Dugu Yan. Her expression was slightly pained as toxins and impurities throughout her limbs and bones were rapidly forced from her body by a strange energy.

As the energy of the Immortal Herb was gradually absorbed, a thin layer of dark brown filth covered her body.

Immediately afterward, her Soul Power Level began rising rapidly as well.

Her Soul Power Level had also reached level 40, the Quasi-Soul Ancestor stage.

Dugu Bo watched in amazement. He had not expected such a tiny herb to contain such tremendous energy.

If one ate a few more of these, would one not become a Title Douluo directly?

Of course, he was only imagining it. If becoming a Title Douluo were really that easy, then there would not be a single ordinary person left on the entire Douluo Continent.

It was then that Dugu Yan woke up.

A foul stench mixed with a faint trace of fishy sweetness filled her nose.

It was the smell released by the impurities and toxins from within her body. She nearly retched, looking at the grime covering her with disgust.

Seeing Dugu Yan awaken, Dugu Bo hurriedly asked, "Yan Yan, how do you feel? Have the toxins in your body been completely cleared?"

Dugu Yan sensed herself and only felt utterly unburdened, as though a thousand-pound weight had been lifted from her. Her entire body felt incomparably light.

"I... I feel extremely relaxed now. All the toxins in my body have disappeared too."

"Ha ha ha!!!"

Dugu Bo threw back his head and laughed heartily, his laughter filled with both joy and bitterness.

The "curse" that had plagued their Dugu Clan for decades had finally been lifted!

From now on, grandfather and granddaughter would no longer suffer backlash from their Martial Souls, nor would they have to fear being tortured beyond endurance by encroaching toxins at any moment.

Seeing her grandfather like this, Dugu Yan was also extremely happy. Thinking of Shi An's irritatingly smug yet solemnly pretentious expression, she immediately ground her little canine teeth.

"Yan Yan, consolidate your cultivation. Once Grandpa finishes absorbing the Immortal Herbs too, I'll find your Fourth Soul Ring!"

Dugu Bo had laughed until he was tired. The gloom in his heart had completely vanished, and his entire bearing had improved by a great deal. Even his appearance seemed much younger.

"Alright, Grandpa. I'll listen to you." Dugu Yan nodded. Right now, she only wanted to find somewhere to wash herself. That sticky, foul-smelling stench truly made it impossible for her to breathe.

Suotuo City.

Within Shrek Academy outside the city.

Early in the morning, several figures were already running laps around the village with heavy loads.

The sun gradually climbed higher, and the scorching heat left them drenched in sweat. Their legs felt as if they were filled with lead, and every step exhausted them until they panted heavily.

"So... so tired. I can't do this anymore. What kind of bullshit training method is this? Other than torturing people, what use does it have!"

Ning Rongrong trailed at the back of the group. Her sweat-soaked hair clung to her skin, and her face was flushed red like an apple.

"Stop talking and save your strength. Since Master has us train like this, he must have his reasons."

Oscar, beside her, was also panting as he spoke. As a support-system soul master, his stamina was no better than Ning Rongrong's.

"What bullshit reason could there be? If running could make someone strong, then there wouldn't be any weak soul masters in all of Douluo Continent."

With both her body and mind on the verge of collapse, Ning Rongrong directly revealed her witch-like nature.

Tang San, running ahead of them, heard Ning Rongrong's words and a cold glint flashed through his eyes.

Ever since his father had left, he had regarded Yu Xiaogang as both a father figure and a teacher.

Naturally, he was unwilling to hear Ning Rongrong speak about him like that.

Just then, a figure appeared at the entrance of Shrek Academy ahead.

It was Yu Xiaogang. Beside him stood a wooden barrel, from which wisps of cold air rose, making them unconsciously swallow.

"Come over here, all of you. Drink some salt water to replenish your energy." Seeing that they had all been earnestly completing the training tasks he had assigned, a trace of satisfaction flashed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he beckoned to them.