I Am Willing to Try!

Hearing Zi Ji's words filled with regret, Ling Xuqing, who had just landed, nearly stumbled and fell to the ground.

He turned his head helplessly, looked at the heartbroken Zi Ji, and gave a wry smile:

"Zi Ji, the way you put it, it sounds as if my breaking through to level forty is as simple as buying groceries at the market."

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere, which had been somewhat heavy, immediately lightened.

Xiao Wu was the first to jump out. With her hands behind her back, she teased with a grin:

"Oh, Sister Zi Ji, don't be so anxious!"

"Xuqing is only two levels away from level forty."

"According to his current cultivation progress, in half a year at the very least, or a month at the very most, he will definitely be able to break through the level forty barrier!"

"That's right," A Yin, standing to the side, covered her mouth and chuckled, echoing softly, "Xuqing's talent and opportunities are rare in this world; level forty is merely a matter of course."

Gu Yuena also nodded slightly, a hint of a smile flashing in her purple eyes: "Zi Ji, Xiao Wu and A Yin are right."

"You are a member of the dragon race by nature. Once you perform a sacrifice, the gains my brother receives will be immeasurable."

"But precisely because of that, we must choose the most perfect timing for him."

"Only when he reaches the bottleneck of level forty and breaks through to become a Soul Ancestor can your sacrifice exert its maximum value."

Listening to the several peerless beauties comforting him one after another, Zi Ji sighed helplessly and waved her hand:

"Fine, fine. Since you all say so, I will wait patiently a little longer."

"But Young Master, you must put in the effort. I am looking forward to that day!"

Ling Xuqing took a deep breath to calm the energy within his body and nodded solemnly:

"Rest assured, I will certainly not let you down."

Just then, Dugu Bo, who had been standing in the back with a look of utter shock, finally regained his senses.

He took a deep breath to suppress the turbulent waves in his heart and pulled Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling forward.

"Young Master!" Dugu Bo's attitude was more respectful than ever. He bowed slightly, his tone filled with immense awe and gratitude, "It is a great honor for this old man to witness such a miracle with my own eyes today."

"These two are my granddaughter, Dugu Yan, and the daughter of an old friend, Ye Lingling."

"They are both gifted children. I brought them here today firstly to broaden their horizons, and secondly... to formally introduce them to you, Young Master."

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling stood obediently behind Dugu Bo, though their beautiful eyes could not help but scan Ling Xuqing and the others.

Although they were young, as soul masters, their perception of energy was extremely keen.

From the moment they stepped into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they had keenly sensed that the beautiful women before them all radiated an extremely pure, ancient, and powerful aura.

That was not the soul power cultivated by human soul masters, but a pressure originating from the depths of their bloodlines, belonging to top-tier soul beasts!

They had already realized that these stunning women were all terrifying soul beasts in human form!

And this Young Master Ling Xuqing, only six years old yet possessing a terrifying level thirty-eight soul power, was able to make so many powerful soul beasts willingly follow him, even to the point of sacrificing themselves—what kind of heaven-defying existence was he?

Dugu Bo looked at the curious and awestruck expressions of his granddaughter and Ye Lingling and nodded inwardly.

He turned to look at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, speaking with a solemn tone: "Yan Yan, Lingling, you should know about the backlash of the Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison I suffered previously. Fortunately, I met the Young Master. He taught me the method of 'Soul Core Condensation.' I have already made a preliminary attempt, and the Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison that plagued me for years has actually been suppressed, and my soul power has broken through to level ninety-three!"

"Not only that, the Young Master also said that this method can not only solve my poison but also resolve the flaws and toxins in Yan Yan's martial soul."

"That is why I brought you here today, to implore the Young Master to detoxify Yan Yan."

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling gasped in unison.

"What? Grandpa Dugu, are you serious?!"

Ye Lingling's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Ling Xuqing in disbelief.

As the owner of the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul, she knew the horror of the Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison all too well.

That was a deadly poison that even Titled Douluo were helpless against!

Could this six-year-old boy actually find a way to solve it?

Dugu Yan was even more shaken.

She knew the flaws of her martial soul better than anyone.

The Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison was backlashing against her own body; every time she cultivated, it was accompanied by heart-wrenching pain. She had even despaired, believing she would never live past thirty, let alone reach the level of a Titled Douluo.

Now, was this boy before her the only straw she had to grasp?

Ling Xuqing did not pay attention to the shock of the two girls; his gaze fell calmly upon Dugu Yan.

In his perception, Dugu Yan's physical condition was clear at a glance.

The Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison had already penetrated her bone marrow and was constantly eroding her meridians and internal organs.

Although it was barely suppressed by her soul power for now, once her soul power level increased, the backlash would only become more violent.

"The method of the Soul Core can indeed resolve the Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison," Ling Xuqing said slowly, his voice not loud, yet every word clearly reached everyone's ears, "However, Dugu Yan is only twelve years old, and her soul power is only level twenty-six."

"With her current cultivation and physical strength, it is too early to attempt Soul Core Condensation."

"If she were to force it, not only would she fail to detoxify, but she would also explode and die."

"This..." Dugu Bo's face changed, and he asked anxiously, "Then... what should Yan Yan do?"

"We can't just wait until she reaches the level of a Titled Douluo to condense a soul core, can we?"

"She... she cannot wait that long!"

The hearts of Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling sank to the bottom.

That's right, a Titled Douluo?

What an unreachable realm that was.

Given Dugu Yan's current physical condition, it was a question of whether she could even live to level forty, let alone become a Titled Douluo.

Looking at the desperate expressions of the three, a confident curve appeared on the corner of Ling Xuqing's mouth.

"Rest assured," Ling Xuqing smiled faintly, his tone filled with absolute composure:

"I have a better way."

After saying this, he turned his head to look at Gu Yuena beside him.

Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling looked at each other, their eyes full of confusion.

Why look at this purple-eyed girl so suddenly?

Could the key to solving Yan Yan's martial soul flaw lie with her?

Ling Xuqing looked at Gu Yuena and asked softly:

"Na'er, didn't you have Zi Ji collect a large amount of Whale Glue previously?"

"How is the inventory now?"

Gu Yuena was slightly startled, then a flash of realization crossed her beautiful eyes. She said softly:

"Brother, do you mean to..."

"Exactly." Ling Xuqing nodded and turned his gaze back to the three of them, explaining, "Dugu Yan is still too young. Her basic attributes—strength, speed, physique, body, and mental power—are all too weak."

"If she were to directly absorb a high-age soul bone or soul ring, she would not be able to withstand it and would surely die."

"Therefore, I intend to first use Whale Glue to perform an extreme physical strengthening for her, supplemented by the Golden Dragon King origin power within my body, to reshape her meridians and temper her bones."

"In this way, her basic attributes will undergo a qualitative leap, sufficient to withstand the absorption of soul bones and soul rings over ten thousand years old!"

Ling Xuqing's voice echoed in the cavern, each word like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of Dugu Bo and the others.

"In this way, not only will her potential be greatly improved, but as her soul power level increases in the future and she absorbs more soul bones and soul rings, she will be able to gradually channel the Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison within her into those rings and bones."

"By using the soul rings and soul bones as containers for the toxin, the problem of the martial soul toxin backlash can be completely resolved!"

"Boom—!"

As soon as Ling Xuqing finished speaking, it was as if a thunderclap had exploded in the minds of Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling. The three were left in a state of extreme shock and stupor!

"Ten... ten thousand-year soul rings and soul bones?"

Dugu Bo's voice trembled. He widened his eyes, as if he had heard the most absurd and insane words in the world.

In the soul master world of the Douluo Continent, this was an iron law: the first soul ring should not exceed five hundred years, the second not exceed eight hundred years, and the third should not exceed twelve hundred years.

One would have to wait until the fifth or even sixth soul ring to barely attempt something over ten thousand years!

Now, this six-year-old boy was suggesting that Dugu Yan attempt a ten-thousand-year soul ring for her third ring?

And absorb a soul bone too?

How could this be possible!

This was simply defying common sense; it was suicide!

Ye Lingling's face was also deathly pale. Although she did not understand many profound theories, she knew the terror of a ten-thousand-year soul ring.

If she tried to absorb a ten-thousand-year ring as her third, she would be blown apart in an instant!

"Young Master... this... this is too dangerous!"

Dugu Bo swallowed hard, his voice dry as he spoke.

Ling Xuqing ignored their shock and turned to Gu Yuena:

"Na'er, tell Zi Ji to go to the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest and get some Whale Glue from Di Tian."

Gu Yuena nodded slightly and immediately turned to instruct Zi Ji: "Zi Ji, make a trip to the core area and find Di Tian. Bring back plenty of high-quality, high-age Whale Glue."

"Yes, Master." Zi Ji did not hesitate in the slightest, responding respectfully before her figure flashed and she sped toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

After arranging the matter of the Whale Glue, Ling Xuqing looked again in the direction Zi Ji had left, as if remembering something, and added to the air: "Oh, right, Zi Ji, if you happen to encounter a Man-Faced Demon Spider with over two thousand years of cultivation on your way, bring it back as well."

"A... a Man-Faced Demon Spider?!" Dugu Bo widened his eyes, full of confusion and bewilderment. "Young Master, what do you want with a Man-Faced Demon Spider?"

"That thing is extremely poisonous; it's useless for anything other than being a soul ring for a poison-type soul master!"

"Could it be... could it be that you want Yan Yan to absorb the soul ring of a Man-Faced Demon Spider?"

Dugu Yan was also at a loss. She did not understand why, since her martial soul was a Jade Phosphorus Snake, she would need to catch a spider.

Looking at their confused expressions, Ling Xuqing explained calmly: "You misunderstood. I mean for Dugu Yan to discard her current first and second soul rings and re-absorb new ones."

"Discard... discard them?!"

This time, not only Dugu Bo, but even Ye Lingling, who had been trying to maintain her composure, could not help but cry out.

"Attempting a thousand-year ring for the first soul ring?!"

Dugu Bo's voice cracked. He felt that the shock he had received today was more than all the shocks he had received in the past few decades combined.

Discarding existing soul rings and re-absorbing new ones?

This was unheard of in the soul master world!

And attempting a thousand-year ring for the first one?

This was simply challenging the limits of the human body!

Ling Xuqing looked at their expressions of utter shock and his tone remained steady:

"Rest assured, I possess the origin of the Golden Dragon King, and with the Whale Glue to temper her body, it is enough to raise Dugu Yan's basic attributes and talent to a whole new level."

"Her body will be able to withstand it completely."

"And," Ling Xuqing paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "I can now use Bi Ji's power as well."

"With her Third Soul Skill: World-Purifying Emerald Light, I can clear away all toxins and negative effects, stabilizing Dugu Yan's mind and soul."

"With me here, she will never be harmed by the backlash while absorbing the soul rings."

Having said this, Ling Xuqing looked at Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan and said earnestly:

"Of course, the final decision rests with you."

"If you feel this plan is too dangerous, I can choose other, gentler methods."

"But in that case, the effect will be greatly diminished, and the toxins in her body can only be suppressed, not eradicated."

The valley fell into a deathly silence.

A fierce battle was raging in Dugu Bo's mind.

A gentler method?

That would only allow Yan Yan to live a few more years, and she would still be unable to escape death in the end.

But this insane plan proposed by Ling Xuqing, while a life-or-death gamble, would mean that if she succeeded, not only would her poison be cured, but her future would be limitless!

"Young Master..." Dugu Bo gritted his teeth, turned to look at Dugu Yan, and urged her in a hoarse voice:

"Yan Yan, this is too dangerous."

"Discarding soul rings and re-absorbing a thousand-year first soul ring... this is a nine-out-of-ten chance of death!"

"Grandpa cannot let you take this risk..."

"Grandpa." Dugu Yan suddenly interrupted Dugu Bo.

She looked at Ling Xuqing, and in those eyes that had been filled with dead silence and despair, a flame was now burning with unprecedented intensity.

She had hesitated, and she had thought about it.

She knew her physical condition better than anyone; the pain of being eroded by toxins day after day made her life worse than death.

She knew she would not live past thirty, and becoming a Titled Douluo was a pipe dream.

But now, an opportunity was placed before her.

An opportunity that was insane, yet filled with hope.

She looked into Ling Xuqing's calm and deep eyes and felt an inexplicable sense of trust and peace.

"Grandpa, I know."

Dugu Yan took a deep breath, her voice soft yet filled with absolute determination, "But I trust him, and I believe in myself—I will definitely be able to do it!"