Ultimate Fire and Ultimate Ice

"Old Monster, next, I'm going to show you my greatest gain. Have a good look." As he spoke, Tianlin's second Soul Ring lit up. "Second Soul Skill, Icefire God Sealing!"

"Oh, your second Soul Ring is already a thousand-year one? You really are worthy of being called a Little Monster!" Though Dugu Bo was somewhat surprised, he remained unmoved. After all, what could an attack from a mere Soul Grandmaster possibly do to him?

But in the next instant, as Tianlin slashed out with his longsword, Dugu Bo sensed an intense threat from the sword qi.

Instinct drove him to defend himself at once. "Fifth Soul Skill, Serpent Python Heavenly Shield!"

The Jade Scale Serpent Emperor curled into a ball and transformed into a shield. This was Dugu Bo's only defensive Soul Skill. The fact that he used it against Tianlin's attack showed how seriously he regarded him.

Two streams of sword qi, one frigid and one scorching, struck the shield. With Tianlin's current two-ring strength, he naturally could not break Dugu Bo's fifth Soul Skill. However, Dugu Bo discovered that the corrosive power of the ice and fire attributes on his shield did not fade away along with the sword qi. If he withdrew the Heavenly Shield now, he feared he would still be injured by the power of ice and fire.

That attack's power was already comparable to a Soul Ancestor's, but that isn't the main point. What is this Attribute Power? It actually made even me, a Titled Douluo, feel threatened and forced me to use a Soul Skill to defend myself. Dugu Bo thought of a possibility, then asked in alarm, "Little Monster, has your ice and fire power evolved into Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire?"

Only ultimate attributes could unleash such terrifying power.

Tianlin readily admitted it. "That's right. From now on, no fire-attribute or ice-attribute Soul Master can stand against me."

This Little Monster is truly terrifying. Soul Masters with ultimate attributes are far stronger in battle than other Soul Masters of the same rank. It is already unimaginably difficult for an ordinary person to possess even one ultimate attribute, yet he can wield Ultimate Fire and Ultimate Ice—two completely opposite, even conflicting attributes—as easily as his own limbs. By the day he receives his title, he may become invincible across the world, perhaps even powerful enough to reshape the continent's balance. Dugu Bo thought.

"Old Monster, don't lose focus. My attack isn't over yet. Golden Flame Soul Burn!" Tianlin activated his External Soul Bone. Even the soul-fire attribute within it had advanced into Ultimate Fire, catching Dugu Bo completely off guard.

His Serpent Python Heavenly Shield could only defend against physical attacks. It was utterly useless against soul attacks.

"Ugh!" Dugu Bo clutched his head and staggered back repeatedly. Just moments ago, his soul had seemed to be thrown into a blazing inferno, suffering unbearable torment. Fortunately, he was a Titled Douluo, and his soul power far surpassed Tianlin's. He only felt pain for a moment before quickly recovering.

"Little Monster, y-your eyes... could they be an External Soul Bone?"

"That's right, Old Monster. Thanks to those two immortal herbs strengthening my body, I finally fused completely with this External Soul Bone. And the soul fire in my External Soul Bone is also an ultimate attribute. So, what do you think? That soul attack just now was pretty good, wasn't it?" Tianlin said with a smile.

Dugu Bo no longer knew what to say. Tianlin had given him too many surprises: Twin Martial Souls, ultimate attributes, an External Soul Bone—things that were unattainable dreams on the Soul Master's Dream Ranking had all appeared in a single person. Dugu Bo could only sigh at how exceptionally blessed Tianlin was compared with everyone else.

"It was indeed good. But Little Monster, don't get complacent. Ultimate attributes are a double-edged sword. Though their power is boundless, they will slow your cultivation speed. An ultimate martial soul cultivates at an ordinary rate before level thirty, at a snail's pace between levels thirty and seventy, and only begins advancing rapidly after level seventy. Therefore, your greatest hurdle will be level seventy. Once you break through that barrier, becoming a Titled Douluo will be as easy as taking something from your pocket," Dugu Bo reminded him.

Tianlin was about to reach level thirty, which meant he would soon enter the slowest period of his cultivation. That period would be his greatest test.

"Old Monster, you don't need to worry about that. Though this ultimate attribute means I'll lose my cultivation speed that far surpasses ordinary people, I won't be slower than others. Because I have this—the Holy Spirit Pearl. Holy Breath Barrier, activate." Tianlin opened his Holy Breath Barrier once more and said, "Old Monster, try meditating within my barrier."

"What a bunch of nonsense." Though Dugu Bo did not understand what he meant, he still sat down as instructed. The moment he began meditating, he was startled. His meditation speed was actually much faster than before. "Little Monster, your Second Spirit's innate barrier can actually enhance cultivation speed!"

"That's right. With this, I can completely make up for the shortcomings of an ultimate martial soul. Even if my cultivation speed won't be as terrifying as before, after level thirty, it should still be no worse than that of an ordinary Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power!" Tianlin walked up to Dugu Bo. "Well, Old Monster, my abilities are pretty impressive, aren't they? Would you like to join my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? With my help, I can at least guarantee that you'll become a Super Douluo above level ninety-five."

Tianlin had revealed so many secrets to Dugu Bo. Aside from knowing from the original story that once he earned Dugu Bo's recognition, he could trust him completely, another reason was that he wanted to recruit him.

Dugu Bo might not be strong in single combat, but in large-scale battles, his abilities were nothing short of a nightmare for low-level Soul Masters. With him, no tactic based on sheer numbers would ever have any effect on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect again.

To be honest, Dugu Bo was tempted. First, Tianlin had been sincere enough to trust him, revealing secrets such as his Twin Martial Souls without holding anything back. Second, there was the temptation of reaching above level ninety-five. He knew he was already old and that his potential had basically reached its limit. If he did not cure his poison, he might not even have many years left to live. Now that he had hope of reaching a higher realm, how could he remain unmoved?

Moreover, if Tianlin cured his deadly poison, it would be a life-saving grace to him. Dugu Bo might repay every grievance, but he also repaid every kindness.

"Little Monster, let me think it over," Dugu Bo finally said after a moment of silence.

He longed for greater strength, but he also longed for freedom and did not wish to be bound by a sect.

Tianlin knew that his resolve had already softened, so it would not do to pressure him too hard. He immediately nodded. "All right, Old Monster. I'll be staying here for half a year anyway, so you have plenty of time to think. But remember, the gates of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will always be open to you. That is the promise of this sect's future Sect Protecting Douluo."

"Thank you." Dugu Bo revealed a faint smile. He had said those two words only a handful of times in his life, but today, he sincerely wished to express his gratitude to Tianlin.