Dugu Yan Pursued by a Killer

Lin Ming withdrew his soul skill and turned his gaze to the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear's right palm bone.

He reached out and picked up the Soul Bone. It felt warm in his hand, as though it were still alive. Pressing it against his right arm, he activated his Soul Power. The Soul Bone transformed into a streak of golden light and fused into his right arm.

A warm energy flowed from his right arm into his body, merging with him completely. He could feel his right arm becoming tougher and more powerful, while an explosive force seemed to lie hidden within his five fingers.

His Soul Power broke through once more, rising from level twenty-two to level twenty-three.

Immediately afterward, information regarding the Soul Bone's skill flooded into his mind.

"Darkgolden Terrorclaw—right-arm Soul Bone skill. Upon activation, it condenses the phantom claws of a Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear and unleashes five incomparably sharp golden claw strikes, tearing apart all enemies."

Lin Ming raised his right hand. With a thought, five golden claw strikes appeared out of thin air and flashed through the air, slicing a massive tree that would have taken three people to encircle cleanly in half!

The cut was as smooth as a mirror!

Ning Rongrong stared wide-eyed. "So... so powerful!"

Sword Douluo nodded repeatedly as well. "Not bad, not bad. With this Soul Bone, your close-combat ability has reached another level. Though your Soul Power is only level twenty-three, with two Millennium Soul Rings and this External Soul Bone, your true combat strength is already enough to contend with some four-ring Soul Ancestors."

He paused, then said with feeling, "A heaven-sent talent. It seems this old man truly did not choose the wrong disciple!"

Lin Ming smiled modestly. "It is all thanks to Master's excellent guidance."

"Quit flattering me." Sword Douluo waved a hand, but the smile at the corner of his mouth gave away his mood. "All right, you have absorbed the Soul Ring and refined the Soul Bone. It is time to head back. We have been out for several days; the Sect Master must be worried."

He spoke as he turned to leave, only to discover that Lin Ming had not moved.

"What is it?"

Lin Ming hesitated for a moment before saying, "Master, there is actually another reason I came to Sunset Forest besides hunting a Soul Ring."

Sword Douluo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What reason?"

Lin Ming carefully chose his words and said slowly, "Earlier, in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's library, I read an ancient text that recorded a treasure land within Sunset Forest known as the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Sword Douluo frowned. "I have lived for so many years. How have I never heard of such a place?"

"The ancient text said that it is an extremely hidden location, shrouded in a natural illusion formation. Ordinary people would never be able to discover it."

Lin Ming lied without batting an eye. "It is said that the essence of ice and fire between heaven and earth gathers there, and countless rare Immortal Herbs and spiritual medicines grow within. If we can bring those Immortal Herbs back, it would bring enormous benefits to me, Rongrong, and the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

What he said was half true and half false. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was real, and so were the Immortal Herbs and spiritual medicines, but the ancient text was entirely fabricated. He could hardly say that he knew about it from reading novels in his previous life, could he?

After hearing Lin Ming's explanation, Sword Douluo nodded thoughtfully.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... the name is certainly unusual. I have traveled far and wide over the years, yet I have never heard of this place. Sunset Forest is vast beyond measure. Finding a place no one has even heard of will not be easy."

Lin Ming had expected him to say that, so he casually mentioned,

"I heard that Senior Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo of the Heaven Dou Empire, seems to live in seclusion here in Sunset Forest. He has lived here for so many years, so he must know every blade of grass and tree in the area like the back of his hand. If we can find him, perhaps we can get some clues."

"Dugu Bo?" Sword Douluo frowned slightly, gently stroking his beard.

"That old poisonous snake does remain in Sunset Forest year-round. But he is solitary and temperamental, not someone easy to deal with. His mastery of poison is also extraordinary, and his entire body is toxic. Ordinary people would have to watch their step even getting near him."

Lin Ming smiled calmly. "Nothing is impossible if we try. We are not going to cause him trouble; we only want to ask about a location. Besides, with you here, Master—a level ninety-six super Douluo—he has to give you some face, does he not? Could he really dare to fight you?"

The flattery landed perfectly. Sword Douluo stroked his beard, a hint of smugness appearing on his face.

"That is true. Dugu Bo still has to give this old man some face. Though that old poisonous snake is also a Titled Douluo, when it comes to strength, this old man truly has no reason to fear him."

Ning Rongrong, listening nearby, was eager to get going. Her large eyes sparkled. "Then what are we waiting for? Let us hurry and find that Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! Lin Ming is right—if we find Immortal Herbs, my cultivation speed could increase a great deal too!"

She counted on her fingers, her face full of anticipation.

"I am level twenty-six now. If I eat an Immortal Herb, maybe I can charge straight to level thirty! Then I can hunt my third Soul Ring! Father always says that I am talented but not hardworking enough. If I break through to level thirty in one go, let us see what else he has to say!"

Watching her excited expression, Lin Ming thought to himself, Forget level thirty. If she gets a suitable Immortal Herb, reaching level forty directly would not be a problem.

In the original story, Ning Rongrong had eaten Aromatic Silk Beauty, allowing her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve directly into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Her Soul Power had surged tremendously as well.

But he could not say any of that yet. He would have to wait until they reached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well before making plans step by step.

Lin Ming was genuinely tempted by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

After all, he had started far too late. In the beginning, his martial soul had merely been the useless Iron Spear, and his Innate Soul Power had only been level two and a half. He had already fallen far behind others his age.

Even though he had now awakened the Sky-Piercing Spear, if he wanted to catch up to those geniuses, he had to find another path. The Immortal Herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were his best means of catching up.

"All right, then let us look for it." Sword Douluo made the decision. "But Sunset Forest is so large. Searching blindly is no solution. Do you know where this Dugu Bo you mentioned is?"

Lin Ming shook his head. "I do not know the exact location, but rumors say that he lives in a valley near the center of Sunset Forest. We should be able to find some clues if we head in that direction. Dugu Bo is also skilled in poison, so there should be poisonous plants near where he lives. Following that clue, it should not be difficult to find traces of him."

The moment Ning Rongrong heard that, she perked up. "Then what are we waiting for? Let us go, let us go!"

She grabbed Lin Ming's hand and tried to pull him forward, eager to begin their treasure hunt.

At that moment, a fierce sound of battle suddenly erupted from behind them, mixed with a sharp hiss that sounded like the enraged roar of some Soul Beast.

The three of them turned around at the same time.

In the woods not far away, a purple figure was fleeing in disarray.

She was a girl of around fifteen or sixteen, with purple hair streaming in the wind, a slender figure, and pretty features. As she ran, she repeatedly looked back and unleashed soul skills, trying to stop the massive creature pursuing her.

Though her movements were agile, she was clearly beginning to run out of strength, her steps growing unsteady.

Chasing her was a gigantic emerald-green snake as thick as a water barrel and seven or eight meters long. A single horn protruded from its triangular head, while a scarlet tongue flickered from its mouth. Its vertical pupils radiated icy killing intent.