Ren nodded. "Good. Maybe there's some secret hidden in it!"
Qing Zhi found that a little strange, but he didn't ask. He merely pointed at Hogue. "Lord Ren... are you planning to turn Hogue into a dragon?"
Ren chuckled. "That's right. Since Devil Fruits absorb magical elements, this world clearly doesn't reject them. Maybe people here can gain their powers by eating them, too. I want Hogue to try this Mythical Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit. If it works, great. If not, we've only wasted a Devil Fruit."
Qing Zhi nodded. "Not a bad idea. Hogue's right here to test it."
Hogue's face fell. "Lord Ren... I don't know what a Devil Fruit is, but I understood the part about using me as a test subject! Can't you trust me a little?"
Hogue looked ready to cry. He was speechless.
Ren said, "Hogue, I can sense your loyalty through your soul. Besides, there's a trace of my soul energy inside it. I know you won't betray me—and wouldn't dare. That's why I'm testing this on you. If it succeeds, you'll gain the ability to turn into a dragon. You might even reach the level of the Ten Wizard Saints someday. If it fails, you won't die. So, will you try it?"
Hogue's eyes lit up. "I will! I'll try it!"
Hogue dreamed of becoming stronger, like any man. And the risk was small. At worst, it simply wouldn't work.
Ren nodded, and an earth-yellow Devil Fruit appeared at his fingertips. It was the Mythical Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit: the Earth Dragon-Dragon Fruit.
Chapter 1287: Take Over—Dragon Soul
Ren rarely brought out this type of Dragon-Dragon Fruit, mainly because no powerful soul lay dormant within it. There was no one he could revive with it.
He tossed the fruit to Hogue. "You