Netherworld Jade Python

"Little Monster, what's happening to Yanyan?" Dugu Bo suddenly shouted.

Li Chen came over and saw that Dugu Yan's face had turned pale as she absorbed the Nine Nether Molt Grass. He immediately used Analysis.

"Don't worry. She's just undergoing 'Nether Molt.' Since she took it at level 30, all three molts have merged into one."

Then he took out another Totem of Undying and handed it to Dugu Bo. "This is called a Totem of Undying. If you're worried, you can put it on little Yanzi. It activates automatically when she takes fatal damage, making her immune to death for three seconds."

Only after learning that Dugu Yan was in no danger did Dugu Bo relax. "Little Monster, if I remember correctly, you're not even nine yet. You tricked Yanyan into calling you her big brother, and now you're calling her little Yanzi. If she finds out one day, won't she come settle the score with you?"

"Old Poison, you didn't stop me either. That makes us accomplices. She'll definitely settle the score with you first."

About six hours passed before Dugu Yan shed a layer of green venom around her.

Her body felt lighter than ever before. Her Martial Soul seemed to have evolved, and her level had even risen to 40.

She had never imagined that she, too, could become a Quasi-Soul Ancestor at fifteen. The three Enchanted Golden Apples had also raised her Innate Soul Power to level 3.

For a moment, she had no idea how to thank Li Chen. Then, without quite knowing what had come over her, she suddenly stepped forward and hugged him.

Since he often petted Wine Fox, Li Chen instinctively stroked her head. Dugu Yan stiffened, turning red from the tips of her ears to the base of her neck, but she did not let go.

She kept reassuring herself that it was only a little pat and nothing to fuss over.

Meanwhile, Dugu Bo's face had turned green. He had considered pairing this Little Monster with Yanyan before; after all, no one else on the entire continent could match the boy's talent.

But now that he was watching his precious granddaughter throw herself into the boy's arms, he coughed sharply twice. "How much longer are you two going to keep hugging?"

Only then did Dugu Yan remember that her grandfather was still beside them. She hurriedly let go and stood off to one side with her head lowered, utterly flustered.

"Yanyan, hurry and let Grandpa see how much that immortal herb improved you."

Dugu Yan summoned her Martial Soul as requested. After undergoing one "Nether Molt," her original Jade Phosphor Serpent had evolved into a Netherworld Jade Python.

Dark green metallic scales covered its entire body, gleaming with a cold, ghostly blue light. Fangs jutted from its cavernous maw, while its eyes and flickering tongue shone an eerie green. Blade-like fin spines lined its neck, and its coiled body radiated an imposing pressure.

Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. Stroking his beard, he leaned closer to inspect it, clicking his tongue in wonder. "Good heavens! That presence is actually on par with my Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor!"

"Grandpa, that's not all. I've reached level 40, and my first three Soul Skills have all grown stronger."

"Hahaha! Good, good, good!" Dugu Bo laughed delightedly. "Little Monster, aren't you at level 80 now? I can catch a Soul Beast for you while I'm at it."

Li Chen paused at that, then smiled. "That would be wonderful. With a Titled Douluo like you taking action, getting that Soul Ring will be as easy as reaching out and grabbing it."

Although he had not originally cared about the age of his Soul Rings, their ages did have some effect now that his Martial Soul had evolved into a Wither Storm-just not much.

Dugu Bo stroked his beard and gave him a sidelong look. "Enough flattery. Still, what age are you looking for at level 80? I know of a few ten-thousand-year-old beasts deep in the Sunset Forest. They'll give you plenty to wrestle with."

Li Chen thought for a moment. "Around fifty thousand years should do. I don't have many requirements."

Dugu Bo nodded. This brat had previously had a whole bunch of white Soul Rings, though somehow they had all turned black. Without wasting any more words, he agreed and turned to leave. "Wait here. I'll catch one for each of you."

Before his words had faded, he had already vanished into the trees, leaving only his voice drifting back from afar. "Don't wander off. If you leave the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's grounds and another Soul Beast carries you away in its jaws, don't expect me to do anything about it."

After making sure Dugu Bo was far away, Dugu Yan turned to Li Chen. She held back for a long while before finally asking, "By the way, I've always wanted to ask: how did you meet my grandfather? You call him Old Poison, and he hasn't even thrown you into the Snake Cave."

"Because he can't beat me."

Dugu Yan froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "What a boast! My grandfather is a Titled Douluo. How many people on the entire continent can beat him?"

Li Chen pointed at Wine Fox, who was still soaking in the waters of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. "Her name is Wine Fox. She's a level 96 Super Douluo."

Dugu Yan followed his finger with her gaze. She remembered the fox woman who had always followed behind him, but she had never imagined that she was a Super Douluo five levels above her grandfather.

Dugu Yan's eyes widened as she watched the woman suppress the mass of raging energy at the center of the spring bit by bit. After staring blankly for a long while, she asked, "You're not some young master from a hidden family who's come out to gain experience, are you?"

"No, I'm building my venture from scratch. So, would you like to help me? Transfer to the academy I opened and help me win this Soul Master Tournament."

Dugu Yan hesitated and looked up at Li Chen. Only after a long pause did she grit her teeth. "All right, I agree. But-" Her tone shifted, and she raised one finger. "I have to bring someone with me."

"Sure."

Dugu Yan blinked, clearly not expecting him to agree so readily. "Aren't you even going to ask who she is, what her Martial Soul is, or whether she can fight?"

Li Chen had actually guessed whom Dugu Yan wanted to bring as soon as she mentioned it.

He smiled, his gaze resting on her face. "Anyone you want to bring is naturally someone you trust. If you trust her, why would I need to ask more?"

Dugu Yan blinked, still struggling to process his answer.

Li Chen continued, "Besides, a friend you hold dear can't be all that bad. And since you've agreed to come with me, that means you've decided to stand on my side. Naturally, I'll treat your friends as my own people too."

Dugu Yan's ears grew hot. She lowered her head and tugged at the corner of her clothes. After a long silence, she muttered, "Have you... tricked lots of girls like this?"

Her voice grew softer and softer, but once she finished asking, she looked up and stared straight at him with a hint of scrutiny.

Li Chen paused, then laughed. "So far, you're the first."

Dugu Yan abruptly looked up at him. She opened her mouth to say something, but could not squeeze out a single word. Instead, her ears turned scarlet.

She hastily lowered her head and pretended to straighten the hem of her clothes, mumbling incoherently, "Who'd believe that... One look at you is enough to tell you're a smooth talker..."

She secretly glanced up at him, then quickly looked away again, repeatedly scraping her nails against her cuff. It took her a long while to find her voice. Clearing her throat in a show of composure, she said, "I'll talk to Lingling. I'm bringing you another beautiful genius, so go ahead and count your blessings."