Martial Soul Mutation!

Chen Xuanqing carefully poured a pill out of the antique porcelain bottle.

The Purple Dragon Core was about the size of a jelly bean. A faint violet glow flowed across its surface, and a single sniff filled his nose with a delicate fragrance.

Chen Xuanqing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, took a deep breath, and gently placed the Purple Dragon Core in his mouth.

The moment the pill entered his mouth, it dissolved into a warm, soothing liquid that slid down his throat into his stomach.

The instant it reached his stomach, a burst of violent energy erupted, surging through Chen Xuanqing's entire body like a raging torrent.

Chen Xuanqing could clearly feel every muscle, bone, and even internal organ in his body continually strengthening and transforming as the energy washed through him.

The impact of this power was so intense that the Crocodile Ancestor martial soul within Chen Xuanqing involuntarily manifested.

Under the stimulation of the Purple Dragon Core's energy, the martial soul, originally little more than a phantom, actually began to struggle violently.

The Crocodile Ancestor martial soul seemed to be trying to adapt to this sudden power, yet also appeared to be having difficulty enduring it.

As time passed, the Crocodile Ancestor martial soul began to undergo earth-shaking changes.

His crocodile armor, originally as hard as iron, gradually became as smooth as jade, shimmering with a faint golden luster.

Every scale seemed to have been painstakingly carved, brimming with strength and beauty.

The Crocodile Ancestor's body also continued to swell. His muscles became sturdier and stronger, while his limbs grew longer and more powerful. His bulk increased yet again, bringing his length to a hundred and fifty meters.

As time passed, the aura of the Crocodile Ancestor martial soul grew increasingly powerful, and a faint golden halo began to surround his body.

Finally, when the evolution ended, the crocodile martial soul no longer looked as he once had.

He had become a majestic, imposing dragon crocodile, with dragon whiskers, dragon horns, and a body of gleaming gold.

Chen Xuanqing's soul power had also reached level eighty. He was now just one Soul Ring away from becoming the youngest Soul Douluo in the history of the Douluo Continent.

At that moment, the three girls had just woken from their dreams. Still bleary-eyed, they were utterly captivated by the sight before them.

There on the ground, Chen Xuanqing was bathed in golden light, while the fierce aura emanating from the Crocodile Ancestor martial soul made anyone hesitate to approach.

Meng Yiran's eyes widened into perfect circles, and she cried out in astonishment, "Brother Xuanqing's martial soul has mutated! Judging by this aura, it seems to be evolving into something even stronger."

Her voice was filled with disbelief and delight. She had never expected to witness an acquired martial soul mutation.

Xiao Wu was equally astonished. She moved a little closer and studied Chen Xuanqing carefully, then turned to Meng Yiran and said, "Brother Xuanqing's aura really has grown stronger again-and not just by a little."

Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly to one side and sighed in admiration. "This aura is so powerful that you can hardly look it in the face. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon may be strong, but compared with Brother Xuanqing's martial soul, it falls short by far more than a single notch."

Naturally, this scene also drew the attention of the other powerful creatures in the forest.

Da Ming and Er Ming, the forest's two overlords, stopped what they were doing and turned their gazes toward Chen Xuanqing.

The Titan Giant Ape tilted his enormous head slightly, carefully studying the figure below.

The Sky Azure Bull Python made a point of emerging from the water, raising his massive bovine head high, his eyes full of curiosity.

As time passed, Chen Xuanqing sat quietly where he was. The extraordinary phenomena that had surrounded him gradually dissipated, and tranquility returned.

The Purple Dragon Core's medicinal effects nourished his body like spring rain, drawing out every last shred of his potential. Like a spring breeze, they warmed Chen Xuanqing's meridians, further refining his blood and vital energy.

Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Meng Yiran waited anxiously beside him.

When the three girls saw Chen Xuanqing's aura gradually stabilize, the tension on their faces slowly eased. Meng Yiran walked softly to his side, her lovely eyes filled with concern. "Brother Xuanqing, even though I knew you were cultivating to become stronger, what happened really had me worried."

Her voice trembled slightly, clearly still shaken by what Chen Xuanqing had just gone through.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing also stepped forward. They held Chen Xuanqing's hands tightly, determination shining in their eyes.

Xiao Wu said softly, "Brother Xuanqing, you have to stay safe. None of us wants you to get hurt."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, looking at Chen Xuanqing with trust in her eyes.

Feeling the three girls' concern, Chen Xuanqing felt a warm current well up in his heart.

Then, with a smile, Chen Xuanqing poured five Purple Dragon Cores out of the bottle and handed them to the three girls.

"These are Purple Dragon Cores, the same pills I just took. They're a great help with cultivation. Once you take them, your cultivation will definitely improve."

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing accepted the Purple Dragon Cores, delighted expressions appearing on both their faces.

Meng Yiran, however, seemed hesitant. She tightly clutched the Purple Dragon Core in her hand, her face full of indecision.

She was struggling inwardly. On one hand, she knew how precious this Purple Dragon Core was; on the other, she was unwilling to readily accept such a generous gift from Chen Xuanqing.

Seeing Meng Yiran's conflicted expression, Chen Xuanqing's heart tightened as well.

So Chen Xuanqing feigned anger and said, "Yiran, if you won't take this Purple Dragon Core, does that mean you no longer acknowledge me as your brother?"

There was a hint of sternness in Chen Xuanqing's voice, but his eyes were filled with tenderness and expectation.

Meng Yiran raised her head at his words. Looking into Chen Xuanqing's resolute eyes, she could not help feeling warmth well up in her heart.

Then Meng Yiran gently hugged Chen Xuanqing, placed a soft kiss on his cheek, and accepted the Purple Dragon Core.

Her voice held both a slight tremor and firm resolve. "Thank you, Brother Xuanqing!"

Chen Xuanqing had not forgotten Da Ming and Er Ming nearby either. He took out two more Purple Dragon Cores and handed them to the two enormous fellows.

Although the Purple Dragon Cores' effects might not be as pronounced for Da Ming and Er Ming as they were for humans, they could still increase their strength to some degree.

Da Ming gazed quietly at Chen Xuanqing, his deep eyes seeming intent on seeing right through him.

Then Da Ming spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful. "Chen Xuanqing, you are the first human I have ever truly accepted. Pills like these are undoubtedly rare treasures in this world, yet you have given them to us so generously. Er Ming and I will both remember this kindness."

Standing nearby, Er Ming naturally understood the deeper meaning in Da Ming's words.

Er Ming beat his solid chest and let out a roar that shook the heavens, filled with acceptance and gratitude toward Chen Xuanqing.

Chen Xuanqing smiled wryly and thought, Two soul beasts who have spent a hundred thousand years holed up in the Star Dou Great Forest-just how many humans have they actually met? They seem so shrewd on the surface, but in truth, they're innocent to a fault.