Dugu Yan nodded lightly.
She had not actually understood everything.
Still, she watched attentively.
The deep sea mother gold turned completely into liquid.
The deep blue molten metal circled the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda once before finally merging into its third tier.
Boom!
The entire Ancient Tower shuddered slightly.
Within the third-tier space.
The Stars that had been suspended in the sky each cast down a beam of starlight at the same time.
A deep blue lake appeared in the center of the land.
Its waters were clear.
Countless Stars were reflected within them.
Xuanhuang Array Patterns extended outward from the lakebed.
The space within the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda expanded once again.
Through the pagoda's entrance, Dugu Yan saw the changes on the third tier.
"Senior."
"Can I go into that lake?"
"Yes."
"Can I bathe in it?"
Ning Xian looked at her.
Dugu Yan smoothed the long hair beside her ear.
"I was only asking."
"The lake contains Star Power."
"You can't withstand it as you are now."
Dugu Yan sighed softly.
"Why is it always that my cultivation isn't high enough?"
"Does everything you own have such high requirements to use, Senior?"
"No."
"Then why can't I use anything?"
"You're too weak."
Dugu Yan had already grown used to that answer.
She raised her slender hand and touched the Mystic Yellow Radiance surrounding the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.
The radiance did not repel her.
A thin stream of deep blue water flew out from the third tier and wound around her fingertips.
The water was cool.
Tiny glimmers of starlight mingled within it.
Dugu Yan looked down at her fingertips.
"Senior, it isn't hurting me."
"This is only ordinary lake water."
"Then I can at least bathe in ordinary lake water, right?"
"Yes."
She immediately lifted her face.
"Then I'll go in tonight."
Ning Xian put away the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.
The water winding around Dugu Yan's fingertips vanished along with it.
"Reshape your bloodline first."
"Now?"
"If you're ready, we can do it now."
Dugu Yan straightened.
She glanced at her dress.
"Senior, do I need to change clothes to reshape my bloodline?"
"No."
"Will my clothes get ruined?"
"Yes."
Dugu Yan immediately turned around.
"Then wait a moment for me, Senior."
She hurried out of the room.
Her dark green hair streamed behind her, but the begonia flower in it did not fall.
Ning Xian watched her leave, then raised his hand and opened the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.
The entrance to the first tier slowly opened.
Emerald green Array Patterns extended from inside the pagoda onto the floor of the room.
Phantom images of several immortal herbs appeared one after another above the Array Patterns.
Ning Xian extended his hand.
An emerald green leaf flew out from the medicinal field on the fourth tier.
The leaf was only the size of a fingernail.
Yet its surface was covered in natural serpentine patterns.
This was the Jadeite Snakeheart Orchid.
It did not qualify as an immortal-grade herb.
Yet its medicinal properties were extremely compatible with the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Bloodline.
Ning Xian placed the leaf in the center of the Array Patterns.
Then he took out a drop of icy dew from the octagonal mysterious ice grass.
Jade phosphorous serpent poison was cold and yin in nature.
The octagonal mysterious ice grass could stabilize Dugu Yan's Martial Soul Origin.
The two medicinal powers blended together.
Emerald green light gradually filled the room.
A short while later.
The door opened again.
Dugu Yan walked in from outside.
She had changed out of her long dress.
Close-fitting black-and-green training clothes hugged her slender figure.
The fabric tapered along her waist, and a pair of short black boots sat beneath her long legs.
She had tied her dark green hair into a high ponytail.
The begonia flower still remained in her hair.
She walked up to Ning Xian, raised her hands, and turned in a circle.
"Senior, how does this outfit look?"
"Suitable for cultivation."
"That's all?"
"It looks very nice."
Only then did Dugu Yan stop turning.
She walked into the center of the Array Patterns and sat cross-legged.
"Senior, I'm ready."
Ning Xian moved behind her.
"Reshaping your Martial Soul will hurt."
"Don't resist the medicinal power."
Dugu Yan turned her face toward him.
"Will you stay beside me the whole time, Senior?"
"Yes."
"Then let's begin."
Ning Xian raised his hand and placed it against her back.
Mystic Yellow Radiance flowed from his palm into her body.
Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul manifested behind her on its own.
The enormous emerald green serpent opened its eyes.
Two yellow Soul Rings and two purple Soul Rings rose from beneath Dugu Yan's feet in succession.
The Jadeite Snakeheart Orchid turned into medicinal power and entered the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's body.
The serpent phantom abruptly raised its head.
Dark golden markings appeared across its previously emerald green scales.
Dugu Yan closed her eyes.
Her brows gradually tightened.
The toxins in her bloodline were being guided by Xuanhuang Power.
The jade phosphorous serpent poison that had already seeped into her meridians and bones was drawn out strand by strand.
Dark green mist rose from the surface of her skin.
Her black-and-green training clothes were soon soaked with sweat.
The fabric clung to her back and waist.
Ning Xian controlled the Xuanhuang Power, guiding the toxins back into her Martial Soul.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor opened its mouth.
It swallowed all the dark green poisonous mist into its belly.
The dark golden markings spread continuously along its body.
Two tiny bumps gradually formed atop its head.
A wisp of bloodline aura belonging to the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings descended from the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's body began to transform.
Dugu Yan's breathing quickened.
Her fingers pressed against her knees.
"Senior."
"I'm here."
Hearing Ning Xian's reply, Dugu Yan relaxed her body again.
She no longer resisted the power entering her bloodline.
Two hours later.
The dark golden markings on the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's body took their final shape.
Two short, jadeite-like horns had grown on either side of its head.
Four slight bulges had also appeared beneath its belly.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor now showed a faint sign of dragon transformation.
Ning Xian withdrew his hand.
The Array Patterns in the room gradually went dark.
Dugu Yan opened her eyes.
She lowered her head to look at her hands.
The jade phosphorous serpent poison once hidden in her fingernails had completely disappeared.
Now, all the toxins had been drawn back into her Martial Soul Origin.
As long as she did not release it herself, the jade phosphorous serpent poison would no longer erode her body.
"Did it work?"
"Yes."
Dugu Yan immediately stood up.
She had only just finished reshaping her bloodline, and her legs had not fully recovered.
She had barely straightened before she fell backward.
Ning Xian reached out and caught her by the waist.
Dugu Yan leaned against his chest.
Her ponytail fell onto Ning Xian's shoulder.
The begonia flower in her hair also rested against the front of his robes.
The two were very close.
Dugu Yan lifted her face.
The Mystic Yellow Radiance had not yet completely faded from her eyes.
"Senior."
"Sit down first."
"I can't stand steadily."
"That's why I told you to sit down."
Dugu Yan did not leave right away.
Her palm pressed against Ning Xian's chest.
Only after a moment did she use him for support to steady herself.
"Senior, my legs have no strength."
"You'll be fine after a short rest."
"Help me over there."
Ning Xian helped her over to the bed.
Dugu Yan sat down as they reached it.
She did not release Ning Xian's sleeve.
"Senior, stay with me a little longer."
"I need to examine your Martial Soul."
"How?"
"Release a Soul Skill."
Dugu Yan glanced at her sweat-soaked fitted outfit.
"Now?"
"Once you've recovered."
She nodded gently.
"Then I'll go bathe first."
"Can I use the lake water on the third floor?"
"Yes."
Dugu Yan immediately stood up.
This time, she had already recovered quite a bit of strength.
The Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda opened again.
A deep blue portal appeared in the middle of the room.
Dugu Yan walked up to the portal.
She suddenly turned her head.
"Senior."
"What is it?"
"No peeking."
Ning Xian raised his hand and closed the spatial passages to every floor except the third.
"I can't see."
Only then did Dugu Yan step into the portal.
Before entering the third floor, she poked half her face back out.
"You can't use your divine sense either, Senior."
"I won't."
"Will you still be here when I'm done bathing?"
"Yes."
Only then did Dugu Yan enter the pagoda completely.
The deep blue portal slowly closed.
A moment later.
The soft sound of flowing water came from the lake on the third floor.
Ning Xian sat at the table.
He took out the remaining strand of the deep sea mother gold's essence and continued refining the Array Patterns within the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.
Outside the Heaven Dou Auction House.
Tang San was still standing below the steps.
Ning Xian and his two companions had long since vanished from sight.
Yu Xiaogang approached from behind.
"Tang San, it's time to return to the academy."
Tang San slowly unclenched his hands.
"Teacher, Poison Douluo was accompanying that man."
"Dugu Bo has an eccentric temperament."
Yu Xiaogang looked in the direction Ning Xian had left.
"For Dugu Bo to follow him, that man must be someone of considerable standing."
Tang San fell silent for a moment.
"Dugu Yan was even holding his arm."
"Perhaps they're close to Dugu Bo."
Yu Xiaogang said, "Don't approach them rashly before we've established who they are."
Tang San nodded.
Outwardly, he had already regained his composure.
Yet he still kept that piece of deep sea mother gold in mind.
Ten million Gold Soul Coins.
He could not produce that sum now.
That did not mean he would be unable to in the future.
As long as he knew Ning Xian's identity, he would have a chance to obtain that material again.
Tang San turned and headed toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Just then.
Golden light lit up the heavens once more.
The majestic aura of the Heavenly Dao enveloped the entire continent.
Everyone on the street stopped in their tracks at the same time.
Tang San raised his head.
"The Powerhouse Ranking has started again."
Yu Xiaogang also looked toward the Sky Screen.
"The sixth-ranked Deep Sea Demonic Whale King has already received a First-Level God position."
"Fifth place will only be stronger."
Ma Hongjun and Oscar emerged from the auction house.
Upon seeing the Sky Screen, the two immediately came to Tang San's side.
"Who will it be this time?"
"I don't know."
Tang San watched the golden light gathering continuously.
"But fifth place should be a human."
Dugu Manor.
The third floor of the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.
Dugu Yan soaked in the lake.
Her dark green hair spread out, floating on the clear water.
Starlight fell from the sky.
Tiny points of light drifted slowly along her fair shoulders.
The lake water only reached just above her collarbones.
A Begonia Petal fell onto the water and slid against her snow-white skin.
Dugu Yan raised her hands and scooped up some lake water.
Ning Xian had already isolated the Star Power within the water.
All that remained was the pure water vein condensed by the deep sea mother gold.
She had just washed the sweat from her body when Golden Radiance lit up the sky.
Even within the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda, she could still see the Sky Screen outside.
Dugu Yan tilted her head back to look.
"Is fifth place about to appear?"
She glanced at the clothes beside the lake.
Then Dugu Yan stood up in the water.
Water droplets slid down her slender waist.
She took a loose white robe and draped it over herself.
It was clothing Ning Xian had left inside the pagoda.
The robe reached her calves.
Its collar was slightly loose, revealing a stretch of her fair shoulder and neck.
Dugu Yan cinched the robe tight with a sash.
The hem was still loose.
Without changing back into her soaked fitted outfit, she opened the third floor's pagoda gate directly.
Mystic Yellow Radiance flashed.
Dugu Yan returned to the room.
Ning Xian looked up at her.
"Where are your clothes?"
"They're wet."
Dugu Yan lowered her head to straighten the collar.
"I'm borrowing your clothes for a bit, Senior."
"Mm."
She walked over and sat beside Ning Xian.
The loose sleeves covered both her hands.
Her dark green hair was still damp and hung all the way down to the edge of the bed.
A few droplets fell onto the white robe, leaving faint watermarks.
Dugu Yan drew her legs together.
She looked up at the Sky Screen outside the window.
"Senior, do you know who's in fifth place?"
"I do."
"Another Soul Beast?"
"No."
Dugu Yan turned her face toward him.
"A human?"
"Mm."
"A human even stronger than the Sky-Devouring Demon God?"
Ning Xian watched the golden Sky Screen gradually unfold.
"The ranking doesn't measure only current combat strength."
"The person in fifth place isn't as strong as the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King after he became a god."
Dugu Yan understood immediately.
What the Powerhouse Ranking calculated should be their strength before the rewards were distributed.
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had originally only been close to god level.
Only after receiving his reward had he become a First-Level God.
Dugu Yan moved a little closer to Ning Xian.
"Who exactly is in fifth place?"
"Sea God Island's Great Enshrined."
"Bo Saixi."
Sea God Island.
Bo Saixi stood before the Sea God Hall.
The sea breeze stirred her red robe.
Her long hair streamed out behind her shoulders.
The Seven Sacred Pillars Guardian Douluo stood below the steps.
Everyone remained on guard against the distant Sky-Devouring Demon God while also watching the Powerhouse Ranking that had reappeared.
Sea Dragon Douluo raised his head and looked toward the firmament.
"Fifth place is finally about to be announced."
Sea Horse Douluo looked toward the Demon Whale Sea.
Purple-gold divine light still shrouded the distant sky.
"The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King has already become a god."
"He could head for Sea God Island at any moment."
Bo Saixi held her scepter.
"Look at the ranking first."
"If he comes now, the Seven Sacred Pillars formation will give us advance warning."
Everyone raised their heads again.
The golden light in the Sky Screen gradually spread.
A boundless ocean appeared above in the firmament.
The seawater was a clear azure blue.
An enormous island lay at the center of the sea.
On the island.
Seven Sacred Pillars stood in different directions.
Golden radiance rose from the tops of the Sacred Pillars, finally converging above Sea God Hall.
Living beings across the continent immediately recognized this place.
[Sea God Island!]
[Fifth place is from Sea God Island?]
[Could it be Poseidon, the Sea God?]
[Poseidon has already entered the Divine Realm, so he probably doesn't count as a powerhouse of the Douluo Continent!]
[Besides the Sea God, who else on Sea God Island could rank above the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King?]
The scene in the Sky Screen continued to change.
Before Sea God Hall.
A figure dressed in a red robe slowly appeared.
She held a golden scepter in both hands.
Her fair face was calm.
Her long hair fell loose down her back.
The sea breeze blew past, pressing her red robe against her slender figure.
She had not released her Martial Soul.
Yet the sea beneath her feet calmed of its own accord.
Streams of water rose from the surface.
The streams circled her, forming nine layers of blue rings.
When Bo Saixi saw herself in the Sky Screen, her gaze sharpened slightly.
Sea Dragon Douluo immediately turned to her.
"Great Enshrined."
"You're in fifth place!"
The other six Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluos bowed in unison.
"Congratulations on placing fifth in the Powerhouse Ranking, Great Enshrined!"
The residents of Sea God Island also saw the scene in the Sky Screen.
They knelt one after another toward Sea God Hall.
"Great Enshrined!"
"The Great Enshrined is fifth in the Powerhouse Ranking!"
"Sea God Island has the fifth-ranked powerhouse!"
Much of the oppressive atmosphere caused earlier by the Sky-Devouring Demon God's ascension to godhood dissipated at that moment.
Bo Saixi had guarded Sea God Island for many years.
In the hearts of all the islanders, she was second only to Poseidon, the Sea God.
Now, the Heavenly Dao had placed her fifth in the continent's Powerhouse Ranking.
This ranking allowed everyone on Sea God Island to see hope once more.
Before you continue