"No, compressing Soul Power inside the body is far too dangerous. The slightest carelessness could damage the meridians." Yu Yuanzhen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and spoke gravely.
Dugu Bo sighed. "It seems this 'Soul Core' method is hard to remember."
Seeing this, Yu Tianming stepped forward and said, "Grandpa, Grandpa Dugu, since compressing Soul Power inside the body is too risky, why not try doing it outside?"
"Outside?"
Both men looked at him at once, a trace of puzzlement flashing through their eyes.
Yu Tianming nodded. "Exactly. First, compress the Soul Power into a solid outside the body, forming an embryonic Soul Core, then guide it into the dantian."
"That way, even if it fails before you draw it into your body, it won't hurt you."
"That makes sense!"
A sharp gleam flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. "Condensing it outside the body would indeed be much safer. You really are a genius, boy."
Yu Yuanzhen also looked approving. "Tianming, that's a very clever idea."
They put their words into action.
The two adjusted their conditions once more and began trying to condense Soul Cores outside their bodies.
Yu Yuanzhen raised his right hand, palm facing upward. Blue-violet lightning-attribute Soul Power slowly gathered, gradually forming a ball of liquid energy.
Fully absorbed, he focused his spiritual power intensely and began compressing the energy ball.
At first, the energy ball trembled violently, seemingly ready to collapse at any moment.
But as Yu Yuanzhen continued increasing the pressure, the liquid Soul Power gradually thickened and finally began turning solid.
Beside him, a mass of emerald-green poison-attribute Soul Power floated above Dugu Bo's palm, giving off a presence that made hearts quail.
He controlled his Soul Power with the utmost care, compressing it little by little.
Perhaps because of the backlash from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison, the highly toxic Soul Power resisted more fiercely than the lightning Soul Power, but under Dugu Bo's powerful control, it too gradually stabilized.
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere in the pavilion was tense and heavy.
Dugu Yan gripped Yu Tianming's hand tightly, staring unblinkingly at her grandfather, Dugu Bo.
Ye Lingling gently patted Dugu Yan's back, comforting her in silence. Her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul could not help with something like this either.
Finally-
"Condense!"
Yu Yuanzhen gave a low shout. Lightning blazed in his palm as a thumb-sized blue-violet crystal slowly took shape, fine arcs of electricity flickering across its surface as it released astonishing energy fluctuations.
The blue-violet crystal spun rapidly like a vortex, releasing powerful Soul Power fluctuations.
Soon,
Dugu Bo also successfully condensed an emerald-green Soul Core. Translucent and lustrous, it resembled jade, yet contained lethal poison.
"It worked!"
Dugu Yan jumped up in excitement, tears glistening in her eyes.
Yu Tianming also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Grandpa! Congratulations, Grandpa Dugu!"
Yu Yuanzhen and Dugu Bo exchanged smiles.
But they knew this was only the first step. Guiding the Soul Cores into their bodies next would be the real challenge.
"Old Poison, are you ready?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "I'm the mighty Poison Douluo! Would I be afraid of this? Let's do it!"
Both took a deep breath, simultaneously bringing their Soul Cores close to their dantians and circulating their Soul Power to slowly guide them inside.
The instant the Soul Cores entered their bodies, both men shuddered.
Violent energy erupted inside them, but this time they were prepared, using all their strength to control the Soul Cores and move them toward their dantians.
Lightning wreathed Yu Yuanzhen's entire body, while green light blazed around Dugu Bo, whose expression shifted repeatedly.
But both gritted their teeth and persevered, not daring to relax for even a moment.
At the sight of this,
Yu Tianming looked thoughtful.
In later generations, one could only break through to Titled Douluo after condensing the first Soul Core.
Yet his grandfather Yu Yuanzhen and Dugu Bo were already Titled Douluos. Their spiritual power and control over Soul Power far surpassed those of Soul Douluos!
Moreover, the Titled Douluos of this era had broken through entirely on their own, without Soul Cores to assist them. Their talent was beyond question.
Normally speaking, as long as they knew the method, condensing their first Soul Cores should be very easy...
And things went just as he had expected,
As time ticked by, Yu Yuanzhen and Dugu Bo found the knack, and their presences gradually stabilized.
Finally, the Soul Cores settled successfully in their dantians, merging with their own Soul Power!
In an instant,
Both men's presences surged, making even the surrounding air tremble.
"Hahaha! It worked!"
Dugu Bo opened his eyes and could not help laughing aloud.
He sensed the Soul Core operating steadily inside him. The deadly poison backlash that had plagued him for years had actually vanished completely!
Moreover, as the toxins accumulated over many years were digested, Dugu Bo's Soul Power rose by one rank, making him a rank-92 Titled Douluo.
Yu Yuanzhen also smiled in satisfaction. "With the Soul Core formed, my Soul Power circulates more smoothly, and its recovery is far faster than before. Even my cultivation has advanced somewhat."
Although he had not broken through, he could feel his bottleneck loosening.
He estimated that it would not be long before he broke through and became a rank-96 Peak Douluo!
Dugu Yan rushed to Dugu Bo's side and hurriedly asked, "Grandpa, are you really all right now?"
Dugu Bo affectionately ruffled her hair and smiled. "Silly girl, when has Grandpa ever lied to you? It's all thanks to Tianming. This Soul Core method truly is miraculous!"
As he spoke, he looked at Yu Tianming, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Tianming, thank you so much for this. I owe you a tremendous favor!"
"Leaving everything else aside for now, you may take your pick of the Immortal Herbs in the medicinal garden, apart from the Mysterious Nether Dragon Saliva Grass!"
"Then thank you, Grandpa Dugu."
Yu Tianming did not refuse, cupping his hands with a smile.
Dugu Bo was not only Dugu Yan's grandfather but had also become a guest elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He was unquestionably one of their own.
Helping Dugu Bo eliminate this hidden danger and improve his strength benefited Yu Tianming too.
He could also obtain Immortal Herbs as a matter of course.
This was a win-win!
Yu Yuanzhen patted his grandson on the shoulder and said with gratification, "Well done, boy! Just what I'd expect from the young clan leader of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
Something suddenly occurred to Dugu Bo, and he said seriously, "Tianming, I won't interfere in what happens between you and Yanyan, and... Lingling. But there is one thing: you must treat Yanyan well!"
At these words,
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, who stood quietly beside her, instantly flushed scarlet.
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? I'm not speaking to you anymore!" Dugu Yan pinched her grandfather in embarrassed annoyance, then pulled Ye Lingling down to sit with her and turned away, refusing to look at him.
Dugu Bo smiled and shook his head.
Seeing this, Yu Tianming nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Grandpa Dugu. I'll take good care of Yanyan and Lingling."
"It's too early to be saying that. I only said I wouldn't oppose you."
Dugu Bo gave no definite answer.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance.
Everyone turned to look and saw a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan running toward them.
"Clan leader, young clan leader, Elder Dugu! Spirit Hall has sent a letter saying that Platinum Bishop Salas will be bringing people to pay us a visit!"
Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly. "Spirit Hall? What are they up to this time?"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly. "Hmph, they just want to show off their strength. Spirit Hall has grown increasingly arrogant over the years."
"I'm afraid that's not all. Spirit Hall probably also wants the Whale Rubber we've monopolized!" Yu Tianming said.
At his reminder, Yu Yuanzhen remembered it as well.
"When will they arrive?"
Yu Yuanzhen asked gravely.
The disciple immediately replied, "Reporting to the sect master, tomorrow at noon!"