Since Qi Ling's " Character Cultivation System " was launched, he hasn't recruited anyone for a long time. Firstly, because there aren't any good candidates, and secondly, once a contract is signed, it means that the person has formed the closest relationship with him, so he has to be cautious.
However, Dugu Yan in front of her is obviously a good choice. Not only does she meet all the requirements, but more importantly, as Dugu Bo's granddaughter, her talent is beyond doubt, and even stronger than Zhu Zhuqing's.
Therefore, Qi Ling skipped the previous steps and, after confirming the contract with Dugu Yan, directly chose the highest-level " Hell Road " for her.
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have made a choice for Dugu Yan on the Path of Choice. The chosen option is the fourth one: The Hell Road! Dugu Yan's development function has been unlocked. Please confirm to receive the rewards and unlock the function!]
[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have completed the mission, signed a contract with Dugu Yan, and received the following rewards: one Starry Sky Barrier Admission Ticket, one Level 5 Soul Tool, and one Special Soul Tool.]
Hmm? Upon seeing this, Qi Ling immediately perked up. Another special Soul Tool?
Qi Ling understood these special Soul Tool to be like a lottery; you never know what you'll get, but they generally won't disappoint you. They usually have some special function, and many are for one-time use only.
As for the level 5 Soul Tool, Qi Ling didn't care much. After all, it was only Soul King level item. She had already obtained quite a few Soul Tool through the system's missions, and those below level 5 no longer aroused her interest.
Opening her Infinite Space, Qi Ling stared wide-eyed at the special Soul Tool the system had gifted her! Wait, wait, wait, this is a joke gone too far! Can this thing even hold a person?
" Qi Ling? What's wrong?" Seeing Qi Ling's shocked expression, Dugu Yan asked in confusion.
"Ah, it's nothing. I was just considering a way to enhance you," Qi Ling said casually, then calmed down, since that thing couldn't be used right now.
" Dugu Yan..."
"Call me Yanyan!" Dugu Yan interrupted Qi Ling as he spoke, her eyes fixed intently on him.
"Um... isn't this a bit much? You seem to be older than me." Cold sweat trickled down Qi Ling's forehead. This girl was far too aggressive.
"Saying things like that will hurt a girl's feelings!" Dugu Yan said coquettishly, "Call me Yanyan, and I'll forgive you!"
"Ugh, that title is a bit too..."
"If you don't scream, then I'll take off my clothes! We're alone here, a man and a woman, so even if you yell 'molestation,' it won't do you any good..."
"Fine! Yanyan!" Qi Ling felt like crying, had their positions reversed?
" Yanyan, the Jade Phosphorous Venomous Serpent is already a top-tier poison-type Martial Soul. The treatment I'm about to use on you will maximize the enhancement of your Martial Soul's combat power, giving you a new lease on life!"
"But as I said before, having you swallow these three herbs directly would be tantamount to suicide, so before that, I need to give you this first."
As Qi Ling spoke, she took out a delicate and small crystal crown and placed it in Dugu Yan's hand.
"Wow! It's so beautiful! Is this a gift from you? Thank you!" Dugu Yan couldn't wait to put the crystal crown on her head. The sparkling crystal made her look even more radiant.
It has to be admitted that this girl is very beautiful, and possesses a very unique charm, but Qi Ling still said to her, "Don't misunderstand, this thing is your Life-Bound Divine Artifact! Its name is the Queen's Diadem!"
" Queen's Diadem? Life-Bound Divine Artifact?" Dugu Yan asked curiously, "But how do you use this thing?"
"It's very simple, come on, I'll teach you!" Then, following the method she had previously taught Zhu Zhuqing, Qi Ling taught Dugu Yan how to establish a connection with her Life-Bound Divine Artifact. Dugu Yan indeed proved her talent and quickly established a connection with the Queen's Diadem.
"Can I really control such power?" After experiencing the power of her Life-Bound Divine Artifact, Dugu Yan, like Zhu Zhuqing, was filled with awe.
"Don't worry, you'll definitely be able to do it in the future! But right now, we need to help you absorb these three herbs!" Qi Ling said.
After grinding the three highly poisonous herbs into powder, Dugu Yan retrieved her own Snake Core from Qi Ling's body and added her own Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison to the three poisons.
"After taking these medicines, immediately enter the icy spring. The extreme cold will induce a state of suspended animation, ensuring your body doesn't collapse!" Qi Ling said. "By this time tomorrow, I will pull you out. If you're still alive then, we've succeeded."
"Of course, in the end, I still have to advise you: even though I've done my best, the success rate of this method is still only 50%! There's a good chance you won't wake up. Do you still want to continue?"
Dugu Yan smiled and said, "Of course!"
Helpless, Qi Ling had no choice but to feed the mixed medicine to Dugu Yan and then immediately put her in the ice spring! These medicines would take effect even faster than Tang San's, so there was no time to waste.
The extreme cold instantly froze Dugu Yan into an ice sculpture, making her look like a work of art.
However, Qi Ling was not worried about this, because the Queen's Crown would naturally protect Dugu Yan and prevent her from going from a state of feigned death to one of real death.
The day passed just like that. When the next day arrived, Dugu Bo returned with Tang San. As soon as they got back, he asked worriedly, " Yanyan? Yanyan? Yanyan, where did you go? Kid, where did you hide my precious granddaughter?"
"Look, isn't that it!" Qi Ling pointed to the ice sculpture in the ice spring and said to Dugu Bo.
Upon seeing his granddaughter frozen solid, Dugu Bo's mind went blank for two seconds before he roared at Qi Ling in uncontrollable rage, " Qi Ling! I'll kill you..."
"Shut up, old man. If you don't want your granddaughter to die, then keep quiet!" Qi Ling said calmly, her eyes never leaving Dugu Yan.
"What did you say? Even in this state, you still..." Dugu Bo wanted to say something more, but just then, a very faint crisp sound caught his attention.
As Dugu Yan was soaking in the icy spring, a tiny crack appeared on the ice around her, which then multiplied and gradually covered her entire body.
"It's done! Time's up!" Qi Ling said, flicking the Immortal-Binding Rope in her hand. The rope accurately bound Dugu Yan, and then she pulled her up.
As Dugu Yan emerged completely from the icy spring, the ice covering her body shattered into countless ice crystals that scattered on the ground, where Qi Ling caught her precisely.
Despite being frozen for so long, Dugu Yan's body temperature remained unchanged, still as warm as a normal person's, without any abnormality.
If there's anything unusual, it's that she's not breathing.