The more Dugu Bo looked at Lin Yan, the more satisfied he became. He was talented, insightful, humble, and, more importantly, meticulous and considerate of others.
One day, after a discussion about an antidote for a certain mixed toxin, Dugu Bo stroked his long beard, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration, and said, "Young man, it would be a waste to have your talent for pharmacology buried in those ordinary academies. I have roamed the continent for many years, and I believe I have some experience in the art of poisons. Would you be willing to become my apprentice and learn my skills in using poisons?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yan was first taken aback, then overwhelmed with joy.
This is the opportunity he's been waiting for! Having a Titled Douluo as a backer and mentor will bring him endless benefits, both in terms of safety and in terms of acquiring resources and knowledge.
He had previously displayed his talent and proceeded cautiously, undoubtedly with the intention of using this to build closer relationships.
How could he possibly miss such a great opportunity?
Lin Yan immediately took two steps back, straightened his robes, bowed solemnly, and said sincerely, "Disciple Lin Yan greets Master!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Dugu Bo exclaimed three times, his face beaming with joy. He quickly stepped forward to help Lin Yan up. "I never expected that in my old age, I would receive such a pleasing disciple! Get up!"
He patted Lin Yan on the shoulder, his delight growing with each glance. "From this day forward, you are my disciple, Dugu Bo! In this Heaven Dou Empire, let's see who dares to bully you so easily!"
After becoming Dugu Bo's apprentice, Lin Yan's trust in him naturally increased significantly.
He felt it was time to reveal some of his secrets to his new teacher, partly to prepare for obtaining Soul Ring, and partly to further demonstrate his value and solidify the master-disciple relationship.
During a break when Dugu Bo was expelling poison and Lin Yan was in excellent condition, Lin Yan seized the opportunity to release his Martial Soul.
The azure blue Blue Silver Grass unfurled, unlike the slender leaves of ordinary Blue Silver Grass Blue Silver Grass. Its leaves were thick and broad, with clear veins, exuding a rich life force. Even more eye-catching were the two Soul Ring shimmering with deep purple light surrounding the Blue Silver Grass!
"This... Thousand-Year Soul Ring?! Two of them?!" Dugu Bo, who had been lazily leaning against the stone wall, sat bolt upright instantly, his eyes wide as saucers, his face filled with disbelief. "Both the First Soul Ring and Second Soul Ring are thousand years old? How is this possible?!"
As Titled Douluo with extensive knowledge, he had never heard of such an outrageous Soul Ring Configuration. This completely overturned the common sense of the Soul Master World in the Douluo Continent!
Lin Yan had anticipated Dugu Bo's reaction and calmly explained, "Teacher, by sheer chance, my Martial Soul underwent some beneficial mutations, making me far more resilient to Soul Ring energy than ordinary people. In addition, my cultivation method is somewhat special, emphasizing foundational training and physical conditioning, which is why I was able to absorb Thousand-Year Soul Ring by sheer luck."
Dugu Bo stared at Lin Yan, then at the two dazzling Purple Soul Ring. After a long while, he let out a long breath, his gaze towards Lin Yan complex, finally settling into deep satisfaction and amazement. "Good lad... You're more than just gifted, you're a monster! This time, I've truly struck gold!"
He was incredibly grateful to have taken him as his apprentice.
Such a disciple has an immeasurable potential for future achievements!
After the initial shock, Dugu Bo's gaze towards Lin Yan softened and became more attentive.
Lin Yan then took the opportunity to explain his current predicament, "Teacher, my Soul Power has reached the peak of level 30, but I cannot break through because I have not yet obtained my Third Soul Ring. I feel that my Soul Power should be able to improve further after this breakthrough."
"Level 30 already? So fast?" Dugu Bo was surprised again, then understood. "That's right, two Thousand-Year Soul Ring can easily boost your Soul Power by several levels. Tell me, what kind of Soul Beast do you want? With your first two Soul Ring being thousand-year-old, this Third Soul Ring must be at least five thousand years old, right?"
Lin Yan shook his head and said, "No, teacher, my Second Soul Ring is already 4,500 years old. My goal for the Third Soul Ring is Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."
" Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring..." Dugu Bo's expression turned solemn. " Yan'er, do you know the biggest difference between Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and Thousand-Year Soul Ring, besides the greater energy?"
"Teacher, do you mean... Soul Shock?" Lin Yan asked.
"Oh? You actually know that?" Dugu Bo was somewhat surprised, then understood. He couldn't judge this disciple by ordinary standards. "That's right, it's Soul Shock! After Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast dies, its lingering soul will create a powerful mental impact. If one's mental strength is insufficient, at best it will damage the sea of consciousness and injure the soul; at worst it will turn one into an idiot on the spot, or even cause the soul to be annihilated! This is no joke! Your physical attributes may have been built up by the first two Thousand-Year Soul Ring and special techniques, but the requirements for mental strength..."
"Teacher, regarding mental strength, perhaps I can give it a try," Lin Yan said frankly. "I once experienced a significant transformation in my mental power after comprehending a ' Withering and Flourishing Intent.' As for physical strength, I am also prepared. Once your poison problem is completely resolved, I will consume the ' Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass ' and the Infernal Delicate Apricot ' to further temper my physique. At that time, I should be able to withstand the energy impact of the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring without any problems."
" The Withering and Flourishing Intent?" Dugu Bo was shocked once again. The Intent of life and death was mysterious and profound. Many Soul Douluo and even Titled Douluo might not be able to comprehend it, yet his disciple had already achieved it at level 30...
He took a deep breath. "Alright! Since you have such confidence, then let your teacher test just how strong your mental fortitude truly is!"
As he spoke, Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed, and an invisible spiritual pressure surged toward Lin Yan like a tide.
He controlled the pressure to the level of Soul King.
Lin Yan felt the air around him tighten, and a heavy pressure acted on his soul.
However, his expression remained unchanged, and the " Supreme Purity Breathing Technique " circulated naturally, his spiritual power solid as Boulder, easily resisting the oppressive force.
A glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes as he gradually increased the intensity of his pressure. Peak Soul King... Soul Emperor level...
It wasn't until the pressure approached the Soul Emperor level that Lin Yan's forehead became slightly sweaty and his face turned a little pale, but his eyes remained clear, indicating that he had not yet reached his limit.
Dugu Bo instantly withdrew his oppressive aura, looked at Lin Yan was slightly panting, remained silent for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh, "A monster, truly a monster... It seems that the Soul Shock is indeed not much of a threat to you anymore."
He knew in his heart that Lin Yan could withstand mental pressure close to that of Soul Emperor, and his mental strength was definitely far superior to that of an ordinary Soul Elder, and even stronger than some Soul Ancestor. The Soul Shock barrier of absorbing Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was no longer a concern.
He attributed all of this to the " Withering and Flourishing Intent " mentioned by Lin Yan, unaware that the " Supreme Purity Breathing Technique," a cultivation method from another world, subtly strengthened Lin Yan's sea of consciousness, which was the fundamental reason why Lin Yan's spiritual power far surpassed that of his peers.