Jade Dragon Lizard
The group failed to kill the Jade Phosphorous Poison Flood Dragon. After Yan Zu had Little Jade give it some basic treatment, he turned and left.
The venomous dragon watched the departing figures of the group, its eyes flashing with ferocity, but ultimately dared not give chase.
After searching for two more days, just as everyone was considering whether to go deeper, Yan Zu discovered a new target in an ancient forest covered with moss and brimming with spiritual energy.
It was a relatively "small" Soul Beast, only a little over three meters long, resembling a giant lizard, but its scales were like those carved from the finest jade, shimmering with a warm luster.
It was lying on a huge piece of jade, basking in the sun, looking quite lazy.
Its aura was deep and steady, carrying a distinct dragon's might and vigorous vitality, and its age was a staggering 14,000 years!
"Jade Dragon Lizard!" Yan Zu exclaimed in delight. "Although it's not purely poison-type, it possesses dragon bloodline, making it extremely resilient and highly resistant and adaptable to various types of energy. More importantly, its innate abilities lean towards regeneration and mimicry. If we can form a contract with it, it will greatly benefit the overall development of your Jade Phosphorous Jade Dragon Martial Soul, especially its survivability and battlefield adaptability!"
Dugu Yan looked at the Jade Dragon Lizard. It was indeed not as aggressive as the Jade Phosphorous Poison Flood Dragon. Instead, it gave people a sense of calm and reliability.
She stepped forward and released the aura of the Jade Phosphorous Jade Dragon Martial Soul.
Sensing the presence of a fellow dragon and the potent venom emanating from Dugu Yan, the Jade Dragon Lizard lazily raised its head, its emerald eyes revealing a human-like curiosity and contemplation. It showed no strong hostility, but rather was quite interested in Dugu Yan's vigorous vitality and complex toxicity.
Communication went very smoothly. The Jade Dragon Lizard is quite intelligent and has a relatively peaceful temperament.
After weighing the pros and cons, it concluded that coexisting with this human, who possessed a powerful dragon Martial Soul and a strange toxicity, might be a more interesting and promising path. It then accepted Dugu Yan's invitation to form a contract.
Dugu Yan stepped forward and sat cross-legged in front of the Jade Dragon Lizard.
She formed hand seals, and her azure spiritual energy traced intricate contract runes in the air. The runes shimmered with a gentle light and slowly drifted toward the forehead of the Jade Water Poison Flood Dragon.
"In my name, Dugu Yan, and based on the principles of equality, symbiosis, and voluntariness, I invite you to become my Soul Spirit. From this day forward, we will share life and death, honor and disgrace, our souls will be linked, and we will walk the same path."
The contract rune disappeared into the Jade Dragon Lizard's forehead.
In an instant, the Jade Dragon Lizard burst forth with a dazzling dark green light! Its body began to ethereal, transforming into countless points of light that converged towards Dugu Yan.
The illusory image of the Jade Phosphorous Jade Dragon behind Dugu Yan automatically materialized, roaring towards the sky. Three Soul Ring rose from beneath her feet, yellow and...
Yellow, purple, and a Fourth Soul Ring that is forming.
The dark green light merged into the position of the Fourth Soul Ring, and the color of that Soul Ring began to change drastically—from light purple to dark purple, then to purple with black undertones, and finally settling on a deep black!
The fourth ring of the eternal cycle is complete!
When the light faded, the Jade Dragon Lizard lizard had vanished. However, within Dugu Yan's Fourth Soul Ring, a miniature version of the Jade Dragon Lizard could be vaguely seen swimming.
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes, a dark green light flashing in her azure eyes.
She could clearly feel a magical soul connection established between herself and the Jade Dragon Lizard. She could sense the Jade Dragon Lizard's consciousness, which still carried a hint of confusion, but was filled with the joy of rebirth.
"Success." Yan Zu smiled.
Dugu Bo excitedly stepped forward. "Yanyan, how are you feeling?"
Dugu Yan stood up, feeling the surging power within her body. After obtaining her Fourth Soul Ring, her Soul Power soared from level 40 to level 47! Part of it came from absorbing the Soul Ring that exceeded her age limit, but most of it came from the accumulation of pills and Martial Soul Evolution. Her foundation was solid, and her Soul Power was refined.
"Grandpa, Little Brother A-Zu, I—I did it!" Her voice choked with emotion. "I can sense the Jade Dragon Lizard's consciousness; it's now called— Little Jade Green. It's become my partner."
With a thought, her Fourth Soul Ring lit up.
Fourth Soul Skill - Poison Dragon's Wrath!
A dark green dragon lizard phantom burst out of the Soul Ring, swelled in the wind, and transformed into a ten-meter-long energy venomous dragon, roaring as it charged toward a distant boulder.
"Boom--!"
The boulder shattered under the impact of the dragon lizard, the fragments covered with a layer of dark green venom, emitting a sizzling, corrosive sound.
"What incredible power!" Dugu Bo exclaimed. "This Soul Skill is at least equivalent to the strength of a 15,000-year Soul Ring!"
Dugu Yan shook her head. "Grandpa, this isn't the true way to use the Soul Spirit."
Another thought struck her. This time, instead of using her Soul Skill, she softly called out, "Little Jade Green, come out."
The Fourth Soul Ring glowed with a soft light, and a miniature Jade Dragon Lizard swam out from the Soul Ring and landed on Dugu Yan's shoulder.
It was only a little over a meter long, dark green all over, with crystal-clear scales, and a pair of emerald green vertical pupils curiously surveying its surroundings.
The Soul Spirit's abilities also became clear: Jade Regeneration (slow healing), Dragon Lizard Mimicry (assisting in localized Dragon Transformation or Simulation the environment), and Fine Control Assistance.
"This... this is Soul Spirit?" Dugu Bo stared in shock at the living Jade Dragon Lizard.
Little Jade Green (the Soul Spirit the Jade Dragon Lizard) seemed to understand, nodding at Dugu Bo and letting out an affectionate hiss. It could sense that the human in front of it had an aura similar to its contractor, as well as a dragon's might that filled it with awe.
"Yes, this is Soul Spirit." Dugu Yan gently stroked Little Jade Green's head, and Little Jade Green comfortably squinted her eyes. "Normally, it can reside in my Soul Ring to nurture its growth, and it can assist me in battle. We can also communicate with each other."
She looked at Yan Zu, her azure eyes filled with gratitude. "Little Brother A-Zu, thank you. This secret technique, this trust—I will never forget it."
Yan Zu smiled and said, "Sister Yanyan, congratulations on becoming the first Soul Master on the continent to possess Soul Spirit. But remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not summon your Soul Spirit in front of others. In normal battles, it's best to use Soul Skill."
"I understand." Dugu Yan nodded emphatically. "I will protect this secret."
Little Jade Green seemed to understand something as well. It swam down from Dugu Yan's shoulder, lowered its head towards Yan Zu and Little Jade, and let out a grateful whimper. It knew that it was this young man and this strange Soul Beast that had given it a new life.
Yan Zu gently stroked Little Jade's head. "It seems that Little Jade's auspicious aura is also helpful for the Soul Spirit Contract."
Little Jade proudly raised its head and let out a soft chirp.
Dugu Bo looked at the obedient Jade Dragon Lizard Soul Spirit on his granddaughter's shoulder, then at Yan Zu and Little Jade on his shoulder, a complex light flashing in his dark golden eyes.
"Soul Spirit Contract — Soul Spirit— " he murmured to himself, "Yan Zu, what you have brought is probably not just the rebirth of us, grandfather and grandson, but—the future of the entire Soul Master World."