Little Jade's Transformation

"Kid, remember your promise."

Yan Zu solemnly replied, "Senior, rest assured, I swear on my Martial Soul that I will never forget my promise today."

Little Jade let out a long cry, and four Soul Ring rose from beneath her feet: yellow, purple, black, and a Fifth Soul Ring that was condensing.

The yellowish-brown light spot merged into the position of the Fifth Soul Ring, and the color of the Soul Ring began to change drastically—from light black to dark black, the color becoming increasingly profound, which is a characteristic of a high-quality 55,000-year Soul Ring!

Little Jade's body erupted with a dazzling jade-colored light, and visible changes began to occur.

Its body grew rapidly, and its jade-colored scales became thicker and more lustrous, each one resembling a meticulously polished piece of jade, reflecting a warm luster in the sunlight. Its limbs became long and powerful, with the tips of its claws gleaming coldly. Its back arched slightly, forming smooth and powerful lines. Its long tail nearly doubled in length, with fluffy fur at the end flowing like tassels.

Most astonishingly, the single horn on its head had grown to nearly half a foot in length, crystal clear like the purest crystal, with shimmering light flowing within, radiating an auspicious aura that soothed the soul.

When the light faded, Little Jade had grown to a size nearly one meter tall at the shoulders and almost two meters long! Standing there, it was no longer the cute little beast, but a majestic auspicious Auspicious Beast Qilin. Its amber eyes were even deeper, and wherever its gaze fell, it seemed to soothe all restlessness and bring peace.

Yan Zu slowly opened his eyes. He could clearly feel that his level had also risen to level 55. This was due to the accumulation of pills and the changes brought about by the super-limited Soul Ring.

Before him, the body of the Mountain-Subduing Spirit Turtle had completely dissipated. Yan Zu stood up and bowed deeply.

"Farewell, senior. If you achieve success in the future, you will surely live up to your promise made today."

Then, something that shocked everyone present happened—

Little Jade slowly walked up to Yan Zu, tilted her head back, and her amber eyes were filled with dependence and joy. Then she spoke, saying in a childish but clear voice, "Brother—we did it!"

These three simple words resonated like a thunderclap in everyone's hearts.

"Little Jade ----you can talk now?" Yan Zu was both surprised and delighted, and squatted down to stroke Little Jade's head.

Little Jade squinted comfortably, nuzzled Yan Zu's hand with her head, and continued, "Brother----gets stronger---- Little Jade ----gets stronger too----can talk now----"

Although its speech was intermittent and its pronunciation was not particularly clear, it was indeed human language! Moreover, it called Yan Zu "brother", and the intimacy and dependence on it were evident.

Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan stared in disbelief at the scene.

"Martial Soul... can speak?" Dugu Bo's voice trembled slightly. "This... how is this possible? Even Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast can only speak after it has fully transformed into human form!"

Dugu Yan, who had followed, stammered, "Little Jade, isn't it your Martial Soul?"

Yan Zu gently stroked Little Jade's head, a sudden realization dawning on him. As partners in Symbiotic Contract, Little Jade's growth was inextricably linked to his.

When he broke through level 50 and obtained his Fifth Soul Ring, his strength underwent a qualitative leap, and Little Jade also grew accordingly.

This kind of growth is not just an improvement in strength, but a leap in the level of life.

"Senior, Sister Yanyan," Yan Zu explained, "Little Jade is Auspicious Beast Qilin, a Qilin, unlike ordinary Soul Beast. It has a special bond with me, and my growth will drive its evolution. This time, my breakthrough to level fifty may have triggered some of its hidden abilities."

Little Jade nodded, adding in her still-unfluent words, "Little Jade ---- Auspicious Beast ----especially----brother is strong---- Little Jade is strong----"

Its struggle to organize its thoughts was both adorable and heartbreaking.

Yan Zu could sense that Little Jade could only say some simple words and short sentences at the moment, and that she would need more time to learn complex expressions.

Dugu Bo took a deep breath, a complex light flashing in his dark golden eyes. "Yan Zu, the fact that Little Jade can speak must absolutely not be known to outsiders. An independent consciousness, Martial Soul that can speak—this has never appeared in the history of the continent before. Once it gets out, it will cause countless troubles."

"I understand." Yan Zu nodded solemnly. "Little Jade usually communicates by chirping and only speaks to people she completely trusts."

Little Jade seemed to understand, and it said earnestly, "Little Jade —only listens to her brother—and won't talk nonsense—"

Xiao Yu's obedient appearance melted Dugu Yan's heart. She couldn't help but step forward to stroke Little Jade, but Little Jade turned slightly to the side, avoiding her hand, and only glanced at her with her amber eyes.

His gaze was gentle yet carried the majesty of a top-tier Soul Beast —not hostility, but a natural sense of distance.

Aside from Yan Zu, it seems less comfortable being too close to other people now.

Yan Zu patted Little Jade's head. "Sister Yanyan is not an outsider."

Little Jade finally relaxed and allowed Dugu Yan to gently stroke its back. But its gaze never left Yan Zu, and its dependence was obvious.

"Brother----" Little Jade called softly, her voice full of trust.

With a thought, Yan Zu's Fifth Soul Ring shone with a deep black light.

Fifth Soul Skill - Mountain-Suppressing Guardian!

Centered on Little Jade, Mountain-Suppressing Auspicious Shield with a radius of twenty meters was released. The area was a semi-transparent, earthy yellow color, with golden mountain patterns flowing across it.

All friendly units within the area gain an astonishing -50% total damage reduction, while their resistance to all abnormal statuses such as poison, stun, burn, and freeze is greatly increased.

Alternatively, the power of the domain can be highly concentrated to grant "Black Tortoise Holy Shield" to up to five friendly targets. The Holy Shield is jet black with golden tortoise shell patterns on its surface, providing up to 80% additional defense.

Even more powerful is that while the Divine Shield is active, all healing received by the target is increased by 100%—meaning the healing Soul Skill is doubled!

The Black Tortoise Holy Shield lasts for 1 minute, or until it is broken.

Yan Zu first released the Mountain-Suppressing Auspicious Shield, an earthen-yellow light barrier enveloping the three of them. Dugu Bo, sensing the shield's effect, exclaimed in amazement, "This defense—it's practically comparable to the Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul Martial Soul Avatar, of a top-tier Defense System Soul Master!"

Dugu Yan also felt her defenses greatly increased, as if she had put on an invisible layer of heavy armor.

Next, Yan Zu cast the Black Tortoise Holy Shield on Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan respectively. The dark black light shield covered the two of them, and combined with the effect of the Mountain-Suppressing Auspicious Shield, it made their defense reach a terrifying level.

"Yanyan, try attacking me with your Fourth Soul Skill," Dugu Bo said.

Dugu Yan nodded, Fourth Soul Ring lit up. "Fourth Soul Skill - Poison Dragon's Wrath!"

The dark green dragon lizard phantom bombarded Dugu Bo, but with double defense, the dragon lizard's power was weakened by more than 80%! The remaining power couldn't even make Dugu Bo take a single step back.

"This defense—it's too strong," Dugu Yan exclaimed in shock.

Dugu Bo carefully sensed the Black Tortoise Holy Shield on his body. "Not only is the defense powerful, but I can also feel that if I am injured, the effect of my healing Soul Skill will be greatly enhanced. Yan Zu, your Fifth Soul Skill is simply a divine skill born for team battles!"

Little Jade exclaimed excitedly, "Brother—amazing!"

It seemed to want to express more, but with a limited vocabulary, it could only look at Yan Zu with simple words and an admiring gaze.

Yan Zu smiled and patted Little Jade's head, "You're very capable too."

Little Jade Green, perched on Dugu Yan's shoulder, peeked out. Upon seeing Little Jade, it instinctively shrank back – a natural awe that Soul Beast has for the bloodline of Auspicious Beast.

Yan Zu: "We'll need time to familiarize ourselves with and solidify our skills. But before that, let's head back to Heaven Dou City."

The three people and two Soul Spirit stayed on the Auspicious Peak for a day, allowing Yan Zu and Dugu Yan to adapt to their newly acquired power.

During this time, Little Jade kept trying to speak, and although it was still intermittent, she was already able to express some simple meanings.

"Brother----Hungry----"

"Little Jade ----sleepy----"

"I like----brother----"

Every innocent word warmed Yan Zu's heart. He knew that from now on, he not only had partners to fight alongside, but also family to communicate with.