"Looks like the old monster really likes it here," Gu Rong commented with a smile.
"After all, Grandpa has always loved studying poisons. Seeing so many rare venomous insects here, of course he can't bear to leave," Dugu Yan said a bit sheepishly.
Dugu Bo quickly caught several of the poisonous insects, carefully storing them in jars and bottles, which he then placed into his soul tool designed for holding living creatures. Only then did he rise, his gaze meeting the expectant looks of the others.
He didn't feel awkward at all. Without hesitation, he pulled a jade bottle from his storage tool and poured out four pills, tossing them to Xu Yang and the others.
"These are antidote pills I made. They'll protect you from the toxins in this marsh."
Everyone caught their pill and popped it into their mouth.
As the continent's preeminent poison master, Dugu Bo's expertise in toxins was unmatched. Dealing with the poisonous miasma here was trivial for him. With that settled, the group ventured deeper into the marshlands, seeking their target soul beast: the Ten-thousand-year Cataclysmic Fire Scorpion.
As one of the dominant soul beasts of the poison marsh, the Cataclysmic Fire Scorpion was a crimson, venomous scorpion with massive, razor-sharp pincers and a tail extending over five meters, its deadliest weapon.
Unfortunately for it, it was facing two Titled Douluo.
Upon entering the marsh, Gu Rong and Dugu Bo didn't bother with subtlety. Relying on their mastery of soul power, they quickly pinpointed all the ten-thousand-year soul beasts present. With a surge of Titled Douluo-level soul power, they blasted the beasts into the air.
"Third one to the left—that should be our target!" Gu Rong pointed out, eyes gleaming as he spotted the Cataclysmic Fire Scorpion.
"I didn't need your reminder—I see it too," Dugu Bo grumbled, rolling his eyes.
In a flash, he appeared above the scorpion, his right hand forming a blade. With three swift strikes, he severed the creature's pincers and tail. Then, with a heavy punch, he knocked it unconscious.
Carrying the limp scorpion, Dugu Bo returned to Dugu Yan's side and dropped it at her feet.
"Yan'er, finish it off. But when you absorb its ring, don't try to act tough. Understood?"
"Got it!" Dugu Yan nodded solemnly. She drew a long knife from her sleeve and ended the scorpion's life. A dark, dusky soul ring formed above its body. However, she didn't absorb it immediately. Instead, she sat cross-legged to meditate and stabilize her condition.
Unlike Xu Yang, though she had taken immortal herbs and achieved a six-thousand-year third ring, Dugu Yan's spiritual strength was far inferior to his. She couldn't guarantee she could withstand the soul shock from absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring. Careful preparation was crucial.
After all, a soul ring wouldn't dissipate for quite some time.
Roughly twenty minutes later, Dugu Yan opened her eyes and began drawing the ring's energy into her body.
The moment it entered her, her expression contorted in pain. Veins bulged across her skin, her complexion turned red, and violent soul power surged from her pores. Faint traces of blood even seeped from her skin.
"Yan'er!" Xu Yang, deeply concerned, activated his Sun Golden Eyes, monitoring her internal soul power flow for any signs of danger.
Dugu Bo was equally worried. He turned to Gu Rong and said, "Old Bone, I owe you one. If Yan'er can't withstand it, I'll need your help."
"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to her," Gu Rong promised.
As a Super Douluo, Gu Rong was the best candidate to intervene. His superior cultivation would minimize the damage if he had to forcibly interrupt the absorption process.
Dugu Yan maintained her pained expression, but thankfully, her condition gradually stabilized. Her soul power smoothed out, and her dragon aura grew steadily stronger.
Though the Cataclysmic Fire Scorpion was a scorpion, it possessed dense dragon blood, classifying it as a sub-dragon species.
Dugu Yan's martial soul was a Horned Dragon. Absorbing the scorpion's ring would further enhance her martial soul, similar to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul.
Xu Yang, observing through his Sun Golden Eyes, finally felt relieved. Inside her, the soul power was now flowing in an orderly manner, integrating the soul ring's energy and reinforcing her body and spirit.
She had passed the most critical phase. The path ahead would be smooth—at least until she aimed for a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Dugu Bo remained at her side, ready to act if needed. Though the medicinal effects of the Land Dragon Golden Melon had eased the burden on her body, the mental impact was something only she could endure.
Time passed. After nearly two hours, Dugu Yan's pained expression finally softened. Her breathing became calm and steady. She had made it through the soul shock and was now fully absorbing the soul ring.
At last, the group relaxed, waiting for her to awaken.
Another hour passed before Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes. She looked excitedly at Dugu Bo and exclaimed:
"Grandfather, I did it!"
As she spoke, her four soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, and black—appeared at her feet. Facing a nearby tree, she unleashed a breath of crimson mist.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Jade-Scaled Fire Venom!"
The high-temperature venom instantly ignited the tree, burning it to ash. The trunk, riddled with countless small holes, showed the mist's corrosive nature.
"Excellent! The power is impressive. This is a great soul skill," Dugu Bo said approvingly.
Though he didn't personally possess this kind of venom, it didn't stop him from appreciating its effects.
Fire venom differed from ordinary poisons. Its destructive power targeted meridians, consuming soul power to grow stronger and resisting removal. Prolonged exposure could degrade a soul master's cultivation, even crippling them or ending their life.
Though it might seem less potent at first glance, to soul masters, it was deadly. The venom attacked their cultivation directly, and without specialized countermeasures, it could prevent future breakthroughs—an outcome far more terrifying than simple death.
Moreover, the venom could also temporarily enhance a soul master's speed, strength, and defense, all while harnessing high temperatures. It was an exceptionally versatile skill.
A rare and powerful ten-thousand-year soul skill.
"Not only that," Dugu Yan continued, "but my soul power has reached Rank 42. My physique feels 50% stronger, and my cultivation speed has noticeably improved."
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin