"Ahem… Old monster, I was in a rush. Coming directly in like this was just more convenient, right?" Su Ming said as he removed his mask.
"Go on, you little monster; you wouldn't show up for nothing. You must need something, don't you?" Dugu Bo asked curiously.
"Tsk, old monster, you've got it wrong this time. Look, I actually came bearing a gift for you," Su Ming said, tossing a golden orb to him.
The moment the golden orb appeared, Dugu Bo caught the scent of something similar to his own aura. Looking closer, he recognized it as the Golden Sacred Dragon of the Golden Iron Triangle.
But why was it so small, and how did Su Ming get his hands on it?
"Little monster, this is…"
Su Ming briefly recounted what had happened earlier that night.
Dugu Bo listened, his mouth twitching in sympathy for Yu Xiaogang, who had fallen from heaven to hell in an instant—a devastating experience.
However, extracting bloodlines… Wasn't this something Su Ming had previously said was an ability of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass?
"Little monster, don't let this lead you astray," Dugu Bo cautioned him.
"Hahaha, old monster, what do you take me for? I used a special method to make this possible, and it wasn't easy. I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble if it weren't to improve your strength," Su Ming said with a smirk.
"Besides, leaving the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline with that useless Yu Xiaogang would've been a complete waste. I'd rather extract it and let you absorb it."
Though convinced by Su Ming's words, Dugu Bo was still skeptical. Techniques like this were, in his knowledge, only accessible to evil soul masters.
Seeing Dugu Bo's doubtful expression, Su Ming had an idea and came up with a plausible explanation.
"Old monster, aren't you at all curious about the techniques I use for cultivation?"
"Huh?" Dugu Bo was puzzled, not understanding where this was going.
"Isn't your technique just the 'Ripple Steps'?"
Su Ming sighed. "Oh, old monster, you've been practicing the Heavenly Poison Manual for so long; do you seriously think Ripple Steps is my cultivation technique? It's merely a footwork technique. It's unique in that each use increases the user's soul power, gradually advancing their cultivation."
"Also, I'm the one who gave you the Heavenly Poison Manual, so why wouldn't I have other techniques?"
Dugu Bo blushed slightly, realizing he might have been mistaken.
"The technique I practice is called the Yimu Azure Dragon Manual. Its main function is to enhance my martial soul's life force and cultivation speed. It also has another feature—it lets me generate traces of Azure Dragon bloodline in my body, which grows stronger with each bit of cultivation."
"A while back, I sensed something unusual about Yu Xiaogang's martial soul, probably because the Azure Dragon bloodline in me had reached a certain level," Su Ming continued, although he was just making things up. His Azure Dragon bloodline didn't actually have such abilities.
After his training, Su Ming's Azure Dragon bloodline had reached about 20%, but the progress was somewhat slow.
Of course, this bloodline mainly merged with his martial soul, so he was still fundamentally human.
He had even wondered if his martial soul, with the help of a Martial Soul Evolution Card, might evolve into something related to the Azure Dragon.
In the next moment, Dugu Bo felt an overwhelming sense of suppression—not soul power pressure but the innate dominance of a higher being over a lower one. He could sense that both his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor and the Golden Sacred Dragon were trembling.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened in shock. "Is this the Azure Dragon bloodline you mentioned? The Azure Dragon? Why have I never heard of it?"
"My Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor and the Golden Sacred Dragon are both top-tier martial souls. Just the presence of your Azure Dragon bloodline makes them afraid?"
Seeing Dugu Bo's expression, Su Ming couldn't help but smile.
"Ahem, old monster, now do you believe me? The reason I could extract the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline is thanks to the secret techniques recorded in my cultivation method. But it takes a lot out of me. Anyway, since Bibi Dong had already ruined Yu Xiaogang's cultivation, leaving him with the bloodline would've been pointless. Might as well give it to you!"
"Luckily, Tang San never absorbed Yu Xiaogang's soul power or bloodline; otherwise, with his sharp mind, he would've noticed the unusual nature of the bloodline. This worked out well for us."
Finally, Dugu Bo believed Su Ming's words, though they were somewhat incredible.
Su Ming's martial soul was clearly wood-elemental, yet his technique seemed to have granted him a hint of the Azure Dragon's aura.
Since the wood element was a part of nature with no specific form, it had somehow evolved into this. Su Ming had even reached level 65, which led Dugu Bo to wonder if there would be a qualitative leap when Su Ming acquired his seventh soul ring.
Perhaps he'd even gain a domain or evolve the wood element further?
This made him more curious than ever.
"Alright, enough talk, old monster. Hurry up and absorb it. Who knows, maybe your Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor will evolve into a Golden Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor? Though that name sounds a bit tacky," Su Ming joked.
Dugu Bo ignored Su Ming's teasing. If his martial soul really did evolve, it would surely get a better name.
Su Ming's gesture genuinely moved Dugu Bo. The fact that Su Ming thought of him first when he had something beneficial made their friendship worth it.
Though he hadn't initially befriended Su Ming for such benefits, he couldn't deny how rewarding it had turned out to be.
"Little monster, stay here and guard me."
With that, Dugu Bo summoned his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor and began absorbing the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline.
Su Ming glanced at the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline in Dugu Bo's hand and murmured, "You're better off merging with the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor than remaining as Yu Xiaogang's martial soul."
Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline: Do I have a choice?
Su Ming: Nope.
Just in case, Su Ming put up a protective barrier. But then he sensed Chrysanthemum Douluo's presence outside. Why was he here again?
Does Chrysanthemum Douluo have to visit in the middle of the night? Does he not sleep?
With a quick teleport, Su Ming brought Chrysanthemum Douluo into the room, giving him an exasperated look.
Looking at Chrysanthemum Douluo, Su Ming said with some exasperation, "Elder Chrysanthemum, haven't I already told you not to come looking for me in the middle of the night? Do you and Elder Ghost not need sleep?"
"Ahem… Su Ming, please forgive me. Both Elder Ghost and I are busy managing the tournament during the day, and you've seen the Pope's recent actions. I'm only free at night," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied, a bit embarrassed.
In truth, he hadn't wanted to bother Su Ming at night, but it was the only time he was available.
Besides, he'd hidden his aura so well, yet Su Ming had detected him immediately and even teleported him directly into the room without him noticing.
This made Chrysanthemum Douluo feel even more respect for Su Ming, as he wondered if the young lord could even match Su Ming's abilities.
At that moment, he noticed Dugu Bo behind Su Ming, who seemed to be absorbing something familiar—was that the Golden Sacred Dragon?
Momentarily forgetting his reason for being there, Chrysanthemum Douluo whispered, "Su Ming, is the old poison absorbing…"
"Oh? He's absorbing the Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline. His strength should improve another level after this," Su Ming replied casually.
Hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo was shaken. The Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline—it had to be something Su Ming had given him.
Instantly, he felt a twinge of envy toward Dugu Bo. Having a friend like Su Ming was truly a blessing.
As for how Su Ming acquired the bloodline, Chrysanthemum Douluo wasn't too concerned; he had a good guess. The only Golden Sacred Dragon known on the continent was the one used in the Golden Iron Triangle's trinity martial soul fusion technique.
So, he figured this must have come from Yu Xiaogang. Poor Yu Xiaogang—just recently humiliated by the Pope, and now Su Ming had dealt him another blow.
Noticing Chrysanthemum Douluo's strange expression, Su Ming didn't mind and directly asked, "Elder Chrysanthemum, what brings you here so late?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo collected himself and said cautiously, "I have a rather bold request, though I'm not sure if I should mention it…"
Su Ming teased, "If it's that bold, maybe you shouldn't say it."
Chrysanthemum Douluo: …
This guy, Su Ming, doesn't play by the usual rules, does he? Chrysanthemum Douluo had only been using a polite phrase, but now he felt stuck, awkwardly scratching his head.
"Hahaha, I'm just kidding. Don't take it personally, Elder Chrysanthemum. Go ahead—what's on your mind?"
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo's embarrassment, Su Ming couldn't help but chuckle.
Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed in relief. "Su Ming, I noticed that Elder Ghost recently took Zhu Zhuqing as his disciple. It got me thinking, and I'd like to take Xiao Wu as my disciple. I sensed the aura of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red on her—it would make her an ideal student for me."
Su Ming: …
"That's it?" Su Ming asked with a smirk.
Though Chrysanthemum Douluo's reason seemed reasonable—Elder Ghost had taken on a disciple, so it was fair for him to want one too—Su Ming doubted this was his only motive. The request was just a bit too obvious.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, did Elder Ghost tell you something after he returned from the Death Canyon? Is that why you're interested in taking Xiao Wu as your disciple? You want a closer connection and access to immortal herbs?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo was taken aback. Su Ming had hit the nail on the head. He had indeed thought that if Xiao Wu became his disciple, Su Ming might be more inclined to give him an immortal herb.
Of course, he was sincere in his intention to teach and protect Xiao Wu, just as Elder Ghost was doing for Zhu Zhuqing.
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo's embarrassment, Su Ming continued, "Elder Chrysanthemum, I don't mind your motives. However, Elder Ghost is teaching Zhu Zhuqing all of his skills, including his masterful stealth and assassination techniques. If Xiao Wu becomes your disciple, what can she learn from you?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo: …
Su Ming's question stumped him. His martial soul was the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, and his main hobby was studying plants, which had little relevance to Xiao Wu's martial soul. What could he possibly teach her?
After a long pause, Chrysanthemum Douluo awkwardly replied, "Well… as her teacher, I'd… protect her, and I'd ensure she acquires the most suitable soul rings."
Su Ming: …
That comment was a bit off the mark. Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form, so Chrysanthemum Douluo's words, though well-intentioned, weren't entirely appropriate. If he said that in front of Xiao Wu, it would not end well.
Besides, Xiao Wu's fifth soul ring was already sixty-thousand years old, and her sixth soul ring would be her life-bound soul ring. Given her physique, she would likely be able to condense a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
As for the seventh ring, it could be even older—at least over a hundred-thousand years.
It wasn't that Su Ming looked down on Chrysanthemum Douluo, but with his current strength, he'd struggle to take down even a standard hundred-thousand-year soul beast alone, let alone a soul beast older than that. Such beasts were rare and often lived in dangerous territories—death zones where Chrysanthemum Douluo would hardly survive.
The best approach for Xiao Wu would be to absorb a god-given soul ring, of which Su Ming had accumulated enough over the years for her future use.
On second thought, although Xiao Wu didn't really need Chrysanthemum Douluo's teaching, it wouldn't hurt to have a Titled Douluo's backing. Once Xiao Wu joined Spirit Hall, it would discourage troublemakers and save her from unnecessary hassle.
Moreover, Chrysanthemum Douluo's request showed his sincerity. For a Titled Douluo to lower himself like this was no small gesture.
"Fine, I have no objections. I don't expect Elder Chrysanthemum to teach her much; I just hope you'll fulfill a teacher's duty like Elder Ghost does. I'll speak with Xiao Wu about it tomorrow, and after the Soul Master Tournament, you can find an opportunity to formally take her as your disciple."
Chrysanthemum Douluo was thrilled, despite the hint of disdain in Su Ming's tone. He didn't mind at all; unlike Elder Ghost, he couldn't teach Xiao Wu much beyond protecting her.
Just as Su Ming and Chrysanthemum Douluo concluded their conversation, a sudden surge of energy emanated from Dugu Bo. His Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor was enveloped in golden light, undergoing a transformation!
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