After the two left, Jiang Yun looked at the three ladies—Medusa, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yixian—and sincerely reminded them, "Dragon blood is extremely potent; practice cautiously and do not act recklessly!"
"Got it, Brother Jiang Yun!" the two girls replied obediently, looking every bit like well-behaved sisters.
Medusa, on the other hand, shot Jiang Yun a glance, her body turning into an immense Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python. With a flick of her giant tail, she plunged into the dragon blood pool, causing towering waves.
"Glug glug."
The moment Medusa entered, the pool seemed to boil, bubbling furiously. Jiang Yun could sense that the entire pool's energy was being stirred.
"This one…" Jiang Yun, standing by the pool, could only shake his head, recalling Medusa's earlier glance.
"Brother Jiang Yun is such a perv!" Qing Lin and Xiao Yixian giggled as they watched. Qing Lin even made a playful face at Jiang Yun.
"You little brat, you're asking for it!" Jiang Yun's face darkened as he pointed at Qing Lin in mock anger.
"Bleh!" Qing Lin made a funny face and then leaped into the dragon blood pool, turning into a streak of light.
"You really escaped fast!"
"You are indeed a hidden pervert!" Xiao Yixian approached Jiang Yun, her words catching him off guard.
Before he could respond, she too had jumped into the dragon blood pool.
"Am I officially certified now?" Jiang Yun thought, touching his nose in contemplation as he looked at the now calm pool.
Banishing distracting thoughts, he turned into a blur and plunged into the pool himself.
Splash!
The crimson water splashed, each drop seemingly as heavy as a thousand catties, causing waves to form. Upon entering, Jiang Yun felt his body grow heavy as the water pressed onto him like a mountain, causing a stinging sensation in his muscles.
Unfazed, Jiang Yun slowly sank to the deepest parts of the pool where the pressure was greatest. The energy weighed down on him, causing tiny cracks on his skin.
Amid the immense pressure, Jiang Yun opened his arms, forming hand seals, and started to draw in energy.
Buzz!
A massive vortex formed at the bottom of the pool, the crimson water swirling around him, rich energy seeping into his body through his pores, causing bright purple radiance to emanate and a faint dragon roar to be heard.
Dragon patterns began to appear on his skin but quickly disappeared as nine galaxy-like lights within him shone, as if the previous vision was just an illusion.
Rich energy seeped into his muscles, causing them to squirm and strengthen.
Time flew by as Jiang Yun and the others immersed themselves in their practice.
Who knew how long had passed? Jiang Yun's flesh now glowed faintly purple, an intense vitality exuding from within him. Purple light flickered on his skin, gradually focusing on his arms, forming delicate purple-gold scales.
His entire body seemed to undergo a tremendous transformation.
Boom!
Brilliant light shot out from Jiang Yun's eyes. A black figure soared out of the calm pool.
He let out a mighty roar that was accompanied by a dragon's roar. Dense Dou Qi surrounded him, forming a colossal dragon shadow behind him, creating an intimidating atmosphere.
Suspended mid-air, the black-robed figure exuded unparalleled dominance, a black-and-white dragon shadow following like a deity.
"Four-star Dou Zun!"
Jiang Yun gazed at his clenched fists, feeling an overwhelming surge of power within him. One outburst could cause heaven and earth to collapse.
With his power greatly increased, Jiang Yun was in high spirits, his gaze sweeping over the pool where three streams of energy fluctuated, ready to emerge.
After some thought, Jiang Yun gently landed on the ground. The massive dragon shadow coiled behind him, eventually merging into his body and vanishing.
Landing on the ground, Jiang Yun took out a pitch-black scroll and began studying it while waiting for Medusa and the others to finish.
The scroll contained the method of resurrection. Tianhuo Zun-zhe had been in his possession for a while now, and he wanted to revive him.
Considering their rapidly rising strength, a Dou Zun was now somewhat dispensable. However, having promised, Jiang Yun intended to fulfill his commitment.
Retrieving a pure white ring, Jiang Yun lifted its seal, releasing a mist that formed Tianhuo Zun-zhe's figure, who looked around in bewilderment. Upon sensing Jiang Yun's potent aura, he was astonished.
"Have you broken through to Dou Zun, young friend?" Though Tianhuo Zun-zhe couldn't gauge Jiang Yun's precise level, his strength clearly surpassed his own peak.
"Many things happened since then. Now, it's time to fulfill my promise," Jiang Yun said, indirectly confirming Tianhuo Zun-zhe's guess, who felt both deep gratitude and reverence.
"Great kindness needs no thanks. I will remember this always," Tianhuo Zun-zhe said solemnly.
Jiang Yun smiled as he handed him a two-colored Soul Bone Fusion Pill. Receiving the pill, Tianhuo Zun-zhe pressed his fingers to his forehead, pulling out a thread of soul, which floated towards Jiang Yun.
With a gesture, Jiang Yun produced the prepared body of an unknown Dou Zun, provided by the ancient Dragon Clan.
He guided the soul thread into the body and took out a jade bottle filled with purple-red dragon blood, exuding fierce energy. Crushing the bottle, the blood spread and began corroding the body.
Summoning the Undying Sacred Flame, Jiang Yun enveloped the body, allowing the essence to seep into it until the corroded parts regained vitality.
Gradually, the soul's essence caused the body's tissues to regrow. Finally, the body's eyes opened, revealing a spark of life.
"Now!" Jiang Yun commanded, and Tianhuo Zun-zhe, bolstered by the pill, integrated with the body. A dark-red ripple spread, revitalizing the body's tissues.
"Next, I'll use the power of fire to temper the body. Stay focused to gain control," Jiang Yun reminded, enhancing the white flames around the body. Over two days, the body continually regrew and integrated, ultimately taking Tianhuo Zun-zhe's form.
A vast aura emerged as Tianhuo Zun-zhe, fully restored, broke free from the flames, now a six-star Dou Zun.
"Thank you, young friend!" Tianhuo Zun-zhe gratefully exclaimed.
Unconcerned, Jiang Yun, now meditating, observed the balance of life and death within himself, gaining deeper insights into the mysteries of his flame.
While Tianhuo Zun-zhe guarded, the surrounding space seemed to suppress even him. An unsettling aura emanated from the pool, reminding him of a primordial beast.
"What is this place?" he mumbled, trusting Jiang Yun's judgment.
In the silence, soft footsteps approached with a seductive fragrance.
"Who are you?" Medusa, who suddenly appeared, coldly asked Tianhuo Zun-zhe.
"I'm Yao Tianhuo, revived by Jiang Yun," he quickly explained.
Medusa nodded slightly, remaining by Jiang Yun's side.
Tianhuo Zun-zhe, relieved but wary, realized the formidable power of Jiang Yun's associates.
"Seems like you've gained a lot!"
Time passed. Having broken through to Five-Star Dou Zun, Jiang Yun saw Medusa who had also emerged, now a Seven-Star Dou Zun.
"The ancient Dragon Clan's bloodline strengthened me physically and stimulated my bloodline, raising my power," she affirmed.
"Good. The Nine Nether Earth Python's lair holds a crucial opportunity. It's vital you grow stronger," Jiang Yun stated seriously.
"Understood!" Medusa nodded agreeably.
"Congratulations on your progress!" Tianhuo Zun-zhe interjected.
With some explanations, Jiang Yun eased the tension, allowing a semblance of peace.
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