Chapter 72: Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon
Having just gone through a battle, the two of them no longer had the inclination to continue resting.
Sitting by the campfire, Lin Yang tended to Dugu Yan's wounds.
First, he cleaned the dirt from the wounds, then sprinkled medicinal powder, and finally wrapped them with bandages.
Lin Yang had done these procedures countless times; he was practically an expert at it.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan stared intently at his calm and unhurried movements.
They say a serious man is the most handsome!
It was as if this saying had manifested itself at this very moment.
In her eyes, Lin Yang seemed to be shrouded in a unique radiance.
Especially in the moments when Lin Yang accidentally brushed against her.
The occasional skin contact caused her heart to skip a beat for no reason, her cheeks to flush, and a strange heat to surge through her entire body.
This unfamiliar feeling was an experience she hadn't had in the past dozen or so years of her life.
The more she tried to calm herself down, the more that heat lingered, making her feel restless all over.
"Done!"
Lin Yang clapped his hands, his eyes full of satisfaction with his handiwork.
The sound instantly pulled Dugu Yan back to reality. Looking at her bandaged arms, she actually felt a bit of reluctance.
As soon as this thought surfaced, Dugu Yan cursed herself inwardly.
How shameless; Lin Yang is several years younger than you.
She quickly suppressed those messy thoughts deep in her heart and tried to maintain a nonchalant expression.
"Thanks, Younger Brother Lin Yang!"
"You're welcome, Senior."
Lin Yang nodded and began packing up the remaining powder and bandages.
He didn't notice Dugu Yan's rather dramatic internal monologue at all.
"Tch, blockhead!"
Dugu Yan muttered softly.
Lin Yang looked up: "What?"
"Nothing," Dugu Yan's expression turned serious, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation as she said,
"Lin Yang, we've shared life and death now. Calling me'Senior' is too formal. Why don't you call me Yanzi from now on? That's what people close to me call me."
Lin Yang was taken aback, then a smile appeared on his face: "Sure, then I'll take advantage of that."
Although his physical age was young, his psychological age was much older than Dugu Yan's, so calling her "Yanzi" came with no Spiritual burden at all.
Seeing that Lin Yang didn't refuse at all, Dugu Yan's eyes curved into crescents; she was clearly in a very good mood.
Even though it was just a name, it at least helped bridge the age "generation gap" between them.
As for why she was doing this?
Because she liked him, of course!
Even though this was only their second meeting, it didn't stop her from falling for the youth before her.
Handsome, powerful, steady, and attentive—even an old fogey like her grandfather highly approved of him.
With all these virtues concentrated in one person, what reason did she have not to be moved?
If you like someone, go after them boldly; being coy was not her style.
However, while one should be bold in strategy, the tactics required a gradual approach.
She didn't want to scare Lin Yang away; that would be counterproductive.
The night was long, and Dugu Yan took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Lin Yang, who was happy to chat with her.
The two talked about many things, from the past to the future, from ideals to reality, saying whatever came to mind. The atmosphere between them was light and cheerful.
The campfire crackled, and moonlight filtered through the woods.
If not for the lingering traces of battle nearby, one might truly think they were out on a camping trip.
Before they knew it, the eastern horizon began to pale with the first light of dawn.
Lin Yang stood up and stretched his body.
"It's about time. We should get moving and try to find a suitable Soul Beast today."
Dugu Yan also stood up and stretched, her slender waist tracing a perfect curve.
"Let's go!"
The two extinguished the fire, briefly packed their things, and set out again, heading deeper into the forest.
An hour later, the sun had fully risen. The previously quiet forest seemed to wake from its slumber, radiating a sense of vitality.
The two continued their search for Soul Beasts. After walking for a short while, Lin Yang suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Dugu Yan stopped as well.
Lin Yang didn't answer; instead, his nose twitched slightly.
Soon, as a light breeze blew, Lin Yang noticed a fishy-sweet scent suddenly permeating the air.
The scent was faint, but it was undoubtedly some kind of toxin.
With the Transparent World activated, Lin Yang could clearly "see" thin wisps of energy fluctuations being "blown" along with the wind.
"Yanzi, I've found something."
After saying that, Lin Yang's figure blurred as he took the lead, dashing in one direction. Dugu Yan followed closely without a word.
The two traversed about four or five kilometers through the woods before finally stopping in front of a swamp.
The air here had turned a pale green, filled with toxic miasma.
If an ordinary person were in this environment, they would be bleeding from their seven orifices and dead in no time.
However, Lin Yang's Demon God Body was completely unafraid of deadly poisons.
Dugu Yan was even less of a concern; poison was her foundation, not to mention she had already taken a Poison-Avoidance Pill.
Soon, as if sensing uninvited guests intruding upon its territory, the rotting mud began to churn, and a massive head emerged from the swamp.
As the head rose higher, its long body was pulled from the mud. Its upright upper body alone was a full seven or eight zhang tall, its cold gaze looking down at the two below.
Because of this, Lin Yang and Dugu Yan were able to see the full appearance of this Soul Beast.
The Soul Beast resembled a giant python, its emerald-green vertical pupils glinting with cold murderous intent. When it opened its mouth, it was filled with rows of dense fangs.
Its body was exceptionally thick, covered entirely in greenish-blue scales, with faint purple patterns visible between the scales.
Most uniquely, a single horn grew from the top of its head.
It looked somewhat mismatched.
However, Lin Yang still recognized the identity of this Soul Beast: "This should be... a Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon."
Although the Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon was called a dragon, it was actually more like a python. It possessed a trace of the Dragon Clan Bloodline and was considered a thin-blooded Sub-Dragon Species.
Bone-Corroding Viper Dragons under ten thousand years old have greenish-blue scales with purple patterns. The more purple patterns, the higher the age.
Upon reaching ten thousand years, the scales become purple with black patterns. The more black patterns, the higher the age.
The one before them was clearly a greenish-blue scaled Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon. Judging by the patterns, its age was roughly between 3,200 and 3,500 years.
For a third Soul Ring, this age was already considered an over-limit ring, but for Dugu Yan, it was just right.
Before Lin Yang could explain further, the Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon couldn't wait and began its attack.
Its long body lunged forward like a moving train, carrying a terrifying momentum. It opened its bloody maw and lunged straight at the two of them.
Lin Yang frowned and stomped heavily. The ground instantly exploded into a deep pit, mud splattering everywhere.
Using the recoil, Lin Yang soared into the air, his body like an arrow released from a bow, charging straight at the Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon's head.
In mid-air, Lin Yang clenched his right fist and landed a solid blow right on the greenish-blue Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon's head.
Bang!
A dull impact sound boomed. The Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon was hit so hard it saw stars, and its long snout let out a pained hiss.
With another punch, the Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon's eyes rolled back, and it directly fainted.
Casually tossing the Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon aside, Dugu Yan now understood Lin Yang's intention.
"I'm going to absorb its Soul Ring?"
"Yes," Lin Yang nodded.
"Although this Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon's age is slightly high, the earth dragon golden melon you consumed gave you a trace of Dragon Might."
"Dragon Might naturally suppresses the Bone-Corroding Viper Dragon, and the Soul Ring obtained will further release the potential of your Martial Soul, so..."
"Alright, then this is the one," Dugu Yan nodded without hesitation.
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