Chapter 83 Dugu Yan obtains the immortal herb, a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast
As time went by, those few barrels of precious, top-grade whale glue were rapidly decreasing.
Having already overcome his psychological hurdle, Ye Liuyun simply sat cross-legged with a blank expression and forced himself to endure it.
Each time the medication took effect, it reshaped his meridians and tested his will.
Inside the stone house not far away.
"Hmm..."
Low, suppressed groans occasionally escaped through the crack in the door.
Dugu Yan locked herself in her room and endured it all alone.
She was no longer flustered, after all, this wasn't her first time experiencing this kind of cultivation.
Finally, on the morning of the third day.
As a surge of emerald-green soul power erupted from the stone house like a tide and then instantly subsided, Dugu Yan pushed open the door and stepped out.
Although her face was still a little pale, her eyes were brighter than ever before.
Level 40.
She finally crossed that threshold, just one step away from the goal.
Ye Liuyun was standing by the Yin Yang Ice and Fire Eyes, and the Dew of Longing for Autumn Water in his hand had only one crystal-clear leaf left.
As the herb entered his throat, Ye Liuyun felt a cool, explosive sensation deep within his brain.
His already keen senses were amplified at this moment. The breathing sounds of the surrounding immortal herbs, Dugu Bo's deep breathing, and even the flow of every strand of soul power in the air became clearly visible to him.
This immortal herb didn't add soul power, but it gave him the spiritual power he needed most at the moment.
It's good that it can withstand the mental impact of a ten-thousand-year-old soul ring.
"Ready?"
Dugu Bo sensed the commotion and came over.
"Um."
Ye Liuyun slowly opened his eyes, and the faint blue-gold color in his eyes gradually faded away.
"My physical strength is sufficient, and my spiritual sea is stable. I can begin searching for my fourth spirit ring."
He turned his head and looked at Dugu Yan walking towards him not far away.
Their eyes met. Dugu Yan, devoid of her usual spoiled manner, simply stood calmly three steps away from him, her tone so flat it was devoid of any inflection:
"I'm level 40 now too."
Dugu Bo looked at his granddaughter, who had reached level 40, with a look of great satisfaction in his eyes.
"Perfect timing, today I'll take the two of you to hunt for spirit rings."
"Have you decided what kind of soul beast you want? While this old man is still alive, you can choose any ten-thousand-year-old soul beast in this Star Dou Forest."
Ye Liuyun's expression remained calm as he gazed into the distance.
"I need plant-type soul beasts that are over 10,000 years old, the stronger their vitality the better."
The soul vibration of a ten-thousand-year-old plant-type soul beast is relatively mild and most compatible with its origin, which can enhance its vitality to the maximum extent.
Dugu Bo nodded, then turned to look at his granddaughter:
"Yanyan, what about you? With your current physical strength, plus the tempering you've been undergoing these past few days, you could appropriately seek a soul ring that exceeds the normal lifespan."
A hint of struggle flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes.
As a Soul Master, of course you want the most powerful soul rings, but the thought of the legendary terrifying mental impact of a ten-thousand-year soul ring is unbearable.
"I...I just need one that's about eight thousand years old."
Dugu Yan lowered her eyes, her tone somewhat dejected.
"I'm not confident about the mental impact of a ten-thousand-year-old soul ring. Taking a steady and cautious approach is the safest way."
Ye Liuyun sat on a stone bench to the side. Upon hearing this, he touched the storage soul tool that Dugu Bo had given him.
A strange herb, emitting a faint purple light and bearing nine translucent leaves that resembled apertures, appeared in his hand.
With the appearance of this plant, the previously turbulent air around seemed to calm down.
"This is the Nine Apertures Calming Flower."
Ye Liuyun's voice rang out.
"Eating it will solidify your sea of consciousness and enhance your spiritual strength. Combined with your current physical condition, it will be enough to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring."
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were both stunned, not quite understanding.
This kind of treasure is best kept to yourself; why give it to them?
This is clearly not within the scope of the transaction.
Why are you giving me such a good thing?
Dugu Yan stared at Ye Liuyun, her tone puzzled.
She hadn't forgotten how coldly he had rejected the engagement a few days ago, nor had she forgotten the harsh words she had uttered.
Now that the other party has casually tossed her a magical herb, she feels awkward, wanting it but not wanting to accept it.
Ye Liuyun didn't look at her, but instead lowered his head to adjust the soul tool at his waist, and said matter-of-factly:
"For no reason."
"I took your grandfather's entire medicinal herb garden; this is an immense benefit."
"I act with a conscience, and this interest is what I should give you. I've said before, our transaction is mutually beneficial."
His words were straightforward and calm, as if he were stating something perfectly natural.
Dugu Yan clenched her fists, standing there somewhat conflicted.
She wanted to become stronger, but her pride from a few days ago made her feel that accepting this flower now would make her feel inferior to the other person.
"Take it."
Ye Liuyun stood up and directly placed the Nine Apertures Calming Flower into Dugu Yan's cold palm.
"Don't do something foolish just to save face."
"Your grandfather can't protect you forever. You have to become stronger to protect the people you care about."
These words struck Dugu Yan like a heavy blow, making her heart tremble.
She looked at the purple flower in her hand, then at the tall, straight back of the man who had already turned and walked to the side.
The initial feeling of grievance and bitterness unexpectedly transformed into an unprecedented driving force.
She looked at Ye Liuyun solemnly, her gaze intense:
"Once we both obtain our fourth spirit ring, I want to have a match with you."
Even if I'm no match for you, I'll still show you that I'm not a weakling.
Ye Liuyun felt like laughing and replied perfunctorily:
"Whatever."
Dugu Bo watched from the side, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, but he remained silent.
After Dugu Yan consumed the "Nine Apertures Calming Flower," her original spiritual sea became resilient and profound under the nourishment of the immortal herb.
Without any delay, the three immediately headed to the core restricted area of Star Dou Forest.
The core area of Star Dou Forest.
The trees here are so dense that they block out the sun, and the air is filled with a faint smell of decay and the fishy stench of unknown soul beasts.
In their search for the most suitable ten-thousand-year-old soul beast, the three ventured deeper and deeper, the roars emanating from all around growing heavier and more awe-inspiring.
Just then, Dugu Bo suddenly stopped, pressed his right hand down in the air, signaling the two to stop.
"boom--!!!"
A terrifying aura rose from the valley ahead like a volcanic eruption, and the surrounding temperature instantly dropped several degrees.
That was the absolute pressure emanating from the top predator.
A terrifying soul beast, over ten meters tall and covered in dark purple crystal armor, was staring coldly at them.
"Nearly 70,000 years old... Amethyst Spinosaurus."
Dugu Bo's expression was extremely solemn, his eyes revealing murderous intent, but even more so, concern.
"Kid, take Yanyan and get away from here!"
Dugu Bo said in a low voice.
"I'm not afraid of this beast, but the aftershocks of a fight would be too great, and I'm afraid it might hurt Yanyan. I'll come find you after I've killed this thing!"
Ye Liuyun nodded without uttering a word of nonsense, and with a swift movement of his right hand, he hoisted Dugu Yan onto his shoulder.
"Take care of yourself."
With just two simple words, his figure darted to the side like a phantom.
Two terrifying shockwaves collided violently behind them, causing the earth to tremble and the entire forest to erupt in chaos.
Countless high-level soul beasts scattered and fled under this world-destroying aura, forming a small soul beast tide.
Ye Liuyun navigated the rampaging beast tide with precision. Just as he landed on an ancient tree, he caught a glimpse of an unusual green light out of the corner of his eye.
It was a python that wasn't particularly large, but it was so fast that it almost left a trail of afterimages on the ground.
It didn't crawl; it was more like a sharp arrow flying close to the ground, and wherever it passed, the tree trunks were scraped and sparked by its hard scales.
"Instant Scale Earth Dragon Python."
Ye Liuyun's pupils contracted slightly as he instantly recognized this extremely rare species.
"Having just entered the ten-thousand-year era, you possess an extremely strong physique and excel at speed and explosive power. Dugu Yan, it's perfect for you."
Dugu Yan, perched on Ye Liuyun's shoulder, gazed at the ancient python exuding a violent aura, her heart pounding wildly.
"With Grandpa gone, how could we possibly kill a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast?"
"To decide, or to give up?"
Ye Liuyun did not slow down, his tone was stern, and he did not even turn around to look at her.
"If you hesitate any longer, it will run away."
Dugu Yan gritted her teeth, and in that instant, many things came to mind.
How can one be afraid in order to become stronger?
"I want it! I want it!"
"Do you have a sure-kill method?"
Ye Liuyun asked in a cold voice.
"If it launches a counterattack in its death throes, I can't guarantee I can protect you."
A ruthless glint flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes as she pulled a pitch-black short sword from her soul tool.
That was the "Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's Essence Blood" personally refined by Dugu Bo, a deadly poison even for a Title Douluo, capable of killing on contact with blood.
"I have!"
"That's good."
Before he finished speaking, Ye Liuyun's aura changed.
"Buzz—!"
An aura of desolation and immortality instantly spread from his left arm.
His left arm was instantly covered by a layer of crystalline blue armor. It was not Blue Silver Grass, but a true soul bone—the Immortal Azure Emperor Armor.
"Soul Bone Skill: Withering!"
The Instant Scale Earth Dragon Python was using Dugu Bo's imposing aura to escape, never expecting anyone would dare to intercept and kill it.
Just as it burst out of the bushes, Ye Liuyun descended from the sky.
"Die."
The iron fist covered in the Azure Emperor Armor, accompanied by the "Withering" effect that caused life force to wither, struck the giant python's skull with unerring accuracy.
The bones gradually become fragile under the influence of the decay effect.
Its hardness is incomparable to that of the Immortal Azure Emperor Armor, a top-grade soul bone.
"Snap!"
The sound of bones breaking was crisp and piercing.
The earth dragon python let out a shrill wail, its body twisting wildly in agony.
"Let's do it!"
Without any hesitation, Dugu Yan shot out like an arrow.
The poisoned dagger in her hand transformed into a streak of black light, ruthlessly piercing into the giant python's brain along the crack created by Ye Liuyun.
"hiss--!!!"
The giant python froze for a moment, its eyes quickly dilating, before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Don't space out."
Ye Liuyun landed and slammed his right hand into the ground.
"The Tree Realm has descended."
Countless thick blue silver grasses sprouted from the ground like angry dragons, not only tightly binding the corpse of the earth dragon python, but also forming a huge hemispherical sphere around it.
Immediately afterwards, Ye Liuyun manipulated his soul power, swirling up the thick soil from the ground and directly covering the Blue Silver Grass sphere.
In a short time, only an inconspicuous little mound remained.
Inside the dark and almost enclosed "earthen cave," the two were breathing heavily.
They had just launched a brief surprise attack on a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast that was fleeing in panic.
If their first attack failed, its final counterattack could be fatal to both of them.
The feeling of surviving a disaster made Dugu Yan's whole body go limp.
The sound of their deep breaths, in this almost enclosed, dark, and cramped space, carried a hint of ambiguity.
Dugu Yan couldn't help but recall the awkwardness of a few days ago, and her body felt a little strange.
However, the faint smell of blood in the air brought her back to her senses.
A jet-black spirit ring slowly emerged from the corpse of the Instant Scale Earth Dragon Python, radiating an alluring yet dangerous light.
Ye Liuyun put away the Immortal Azure Emperor Armor, glanced at the still somewhat dazed Dugu Yan, and said coldly:
"Absorb. I'll guard it."
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[end of the chapter]