"Thanks, but I'm honestly not used to this kind of soul tool," Yin Xuan said, shaking his head.
Dugu Bo liked the Ruyi Treasure Pouch, but he didn't actually need it either.
He dug around in his pocket and, after listening to Yin Xuan, his fingers curled around something. His face lit up as he pulled out a ring set with a bright green gem and handed it over.
"This is the Spirit Rhinoceros Ring," he explained. "I used it when I was younger. It stores up to ten cubic meters. It's a real treasure—you use it from now on."
Yin Xuan didn't hesitate. He slipped the Lingxi Ring onto his thumb, held it up for Dugu Yan to see, and waved at her.
She smiled sweetly.
Dugu Bo rolled his eyes. "You never miss a chance to take something for yourself." He sounded annoyed, but there was a bit of a smile under it.
—
After learning how important the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was, Dugu Bo set up an even deadlier poison array—colorless, odorless, and you'd never see it coming.
Once everything was ready, he led Yin Xuan and Dugu Yan out using a special path.
"Make sure you remember this route. Otherwise, you risk being poisoned. And don't bring outsiders."
Both nodded.
Yin Xuan grinned. "That poison array won't touch Yanzi or me now. We're immune to both ice and fire—and all poisons."
Dugu Bo just rolled his eyes. "I get it—you think you're hot stuff! Wait until I clear the toxins from my body and level up. Then you'll see what real power looks like!"
Yin Xuan gave a sly smile. "Shouldn't you bring out the Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Herb? Soul beasts will swarm to it, and then Yanzi can pick whichever one she wants."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "Why not mention this sooner?" He pulled out the Fragrant Silk Immortal Item. Within moments, soul beasts—all ages, some thousands of years old—showed up, drawn in by the sweet scent.
Dugu Bo looked around, his gaze landing on a Nether Serpent Dragon lurking in a shadowy corner. "Now that I've turned into a dragon, my next soul ring should match—sub-dragon type." But a quick inspection made him frown. "What a shame... It's aged out. Too old."
"How many years?" Yin Xuan asked.
Dugu Bo squinted. "Over three thousand, maybe four thousand."
"You ought to brush up on your soul beast knowledge—Title Douluo and all that," Yin Xuan joked.
Dugu Bo shot him a look. "You talk big."
Yin Xuan just shrugged. "I'm not a Title Douluo, so what do I know?"
Dugu Bo scowled.
Yin Xuan went on, "Honestly, absorbing a ring of over a thousand or two thousand years isn't an issue for Yan Zi. Her body's much stronger now, and those precious herbs rebuilt her foundation. Plus, it sets her up nicely for the future—like a forty-thousand-year soul ring down the line."
Dugu Bo snorted, lips twitching in disbelief. "Forty thousand? Now you're dreaming."
But inside, he was impressed by how bold Yin Xuan was.
Yin Xuan just smiled. "People make progress because they dare to dream—and act."
Dugu Yan piped up, "Grandpa, I feel powerful now, really. Maybe I could handle a soul ring of a thousand or two thousand years."
"When absorbing a spirit ring, do it at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well," Yin Xuan said. "It suppresses the ring's power."
Dugu Bo grinned, finally appreciating the advice. "Should've said that sooner!" He put away the Fragrant Silk Immortal Item, released his Title Douluo aura, and the Azure Phosphorous Serpent King appeared alongside his nine soul rings. Soul beasts freaked and scattered.
The Nether Serpent Dragon tried to escape, but Dugu Bo swooped down, laughing wickedly, and grabbed it.
"No running!"
A few breaths later, Dugu Bo came back, the beast limp and dying in his arms.
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate. She gripped her short blade and finished it off. A purple soul ring materialized, just as Yin Xuan predicted.
Dugu Yan led the ring over to the Yin-Yang Well and started absorbing it.
Dugu Bo turned back, "You really don't want my help?"
"Nope, I'll handle it," Yin Xuan said.
His third spirit ring was his natal ring—the Blue Silver King would help him refine skills depending on his situation.
The second ring came from the Blue Silver King too. Yin Xuan only had one single-target attack skill, so he needed a control skill. Thanks to the Dark Blue Silver Emperor's traits, this second skill had multiple uses. And since it was a natal ring, its age and power grew as he got stronger.
Dugu Bo didn't push. "Alright, just be careful. If you can't do it, don't force it."
Yin Xuan snorted. "I value my life. I'm not dying before I get revenge!" His eyes flashed cold.
Dugu Bo sighed and patted his shoulder. "Determination's great, but don't let it turn into recklessness. Don't let hatred blind you."
Yin Xuan nodded, thinking for a moment. "If you run into Yang Wudi or Titan, don't mention me. I don't want them knowing I exist."
"And if you need Yang Wudi for detoxification, make sure you've got a backup plan—know he might pull something shady."
Dugu Bo smiled, full of confidence. "I know how to cover my bases."
"Give me a jade bottle," Yin Xuan said.
Without asking why, Dugu Bo handed one over.
Yin Xuan took it, sliced his palm, and let about fifty drops of blood fall in.
Dugu Bo frowned. "What are you doing?"
Yin Xuan explained, "The Eight-Cornered Mystic Ice Grass and Blazing Apricot Blossom cured your poison. After I took them, my blood can do the same. When you make an antidote, you'll need this."
"Don't drink it directly, though, or your cultivation level'll drop. I'm warning you."
Dugu Bo nodded and handed over a ginseng. "Take it and heal up."
Yin Xuan accepted it and thanked him. With his Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone, that bit of blood was nothing—he'd already healed.
Nearby, Dugu Yan absorbed her soul rings.
Yin Xuan and Dugu Bo sat together, chatting and growing closer.
Dugu Bo finally asked, "So, how did you end up offending that madman?"
"That Tang Hao guy's not normal. Guy killed the Spirit Hall Pope. If you got tangled up with him, you're in deep trouble."
Yin Xuan replied, calm as ever, "I didn't provoke him..."