Chapter 28: The Root of Immortality
Two hours later, Dugu Yan finished absorbing the Nether Serpent Dragon's spirit ring—it settled into her third position. With that wrapped up, the three left Sunset Forest.
Back in Tiandou City, they went their separate ways. Dugu Bo headed straight for the Power Clan. These days, Spirit Hall isn't bothering the four major families anymore. The Power Clan is actually pretty impressive, managing to carve out a spot in valuable Tiandou City. They're probably the most accomplished of the bunch, but unfortunately, they picked Tang Hao as their master.
Dugu Yan dragged Yin Xuan into her usual clothing store, arm-in-arm. "Can you help me pick out some men's outfits?" she asked, grinning. The staff already knew them, welcomed them with smiles, and quickly took Yin Xuan's measurements.
"Clothes make the man! Dress up a little, you'll look even more handsome!" Dugu Yan teased, smiling wide.
Yin Xuan just shook his head, silent. Still, you couldn't deny it—his looks helped. If he weren't this handsome, things definitely wouldn't be so easy.
Soon after, Yin Xuan swapped out the robe Dugu Bo gave him for a black brocade robe. It fit well, though it was still a little loose. Thanks to the Ice and Fire Body Refinement and Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, his body and martial spirit had improved a lot.
"Ah Xuan, come see me soon after you get your third spirit ring," Dugu Yan said softly. They'd only met a few days ago, but their feelings had grown surprisingly fast—months' worth of progress packed into less than a week.
Yin Xuan smiled. "I'll do it as soon as I can. Thanks for buying me clothes. Once I'm not broke anymore, I'll take you to the Tian Dou Auction House."
"Deal!" Dugu Yan laughed. Then she suddenly tiptoed, gave Yin Xuan a quick kiss on the cheek, and ran off—didn't even look back.
She knew she'd fall apart if she lingered.
Yin Xuan watched her leave, eyes fixed until she disappeared from view. Then he collected himself, left Tiandou City, and set out for the Blue Silver Forest.
—
A few days passed.
In the Blue Silver Forest, Yin Xuan found Blue Silver Emperor Ah Yin again—and this time, she'd grown a lot. Honestly, more progress than in the past eight years combined.
As Yin Xuan came closer, the Blue Silver Domain expanded in a three-hundred-meter radius. The Blue Silver Grass within that domain started swaying, almost like it was welcoming him.
"Your Majesty!" The Blue Silver King showed its human face on the main trunk.
Ah Yin, not far off, sent him a message, speaking directly into his mind. "Child, did you run into any trouble outside?"
Yin Xuan shook his head, smiling. "No trouble. I met a really nice girl and her grandfather. Both very kind. Thanks to them, I made it to level 30, so I'm here to ask Senior Blue Silver King for help condensing my third soul ring."
Ah Yin blinked, surprised. "That fast?"
Yin Xuan nodded. "I want to transplant you somewhere your growth can speed up. There's a place where plant-type soul beasts grow ten times faster."
Ah Yin looked astonished. "There's really such a place? The energy there must be incredible."
Yin Xuan turned to the Blue Silver King. "Would you like to come with us?"
The Blue Silver King shook his head. "Your Majesty, I can't leave. There are so many Blue Silver Clan members here that I need to protect. I'm not exactly mobile either. Stay here with me, and I'll help you get your third soul ring."
Yin Xuan settled down, cross-legged.
Blue Silver King explained, "So far, you've got attack and control skills. For your third soul ring, I'll give you an ability that boosts all your attributes and provides defense."
"Thank you!" Yin Xuan bowed.
The Blue Silver King smiled, clearly honored. "No need to thank me—it's an honor helping you. Get ready, I'm starting."
Yin Xuan took in the surging life energy. All the Blue Silver Grass in the forest offered their strength, helping him condense the soul ring.
By dawn the next day, a purple spirit ring formed and fit perfectly in Yin Xuan's third spirit ring slot.
"I hope you're satisfied with your third soul ring," the Blue Silver King said, smiling.
Yin Xuan opened his right hand, and the Dark Blue Silver Emperor appeared. Three purple spirit rings glowed beneath his feet. Suddenly, the third ring lit up. Dark blue silver vines shot up from the ground, sharp like spears.
"Third Soul Skill: Root of Immortality. With this, your attack and defense are up 150%, the power of your soul skills jumps 200%, and you recover way faster—makes using your first and second skills much easier. And your Blue Silver Emperor's vitality? It's massively increased. If it gets destroyed, it'll bounce back fast as long as there's a shred left."
Blue Silver King grinned, clearly happy with how things turned out.
"Thanks, this skill is amazing—it's exactly what I needed," Yin Xuan said, genuinely satisfied.
"Glad you like it," Blue Silver King replied.
Yin Xuan sat by Ah Yin, soaking in the peace. Being in the Blue Silver Forest somehow felt extra relaxing—almost like everything else didn't matter.
Suddenly, he activated the Blue Silver Domain.
"Mother, I've been working on the Blue Silver Domain, and I'm thinking of developing an ability to disguise myself. Got any pointers?"
Ah Yin was the previous Blue Silver Emperor—a 100,000-year-old soul beast before she became human and a target. She definitely knew her way around the domain.
"Disguise, huh? I focused more on the life aspect—I haven't really looked into that. You'll have to figure it out yourself."
"Honestly, that's fine, I need to learn anyway," Yin Xuan said, a bit embarrassed.
Ah Yin smiled. "Alright, I'll help however I can."
Yin Xuan nodded. Ultimately, developing this disguise skill was on him. Using "Looking Through Autumn Water Dew" boosted his mental strength a lot—crucial for the task.
Using the Blue Silver Domain in this forest was way more convenient—it's a big advantage.
He stayed for a month.
One day, Yin Xuan controlled his appearance with mental power, changing the color and number of spirit rings.
Inside the Blue Silver Domain, this disguise became even stronger. With the domain's support, it was nearly impossible to detect.
"Senior Blue Silver King, can you see through my disguise?" Yin Xuan asked.
Blue Silver King said, "Before you used the domain, I could tell. But now, with the Blue Silver Domain helping you, even I can't see through it. Even…the aura of the soul beast on you is completely hidden."