If one had to describe Dugu Yan at this moment, Yang Yunhai felt that only one word fit,bewitching.
Her long hair flowed, her figure had become more voluptuous, curves accentuated by her slender waist. She had grown fuller, more mature. Her beauty had also risen another level, with features refined as if carved, her eyes glowing brightly with a strange allure. That waist, those emerald-green eyes,so distinctive, they added greatly to her charm.
Elsewhere, such a girl would be called a seductress.
"Not bad, not bad. My Yan'er has become even more beautiful." Out of the corner of his eye, Dugu Bo glanced at Yang Yunhai, chuckling warmly.
"Grandfather, you," Dugu Yan was stunned by Dugu Bo's change.
Dugu Bo nodded slightly. "My martial soul evolved. Naturally, my body changed along with it. Didn't the same happen to Xiaohai back then?"
"Yan'er, looking at your changes, I suppose your martial soul evolved too?"
"Yes, yes…" Dugu Yan's heart was full of excitement, her cheeks flushing red as she nodded repeatedly. She recalled how her grandfather had just glanced at Yang Yunhai, believing it to be a reminder to express gratitude. Twisting her slender waist, she walked over to Yang Yunhai, bowed deeply, and said earnestly, "Xiaohai, thank you. For your many kindnesses, Dugu Yan will never forget in this lifetime."
Promising herself in marriage would settle the matter nicely, Dugu Bo thought to himself with a smile.
Perhaps her clothes had grown a little tight after her transformation,her bow was overwhelming, and standing so close, Yang Yunhai felt it acutely. He hurriedly stood and raised his right hand in polite refusal, smiling. "Sister Yan, you're too polite! If anything, I should be the one thanking Grandfather Dugu."
"If not for him, Zhuqing and I would never have had the chance to take the rare treasures. By fate, you and I also helped each other succeed."
Clearly, this was fate,only one push from me is missing, Dugu Bo thought, nodding slightly. "Indeed, it is destiny."
Yang Yunhai then turned to the empty seat beside Dugu Bo and said, "Enough of that, Sister Yan, please sit. I'm curious,how has your martial soul evolved?"
"Mm." Dugu Yan nodded lightly, sat down, and under the gaze of the two men, summoned her martial soul.
Its body was still emerald green, but its form had changed.
It was now long and slender, its scales shimmering like jade, graceful yet dangerous. Two sharp horns grew from its head, four limbs sprouted claws that, though not bulky, exuded strength. Along its spine grew sharp, fin-like spines connected by thin membranes. Its head had transformed into that of a dragon, mouth slightly open to reveal rows of sharp fangs, with two front teeth longer and sharper than the rest, like blades.
There was no doubt,they could pierce through almost anything. Just looking at them sent chills down one's spine.
Though slender, its scales revealed great defensive power.
"Not bad, not bad," Dugu Bo said, grinning widely.
"Indeed. Your strength and defense have clearly improved, compensating for the weaknesses of the Emerald Phosphorus Snake," Yang Yunhai said with a smile, then looked at her. "Sister Yan, I imagine your physical strength has also improved quite a bit? And what about your poison attribute?"
There was no need to ask about her soul power,it was certainly at level 40 by now.
"Yes." Dugu Yan nodded. "My body is much stronger now. I can clearly feel the power within me. As for the poison, my Emerald Phosphorus Snake venom seems to have mutated again,it should be much stronger."
As expected of a treasure related to dragons,it strengthened the body more than anything else. Yang Yunhai sighed inwardly.
"I almost forgot. My poison seems to have mutated as well," Dugu Bo added.
"I don't yet know its full strength, but I'll test it later."
"Mm." Yang Yunhai nodded. "Grandfather Dugu, Sister Yan, now that both your martial souls have evolved, you'll need time to study their abilities carefully. Only then can you truly make them your own."
"Of course." Dugu Bo nodded. "To avoid being discovered, I'll leave quietly tonight." He turned to Dugu Yan. "Yan'er, your changes aren't too drastic. Stay here with Xiaohai for now and cultivate diligently."
"Don't worry, Grandfather. I'll work hard and master my martial soul as soon as possible." Dugu Yan retracted her spirit and nodded firmly.
Dugu Bo then looked toward the room where Zhu Zhuqing was still cultivating. With a glance at Yang Yunhai, he asked, "That girl Zhuqing has taken longer to absorb her treasure than either of us. Her improvement must be significant. Xiaohai, do you think her martial soul will evolve as well?"
"Unlikely." Yang Yunhai shook his head. "The treasure she consumed mainly nourishes the body and improves aptitude. It may enhance her martial soul somewhat, but not fundamentally transform it like yours. As for the longer absorption time,your and Sister Yan's martial souls are dragon-type, highly compatible with your treasures, so they absorbed faster. Zhuqing's herb is gentler, so the process takes longer, leaving more energy inside her to refine slowly. It will take her quite some time to fully digest it."
"That itself is a benefit. A longer effect means longer-lasting support in cultivation."
"Our medicine was domineering, quick in effect but demanding on the body. Zhuqing's was milder, slower to act but more enduring." Dugu Bo suddenly understood and sighed. "Truly, each rare treasure has its own wonders."
"Exactly." Yang Yunhai smiled.
Time passed as they chatted, until half an hour later footsteps sounded from within the room. Zhu Zhuqing slowly stepped out.
Yang Yunhai turned and his eyes lit up instantly. She was even more beautiful than before,not just in appearance, but in temperament. Her cold demeanor now carried an ethereal, almost celestial air. Outsiders might not notice the change, but he, who knew her well, spotted it at once.
Her figure also seemed a little fuller. Truly, the immortal herb was a great tonic. His heart beat faster in excitement.
The changes weren't as dramatic as with Dugu Bo or Dugu Yan, though. As expected, the quality of her herb was a little lower. According to Yang Yunhai's earlier words, the Yunxian White Peony was only on par with the Nine-Treasure Purple Ganoderma. Dugu Bo sighed inwardly, feeling even more indebted to Yang Yunhai.
He glanced at his granddaughter.
"Zhuqing, your soul power has reached level 30, hasn't it?" Yang Yunhai asked knowingly.
"Yes." Zhu Zhuqing met his gaze gently and nodded.
Emotionlessly, Dugu Bo followed up, "Has your martial soul changed?"
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head softly. "It doesn't seem so." She summoned her martial soul as she spoke.
On the surface, it looked unchanged, but faintly carried an air of nobility. Yang Yunhai, knowing her well, sensed the subtle difference.
As her teammate, Dugu Yan also felt something had changed, but couldn't put it into words.
Dugu Bo glanced at it and saw no clear changes. He felt even more guilty toward Yang Yunhai.
The two youngsters had gained less than he and his granddaughter.
Sighing inwardly, he nodded and said, "Since you've all finished absorbing, and it's still early, go about your own business. I'll return to Yan'er's room to study my martial soul further and continue refining the medicinal energy."
With that, he stood and left.
The three youths nodded, watching him go, before beginning their own training.
By evening, they shared dinner together. When night deepened, Dugu Bo took his leave.
Several days later, under the cover of night, Yang Yunhai penned a letter. At dawn, with Yin'e's sensory ability, he bypassed the Academy's sentries and, using his flight ability, rushed toward Heaven Dou City.
There, he went to the Spirit Hall and presented the token left to him by Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Salas, roused from his sleep by his guards, met Yang Yunhai and received the letter.
After a brief exchange, Yang Yunhai departed.
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