"Nothing much." Dugu Bo said casually, "If it weren't for you, Yan Yan would never have gained such a rare soul skill like Petrification Gaze as her fourth soul skill. Considering future soul skill combinations, in terms of practicality, this soul skill is far better than an external soul bone."
"Not to mention the other things you've taught Yan Yan. Strictly speaking, it's still I, her grandfather, who owe you."
"Indeed." Dugu Yan nodded with a smile. "If it weren't for you, Xiao Hai, who knows if I'd even be alive many years from now."
"If you're not alive, then talking about anything else would be meaningless."
Dugu Bo glanced at his granddaughter, then nodded slightly. "Well said!"
Yang Yunhai smiled. "As I've always said, this is fate. We've all helped one another."
After finishing, he stopped lingering on the subject and turned toward Dugu Bo. "Grandpa Dugu, once Zhu Zhuqing finishes absorbing her soul ring, should we return to the academy first?"
"I suggest we head straight for the Haagen-Dazs Kingdom instead." Dugu Bo nodded. "The reason for your leave this time was to study and learn under me, not specifically to obtain a soul ring."
"If Zhuqing and Yan Yan go back to the academy while you remain absent, with no clear time for your return, it will only invite suspicion."
"Better that they stay with you. Then you can simply say that suitable soul beasts were hard to find, so it took longer."
"That works." Yang Yunhai nodded lightly. As if remembering something, he added, "Grandpa Dugu, I've been researching another theory related to soul skills. It may help you, but I'll need you to tell me about your own soul skills."
Before he could finish, Dugu Bo immediately said, "No problem!"
He sat down and began recounting his soul skills to Yang Yunhai.
Before long, Yang Yunhai finished listening, paused in thought, then explained his theory of secondary development of soul skills, offering targeted suggestions.
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous…"
Dugu Bo listened intently, eyes burning with excitement, as though a new world had opened to him.
Beside him, Dugu Yan also felt greatly enlightened. Her bright eyes flickered continuously. Without realizing it, the way she looked at Yang Yunhai grew filled with admiration and faint longing.
'Xiao Hai is amazing!'
Half an hour later, Yang Yunhai wrapped up his explanation. Dugu Bo's enthusiasm still hadn't waned, and he continued raising questions for discussion. Time passed like this, until two hours later, a soft groan broke the silence.
The three turned their heads—Zhu Zhuqing had awakened.
Glancing at them, Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly and walked over.
"Zhuqing, how is it? What rank is your soul power now?" her close friend Dugu Yan was the first to ask.
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively checked inward, then her beautiful eyes widened, her face flushing red.
She sneaked a glance at Yang Yunhai, suppressing her shock and excitement, and said softly, "Rank 36."
'Already so close to rank 37…'
"Cough, cough." Dugu Bo nearly choked, his face filled with disbelief.
Dugu Yan beside him was just as shocked.
"It's not only the medicinal energy still in her body, but also related to the soul ring and soul bone," Yang Yunhai quickly explained.
"This Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear may only have had 2,500 years of cultivation, but with such a massive body, the amount of energy it held was extraordinary. Zhuqing absorbed both its soul ring and soul bone together, her physique greatly enhanced, and she inherited a considerable amount of energy. It's no surprise that she could adapt and convert so much at once. If I'm not mistaken, this soul ring alone brought her an increase of 3 levels of soul power."
"On top of that, I suspect the soul bone's transformation of her body also allowed Zhuqing to absorb more of the medicinal power she had previously taken in. All of this combined resulted in such a leap."
Only then did Dugu Bo ease his expression. He recalled Zhu Zhuqing's intense reaction when absorbing the external soul bone—its transformative strength was indeed overwhelming.
He nodded slightly. "That beast could kill a nearly 7,000-year-old Armored Beast with ease, despite only being 2,500 years old. Its bloodline quality was truly formidable. Absorbing its soul ring and soul bone naturally gave Zhuqing's body an enormous improvement."
Turning to Zhu Zhuqing, he smiled. "Zhuqing, your harvest this time is something to be envied."
"I must thank Grandpa Dugu for his help, otherwise I would never have gained such fortune." Zhu Zhuqing replied politely.
'This girl really knows how to talk. Following Xiao Hai has made her sharper too.' Dugu Bo nodded. "I hardly did anything—just led the way and subdued a mere thousand-year soul beast. Luck like this, when it comes, no one can stop it."
"Zhuqing, your luck is truly heaven-defying! Even managing to obtain an external soul bone."
As he spoke, he urged her, "Zhuqing, show us your external soul bone."
"Alright." Zhu Zhuqing nodded, raising her right hand.
Her five fingers curled lightly, and crimson-gold claws instantly extended, wrapping over her jade-like fingers. Her nails transformed into hooked talons, long and sharp. Crimson-gold scales covered the back of her hand, making her palm look like a dragon claw.
"They look so sharp, and it seems their defense is very high too." Dugu Yan widened her eyes, offering her impression.
"Zhuqing, does it have any attached skill?" Dugu Bo asked curiously.
"It strengthens the power of my right arm, especially my fingers. It comes with the soul skill Crimson Gold Terrorclaw." Zhu Zhuqing explained as she poured soul power into it. Crimson-gold light surged, the five claws emitting faint afterimages. "In this state, my strength increases further, and the soul bone enhances attack power, armor-piercing, defense, and attack range."
"Incredible!" Dugu Bo's words were brief, but he could feel the condensed, compressed energy. Its power was undeniable.
'Crimson Gold Terrorclaw… a variant of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw? Perhaps even stronger than the original.' Yang Yunhai's eyes flickered, and he nodded with a smile. "Very good, especially since it even has amplification effects."
Then he asked, "And the soul skill?"
Zhu Zhuqing retracted the soul bone and replied, "Nether Terrorclaw. Its effect is similar, further amplifying strength and attack. Look." She activated her third soul skill, and five dark-purple claws extended, identical in form.
With her right hand, this skill would also be strengthened by the external soul bone, greatly boosting its power. Yang Yunhai nodded and quickly said, "Zhuqing, summon your Martial Soul and see if it has changed."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, withdrew her soul skill, and summoned her Martial Soul.
Her body showed no changes—except her claws. At the tips, a faint golden gleam appeared.
Yang Yunhai's eyes brightened instantly, and he laughed. "What great luck, you've even inherited a trace of the gold attribute. This means your Hell Spirit Cat's offensive ability has definitely increased. Zhuqing, this trip was truly worthwhile."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded with a soft smile.
Both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were delighted for her, smiles spreading across their faces.
"Well then, it's time we continue." Dugu Bo added, "The Haagen-Dazs Kingdom is very far from here. If we leave the Sunset Forest and take a carriage, it could take ten days or more. We need to hurry."
"Mm." Everyone nodded in agreement, rising to pack up their things.
Soon, they set out once again.
(End of Chapter)
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