Within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Yan's Martial Soul evolution had already persisted for several hours. Her pained groans gradually weakened, replaced by increasingly clear dragon roars.
Everyone held their breath as they stood guard nearby. Ye Lingling continuously dripped Life Droplets, while Marco's Azure Flame gently enveloped Dugu Yan's body.
"The most critical moment is approaching," Dugu Bo murmured, his clenched fists trembling slightly. "The Earth Dragon Golden Gourd's power is reshaping Yan Yan's Martial Soul essence."
Suddenly, intense energy fluctuations erupted around Dugu Yan. Her originally emerald Serpent Emperor Spirit began undergoing qualitative changes - the scale colors shifted from jade green to deep brown, gradually covered with rock-like patterns interspersed with ink-green poison spots.
"The Martial Soul essence is changing!" Yang Wudi keenly detected the transformation.
They watched as Dugu Yan's Martial Soul form underwent drastic changes: the base color turned deep brown, covered with natural patterns resembling the growth rings of thousand-year-old trees; the twin horns on its head thickened like ancient tree roots, wrapped in dark green moss with deep-colored spots at their bases; its limbs transformed into three-clawed feet, the claws solid as granite with tips gleaming with eerie purple light.
Most astonishing was the transformation of the scales - dark brown scales dotted with ink-green poison spots, each scale appearing as if fired from clay, their edges shimmering with metallic luster. The scales arranged tightly like ancient warrior armor, gleaming with subdued radiance under the sunlight.
The dragon body coiled sinuously, its spine sporting a row of hair-thin, sharp bone spikes. The spike bases appeared earthy yellow while their tips carried ink-green poisonous glows. The dragon tail thickened powerfully, its forked tip resembling scorpion pincers, similarly radiating poisonous light.
A thunderous dragon roar shook the valley! This roar carried both the earth's solemn weight and venom's sharp severity, its echoes rippling through the ravine and disturbing the spring waters.
"Success!" Dugu Bo stepped forward excitedly. "The Martial Soul evolution is complete!"
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes, a flash of earthy yellow light passing through her pupils before ink-green poisonous mist surfaced. Sensing her brand new Martial Soul power, her voice trembled with awe: "Grandfather... this Martial Soul... feels completely different! I no longer suffer from toxin backlash!"
The newborn dragon spirit coiled around her, emitting a unique aura. The rock patterns and poison spots complemented each other, creating distinctive visual effects. As the dragon body moved, it stirred clouds of dust and poisonous mist, appearing both mysterious and powerful.
Everyone moved forward to approach, but Dugu Bo raised his hand excitedly to stop them: "Wait! This Martial Soul needs an appropriate name..."
He carefully observed the Martial Soul's characteristics: rock patterns as foundation, poison spots as supplement, possessing both solid defense and sharp offense. The moss on the dragon horns continuously seeped poisonous dew, while the dragon claws left corrosive marks wherever they stepped.
"Muddy earth as body, deadly poison as function..." Dugu Bo pondered momentarily. "Rock patterns like turbid soil, poison spots revealing lethal intent... let's call it 'Muddy Earth Poison Dragon'!"
"Muddy Earth Poison Dragon..." Dugu Yan whispered the name, her Martial Soul seemingly resonating with it as the surrounding poisonous mist thickened and the scale poison spots shimmered with eerie light.
Only then did everyone approach to offer congratulations.
"Congratulations, Yanzi!" Ye Lingling rushed forward first. "The details of this Martial Soul are so exquisite! Look at these scale patterns, and the moss on the dragon horns!"
Marco examined carefully: "Each scale appears meticulously carved, with patterns providing defense and venom spots granting special effects—truly extraordinary! The dorsal spines add an imposing presence."
Li Zhaoyan marveled: "Horns like ancient tree roots, claws resembling granite, scales as if fired from clay—such evolution is remarkably rare. The scorpion pincer design on the tail is particularly ingenious."
Dugu Yan excitedly demonstrated her evolved Spirit Abilities. Her first Spirit Ability transformed into "Rock Poisonous Miasma," emitting mist interwoven with fine rock dust and venom crystals that combined corrosive effects with physical destruction. Where the miasma passed, vegetation would first be coated in gray-brown rock powder before rapidly withering and blackening.
Her second Spirit Ability, "Solid Rock Poison Armor," now featured special counterattack capabilities beyond its original defense. When activated, rock armor covered her body studded with venomous spikes that would retaliate against any physical contact with toxins.
"The Martial Soul evolution exceeds expectations," Yang Wudi analyzed professionally. "Rock dust enhances the miasma's persistence, while poison armor adds counterattack capacity. The tail's scorpion pincer likely conceals additional attack methods."
Tears streamed down Dugu Bo's wrinkled face: "My gratitude to all! Our Dugu family is finally freed from the torment of venom backlash! Never again shall we endure this suffering!"
After being persuaded to first consume medicinal herbs to resolve his own toxin accumulation, Dugu Bo and Li Zhaoyan began ingesting their Immortal Herbs.
Upon consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, faint golden light shimmered across Dugu Bo's skin without dramatic transformation. The golden radiance flowed over his body like translucent gauze, faintly revealing venom patterns slowly circulating beneath his epidermis.
After Li Zhaoyan ingested the Phoenix Parasol Branch, faint flames flickered around him, dancing gently across his skin like candle flames. Within the firelight, phantom parasol leaves seemed to drift downward.
Both men sat cross-legged to refine the Immortal Herb energies. The surface golden and fiery glows continued circulating but didn't trigger immediate Martial Soul transformations.
The group began acclimating to their newfound powers:
Marco sensed the changes in his Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit. After breaking through to the fortieth rank, the Spirit's vitality had strengthened further, with the azure flames containing even greater life force. Testing the flames, he found them more condensed with healing efficacy increased by over thirty percent. Tiny gold-red specks now glimmered within the azure flames like scattered stardust.
Ye Lingling familiarized herself with the new capabilities of her Nine Heart Begonia Spirit. The condensation rate for Life Droplets had accelerated—now requiring only three breaths to form one droplet. She discovered the droplets could not only heal but also temporarily enhance the target's defense. The droplets shimmered with faint rainbow hues, appearing mystically beautiful.
Ye Qingwan experienced Soul Douluo-level Soul Power. The Narcissus Jade Bone had refined her physique, purifying her Soul Power further. Channeling her energy, she found it flowed more smoothly with precision control elevated by an entire tier. Phantom narcissus blossoms now vaguely encircled her, emitting a delicate fragrance.
Yang Wudi acquainted himself with the evolved Soul Breaking Spear Spirit. The Black Jade Divine Bamboo had enhanced the Spirit's foundation, upgrading the spear's quality. Summoning the weapon, he observed the shaft had deepened to ink-black darkness while the tip gleamed with eerie light. Practicing his spear techniques, the whooshing sounds through air now carried sharper intensity.
Dugu Yan was the busiest, constantly adapting to the Muddy Earth Poison Dragon's new traits. She discovered the moss on the dragon horns could actively release toxic mist, while the scales could change shades depending on her mood. Testing the dragon tail's scorpion-like pincers on a rock, she watched as it instantly corroded a large hole.
"This is incredible!" she exclaimed excitedly to the group. "Every part has unique functions! The toxic moss on the horns allows ranged attacks, the scales provide camouflage, and the tail pincers' destructive power exceeds imagination!"
As the sun set in the west, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well appeared even more beautiful under the evening glow. The Muddy Earth Poison Dragon swam through the twilight, its scales reflecting the last rays of sunlight, creating an especially mysterious atmosphere.
Everyone was diligently familiarizing themselves with their new abilities. Throughout the valley, flashes of Azure Flame occasionally gleamed, crystalline Life Droplets floated in the air, and the piercing sound of the Soul Breaking Lance cutting through the wind could be heard.
The golden and fiery lights continued to circulate over Dugu Bo and Li Zhaoyan's bodies as they slowly absorbed and refined the energy of the Immortal Herb.