Liu Erlong lowered her head, her neck flushed pink, a detail Yu Xiaogang noticed immediately despite his own surging blood and qi. He saw her clenched fists and decided against teasing her and Flender.But were Flender and Liu Erlong progressing so quickly? It seemed Liu Erlong had moved past her painful memories.
Yu Xiaogang leaned close to Flender's ear with a request."Boss Flender, you owe us a meal when we get back. Book the best private room at Qibao Restaurant.
The best way to handle a stingy person is to make them pay. Flender's face twitched as he released Yu Xiaogang,
who patted his shoulder and said with a grin, "Sure, let's celebrate your apprentice's return. He absorbed his first soul ring past the deadline, so it's worth a feast. By the way, what strong enemy did you face?
You're a mess, and there's blood on you. Are you hurt?"Flender's hands roamed over Yu Xiaogang, checking for injuries. Yu Xiaogang swatted them away, exasperated. "Enough, Boss Flender. I'm fine. I ran into Spirit Hall's Pope Qian Xunji and two Titled Douluo hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast for its soul bones. I gained something too.
I'm level 49 now and close to breaking through to the Soul King realm."Flender's eyes widened, his voice rising in disbelief. "Three Titled Douluo?
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast? Xiaogang, you're level 49 and nearing Soul King? Am I dreaming?
Didn't you say you were level 38 just yesterday at dinner?
Yu Xiaogang sighed, a touch of melancholy in his tone, as he explained to a bewildered Flender and a shocked Liu Erlong, who stared at his rapid progress.
I owe a great debt to a remarkable woman. Bibi Dong and I were helping my apprentice hunt souls when we stumbled upon Qian Xunji and two Titled Douluo chasing a hundred-thousand-year soul beast to harvest its bones."Liu Erlong stepped forward, her voice thick with concern. "Xiaogang, how did you escape Qian Xunji? Three Titled Douluo are incredibly dangerous. Are you sure you're not hurt
Bibi Dong moved to block Liu Erlong's view, her tone calm but firm. "Thank you for your concern, Sister Erlong. Xiaogang and I are fine, as you can see. But Arou was decisive. To help us resist and escape, she sacrificed herself to Xiaogang.
Sacrificed a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?" Flender interjected, scratching his head. "I've only read about that in ancient texts. I thought it was a myth. Xiaogang, what happened? We felt violent soul power fluctuations from here, and there was a loud bang and a gust of wind."Flender was practically itching for answers, eager to know how Yu Xiaogang escaped.
Yu Xiaogang saw a chance to teach his apprentice a lesson: there are always greater powers out there. He glanced at Bibi Dong, seeking her approval. She nodded, knowing Flender and the others would eventually learn the truth about the Qian family and Spirit Hall.With Bibi Dong's consent, Yu Xiaogang turned to the group, their eyes brimming with curiosity.
He asked Yunlan to check for outsiders. Once she confirmed they were alone, he addressed Flender and the others."Words alone won't do it justice.
I'll use my second martial soul to project the memory for you to see. Be cautious of Spirit Hall in the future. It's strayed far from its original purpose."Flender raised a hand, cutting him off, his face a mix of confusion and suspicion. "Wait, Xiaogang. Don't you only have Luo Sanpao as your martial soul? Since when do you have another? You never showed it when we traveled the continent together. Can a martial soul awaken later?
Yu Xiaogang had planned this reveal, knowing Flender and the others were his trusted team. He smirked and replied, "Didn't I tell you?
I have twin martial souls."Flender wasn't having it. He marched up to Yu Xiaogang, slung an arm around his shoulders, and gritted his teeth. "Xiaogang, when did you ever mention that? Spill it. What's going on?"Yu Xiaogang glanced at Bibi Dong's sparkling eyes, coughed, and began to explain.
A martial soul reflects a person's soul and bloodline. Through my research on soul master cultivation, I've found it to be the most fascinating aspect.
The first soul ring reveals certain patterns, but no one on Douluo Continent has studied it deeply. Most soul masters use their abilities without understanding the principles. My second martial soul is both an accident and, in a way, man-made."Satisfied with his introduction,
Yu Xiaogang summoned his martial soul. Four soul rings flickered beneath his feet, the fourth—a striking blood-red—dazzling the group. Liu Erlong gasped. "A hundred-thousand-year soul ring? Xiaogang, how can your body handle that? A soul master enduring a ring like that? How did you train for this?"Yu Xiaogang didn't answer aloud but called out in his mind to Shenlan and Luo Sanpao. "Come out and meet everyone.
A flash of soul power erupted behind him, accompanied by a dragon's roar and the chime of silver bells. A tiny, doll-like girl riding a golden dragon appeared beside him, catching Bibi Dong's eye.Shenlan spread her transparent wings, flitting around Yu Xiaogang and the others, scattering star-like sparkles that left trails of light. She landed on Yu Xiaogang's shoulder and greeted the group. "Hello, everyone. I'm Shenlan, the master's second martial soul, an intelligent elf.
I represent his wisdom and act as his steward, managing many tasks for him."Flender and the others felt the overwhelming pressure of her bloodline, especially Liu Erlong, whose fire dragon martial soul recoiled under the golden holy dragon's dominance. Xiaogang's soul was undoubtedly a top-tier dragon spirit.
Liu Erlong marveled at his fortune.Even after its second awakening and evolution, Luo Sanpao nuzzled Bibi Dong affectionately. Both dragons gazed at her with bright eyes, waiting for treats. Back in Spirit Hall, she had often fed them delicacies.
Bibi Dong, her eyes softening with nostalgia, patted Luo Sanpao's head and pulled snacks from her storage soul guide to feed him, reminiscing about happier times.Flender circled Yu Xiaogang, awestruck, and poked Shenlan's cheek, only to have her swat his hand with a burst of soul power.
Ow! Xiaogang, your martial soul has a temper. But it's incredible—both are physical martial souls, and this one represents wisdom. Are all your fancy soul guides thanks to this little one?
Shenlan huffed and turned away from Flender. Yu Xiaogang grinned shamelessly.
Don't blame me if you get hurt, Boss Flender. You poked her first. Shenlan's my proud assistant.
She helps with soul guides and my new cultivation path. When we get back, you'll train with me, Flender. And get this—I can condense my own soul rings now. If not for this incident, I would've told you everything later."Flender's eyes nearly popped out, his glasses slipping down his nose. He shouted, "What? Self-condensed soul rings? That's impossible, Xiaogang. Don't mess with me.
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End of this chapter.