Dugu Bo's pale green hair fluttered wildly in the fierce ocean winds.
No longer the weakest 91st-ranked Title Douluo, his current 92nd-rank strength enhanced by his Poison Core placed him among the elite even at this level.
With a powerful leap, Dugu Bo's spirit energy surged violently, tinting the misty air pale green.
"Seventh Spirit Ability Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Avatar!"
The black seventh soul ring on his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul flashed brightly.
His entire body transformed into an enormous emerald serpent over thirty meters long its terrifying presence radiating chilling malice. The serpent's slit-pupiled eyes alone could freeze one's blood.
"Such terrifying aura... This is a Title Douluo?" Zi Zhenzhu gulped hard.
Though she knew Sea God Island housed Title Douluos, witnessing one in combat was an entirely new experience like seeing the world through fresh eyes.
In his serpent avatar form, Dugu Bo plunged into the swirling vortex with overwhelming momentum.
Almost immediately after submerging, the churning waters stilled abruptly as the whirlpool smoothed over.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion sent towering geysers skyward as the ocean erupted anew. Fine drizzles of seawater rained down.
Accompanied by a drawn-out wail, a fifty-meter-long colossal creature burst from the depths their target, the Sea-Swallowing Whale, its bloated belly bruised and bleeding from violent impacts.
As the whale opened its maw to counterattack, Dugu Bo's serpent form erupted from the waves, his eighth soul ring flaring.
"Eighth Spirit Ability Temporal Freeze!"
The instant his voice rang out, the whale stiffened completely, immobilized mid-action.
Though Dugu Bo's thirty-meter serpent avatar seemed dwarfed by the fifty-meter whale, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's dreadful aura completely overshadowed its prey.
Seizing the advantage, the emerald serpent streaked forward like a javelin, not allowing the whale even a moment's recovery.
"Fifth Spirit Ability "
With his serpent avatar's jaws gaping wide, Dugu Bo struck.
WHOOSH!
The attack pierced straight through the suspended whale's abdomen.
The paralyzed creature's belly split open grotesquely, fountains of crimson blood erupting alongside spreading veins of viridian venom that tainted the surrounding waters.
"Oooaaah "
Finally released from temporal stasis, the whale emitted a pitiful moan before
CRASH!
slamming back into the ocean amidst towering waves.
Dugu Bo exhaled slowly, reverting from his avatar form to gaze down at the near-dead whale with cold detachment.
"So... so powerful!"
Zi Zhenzhu swallowed hard at the near-instantaneous slaughter before shouting orders to approach knowing spirit beast blood would attract predators across vast oceanic distances.
As the Purple Pearl drew alongside the dying whale, she explained urgently: "The whale glue's in its skull a small gelatinous mass."
Each piece meant 10,000 gold coins a fortune no sane person would refuse!
Professionalism intact, Zi Zhenzhu added: "Hurry! Oceanic spirit beasts differ from land ones their blood spreads faster in water, drawing swarms."
Taking no chances, Dugu Bo sliced open the whale's cranium, retrieving the amber-hued ten-thousand-year whale glue soft, fragrant, and slightly sticky to the touch.
Back aboard, Ning Rongrong handed Zi Zhenzhu the promised payment in crisp exchange.
With business concluded, Zi Zhenzhu ordered full-speed retreat from the hazardous zone.
As the ship departed, the fifty-meter whale carcass and its floating black soul ring gradually vanished from view.
Turning to Dugu Bo, Ning Rongrong inquired:
"Your thoughts on oceanic spirit beasts, Elder Dugu?"
"Caught it off-guard." He pondered. "Had it reached deep waters, the fight would've been troublesome."
Their ambush strategy flushing the whale out before unleashing combos had proven brutally effective.
The whale hadn't even reacted before dying.
That said, oceanic spirit beasts in their domain were objectively tougher than land counterparts.
Holding up the golden whale glue, Dugu Bo asked: "This is the real thing?"
Its pleasant aroma and pliable texture seemed almost appetizing if one ignored the viscous appearance.
"Indeed." Ning Rongrong nodded. "Lightly roast before consuming. Though we'll need more."
"How much?" Dugu Yan's eye twitched at the glistening mass despite its appealing color and scent.
Eww!
"Five portions." Oblivious to Dugu Yan's disgust, Ning Rongrong calculated. "Daily consumption for a month before condensing the Misfortune Poison Body until physical enhancements plateau."
Dugu Yan: "..."
I'm doomed!
A whole month eating this goo?
Not that she'd voice complaints having volunteered for this ordeal.
Seeing Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's young master go to such lengths moved her deeply.
Just one month! Grit my teeth and endure!
If she stopped imagining things and treated it as medicine...
Thus began their two-month oceanic hunt tracking whale migration patterns, returning ashore for supplies when necessary. Some expeditions yielded nothing such was nature's unpredictability.
Meanwhile, at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda...
The Sword Douluo berated Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo furiously.
"What were you two thinking?" Fresh from seclusion, he glared at the letter detailing Ning Rongrong's Vast Sea City activities.
"Fengzhi! Old Bone!"
"If Rongrong's being reckless, shouldn't you act responsibly?"
"The ocean's no playground! What if something happened to her?"
Vast Sea City's proximity to Sea God Island and the 99th-rank-level Deep Sea Demon Whale King Ning Rongrong had mentioned made this expedition perilous. Against such foes, Dugu Bo would be mere appetizer.
"Old Bone guards the sect. Fengzhi and I are going to Vast Sea City."
As the Bone Douluo opened his mouth to protest
"Guard the sect, or I'll beat you into staying!"
Without waiting, the Sword Douluo grabbed Ning Fengzhi and flew off, leaving the Bone Douluo fuming.
Bone Douluo: "..."
Damn 97th-rank bastard!
For Rongrong's sake I'll tolerate this... but we're settling who's on top later!
Calling me coward? We'll see!