"Mhm."
Aether nodded. Why did this old man in front of him look like he was preparing for a noble sacrifice?
Oh well—so long as the outcome was good.
He reached out his hand, and the green light in his palm gently floated toward Dugu Yan.
Seeing it approach, Dugu Yan instinctively flinched, but the light felt so soft and calming that she couldn't help but be drawn to it, wanting to touch it, to embrace it.
When the green glow sank into her body, she closed her eyes on her own accord. A faint radiance shimmered from her skin.
All eyes turned to her—most filled with curiosity, wondering about the miraculous elemental seed Aether had spoken of.
But no one was more tense than the person standing beside her—Dugu Bo.
"Yan Yan?"
Watching his granddaughter emit a glowing light, Dugu Bo reached out with trembling hands, only to pull back again, his weathered face full of worry.
Even though he had complete faith in this young man, it was impossible not to feel some anxiety until the result became clear.
As everyone watched, the green glow around Dugu Yan suddenly stirred. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.
Buzz—
A yellow soul ring emerged from her body. Then a second yellow ring. When a third purple ring appeared, she suddenly opened her eyes and let out a shout. The soul power of a level 38 Battle Soul Elder erupted without restraint.
"Waaah! This big sister looks so cool!"
The surge of soul power nearly knocked the dessert out of Paimon's hands. She quickly shielded it behind her back.
"Mhm mhm! So powerful!" Yu Keke echoed excitedly, clenching her tiny fists.
"…"
Xue Qinghe's mouth twitched as he looked at the two of them.
In his eyes, it was understandable for that little fox girl, Yu Keke, who hadn't even absorbed her first soul ring, to be impressed by someone at level 38.
But Paimon…
He remembered that night—when she saw through his true identity with a glance and exuded a terrifying pressure. His heart itched like it was being scratched by a cat…
"It worked… it really worked! Hahaha!"
Back to the point—Dugu Bo felt the wave of soul power radiating from his granddaughter. As someone who shared the same martial soul, he immediately noticed that her power no longer carried the traits of the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Yes—there wasn't even a trace of the martial soul's natural venom, not to mention its poisonous characteristics.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul was considered domineering specifically because of its toxic nature.
Without that trait, it would be no different from any ordinary martial soul.
But to Dugu Bo, none of that mattered.
As long as his granddaughter was no longer afflicted by the martial soul's poison, he wouldn't care even if she turned into an ordinary person.
"Grandfather, my martial soul…"
Dugu Yan opened her eyes, but her expression was filled with astonishment as she felt the changes inside her.
"It's alright, Yan Yan. Our Dugu Clan has finally broken free from the martial soul's curse…"
Dugu Bo gently patted her head, a relieved smile in his eyes.
"No, that's not it…"
She furrowed her brow and hesitantly stretched out her hand.
Rooar~
A verdant figure appeared in her palm, letting out a soft, childlike roar.
"Wow! A green baby loach!"
Paimon immediately flew to Aether's side, eyes gleaming as she stared at the creature in Dugu Yan's hand. She whispered beside his ear:
"Traveler, that little loach looks so cute. I wonder how it tastes…"
"That's her martial soul. Don't eat it…"
Aether's expression darkened. To her, everything boiled down to either this looks tasty or this could be tasty with seasoning…
"Grandfather, I think… my martial soul has mutated!"
Dugu Yan ignored Paimon's comment, holding her hand up to Dugu Bo excitedly.
"What's its name now?"
Dugu Bo observed the martial soul in her hand. It resembled a serpent but not quite, a dragon yet not entirely.
"Jade Phosphor Flood Dragon." Dugu Yan spoke the new name of her mutated martial soul.
Upon awakening, the host would immediately know the name and traits of their martial soul.
"The Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul evolved?!"
Dugu Bo's heart pounded in shock.
This young man hadn't just purged the venom—he helped her evolve the martial soul into a Flood Dragon! It was now far stronger than it had ever been.
Overwhelmed, Dugu Bo pulled his granddaughter down beside him and knelt before Aether.
"My lord, your grace is beyond words. Please accept the deepest gratitude from myself and my granddaughter!"
Though Dugu Yan could be a bit willful, no one knew better than she what this youth had done for her. She followed her grandfather's lead, kneeling on both knees before Aether.
"That's enough, old sir. This was only…"
Aether reached out to lift the two of them, but the moment he touched Dugu Bo, a surge of energy shot out from the old man's body and surged into Aether.
A faint cracking sound echoed in his mind—he felt something that had been sealing his power shatter just a little more.
"As I thought…"
He had been mulling over ways to break the seal on his strength—and it turned out to be just as he suspected.
Suddenly, Aether felt something—his gaze lifted to the distance beyond the courtyard.
Something familiar… a presence he hadn't sensed in a long time.
Did that fragment of the seal I just broke… trigger this reaction?
Aether stared off for several seconds before collecting himself and helping the two up.
"My lord, though I am old and not what I once was, I still hold a Title. If you ever need someone to run errands or deliver messages, please don't hesitate."
Dugu Bo bowed with sincere gratitude.
Now that the martial soul curse haunting his family for generations was lifted, he had already made up his mind to follow this youth with his life—willing to serve faithfully in any way he could.
Of course, this young man's abilities were far beyond his own, and his soul power likely meant little to him. But at the very least, he could be useful as a messenger.
"No need to be so formal, old sir. It was just a small favor—not worth all this ceremony."
Aether waved his hand casually. To him, this was nothing more than a minor task.
A commission that required no grinding or traveling, just a wave of the hand—and it even helped him further unlock his seal. Why not?
"But still, your grace is more than I can ever repay…"
Dugu Bo looked conflicted. The difference between their levels was too vast. There was nothing he could offer that would be of value.
What Aether could do easily, he couldn't even dream of. What he couldn't do, Aether could do just as easily.
For the first time in his life, he felt like being a Title Douluo wasn't even worth it. Completely useless.
Suddenly, an idea struck him.
If he himself wasn't worthy—what about items?
Clutching his fist with determination, he bowed once more.
"My lord, I have an unreasonable request. I beg you to hear me out!"
"What does grandpa need help with this time?"
Paimon piped up with a cheerful voice before Aether could answer.
Hehe~ Finally, another job to do…
_
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