Chapter 68: The Changes in Everyone

Thank you to our new Patrons: Pierre-Louis, aidan demkowich, Soultech, Dominic, BerialAstral, Conner LaFleur, Daniel Thomsen, NeroSolas, Michael Thomas, Takatchi, Heavenfall, Josh, Nilist, Neopolitansoso, Foolie, Resid Kuliyev, Bodybags87, Jaden Henderson and spiritwolf86! You are what makes this possible! We are up to Chapter 175: Heading to the Spirit Hall on Patreon!

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, let's talk about our beloved Dugu Yan. Her demeanor was impressive, but her strength? Absolutely outrageous. 

Currently, Dugu Yan's soul power had reached level sixty-three. Who told you the Yearning Heartbroken Red only boosts ten levels? Take this hit from me! Dugu Yan started at level forty, and now she's directly at her bottleneck—no problem there, right? 

But the most absurd part was that Dugu Yan absorbed a sixty-thousand-year water and wood attribute sub-dragon soul ring, gaining her fifth soul skill. 

Fifth Soul Skill: Dragon Majesty Shaking the Sea. All the scales on her body bristle, with deep energy contained within. Her attacks carry intense force and power. 

And that wasn't all. After absorbing the soul ring, Dugu Yan experienced a massive surge in soul power. The residual potency of heavenly treasures like the Earth Dragon Melon, Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia pill, Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, and whale jelly that had accumulated in her body was fully unleashed by the Yearning Heartbroken Red. 

As for potential conflicts between the medicinal effects? Hmph, in front of the Yearning Heartbroken Red, they were nothing. This particular flower had received the blessing of the Flower God, awakened by the heart's blood of both Li Luochen and Dugu Yan, which stirred the Flower God to bestow his favor upon it. 

This Yearning Heartbroken Red was different from others—it possessed incredibly potent effects and even carried traces of divine spiritual energy. In one fell swoop, it pushed Dugu Yan to the level sixty bottleneck. 

Our old poison master, Dugu Bo, was utterly shocked. He supported his granddaughter, inspecting her left and right, fearing something might be wrong. But after checking, he found no issues—her soul power, blood vitality, physical strength, and mental fortitude were all exceptionally good. 

Immediately afterward, Dugu Bo took Dugu Yan to hunt more spirit beasts. With great effort, he managed to secure an eighty-thousand-year Ghostly White Bone Dragon for her. 

Ghostly White Bone Dragon: Sub-Dragon Species (a fusion of ghostly and dragon bloodlines)

The Ghostly White Bone Dragon is a sub-dragon species that combines ghostly and dragon bloodlines. Its unique ghostly attribute can cause widespread erosion of soul power during battle, significantly weakening the enemy's combat ability. This characteristic gives it a certain advantage in both offensive and defensive aspects of spiritual attacks. 

Dugu Yan gained her sixth soul skill: Golden Radiance Heaven-Smiting Roar. 

Soul Skill Effect: Releases a powerful dragon roar that weakens all attributes of the target by forty percent. The effect doubles against dragon-type spirits. Additionally, the sonic attack damages both the target's physical body and spirit, stacking with soul power. 

After absorbing the sixth soul ring, Dugu Yan's cultivation level finally stabilized at level sixty-three. While Li Luochen was still stuck at level fifty-eight (having only advanced one level in a year), Dugu Yan had overtaken him, becoming a Soul Emperor-level powerhouse. 

The impact of two high-year soul rings on Dugu Yan was immense. Li Luochen believed she could easily handle a hundred-thousand-year seventh soul ring. Dugu Yan already possessed a hundred-thousand-year head bone, a sixty-thousand-year left arm bone, and two external Dark Golden Terror Claw soul bones. Her physical condition was off the charts. 

She was more than capable of absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. The only issue was where to find such a beast. Li Luochen's first choice was the Titan Ape—it provided significant bonuses, and its attributes suited Dugu Yan well. 

--- 

One day, while Li Luochen was meditating in the courtyard, Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo arrived. This time, they came in plain clothes, not wearing their Elder robes. 

Li Luochen quickly stood up and greeted them: "Master, Second Master." 

"We're leaving. We'll take you to the City of Slaughter," Qianjun Douluo said in his usual cold tone. Li Luochen was already accustomed to his personality. 

"Alright, let me say goodbye to Yanzi." Li Luochen walked into the room and found Dugu Yan reading a book. He embraced her tightly. 

Dugu Yan already knew what was happening. Li Luochen hugging her like this meant he was about to leave for that perilous place. She desperately wanted to accompany him, but Li Luochen adamantly refused—the City of Slaughter was no place for humans. 

They held each other silently for five minutes, savoring a fleeting moment of warmth. Then Li Luochen let go, turning to leave. He feared that if he hesitated any longer, he wouldn't want to go to the City of Slaughter. 

He had to endure this trial. In the future, the continent of Douluo would become a battlefield of gods. To protect those he cared about, he had to ascend to godhood. Neither the madwoman of the Spirit Hall nor Bingqing Yu Jie could be trusted. Qian Renxue would merely be a stepping stone. Everything depended on himself. 

The path he had chosen must be followed through to the end! 

"I'll wait for you to return," Dugu Yan said tearfully, her voice trembling. 

Hearing this, Li Luochen paused for a moment, then steeled his resolve. "Mm, I promise!" 

With that vow, Li Luochen strode out quickly. Inside the room, only Dugu Yan remained, sobbing uncontrollably, crouched there shedding silent tears. 

Dugu Bo had arrived early and watched the young couple from afar without interrupting. This was their farewell. He had already learned from Qianjun and Jiangmo Douluo what kind of place the City of Slaughter was. 

Knowing this, he felt that it was no place for humans. Yet Li Luochen planned to stay there for years. He couldn't imagine what long-term exposure to such a place would do to someone. 

But there was no denying that it made people stronger. Both Tang Hao and the current Pope Bibi Dong had emerged from that place—both were undeniably powerful. At the very least, Dugu Bo was certain he couldn't defeat Tang Hao. 

Now at level ninety-five, he understood the terror of this realm. Tang Hao, as a newly minted Title Douluo, had defeated the previous Pope, Qian Xunji, who wielded a Six-Winged Angel spirit and was accompanied by two Title Douluos. 

What was the result? One Title Douluo died, another was gravely injured, and Qian Xunji succumbed to his wounds not long after. 

As for Bibi Dong, he hadn't seen her, but he'd heard rumors. It was said she possessed twin spirits—the first person to successfully cultivate dual spirits. Unimaginable. 

Outside the door, Li Luochen looked at Qianjun and Jiangmo Douluo with unwavering determination. Though they were surprised, they said nothing and simply took him away. 

From there, they set off from Tian Dou City toward the City of Slaughter. 

--- 

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's residence

"Young Master, they've left," reported the Snake Spear Douluo. 

"They've left? What a terrifying individual. His cultivation speed and constant opportunities are one thing, but he's also going to such an inhumane place to temper himself. Sigh, I need to work harder. If I don't, he'll surpass me." 

Qian Renxue sighed as she spoke. Recently, she had received new information and learned of the incredible benefits of whale jelly. The children of the Elders had begun consuming it, and its effects were immense. 

Qian Daoliu had noticed this as well. For this reason, he personally set out to sea and exchanged two fifty-thousand-year soul bones with Sea God Island for two hundred-thousand-year whale jellies. 

Bo Saixi didn't know what Qian Daoliu intended to do. Was he in a hurry to have children? Even though she knew whale jelly was a heavenly treasure, she didn't understand how humans used it. The Demon Great White Shark had told her that whale jelly helped enhance the cultivation of sea spirit beasts and had aphrodisiac properties. 

Bo Saixi didn't know what Qian Daoliu was up to. Rumor had it his son had died a few years ago—was he planning to start anew? That didn't seem right. Qian Daoliu was upright and honorable, not the type for such things. This was one of the Bo Saixi respected him. 

Unfortunately, though Qian Daoliu was admirable, he still couldn't compare to Tang Chen. Tang Chen, where are you? 

Elsewhere, after obtaining the whale jelly, Qian Daoliu rushed to Tian Dou City and used his Sun True Fire to refine it. 

In the end, Qian Renxue directly consumed the two whale jellies. The hundred-thousand-year whale jelly was truly fearsome. Not only did Qian Renxue break through to Soul Emperor, but her physical condition also improved dramatically, reaching the level of a Soul Douluo. 

At the same time, Qian Daoliu gave her the torso bone of the Angel Set to absorb. 

After absorbing it, Qian Daoliu personally took her to the Great Star Forest to hunt a seventy-five-thousand-year Holy Light Heavenly Horse. 

She gained the soul skill: Angel's Roar, a soundwave-based spiritual attack. Qian Daoliu even began pondering how to secure a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for his granddaughter. 

(P.S.: In my setting, Bo Saixi doesn't know the true use of whale jelly. Otherwise, the soul ring configurations of the Seven Holy Pillar Douluos wouldn't be so low, right? 

Bo Saixi only knows that whale jelly is a heavenly treasure beneficial to sea spirit beasts. As for humans, she believes it's only used as an aphrodisiac. After all, the correct usage of whale jelly is revealed in Douluo II.)

------------------------------------------------------

Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow