Chapter 59: So, Do You Dare to Bet Again? The Temptation of Martial Soul Evolution

Chapter 59: So, Do You Dare to Bet Again? The Temptation of Martial Soul Evolution

"Hiss… Just how deep is your grudge with that person, making Han Li go and bully Soul Kings and weaker Soul Masters?"

Dugu Bo didn't know the full story, but based on their conversation and expressions, he could tell that Guang Ling was planning to have Han Li crush someone. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Han Li's future opponents.

"Oh? You want to know?"

Guang Ling turned to Dugu Bo, his expression carrying an ambiguous smile.

"No, I don't."

Dugu Bo answered decisively. In his opinion, Guang Ling was as black hearted as they came, and he had no desire to get involved in his schemes.

Seeing that the two were about to start bickering again, Han Li quickly interrupted.

"Master, Senior, now's not the time to discuss this. I've basically settled my matters now it's your turn."

At Han Li's words, both of them immediately shut up and turned their burning gazes toward him, making Han Li uncomfortable enough to take two steps back before stopping.

"Who's first?"

He tested the waters, looking between the two older men.

"I'll go first." ×2

Two voices rang out in unison, nearly shaking Han Li's eardrums to the point of protest.

"Alright, stop! Listen to me first."

Han Li raised both hands, blocking the two of them. He didn't want to hear them argue over something so trivial.

Watching them obediently sit back down, he took a moment to organize his thoughts before speaking.

"Let's start with you, Master. You've mentioned before that your comprehension has already reached Rank 98 you're just lacking soul power accumulation. That's correct, right?"

Guang Ling glanced at Dugu Bo, who looked shocked at the revelation, then folded his arms and nodded smugly in confirmation.

"That makes things simple. And coincidentally, after my martial soul's evolution, I gained absolute control over ice elemental energy. You won't need to take any auxiliary medicines this time if you lift the soul power restrictions in your martial soul's protection, I should be able to directly suppress the extreme ice poison within the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. My soul power may have corrosive properties, but it won't affect you much. Your natural recovery during cultivation should be enough to counteract it."

"Once you've fully absorbed it, I'll withdraw my control. At that point, the residual poison should no longer harm you, and you might even be able to comprehend the ice attribute, possibly making it your own."

Although Han Li repeatedly used words like "should" and "possibly," Guang Ling and Dugu Bo could hear the certainty in his tone.

Guang Ling didn't hesitate to nod in agreement with Han Li's plan.

Han Li said nothing more. He and his master had enough trust in each other that these taboos among Soul Masters didn't apply to them.

Then, he turned to Dugu Bo.

"Senior, your problem is fixable, but it'll be far more complicated than Master's. I'm sure you've already realized this."

Dugu Bo nodded heavily in response.

"Alright then, Senior. I have two solutions for you you can decide which one to take."

Without waiting for Dugu Bo to respond, Han Li continued.

"The main issue lies in the poison within your martial soul. With all due respect, after briefly analyzing your martial soul and combat style, I have to say you're going down the wrong path. No, that's not quite right. Your path itself is solid, even more refined than previous generations of Jade Phosphor Serpent Soul Masters. But you overlooked a critical detail: just because a snake type martial soul is highly toxic doesn't necessarily mean it has strong poison resistance. That's the true root of all your problems."

Dugu Bo's lips twitched, instinctively wanting to refute, but thinking of his situation, he fell silent.

Han Li glanced at him and continued.

"Perhaps you don't need me to point this out. You've already realized it on some level, just not as clearly. But I assume you've already made some adjustments, haven't you?"

"You're right. Ever since Yan Yan's father died, I've altered her soul skill selections. Though her first two skills are named after poisons, they're actually more akin to buffing abilities. Her martial soul's poison doesn't harm her, but the innate toxicity in her body still builds up over time. As her rank increases, the combined toxicity of her martial soul and innate poison will inevitably become a burden."

Dugu Bo paused briefly before lifting his head to continue.

(Note: Dugu Yan's first soul skill, "Jade Phosphor Red Poison," is a stimulant type poison that enhances attack power and speed by 20%. Her second soul skill, "Jade Phosphor Blue Poison," is a paralytic poison that numbs pain and increases an ally's defense by 30%.)

"Good. Since you already understand this, that makes things easier."

Han Li took a few steps forward and retrieved the Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal Herb from his wristband the one he had transplanted into a flowerpot.

Dugu Bo was puzzled. Wasn't this flower only meant to neutralize poison but not cure it?

Seeing his confusion, Han Li explained, "The first method is for me to channel my martial soul's connection with the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well and cleanse your body. I won't be able to remove all of the poison, but I can eliminate about 90% of it. The remaining residual poison can be sealed into a soul bone, and then you can ingest this Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal Herb to gain full poison resistance."

(Note: Slight modifications to the herb's properties for narrative purposes, but it won't be used in this way.)

"This way, even if your body produces poison in the future, you'll be able to withstand it. Your cultivation will also be smoother from then on. However, the price is that you'll become temporarily weak. Until you rebuild your toxin reserves, you might not even be able to defeat a stronger Soul Douluo. The duration of your weakened state will depend on how fast you regenerate your poison."

Dugu Bo's heart pounded, but when he saw Han Li's calm expression, he resisted the urge to immediately agree. With a hoarse voice, he asked, "And the second option?"

"The second option… Have you ever considered changing your martial soul?"

Han Li suddenly asked.

"Changing my martial soul?" ×2

This time, not just Dugu Bo Guang Ling also spoke in surprise.

"Oh, that phrasing isn't quite right. It should be 'martial soul evolution.' From what I know, your martial soul was originally just the Jade Phosphor Serpent. It only evolved into the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor later on, correct? So, you should be quite familiar with martial soul evolution."

Han Li smiled mysteriously.

Seeing that smile, Dugu Bo assumed it came from the Spirit Hall's intelligence network. He cursed inwardly, Damn you, Chrysanthemum Douluo! Did you really have to record every little detail about me?!

He didn't particularly mind others knowing his martial soul had evolved, but in the minds of most Soul Masters, his martial soul had always been the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. Only people like Yue Guan, who had fought him repeatedly, would be aware of the truth.

Hearing Han Li list out all these details made Dugu Bo feel as if he were standing naked in front of them, completely exposed. It was incredibly uncomfortable.

"…Yes, as you said, my martial soul has evolved once before."

Dugu Bo admitted frankly.

"You already understand the benefits of martial soul evolution. It was precisely because of it that you managed to reach the Title Douluo realm. So… do you dare to bet again? Perhaps, if you succeed, your granddaughter can follow the same path and free herself from her martial soul's toxicity as well."

"Not only that your martial soul's quality might reach an even greater height."

Han Li's voice wasn't particularly loud, but when it entered Dugu Bo's ears, it carried an almost hypnotic pull, making him want to immediately say yes.

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