Chapter 14: Dugu Bo

Dugu Bo's anger erupted because the loud noise interrupted his precious time with his granddaughter. Naturally foul-tempered, he grew furious in an instant.

It had been nearly five months since his beloved granddaughter started attending a high-level Soul Master academy—special occasions like today, when she came to claim a soul ring, were rare moments of joy. And now, some unknown pest dared to intrude?

To him, be it a human or a soul beast, there was only one choice: death.

"Grandfather!" The man in the dark green robe used soul power to swiftly carry the purple-robed woman toward the source of the explosions.

In mere seconds, they reached the scene, drawing startled looks from both Yun Yibai and the Thunder-Armored Earth-Dragon.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort froze them both, followed by a crushing invisible force that pinned them to the ground—unable to move.

In that moment, Yun Yibai's only thought was: "It's over."

This was nothing like the scenario he had prepared for.

He knew immediately that his opponent was a powerful human—and wondered how he had managed to attract his attention.

"A brat with baby blood still on his face… who dares enter Sunset Forest alone, and attempt to kill a millennium-level sub-dragon-class soul beast?"

Dugu Bo's voice was calm, emotionless.

Just when Yun Yibai thought he might survive, Dugu Bo's next words chilled him:

"You're quite remarkable… but you must still die."

"Eh? Yun Yibai?" The purple-robed granddaughter, Dugu Yan, blinked as recognition hit her.

"Could it be you?"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

She couldn't help but laugh—elegantly, but with suppressed delight.

The green-robed man frowned.

"Yan Yan, you know him?"

"Yes! I told you I met someone interesting in Tian Dou City… this is him!"

Yun Yibai internally groaned—

"Dugu Yan! Being recognized by you means trouble, not fortune!"

Despite her recognition, Dugu Bo maintained his oppressive soul pressure. He simply didn't like the brat.

"Grandfather…"

Dugu Yan coaxed, tilting her head and batting her eyelashes.

"Hmph."

Reluctantly, Dugu Bo eased part of the soul pressure off Yun Yibai—though he still couldn't move. The Thunder-Armored Dragon, however, remained fully pinned, unable to even roar.

"Yun Yibai, what are you doing here?"

Dugu Yan's tone was polite as she glided forward in her flowing qipao.

"Alone?" she added.

"Doesn't your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan always send a guardian during soul ring hunts?"

"Please release me," Yun Yibai requested weakly—his final plea.

"No," she smiled.

"Because you disturbed Grandfather's mood just now."

Her eyes twinkled with mischief—he usually ignored her beauty, so to see him kneeling now clearly amused her.

Dugu Bo's mood eased further at his granddaughter's contentment—he fully withdrew his soul pressure.

"Brat, you came to harvest the soul ring of this beast?"

He glared at the dragon, battered and exhausted.

"Your insight is keen, sir."

"Do you know this beast's age exceeds two thousand years?"

Yun Yibai paused a moment before nodding, "Yes, I know."

"Interesting, very interesting!"

Dugu Bo laughed heartily.

Then, returning to his usual aloofness:

"I'll give you a chance—on account of Yan Yan. I'll guard it for you."

It sounded playful—as though he was offering a mere trifling favor rather than sparing a human life.

"Thank you, sir."

Yun Yibai bowed respectfully.

He understood Dugu Bo's attitude—but with Dugu Yan present, that "guarding" was enough.

Swift as lightning, Yun Yibai turned, summoning a cold steel chain from his soul ring storage device.

"Shhh!"

The chain whistled and spun like a snake, wrapping around the heavy steel spike lodged deep in the dragon's eye.

"Crackle!"

Upon unleashing his martial dragon soul, golden lightning surged outward—focused and dramatic.

His first and second soul rings glowed brightly as he channeled the full power through the chain into the dragon's skull.

"ROAR!"

In a desperate burst of agony and rage, the Thunder-Armored Earth Dragon broke through Dugu Bo's pressure momentarily. Trees trembled, and leaves scattered.

Golden lightning continued to flood in. Smoke spiraled from the dragon's head as its form fractured under the raw energy.

BOOM!

With a final, anguished wail, the mighty dragon's head collapsed in dust.

Yun Yibai released the chain—and the lightning dissipated.

A purple soul ring emerged from the fallen beast.