Chapter 71: Dugu Bo's Choice Swallowing the Dragon as a Serpent
Seeing how Guang Ling's attitude toward her had visibly softened, Dugu Yan unexpectedly felt a bit uneasy.
After learning the truth from Han Li, she fully understood that Guang Ling's change in demeanor was entirely due to the oath she had just sworn.
A Rank 98 Super Douluo this was the strongest person she had ever encountered.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, she respectfully bowed to Guang Ling, silently apologizing for her childish behavior earlier. Even if her grandfather multiplied himself twice over, he still wouldn't be a match for this man.
"Alright, don't mind me. From now on, just follow Han Li's arrangements."
Guang Ling waved his hand dismissively and casually stepped aside, sensing that his presence was making the young girl a bit uncomfortable.
Han Li looked at the grandfather granddaughter duo staring at him, then at Dugu Yan's flushed face, before shifting his gaze to Dugu Bo.
"Senior, I suggest you take Sister Yan back to the platform for now. She's not yet strong enough to withstand the aura of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Staying too long might cause unnecessary harm to her body."
"Also, it would be best to set up a small wooden house for her on the platform. Let her stay there temporarily." Han Li added.
"Oh, my old brain! I completely forgot about that!"
Dugu Bo smacked his forehead, then quickly grabbed Dugu Yan's arm and led her back up to the platform in a hurry.
"Need my help?"
Watching the two rush off, Guang Ling, who had been eavesdropping, poked his head out and asked.
"No need, Master, you handle your own matters. I can get up there myself now."
Han Li shot him a mysterious smile.
Then, to Guang Ling's astonishment, Han Li pressed his palms downward. Crimson flames burst from his hands and feet, propelling him swiftly into the air as he flew toward the platform.
Up on the platform, Dugu Bo had just landed with Dugu Yan when he suddenly felt an unusual fluctuation behind him, accompanied by a strange sound.
Dugu Yan heard it as well. The moment she touched the ground, she instinctively turned her head.
What she saw was Han Li flying straight toward them. As he neared, the red flames beneath his palms and feet erupted forcefully, allowing him to halt in midair before gently dropping onto the ground from half a meter above.
"What kind of soul skill is this? / You can fly?!"
The grandfather and granddaughter spoke in unison, both staring at Han Li in astonishment.
"Nothing special. Just a minor application of fire element control. It's not worth mentioning." Han Li replied with a "bashful" smile.
"A self created soul skill?"
The two exchanged glances, asking simultaneously again.
"Sort of. But the requirements are high it demands exceptional control over fire elements and strong mental power. It's not something that can be easily taught."
Han Li noticed the anticipation in their eyes and decided to clarify before they got any funny ideas.
"Oh."
Both of them sighed in disappointment.
But Dugu Yan wasn't one to give up so easily. She batted her eyelashes, flashed a charming smile, and threw him a flirtatious wink.
"Little Brother Han Li, since my grandfather and I are both your people now, you wouldn't mind teaching us a few tricks we can actually learn, would you?"
Han Li glanced at her, unamused.
Why did that sound… a little too suggestive?
Also, how quickly had her attitude changed? Wasn't she supposed to be the cool and aloof type?
And what did she mean by "she and Dugu Bo were his people"? That phrasing was way too easy to misunderstand.
And "Little Brother"… Hah.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west never underestimate a younger man!
Han Li smirked inwardly but kept his expression completely neutral.
"We'll discuss that later. If you can learn it, I won't mind teaching."
"For now, let's focus on the matter of martial soul evolution."
Dugu Yan, slightly disappointed that he hadn't reacted to her teasing, quickly brushed it aside and paid attention to the main topic.
"Senior, the evolution process remains the same as before, so I won't go into details again. However, I need to ask for your preference regarding the outcome." Han Li turned to Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo looked puzzled. "Preference? I don't really have one just do as you see fit. Is there an issue?"
"No, you misunderstood."
Han Li shook his head before continuing, "I need to know do you want your martial soul to evolve into a dragon, or do you want to maintain its serpent form?"
"I get to choose?" Dugu Bo asked in surprise.
"Of course. Don't forget about my Ice Fire Dragon Bow." Han Li smiled knowingly.
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he blurted out, "Then I'll stay as a snake, obviously!"
"What's so great about being a dragon? Besides, I know the fundamentals of the Jade Phosphor Serpent. Even if it evolves into a dragon, I doubt it'll surpass the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragons."
"If I evolve and still end up as something in between, that's not worth it. I'd rather push the serpent path to its peak who's to say that the Dugu Clan's martial soul can't be the strongest among serpent type spirits?"
"Yeah! Grandpa's right! If we're going to do this, let's aim to be the best!"
Dugu Yan's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, clearly imagining a future where their martial soul stood at the pinnacle.
Oh right, I forgot this girl is the competitive type. Han Li mused internally.
"Alright, that works for me. I'll help suppress the dragon aura during the process to ensure a proper fusion." Han Li reassured Dugu Bo.
"With your assistance, my confidence is even higher."
Dugu Bo grinned, stroking his not so thick beard, clearly in a great mood.
"By the way, will this affect you negatively in any way?"
Dugu Bo's eyes drifted to Han Li's hands, a hint of concern flashing across his face.
After a full day and night of suppression, the dual colored dragon scales on the back of Han Li's hands had mostly peeled away. However, the skin on his hands was still noticeably darker than the rest of his body, which explained why Dugu Yan hadn't noticed earlier.
"It won't be a problem. In fact, this might actually help me expel some lingering traces of dragon aura I've been struggling to remove. It could even speed up my recovery."
Han Li explained calmly.
"That so? Well, that's perfect killing two birds with one stone. Seriously, kid, I have no idea how your brain works, but it's damn useful."
Dugu Bo chuckled, clearly at ease now.
After spending time around Guang Ling, he had realized something Han Li wasn't someone who would joke about serious matters. If he said there was no problem, then there really wasn't.
This was something even Guang Ling had acknowledged.
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