"That's right. The reason Golden Crocodile and I came here this time is to claim the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for the Spirit Hall," Qian Daoliu said calmly. "But we arrived long before you started absorbing the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot."
He continued, "Now think about it—if I only wanted the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, what do you think I would've done when I saw you trying to absorb those two immortal herbs?"
"If I were solely interested in the Well, I would've stopped you immediately. There's no need to waste two precious immortal herbs on someone who's about to die. But I let you continue, because I wanted to see if you could succeed."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan broke into a cold sweat. Fortunately, Qian Daoliu hadn't intended to kill her—otherwise, she might've returned to the afterlife just days after her reincarnation. But then, why had Qian Daoliu spared her?
Qian Daoliu got straight to the point: "So, what do you say—interested in becoming my disciple and joining the Worship Hall?"
"And… what if I refuse?" Dugu Yan knew refusal was likely not an option, but she still asked, half out of instinct, half to test the waters.
Golden Crocodile sneered coldly beside her. "You could try refusing. But little girl, don't forget—your grandfather, Dugu Bo, once poisoned and slaughtered tens of thousands of our Spirit Hall soul masters at Jialing Pass, along with the entire city."
"So tell me—shouldn't we settle that debt?"
The murderous intent in Golden Crocodile's words was palpable.
At the mention of Jialing Pass, Dugu Yan's expression darkened. The massacre by Dugu Bo had always been controversial, even though he was on the victorious side. As for Spirit Hall—the side that suffered heavy losses—they had every reason to want vengeance.
Qian Daoliu spoke again: "Relax. As long as you're willing to become my disciple, and Dugu Bo joins Spirit Hall to serve under us, that incident at Jialing Pass will be written off."
"Besides, even though you found a way to temporarily treat the toxin issue in your family's martial soul, the method you're using is only a stopgap—it doesn't truly solve the root of the problem. Even if it works, your grandfather will lose all his poison power. But I know someone in Spirit Hall who can completely resolve the Dugu family's poison legacy."
Dugu Yan knelt and bowed. "Disciple Dugu Yan greets Master."
At this point, she knew the choice was between submission or death.
Sure, in her past life, Spirit Hall ended up utterly defeated—but now? Even Qian Daoliu had reincarnated. Did that hypocritical and self-serving Tang San really still have a chance?
After all, Tang San's meteoric rise was due largely to Spirit Hall underestimating him early on, and holding back too much later. But if people in Spirit Hall now knew the future, were intercepting immortal herbs, and taking the initiative… what chance did Tang San have?
Joining Spirit Hall suddenly didn't seem so bad. And having Qian Daoliu as her teacher sounded far better than being taught by Qin Ming, who did nothing but parrot Shrek's ideology.
"As your initiation gift," Qian Daoliu said, "I've prepared a suitable soul beast for you."
With a flick of his hand, Qian Daoliu's soul power summoned a soul beast from the Sunset Forest. A powerful 5,000-year-old Twin-Headed Rattlesnake appeared before Dugu Yan.
"This is a 5,000-year soul beast, Teacher? Can I absorb it?" Dugu Yan asked, a bit uncertain.
"As long as it's not a 10,000-year beast, your enhanced body should be able to handle higher-level soul rings," Qian Daoliu replied. "What? You think Tang San could absorb rings beyond his level without taking any immortal herbs, but you—with two immortal herbs—can't?"
"I understand, Teacher."
With Qian Daoliu suppressing the beast, Dugu Yan easily killed the Twin-Headed Rattlesnake. Although the soul ring absorption process was extremely difficult due to its age, she succeeded thanks to her greatly enhanced body.
The Twin-Headed Rattlesnake had extremely potent venom. It gave Dugu Yan a powerful soul skill—Jade Phosphor Poison Arrow. She could concentrate her poison into a single deadly shot to pierce her opponent, or disperse it into a rain of poisonous arrows for area coverage.
Dugu Yan was quite pleased with this skill. Still, she understood the single-target lethal attack couldn't be casually used in competitions.
After absorbing her third soul ring, the medicinal power of the immortal herbs also fully activated. She instantly broke through to Level 36 Soul Elder.
At this age, even Tang San of Shrek Academy might not have had such strength.
Qian Daoliu then tossed her a soul tool bracelet and said, "This is your teacher's gift to you. Inside are cultivation resources, as well as divine techniques for body tempering and mental cultivation passed down from the Angel God. You should also absorb the 'Gazing Autumn Dew' herb that was originally meant for Tang San. Then, focus on cultivating your spiritual power. Only by doing so can you attempt to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring for your fourth one."
Dugu Yan nodded. "Thank you, Teacher."
Qian Daoliu nodded back. "You should also know—I have a granddaughter."
"Xue Qinghe—Qian Renxue," Dugu Yan answered.
"I want you to work with her within the Heaven Dou
Empire. Follow her plans," Qian Daoliu said.
(End of Chapter)
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