Yang Wudi observed, "Since Yan Yan absorbed that 10,000‑year Zhuqing Ice Toad soul ring, her soul power and attributes have improved."
While there's no explicit "ultimate attribute" yet, differences between soul attributes are significant.
Du Gu Yan was radiant with joy—her expression could practically read: "I did it!"
She immediately rushed over and hugged Yun Yibai tightly.
Du Gu Bo, watching, turned green with jealousy. His once-doting granddaughter, who used to gently call him "Grandpa" as she hugged his arm… was now all over Yun Yibai.
He glared at Yun Yibai with obvious displeasure.
Yun Yibai, unfazed, gently patted Du Gu Yan's hair and smiled warmly. "Looks like the soul ring met your expectations!"
Du Gu Yan nodded happily. "Yes!"
Yun Yibai continued, "And now, there's one last Zhuqing Ice Toad—40,000 years old."
He presented a dagger and said, "Your luck's been great so far. Want to give it a try?"
Du Gu Bo scoffed, "With that lousy luck of his? You go, Yan Yan."
Du Gu Bo called, "Come hug Grandpa, Yan Yan!"
She turned with a loving smile and embraced him, calling, "Grandpa!"
Du Gu Bo shot Yun Yibai a challenging glance.
Yun Yibai shrugged. "Alright, I'll go."
He tossed the dagger at the massive Ice Toad.
With a sharp "whoosh," it struck the toad directly in the head. Though still resilient, its vitality—wearied by prolonged torment—was at its brink. A black soul ring appeared.
Yun Yibai drew the dagger free and gave a satisfied smile.
Yang Wudi and Du Gu Bo saw it: Yun Yibai was walking toward them holding an icy-blue object.
Yun Yibai announced, "Not bad luck—I got the left arm bone!"
Yang Wudi gasped, "You got it!"
Yun Yibai laughed, "I can't tell if this soul bone was always there or only formed due to the intense resentment—but it's the left arm bone of the 40,000‑year-old Zhuqing Ice Toad."
He handed it to Du Gu Yan. "Looks like I might be living off your reputation from here on."
She smiled. "We'll see how well you perform."
Yun Yibai added, "But I don't need it—this one's perfect for you."
Du Gu Bo nodded, "Right: Yun Yibai's immune to poison, and this bone complements your soul attribute far more than it ever could his."
Yang Wudi agreed, "Soul bones from legendary beasts aren't for just anyone to absorb!"
Du Gu Bo concluded firmly, "Absorb it right now."
Under their protective watch, Du Gu Yan pressed the bone to her left arm. The bone immediately merged, and she sank into deep absorption.
Yang Wudi glanced at Yun Yibai, speaking with a teasing undertone, "Hey kid, why don't you go collect that Snow Heart Lotus now? Transplant it back at the Ice‑Fire Two‑Phase Eye—then soon it'll be a 5,000‑year herb."
Every word he spoke was building future prestige—if Yun Yibai eventually establishes his sect, that prestige matters. As one born of the Lightning‑Tyrant Bloodline, he's now following Du Gu Bo instead—without a sect of his own, he can't help but replicate debts.
With Du Gu Yan's absorption complete, the trio prepared to venture deeper into the Northern Extremes.
Du Gu Bo mused privately: Yun Yibai is ruthless—but without his push, Yan Yan might never have gotten here.
Yang Wudi nodded in agreement: If Yun Yibai hadn't insisted we come here instead of the Star Dou Archforest, we wouldn't have such a harvest.
Indeed, soul bones—especially a 40,000-year-old one—are treasures.
They planned to find a Frost‑Thunder Dragon next: a cold-region earth‑type soul beast.
After 13 days in the icy realm where 10,000‑year beasts thrived, they finally located a Frost‑Thunder Dragon of about 13,000 years—perfect for Yun Yibai's needs.
This canyon was cold and brimmed with lightning—a natural thunder‑field of the Northern Extremes.
Yang Wudi readied his weapon: "I'll go first—finish quickly, then we can leave this frozen place."
Du Gu Yan grinned, "Actually, I'd like to show them what I can do now!"
Yang Wudi chuckled, "Looks like you're confident in your new soul skills?"
Du Gu Yan nodded.
Yang Wudi holstered his weapon. Du Gu Yan activated her soul, summoning her evolved spirit dragon: Bilin Frost Jiao.