"Roar!"
A roar, followed by a sigh of relief mixed with endless pain, echoed through the valley, a testament to the immense strength of its owner.
As the roar faded, Dugu Bo emerged from a cave. His face was quite tired, but his eyes were relatively calm.
In the past, he would have felt helpless, knowing his remaining life would be spent in this agony. But now, at least there was a glimmer of hope...
—Wang Li!
Being able to suppress the potent venom in his granddaughter and ensure her life was no longer in danger was already a stroke of luck for him. Moreover, if this child grew stronger, he might also be able to help him suppress the venom. As long as the pain could be alleviated, he would be overjoyed.
As he stepped out of the cave, he saw Wang Li waiting outside with a grin. A gentle warmth appeared in Dugu Bo's eyes. Humans are not plants; how can they be without feelings? Having lived together for ten months, a certain closeness had naturally developed.
Seeing the boy loitering outside the cave again, Dugu Bo teased,
"What? Kid, looking for another beating?"
Hearing this, Wang Li revealed the true reason for his visit:
"Let's put the beating aside for now, Senior. I've broken through to level 30 spirit power, and now I need a thousand-year Spirit Beast for my third spirit ring."
As his words fell, Dugu Bo's gaze completely changed. He looked at Wang Li as if he were a monster. Taking a deep breath, he spoke solemnly:
"In ten months, you've continuously increased your spirit power by four levels. You truly are a monster, kid. Even those exceptionally talented Spirit Masters struggle to go from level 29 to level 30 spirit power, yet you broke through so easily!"
Wang Li said with a beaming smile:
"This is all thanks to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, this treasure land, and your personal guidance, Senior. For these ten months, I've either been getting beaten or waiting to get beaten, which allowed my mutated Spirit to achieve its maximum effect."
"Moreover, Senior, my body gets stronger every time it recovers. For my third spirit ring, I don't want to absorb a thousand-year Spirit Beast. I want to challenge a two-thousand-year or even a three-thousand-year Spirit Beast."
"Senior, you've been in the Sunset Forest for so many years, so you must be quite familiar with it. Are there any plant-type Spirit Beasts that are extremely resilient, two to three thousand years old?"
All the beatings Wang Li endured came from Dugu Bo, so Dugu Bo understood Wang Li's physical strength best.
Which of his bones or muscles hadn't been broken? Which of his internal organs hadn't suffered severe damage? For any other Spirit Master, it would have surely resulted in a permanent disability.
Wang Li not only recovered quickly but also became more resistant to beatings each time. His spirit power and body were closely intertwined. Although subtle, it gave Dugu Bo a feeling that his attacks were being repelled, as if Wang Li's body was resisting injury.
Indeed, although it was merely a mutation of Blue Silver Grass, it was still a mutated Spirit. Being able to suppress the potent venom of the Bi Lin Snake, it was certainly extraordinary.
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, then said:
"It's not impossible for you to try to absorb a spirit ring beyond the limit. As for resilient, two to three thousand-year plant Spirit Beasts, I have indeed seen one!"
"Have you ever heard of the Great Vajra Vine? There's one in the Sunset Forest, at least two thousand years old. While it's not quite three thousand years, it should be enough for you to absorb!"
Great Vajra Vine...
Wang Li's expression grew excited. He had heard of it. Because he had a plant-type Spirit, he had specifically learned more about plant Spirit Beasts, and less about animal Spirit Beasts.
The Great Vajra Vine, among plant-type Spirit Beasts, is renowned for its formidable vitality, an absolute king among strength-based plants.
Its numbers are scarce, but each one possesses extraordinary potential. For every year of cultivation it gains, its outer skin undergoes a transformation, effectively adding a layer of armor to itself, and its strength also increases.
During the ten-year and hundred-year Spirit Beast stages, it isn't particularly outstanding, but once it reaches the thousand-year Spirit Beast stage, it can casually strangle animal Spirit Beasts that are six or seven thousand years old. If it reaches the ten-thousand-year Spirit Beast stage, any animal Spirit Beast below one hundred thousand years, unless they are races with abnormally strong bloodlines, can all be walked like dogs.
Formidable vitality, thick armor, terrifying strength—this is the Great Vajra Vine, an absolute king among plants.
Wang Li immediately said with delight:
"Please help me, Senior!"
Dugu Bo stretched his body. Today's venom backlash had passed, and it was a good time for him to get some exercise:
"Your rapid growth is good for both me and Yan Yan. Let's go, lest the Great Vajra Vine be hunted prematurely!"
After speaking, Dugu Bo took a step, flashing to Wang Li's side, grabbing his shoulder, and then soaring into the sky.
Having been flown so many times, Wang Li had long since adapted. He looked down at the Sunset Forest, a look of anticipation on his face.
Absorbing the Great Vajra Vine spirit ring would undoubtedly bring a significant improvement to his Blue Silver Grass Spirit, and he might even gain a powerful Spirit Ability. But most importantly, if all went well and he absorbed the essence of life this time, his Spirit should evolve again.
How exciting...
With the speed of a Titled Douluo, it didn't take long to reach their destination.
Landing on the ground, Dugu Bo looked ahead and then said,
"Good, this Great Vajra Vine is still here. You're lucky, kid!"
Wang Li followed Dugu Bo's gaze. Wrapped around a giant tree was a vine Spirit Beast, its length unknown but as thick as a thigh. Its natural color was bluish-green, but it had a metallic luster, and its surface was rough, like a giant python.
At this moment, Dugu Bo put Wang Li down and then solemnly instructed him:
"My attacks carry potent venom. With your level 30 spirit power, you won't be able to resist it. You must stay far away, but also protect yourself. There are quite a few thousand-year Spirit Beasts around here."
Wang Li nodded at his words, then said,
"Then I'll leave it to you, Senior!"
After speaking, Wang Li stepped with Instant Step, flashing away in a few movements, finally leaping onto a tree to wait.
Without Wang Li by his side, Dugu Bo could finally unleash his full power. He directly activated his Spirit Avatar, as if a fierce giant python capable of swallowing the sky had opened its eyes. His body was enveloped in a ghastly green poisonous mist.
Wherever the poisonous mist passed, flowers, plants, and trees withered, as if their vitality had been completely drained.
However, the Great Vajra Vine Spirit Beast remained unaffected within the poisonous mist. It seemed provoked and actively lunged into the mist, intending to seize the source of the poison, Dugu Bo.
With its thick armor, terrifying strength, and formidable vitality, even a two-thousand-year-old Great Vajra Vine possessed the capital to fight desperately against Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo.
Without using those powerful Spirit Abilities above ten thousand years, it still took Dugu Bo, with his Titled Douluo strength, over ten minutes to completely subdue the Great Vajra Vine.
Then, dispelling his Spirit Avatar and retracting the last wisp of poisonous mist, Dugu Bo finally called out with relief:
"Wang Li, you can come over now!"