Chapter 100: Martial Soul Mutates Again Purple Gold Crystal Bear?
Being a caretaker wasn't an easy task, especially when one couldn't meditate to pass the time.
Luckily, neither of them were the silent type. After setting up a thin barrier of soul power, they casually started gossiping.
"By the way, Grandpa mentioned that Senior Guang Ling wants you to challenge someone when you get back. Who is it? Is he strong? Does he have any allies? Do you need my help?"
Ever since switching to a Battle Soul Master path, Dugu Yan's desire for combat had skyrocketed. But she hadn't had a proper fight yet, so she was eager to find an opponent.
Han Li didn't count she couldn't even touch him, so what kind of sparring would that be?
Hearing her words, Han Li chuckled and glanced at her. "Are you sure you want to know?"
"Duh. Why else would I ask?" Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at him.
"Well, that's unfortunate for you. Your idol might end up holding a grudge against you."
Han Li still clearly remembered how she admired the current Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong. So, he couldn't help teasing her.
"Huh?"
Dugu Yan blinked in confusion.
"Yeah, my master wants me to 'beat up' uh, I mean, 'challenge' her disciple. Her name is Hu Liena. Still want to join in?"
Han Li deliberately paused halfway before raising an eyebrow at her.
"Why wouldn't I? An idol is an idol, but it's not like I've ever met her. Hmm… since we're not on good terms with her faction, we definitely need to fight and fight hard. Wait, is Spirit Hall always this chaotic? Even the Worship Hall and the Supreme Pontiff don't get along?"
Dugu Yan was quick to pick a side, then followed up with a complaint.
"Mm, my master and I belong to the Worship Hall. You and your grandpa are naturally part of it now too. But it doesn't really matter that's their business. As long as we don't get involved, we're fine."
Han Li briefly explained the faction divisions, then added:
"Besides, if I beat the Supreme Pontiff's disciple too badly, would it cause trouble for you?"
Dugu Yan, instead of backing down, became more concerned.
"It's fine. As long as I control my strength, it won't be an issue. Besides, she's several years older than me. If she loses to someone younger and then her elders come after me, it'll just make them look worse. Honestly, I haven't even met her yet, so no big deal."
Han Li reassured her.
Hearing this, Dugu Yan finally let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to ask something else, a sudden movement from Xiu'er's direction drew their attention.
They immediately deactivated the soul power barrier and approached her.
"No need to worry. This is actually a good thing."
Han Li relaxed as soon as he took a closer look.
At that moment, Xiu'er was completely enveloped in a purple gold glow, her heartbeat pounding audibly in her chest. But her face showed no signs of pain on the contrary, she looked comfortable.
"Are you sure she's okay? Her heart is glowing and beating so hard…"
Dugu Yan wasn't convinced. She had grown to like Xiu'er and didn't want anything bad to happen to her.
"Trust me, it's fine. Just like you, Xiu'er's martial soul is evolving or rather, strengthening. Her high tier martial soul is incredibly powerful. The Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum alone isn't enough to fully push her past the threshold."
Han Li gently squeezed her hand to reassure her.
"…Wait, are you saying it's the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear? But I've never heard of anyone possessing that martial soul before."
Dugu Yan knew about Xiu'er's Crystal Bear mutation, so she was shocked by his statement.
"You guessed right it is the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. But not yet. Xiu'er's foundation isn't strong enough. Even with an immortal herb as support, she'll need to reach the Soul Sage level before her martial soul fully evolves."
Han Li confirmed her guess and shared his speculation.
"…I never realized you had such high expectations for Xiu'er."
Dugu Yan eyed Han Li with a hint of jealousy.
"Hah, what kind of jealousy is this? If you keep evolving your martial soul according to my plan, it won't be any weaker than the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. Actually, your martial soul is already one of the best on the continent."
Han Li grabbed her hand, laughing at her sudden sourness.
"Uh… I forgot. My martial soul only evolved recently, so I still think of it as the Jade Phosphor Serpent."
Dugu Yan awkwardly turned away, muttering.
Han Li fell silent. Girl, you were just talking about finding someone to fight with, and now you suddenly forgot your own martial soul?
Dugu Yan felt a little embarrassed too. Fortunately, Xiu'er had always been a kind and considerate girl so much so that even now, she managed to ease the tension.
The purple gold light surrounding her quickly receded as she opened her eyes.
As soon as she did, she found the two standing beside her, staring at each other in silence.
She blinked in confusion. "Uh… What's wrong with you two?"
Han Li and Dugu Yan finally snapped out of their daze. The awkward atmosphere instantly vanished as they turned their attention to her.
"Nothing. Xiu'er , how do you feel?"
Han Li reached out, pulling her up with a smile.
"I feel amazing. It's like my entire body has been purified. Even my soul power circulates much faster now. Hmm… my martial soul seems different too."
As she spoke, Xiu'er playfully twitched her round ears, looking particularly adorable.
Han Li and Dugu Yan both followed her gaze to her head, noticing the changes.
Xiu'er's ears had originally been translucent crystal, but now they were coated in a faint layer of purple gold, making them appear even more regal and beautiful.
"Xiu'er , try your Martial Soul Possession. Let's see if anything else changed."
Han Li wanted to assess the transformation properly.
"Alright."
Xiu'er nodded and immediately activated her Martial Soul Possession.
Her transformation was mainly concentrated on her hands, so Han Li focused there.
Sure enough, her martial soul had undergone significant enhancement. Originally, her hands would turn brown when possessed. But now, they had become entirely purple gold. Moreover, the tips of her fingers faintly shimmered with a metallic luster though they hadn't fully formed into sharp claws yet.
Additionally, her entire body was now enveloped in a thin layer of purple gold energy, making her look much stronger than before.
"Han Li, I feel so much stronger than before! Both my strength and defense seem to have increased by about thirty percent. Hmm… My crystallization ability has improved too, but only by about ten percent."
Xiu'er excitedly shared her newfound abilities, her eyes gleaming with joy.
Dugu Yan curiously reached out to touch her arm, only to find that the purple gold glow prevented her from making contact.
"Congratulations, Xiu'er . Maybe your martial soul should now be called the Purple Gold Crystal Bear."
Han Li smiled at the happy girl before him, genuinely pleased with her progress.
(End of Chapter)
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