Soul Land—Chapter 61: Familiar Starlight Spirit Flood Dragon
"Thank you for your trust. I will do my best," Ling Qianyao nodded slightly.
Ye Lingling put on her veil again, nodded to Ling Qianyao and the others, and slowly walked away with Duguyan, who was still stunned.
After walking for a while...
"Ling, Lingling, why..."
"The changes in Zhuqing's martial soul," Duguyan hesitated, "but before he gets the herb grass, there are still many secrets about classmate Qianyao."
Duguyan was startled.
Ye Lingling winked at Duguyan and said softly, "If anyone can solve our family's martial soul problem, I believe it must be classmate Qianyao."
Duguyan pursed her lips and said in a dilemma, "But, with such a promise, don't you feel as if your elders are selling you out? Um—sorry."
Ye Lingling shook her head gently. "It's just a service, it's nothing. Besides, I don't reject it." Her face flushed slightly.
Duguyan's eyes widened slightly upon hearing this. "Lingling, you're not doing that to Qianyao, are you?"
Ye Lingling said nothing, just smiled.
"Ah, this..." Duguyan suddenly felt a little overwhelmed. Her grandfather had just tried to persuade her not long ago, saying she should try to accept Ling Qianyao—the grandson-in-law who came to her door—and she couldn't let him slip away.
Her feelings toward Ling Qianyao were very subtle—admiration, gratitude, and a bit of unknown affection.
But because of Ling Qianyao's age, she was still trying to persuade herself, even though Dugu Bo had told her many times that, for a soul master, a hundred-year age difference didn't matter.
Now, seeing Ye Lingling seems to have a little affection for Ling Qianyao, and the entire family seems to be preparing to give her away, she suddenly feels a bit flustered.
'Why don't I just listen to Grandpa?'
As soon as this thought appeared in Duguyan's mind, she shook her head violently, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Yanyan, what's wrong with you?" Ye Lingling looked at Duguyan, who kept shaking her head with her ears reddened, and asked worriedly, "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Duguyan was brought back to reality by Ye Lingling's words. She quickly shook her head and said calmly, "No, nothing. I'm just... um, a little hot."
---
In Ling Qianyao's dormitory...
He still felt guilty for not explaining the immortal herb in his hand earlier and telling a small lie.
However, Ling Qianyao initially planned to solve the problem of the Nine Heart Flowering Apple Martial Soul in the future in exchange for some benefits.
In battles, logistical support is undoubtedly very important.
If he could master strategic resources like the Flowering Apple Martial Soul, it would be a huge help for his plans.
He couldn't stay away from the Star Luo Empire forever, and he was aware of the murderous intent that flashed in Zhuqing's eyes that night.
However, he was still somewhat surprised when Ye Lingling made her promise today. After thinking it over, it seemed reasonable.
"But why do I always feel like they're more inclined to choose a son-in-law—for example, my cheap teacher giving a dowry," he grinned.
---
Nearly a Year Later
Tianling Mountains.
Ling Qianyao and Dugu Bo once again embarked on their journey to find suitable soul rings for him.
In less than a year, Ling Qianyao's soul power had risen five levels, reaching the realm of quasi-Soul Ancestor.
This rapid progress amazed Dugu Bo and his expectations for Ling Qianyao increased even further. Simultaneously, the idea of making him a grandson-in-law became stronger.
Fortunately, he still had a sense of shame, and seeing no competitors appear, he suppressed his impulse.
"It seems this is the cave where we encountered the Starlight Spirit Flood Dragon last time," Dugu Bo stroked his beard.
"Yes, it's here. The strange stone statue is the one you left last time," Ling Qianyao replied.
Dugu Bo looked toward the direction Ling Qianyao pointed. There were piles of stones shaped like snakes or dragons, almost forming a heap.
His face darkened, and he coughed. "It was just that I was too strong and accidentally broke it."
"Huh?" Ling Qianyao suddenly uttered, "Huh?"
"What's wrong, brat?" Dugu Bo frowned, noticing Ling Qianyao's strange expression.
Ling Qianyao slowly approached the collapsed cave entrance, activating his illusion-breaking pupil, with blue stars flashing in his eyes.
"There's an unusual smell here."
Dugu Bo heard this and stepped forward, squinting to see something, but found only the pile of rocks. "What are you doing, brat? I don't feel anything."
Ling Qianyao put away his illusion-breaking pupil and looked at Dugu Bo helplessly. "Can you improve your mental power as soon as possible? Your martial soul has evolved, and you don't need to suppress the toxins like before."
"There's a soul beast's aura here. Teacher, can you sense it carefully?"
Dugu Bo's face flushed with embarrassment. Since his martial soul evolved, his mental power was slowly recovering to the level of a Titled Douluo. But he was still very tired from suppressing toxins for so many years, so he had just been letting his mental power increase gradually.
"Concentrate? Meditation?" Dugu Bo snorted. "Concentrating! Yeah, I feel it—familiar soul beast aura."
"Starlight Spirit Flood Dragon."
The two exchanged glances and laughed simultaneously.
Dugu Bo wiped his hands and said, "Hehe, time for me to take action again. Disciple wait here. I'll be back soon."
With that, he disappeared in a flash.
Ling Qianyao's face darkened. Luckily, he hadn't said he was going to buy oranges; otherwise, he would have suffered a loss.
"Boom boom—"
Ling Qianyao's expression changed instantly, and he quickly retreated.
He looked at the small mountain where the cave was located, which was already beginning to crumble as if it could collapse at any moment. Rocks and rubble kept rolling down from the top, raising clouds of dust and obscuring the sky.
Ling Qianyao moved swiftly, leaping into a relatively safe area.
"Why is there such a loud noise?"
Suddenly, a dazzling light flashed across the sky, followed by a deafening roar.
Ling Qianyao looked up and saw a huge dragon tumbling out of the mountain, twisting through the air.
Compared to the previous Starlight Spirit Flood Dragon, this one was more robust.
The most striking feature was its enormous Starlight Wings, which shimmered more brilliantly than before—like the brightest star in the night sky.
The flood dragon's eyes were red, and powerful soul power fluctuations radiated from its body.
"Roar—"
Suddenly, its eyes turned toward the hidden Ling Qianyao, and a deafening roar erupted from its mouth. The scarlet in its eyes intensified. It charged straight at Ling Qianyao, ignoring the attack from Dugu Bo below.
"?" Ling Qianyao was stunned. "No—was that your wife last time?"
(End of this chapter)