Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 324 The Ice and Fire Dragon King's Choice
……

After taking a short breath and suppressing the weakness caused by the churning blood and qi and the depletion of soul power, Xuanming turned and walked towards the residence where Gu Yuena was resting.

After a day of recuperation, nourished by the Dragon God's Heart and the dragon bone energy transferred from Xuanming, Gu Yuena's breathing had become much more stable. Although she was still somewhat weak, her silver-purple eyes had regained their former depth and coldness.

The door opened, and before Xuanming could speak, Gu Yuena said, "Go back to the Star Dou Great Forest and get that belated gift."

Xuanming remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

There's no rush for Blood Spear's spirit rings; his next step is to add spirit rings to his beast spirit.

The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, a special soul beast with spiritual and ice attributes and a cultivation level approaching one million years, can directly push one's spiritual realm to the same level as Poseidon, or even higher, if absorbed.

The qualitative change in mental strength is crucial for resisting the mental impact of the later stages of the Light of the Sea God.

Once one's mental strength is strong enough to control one's own power more precisely and withstand greater pressure, the next goal is to further increase the limits of physical body and soul power—the Deep Sea Demon Whale King!

His current body is no longer able to withstand the stronger suppression of the Sea God's Light, and he needs to upgrade.

The two didn't delay any longer. Xuanming went to Poseidon and briefly explained the situation, saying that they needed to go out to find a suitable soul ring to prepare for the assessment.

Poseidon was somewhat puzzled as to why he didn't obtain the divine soul ring from Seagod Island.

Xuanming still has a divinely bestowed soul ring granted by the Sea God that he hasn't used yet; that's a special privilege for those who are at least Black-level examiners.

Seeing that Xuanming was determined to leave and that Gu Yuena was going with him, she did not try to stop them, but simply told them to be careful.

Soon, a streak of blood-red light and a streak of silver-purple light left Seagod Island and sped off towards the Star Dou Great Forest of Douluo Continent.

In the realm of gods, within the temple.

The light mirror followed the crimson and silver-purple stream of light that left Seagod Island, and the gazes of the five God-Kings were all filled with inquiry.

"Are they planning to hunt for spirit rings?" The God of Kindness frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled. "Xuanming still has a divinely bestowed spirit ring that he hasn't used yet. Why would he go to such lengths and risk hunting spirit beasts? Moreover, with his current strength and potential, a divinely bestowed spirit ring is undoubtedly the safest and most suitable choice for his development."

The God of Evil smirked and shook his head: "Kindness, you're too naive. This kid, and that little silver dragon, their target is probably not just an ordinary 100,000-year-old soul beast."

“Previously, Xuanming was pulled into the life-and-death arena constructed by my evil rules in the Star Dou Great Forest by the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. At that time, I sensed that there was an Ice Silkworm with nearly a million years of cultivation hidden beneath the Lake of Life!”

"According to my divine sense, although that worm's combat power is negligible, its vast spiritual power and ice attribute essence are a great tonic for someone like Poseidon. If Xuanming gets his hands on it, his spiritual power will probably surge to an extremely terrifying level."

Upon hearing this, the Goddess of Life's eyes flashed with understanding: "Take the Ice Silkworm first to strengthen your spirit in order to cope with the mental impact of the Sea God's Light in its later stages. A very wise choice. So what about after that? A single Ice Silkworm is probably not enough to support him to the top."

The God of Destruction glanced at Poseidon: "After that? Naturally, we'll go find that whale that dwells in the deep sea."

With nearly a million years of cultivation, the soul rings and soul bones of the ocean overlord, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, greatly enhanced Xuan Ming's body and soul power.

The Asura God's icy voice rang out, pointing out the most crucial point: "But all of this is predicated on the premise that he must be able to absorb and withstand it. How can the energy of a million-year soul ring be so easily controlled? Even with the Silver Dragon King's assistance, the risks are still extremely high."

The God of Evil chuckled, turning his gaze to the Mirror of Light, as if looking through it at the two beings slumbering within Xuanming's body: "So, this is the true purpose of the second trial. Haven't you noticed? The rule I set—forbids the use of the remnant soul power of the Ice and Fire Dragon King and the energy of the sealed dragon bones."

He paused, his tone carrying a profound meaning: "This power, in essence, still belongs to the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King; it's just temporarily residing within Xuan Ming's body. Therefore, it's judged by the rules as an external force and sealed away. But..."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "What if the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King were determined enough to completely sever their ties with this part of the dragon bones and dragon soul, and give all ownership and control of it to Xuanming completely and permanently, so that these powers could become Xuanming's own power from the very beginning?"

Upon hearing this, the temple fell into a brief silence.

The Goddess of Life suddenly realized: "In this way, this power is no longer an external force, and the rules cannot seal it! When Xuanming climbs the Nine Heavens Mystic Steps, he can use this vast foundation!"

The God of Kindness also understood: "Evil, your second test, on the surface, was testing Xuanming's limits, but in reality, it was forcing the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King to make a statement, to see if they were willing to pay such a huge price for Xuanming?"

Completely bestowing the dragon bones and dragon souls means that the remnant souls of the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King will lose their greatest support and foundation, becoming extremely fragile and possibly even dissipating more quickly.

This was nothing short of a high-stakes gamble, placing their entire survival on Xuanming.

The God of Evil shrugged and laughed, "We can't keep them hiding forever, can we? The Heart of the Dragon God has already appeared in the world, and the Silver Dragon King has made his stance clear. These two first-generation Dragon Kings, our old friends, should also make their appearance and give their opinion."

"Should we continue to observe, or go all in? It all depends on whether they are willing to help Xuanming capture those two soul beasts this time, and... offer this as a wedding gift."

The Asura God remained expressionless, but a hint of approval flashed in his blood-red eyes. This was the kind of assessment he approved of—forcing out all potential variables and revealing the true nature of everything.

"It seems the show about to unfold in the Star Dou Great Forest and the Deep Sea will be even more spectacular than we anticipated." The God of Evil looked at the Mirror of Light with great interest. "Ice and Fire, what will you choose? Will you continue to eke out a living, or... take a desperate gamble?"

Xuanming has shown his determination, but the soul beast race does not.

This kid risked everything for a responsibility that wasn't really his own, but he kept it a secret from the soul beasts.

He was almost certain that Binghuo and the other two had not revealed everything about the Dragon Clan, nor had they disclosed their secrets to Xuanming! Even now, they were still observing Xuanming, and to put it bluntly, if Xuanming failed, they would be finished.

But what about the dragons? They can simply replace them with someone else and start over.

He could tell that Poseidon, Shura, and even the God of Kindness had already set their sights on Xuanming, and in fact, he had set his sights on Xuanming as well.

Therefore, regardless of the outcome of this assessment, they will try to keep this kid here. As for whose divine position to inherit, that will depend on their own abilities.

However, if Xuanming fails, the Dragon Clan will have no choice but to follow Shura's initial suggestion and seal the Silver Dragon King to prevent any unforeseen events.

……

The core area of ​​the Star Forest, the Lake of Life.

Months later, at Lake Life, sunlight shines through the clear water, casting golden spots on the lakebed, resembling a dreamlike galaxy.

The lake surface shimmered, and a gentle breeze rippled across it. In stark contrast to the grandeur of Poseidon Island, this place was filled with a tranquil and pristine sense of life.

Xuanming and Gu Yuena quietly appeared by the lake.

Their return did not cause much of a commotion, but Brigitte, who had been guarding the area, immediately sensed it, and her graceful figure emerged from the forest.

"My lord, Xuanming, you've returned." Biji bowed slightly, her gaze lingering on Gu Yuena for a moment. She sensed the increasingly profound aura emanating from Gu Yuena, an aura that even instilled a sense of instinctive awe in her. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she did not ask any further questions.

Gu Yuena nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the calm lake surface, a hint of reminiscence and determination flashing in her silver-purple eyes.

"Di Tian, ​​bring the Ice Silkworm up."

Moments later, violent ripples appeared in the center of the lake, and a huge black dragon shadow broke out of the water—it was the Beast God Di Tian.

In his enormous dragon claws, he carefully grasped an object that resembled a giant crystal cocoon, wrapped in countless transparent energy roots.

Inside the cocoon, a giant silkworm, its body crystal clear and radiating a faint blue-gold halo, was curled up, exuding a vast, ocean-like spiritual fluctuation and pure ice-attribute energy.

Di Tian gently placed the ice silkworm on the lake shore. "My lord."

Gu Yuena nodded, turning her gaze to Xuanming: "Let's begin. I will help you stabilize its spiritual essence and guide its power to merge with yours."

Xuanming looked at the rare artifact of heaven and earth before him, whose cultivation was nearly a million years old, and remained silent for a moment. "Not enough."

Gu Yuena was slightly taken aback. "Not enough?"

“It’s only a hair’s breadth away from a million years, and I think… let it break through first,” Xuanming said.

"Breakthrough?" Gu Yuena looked puzzled.

"We only have so little time, we can't wait any longer."

Nine hundred thousand years and a million years, even if they are only a hair's breadth apart, have vastly different effects!

If given the chance, she would naturally do her best, but this ice silkworm is still a long way from a million years old, and they only have half a year to complete this second test.

What's more, after this incident, they still need to find the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, who is quite troublesome.

“I have a way,” Xuanming said.

"Or rather, it has its own way of doing things."

Xuanming's words surprised both Gu Yuena and Di Tian.

How can this ice silkworm possibly reach a million years old by now? There's simply not enough time.

Before Gu Yuena could ask a question, Xuanming's gaze fell on the glistening silkworm cocoon, and he calmly asked, "Tell me yourself, how did you cultivate to your current level?"

The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm inside the pupa seemed to tremble slightly, and a mental message, tinged with both timidity and smugness, was transmitted: "I...I ate something called Ten Thousand Year Profound Ice Marrow, ate it, slept, woke up and found my cultivation had increased, so I kept searching, kept eating...and as I ate, and...that's how it happened..."

This thought resonated clearly in the minds of every powerful individual present.

Di Tian's lips twitched slightly, and even the usually gentle Bi Ji showed a hint of speechlessness in her eyes. Zi Ji even let out a sneer.

Which soul beast cultivation doesn't involve countless years of struggle against fate, and arduous progress through battles and enlightenment?

Especially the tribulation ten thousand years from now, where the chance of survival is extremely slim!
But this lazy insect in front of me is something else. It has somehow managed to reach a terrifying cultivation level of nearly a million years by relying entirely on "eating" and "sleeping"!
This is simply the greatest mockery of all diligently cultivating soul beasts!

(End of this chapter)