While Li Si was refining the energy of the immortal herbs to nourish his Golden Holy Dragon bloodline, a visitor arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Wait—not a visitor.
The well's owner had returned!
Dugu Bo stood frozen as he looked at the state of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. His pupils constricted, and his body trembled.
Before he could voice his outrage, his gaze landed on a scruffy, unkempt man standing nearby.
"Don't make a fuss. Wait until he wakes up, and then we'll talk."
Tang Hao casually pointed at Li Si, who was currently soaking in the dual-colored spring.
The springs—one of ice and one of fire—were so volatile that even Tang Hao dared not step into them casually. Yet, this young man had devoured two herbs and was now leisurely basking in the springs as though they were nothing.
Dugu Bo: "???"
What kind of monster is this kid?
For the first time since becoming a Title Douluo, someone had dared to speak to him in such a dismissive tone.
Tang Hao turned slightly and looked at Dugu Bo with his usual calm expression.
He knew exactly what Dugu Bo was thinking.
Summoning his Clear Sky Hammer, Tang Hao released his Martial Soul.
Golden-yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one crimson-red soul ring floated around him, the imposing sight silencing Dugu Bo instantly.
If Tang Hao's hammer wasn't intimidating enough, the red soul ring—the mark of a 100,000-year soul ring—left Dugu Bo utterly speechless.
"The Clear Sky Hammer… and a 100,000-year soul ring!"
Dugu Bo's face paled. How could he not recognize Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo—the man who had killed the previous Spirit Hall Pope, Qian Xunji?
Dugu Bo cursed inwardly. He now understood that Tang Hao had returned to the world after 12 years in hiding—and had chosen his Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well as his destination.
But why? And for what purpose?
Tang Hao dismissed his Martial Soul after making his point. There was no need to explain further.
The message was clear:
"You can't provoke me."
For a brief moment, Dugu Bo considered the possibility of fighting back, but sanity quickly prevailed.
Just as the well seemed to regain its peaceful atmosphere, something strange occurred.
A powerful, ominous energy surged from the springs.
Both Tang Hao and Dugu Bo immediately activated their Martial Souls, their instincts screaming of imminent danger.
"Roar~"
Two draconic cries echoed from the springs, causing the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to tremble violently.
From the dual-colored springs emerged two massive spectral dragons—one icy blue, the other fiery red.
Tang Hao and Dugu Bo froze in shock.
These weren't ordinary dragon spirits.
They exuded an ancient, overwhelming aura that dwarfed even the mightiest of Title Douluos.
"What… what are these things?"
Even Tang Hao, who had faced countless threats in his life, felt cold sweat running down his back.
The two spectral dragons hovered above the springs, their golden eyes flickering with confusion.
"We… aren't we dead?"
"How strange… something has awakened us."
As they spoke, their eyes fell on Li Si, still soaking in the springs.
"Ah… the Golden Dragon bloodline. A successor."
"And the Light Holy Dragon's legacy as well."
The two dragons exchanged a glance and nodded solemnly.
"Old Fire, farewell."
"Old Water, farewell."
Without hesitation, the dragons dove toward Li Si, their massive forms breaking apart into streams of energy.
The fiery dragon entered his right arm, while the icy dragon entered his left.
Tang Hao tried to intervene but was powerless. How could he stop spectral dragons?
What was he supposed to do—hit them with a hammer?
As the dragons fused into Li Si's arms, Tang Hao and Dugu Bo watched in stunned silence.
On Li Si's right arm, a fiery red dragon tattoo began to take shape, curling from his shoulder to his wrist.
On his left arm, an icy blue dragon tattoo formed, its intricate scales gleaming faintly.
Tang Hao and Dugu Bo exchanged glances, both fully aware that this wasn't a simple phenomenon.
Dugu Bo's spine tingled as he felt Tang Hao's intense gaze land on him.
"…I-I swear on my Martial Soul, I didn't see anything!"
Dugu Bo stammered, raising both hands in surrender.
It wasn't cowardice—it was pragmatism. If they fought here, it could destroy the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a treasure far too valuable to lose.
Tang Hao hesitated but eventually nodded.
The two agreed silently to avert their gazes and pretend none of this ever happened.
Time passed slowly.
About half a day later, the Clear Sky Hammer disappeared from Li Si's hands, returning to his body.
In its place, the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul emerged.
Dugu Bo gasped in shock.
"Twin Martial Souls?!"
He felt Tang Hao's glare on him once again and sighed heavily.
"Why am I always in these situations?!"
"…I, Dugu Bo, swear on my Martial Soul that I didn't see anything!"
As he spoke, a fourth and fifth soul ring—both black, indicating 10,000-year soul rings—appeared on the Blue Silver Grass.
Dugu Bo's jaw dropped.
Li Si had devoured so many herbs and plants that their combined energies had condensed into new soul rings.
The sight left Dugu Bo wondering if he had returned to the well too early.
If he were in Tang Hao's position, he might have already taken action.
After all, only dead men keep secrets.
Thankfully, Tang Hao remained calm, allowing Dugu Bo to breathe a sigh of relief.
Three days later, Li Si finally opened his eyes.
His gaze was filled with confusion and disbelief.
He hadn't expected the situation to escalate this far.
Through the process of refining the energy of the immortal herbs, his Golden Holy Dragon bloodline had unknowingly awakened the slumbering souls of the Water and Fire Dragon Kings.
And he hadn't just awakened them—he'd received their final gifts.
Compared to the power of the Water and Fire Dragon Kings, all the herbs he had devoured felt utterly insignificant.
(End of Chapter)