I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the latest chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/NineClouds69
--- Chapter 245 ---
After Queen Medusa, Yafei, and Hai Bodong awakened their martial souls, Han Yuan noticed something unusual about their spirits. Their innate spirit rank was naturally level 10, but the uniqueness of the Dou Qi Continent actually allowed them to break through without needing a spirit ring.
Han Yuan made this discovery when he pulled some Spirit Soul from his Sky Poison Pearl, which was a product of the Douluo Continent, into this world and let Hai Bodong contract one of them.
The rules of the Dou Qi Continent adjusted the foundations of the 'Soul Contract,' as spirit energy was no longer the primary cultivated energy in this world.
This change allowed natives like Hai Bodong, who had awakened martial soul, to continuously break through to level 11 as long as he possessed enough Dou Qi energy, which led to the creation of a new type of spirit ring, known as the Dou Ring.
While in essence, Dou Ring is a variant of 'Spirit Ring,' it no longer needs a dying spirit beast to condense one. Since Hai Bodong's enhanced Dou Qi is the 7:3 Dou Qi and spirit energy, most of the origin actually comes from his own blood, spiritual power, and will.
It is similar to the Natal Spirit Ring that Han Yuan developed back at the Douluo Continent, but it is much more natural and safer. Yet, Dou Ring is much better because it still registers 'spirit skill' that Dou Fighter can use to temporarily boost their strength explosively.
Of course, since Hai Bodong contracted a 36,900-year-old Cold-Hearted Dragon, a rare subtype dragon spirit beast known for its speed, strength, and ice powers as his Spirit Soul, his 1st Dou Ring contained a genuine spirit skill with powerful effects.
Weirdly, the Frost Dragon also transformed into a half-spirit beast, half-magical beast. It is still in its spiritual form, but Han Yuan believes it will evolve into a magical beast as Hai Bodong advances in his cultivation.
"Frost Dragon Transformation!" Hai Bodong roared while wielding his Frost Dragon Halberd. Then, an ink-black light halo with cold blue markings appeared.
Extreme frost covered Hai Bodong's limbs, and a pauldron in the shape of a dragon's head appeared on his right shoulder.
"Hahaha, watch this!"
"Mysterious Frost Dragon Cleave!" Hai Bodong swung his Frost Dragon Halberd with all his might, breaking a mile-long desert in half and sealing it in 2-meter-thick frost.
Such firepower already rivaled most Title Douluos in Douluo Dalu 1's Era, if not surpassed it.
Han Yuan recorded Hai Bodong's improvement before glancing at Yafei and Queen Medusa, "Okay, we can start with your Soul Contract now."
"Which one of you wanted to start first?"
Although Dou Fighter with martial soul doesn't need a spirit ring to reach a higher realm as they condense their own Dou Ring, no one would reject the 'massive' advantage that Spirit Soul provides.
"Let me try first." Queen Medusa stepped forward.
Yafei didn't mind and shrugged, "Sure."
Han Yuan watched Queen Medusa summon her martial soul, the Heaven Swallowing Python. The white python slithered around her waist and then climbed up to her shoulder.
"I only have ten snake-type Spirit Souls, so your choice is limited to them for now." He calmly introduced the Spirit Souls as he brought out ten black-colored shells.
"Five of them are 20,000 years old, three are 35,000 years old, and two are 50,000 years old."
"Half of them are venomous, which means half of them are viper kinds, two are Cobras, and three are Pythons."
"I advise you to choose a similar kind of Spirit Soul to your martial soul to maximize the effect of the contract." He gazed at Queen Medusa kindly.
Queen Medusa pondered briefly and glanced at the white python on her shoulder, communicating with her martial soul. Then, she nodded and asked Han Yuan to display three python species Spirit Souls.
...
The Swamp Python is a 20,000-year-old spirit beast and a popular choice among spirit masters who have snake-type spirits, particularly those with a python martial soul.
This spirit beast offers control-type spirit skills, such as creating a muddy environment or firing a mud blast, both of which are heavy and restrictive upon contact.
...
The Azure Rock Python is a 35,000-year-old spirit beast, a rare bloodline mutation of the ordinary rock python. This unique spirit beast possesses an additional water attribute in addition to its innate earth attribute.
The spirit beast grants powerful defensive and offensive skills, and, if one is fortunate, they may acquire a domain or transformation-type spirit skill known as the Azure King Transformation.
This transformation not only offers a strong affinity for both water and earth attributes but also provides a physique that cannot be cut or pierced, much like the scales of the Azure Rock Python.
...
The last, the Sky-winged Sea Python King, is a 50,000-year-old spirit beast that Han Yuan unfortunately butchered while assisting Liu Erlong in obtaining her ninth spirit ring. It gets in his way; he couldn't help it.
Even then, as the king of the Sea Pythons, it is a very tough spirit beast, especially in its vast ocean home. The Sky-winged Sea Python King can create a rain domain, attack by unleashing jet streams of water like arrows, and crush its prey using deep-sea pressure orbs.
If one contracts Sky-winged Sea Python King, not only can one obtain a domain, but as cultivation progresses, having super offensive spirit skills is guaranteed.
...
...
"Swamp Python aside," Queen Medusa was troubled. "It's hard to choose between the Azure Rock Python and Sky-winged Sea Python King."
Han Yuan nodded, "I know it would be difficult for you to choose, but if I had to say, Sky-winged Sea Python King would be much more suitable for your Heaven Swallowing Python."
"I didn't tell you right away, but the Azure Rock Python's strange mutation occurred due to the influence of a bloodline of strong True Dragons in its body."
"Hmm, True Dragon's Bloodline?" Queen Medusa and Yafei tilted their heads.
Queen Medusa asked curiously, "Is it the bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon? Still, Ancient Void Dragon's specialty is their spatial affinity and power."
Han Yuan shook his head, "Nope, this True Dragon is not Ancient Void Dragon, but it has the extremity of earth and water."
As much as Han Yuan wanted to explain about the Mountain Dragon King, one of the strongest dragons in the Douluo Dalu's history, mentioning that another world exists is difficult.
So, Han Yuan decided to be vague about it. Of course, he would tell them about the Douluo Plane in the future.
Han Yuan sighed inwardly, 'Contracting the Azure Rock Python as Spirit Soul would dilute the purity of Heaven Swallowing Python's martial soul, and make it harder to evolve. After all, Mountain Dragon King and Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python are both Divine Beasts, no, in fact, the latter might be at Dragon God level.'
'While Sky-winged Sea Python King doesn't have a strong bloodline like Azure Rock Python did, with the help of Heaven Swallowing Python's blood, it will become an equal existence to that of Mountain Dragon King once Medusa reaches a god-level strength.'
"Okay, I will contract the Sky-winged Sea Python King then," said Queen Medusa without hesitation. After digesting Han Yuan's words, she knew contracting a dragon-blooded Spirit Soul would harm her.
It would be fine if Queen Medusa's martial soul were the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, as she could swallow the dragon's bloodline and refine it into pure nutrients. The problem is that Heaven Swallowing Python's refining ability is weaker.
Han Yuan brought out the sealed Sky-winged Sea Python King and said casually, "Little fellow, this woman is going to be your contractor, so treat her well."
A python, a little over one meter, appeared out of thin air. Its long body is mainly ocean blue, and each scale reflected the sunlight beautifully, and a pair of white-blue wings kept it suspended in the air.
The Sky-winged Sea Python King stared at Han Yuan timidly because this little human was the reason it ended up in this state, and then looked up at Queen Medusa.
However, once the Sky-winged Sea Python King met the eyes of Queen Medusa and the Heaven Swallowing Snake, it felt like it was 'literally' being stared at by two apex predators.
Not to mention, the Sky-winged Sea Python King also fears from its very bloodline.
It quickly groveled on the ground and bowed toward Queen Medusa and her martial soul.
"..." Han Yuan.
"Well, it seems the little fellow likes you very much, Medusa."
"Hehe, yeah, not bad." Queen Medusa laughed softly.
Han Yuan then performed the Soul Contract ritual, and Queen Medusa let the Sky-winged Sea Python King become her Heaven Swallowing Python's Spirit Soul.
As the queen of snake-people meditated on the ground to feel her gains, Han Yuan glanced at Yafei, who had been waiting for him.
"Yafei, the Azure Rock Python is actually suitable for you." Han Yuan said while picking the Spirit Soul that Queen Medusa didn't choose.
"The dragon's blood in its body actually comes from a powerful dragon that can control the earth and water element, and more importantly, gravity!"
"Once you fuse the blood into your body and purify it, not only will your physique become that of a True Dragon, but your talents will also soar to the sky."
Yafei's eyes lit up in amazement, "That's amazing!"
"B-But can I handle it?"
Although Yafei could become a Dou Fighter because of Han Yuan's help, she knew her body and mind weren't as strong as Hai Bodong's or Queen Medusa's, who had years of experience and training, and a 35,000-year-old spirit beast was probably impossible to contract for her current strength.
Han Yuan smiled and hugged Yafei, whispering to her ears, "Don't look down on yourself too much, Yafei."
"I have seen your hard work over the years, and Azure Rock Python wouldn't be a problem for you."
"Even if it did, I will make sure everything is alright just for you."
Yafei blushed, feeling Han Yuan's hot breath on her ears, and nodded sheepishly, "Mm."
After the encouragement, Yafei firmed her belief and contracted the Azure Rock Python under Han Yuan's assistance.
Hai Bodong approached Han Yuan quietly and commented grimly, "Brat, are you two-timing, my grand niece?"
"Just you know, if you treat her wrongly, even if I am weaker than you, I would do anything to seek justice for her and beat you up."
Han Yuan gave Hai Bodong a confident smile, "Don't worry, I'd never treat girls wrongly."
"I will do my best to make them happy."
"Tsk, I'm just saying in case it ever happens." Hai Bodong snorted, feeling annoyed by Han Yuan's smile.
Han Yuan didn't mind Hai Bodong's brashness.
Even knowing he couldn't defeat him, he still bravely supported Yafei, and that earned his respect.
This Old Man wasn't that bad, after all.