Douluo Dalu: The Abandoned Child

The moment I opened my eyes, I felt different, stronger, sharper, more attuned to my surroundings. But the most noticeable change was the presence of my second martial soul, the Dragon Slaying Saber. It hovered beside me in the water, radiating a subtle yet undeniable aura of authority.

For the first time, I could wield it without the suffocating pressure that once accompanied its presence. Despite being in its weakest state, the saber's divine nature remained unquestionable. Its very existence felt overwhelming, but now it was manageable. What surprised me most was its magical qualities, the weapon moved freely in the water, without me touching it, obeying my will without drawing on my soul power.

I stared at the blade, letting it circle around me in the water. Its movements were fluid, almost as if it had a will of its own. Could it truly be alive? Or was it just a manifestation of its divine origin? The questions swirled in my mind as I marveled at its newfound obedience.

Before I could dwell further, I felt a shift within my body. The energies coursing through me—ice and fire—had harmonized completely. My body, once wracked with pain, now felt unbreakable. The Ice and Fire Alchemy Body was complete. The transformation had pushed me to the brink, but now I could sense the immense power it granted.

To test my newfound strength, I released all my power. Soul energy surged through me, causing the water around me to roil violently. My rank had increased again, now at rank 47. Three levels in one experience! The devouring nature of my first martial soul must have played a role, or perhaps my second martial soul had contributed in ways I didn't yet understand. Regardless, the results were clear. I was stronger than ever before.

Focusing on the Dragon Slaying Saber, I willed it to lift me. It obeyed instantly, slipping beneath my feet and propelling me upward. The water beneath me exploded outward as I shot into the air, the saber carrying me like a flying sword. The sensation was exhilarating.

As I reached the shore, I saw my family waiting, their expressions a mix of astonishment and relief. Uncle Xin was the first to break the silence. "Bei! What in the world just happened?"

Grandpa's eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze scanning me from head to toe. "You feel… different," he said cautiously.

I nodded, letting the saber float beside me before retracting it into my body. "It's a long story." I began to recount everything that had happened—the clash of ice and fire energies, the role of the herbs, and the awakening of the Dragon Slaying Saber.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well helped me achieve something incredible," I explained. "My body has reached a new level of resilience. I'm immune to all poisons now, as well as fire and ice."

Grandpa's eyes widened. "Immune? Completely?"

I nodded. "Completely. No poison, no matter how potent, can harm me anymore."

I released my Eight Spider Lances. The evolved limbs gleamed with new energy, and their venomous nature enhanced. Red and white lights swirled around them, representing the fire and ice poisons absorbed from the herbs.

"The Eight Spider Lances have evolved again," I said. "Their power has increased significantly, especially their poison. Even a minor wound from these would be catastrophic for most enemies."

Uncle Xin stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the lances. "The changes are… astonishing."

I smiled and said. "The greatest change is in my second martial soul."

Releasing the Dragon Slaying Saber once more, I let it hover between us. The weapon's aura was undeniable, its presence commanding even among my family.

"The saber has awakened," I said. "I can wield it now without too much pressure. It moves on its own and responds to my will without draining my soul power. It even feels "alive". It can leave my body on its own if it chooses to."

Grandpa stared at the blade, his expression unreadable. "A martial soul that acts independently… That's unheard of."

Uncle Xin laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Of course it's unheard of. This is Bei we're talking about."

I grinned at their reactions, the pride in my chest swelling. "The saber's abilities are still a mystery, but I'll figure them out in time. For now, I'm ready to fulfill my promise."

They both looked at me questioningly.

"It's time to heal your poison," I said firmly. "Bring some tea and two cups. We'll start tonight."