Thank you to our new Patron: SrArgus!
------------------------------------------------------
Yang Xiong felt an intense burning sensation in his hands. The skin on both hands seemed ready to burst, and his soul power was completely out of control. His fingertips, in particular, felt as though the skin might tear apart at any moment.
This feeling was eerily familiar—just like when he had obtained the Xuanming Shell. But this pain was far more intense, especially since it affected all ten fingers, which were connected directly to the heart.
Yang Xiong quickly sat down in a meditative posture and focused all his energy on circulating the Yin-Yang Meditation Technique. Only then did his hands gradually begin to calm down.
When Yang Xiong opened his eyes again, thick scales covered both of his hands. All the scales were silver, and sharp claws had grown at the tips of his fingers.
Lin Gong was astonished. "What kind of luck do you have, kid? You've gained another external soul bone!"
"Wait… that's not just one external soul bone. It's two! These claws must be the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon's dragon claws."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiong carefully examined his hands. Their appearance closely resembled the dragon claws of the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon, albeit much smaller. The exposed claws were less than ten centimeters long. Rather than resembling claws, these external soul bones looked more like a pair of gauntlets. Moreover, the scales and claws on his hands seemed to form a single cohesive unit.
The color of the scales covering his palms was silver. This was particularly striking because the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon's body was entirely black, with only its horns being silver. Yang Xiong suspected this might have something to do with his own martial soul.
At this moment, Lin Gong's expression became serious.
"Xiao Xiong, I don't know how you fully absorbed the Xuanming Turtle Shell last time, but these dragon claws from the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon are external soul bones you likely can't fully absorb yet. Especially considering the dragon's bloodline—it's at the pinnacle of spirit beasts, possessing an immensely powerful dragon lineage. That's why you experienced such excruciating pain."
"In my estimation, it will take at least reaching the Soul Emperor level for you to fully absorb these dragon claw external soul bones. Until then, do not reveal them to anyone—not even to the sect."
Yang Xiong nodded. "Thank you, Teacher Lin. But Teacher Lin, doesn't Sect Leader Ning already know about my Xuanming Turtle Shell external soul bone? Is there a difference?"
Lin Gong shook his head. "It's completely different. Your Xuanming Turtle Shell only enhances defense. These dragon claws, however, can turn an auxiliary soul master into a battle soul master. Even Ning Fengzhi might not be able to suppress their power. Moreover, these claws combine offense and defense—they're the rarest treasure the soul master world has seen in ten thousand years. Their value surpasses even that of a hundred-thousand-year soul bone."
Yang Xiong quickly nodded. "Thank you, Teacher Lin. I'll be careful."
Lin Gong sighed deeply. "Your outrageous luck, combined with the overwhelming strength of your unique martial soul, makes me wonder whether being born into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is a blessing or a curse for you."
Yang Xiong tested his new claws by lightly gripping a nearby rock. The stone shattered like tofu. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe—and fear.
After carefully sensing the information of these claws, Yang Xiong realized Lin Gong was right. They weren't just a combination of offense and defense; their power exceeded his expectations.
These dragon claws gave his hands the formidable defense of the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon, while the tips of his fingers bore razor-sharp claws imbued with an incredibly potent metallic attribute capable of ignoring enemy defenses.
Of course, this ability to bypass defenses was relative. It only worked against soul masters of a similar level. Against soul masters with significantly higher soul power, the effect would weaken considerably, especially if there was a gap of two major cultivation stages. Beyond that, the effect would be negligible.
The two external soul bones granted him a skill called Explosive Dragon Claw. It allowed him to unleash a devastating strike, capable of tearing through the earth. When used with both claws simultaneously, its power doubled.
Even Yang Xiong felt that these dragon claws were overwhelmingly powerful—perfectly combining ultimate offensive capability with terrifying defense. For a body martial soul like his, they seemed tailor-made for his body and spirit.
Just as Yang Xiong was beginning to adapt, a deep roar echoed from the abyss below. The sound was part bull-like bellow, part dragon's roar, but it carried an immense pressure.
Yang Xiong felt his scalp tingle, and Lin Gong was also startled. Quickly grabbing Yang Xiong and taking the corpse of the Silver-Horn Tyrant Dragon, he fled the area.
Once they were safely away, Lin Gong spoke with lingering unease. "Xiao Xiong, don't ever go near that abyss again. There's likely an extremely terrifying spirit beast hidden there. I never expected the Sunset Forest to harbor such a powerful creature."
Yang Xiong asked curiously, "Teacher Lin, if I'm not mistaken, the Sunset Forest shouldn't have any top-tier spirit beasts."
Lin Gong nodded. "In my knowledge, the oldest spirit beast in the Sunset Forest is no more than eighty thousand years old. But judging by that roar earlier, this spirit beast must be at least ninety thousand years old. The abyss itself is mysterious and perilous—even a Soul Douluo might face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death."
Yang Xiong pondered for a moment before asking, "Teacher Lin, do you think this spirit beast could possibly be a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast?"
Lin Gong shot Yang Xiong a glare. "What are you thinking, kid? Do you think hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts grow on trees? Currently, there are only two known hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts on the entire Douluo Continent, and both reside deep within the Star Dou Forest—a place rife with danger. Even a Title Douluo wouldn't necessarily come out unscathed."
"Whenever a solitary hundred-thousand-year spirit beast appears, it causes an uproar. A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast always produces a hundred-thousand-year soul bone, making it a highly coveted prize for the major powers."
Hearing this, Yang Xiong fell into deep thought. Indeed, hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts were exceedingly rare. Among the top three sects, aside from Tang Hao, no one possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—and Tang Hao's soul ring had been provided by his wife. (Excluding Tang Chen, who had vanished for countless years.)
In other words, hunting a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast required the full effort of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Even a powerhouse like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might fail to hunt one, even if they encountered it.
Lin Gong flicked Yang Xiong's forehead. "What are you thinking, brat? No matter how strong your body is, you'd need at least your eighth or ninth soul ring to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. With my current strength and physique, even if someone handed me a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, I wouldn't dare absorb it."
Yang Xiong replied helplessly, "Shouldn't soul masters strive for greatness? If we don't aim for the strongest hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones, aren't we just wasting our lives?"
Lin Gong's face turned red with anger. He looked like he wanted to beat Yang Xiong up.
After some reflection, Yang Xiong spoke again. "Teacher Lin, perhaps we should report the discovery of this top-tier spirit beast to the sect. Maybe that abyss hides a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. If so, it would greatly benefit the sect."
Lin Gong rolled his eyes. "I know what you're thinking—you're planning ahead for your eighth soul ring, aren't you? But have you forgotten? If we ask the sect to help hunt a top-tier spirit beast, the soul bone belongs to the sect. Only those who make significant contributions might receive it as a reward."
"Besides, you're only twelve years old. You won't need to worry about this for another twenty or thirty years. Stop overthinking things."
As the two conversed and prepared to leave the Sunset Forest, a melodious yet piercing voice suddenly rang out from above.
"Well, well, isn't this Lin Gong? I never expected to see you outside the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Looks like you're not afraid of death after all."
They turned toward the source of the voice and saw a man clad in golden armor with a face as delicate as a peach blossom. His skin was abnormally pale, his figure slender, and he wore heavy makeup. If not for his Adam's apple, anyone might mistake him for a woman.
Lin Gong's face filled with rage. "Chrysanthemum Douluo, I didn't expect to see you here. What are you doing in the Sunset Forest?"
Yang Xiong was equally surprised. To encounter Chrysanthemum Douluo in the Sunset Forest was unexpected. Even without using his soul power, the man exuded an overwhelming presence—the aura of a top-tier Title Douluo.
Yang Xiong felt a pang of fear. The Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect were natural enemies. Judging by Lin Gong's expression, he and Chrysanthemum Douluo likely had a grudge. If they fought, Yang Xiong's life would be in grave danger.
Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered. "Lin Gong, what are you talking about? The Spirit Hall once sincerely invited you, but you refused. Look at how old and decrepit you've become. If you had accepted our offer back then, you wouldn't be in this state now."
Lin Gong snorted coldly. "I walk an upright path. I refuse to become a lapdog for the Spirit Hall. Even if your Spirit Hall grows more powerful, do you dare lay a hand on me? Remember, I have the entire Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect backing me."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed. "You…"
"Never thought that Lin Gong, once known as the Unyielding Bamboo King, would now rely on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. How disgraceful."
Before Lin Gong could respond, a chilling voice came from afar.
"Chrysanthemum Guan, aren't you the same? You rely on the Spirit Hall to throw your weight around. Without the Spirit Hall behind you, someone would have killed you long ago for your behavior."
Yang Xiong and Lin Gong quickly turned toward the voice. From the forest emerged an elderly man. Tall and lean like a spear, his hair and beard were ink-green, and his face radiated an eerie aura.
Chrysanthemum Douluo ignored Yang Xiong and Lin Gong. "Dugu Bo, you're nothing but a defeated foe. If not for seeking refuge with the Tian Dou Imperial Family, you'd have been killed by the Spirit Hall long ago."
Dugu Bo sneered. "So you admit you're just a bully hiding behind the Spirit Hall's power?"
Yang Xiong watched the two sides with growing dread. The Spirit Hall was already a sworn enemy of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and Dugu Bo's nest had been destroyed by Yang Xiong himself. If Dugu Bo found out, Yang Xiong would surely meet a gruesome end.
Chrysanthemum Douluo roared furiously. "Dugu Bo, you're courting death!"
With that, Chrysanthemum Douluo unleashed his soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and five black. In his hand appeared an enormous Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and his entire body surged with the energy of metal.
Opposite him, Dugu Bo was equally unyielding. His soul rings were identical—two yellow, two purple, and five black. His massive Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor emitted a terrifying green aura, far surpassing the power of Dugu Yan.
Without hesitation, Lin Gong grabbed Yang Xiong and fled. Both figures were beyond their ability to confront, even the sect would hesitate to provoke them.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow