Chapter 221: Zhu Zhuqing's External Soul Bone - Shadow Cat Claw
Agility Attack System Soul Masters value burst power and control ability the most.
Zhu Zhuqing's third soul skill not only has extremely strong destructive power but also carries corrosion and full-attribute weakening effects.
Especially in battles of the same level, percentage-based full-attribute weakening is enough to determine the outcome.
Ning Rongrong said excitedly, "Zhuqing, with this soul skill, if you run into Dai Mubai, that lecherous tiger again, let's see if he still dares to act arrogant in front of you!"
Zhu Zhuqing curled her lips slightly.
Her gaze flickered, and a strong fighting spirit surged within her.
She turned her head to look at Lin Qingmo, gratitude showing in her eyes.
If not for him, she would never have been able to absorb that 3,500-year soul ring.
It was him, time and time again, helping her break past her limits, making her stronger and stronger.
Giving her the confidence to break free from those shackles of fate.
She would remember this kindness in her heart forever.
Lin Qingmo met her gaze, the corner of his lips lifting slightly as he said softly, "Congratulations. This soul skill suits you very well."
"Thank you, Ah Qing."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was very soft, yet exceptionally sincere.
…
Night fell.
A bonfire rose within the forest.
The dancing flames dispelled the darkness and chill of the woods.
Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling sat around the fire, chatting noisily.
Dugu Yan leaned against a tree, wiping her gauntlet, occasionally joining in.
Liu Erlong rested with her eyes closed at the entrance of a tent but remained alert to her surroundings at all times.
Zhu Zhuqing did not stay by the fire.
She looked toward Lin Qingmo's tent not far away.
Her fingers curled slightly, her heart beating like a restless rabbit.
There had been so many people during the day that she couldn't say much in thanks.
Now that it was late at night and everyone was gathered by the fire, she finally had a chance to thank him properly in private.
There was also one more matter she didn't know how to bring up.
While absorbing the soul ring, she had felt a cool, sharp energy flow into her right hand along with it.
That energy was very gentle and highly compatible with her Hell Spirit Cat martial soul, as if it naturally belonged to her.
She didn't know what it was, only that it was likely something very precious.
Taking a deep breath, Zhu Zhuqing adjusted her clothes and walked toward Lin Qingmo's tent.
The tent flap wasn't fully closed, leaving a small gap, with faint light seeping out from inside.
Zhu Zhuqing stood at the entrance, hesitating.
"Come in."
Lin Qingmo's voice came from inside.
"…"
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing lifted the flap and walked in.
The tent was simple, containing only a basic bed.
Lin Qingmo withdrew from his meditative state.
"Why aren't you resting yet?"
Zhu Zhuqing stopped in front of him, looked into his eyes, and said softly:
"Ah Qing, I want to thank you properly."
"If not for you, I would never have been able to absorb that soul ring nor become this strong."
"Why be so polite with me?"
Lin Qingmo smiled.
"That soul ring was the most suitable for you to begin with."
"But you came to find me this late; it's probably not just to thank me, right?"
He had a feeling Zhu Zhuqing had something else on her mind.
He was right.
Zhu Zhuqing lightly grasped the corner of her clothes, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
"There's something else. I don't know how to explain it."
"When I was absorbing the soul ring, besides its energy, I think I absorbed something else."
Lin Qingmo paused, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Something else? What do you mean?"
"I can't explain it clearly either."
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip and raised her right hand.
"When I was absorbing the soul ring, there was a very cool energy with a sharp aura that merged into my right hand."
"I can feel its presence, and… I think I can activate it."
As her voice fell, her soul power began to flow quietly.
Her right hand suddenly extended pitch-black claws.
They were longer and sharper than the claw blades she normally released with her martial soul, carrying a faint black glow and a subtle fluctuation of soul power.
The edges of the claws gleamed with a cold light. Just looking at them gave the sense that they could tear through steel.
Lin Qingmo looked at the black claws on her hand, his pupils slightly contracting.
A look of shock appeared on his face.
External soul bone!
He truly hadn't expected that the thousand-year Dark Shadow Cat would actually drop an external soul bone.
External soul bones.
They were the rarest among all soul bones.
In a certain sense, even more precious than a hundred-thousand-year soul ring or soul bone.
Not only could they provide powerful attribute boosts and unique effects, but they could also grow along with the Soul Master, possessing limitless potential.
In the entire Soul Master world, those who possessed an external soul bone were one in ten thousand.
Moreover, this external soul bone was a claw-type from a feline beast, highly compatible with Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Spirit Cat martial soul.
"Ah Qing? What exactly is this?"
Seeing his surprised expression, Zhu Zhuqing felt a little uneasy.
She withdrew her soul power, and the claws disappeared.
"Will it have any effect on me?"
"No."
Lin Qingmo came back to his senses and looked at her seriously. "Zhuqing, this is an external soul bone, and it's a claw-type external soul bone perfectly compatible with your martial soul."
"Its value is comparable to a hundred thousand year soul ring and soul bone."
"A hundred thousand years?!"
Zhu Zhuqing's pupils shrank suddenly, her face filled with disbelief.
Of course, she knew what a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone meant.
That was a supreme treasure every Soul Master in the world dreamed of.
And she had actually obtained an external soul bone comparable to one while absorbing a 3,500-year soul ring?
"That's right."
Lin Qingmo nodded and continued, "The greatest characteristic of an external soul bone is that it does not occupy one of the six soul bone slots, and it can continue to grow as you grow stronger."
"And this soul bone perfectly matches your Hell Spirit Cat martial soul, allowing you to maximize the advantages of the agility attack system."
He paused, his tone turning more serious. "But you must remember, before you completely fuse with this external soul bone, you must never casually reveal its existence to anyone."
"External soul bones are far too rare. Once outsiders learn about it, it will inevitably bring a fatal disaster."
"Even with those around you, you must remain cautious."
Realizing the seriousness of the matter, Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly.
She naturally understood the principle that possessing a treasure invites disaster.
If something this valuable were discovered by ill-intentioned people,
It wouldn't just bring trouble to her but also implicate Lin Qingmo and the others.
Zhu Zhuqing pursed her lips. "Ah Qing, this external soul bone… should belong to you."
Lin Qingmo was taken aback. "Hm?"
"If not for you, I would never have obtained this soul ring, let alone this external soul bone."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, her gaze exceptionally firm.
"Something this precious should belong to you. I can't accept it."
She truly meant it.
From beginning to end, it had all been Lin Qingmo helping her.
The whale rubber was given by him, the soul beast was captured by him, and he was the one who let her absorb it.
Even during the absorption, he had been protecting her.
In Zhu Zhuqing's heart, this external soul bone should have belonged to him from the start.
End of Chapter
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