Several hours later.
The afterglow of the setting sun painted the entire Tianxing Academy in a warm golden hue.
Just then, the door to the conference room was gently pushed open.
As Tang Chuan and Xiao Ruier walked into the conference room, Dugu Bo, who had been waiting inside, came forward to greet them. A trace of imperceptible worry was on his aged face as he asked:
"Where have you two been? Why are you back so late?"
At this moment, Dugu Bo noticed that both of them were slightly out of breath. Although they appeared calm on the surface, their eyes were a few shades sharper than usual.
Tang Chuan did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked to the table, casually found a chair, sat down, picked up a glass of water from the table, took a sip, and then slowly said:
"On the way back, we encountered a small problem and were delayed."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed, and his tone immediately sank as he asked with suspicion:
"Problem? What happened? Could it be Spirit Hall..."
Tang Chuan did not explain directly. Instead, the corner of his mouth curved slightly as he slowly opened his palm.
Instantly, with a flash of colorful light, a seven-colored skull radiating mesmerizing fluctuations quietly appeared in his palm.
"This is... a Soul Bone?! Where did you get it?" Seeing the shimmering bone in Tang Chuan's palm, Dugu Bo's pupils suddenly constricted, and he exclaimed in surprise.
No sooner had he spoken than the Tianxing Academy team members in the conference room all gathered around, their gazes fixed on the Soul Bone, their heartbeats involuntarily accelerating, their faces filled with shock and confusion. A Soul Bone, this was a treasure that any Soul Master could only dream of obtaining!
"On our way back, we encountered Shi Nian, the leading teacher from Canghui Academy," Xiao Ruier said concisely, exhaling a slow breath.
"He secretly attacked us, intending to kill us. As a result, we killed him in return. This Soul Bone dropped from him."
"What? Someone from Canghui Academy dared to try and kill you?!"
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's face instantly turned ashen, and a chilling killing intent uncontrollably spread. Immediately after, a hint of self-reproach appeared on his face, and he said regretfully:
"Sigh! It's all my fault for going to watch the competition this afternoon and not leaving the Great Spirit Arena with you. I didn't expect such a blunder to occur!"
Slowly standing up, Tang Chuan raised his hand and patted Dugu Bo's shoulder, his tone filled with comfort and confidence as he said: "Old Poison, you don't need to blame yourself for this. Even if you weren't with us, it's not certain that no one else was secretly protecting us."
His words were vague, but they had a deeper meaning.
"What's more, with Ruier and my current strength, if we fully unleash our Martial Soul Fusion Skill, even an ordinary Spirit Douluo-level Soul Master might not be our match."
Hearing Tang Chuan's words, especially when he mentioned the astonishingly powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the self-reproach on Dugu Bo's face eased slightly, and his tense expression relaxed.
Then, he exhaled, changing the subject:
"Never mind, it's good that you two are alright."
As he spoke, he turned sideways and pointed to two burly, honest-looking young men not far away, "Tomorrow, I plan to take the Shi Brothers to the Sunset Forest to acquire their fourth spirit ring. Do you want to come with us?"
Following Dugu Bo's gaze, Tang Chuan saw that these two were Shi Mo and Shi Mo, the defense-system Soul Masters of the original Royal Fight Team. Their Martial Soul was the top-tier defensive Beast Spirit, Black Tortoise.
Since the Royal Fight Team disbanded, they had also joined Tianxing Academy with Ye Lingling.
Recently, with the help of the Medicinal Pills refined by Tang Chuan, their Soul Power had reached Rank 40.
"Yes." Without hesitation, Tang Chuan nodded readily.
He then turned around and, under everyone's gaze, walked towards Ye Lingling, who was standing quietly in the corner. He then handed the shimmering head Soul Bone in his palm to her, speaking in a calm tone:
"Lingling, this Soul Bone belongs to the gem category and is most suitable for support system or illusion-type Soul Masters."
"After you absorb it, you will gain a Soul Skill called 'Illusion Space.'"
"This skill not only boosts allies' mental force by twenty percent but also establishes a mental network, allowing teammates to communicate telepathically. More importantly, it can construct a special space during combat, preventing the outside world from locking onto our position."
"It's too valuable, I..." Seeing this, Ye Lingling quickly waved her hand in refusal.
However, before she could finish her sentence, Tang Chuan had already gently placed the Soul Bone in her hand.
"This Soul Bone wouldn't be of much use if absorbed by others, but it's most suitable for you."
Tang Chuan's gaze swept over the surrounding team members, and he said seriously: "One day in the future, perhaps this skill of yours can even save everyone."
Dugu Yan smiled and bumped Ye Lingling's shoulder: "Lingling, just accept it. If we encounter an illusion in the future, we'll have to rely on you to protect us!"
Amidst the good-natured teasing of the crowd, Ye Lingling finally gripped the Soul Bone and bowed deeply to Tang Chuan: "Thank you, I won't let everyone down."
...The next morning, as the first hint of dawn appeared in the sky.
Led by Dugu Bo, Tang Chuan and the Shi Brothers entered the Sunset Forest together.
Instantly, the scent of damp earth mixed with the fresh aroma of grass and trees assailed them.
As everyone walked deeper into the forest, Dugu Bo suddenly stopped and looked at Tang Chuan, saying: "Kid, what kind of Soul Beast do you think would be most suitable for these two little guys' fourth spirit ring?"
After a brief moment of thought, Tang Chuan's gaze swept over the sturdy figures of the Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers, and he said:
"The Black Tortoise is a top-tier defensive Martial Soul. The fourth Soul Skill should further strengthen its barrier characteristics. I suggest we look for a Thorny Rock Turtle. After a thousand years, this beast's carapace will grow reflective spikes. If they can acquire its spirit ring, it might allow their defense to have a reflective damage effect."
...Amidst the swirling morning mist, on another forest path in the Sunset Forest.
Led by Flender, Tang San, Master, and Liu Erlong also entered the Sunset Forest.
Flender had already completed his Martial Soul possession, spreading his owl wings to scout ahead. Liu Erlong pushed Master's wheelchair, following closely behind, while Tang San vigilantly observed their surroundings.
Dry leaves crunched under their feet.
"Teacher, what kind of fire-attribute Soul Beast do you think would be most suitable for my Clear Sky Hammer?" Just then, Tang San suddenly looked at Master and asked in a low voice.
Hearing this, Master stroked his chin, a flash of intelligent light in his eyes, and said:
"The Clear Sky Hammer is supremely rigid and fierce; ordinary flame Soul Beasts are hard to match. We need to find a Soul Beast with a fierce, explosive characteristic within its fire. I think the Exploding Fire Ape is most suitable! This type of Soul Beast is violent and ferocious, with a tearing explosive force within its fire attribute. If you can acquire its spirit ring, your Clear Sky Hammer might gain an explosive effect, with sparks flying and extremely strong penetrative power with a single strike."
Tang San nodded solemnly and continued to ask:
"Teacher, since the target Soul Beast has been decided, how should we choose the age limit? Should my Clear Sky Hammer's first spirit ring be a thousand-year spirit ring, or... a ten-thousand-year one?"
"Ten thousand years! It must be a ten-thousand-year spirit ring!" A scorching light suddenly erupted in Master's eyes. He gripped the armrests of the wheelchair tightly, his body leaning slightly forward, his voice rising slightly due to excitement: "Little San, do you know what the biggest advantage of twin spirits truly is?"
"It's the spirit ring attachment of this second Martial Soul!"
"Ordinary Soul Masters reach a Bottleneck and must acquire a spirit ring to continue increasing their Soul Power. But you are different! Every spirit ring you attach to your Clear Sky Hammer will cause your Soul Power to skyrocket!"
"Imagine, if your Clear Sky Hammer's first and second spirit rings directly absorb two ten-thousand-year spirit rings, the vast energy contained within them would be enough to instantly Break through your Soul Power Rank to Rank 50! By then, your Blue Silver Grass would be able to attach its fifth spirit ring!"
"This is the most Heaven-Defying aspect of twin spirits: forcibly raising one's own Soul Power Rank by attaching high-level spirit rings to the second Martial Soul!"
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"