Word Count: 2,856 Words
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Threads of luminous purple light from the 1,000-year spirit ring flowed into Xiao Xiao's body. Instantly, she was enveloped in a noble purple hue.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong stood guard for Xiao Xiao, while Wu Feng stood beside Ling Bai, occasionally glancing at the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's spirit ring with a hint of envy in her eyes.
While spirit rings valued age, the species of the spirit beast was equally important. Absorbing a spirit beast with a powerful bloodline not only granted an exceptional spirit skill but could also elevate one's Martial Spirit.
The Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear excelled in both offense and defense, perfectly complementing the Three Lives Soul Sealing Cauldron. The third spirit ring held a status in the Spirit Master system second only to the seventh and ninth rings. With this Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's spirit ring, Xiao Xiao's path until Rank 70 would be smooth sailing.
"Feeling envious?" Ling Bai teased.
"Not at all!"
Wu Feng pouted, annoyed by Ling Bai's teasing tone. Of course, she was envious to the point of seeing red, but her answer had to be 'no' as long as Ling Bai asked. It was a matter of pride!
Ling Bai understood Wu Feng well. After all, this wasn't the first time she had acted tough. He smiled wordlessly and walked over to the unlucky bear's corpse, its head smashed by the Three Lives Soul Sealing Cauldron. Forming his fingers into a sword, he severed the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's right forelimb and dissected it in a few swift moves, revealing a peculiar dark gold bone.
The bone resembled a human palm in shape, but five narrow, elongated blades extended from the front, like a miniature version of the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's terror claws. Dark gold light flowed over the blades like ripples on water, radiating a piercing sharpness that could cut through hair with ease.
An external spirit bone, the Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone!
It indeed came from the same Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear, just as Ling Bai expected. Noticing his unusual actions, Wu Feng, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao all craned their necks forward and discovered this Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear spirit bone.
A gentle breeze transformed into Greenshadow Douluo Elder Song. Her gaze lingered on the Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone for a moment before she spoke:
"You little ones are quite fortunate. Among the numerous innate skills of the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear clan, the Dark Gold Terror Claw undoubtedly ranks at the top. But only the rarely appearing palm bone can be considered the true Dark Gold Terror Claw.
Palm bones are not among the six main parts, so they are actually external spirit bones that can grow alongside the Spirit Master.
Generally speaking, the right palm bone is more valuable than the left. This spirit bone is already the highest grade produced by the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear. The only drawback is that this Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear only had 2,000 years of cultivation, so this right palm bone requires time to mature.
According to the rules of the Spirit Master world, all five of you who witnessed it have a share. But since there's only one spirit bone, you can discuss among yourselves and decide who will absorb it after Xiao Xiao finishes absorbing her spirit ring."
A tense atmosphere settled over the group as soon as she finished speaking. Spirit bones were treasures over which Spirit Masters would fight fiercely. It was not uncommon for brothers to turn against each other or couples to become enemies over a single spirit bone.
The Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone might have a low age now, but when it evolved to its final form, the power of the Dark Gold Terror Claw would surpass most 100,000-year spirit skills.
Now that a conflict of interest had arisen, the already strained relationships among the group were on the verge of breaking. The four split into two teams with Xiao Xiao as the dividing line, the air seeming to ignite with tension as they faced each other.
The deadlock continued until Xiao Xiao awakened. The young girl looked at both sides in confusion. Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao flanked her left and right and forcibly dragged her into their team.
"The spirit bone..."
After a rushed explanation from the two, Xiao Xiao understood the crux of the matter. The Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone could change a Spirit Master's life, and no one was willing to give it up easily.
Ling Bai toyed with the spirit bone in his hand, the dark gold bone spinning between his fingertips as if magnetizing everyone's gaze. He said calmly:
"Wu Feng broke the defense, I knocked out the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear. The ownership of this spirit bone goes without saying."
"Absolutely not!"
Wang Dong was the first to argue. "You two only acted because Xiao Xiao wanted to hunt the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear!" he retorted. "Without Xiao Xiao today, you wouldn't have even seen this spirit bone. Tracing it back to the source, it should belong to us!"
Wu Feng said coldly, "So you mean you want both the spirit ring and the external spirit bone, while Ling Bai and I, despite exerting so much effort, only get air? Are you really that shameless, wanting to have your cake and eat it too?"
Xiao Xiao lowered her head in shame, her face blushing red. She didn't dare to meet Wu Feng's disdainful gaze. She was already satisfied with absorbing the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's spirit ring, but Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong insisted on fighting for the spirit bone. As their friend, she couldn't suddenly betray her team.
Ling Bai looked at the three opposite him with their varied expressions and said calmly:
"According to the rules of the Spirit Master world, those who witness the spirit bone have a share. Wu Feng broke its defense, and I finished the battle. The two of us should at least get eighty percent. Elder Song, what do you think?"
"No problem."
Elder Song nodded in agreement. A 2,000-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's combat power surpassed some 10,000-year spirit beasts. If it had only been Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, they might not have been able to kill it.
"Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, how much do you think the Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone is worth in spirit gold coins?"
The two were stunned for a moment. Huo Yuhao puffed out his chest, trying to maintain an unyielding attitude as he declared loudly, "At least... at least it can't be less than the Ice Jade Scorpion spirit bone and the Heavenly Dragon Horse spirit bone!"
"The Heavenly Dragon Horse spirit bone sold for 24 million at auction, and the Ice Jade Scorpion spirit bone for 30 million. Taking the middle value of 27 million spirit gold coins, your three's twenty percent share is 5.4 million."
Ling Bai patted Wu Feng's shoulder and uttered three words that made her bristle: "Your pocket money."
"You're actually making me pay..."
Wu Feng clutched her Storage Spirit Guidance Device, shaking her head like a rattle drum. She had scrimped and saved a tiny amount of pocket money over the years. How could she bear to take it out?
"Hurry up."
Ling Bai extended his hand. Wu Feng resisted, but under the accumulated pressure of his usual dominance, she finally took out a golden card with tears in her eyes, her voice trembling:
"Five million, all my savings. I don't have a single spirit copper coin left..."
Ling Bai snatched the golden card that the girl had been clutching tightly like a treasure with a snap. He then added another 400,000, part of the proceeds from the auction of the Class 8 Aura Barrier, and tossed the two gold cards to Huo Yuhao.
"5.4 million. We're settled."
He decisively settled the ownership of the spirit bone like cutting through a tangled mess. With Elder Song watching, there was no way they could gain something for nothing.
Money was easy to obtain, but spirit bones were rare. The spirit gold coins were just a string of numbers to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone was a once-in-a-lifetime find. Exchanging it for a little over five million was well worth it.
With the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear incident behind them, the five, whose relationships were nearly shattered, set off again. They maintained their previous formation, with Huo Yuhao activating Spiritual Detection Sharing. They moved much faster than when they first entered Star Dou Forest, silently searching for a spirit beast suitable for Wu Feng.
Having Xiao Xiao as a precedent, Wu Feng was determined to find the most suitable top-level spirit beast for herself. Ling Bai fully supported her. If it wasn't a true dragon-type, fire-attribute spirit beast, he wouldn't allow her to absorb it.
It seemed their luck had run out after encountering the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear. For the next half day, they found nothing, not even a single dragon scale.
The sun set and night fell. The danger level in Star Dou Forest far surpassed that of the daytime. The five pitched a tent to rest for the night. Ling Bai and Wu Feng took the first watch, while Huo Yuhao's trio took the second.
They couldn't light a fire at night for safety, as spirit beasts were attracted to light. But Ling Bai could still feel two resentful gazes fixed on his face. He turned his head and met Wu Feng's gritted teeth.
"What are you looking at?"
"What's wrong with looking at you!"
Wu Feng gnashed her teeth, seeming ready to pounce and bite this guy who had taken all her pocket money. She blamed herself for not having a firmer resolve. Her resistance instantly crumbled the moment Ling Bai got a bit forceful, and she obediently handed over the gold card.
Ling Bai smiled knowingly. With a light flick of his finger, a ball of dark gold light shot into her bosom.
The ample cushioning was of excellent quality. Wu Feng didn't feel the slightest pain. She looked down carefully and realized it was the Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone!
"What are you doing?" Wu Feng asked, lifting her chin.
"It's yours now."
"Really?"
Wu Feng couldn't believe it. She actually got a top-level external spirit bone, and it was given by Ling Bai?!
"It's already in your hands, isn't it?"
The Dark Gold Terror Claw was a pure offensive skill. Ling Bai's two Martial Spirits were both assault-type, and the sharpness of the Angel Sword made the Dark Gold Terror Claw unnecessary. Rather than letting it become just one of a dozen attack skills to choose from, Ling Bai hoped it could play a more significant role.
Wu Feng was a girl he had watched grow up since childhood and was one hundred percent loyal and trustworthy. The Dark Gold Terror Claw, combined with her Dragon Claws, could produce immense offensive power.
To accommodate Wu Feng's stubbornness and save face, Ling Bai had deliberately 'seized' her pocket money, giving her a legitimate reason to absorb the Dark Gold Terror Claw Right Palm Bone.
"Really, when you tossed me the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear's spirit bone just now, that was definitely the coolest you've been in all these years."
Wu Feng's crimson eyes sparkled as she lovingly caressed the precious spirit bone.
"Oh, you've learned how to compliment people now?"
"I'm in a good mood. What's wrong with praising you a bit?"
"Alright, I'll accept this hard-earned compliment then."
Ling Bai smiled and then changed the subject: "Don't be in a hurry to fuse this spirit bone. Unlike spirit rings, the quality of a spirit bone is more important than its age. The Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear is one of the highest quality spirit bones. You can't handle it now. My suggestion is to absorb it after you break through to the 4-ringed Spirit Ancestor rank."
"Mm-hmm!"
Wu Feng nodded obediently, appearing especially well-behaved.
"Better put it away, someone's coming."
"Okay."
A quarter of an hour later, a slender figure emerged from the forest. Upon seeing Ling Bai, Wu Feng, and the tent, he turned back and shouted, "Boss, there are people here!"
One figure after another appeared beside the man, a total of six men and two women. The six men were all middle-aged, in their thirties or forties, while the women were quite young, around fifteen or sixteen years old.
The woman in the goose-yellow tight-fitting outfit had her hair cascading down her back. She was extremely beautiful, appearing gentle and weak on the outside, with rippling waves in her eyes. The other girl was slightly taller, with a cold and clear appearance. Her black hair was neatly tied into a ponytail. Her white tight-fitting outfit was relatively more form-fitting, and her long legs were particularly eye-catching.
Hearing voices outside, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao came out of the tent. The five of them stood together, vigilantly watching this group of strangers.
The leading middle-aged man stepped forward. His gaze subtly locked onto Ling Bai, whose spirit power fluctuations were the strongest. It seemed he might attack at any moment. Ling Bai, on the other hand, smiled and enveloped the man with an invisible aura, giving him immense pressure.
Beads of cold sweat slowly seeped out on the middle-aged man's forehead. He took the initiative to speak, "Good evening everyone, I'm Mo Feiyun, and these are my companions. We've come to Star Dou Forest to hunt for spirit rings.
It's late, and it's not suitable to continue advancing. We're all human Spirit Masters. Could you do us a favor and allow us to camp here for the night?"
"Keep a distance of twenty meters."
Ling Bai left this cold remark and turned to leave.
Spirit Saint Mo Feiyun, a familiar name. This group of people must be from the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family, and the two young ladies were Wei Na and Mu Xue.
Back then, Xu Jiujiu was protected by an 8-ringed Spirit Douluo called She Chong. But this Princess Wei Na was even more impressive—a Heavenly Soul Princess, a Body Sect member, and fiancée of the Body Sect's young master. Yet, the Heavenly Soul Empire only sent a 7-ringed Spirit Saint and a bunch of nobodies as her escort.
At least Xu Jiujiu had entered the Luminous Mystic Forest. Wei Na was in Star Dou Forest—the continent's number one spirit beast gathering spot and a forbidden zone for humans!
Who knew whether the Heavenly Soul Imperial Family was being bold or just reckless.
Both sides kept to themselves. Huo Yuhao and the others returned to the tent, while Ling Bai and Wu Feng continued their night watch.
The Heavenly Soul group quickly set up several tents. Three ordinary tents surrounded a black, tanned leather tent like guards. This tent belonged to Wei Na and Mu Xue.
Mo Feiyun quietly left his own tent and came to the tanned leather tent. Keeping his voice low, he said, "Your Highness, Miss, may I come in?"
"Come in."
A cold voice came from inside. With permission, Mo Feiyun entered and faced the two women with a serious expression.
"Master Mo, can you tell what those five people's backgrounds are?" Mu Xue asked.
A faint white light, like mist, emanated from Mo Feiyun's body, enveloping them and blocking their conversation from being overheard. He sighed:
"They are all young, probably no older than fifteen. Judging from their auras, except for that golden-haired, golden-eyed boy whom I can't discern, the rest should be at the Spirit Grand Master and Spirit Elder ranks. With their ages, they most likely come from some major sect or advanced Spirit Master academy."
"Master Mo, you seem very wary of that golden-haired boy?" Wei Na picked up on the earlier detail.
"Yes," Mo Feiyun smiled bitterly. "I won't hide it from Your Highness. When those eyes stared at me, my Cloud Martial Spirit seemed to tremble, as if it would dissipate with a light breath from him..."
The two women were greatly shocked and clicked their tongues. "Is he really that scary? He looks even younger than us."
"And he's so handsome..." Wei Na added. "Actually, all five of them are quite good-looking, especially the two with golden and light blue hair."
"Your Highness, Miss!"
Mo Feiyun couldn't help but raise his voice. "That golden-haired boy is very dangerous. His Martial Spirit most likely has a restraining effect on me. We can't rashly clash with them in Star Dou Forest, or else we might not escape unscathed."
"Don't worry, Master Mo, I was just saying." Wei Na laughed. "Mu Xue and I are going to rest now. You've worked hard along the way, Master Mo. You should also meditate early to recover your spirit power."
"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave."