Chapter 211: Dividing the Spoils
After the intense discussions, everyone present felt both reassured and on edge. While Yang Potian's words had calmed their anxieties somewhat, they all knew that turbulent times lay ahead, and Tianxing Academy might not be able to remain untouched by the storm.
With Spirit Hall's ruthless eradication of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and severe weakening of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Tianxing Academy was now openly recognized as one of the strongest forces within the two empires. The academy boasted not only three titled Douluo but also around 1,400 spirit masters from the four families, a product of years of dedication and growth. Adding to this were a few external spirit masters and promising students who had been recruited into the family ranks.
Among their titled Douluo, there was Yang Wushuang, Yang Zhentian, and Niu Jinfeng, as well as the newly crowned titled Douluo, Yang Potian. Niu Mang, Potian's uncle, was now at Level 88, Ye Lingling had reached Level 89, and Yang Tianyue had reached the peak of Level 86. Tianyue, in particular, seemed to be advancing at an extraordinary pace, likely due to her connection with the Sea God's Trident and the divine aura bestowed by her Sea God affinity. At this rate, she could reach the title of Douluo in just a year or two.
Yang Potian looked around at the group, shaking his head. "While we're formidable, we're still no match for Spirit Hall. They sent seven titled Douluo to take down the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and none of their Elders even joined the battle. I estimate they still have at least ten titled Douluo, not counting Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu. For now, we should steer clear of external conflicts."
"Spirit Hall may have triumphed, but their losses must have been substantial. I think the continent will experience a brief calm period, so let's focus on developing our own strength," Potian advised.
Yang Wudi looked skeptical. "Spirit Hall's forces must be well over 50,000 spirit masters by now. Their influence is only going to grow stronger, so we'll need to be on guard."
Potian smiled. "In battles between spirit masters, victory often hinges on titled Douluo—especially high-ranking ones. Spirit Hall has at least eight who are Level 95 or above, making them nearly unbeatable right now. And don't forget, Spirit Hall is watching us, just as we're watching them. That's why Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo came to visit."
Yang Wudi's face darkened. "Potian, do you believe they came here to monitor us?"
Potian nodded. "Most likely, Bibi Dong ordered them to ensure that our three titled Douluo stayed here, to prevent us from helping the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Ghost Douluo, who rarely leaves Spirit Hall, wouldn't have shown up here without a specific reason."
Dugu Bo, sitting nearby, looked frustrated. "That Chrysanthemum Douluo! I thought he was a kindred spirit who simply enjoyed flowers. Next time, I'll give him a good lesson!"
Potian stopped him, shaking his head. "Chrysanthemum Douluo genuinely loves flowers, but he's loyal to Spirit Hall above all else. Let's maintain a civil relationship with him; unless there's a significant conflict of interest, there's no reason for outright hostility. In fact, he acts as a buffer between us and Bibi Dong. Trust me, Bibi Dong is far more dangerous than he is."
"But there's one thing we must take special care with: under no circumstances can Spirit Hall learn that Tianyue is receiving the Sea God's inheritance. If they find out, they will strike at us without hesitation."
Potian's mother, Niu Jinfeng, looked surprised. "Is it really that serious? It's just a divine inheritance, right?"
Potian's expression grew serious. "Spirit Hall's dominance has endured for millennia because of their Angelic legacy. For them, a new god's emergence poses a direct threat to their power. From Spirit Hall's perspective, Tianyue is far more dangerous than the Clear Sky Clan."
This realization left everyone silent, each understanding the gravity of the situation.
Finally, Yang Wudi spoke. "We all understand Tianyue's importance to the future of our families and our heritage. This secret must remain absolutely protected."
Everyone nodded in agreement, their faces tense with determination.
Potian thought for a moment, then took two storage soul tools from his person and placed them on the table.
Curious, Yang Wudi asked, "Potian, what's in those storage devices? Are they particularly valuable?"
With a slight smile, Potian let his soul power flow, opening one of the storage devices. Instantly, thirty-seven lead boxes floated out, filling the entire table.
Dugu Bo looked puzzled. "What's with all the secrecy? What's in these boxes?"
But as he opened one of the lead boxes, a powerful red light burst forth, filling the room with a vibrant glow. His hands began to tremble, and he stammered, "These…these boxes…are they all soul bones?"
Potian's smile grew as he watched the others each open a box before them, revealing dazzling soul bones that practically radiated with spiritual energy.
Once the initial shock passed, they counted the bones. There were thirty-one soul bones of at least 10,000 years and six more in the 1,000-year range. Of the high-tier bones, thirteen were at least 30,000 years old and of exceptional quality, clearly irreplaceable treasures. Even the thousand-year soul bones were premium quality, the kind rarely found outside a top clan's treasury.
Dugu Bo looked on in amazement. "Potian, where did you get these? Even a top clan might not possess this many soul bones of such high quality."
He paused as he examined one of the bones, a 20,000-year-old Nether Serpent right arm bone. "Wait a minute. I remember seeing this at an auction seventeen years ago. It was purchased by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for an astronomical sum. Don't tell me you took this from them?"
Potian chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't say I 'took' it exactly. When Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo showed up at the academy, I wanted to ensure there were no threats nearby. I scouted the area and found a lot of scouts around. Once I confirmed the academy was safe, I made my way to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I happened upon Spirit Hall's forces attacking them, so I decided to, let's say, 'borrow' some things from their vaults."
The group fell silent, stunned at Potian's audacity. Raiding a clan's treasury in the middle of an all-out war wasn't a loan—it was more like "taking without intention to return."
Yang Wudi's expression turned serious. "Potian, are you sure you weren't discovered? Are there any risks?"
Potian nodded. "I took every precaution. I didn't reveal my martial spirit or soul rings, and I wore the same black attire as Spirit Hall's forces. No one should be able to trace this back to me."
"But let's be cautious about using these bones. As you saw, some of them are quite recognizable, like that Nether Serpent arm bone Dugu just mentioned. Let's avoid drawing attention."
As they began dividing the soul bones, each person received several pieces. The three toxic-attributed soul bones were immediately claimed by Dugu Bo, as no one else would benefit from them. Yang Potian set aside the plant-type soul bones, planning to reserve these for Ye Lingling, even though their lower age meant she could decide later how best to utilize them.
Dugu Bo, however, wasn't content with just three. He shamelessly tried to claim even more under the pretense of needing them for his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, much to everyone else's amusement and mock disapproval.
After some thought, Yang Potian suggested, "It's best if we put these soul bones to immediate use to strengthen Tianxing Academy. This way, we'll be better prepared for future challenges. Leaving them in storage, like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did, only risks others benefiting from them in the end."
"It's also wise to allocate these soul bones to our younger generation. With their growth potential, they'll get the most benefit from these bones, and we'll ensure they receive even stronger soul bones in the future. For example, I'll help them obtain hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones when the time is right."
Everyone agreed, recognizing the promise these young spirit masters held. At just over twenty years old, many were already at the Spirit Douluo level, giving them extraordinary potential. Equipping them with thirty-thousand- to fifty-thousand-year-old soul bones could even pave the way for breakthroughs to Levels 97 or 98.
As Titled Douluo themselves, they understood the obstacles awaiting after Level 95. Every rank after that felt like an insurmountable wall; even Yang Zhentian, who had absorbed three fifty-thousand-year-old soul bones, had only reached Level 96 and might not progress further.
Reflecting on this, Potian took out a seventy-thousand-year-old Mandala Snake right-arm soul bone and handed it to Dugu Bo. Dugu Bo's eyes widened in disbelief at this high-level toxic soul bone—an exceedingly rare find on the continent.
Dugu Bo was torn. "Little monster, do you realize the value of this soul bone? It's worth tens of millions of gold soul coins, and even then, such a soul bone isn't something you can find in all of Douluo Continent."
Potian shook his head. "Grandpa Dugu, this is the only high-grade toxic soul bone I have. I'm giving it to you for Yan-jie; it could become a powerful legacy for your family."
Everyone around couldn't help but marvel. Just how much had Potian acquired from his recent ventures? A seventy-thousand-year soul bone, which he was so casually handing over, hinted that he might be hoarding even rarer ones.
Dugu Bo accepted the soul bone, though still looking suspiciously at Potian. "Why not give this directly to Yan? You know she'd be thrilled to receive something like this from you."
Potian chuckled wryly. When it came to his other four companions, he felt at ease and could speak freely. But Dugu Yan was different. Potian had long known of her feelings for him, which only complicated things since he was already committed to Ye Lingling, and Yan and Lingling happened to be close friends.
Potian still had seven high-tier soul bones, including four that he could allocate easily enough. However, the three eighty-thousand-year thunder-attributed soul bones from Yu Yuanzhen posed a challenge. They clearly formed a set that would maximize their power only if absorbed by a single person. But most of his friends already had arm soul bones, and neither Dugu Yan nor Ye Lingling was suited to lightning attributes. And right now, there was no lightning-attribute spirit master he could pass them to.
In the end, the six members divvied up the soul bones, each person receiving something valuable. These bones would undoubtedly strengthen the foundations of their respective families.
Potian was left with seven powerful soul bones: the seventy-thousand-year Earthly Barbaric Bear left-arm soul bone, seventy-thousand-year Moonshadow Cat left-leg soul bone, seventy-thousand-year Golden Scorpion right-arm soul bone, sixty-thousand-year Herculean Bull left-arm soul bone, and the three eighty-thousand-year lightning-attributed bones from Yu Yuanzhen's set.
(End of Chapter)
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