That soul bones can grow stronger is beyond doubt.
For example, sects like the Clear Sky Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The sect masters of these clans often possessed multiple inherited soul bones. These soul bones, after being absorbed and nurtured by generations of sect masters, eventually became more suited for the inheritors of the same martial spirit lineage. Their abilities also grew stronger.
This was like water wearing away stone — slowly nurturing soul bones.
No matter how tough a soul bone was, in the face of great power, it was forced to evolve bit by bit.
For this reason, Xiao Lin even suspected that divine power wasn't truly omnipotent.
Unlike the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings' soul power, which was too extreme and destructive, godly power could strengthen most soul bones simply because it was broader and gentler.
In the end, even the Sea God was just a stronger soul master.
Some ten-thousand-year soul bones, under such a vast gap in level, being forced to strengthen more quickly was normal.
But right now, Xiao Lin lacked such conditions. He could only choose to slowly nurture his soul bones.
Yet he felt this growth was far too slow.
His research was aimed at accelerating the process, and at false absorption of soul bones.
The conclusion: this allowed soul bones to be detached at any time, without affecting the soul master.
And the growth speed would be just a little slower than that under divine power.
How much slower? Xiao Lin hadn't tested yet, so he didn't know.
But he felt confident he could succeed.
His hypothesis went like this:
If the soul power inside soul bones was like freshwater, then the Sea God's divine power was like seawater.
And what happens if ordinary people drink seawater? Naturally — dehydration.
The excess salt increases osmotic pressure, causing cells to dehydrate.
Likewise, once the soul bone lost soul power, it would naturally draw from the soul master's.
And the soul master's power could then be replenished by the Sea God's divine power, even enhanced after receiving divine rewards — making it stronger.
So did Xiao Lin have the conditions to carry this out?
The answer was yes.
He suspected that the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings strengthened soul bones of their attributes by a similar principle.
Even the refinement of spirit rings followed this logic.
It was simply that the Dragon Kings could condense rings themselves, making it easier for them.
When their power reached the hundred-thousand-year level, they could even greatly enhance existing soul skills — granting an additional skill.
Thus, the skill became a true hundred-thousand-year soul skill.
With the principle of strengthening soul bones clarified, next came the principle of false absorption.
But this might need Tang San's soul tool technology for assistance.
For example, creating an exoskeletal arm that functioned like a limb, capable of storing soul bones.
Ideally, this exoskeletal armor would connect seamlessly to the body's meridians, allowing perfect control.
If not, Xiao Lin thought grimly, he could only cut off someone's arm or leg, then reattach with soul bones.
But just the thought made him feel it was too cruel.
Because this theory was too explosive, and required the Dragon Kings' help, Xiao Lin didn't tell Tang San.
And building exoskeleton soul tools would take too much time — he couldn't let Tang San waste effort for his research.
Better to simply have Tang San engrave ice-fire soul formations into two arm bones, then let the Dragon Kings reinforce them. That would be much simpler.
So for now, Xiao Lin had to temporarily set this research aside.
Unless he discovered a way for external soul bones to grow alongside the soul master…
Or unless his own body contained enough soul power — and at high enough quality.
In the end, Xiao Lin handed the Chasing Wind Left Arm Bone to Tang San. After Tang San engraved a formation into it, they would test his theory.
Meanwhile, while Xiao Lin and the others cultivated near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, some factions' higher-ups, upon learning that Xiao Lin was under the protection of Dugu Bo and another hidden Titled Douluo, temporarily gave up their missions.
To abduct Xiao Lin, they would have to wait for an opportunity — when he was alone.
Thus, many spies lay dormant in Heaven Dou City, waiting.
Heaven Dou City — Xue Qinghe's residence.
Qian Renxue stood with her hands behind her back, facing away from Ci Xue, her expression grave.
"You're saying, even you couldn't accomplish such a thing?"
"Correct, Your Highness."
Five days earlier, Ci Xue had already told Qian Renxue about a hidden Titled Douluo.
He even revealed how he had tricked Yue Guan away.
But then he learned new intelligence — that the hidden Douluo had gone on a killing spree, slaying those tracking Xiao Lin without even using a martial spirit.
How could Ci Xue not be shocked?
In this world, the difference between fighting with or without soul skills was massive.
Even an exceptional battle-soul master without skills was barely stronger than an auxiliary soul master.
This was why Ci Xue felt lucky — at least he hadn't attacked back then, but fled instead.
"Your Highness, I investigated the corpses of those soul masters. Among them were even Soul Saints.And many of the corpses clearly came from the same faction, slain together."
This made Qian Renxue's heart tremble.
With proper cooperation, soul masters could easily fight across realms.
And yet that Titled Douluo hadn't even used a martial spirit? Was this pure confidence, or was there another hidden reason?
Qian Renxue admired that power — but her keen mind sensed something more.
"So be it. Since Xiao Lin has two Titled Douluo guarding him, you needn't pursue him further.From here on, I will invite him myself."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue's lips curled into a perfect arc.
"Yes."
Ci Xue bowed and quickly disappeared.
"Bibi Dong, I will never let you have Xiao Lin."
Qian Renxue swore silently. With her geographical and social advantages, surely she could win him over.
Spirit City — Pope's Hall.
Bibi Dong sat reading ancient records on self-condensed spirit rings and soul tools — texts dating back thousands, even tens of thousands of years.
Suddenly, she let out a light hmm, having noticed a detail.
The records said: the Sea God gathered faith from the island's people and soul beasts before becoming a god.
But it also recorded that the Sea God was once a master soul tool craftsman.
This only reinforced her suspicion that Xiao Yan was a descendant of some deity.
He had received divine inheritance — divine knowledge.
Could it be tied to the Sea God?
But the difference between Xiao Yan's first paper and his recent ones was far too great.
And that first paper had been published at the Wuhun Hall in Notting City, Fasno Province.
What was going on?
Worried about future upheaval, Bibi Dong grew increasingly uneasy.
"Your Holiness."
Suddenly, Yue Guan's voice sounded from outside.
"Enter."
In a flash, Yue Guan entered, bowing respectfully.
"Your Holiness, terrible news — Master Xiao Yan has joined Qian Renxue's faction."
"What!?"
Martial Soul Data Panel
Xiao Wu
Martial Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit
Destructive Power: A (speed converts into deadly offense)
Speed: A+ (absolute speed; can instantly kill backline support soul masters, suppressing other agility types)
Range: B
Endurance: A- (ring compatibility is excellent; higher-year rings actually reduce consumption)
Precision: A
Growth: A
Special Energy: A+ (Lightning)
(End of Chapter)