Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up as they looked at Tianlin and Ning Rongrong.
They all knew that while Tang Hao's six soul bones were precious, at most, they were only ten-thousand-year-old pieces—none were over a hundred thousand years old. Given Tianlin's standards, he definitely wouldn't care for such short-lived items. As for Ning Rongrong, she had an even better future to pursue.
Therefore, these six soul bones would most likely go to the others present.
"You all look just like a bunch of cats smelling fish," Tianlin laughed as he opened his soul tool and took out seven soul bones. Besides Tang Hao's six, there was also Tang San's hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone.
Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not lacking in regular soul bones, these were seven top-tier pieces—even the Spirit Hall would have trouble producing so many unless they hollowed out Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Originally, that hundred-thousand-year right leg bone would've suited Ning Rongrong, but she already had a right leg bone. Plus, Tianlin had kept it to spite Tang Hao, but it couldn't just sit there forever. Soul bones, no matter how powerful or precious, only mattered if someone actually used them.
Even with seven bones here, there still weren't enough for everyone—both the older generation and the young ones—so the most suitable candidates had to be chosen.
All of Tang Hao's soul bones were power types, making them unsuitable for Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Ye Lingling, and others, so they all voluntarily gave up their claim. As for Yin Yang, he had just received two high-level soul bones from Ning Fengzhi not long ago, so he felt embarrassed to ask for more.
Tianlin first picked one out and handed it to Chen Xin, knowing that Chen Xin would eventually have to face Qian Daoliu head-on. To improve his chances, he needed a full set of six soul bones.
Currently, Chen Xin had four soul bones: two granted by the sect, one obtained from hunting a soul beast after advancing to nine rings, and one—the hundred-thousand-year-old Behemoth King torso bone—gifted by Tianlin.
The two remaining slots were the right arm and right leg. Coincidentally, Tang Hao's strongest two Clear Sky Sect legacy bones included a right arm bone, so Tianlin gave that one to Chen Xin.
"Grandpa Bone, then this left leg bone is for you," Ning Rongrong said sweetly, picking up another Clear Sky Sect legacy bone and handing it to Gu Rong.
Gu Rong now had two soul bones: a skull and a right leg. With the addition of the left leg bone, his speed and his strange attack abilities would both be greatly enhanced.
"My dear granddaughter, since Grandpa Bone is getting a share, can I pick for myself instead of taking the left leg?" Gu Rong asked with a smile.
"Of course you can! But apart from the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone, the best quality here is this left leg bone. But the Blue Silver Emperor is a right leg bone, and you already have one. Plus, its life aura doesn't match your death attribute," Ning Rongrong explained, thinking Gu Rong was dissatisfied with the left leg bone.
Gu Rong shook his head. "I want a right leg bone, but not the Blue Silver Emperor; I want the one left by Tang Hao."
Ning Rongrong was puzzled—why would Gu Rong want a lesser quality soul bone for a slot he already had?
"I see! Uncle Bone, you're being thoughtful!" Ning Fengzhi smiled, understanding Gu Rong's intentions.
Gu Rong picked up the right leg bone and tossed it to Chen Xin without a glance. "Old Sword, absorb it for both of us."
"Old Bone, you—?" Chen Xin hesitated.
"No need for drama. Have you forgotten? Overturning the twin peaks of the Soul Master world was always our dream. Sadly, I can't do it—but you can! Go defeat Qian Daoliu openly, and become the world's strongest Soul Master!" Gu Rong said boldly.
Chen Xin smiled confidently and put the bone away. "Alright, Old Bone, I promise you: within five years, you'll see the Sword God arise!"
The friendship between the Sword and Bone Douluo was as deep as that of Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, only theirs was pure brotherhood. Chrysanthemum and Ghost had grown a little twisted. Tianlin even thought if he gave the Yearning Heartbroken Red to Chrysanthemum Douluo, he might be acknowledged by that king of immortal herbs.
Gu Rong had given his chance at a soul bone to Chen Xin. Although touching, it meant he got nothing again. In the end, as both a father-in-law and a father, Ning Fengzhi requested the left leg bone from Tianlin and Ning Rongrong and then gave it to Gu Rong.
After all these years, Ning Fengzhi had only ever given Gu Rong one soul bone; the other, Gu Rong had gotten himself during a soul ring hunt. Deep down, Ning Fengzhi still felt indebted to this uncle.
Anyway, with Tianlin and Ning Rongrong being his daughter and son-in-law, they were fully qualified to repay Gu Rong for his years of dedication.
"Boss, I want to pick too! I choose the skull!" Gu Ran suddenly said, imitating his teacher as he picked up the skull and tossed it to Ma Hongjun. "Here, Hongjun, remember I owed you a soul bone? This time I'm repaying it—no need to thank me!"
After hearing what Tianlin said about the demon flame, Gu Ran realized that passing the demon flame's test required strong willpower. Although soul bones boosted all attributes, each had its specialty.
The skull, for instance, greatly enhanced spiritual strength.
Ma Hongjun immediately understood Gu Ran's intentions and was moved. Gu Ran wanted to show concern for his brother, just like his teacher, and be generous—but…
"Thank you, Gu Ran, but I actually wanted the skull, and you don't even have a choice this time," Ma Hongjun replied.
Gu Ran was stunned. Ye Lingling shook her head in exasperation. "You only know how to train, not how to think. These soul bones weren't meant for you today."
"Think about it: you already have four soul bones—skull, torso, and both arms. Only your legs are missing, but those went to the two elders, and the Blue Silver Emperor leg bone's attribute isn't compatible with you. The rest, you already have. How could you possibly get another?"
"Crap, I forgot!" Gu Ran was embarrassed. Tianlin doted on him so much that he subconsciously expected a share, forgetting he already had those slots.
"Tsk tsk, worthy of being our team's brains—giving someone else's soul bone away as if paying your own debt. Brilliant!" Yu Feng laughed.
Everyone laughed at Gu Ran, but without malice—they knew he was just concerned for Ma Hongjun and wanted to help. His intelligence, though, left much to be desired.
Ye Lingling sighed helplessly. If Tianlin or herself weren't around, she worried Gu Ran would get taken advantage of one day. But with Tianlin advancing so quickly, there would come a day when he would leave for heights they couldn't reach, and only she would be left to look after Gu Ran.