Yang Xiong felt an unbearable burning sensation in both hands. It was as if the skin on his hands was about to burst open, and his soul power was completely out of control. His fingertips, in particular, felt as if the skin was about to split.
This feeling was very familiar, just like when he first obtained the Black Tortoise Shell. But this time, the pain was countless times more intense, especially with the connection between the ten fingers and the heart.
Yang Xiong quickly sat cross-legged and did his best to circulate the Yin-Yang Meditation Technique. Only then did his hands begin to gradually calm down.
When Yang Xiong opened his eyes again, his hands were already covered in thick scales. All the scales were silver, and sharp claws had grown from his fingertips.
Lin Gong was surprised. "Kid, what kind of luck do you have? You actually obtained another external soul bone."
"No, this isn't one external soul bone, these are two. These claws of yours must be the Dragon Claws of a Silver-Horned Tyrant Dragon."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiong carefully observed his hands. In appearance, they did resemble the Silver-Horned Tyrant Dragon's claws, though much smaller. The exposed claws were less than ten centimeters long. Rather than claws, the external soul bones looked more like a pair of gauntlets. Moreover, the scales and claws seemed to be one integrated piece.
In particular, the color was striking, the scales covering his hands were silver. The Silver-Horned Tyrant Dragon's body was known for its iron-black skin, with only the horns being silver. Yang Xiong had a vague feeling this coloration was related to his martial soul.
At this moment, Lin Gong's expression turned serious.
"Xiaoxiong, I don't know how you fully absorbed the Black Tortoise Shell last time, but this pair of Silver-Horned Tyrant Dragon Claws, these external soul bones, are likely beyond your ability to completely absorb for now. Especially considering its bloodline, this dragon was at the peak of soul beasts and possessed an extremely strong dragon lineage. That's why it caused you such intense pain just now."
"In my estimation, you'll need to reach at least the Soul Emperor level before you can fully absorb these dragon claws. Until then, you must never reveal them, not even to the sect."
Yang Xiong nodded. "Thank you, Teacher Lin. But Teacher, the Sect Master already knows about my Black Tortoise Shell external soul bone. Is there really that much of a difference?"
Lin Gong shook his head. "It's entirely different. The Black Tortoise Shell only enhances your defense. But these dragon claws could turn a support-type soul master into a battle-type soul master. Even Ning Fengzhi might not be able to suppress the situation. These claws offer both offense and defense, they are truly a once-in-a-millennium treasure in the soul master world, possibly even more valuable than a hundred-thousand-year soul bone."
Yang Xiong quickly nodded. "Thank you, Teacher Lin. I'll be extremely cautious."
Lin Gong sighed. "With your freakish luck and powerful martial soul, I don't know whether being born into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a blessing or a curse."
Yang Xiong casually tested the claws on a nearby rock, gently scratching it. The stone was instantly sliced like tofu. He felt a deep sense of terror at their power.
He then carefully examined the information contained within the dragon claws. As Lin Gong had said, they were indeed extremely powerful, integrating offense and defense.
The claws granted his hands the Silver-Horned Tyrant Dragon's formidable defense. The sharp tips of the claws possessed terrifying metal-type properties, allowing them to ignore enemy defenses.
Of course, this "defense-piercing" ability was relative, it only applied to soul masters of the same level. Against those far above him in rank, the effect would significantly weaken. Once the gap reached two major realms, the effect would essentially vanish.
These twin claw soul bones also granted a skill called Explosive Dragon Claws. This technique delivered a powerful strike capable of tearing the earth apart, and its destructive force doubled when both claws were used together.
Even Yang Xiong felt the claws were overpowered, offering both overwhelming attack and formidable defense. It was as if these claws had been tailor-made for his body and martial soul.
Just as Yang Xiong was getting used to them, a loud roar echoed from the depths of the abyss. The sound was somewhere between a bull's bellow and a dragon's roar, filled with immense pressure.
Yang Xiong felt his scalp go numb. Lin Gong also shuddered and immediately pulled Yang Xiong away, quickly collecting the Silver-Horned Tyrant Dragon's corpse before fleeing the area.
Only after they had escaped did Lin Gong speak with lingering fear, "Xiaoxiong, don't go near that abyss again. There's likely a terrifying soul beast in there. I never expected such a creature to be hiding in Sunset Forest."
Yang Xiong asked, "Teacher Lin, as far as I know, Sunset Forest doesn't have any top-tier soul beasts, right?"
Lin Gong nodded. "To my knowledge, the oldest soul beasts in Sunset Forest are only around eighty thousand years old. But judging from the roar we just heard, that soul beast is at least ninety thousand years old. And that abyss is mysterious and unpredictable. Even a Soul Douluo might not come out alive."
Yang Xiong thought for a moment. "Teacher Lin, do you think there's a chance that soul beast could be a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Lin Gong rolled his eyes. "What are you thinking? You think hundred-thousand-year soul beasts are cabbages growing everywhere? There are only two known hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in all of the Douluo Continent, and both are deep in the Star Dou Great Forest. That place is filled with danger. Even Title Douluos might not leave unscathed."
"Every time a lone hundred-thousand-year soul beast appears, it sparks a bloody war. These soul beasts always drop hundred-thousand-year soul bones, which are fiercely fought over by all the major powers."
Yang Xiong nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were extremely rare. Among the top three sects, only Tang Hao had a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, and that was thanks to his wife. (Not counting Tang Chen, who had been missing for many years.)
In other words, hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast would likely require the full strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Even a clan as strong as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might not be able to hunt one.
Lin Gong flicked Yang Xiong on the forehead. "What are you thinking? No matter how strong your body is, you'll need your eighth or ninth ring before you can absorb a hundred-thousand-year ring. Even someone like me wouldn't dare to try."
Yang Xiong sighed. "But shouldn't soul masters have ambition? If we don't aim for hundred-thousand-year soul rings and bones, aren't we just salted fish?"
Lin Gong's face twitched with anger at Yang Xiong's words, looking like he wanted to give him a beating.
But after thinking for a moment, Yang Xiong said, "Teacher Lin, I think we should report the discovery of a top-tier soul beast to the sect. If there's really a hundred-thousand-year soul beast hiding in that abyss, it could be a huge boon for the sect."
Lin Gong glanced sideways. "I know what you're thinking. You're probably planning ahead for your eighth ring. But don't forget, if the sect helps you hunt a top-tier soul beast, the soul bone will belong to the sect unless your contribution is huge."
"Besides, you're only twelve. You won't be thinking about your eighth or ninth ring for another twenty or thirty years. Don't overthink it."
As they chatted and prepared to leave Sunset Forest, a sharp voice suddenly rang out from the sky.
"Well, if it isn't Lin Gong. I didn't expect you to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Looks like you're not afraid to die."
The two looked up to see a man in golden armor with a face like a peach blossom. His skin was unnaturally pale, and his figure was slender. With heavy makeup and delicate features, if not for his Adam's apple, one would mistake him for a woman.
Seeing him, Lin Gong's face turned furious. "Chrysanthemum Douluo? I didn't expect it to be you. What are you doing in Sunset Forest?"
Yang Xiong was shocked. To encounter Chrysanthemum Douluo here, and even without releasing his soul power, his aura alone was enough to convey the pressure of a peak Title Douluo.
Yang Xiong felt a wave of fear. The Spirit Hall had always been at odds with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and judging by Lin Gong's reaction, he likely had a personal grudge against Chrysanthemum Douluo. If a fight broke out, Yang Xiong's life could be in danger.
Chrysanthemum Douluo covered his mouth and mocked, "Lin Gong, what are you saying? Our Spirit Hall sincerely invited you back then, but you turned us down. Look at you now, old and worn out. If you had joined us, you'd be far beyond this."
Lin Gong coldly snorted. "I walk an upright path and have no interest in becoming a lackey for Spirit Hall. No matter how powerful your Spirit Hall is, do you really dare to attack me? I have the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind me."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression darkened. "You…"
"To think that the once unbending 'Bamboo King' Lin Gong now hides behind his sect. How shameful."
Before Lin Gong could respond, a cold voice came from the distance.
"Chrysanthemum Guan, aren't you also hiding behind Spirit Hall? Without them, you'd have been killed long ago for your behavior and appearance."
Yang Xiong and Lin Gong looked toward the voice and saw an old man emerge from the forest. He was tall and thin like a javelin, with dark green hair and beard. His face radiated a sinister aura.
Chrysanthemum Douluo ignored Yang Xiong and Lin Gong. "Dugu Bo, you're just a defeated dog. If you hadn't taken refuge with the Heaven Dou Empire, you'd have been finished by Spirit Hall long ago."
Dugu Bo sneered. "You just admitted you rely on Spirit Hall's power to bully others."
Yang Xiong groaned internally. Spirit Hall was already a major enemy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Dugu Bo was someone whose lair he had just looted. If either side recognized him, he might be finished.
Chrysanthemum Douluo roared, "Dugu Bo, you're courting death!"
As he shouted, his soul rings, two yellow, two purple, and five black, appeared. A massive Chrysanthemum appeared in his hand, filled with terrifying metal energy.
Dugu Bo was not to be outdone. His own soul rings appeared, also two yellow, two purple, and five black. A massive Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor emerged, radiating an oppressive green aura, far stronger than Dugu Yan's.
Without a word, Lin Gong grabbed Yang Xiong and fled. The two soul masters now preparing to clash were not people they could afford to provoke, not even the sect would want to cross them lightly.
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