Yang Xiong experienced an intense burning sensation throughout his hands, as if all the skin was about to burst apart. His soul power became completely uncontrollable, especially at his fingertips, where the skin felt as though it was on the verge of tearing.
This sensation was remarkably familiar, reminiscent of when he first obtained the Xuanming Armor. However, this pain was exponentially more intense, especially with the traditional saying that "ten fingers connect to the heart" proving devastatingly accurate.
Yang Xiong quickly seated himself on the ground and exerted all his strength to circulate the Yin-Yang Meditation Method. Gradually, his hands began to calm down and stabilize.
When Yang Xiong opened his eyes again, his hands were completely covered with thick silver scales. At the tips of his ten fingers, extremely sharp claws had emerged, gleaming with metallic luster.
Lin Gong expressed his amazement. "What incredible luck you possess, young man! You've actually obtained another external spirit bone."
"No, wait—this isn't just one external spirit bone. These are two external spirit bones. This pair of claws should be the Exploding Dragon Claws from the Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon."
Yang Xiong listened carefully and observed his transformed hands for an extended period. From their appearance, they indeed resembled the Exploding Dragon Claws of a Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon, though they were considerably smaller in scale. The exposed claws measured less than ten centimeters in length. Rather than appearing as a simple pair of claws, these external spirit bones looked more like sophisticated gauntlets, with all the scales and claws on his hands seeming to form a unified entity.
The coloring was particularly striking—the scales covering his palms displayed a brilliant silver hue. One should note that the entire body of a Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon was typically a dark, refined iron color, with only its horns possessing that distinctive silver appearance. Yang Xiong suspected this unusual coloration might be related to his own martial soul's unique properties.
Lin Gong's expression grew serious as he observed the transformation.
"Yang Xiong, I don't understand how you completely absorbed the Xuanming Armor last time, but you probably cannot fully integrate this pair of Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon Exploding Dragon Claws external spirit bones right now. From a bloodline perspective, this Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon was already considered at the peak of spirit beast hierarchy and possessed an exceptionally strong dragon clan bloodline, which explains the intense pain you just experienced."
"According to my estimation, if you want to completely absorb and master this pair of Exploding Dragon Claws external spirit bones, it will probably only be possible when you reach at least the Spirit Emperor level. Before that crucial time, you must never expose these abilities, not even to our own sect."
Yang Xiong nodded with understanding. "Thank you for the warning, Teacher Lin. However, the Sect Master should already know that I possess the Xuanming Armor external spirit bone. Is there any significant difference in this situation?"
Lin Gong shook his head emphatically. "This is completely different from your previous situation. Your Xuanming Armor only enhances defensive capabilities, but this pair of Exploding Dragon Claws can transform a support system spirit master into a genuine battle soul master. Even Ning Fengzhi might not be able to suppress the temptation to claim them. These Exploding Dragon Claws combine both offense and defense, representing absolutely the rarest treasure seen in the spirit master world for ten thousand years. Their value even exceeds that of a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone."
Yang Xiong quickly acknowledged the gravity of the situation. "Thank you for the counsel, Teacher Lin. I will exercise extreme caution."
Lin Gong couldn't help but sigh deeply. "With your heaven-defying luck combined with the strength of your special martial soul, I genuinely don't know whether your birth into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School represents a blessing or a potential catastrophe."
Testing the New Power
Yang Xiong experimented carefully, gently grasping a nearby stone. The rock was immediately sliced through like soft tofu. At this moment, he felt even more awed by the transformation's power.
Yang Xiong carefully analyzed the information about this pair of claws. Indeed, as Lin Gong had explained, they not only combined offensive and defensive capabilities, but their power exceeded all expectations.
These Exploding Dragon Claws not only granted his hands the formidable defense of the Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon, but the claws at his fingertips possessed an extremely terrifying metal attribute that could ignore enemy defenses.
Of course, this defense-penetrating ability was only relative—it could ignore defenses of spirit masters at the same rank. If he encountered spirit masters with significantly higher soul power levels, this effect would be greatly diminished. After crossing two major cultivation realms, the ability would become essentially ineffective.
The two spirit bones simultaneously granted him a skill called Exploding Dragon Claw, which could deliver devastating strikes to enemies. This attack could literally tear the earth apart, and its power doubled when both claws were used simultaneously.
Even Yang Xiong felt that this pair of Exploding Dragon Claws was truly heaven-defying, combining extreme attack power with terrifying defensive capabilities. For someone with a body martial soul like his, they seemed specifically designed to complement his natural abilities perfectly.
An Ominous Warning
Just as Yang Xiong was becoming accustomed to his new abilities, a tremendous roar echoed from the depths of the abyss—a sound that resembled both a bull's bellow and a dragon's roar, but contained infinite pressure and menace.
Yang Xiong felt his scalp tingle with apprehension, and Lin Gong was equally startled, quickly pulling Yang Xiong away while taking the Silver Horn Tyrant Dragon's corpse as they rapidly departed the area.
After they had traveled a safe distance, Lin Gong still seemed shaken as he spoke. "Yang Xiong, you must never approach that abyss again. There might be an extremely terrifying spirit beast dwelling within those depths. I never expected the Sunset Forest to conceal a spirit beast of such magnitude."
Yang Xiong spoke with genuine confusion. "Teacher Lin, if I remember correctly, the Sunset Forest shouldn't harbor any top-tier spirit beasts."
Lin Gong nodded gravely. "According to my knowledge, the oldest spirit beast in Sunset Forest is only approximately eighty thousand years old. However, based on that roar we just heard, I fear this creature has reached at least ninety thousand years of age. Moreover, that abyss appears mysterious and unpredictable—even a Spirit Douluo would likely face near-certain death there."
Yang Xiong considered this carefully. "Teacher Lin, do you think there's any possibility this spirit beast could actually be a hundred thousand years old?"
Lin Gong rolled his eyes at Yang Xiong's suggestion. "What are you thinking, young man? Do you believe hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts are as common as cabbages in a market? Currently, there are only two confirmed hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts on the entire Douluo Continent, and both reside in the deepest regions of the Star Dou Great Forest, where dangers lurk everywhere. Even Titled Douluos cannot guarantee their safety in those areas."
"Every time a solitary hundred-thousand-year spirit beast appears, it essentially triggers a massive bloody conflict. You should understand that a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast is guaranteed to drop a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone, making them primary targets of contention among all major forces."
Yang Xiong fell into contemplation upon hearing this explanation. Indeed, normal hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts were extraordinarily rare. Among the entire Upper Three Sects, apart from Tang Hao, not a single person possessed a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, and Tang Hao's ring had been provided by his deceased wife.
In other words, to hunt a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would need to mobilize their complete strength. For families like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, even if such a spirit beast existed, they might lack sufficient power to hunt it successfully.
Lin Gong delivered a sharp rap to Yang Xiong's head. "What are you contemplating, boy? No matter how strong your physical constitution, you would need at least an eighth or even ninth spirit ring to absorb a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. With my current strength and physical quality, even if I were presented with a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, I wouldn't dare attempt to absorb it."
Yang Xiong responded helplessly, "Shouldn't spirit masters maintain some level of ambition? Not pursuing the strongest hundred-thousand-year spirit rings and spirit bones would be like living as a salted fish."
Lin Gong's beard bristled and his eyes widened upon hearing this audacious statement, appearing as though he wanted to thoroughly beat Yang Xiong for such presumptuous thinking.
However, Yang Xiong considered the matter more seriously before speaking. "Teacher Lin, I believe we should still report the discovery of this top-tier spirit beast to the sect. Perhaps there truly is a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast concealed within that abyss, which could provide tremendous benefits to our organization."
Lin Gong rolled his eyes at Yang Xiong's transparent motivation. "I understand your ulterior motives perfectly. You're probably already planning for your eighth spirit ring, but have you forgotten the sect's policies? If you request the sect's assistance in hunting a top-tier spirit beast, any resulting spirit bone belongs to the organization. It's only awarded to individuals who have made exceptionally significant contributions."
"Besides, you're only twelve years old currently. You won't even need to consider such matters for at least twenty or thirty years. You should stop entertaining such ambitious thoughts, young man."
An Unexpected Encounter
Just as the two were discussing their plans and preparing to depart from Sunset Forest, a voice suddenly descended from the sky. The voice was remarkably pleasant, though carrying a somewhat sharp quality.
"Well, well, isn't that Lin Gong? I didn't expect you to emerge from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. It seems you're still not concerned about your mortality."
Both turned toward the source of the voice and observed a figure with golden armor and features like a delicate peach blossom. This person's skin was exceptionally pale, with a relatively slender build, and wore heavy cosmetics. If not for the visible Adam's apple, anyone would probably assume this was a woman.
Lin Gong regarded this newcomer with obvious anger. "Chrysanthemum Douluo, I didn't expect to encounter you here. What brings you to Sunset Forest?"
Yang Xiong felt equally surprised. He hadn't anticipated meeting Chrysanthemum Douluo in this location. Moreover, even without utilizing soul power, Chrysanthemum Douluo emanated tremendous pressure—the unmistakable aura of a top-tier Titled Douluo.
At this moment, Yang Xiong displayed hints of genuine panic. Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had always maintained hostile relations, and observing Lin Gong's expression, it appeared he personally harbored grudges against Chrysanthemum Douluo. If the two sides actually began fighting, Yang Xiong's life would probably be in serious jeopardy.
Chrysanthemum Douluo covered his mouth and sneered condescendingly. "Lin Gong, what are you implying? Years ago, our Spirit Hall extended a sincere invitation to you, but you were so utterly unappreciative. Look at your aged and decrepit appearance now. If you had accepted our offer then, perhaps you wouldn't be in such pathetic condition."
Lin Gong snorted coldly in response. "This old man walks uprightly and sits with dignity. I refuse to become Spirit Hall's running dog. No matter how powerful your Spirit Hall has become, do you dare attack me directly? I now have the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School supporting me."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression shifted upon hearing this declaration. "You..."
"I never expected that Lin Gong, the legendary Bamboo King who would rather break than bend, now relies on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School for protection. It's simply disgraceful and pathetic."
Before Lin Gong could formulate a response, a cold voice carried from the distance.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, aren't you also relying on Spirit Hall to act with false authority? If Spirit Hall weren't protecting you, you would have probably been eliminated long ago for your appearance and questionable behavior."
A Three-Way Confrontation
Yang Xiong and Lin Gong quickly looked toward the source of this new voice and observed an elderly man emerging from the forest depths. This figure stood like a spear—tall and slender, with hair and beard colored dark green. An extremely ominous aura emanated from his weathered features.
Chrysanthemum Douluo no longer paid attention to Yang Xiong and Lin Gong, focusing entirely on this new arrival. "Dugu Bo, you remain nothing more than a defeated opponent. If you hadn't aligned yourself with the Heaven Dou Royal Family, you would have been eliminated by Spirit Hall long ago."
Dugu Bo sneered in return. "Aren't you essentially admitting that you're acting with borrowed authority and bullying others through institutional power?"
Yang Xiong observed both sides and groaned internally. Spirit Hall was already a major enemy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and Dugu Bo's secret lair had been discovered and raided by himself. If the Poison Douluo learned of his involvement, Yang Xiong would probably face death without proper burial.
Chrysanthemum Douluo roared with fury. "Dugu Bo, you're actively courting death!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chrysanthemum Douluo's body immediately revealed two yellow, two purple, and five black spirit rings. A massive Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum materialized in his grasp, and his entire form seemed filled with deadly metal energy.
Dugu Bo proved equally unwilling to demonstrate weakness. His spirit rings displayed the same configuration—two yellow, two purple, and five black. The enormous Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor emanated a terrifying green aura, appearing countless times more powerful than Dugu Yan's manifestation.
Lin Gong, without hesitation, grabbed Yang Xiong and began retreating rapidly. The two combatants before them were beyond his ability to challenge, and even their sect would be reluctant to provoke such formidable opponents unnecessarily.
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