Compared to the Shrek Academy team's continued tournament participation, Yang Xiong had taken an extended leave of absence—a full five days away from competition.
Actually, according to Yang Xiong's careful analysis, with the Shrek Academy team's current strength level, they were powerful enough to rank among the top five teams in the Heaven Dou region, which meant they would almost certainly qualify to travel to Spirit City for the final tournament rounds.
Thinking about the various dangerous secrets he possessed, especially the external Spirit Bones in the form of Dragon Claws attached to his hands, it would be extremely difficult and perilous to deal with if he really went to Spirit City. Even Ning Fengzhi's considerable influence might not be sufficient to suppress everyone's inevitable covetousness and greed.
Yang Xiong had directly approached Flender and Yu Xiaogang to request leave, explaining that he had encountered a minor but significant problem in his cultivation recently and needed to venture out to resolve it.
Originally, Yu Xiaogang had been quite hesitant about approving this request, even offering to personally help Yang Xiong analyze the cultivation problem. However, Flender agreed to the leave request without hesitation. Although Yu Xiaogang served as the tactical team leader, Flender remained the highest-ranking authority figure in everyone's eyes.
Through Yang Xiong's recent careful observations, he had noticed that Dugu Bo, that old man, attended virtually every tournament match. He even personally escorted Dugu Yan away after every evening's tactical analysis session, which meant Dugu Bo probably didn't have time to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well recently.
Yang Xiong and Lin Gong traveled with great haste, arriving at the legendary Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in just half a day's journey.
Lin Gong appeared somewhat confused and depressed: "Yang Xiong, the competition is progressing so successfully, so why did you want to come to this godforsaken and dangerous place? Is there something particularly special here?"
Yang Xiong smiled mysteriously and replied, "This is actually a tremendous treasure location. Dugu Bo simply doesn't recognize its true value. It can solve a hidden danger I'm facing and even make me significantly stronger."
Upon arriving at the outer perimeter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Lin Gong remained positioned outside the deadly poisonous mist barrier as planned. Although his individual strength was truly formidable, he couldn't safely pass through Dugu Bo's intricate poison formation.
However, the two had already established clear communication protocols. If Dugu Bo returned earlier than expected, Lin Gong would release a large-scale Spirit Ability to warn Yang Xiong of the approaching danger.
When Yang Xiong followed the rope and descended to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well once again, the entire mystical location had changed dramatically compared to his last visit.
Although nearly three years had passed since he had last visited this place, this area had clearly been meticulously maintained and organized by Dugu Bo, who had actually replanted numerous rare poisonous herbs and spiritual plants.
In particular, the medicinal plants growing here seemed to develop at extraordinary speeds. During his last visit, Yang Xiong had left the area essentially barren and depleted, but now it had become lush and vibrantly green again, with many valuable spiritual plants having grown to impressive sizes.
Yang Xiong had no time to focus on these fascinating botanical developments. This time, while Dugu Bo was conveniently absent, he planned to utilize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for intensive body refinement once again, with the specific goal of quickly completing the fusion process of the two external Spirit Bones attached to his palms. Otherwise, if their presence was discovered in Spirit City, it would create tremendous complications, as there were numerous Titled Douluo level experts present there, and who could predict whether they might harbor ulterior motives.
Using the combined Ice and Fire elemental power of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to achieve complete external Spirit Bone fusion was the only viable method Yang Xiong could conceive at his current development stage, and it was exceptionally rare for Dugu Bo to be consistently absent recently.
Yang Xiong removed all his clothing and leaped directly into the mystical spring waters of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well without hesitation.
Originally, after his previous Ice and Fire body tempering experience, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well no longer produced any significant corrosive effects on his conditioned physique. However, perhaps because the beneficial medicinal properties of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Fierce Fire Apricot had been largely consumed and depleted, he experienced considerably more intense pain than expected.
However, compared to the discomfort affecting his body, when his hands entered the dual spring sources of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his two palms immediately experienced incredibly intense and uncomfortable sensations. His right palm felt as if it were being consumed by raging flames, while his left palm felt as if it were trapped within freezing ice. This represented a long-forgotten level of excruciating pain.
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth determinedly, completely disregarding the overwhelming pain in his hands, and submerged his entire body into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's depths.
As time slowly passed, his hands seemed to be undergoing a melting and reformation process. This level of pain even exceeded what he had experienced during his first body refinement session. The ten fingers, which were directly connected to his heart through nerve pathways, transmitted both scorching hot and icy cold energy respectively, and these two opposing streams of energy could neither complement each other nor cancel each other out effectively.
Yang Xiong clenched his teeth with fierce determination and silently circulated his Yin Yang Meditation Method, struggling to endure the overwhelming sensations.
After a grueling two full days of continuous refinement, Yang Xiong finally crawled out of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but his hands had undergone a remarkable and significant transformation.
The two external Spirit Bones remained attached to his hands, but their appearance and capabilities had evolved dramatically. His palms were now covered with thick, protective scales, and the claw tips extended only about ten centimeters in length, but they had become extremely hard and sharp, resembling finest refined iron and appearing like a genuine pair of Dragon Claws.
However, both the Dragon Scales and Dragon Claws on his palms had undergone fundamental changes. Originally, they had been silver-colored Dragon Claws, but now his right hand displayed a brilliant fiery red coloration, while his left hand had transformed to a deep blue hue.
Yang Xiong could distinctly feel that these two external Spirit Bones had achieved complete fusion with his natural physiology, functioning exactly like his own inherent bone structure. Most remarkably, his right hand seemed to have gained mastery over fire-attribute energy, while his left hand had developed ice-attribute capabilities. However, these two powerful energies remained limited to his claws and could not be integrated into his overall body systems.
Yang Xiong casually slid his transformed hands across the ground surface, and the stones were instantly cut open with remarkable ease. Where his right claw passed, the material appeared as if it had been scorched by intense flames, and where his left hand touched, everything instantly froze solid.
Yang Xiong felt immediately overjoyed by these developments. Originally, this pair of Dragon Claws had possessed only extremely powerful sharpness, making them unparalleled in direct physical attacks.
However, after being refined and tempered by the mystical Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they had actually gained both ice and fire elemental attributes, dramatically increasing their overall destructive power. They would prove even more formidable in battle against enemies, catching opponents completely off guard with unexpected elemental attacks.
Yang Xiong decided to name this evolved pair of Dragon Claws the "Ice Fire Dragon Claw," with his right hand designated as the "Blazing Dragon Claw" and his left hand called the "Frost Dragon Claw."
At this moment, Yang Xiong seemed to remember something important and jumped back into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with renewed purpose. However, even exerting all his physical might, Yang Xiong still couldn't dive to significant depths, as if some special and mysterious power was deliberately obstructing his progress.
Yang Xiong strongly felt that there must be something tremendously valuable hidden in the deepest areas of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but unfortunately, with his current strength limitations, he couldn't reach those depths at all.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well served as the burial ground of the legendary Fire Dragon King. The Fire Dragon King had been a God King of the Divine Realm, possessing strength that probably far exceeded that of even million-year Spirit Beasts. Even after tens of thousands of years had passed, there might still be incredible remnants like Divine Spirit Bones preserved within its depths.
Finally, Yang Xiong sighed with helpless frustration. His current strength as a Spirit Elder was indeed far too weak for such endeavors. Perhaps in the future, when he had developed considerably more power, he might be able to explore much deeper.
After this extraordinarily painful Spirit Bone fusion process, Yang Xiong's personal spirit power had increased by another full level, now reaching level 39, placing him not too far from the crucial level 40 breakthrough.
When Yang Xiong finally emerged from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Lin Gong breathed a tremendous sigh of relief. This location was not safe by any means, and it would have created serious complications if Dugu Bo had suddenly returned during the process.
This expedition to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had proceeded even more smoothly than Yang Xiong had initially imagined, and he had gained significantly more benefits than originally expected. Not only had he successfully achieved complete Spirit Bone fusion, but their enhanced power exceeded his previous capabilities, and he had even gained a full level of spirit power advancement.
Due to taking five full days of leave, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong were not in any particular hurry to return immediately. Instead, they traveled leisurely on their return journey, not even concerned when nightfall approached, since Lin Gong, a top-level Spirit Douluo, accompanied them for protection.
During the night, the two simply prepared a barbecue meal in the Sunset Forest. Even if fierce Spirit Beasts detected their presence, they weren't worried about danger. Lin Gong directly used his Purple Glazed Bamboo martial soul to create an enclosed bamboo forest barrier, and the powerful aura of a Spirit Douluo that he naturally exuded prevented any Spirit Beast from daring to approach their location.
Lin Gong appeared somewhat puzzled: "Yang Xiong, it feels like this entire Sunset Forest serves as your personal territory. You've even advanced another level during this trip. It seems that purely in terms of cultivation advancement speed, you're now performing even better than those two teammates with Innate full spirit power."
Yang Xiong smiled modestly and replied, "Teacher Lin, it's not nearly that simple. They possess Innate full spirit power from birth. How can I, with my Innate spirit power of only level six, realistically compare to their natural advantages?"
Lin Gong smiled knowingly and said, "You little rascal, just keep pretending to be modest. One day, when you truly display your complete strength, you'll probably frighten a lot of people to death with your capabilities."
Yang Xiong responded thoughtfully, "True strength and combat power aren't simply achieved through talk or theory. They really must be earned through surviving mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Otherwise, possessing spirit power alone proves essentially useless in real combat."
Lin Gong nodded in complete agreement: "That's absolutely true. However, the natural talents of both your teams are indeed exceptional, especially this particular group of students who enrolled during this time period."
Yang Xiong remained silent for a considerable moment before speaking: "Teacher Lin, after this Soul Master Elite Competition concludes, I plan to venture out for extended real-world experience. Perhaps I won't continue staying at the academy in the future."
Lin Gong smiled with understanding: "I know your developing thoughts and motivations. After these several years of structured training, the educational opportunities within the academy are no longer providing much substantial help for your advancement. Perhaps you should begin experiencing the real Spirit Master world beyond academic settings."
"However, I don't know what the Heaven Dou Royal Family and your team leaders will think about this decision. After all, given your current age and demonstrated talent, you will at least achieve Spirit King level by the next Soul Master Competition, and it's even possible for high-level Spirit Kings to emerge."
Yang Xiong immediately chuckled upon hearing this assessment: "Teacher Lin, do you think it's impossible for us to become Spirit Emperors?"
Lin Gong sighed deeply: "Spirit Emperor level? That's much rarer and more difficult than achieving Spirit King status. Even if you're exceptionally outstanding, reaching that level is highly unlikely. A Spirit Emperor before the age of twenty is simply unimaginable and unprecedented."
Yang Xiong remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Teacher Lin, do you have any specific plans for your future? Are you content to continue your current lifestyle indefinitely?"
Lin Gong was thoughtfully silent for an extended time before responding: "People cannot ultimately defeat their predetermined fate. I am already quite old, and I no longer possess significant potential for advancement. Due to my early foundation problems, my spirit power has not improved substantially in recent years. I'm afraid I will only reach level 87 before I die."
Looking at this elderly man who had faithfully followed and protected him for such a long time, Yang Xiong couldn't help but say, "Teacher Lin, what if I could find a way to help you achieve a breakthrough to Titled Douluo level?"
Lin Gong's eyes immediately became incredibly sharp and intense upon hearing this suggestion: "Yang Xiong, you absolutely must not speak such dangerous nonsense. It's acceptable to mention it to me privately, but if others were to overhear such claims, it would bring you endless trouble and complications."
Yang Xiong grabbed an entire bottle of wine and consumed several large gulps, as if he wanted to release internal frustrations, and his face even turned slightly red from the alcohol.
"Teacher Lin, over all these years, we two have maintained the most contact and closest relationship. You protect me from the shadows, serving like both my master and my trusted friend. I don't want you to live with permanent regret."
Lin Gong gripped his wine bottle and drank it completely, his face showing a hint of deep emotion: "How could I not want to avenge the hatred and injustices of that year? Unfortunately, I no longer possess the heart for such dangerous struggles."
Yang Xiong observed the hint of unbearable pain crossing Lin Gong's weathered face, but in the end, he simply continued drinking his wine in contemplative silence.
Although Yang Xiong appeared relatively casual at the moment, he was also experiencing considerable internal tension. According to the timeline he understood, the devastating battle that would ultimately destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was only five years away. If there was no viable solution discovered by then, he would probably need to relocate his parents and elder brother to safety in advance.
The two men drank heartily together, expressing their inner melancholy and concerns, and then rested in separate meditation sessions.
Upon returning to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Yang Xiong did not encounter the entire competition team, presumably because they were still participating in tournament matches in Heaven Dou City.
However, Oscar and Qin Shuang, along with the rest of their relegated team, were still training diligently and consistently. It seemed that the relationship between Oscar and Qin Shuang had improved quite considerably. At least Qin Shuang was no longer maintaining her previous cold and distant demeanor.
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