I got caught up with my IV drip and forgot to use Tang San to claim rewards before absorbing the spirit bone.
I woke up in the middle of the night to revise the previous chapter, adding in more suffering for Tang San.
As compensation, here's an extra chapter! Please go back and reread the previous one~
"Brother! Just give me a little more time!" Tang San pleaded unwillingly. "Maybe my Clear Sky Hammer can also evolve and gain an Ultimate Power attribute?"
Unfortunately, Tang Lan shook his head helplessly.
"This is a spirit bone from Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, meant to win me over."
"He intends to nurture me into a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo."
"I took it for you to absorb first, acting before informing him. After all, you're my brother—he wouldn't resort to killing for the bone."
"But now…"
Tang Lan didn't finish his sentence.
Yet his expression clearly said—I gave you the chance, but you failed to seize it!
Tang San was overwhelmed with grief and frustration, unable to argue.
His clenched fists loosened, falling powerlessly, as his pupils lost focus, staring blankly ahead.
It was over.
His chance to defy fate was gone.
Gone.
Tang Lan sighed once more and left silently.
A long while passed.
Suddenly, Tang San's eyes sharpened!
Wait a second!
Tang Lan had said that absorbing this spirit bone required the Ultimate Power attribute.
So…
Tang Lan also had the Ultimate Power attribute?!
Tang San felt a wave of suffocation!
If it were just his own lack of talent, he might have been able to accept it.
But they came from the same womb—his brother was so outstanding, while he…
How could he possibly reconcile this disparity?!
Jealousy!
Twisted emotions!
Unwillingness!
Rage!
Powerlessness!
In the end—
All of these feelings condensed into one outcry—
"Since when was I born, if you were to shine?!"(T/N: A variation of "Why must I exist if you already shine?", referencing the famous rivalry of Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang.)
After leaving Tang San behind, Tang Lan returned to the Sect Master's palace.
With a light stroke over his Golden Dragon Crocodile Right Arm Bone, a blue glow shattered outward.
It was the soul bone ability of Purple Demon Eye—Boundless Sea Seal.
Even divine imprints could be concealed—let alone Tang San's measly inner power.
That Ultimate Power attribute?
Complete nonsense.
Tang San simply had no knowledge of the Boundless Sea Universe Cover, nor did he recognize the Boundless Sea Divine Eye.
That was why he fell for the deception.
'I wonder what reward the system will give me this time?'
'After all, from now on, I can't use Boundless Sea Seal in front of Tang San anymore…'
'Otherwise, my act will be exposed.'
With that thought, Tang Lan pressed the Golden Dragon Crocodile Right Arm Bone onto his right arm.
The internal energy of Nine Yang Divine Skill surged forth, easily enveloping the spirit bone, guiding its energy into his arm.
The fusion began.
Just like that—simple and effortless.
As usual, he let his mind wander to dull the pain of absorption.
Speaking of which, this was only the second non-external spirit bone he had absorbed, and the first one he had acquired himself.
There was an oddly satisfying "mystery box" feeling to it.
What kind of soul bone skill would he get this time?
Something to look forward to.
The commotion of absorbing the spirit bone was considerable.
Zhu Zhuqing was startled awake and left her bedroom to check.
The thin bed sheet she wrapped around herself only half-concealed her flawless figure, faintly visible under the dim lighting.
Tang Lan suddenly had a mischievous idea.
His soul abruptly materialized in front of Zhu Zhuqing.
Startled, she instinctively lashed out with a claw, only stopping right before hitting his face.
She rolled her eyes at him in annoyance.
"Besides messing with me, is scaring me all you know?"
This playful, delicate demeanor—outsiders would never see this side of her.
Tang Lan chuckled, pleased with his successful prank.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed his smugness, and her competitive streak kicked in.
With a charming smile, she let go of the bed sheet, revealing her explosive figure.
Tang Lan's gaze locked onto her.
Even though he had touched her countless times,
each time he laid eyes on her,
he still found himself unable to control his reaction.
Unfortunately…
Right now, he was in soul form.
Unable to do anything.
"Lan, are you not up for it anymore?" Zhu Zhuqing teased, bouncing lightly.
"Come on~ weren't you supposed to be strong?"
Oh?
Little minx, getting cocky, huh?
Fine!
Sure, he might be in soul form and unable to enjoy himself…
But that didn't mean he couldn't dish out punishment!
Tang Lan immediately activated his Soul Spirit Domain—
Mirror Flower, Water Moon—Activate!
The surroundings morphed, transforming into a themed hotel from his past life.
Whips, Candles, and Restraints—Zhu Zhuqing's Instincts Scream Danger!
The walls were lined with whips, red candles, and suspension racks.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression froze!
She didn't know what these things were for…
But her sixth sense told her—this was bad news!
She immediately prepared to activate her martial soul and use Shadow Step to escape.
But would Tang Lan allow that?
No chance.
Without even needing his physical form,
he activated the Fate Soul Heart within Zhu Zhuqing, supplying energy to the Soul Seed,
causing Fate Soul Blue Silver Emperor to grow and bind her.
A perfectly executedShibari-style tie.
Tang Lan flashed a dangerously kind smile and walked toward the wall.
The fun was just beginning.
Sunrise—Aftermath of the Night
By the time the sun rose,
Zhu Zhuqing had already passed out again.
Tang Lan, having finished absorbing his soul bone,
used the Life Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone to heal her minor injuries.
He grinned triumphantly.
Still think you can defy me?
Who says you need a weapon to strike deep?
That being said…
This time, he really wore her out.
She'd need two full days to recover.
After tucking her in,
Tang Lan turned his attention to his Innate Soul Ring's age.
11,7000 years!
A 15,000-year increase—not bad.
And now, the main event—Soul Bone Abilities!
New Soul Bone Abilities!
Soul Bone Ability · Crocodile Dragon's MightSuppresses non-top-tier Beast Martial Souls that are of a lower level than the user, preventing them from using Martial Soul True Body.Strength is significantly reduced based on level disparity and martial soul quality.
Tang Lan smirked.
This was basically a "Dragon's Might"-type ability, nearly a half-domain.
A non-top-tier Beast Martial Soul sweeper.
Even if a target was immune to its effects, their strength would still be suppressed.
Not bad.
Soul Bone Ability · Death RollConsumes half of the user's soul power to manifest a Golden Dragon Crocodile,Once it bites the target, it initiates a Death Roll,Continues until soul power is depleted or the target is ripped apart.
Tang Lan blinked.
A mental image of the "Death Roll" played in his mind.
He sighed in relief.
Thank goodness it's a soul-power-formed attack… and not something I have to physically bite with.
Otherwise…
That would've been horrifying.
The ability itself was excellent—a single-target lockdown and offense combo.
This 100,000-year soul bone gave him:
A group-wide suppression ability, andA powerful, focused control move.
For an average Soul Master, this would be a trump card.
But for Tang Lan?
It's just… okay.
Selling His Freedom for a Century? Worth It?
"Looking at it this way… I basically sold myself for a hundred years just for this 100,000-year soul bone."
"Kinda a bad deal, huh?"
"Luckily, I serve Xue Qinghe—Qian Renxue has no command over me."
"Woohoo~"
An Invitation from the Crown Prince
As he stepped out of the Sect Master's palace,
he saw Shui Bing'er and a Royal Guard approaching from afar.
The moment they spotted Tang Lan,
they hurried over and respectfully saluted.
The Royal Guard presented a formal invitation with both hands.
"Lord Earl, His Highness the Crown Prince invites you to a luncheon at the imperial city this noon."
So soon?
Tang Lan casually took the invitation and signaled the guard to leave.
He then turned to Shui Bing'er.
"Bing'er, why aren't you training?" He asked casually.
"Sect Master, I was training my Purple Extreme Demon Eyes this morning when I ran into this Royal Guard, so I brought him over." Shui Bing'er replied.
"Good, keep up with your training. I'll take you to the Extreme North soon to acquire a Soul Spirit."
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
**"Mm. Go inform Jing Ling to meet me at the Tang Sect Academy gate this afternoon."
"Understood!"
Shui Bing'er's Hidden Thoughts…
As she watched Tang Lan leave,
her gaze held a glint of deep thought.
99% of the soul beasts in the Extreme North are ice-attributed.
And among those in the Tang Sect who can benefit from them… only me and Shui Yue'er.
Which means…
I'll have plenty of alone time with him.
In the Extreme North… it'll be the perfect opportunity to make him mine!
Or perhaps…
Both of us sisters together! (t/n: YES!YES!YES!)
(Chapter End)