Chapter 47: Metal Control, An Enormous Gain
"Hu~..."
Several hours later, Huo Yuhao slowly opened his eyes. He had to admit, absorbing a twenty-four-thousand-year soul ring was no small feat—it was truly overwhelming.
To be honest, finding a rare soul beast like the Three-Legged Golden Toad, one that carried traces of divine beast bloodline, in less than a month was already unbelievable. Even more so, it perfectly matched the cultivation age he needed—it felt almost unreal.
It was as if luck itself was protecting him. Whatever he wished for, fate seemed determined to place within his grasp.
How to describe it? He was favored by destiny itself—Douluo Star's most beloved child. Even without activating his [Strong Luck] Echo, his luck seemed inexhaustible.
Though the battle had been troublesome, the ability he gained was exactly what he had hoped for.
"Yuhao, quick! Hurry up and show me your new soul skill. I can't wait anymore!"
Huo Yuhao gave a faint smile. Raising his right hand, he clenched the air. Instantly, the metal elements within the area began to tremble violently, as though stirred into a frenzy.
Even Xiao Hongchen felt as if his control over metallic elements had slightly increased.
On Yuhao's right hand, metallic particles rapidly condensed and restructured, soon sheathing his entire arm in a dark-golden metallic glow.
"My third soul skill is called Metal Control. With it, I can drive my soul power to freely decompose and reconstruct metal structures. I can also transform my own body into a metallic state. While metalized, my defense increases dramatically, and every attack carries dual effects—causing both dizziness and soul power disruption in my enemies.
"As my spiritual power and soul power grow stronger, this ability will evolve alongside them.
"Furthermore, this ability carries a passive effect. It allows me to passively absorb stray metallic energy in the environment to restore soul power, and it also grants heightened sensitivity toward rare treasures containing metallic essence."
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen was stunned, his mind leaping to far-reaching implications.
As expected, this child was a born perfect soul engineer.
Just like Yuhao's Spiritual Detection Sharing, this soul skill wasn't just a great aid to soul guidance device research—it was also a terrifying advantage in battle.
"Metal Control?"
"Yuhao... you're not joking, are you?"
That was supposed to be his martial soul's innate ability! How could Yuhao acquire it through a soul ring? This wasn't just beyond the standard—it was outrageous.
"I'm not joking. From today onward, I'm another wielder of Metal Control."
"Also, my soul power has risen to rank thirty-four. Not a bad harvest, wouldn't you say?"
Xiao Hongchen was utterly speechless.
"Congratulations, Yuhao! Let's see if my brother still dares to act so smug now."
Meng Hongchen gave her brother a sideways glance, though that didn't stop the siblings from immediately bickering again.
Jing Hongchen smiled and pulled out the right leg bone of the slain Golden Toad.
"Yuhao, this is a soul bone from the Three-Legged Golden Toad's right leg. Absorbing a soul ring and soul bone from the same beast produces the greatest effect. Since you've just absorbed the ring, now's the best time to take in the bone."
Yuhao had originally intended to loot the corpse himself—after all, he had used [Strong Luck] Echo to ensure he got the soul skill he wanted.
And indeed, the toad had produced a soul bone. But instead of accepting it, he shook his head.
"Dean, I don't need this bone. Honestly, the reason I chose to absorb this soul beast was purely for its Metal Control ability.
"If possible, I'd rather give the soul bone to you. You can assign a value to it and compensate me with other resources."
It wasn't arrogance—he truly didn't care for this soul bone. Just like how he had refused the Ice Empress's torso bone earlier, leaving that slot open for something far greater.
Jing Hongchen was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. Even Xiao Hongchen froze in place, his expression turning complicated.
Neither of them believed Yuhao's words about "not needing it." Everyone knew that every ten-thousand-year soul bone was a peerless treasure—rare and priceless.
In their eyes, Yuhao must have done this for Xiao Hongchen's sake.
"Yuhao... you're really the best brother I could ever have."
Xiao Hongchen was instantly moved to tears, though Yuhao was left scratching his head. How did things suddenly become so sentimental?
Still, he knew. Since he wasn't taking it, the bone's most suitable owner would indeed be Xiao Hongchen.
"Yuhao, are you sure? This bone has a cultivation of twenty-four thousand years. Even at top-tier auctions, bones of this quality appear only rarely."
After all, the Three-Legged Golden Toad carried a divine beast bloodline—its bones were incredibly rare.
Yuhao rolled his shoulders, exhaling deeply.
"Dean, this bone really isn't for me. I've already gotten what I came for. But for Xiao, this soul bone is a perfect fit."
The words had barely left his mouth before Xiao Hongchen lunged at him dramatically. Yuhao calmly placed a palm over his face, keeping him at arm's length while Xiao flailed, desperate to hug him.
"Oi! Bastard!"
"Yuhao, I knew it—you've been thinking of me all along. From today on, your back is mine to guard! Anyone who dares harm you will have to step over my corpse first!"
"That won't be necessary. I can protect myself."
"No! If you refuse, you're disrespecting me!"
"...Fine, do as you like."
Meng Hongchen immediately joined in.
"And me! Don't forget me!"
Jing Hongchen watched with a nostalgic smile. Ah... youth. Such a wonderful thing.
When they finally quieted down, he added, "Yuhao, don't worry. I won't let you suffer a loss." He pulled out a silver soul guidance device card. "Here—ten million gold soul coins. Once we return to the academy, I'll also provide you with rare metals. You won't be shortchanged."
Yuhao nodded, accepting the card. Ten million was little more than pocket change to him now. His net worth had already exceeded thirty million.
In truth, the soul bone's value was barely over ten million. The rare metals promised afterward were the true treasures—resources restricted by the Sun-Moon Empire, the kind money alone couldn't buy.
His teacher might not lack them, but having more is never a bad thing.
"Alright, no more delays. Absorb it now, while the chance is fresh."
Xiao Hongchen didn't hesitate. Though reluctant to take advantage of Yuhao, he knew refusing his brother's gift would be an insult.
By the time the sky darkened, Yuhao had already cooked dinner. Only then did Xiao Hongchen finish absorbing the bone.
"Haha! My soul power rose another rank—I'm now at rank fifty-three! And I've gained a powerful soul bone skill!"
Having learned from his last mistake, Xiao Hongchen didn't brag right away. Instead, he filled his stomach first before announcing with pride:
"My soul bone skill is called Golden Toad Shadow Leap. By igniting golden light in my right leg, I can leap forward three times in quick succession. The leap distance depends on soul power consumed, and each leap leaves behind transparent metallic miasma.
"Enemies who touch it are corroded and suffer two seconds of Metal Petrification. In battle, this skill combines mobility, control, and armor-breaking effects. It's especially devastating against melee soul masters and weapon users!"
He turned toward Meng Hongchen with a grin.
"The only flaw is the cooldown time. But if combined with your poison control—metal corrosion alongside neurotoxins—our synergy will make group suppression and team fights unstoppable."
Yuhao and Meng Hongchen exchanged smiles. "Congratulations, Xiao."
Jing Hongchen, meanwhile, was too busy eating to care about his grandson's boasting. Ever since entering Jingyang Mountain, he had been craving Yuhao's cooking.
Xiao Hongchen no longer had the heart to compare himself to Yuhao. After all, this monster could absorb a twenty-thousand-year soul ring at rank thirty.
Still, his fifth ring had broken through the usual limits. Every one of them had gained immensely on this expedition.
End of Chapter