However, Jiangzhu only hesitated briefly before nodding in agreement.
—Her chances of winning against Ning Rongrong weren't high.
It was better to safely secure a 30,000-year-old soul bone.
"Yay! Thank you, Jiangzhu~"
Ning Rongrong bounced over to Tang Lan, extending her fair little hand.
"Tang Shu, can I have this head soul bone?"
Tang Lan casually handed over the Illusory Wisdom Skull.
"Absorb it right here. I'll guard you."
"Got it!"
Ning Rongrong walked to the side and began absorbing the soul bone.
Many in the group cast envious glances her way—especially Tang San, whose longing was the most intense.
But this time, he didn't try to snatch it.
The reason?
He already possessed the Titan Giant Ape's head soul bone.
And Tang Lan's "severing limbs to extract soul bones" method clearly didn't apply to head soul bones.
—After all, who swaps heads?
So...
While Tang San was feeling dejected, Tang Lan suddenly pulled out another soul bone. Its complete form and the aura it exuded made it clear—this was no ordinary piece!
Instantly, everyone's attention was drawn to it.
But Tang Lan didn't explain just yet.
Instead, he took out another item—an icy-blue gemstone that radiated an intense soul power fluctuation.
Without a doubt, it was a rare treasure!
"Let me introduce these."
Tang Lan spoke:
"This soul bone here is called the Silver Ice Apricot's Frostwood Left Leg Bone. It's 85,000 years old and was just given to me by my brother."
"As for this in my other hand, it's called Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow. Don't be fooled by its small size—it can accelerate the cultivation of an ice-attribute soul master to at least the Titled Douluo level."
In an instant—
The crowd's eyes burned with desire!
Such incredible items!
Seeing their excitement, Tang Lan decided to up the ante.
He took out over ten Life Soul Hearts.
"These Life Soul Hearts contain the refined soul power of a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo."
"After undergoing special purification, they can be directly absorbed to increase one's soul power level."
"Though the effects aren't as potent as the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow, they are still exceedingly rare."
Good heavens!
Refined soul power from a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo?!
Everyone's eyes turned red with greed!
"Brother!" Tang San couldn't hold back. "Enough talking—how are we dividing these?"
Right now, he felt completely overwhelmed by all the choices.
The 85,000-year soul bone? He wanted it!
The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow? He wanted that too!
The Life Soul Hearts? Still wanted them!
But the last shred of reason in Tang San's mind told him—he couldn't take everything.
So, after some serious thought—
He locked his sights on the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow.
Cultivation levels!
That was what Tang San needed most.
No matter how high a soul bone or soul ring's age was, in the end, none of it compared to leveling up!
Tang Lan read Tang San's thoughts immediately, and his first reaction was—oh, no way!
If Tang San wasn't going to fight for the soul bone, how could it be considered his fated opportunity?
Since Tang San's top priority was the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow...
Tang Lan lifted the Ice Marrow and said, "Then let's allocate this first. Anyone who wants to compete for it, step forward."
Tang San stepped forward without hesitation.
This stunned Shui Bing'er, who had been confident it was hers.
Wait—
Didn't you hear what Tang Lan just said?
This was meant for ice-attribute soul masters!
"I do have an ice attribute, okay?"
Tang San summoned his Blue Silver Grass martial soul and declared righteously:
"My fourth soul skill, Frost Touch, grants my martial soul an ice attribute!"
Shui Bing'er: "..."
The crowd: (●—●)●)●)
You good, bro?
A single ice-attribute soul skill makes you an ice-attribute soul master now?
"Oh?"
Shui Yue'er stepped forward.
"If that's how it works," she said, "then even though I'm a water-attribute soul master, my third and fourth soul skills are both ice-attribute."
"And I also have an external soul bone with ice properties."
"So does that mean I can compete for the Ice Marrow too?"
Tang San ignored her, staring straight at Tang Lan.
—His brother had to choose him!
Seeing this, Shui Bing'er shook her head helplessly.
She wasn't even planning to step forward—she didn't want to put Tang Lan in a tough spot.
It wasn't until Xiao Wu nudged her forward that she reluctantly took a step up.
Tang Lan chuckled.
And, to no one's surprise, he handed the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow to Tang San.
"If you want it so badly, go ahead and absorb it."
Tang San grinned triumphantly and took the Ice Marrow.
He didn't notice the meaningful looks everyone else was giving him.
—Something's Off with Tang Lan's Words!
Shui Yue'er picked up on it too, crossing her arms as she watched Tang San find a spot, sit down cross-legged, and begin absorbing the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow.
A surge of icy-blue soul power radiated from the Ice Marrow, completely enveloping him.
The energy was so dense that it visibly froze the surrounding air into tiny ice crystals.
And as the recipient, Tang San indeed felt the thrill of "rapid cultivation."
But then—his expression changed!
Because...
The Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow, just like the Nine Yang Divine Skill's internal energy, was altering the fundamental nature of his Xuan Tian Skill! It was transforming his once-balanced and neutral energy into an overwhelmingly icy force!
—Wouldn't this ruin his foundation?!
He immediately stopped cultivating.
His face darkened as he glared at the Ice Marrow.
He hadn't even practiced the Nine Yang Divine Skill.
And now, was he supposed to abandon his path just for this Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow?
Impossible!
His cultivation talent was already inferior to others.
And now he was expected to give up even his greatest advantage—hidden weapons?
Then what would he have left?!
Clenching his teeth, Tang San could only hand the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow back to Tang Lan.
"Brother!"
"I thought it over carefully, and I believe this Ice Marrow is more suitable for Sister Bing'er!"
Xiao Wu and the others sneered.
"Oh my!" Shui Yue'er piped up. "How thoughtful of you, Mister Ice-Attribute Soul Master~"
Tang San's face twitched as he avoided her gaze.
Shui Yue'er decided not to push further. Instead, she turned to Tang Lan.
With a sweet, obedient tone, she said, "Lan, this Ice Marrow is quite large. How about my sister and I share it?"
"Sure," Tang Lan nodded. "Then it's yours."
Shui Yue'er took the Ice Marrow and, on tiptoes, planted a quick kiss on Tang Lan's cheek.
Giggling, she ran over to Shui Bing'er and stuffed the Ice Marrow into her hands.
Tang Lan wiped the lip print off his cheek with one hand while lifting the soul bone with the other.
Before he could say a word—
"Brother!" Tang San instantly flashed over. "I already gave up the Ice Marrow. This soul bone should be mine, right?"
Oh ho!
This guy's shamelessness knew no bounds.
Tang Lan, without hesitation, handed over the soul bone.
"Then absorb it right here. We'll guard you."
"Thank you, Brother!"
Tang San took the soul bone and pressed it against his left leg.
The next second—
His left leg instantly froze solid! Ice spread rapidly, surging up his thigh and encroaching toward his torso!
—The Silver Ice Apricot's Frostwood Left Leg Bone required Extreme Ice Affinity to absorb.
Otherwise...
The terrifying Extreme Ice Aura would backfire, freezing the user to death!
If you weren't strong enough—this thing would definitely kill you.
The entire group was thoroughly entertained.
—As expected of you, Little Greedy San! Of course, something had to go wrong again!
Tang Lan naturally wouldn't let Tang San die.
With a casual wave of his hand—
The rampaging Extreme Ice instantly fell under his control and dissipated, retreating from Tang San's body.
The Silver Ice Apricot's Frostwood Left Leg Bone also flew back into Tang Lan's grasp.
"Xiao Sanzi..."
(End of Chapter)