Xiao Tian naturally accepted the soul bone. With it, if he encountered Dugu Bo in the future, he'd have better bargaining chips. Though with his current power, negotiation wasn't really necessary; protected by Da Ming and Er Ming, neither was a match for Dugu Bo.
He held a good impression of Dugu Bo from the original story—though a loner, loyal and suitable to be a friend and ally. Despite being mocked as the weakest Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo's record at Jialing Pass, where he massacred the city amidst a desperate war against two gods, was undeniable.
There was, however, a serious concern. The extent of a soul's power depended largely on the soul master's strength. Xiao Tian wondered how long his current soul power could support Da Ming and Er Ming's full strength.
Outside the Star Forest, sunrise was long past.
"Alas, I think Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu must have met with an accident. We should evacuate soon—it's unsafe to stay," Flanders advised Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect guarding the area, pressure was mounting.
"Hold on!" Ning Rongrong frowned, turning to the lead secret guard. "You're the strongest—take two with you and search for Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu. If they're alive, find them. If not, bring back their bodies."
The leader had no choice and agreed, selecting a Soul Saint specializing in agility attack and a Soul Emperor of support. Despite dangers, they saw this as their chance to redeem themselves.
Suddenly, two figures appeared from the distance—quickly flying!
"It's Xiao Tian, holding someone!" someone called out.
All eyes turned, seeing Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu approaching, a pair of wings spread behind Xiao Tian.
"Xiao Tian, Xiao Wu, over here!" Ning Rongrong waved excitedly, certain waiting had been the right call.
Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu were surprised—would Flanders and the others really have waited? Without Da Ming and Er Ming, survival against a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was nearly impossible.
Landing before Ning Rongrong and the group, Xiao Tian sheathed his external soul bone and smiled, "Rongrong, why are you still here?"
Ning Rongrong smiled confidently, "I never believed you two would die so easily. We waited all night. I was just about to send the guards out to look for you!"
She eyed Xiao Tian curiously, "By the way, what were those wings behind you? How did you escape two hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts?"
Yu Xiaogang broke the silence, "Xiao Tian, your wings are soul bones, right? Have you broken through to level 40?"
That was the only logical explanation.
Yet thinking of Tang San's external soul bone being pulled by the Titan Giant Ape left Yu Xiaogang puzzled.
His disciple's twin martial souls and innate spirit power should make him stronger than Xiao Tian, who was only innate level five. Jingling with jealousy, Tang San waited for Xiao Tian's reply—also an external soul bone intentionally revealed.
One reason was to hasten Xiao Wu's rescue, the other to stop pretending anymore.
Shrek Academy had reaped nearly all the benefits. For better rewards, it must wait for Tang San and others to break through levels—a process that would take at least two years, coinciding with the upcoming Continental Soul Master Elite Competition that Xiao Tian planned to capitalize on.
Now he simply wanted to legitimize his external soul bone's existence.
"Master, you're right. After Xiao Wu and I escaped those soul beasts by chance, under tremendous pressure, my soul power finally broke through to level 40—a blessing in disguise."
"While fleeing, we found a dying Sword-Winged Luan affected by the battle's aftermath. It was perfect—I absorbed it."
As he spoke, four purple soul rings appeared on Xiao Tian's body, all purple.
The fifth soul ring was absent or hidden, thanks to the golden Xuanyuan ring on Xiao Tian's hand.
Jade jar: ???
"What? You said your fourth soul ring came from a Sword-Winged Luan? Those are basically ten-thousand-year soul beasts with incredible speed, even faster than the Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Snake! But why six wings?"
Yu Xiaogang was puzzled but saw consistency with the Sword-Winged Luan's traits.
Xiao Tian feigned ignorance, "Maybe there was a mutation during absorption?"
Yu Xiaogang twitched his mouth—it was the first time he heard of soul bones mutating but couldn't think of other explanations.
Xiao Wu struggled to keep a straight face at Xiao Tian's nonsense.
"How did you escape the Titan Ape and Azure Bull Python?" Tang San asked seriously, probing for the truth.
"Oh, they both saw I was talented and let me go," Xiao Tian said casually.
Da Ming: ….
Er Ming: ….
Everyone was speechless.
"Xiao Tian, do you take me for a fool?" Tang San frowned.
Curious how Xiao Tian survived, Tang San felt a mix of disappointment and secret relief—after all, Xiao Wu lived. His emotions were complicated.
Buzzing in Xiao Tian's spiritual space, Er Ming teased, "Xiao Tian, you really know how to flatter yourself!"
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