"That's right, this is the right leg bone, one of the six great Soul Bones. It came from a 50,000-year-old near-shore overlord Soul Beast, a Demon Soul Great White Shark. I obtained it during my youth while out training, but I already had a right leg bone at the time, so I kept it.
"From its appearance, this Soul Bone is complete and flawless, truly top-grade. The Demon Soul Great White Shark possessed a king's bloodline in life, making it highly extraordinary, and this Soul Bone has concentrated its supreme water-element essence.
"After you fuse with it, you should gain a powerful offensive or control-type Soul Skill. It will also greatly enhance your physical attributes and water-element affinity. It's truly beneficial. Absorb it here; I'll protect you."
Xu Xiaoyun nodded, handing the Soul Bone to Xu Sanshi, who had "suffered greatly at Shrek and fled home like a refugee," and spoke with a benevolent expression.
"Ancestor, I…" Xu Sanshi was moved to tears, but instead of taking the Soul Bone, he looked at Xu Tianxi beside him.
Xu Tianxi turned his head, waving his hand dismissively.
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"Don't look at me. You're the one suffering at Shrek, not me. I'll find my own top-tier Soul Bones later, and I'm a spiritual type; this doesn't suit me."
Xu Sanshi stopped crying and laughed, patting Xu Tianxi's shoulder forcefully with his large hand, returning to his usual cheeky self.
"Don't worry, Tianxi. Once I graduate from Shrek, your brother will definitely help you hunt down some formidable Soul Beasts!"
Xu Tianxi glanced at him in surprise, then revealed a smile that was hard to decipher.
"Then you'll have to be careful. My target will likely be very strong. You can't even withstand my spiritual attacks right now."
"Now is now, the future is the future. From this moment on, I, Xu Sanshi, am reborn! Ancestor, help me!"
Xu Sanshi excitedly took the invaluable Soul Bone from Xu Xiaoyun's hand, eagerly sat down cross-legged, placed the Soul Bone against his leg, and began to fuse with it.
A milky-white Soul Power aura immediately enveloped him, rising into a hazy mist, gradually obscuring Xu Sanshi's face.
At this moment, Xu Xiaoyun's voice reached Xu Tianxi's ears:
"Tianxi, your master-ancestor also has a left leg bone from a Golden Hawksbill here. It's an internal family heirloom, and it should suit you very well. Would you like to try fusing with it?"
Xu Tianxi sharply turned to Xu Xiaoyun, exclaiming, "Master-Ancestor, wouldn't this be a bit out of line?"
I'm still just a Soul Master. Fusing with a top-tier Soul Bone directly seems a little too extravagant.
Xu Sanshi can say he suffered at Shrek, and Master-Ancestor, feeling sorry for him, gave him a Soul Bone he saved up. But a family heirloom Soul Bone, that's a different matter entirely.
Even if he's the clan leader's direct son and Master-Ancestor's most promising junior, shouldn't there be a procedure for this?
The Golden Hawksbill is known as an auspicious creature among tortoises, an emperor-like existence among tortoise Soul Beasts, possessing a king's aura. It's also an extremely rare Soul Beast, second only to the Three-Eyed Golden Gradient, that's called an Auspicious Beast.
Legend has it that if the Black Tortoise Shield Martial Soul can obtain a Soul Ring from this type of Soul Beast, it can evolve into a Golden Black Tortoise, elevating its quality to a new level.
Whether this is true or not is unknown, but Xu Sanshi truly completed his evolution after fusing with a 100,000-year Golden Hawksbill Soul Spirit, directly laying the foundation for a Super Douluo.
"No. The authority to interpret the sect rules lies with me. Whatever I say the rules are, that's what they are."
Xu Xiaoyun's eyes were calm as he spoke the most domineering words in the most tranquil tone.
"Of course, your body isn't fully developed yet. That Soul Bone is very old, and fusing with it now might be dangerous. You'll have to wait until you reach three rings; for now, eat."
After demonstrating his power, Xu Xiaoyun chuckled, adding a humorous remark.
"Alright."
Xu Tianxi glanced at his still-young body, then at Xu Sanshi, who was trembling uncontrollably during the fusion process. His gaze returned to the delicious food in front of him, and he continued his grand task of devouring it.
As night fell, an overjoyed Xu Sanshi rose, laughing heartily, proclaiming himself terrifyingly strong now.
"Hahahaha… I did it, I did it! I'm only one level away from becoming a Soul Elder!"
Xu Xiaoyun frowned, and a black light emanated from his palm. He pointed his fingers, tapping several vital acupoints on Xu Sanshi's body. The latter's Soul Power, which had surged to level 29, was immediately suppressed, dropping to level 26.
"Hey, Ancestor, why did you seal me?" Feeling the vast majority of his surging Soul Power vanish, Xu Sanshi immediately sobered up.
"Fool! A sudden five-level increase in Soul Power—even an idiot would know you either ate top-tier Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or fused with a high-grade Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. High-level Soul Masters can tell with a mere touch. Do you want to make yourself a juicy target?"
"This is good for you to settle down. You can still accumulate Soul Power without obtaining a Soul Ring, it'll just be slower. For the next year, you'll properly contemplate the true meaning of a Defense Type Soul Master."
Xu Xiaoyun raised an eyebrow and scolded Xu Sanshi, who immediately became obedient.
Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones are known as Blood River Treasures. Countless Soul Masters would risk their lives for one. If the news of him fusing with a top-tier Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone leaked out, even with his identity as a Core Disciple of the Shrek Outer Courtyard and the second young master of the Xuanming Sect, it would be difficult to avoid attracting those consumed by greed.
Better safe than sorry—this is the Xuan Ming Family's ancestral motto, which perfectly aligns with their Martial Soul's image.
Looking up again, Xu Sanshi noticed Xu Tianxi was gone and asked curiously, "Ancestor, where did Tianxi go?"
"He's currently studying Soul Guided Device knowledge with Little Yue. Don't worry," Xu Xiaoyun said calmly.
"Huh? Why would we orthodox Soul Masters study Soul Guided Device knowledge? Isn't that a waste of time, putting the cart before the horse?"
Xu Sanshi was greatly astonished, indicating he completely didn't understand.
Xu Xiaoyun calmly swept his gaze over Xu Sanshi and said,
"A single Level 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell could blow our Xuanming Sect to smithereens, and even I, your ancestor, couldn't withstand many. Do you still think Soul Guided Devices are useless?"
"Ah, this…" Xu Sanshi imagined the scene of being utterly annihilated, his shoulders involuntarily trembling, a chill running down his spine.
"Clang—"
Xu Xiaoyun then took out the Soul Guidance Physical Testing Device and Strength Testing Device he bought from the Sun Moon Empire and said,
"These are the latest devices I purchased from the Sun Moon Empire; they don't exist in the Three Nations here at all. Our Xuanming Sect also uses high-grade Soul Guided alchemy furnaces for refining elixirs. Broaden your horizons; Soul Guided Devices can also be used by us!"
"He just came in at the right time. Let's test your Soul Power status. If even this device can't detect your true Soul Power, then I'll be relieved."
"Oh, okay." Xu Sanshi quickly stepped onto the device, ready for the Soul Guided scan.
The test concluded, and no abnormalities were found in his Soul Power. Xu Sanshi's physical indicators also reached the Soul Ancestorlevel.
Xu Xiaoyun nodded slightly and reminded Xu Sanshi, "Oh, right. Tianxi cultivated for a while after dinner and has already broken through to level thirteen. As his older brother, you need to work hard. Don't let him catch up to you after you've even fused a Soul Bone. That would be completely embarrassing."
"Don't worry, from today onwards, I won't go out to play in Shrek City anymore. I'll work tirelessly and crush Bei Bei back at the academy to uphold the prestige of our Xuanming Sect!"
"That's for the best. I'll be watching."
Two years later.
Beside a massive metal table, Yue Lao and Xu Xiaoyun stood on either side of Xu Tianxi, observing his actions. Xu Xiaoyun's expression was pleased, while Yue Lao's hands were tightly clasped, beads of sweat forming.
Xu Tianxi sat before the metal table, his left hand holding a metal sphere, and his right hand gripping a dark, profound carving knife. The knife moved swiftly like a dragon, its shadow blurring, as metal shavings flew. Exquisite, art-like patterns emerged on the sphere's surface.
Clear moonlight shimmered in his eyes, his forehead mark glowed brightly, and a faint, bright moon shadow shimmered behind his head. It wasn't a crescent moon, but a full, radiant moon, reflecting the precise and strangely unique appearance of the metal sphere within it.
As the knife's shadow danced, intricate and profound patterns appeared on the metal sphere. Yue Lao's gaze grew brighter and brighter, while Xu Xiaoyun maintained a faint smile on his face.
A moment later, Xu Tianxi put down the carving knife, exhaled softly, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and handed the metal sphere to Yue Lao.
"Yue Lao, did I succeed?"
Yue Lao carefully took the cube and slowly infused it with Spiritual Power. The metal cube immediately emitted a clear, cold silver glow. The soft halo transformed into a pillar of light, rising a full three feet high.
"Success! Young Master, you've succeeded! This Level 3 Soul Guidance Core Array is perfectly made, with no less than seven arrays attached to it. This is something even Level 4 Soul Engineers can typically only achieve!
Even by the strictest standards of the Sun Moon Empire, Young Master, you are absolutely a qualified Level 3 Soul Engineer!"
Yue Lao spoke with great excitement, then turned to Xu Xiaoyun, "Furthermore, this Soul Guidance Core Array of the Young Master's carries his unique effect, which is the spiritual paralysis characteristic. With this as the core, we will definitely be able to create a top-tier Level 3 Soul Guided Device!"
Xu Xiaoyun stroked his beard, smiling contentedly, though he didn't show it outwardly. "Don't just talk nonsense to amuse Tianxi and an old man like me. As far as I know, there's no precedent in these three empires for someone becoming a Level 3 Soul Engineer in just two years, is there?"
For the past two years, Xu Tianxi had studied and read with him during the day, and spent an hour each evening learning Soul Guided Device crafting with Yue Lao. The necessary materials were all obtained from the Sun Moon Empire. Now, seeing such tremendous results, even his temperament couldn't help but feel joy.
Yue Lao shook his head with a serious expression and said, "It's not just in these three empires; it's extremely rare even in the Sun Moon Empire. If you consider the Young Master's age, it's absolutely unprecedented in history!"
"Of course, there are two main reasons why the Young Master can achieve this at his age. The first reason is the extraordinary and limitless nature of the Young Master's Spiritual-type Illusory Moon Mystic Eyes Martial Soul. It is simply the most suitable Martial Soul for a Soul Engineer that this old servant knows of."
"The second reason is thanks to your cultivation of the Young Master. The Soul Engineers in the Sun Moon Empire generally have weaker Soul Power foundations and physical qualities compared to those here in the three empires.
Although the Young Master's Soul Power is only at level twenty, all his physical indicators have reached the Soul Ancestorlevel, and his Soul Power is far more refined than that of a Great Soul Master, and even some Soul Elders. This allows the Young Master to have enough Soul Power to create a perfect Level 3 Core Magic Array."
"Of course, the Soul Engineer ranking in the Sun Moon Empire is much stricter than here in the three empires, and there are many theoretical knowledge assessments. This old servant's Soul Guided Technology was learned from my old master during military service; it focuses on application and is not proficient in intricate theory."
"But with the Young Master's photographic memory, he only needs to familiarize himself with it in the Sun Moon Empire for a period of time, and obtaining certification from the Sun Moon Empire will be no problem."
Xu Xiaoyun nodded slightly and asked, "Besides the lack of theoretical knowledge, are there any other shortcomings with Tianxi?"
"Yes! Soul Power!"
Yue Lao answered without hesitation, "Although the Young Master can meticulously manipulate Soul Power to create Core Magic Arrays with his powerful Spiritual Power, once this Level 3 Soul Guided Device is created, the Young Master himself cannot use it with his current Soul Power."
"As you know, one needs at least close to a three-ring cultivation to use a Level 3 Soul Guided Device. And once the Young Master's Core Magic Array is crafted into a top-tier Level 3 Soul Guided Device, it will be an excellent weapon even for a Soul Ancestor."
"Hahahaha, what do you mean? That's easy! With me here, what Soul Beast in the world can't be captured?"
Xu Xiaoyun burst into hearty laughter, full of heroic spirit, and said to Xu Tianxi, "Tianxi, it's been almost three months since you reached level twenty. This time, your grand-master will take you to hunt Soul Beasts and visit your senior grand-uncle. How about it?"
Xu Tianxi smiled and nodded, blinking his eyes expectantly as he asked, "Grand-master, this time I want to go to the Far North Land to hunt an Illusory Sky Moon God Butterfly that possesses mimicry and Illusion talents. Can we go?"
"An Illusory Sky Moon God Butterfly in the Far North Land..."
Xu Xiaoyun's expression hesitated for a moment upon hearing the name of the Far North Land, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded heavily. He then instructed Yue Lao, "Old Yue, prepare some thick, warm cotton clothes for Tianxi. We're going to the Far North Land together."