Tian Ling had been partnered with Yun Ming for over a hundred years and knew his preferences for soul skills like the back of his hand, which was why he had specifically bestowed this weapon spirit amplification skill upon him.
Yun Ming examined the soul skill, confirmed that Tian Ling was indeed in good condition, and then exited his internal vision. He opened his eyes to find the two old men, Dugu Bo and Yang Wutian, staring at him with expressions of shock and confusion.
Previously, when Yun Ming's soul ring shattered, they hadn't noticed anything unusual and, not knowing the specifics, hadn't interfered. However, they soon witnessed a scene that left them stunned.
After Yun Ming successfully absorbed a 30,000-year soul ring, it manifested as a "pale yellow" ring, and his soul power soared to Level 45.
In the eyes of the two old men, it appeared as if Yun Ming had converted the age of the soul ring into soul power cultivation!
What kind of soul ring attachment method was this? They couldn't understand it at all! Furthermore, it had taken an incredibly short time—he had finished refining it in less than an hour!
Following the gazes of Dugu Bo and Yang Wutian, Yun Ming looked at the four strangely matched soul rings at his feet, especially the outermost one with its silver body and gold edges. Realizing what they might be thinking, he offered a brief explanation.
"My fourth soul ring isn't a hundred-year ring. It just mutated during the absorption process, which is why it turned this color."
"The power of the soul skill is still at the level of a ten-thousand-year soul ring."
Hearing that the color had only changed due to mutation and that the skill's power was "still" at the ten-thousand-year level, Dugu Bo and Yang Wutian cast aside their bizarre speculations.
Although they had never seen such a situation before, they found it much easier to accept a mere change in appearance. As for the extra four levels of soul power, they simply assumed the soul ring energy had been sufficient to push Yun Ming up by four levels.
Seeing that their doubts were dispelled, Yun Ming walked over to the remains of the Sky Dome Silver Peng to perform the final step after hunting a soul beast: checking for a soul bone. Because the Sky Dome Silver Peng had been poisoned by the Jade Scale Serpent Emperor, Yun Ming could only use the Atlas Divine Spear to perform the dissection.
The Sky Dome Silver Peng was massive, and even as a carcass, it took Yun Ming quite a while to inspect. When he reached the left leg, he felt an unusual sensation transmitted through the Atlas Divine Spear. His eyes lit up, and with a flick of his spear, he pried out a perfectly intact left leg bone.
Seeing that Yun Ming had found something, Dugu Bo and Yang Wutian hurried over to take a look. Yun Ming used his spatial power to telekinetically control the Sky Dome Silver Peng Left Leg Bone and, without hesitation, handed it to Dugu Bo.
"Senior Dugu, I was only able to obtain this top-tier soul ring thanks to your help. This soul bone rightfully belongs to you!"
Soul rings are valued for their age, while soul bones are valued for their lineage.
A 30,000-year-old Sky Dome Silver Peng Left Leg Bone was a top-tier soul bone, second only to hundred-thousand-year soul bones and external spirit bones. Yun Ming's decision to give it to Dugu Bo without hesitation—though it was fair given their contributions—made Dugu Bo feel even more satisfied with him!
Seeing Yun Ming act this way, Dugu Bo didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately began the process of disinfecting, cleaning, and probing the soul bone for its skill, intending to give it to his granddaughter later. However, the moment he truly made contact with the bone, he felt it repelling his Jade Scale Serpent Emperor spirit. Dugu Bo frowned and muttered.
"This soul bone is repelling the Jade Scale Serpent Emperor?"
When Yun Ming heard this, before he could even investigate the cause, Tian Ling provided the answer directly.
"Master, that Sky Dome Silver Peng had a very high lineage and had awakened the Dragon Suppressing Power of our clan's beast ancestor."
"Combined with the fact that the soul bone skill it carries is the 'Sky Dome Dragon Suppression Stomp', dragon-type spirits simply cannot absorb that soul bone."
With Tian Ling's explanation, Yun Ming understood the cause and effect. He then relayed what Tian Ling had said to Dugu Bo.
After hearing Yun Ming's explanation, Dugu Bo looked back at the top-tier soul bone in his hand, feeling somewhat unwilling to give up. He couldn't use it, but he wanted Dugu Yan to try; what if her new spirit could suppress it?
Yun Ming noticed Dugu Bo's reluctance and offered a suggestion.
"Senior Dugu, if you find you still cannot absorb this soul bone later, you can consider trading with me. I will exchange it for a soul bone of the same grade."
Although he didn't have one now, coming from two thousand years in the future, he possessed countless pieces of information regarding top-tier soul beasts! As long as he was willing, he could find many hundred-thousand-year soul beasts!
Dugu Bo agreed with the proposal.
"Fine! If I truly cannot use it, I will trade this soul bone with you, kid."
As for whether Yun Ming could find one, Dugu Bo had no doubts.
After several busy days, the two soul rings were finally settled. Yun Ming and Yang Wutian bid farewell to Dugu Bo and returned to Heaven Dou City, while Dugu Bo returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to continue guarding his granddaughter.
With matters temporarily settled on Yun Ming's side, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Guimei, who had been sent out by Bibi Dong to investigate the abnormal divine sense, returned to report after discovering anomalies in Saga City.
Ya Li had already returned to Martial Soul Hall days ago and had written a report detailing the events in Saga City to Bibi Dong, though she hadn't mentioned a word about Yun Ming.
Now that the two Douluo had confirmed that the anomaly occurred in the city where Ya Li had been, Bibi Dong's intuition told her that Ya Li must know something. However, Ya Li was the Saintess of the Elder Hall, and as Pope, she was completely helpless against an Elder Hall backed by Qian Daoliu. For now, she could only set the matter aside and wait to see how the situation developed.
Just as Bibi Dong was receiving the return of the two Douluo to Martial Soul City, Qian Daoliu sensed it as well. He knew what was being discussed within the Pope Palace, and he knew their discussions would inevitably yield no results.
Qian Daoliu looked toward the statue of the Angel God and murmured.
"Yun Ming, successor of the god! I hope you do not disappoint me! Otherwise..."
As he reached the end of his sentence, his tone was filled with murderous intent.
This realization of Qian Daoliu's stemmed from Ya Li's return.
A few days ago, after Ya Li and Old An returned, Qian Daoliu had arranged for her to go into seclusion at the Angel's Tomb to receive the legacy of past Angel Douluo, absorb the essence of the Six-Winged Angel, and strengthen her Wish Angel Spirit.
This was a gift from the past Angel Douluo to enhance the foundation of the successor to the "Angel" title; otherwise, someone like Qian Xunji would never have reached Level 95.
Perhaps because Qian Renxue had left Martial Soul Hall so early, after taking Ya Li as his disciple, Qian Daoliu had essentially raised her as his own granddaughter, pouring all the affection he had for Qian Renxue into her and giving her the best of everything. Otherwise, as a collateral descendant of the Angel clan, Ya Li wouldn't have been able to inherit the "Angel" title or enter the Angel's Tomb!
Old An had relayed every detail of what had happened during this period to the Great Offerings.
When Qian Daoliu heard that his "little cotton-padded jacket" had been snatched away by Yun Ming, he was so angry his teeth itched! His "big cotton-padded jacket" was already leaking, and now the little one had been snatched away too—Qian Daoliu was furious!
The other Offerings watched Qian Daoliu and chuckled to themselves, signaling for Old An to continue.
But when they heard about Yun Ming's soul ring configuration and his feat of defeating two Soul Emperors and one Soul King head-on, all other emotions vanished from the Offerings, replaced only by shock; their jaws were practically hitting the floor.
Qian Daoliu also temporarily set aside his anger and began to recall how he compared to Yun Ming when he was young, only to conclude: He couldn't compare! There was simply no comparison!
The three Offerings who entered the Elder Hall later even asked Qian Daoliu directly.
"Big Brother, how does this Yun Ming compare to you and Tang Chen when you were young?"
Qian Daoliu glanced at these tactless younger brothers and, though unwilling, admitted it frankly.
"Back in my day, neither Tang Chen nor I could compare to this kid!"
Old An and the several Grand Offerings were struck by a tidal wave of shock upon hearing the First Elder admit his own inferiority, gaining a deeper understanding of the talent Yun Ming possessed.
Afterward, they recounted everything to Qian Daoliu, from Yun Ming and Ya Li joining hands to save people, to the 'Grand Offerings' pressure sweeping across the entire city, Yun Ming's demand to seize the culprits and investigate his enemies, and the two of them pledging their lives to each other, including Yun Ming's final declaration that he would not let the mastermind behind the scenes off the hook.
The Offerings had no reaction to Yun Ming's final words, as they all firmly believed that Qian Xunji had indeed died at the hands of Tang Hao.
Although Qian Daoliu frowned slightly, he didn't think much of it either. Only he and Bibi Dong knew the truth about that incident, and they certainly wouldn't speak of it; with his son having been dead for so many years, it was practically impossible for anyone to uncover the true mastermind. Compared to that, Qian Daoliu was far more interested in what was going on with 'his pressure over Saga City'!
Hearing Qian Daoliu ask about the incident where the city was suppressed, Old An realized he might have been mistaken, so he carefully explained all the specific details, timing, and manifestations of what happened that day.
After listening to the detailed timeline, the manifestations, and the experience described by Old An, along with Yun Ming's talent, the information in Qian Daoliu's mind began to piece together rapidly, and in the end, he found a seemingly logical answer.
Qian Daoliu felt that Yun Ming must have been chosen by the gods!
When the other Offerings asked Qian Daoliu if it was Tang Chen, Qian Daoliu merely shook his head and said nothing more.
After pondering for a while, Qian Daoliu decided to adopt a policy of closeness toward Yun Ming for three reasons.
First, he could not create obstacles on Qian Renxue's path to becoming the Angel God; no one knew what kind of chain reaction might be triggered by attacking someone chosen by the gods without cause.
Second, Ya Li had deep feelings for Yun Ming, and he did not want to see Ya Li heartbroken.
Third, Yun Ming's character and talent were both excellent; although he had yet to meet the man in person, his impression of him was at least favorable for now.
Qian Daoliu finally made the decision.
"According to the agreement, investigate those who took action back then, and if there are any major offenders, hand them over to that kid to deal with!"
"As for that kid and Ya Li, if they are truly in love, and if that kid indeed keeps his promise to let go of his hatred, it wouldn't be out of the question to let him become a son-in-law of our Elder Hall!"
Refusing to call Yun Ming by his name was Qian Daoliu's final act of stubbornness for having his Little Cotton-padded Jacket stolen away!
The Offerings and Old An heard the order and replied in unison.
"Yes, Grand Offerings!"
ps: Seeking monthly tickets and recommendations.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader