Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng instinctively tilted his head slightly, glancing at Ning Rongrong beside him.
He saw the little girl secretly sticking out her tongue and making a mischievous face.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled helplessly and said to Vice Dean Huo Lie, "Dean, you flatter me. It was just a small matter, long past."
"Where is it a small matter..."
Just as Huo Lie was about to thank him again, Hu Liena, who had been observing the fallen Golden-Horned Giant Ape, suddenly let out a soft exclamation, drawing everyone's attention.
She pointed at the corpse of the Golden-Horned Giant Ape and said, "Look, there seems to be a flickering light on the body of that ape."
Everyone looked over and saw that beside the massive body of the Golden-Horned Giant Ape...
At some point, points of dark light began to condense in the air, rapidly gathering as if summoned, eventually forming a bone—right arm soul bone—entirely dark gold in color, with a peculiar shape and emitting powerful energy fluctuations!
"Soul bone!"
Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu almost exclaimed simultaneously, their eyes filled with envy.
The soul bone produced by a fifty-thousand-year-old Golden-Horned Giant Ape was absolutely top-notch in quality.
It likely carried powerful offensive soul skills and even rare spirit attribute soul skills.
Grand Priest Zhu Hongye's eyes also flashed with a hint of joy. She said to Dai Chengfeng:
"Chengfeng, since you independently defeated this Golden-Horned Giant Ape, this soul bone should rightfully be absorbed by you."
However, Dai Chengfeng shook his head and calmly replied, "Grand Priest, I don't need this soul bone."
"Why?"
Everyone was taken aback. Who would refuse such a top-tier soul bone?
Dai Chengfeng raised his right arm, slightly channeling his soul power, causing a faint golden glow to flow under his skin. He explained:
"The position of my right arm soul bone has already fused with another soul bone."
He did not elaborate on the source of the soul bone, but the latent yet potent aura made everyone realize that the quality of the soul bone he had fused was no less than the one before them.
It might even be higher!
Grand Priest understood.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng's gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing, and he smiled gently:
"Zhuqing, the left arm bone of this Golden-Horned Giant Ape has a sharp and swift aura."
"The attached spiritual attributes may also enhance your perception and reaction time, which is quite compatible with your Nether Spirit Cat martial soul. You should absorb it."
Zhu Zhuqing's delicate body trembled slightly, and she looked up at Dai Chengfeng in disbelief.
This fifty-thousand-year-old top-tier soul bone was invaluable, and Dai Chengfeng was giving it to her so casually?
She looked into Dai Chengfeng's sincere smile, and her heart was instantly filled with immense gratitude and an indescribable warmth.
Her nature was cold and reserved, and she was not good at expressing herself. At this moment, she simply nodded firmly and softly said:
"Thank you, Chengfeng."
Dai Chengfeng smiled and patted her long hair.
Grand Priest had no objections, after all, this soul beast was hunted by Dai Chengfeng.
Hu Liena pouted but only showed a slight tinge of jealousy, without any malice.
Soon, Zhu Zhuqing walked to the corpse of the Golden-Horned Giant Ape and sat cross-legged.
As she guided her soul power, the dark golden right arm soul bone slowly floated up, hovering above her right arm, emitting increasingly intense energy fluctuations.
She took a deep breath, her beautiful eyes flashing with determination. Then she extended her right hand and gently touched the soul bone.
In the instant her fingertips made contact with the soul bone, a torrent of overwhelming and sharp energy surged into Zhu Zhuqing's right arm like a breached dam!
She grunted, her delicate body shaking violently, feeling as if her entire right arm was being torn apart, with waves of burning pain coursing through her meridians.
The dark golden light completely enveloped her right arm, even faintly outlining a miniature phantom of the Golden-Horned Giant Ape, roaring silently, showcasing the residual defiance and power within the soul bone.
The strong energy impact caused fine beads of sweat to quickly form on Zhu Zhuqing's smooth forehead. But she clenched her lower lip tightly, enduring with extraordinary willpower.
She fully channeled her soul power, guiding this violent energy to fuse with her arm bones.
Dai Chengfeng stood not far away, attentively watching the entire process.
He could feel the strength of that energy but also had confidence in Zhu Zhuqing's resilience.
Time passed bit by bit, and Zhu Zhuqing's soul power fluctuations gradually stabilized from violent oscillations, and the dark golden light slowly retracted.
Like liquid mercury flowing to the ground, it seeped into her bones bit by bit.
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing's aura surged, and the phantom of the Nether Spirit Cat behind her automatically appeared.
In those cat-like eyes, a streak of golden light similar to that in the eyes of the Golden-Horned Giant Ape flashed, appearing sharper and deeper.
Under the skin of her right arm, dark golden patterns flashed briefly, emitting an aura that combined extreme speed, sharpness, and mental intimidation.
The absorption was successful!
Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes, her pupils shining brightly, clearly showing advancement in her soul power.
She raised her right arm, lightly clenching her fist, and could feel the explosive power contained within it, along with an unprecedented clarity of perception of the surrounding environment.
With a slight thought, a flash of dark light appeared on her right arm, and five claw shadows laced with golden lines slashed through the air, producing an ear-piercing tearing sound, far surpassing her previous strength.
"How does it feel?"
Dai Chengfeng's gentle voice sounded beside her.
Zhu Zhuqing turned her head upon hearing the voice, seeing Dai Chengfeng approaching with a smile.
Recalling the surging energy during the absorption of the soul bone, and thinking about how this invaluable soul bone was given to her without hesitation by Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing's suppressed emotions surged like a tide.
Her nature was cold and reserved, rarely revealing her emotions.
But at this moment, immense gratitude, joy, and an indescribable sentiment intertwined, breaking through her composure.
She didn't immediately respond to the effects of the soul bone but suddenly stood up. Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, she took a few steps to reach Dai Chengfeng.
Excitement flushed her cheeks with a charming red hue. Her usually cold eyes now shone brightly, brimming with moisture.
"Chengfeng..."
She called softly, her voice trembling slightly.
The next moment, in Dai Chengfeng's slightly astonished gaze, Zhu Zhuqing tiptoed, quickly and lightly kissing his cheek.
A fleeting touch.
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have used up all her courage and immediately lowered her head, her ears turning red. In a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz yet incredibly clear, she said:
"Thank you... This gift is too precious."
This sudden kiss momentarily silenced the scene.
Ning Rongrong widened her eyes, covering her mouth with her hands, then revealed a teasing smile.
Hu Liena was initially startled, pouting slightly, but seeing Zhu Zhuqing's shy yet happy expression, she merely hummed softly, without much irritation.
Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu exchanged smiles. Vice Dean Huo Lie and Grand Priest Zhu Hongye's eyes also revealed looks of comfort.
Dai Chengfeng touched the cheek that had just been kissed, looking at Zhu Zhuqing, who rarely showed such a girlish demeanor, blushing and charmingly shy...
He was momentarily stunned, then a gentle smile spread across his face.
He reached out, this time not ruffling her hair but gently holding her slightly cool hand, tenderly saying:
"There's no need to thank me."
Zhu Zhuqing felt the warmth coming from his palm, her excitement and sweetness almost overflowing.
She tightly gripped Dai Chengfeng's hand back, raising her head…
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