"This is a soul bone?"
Aether stared at the fragments lying quietly inside the box, bones that exuded an ancient, potent aura. Piecing it together with what he knew about soul bones—powerful remnants that could be absorbed to enhance a soul master's abilities—it was easy to recognize it for what it was.
Zhu Zhuqing and the others also raised their eyes, curiosity flickering in their gazes. The soul bone within the box pulsed with an intimidating energy.
The quality of a soul bone was determined primarily by its age—the older it was, the stronger its properties. A secondary factor was its origin.
By conventional theory, any soul beast that surpassed a certain age had a chance of producing a soul bone upon death. For those that had lived for over 100,000 years, a soul bone drop was guaranteed.
Each species of soul beast yielded a different type of soul bone with varying attributes.
Though not experts, the group could sense that this soul bone was at least several tens of thousands of years old, given the sheer pressure it radiated.
It made sense. This was something taken out by Qian Daoliu, Grand Priest of Spirit Hall. Its value was undoubtedly fitting for his status.
"Yes. This is a leg bone, the right hind limb of a Blue-Eyed Yak. When we killed it, it was a 50,000-year-old soul beast."
Qian Daoliu glanced meaningfully at Fire Meow Meow, but she showed no sign of emotion.
The grudge between soul beasts and soul masters had lasted for countless generations. Right and wrong had long become irrelevant.
Compared to soul masters, soul beasts followed the law of the jungle even more strictly. Strength ruled all. If you were weak, you not only lost soul rings and bones—you lost your life.
"Your Excellency, you're too kind. But we can't accept this."
Aether shook his head and gently pushed the box back.
He hadn't earned this gift. This was their first real exchange, and this man—able to cultivate to the level of Ultimate Douluo and preside over the Worship Hall—was clearly a force to be reckoned with.
In Aether's memory, Spirit Hall's eventual downfall was orchestrated by Bibi Dong. But to believe she had accomplished that alone, without hidden factors at play, was laughable.
Aether wasn't convinced that Spirit Hall fell solely because of her.
"This is merely a token of friendship," Qian Daoliu said with a genial smile. "Besides, my elder's earlier outburst—consider this compensation for that offense."
He closed the lid and once more tried to pass the box to Aether.
"We're only here to purchase some supplies," Aether replied, once again turning him down with a smile. "If there's nothing else, I need to take them soul ring hunting."
He glanced over at Yu Keke and Zhu Zhuqing. Since leaving Skywater Academy, both of them had clearly advanced in rank. After absorbing the spirit marrow on the street, their martial souls had also evolved, and their soul power surged.
Yu Keke was more than ready to absorb her third ring. Zhu Zhuqing could also take this opportunity to hunt a soul beast suitable for her fourth.
"Haha! Straightforward as expected. Since you refuse, I'll stop insisting."
Qian Daoliu chuckled and, with a casual flick, made the box vanish like a magician's trick.
"Your Excellency, there's one more matter I'd like to discuss with you."
"Speak freely."
"I'd like to formally invite you to serve as an Honored Elder of Spirit Hall. It may be beneath your abilities, but I truly wish to make a friend of you."
Seeing that Aether seemed ready to leave, Qian Daoliu didn't beat around the bush.
A mysterious powerhouse like this—any major force would want to win him over. Spirit Hall, with its plans for future upheaval, was no exception.
Having an ally of such strength was far preferable to earning a rival.
"Thanks, but I'm used to being free. I really don't suit holding any sort of official position."
Just like Bibi Dong when they first met—both tried to rope him into their camps.
But his arrival in this realm was purely accidental. His prior efforts, trying to persuade Bibi Dong, stemmed from his knowledge of this world's future from his memories.
He simply wanted her to be prepared for certain inevitable upheavals.
Ultimately, he only hoped that when those events occurred, the ordinary citizens and common soul masters might be spared the worst and allowed to live in peace.
He had no Interest in joining a faction or unifying the continent through conquest. That wasn't his goal—it was just a bother.
"Sigh…" Qian Daoliu exhaled softly, though his eyes weren't disappointed.
He had only been testing the waters.
People like Aether—unfathomably powerful and mysterious—couldn't be won over easily unless something truly bound them.
He didn't care for wealth, position, or power. He was the very picture of unshakable detachment.
And if he couldn't be recruited, there was no point forcing the issue. A being like this likely had more than one hidden card. Trying to suppress him by force might backfire horribly… if it even worked.
"In that case, I won't press further. But please, accept this token from Spirit Hall."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand, and a black-gold token appeared, carved with intricate designs and faintly pulsing with mysterious energy.
"Wherever you go, if there is a Spirit Hall branch there, you may use this token to request their assistance."
"This…"
Aether thought for a moment and finally accepted the token.
At this point, refusing again would be overly harsh—especially in front of so many elders. It would wound the Grand Priest's pride.
"Very well then," Aether said, weighing the token in his hand and smiling wryly. "If Spirit Hall ever faces an unavoidable disaster… I'll step in once."
Qian Daoliu had calculated this well—Aether wasn't good at turning down goodwill.
Still, there were boundaries. As he turned to lead the group out of the hall, his voice echoed back:
"But understand, I'll only act to protect Spirit Hall. As for anything beyond that…"
He left the sentence unfinished. Yet every elder in the hall, including Qian Daoliu, understood his meaning clearly.
If Spirit Hall faced destruction, he would shield it. But he wouldn't take the initiative to strike down its enemies.
"Grand Priest, that boy is awfully arrogant, daring to say such things."
Golden Crocodile Douluo stood up and brushed off his robe casually. Without waiting for a reply, he vanished from the Worship Hall.
_
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