Compared to the Shrek team, Yang Xiong had already taken leave and left early, he had even taken five full days off.
In Yang Xiong's estimation, with the current strength of the Shrek team, they were already capable of ranking among the top five in the Heaven Dou region. That would mean they'd qualify for the finals in Spirit Hall City.
Thinking of the secrets he carried, especially the external soul bones attached to his hands, he realized that if he really had to go to Spirit Hall City, it would be hard to deal with the situation. Even someone like Ning Fengzhi might not be able to suppress everyone's greed.
Yang Xiong directly asked Flender and Yu Xiaogang for time off, claiming he had encountered a minor problem in his cultivation that required him to travel.
Yu Xiaogang was initially hesitant and even offered to help analyze the issue, but Flender didn't hesitate and immediately approved the leave. While Yu Xiaogang was technically the team leader, Flender held the highest authority in everyone's eyes.
According to Yang Xiong's recent observations, the old man Dugu Bo had been attending the matches almost every day. After each tactical analysis at night, he would personally take Dugu Yan with him, suggesting that Dugu Bo hadn't had the time to visit the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well lately.
Yang Xiong and Lin Gong made their way quickly and arrived at the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well in just half a day.
Lin Gong grumbled, "Xiao Xiong, the tournament is going just fine. Why did you want to run off to this godforsaken place? Is there something special in here?"
Yang Xiong laughed, "This place is a treasure trove. Dugu Bo just doesn't recognize it. It might help me resolve a hidden danger, and possibly make me even stronger."
Upon reaching the outer edge of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, Lin Gong remained outside the poisonous fog. Despite his strength, he couldn't pass through the toxic formation.
They had already agreed: if Dugu Bo returned early, Lin Gong would release a wide-range soul skill to alert Yang Xiong.
Following the rope down, Yang Xiong arrived once again at the well, which had changed significantly since his last visit.
Though nearly three years had passed since his previous trip, it was clear that Dugu Bo had rearranged the area. Several poisonous plants had been replanted.
The herbs seemed to grow at astonishing speed. Last time, Yang Xiong had left the area barren, but now it was lush and even contained many rare medicinal herbs.
Yang Xiong didn't waste time on these plants. Taking advantage of Dugu Bo's absence, he planned to temper his body using the well and finally fuse the two external soul bones on his hands. If word of them got out in Spirit Hall City, it would be disastrous, especially with so many Title Douluos there. Who knew what thoughts they might harbor?
The only method Yang Xiong could think of was using the opposing forces of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well to merge the soul bones. This was a rare opportunity, with Dugu Bo away.
Stripping off his clothes, Yang Xiong leaped directly into the waters of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well.
Previously, after his first body-tempering session, the well's waters no longer had any corrosive effect on him. But now, possibly due to the depletion of the medicinal power of the Eight-Petal Ice Crystal Grass and the Fiery Apricot Delicate, the pain had returned.
His body could still endure it, but the moment his hands entered the water, the pain was unbearable. His right hand felt like it was burning in fire, and his left hand felt frozen in ice, a pain he hadn't felt in ages.
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth and, ignoring the agony in his hands, submerged himself completely.
As time passed, it felt as though his hands were melting. The pain was even worse than during his first session. The sensation of intense heat and cold alternated through his ten fingers, unable to complement or cancel each other out.
Yang Xiong clenched his teeth and quietly activated the Yin-Yang Meditation Technique, enduring the torment with all his strength.
After two full days, Yang Xiong finally climbed out of the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well. His hands had undergone a dramatic transformation.
The external soul bones were still present, but now his hands were covered in thick scales. The claws extended about ten centimeters and were extremely sharp and durable, just like iron, resembling dragon claws.
Both the scales and claws had changed drastically. Originally silver, the right hand was now fiery red, while the left hand had turned icy blue.
Yang Xiong could clearly feel that the two external soul bones had completely fused with him, as if they were a part of his own skeleton. His right hand now contained fire-type energy, while the left held ice-type energy. However, these energies were confined to the claws and could not spread through the rest of his body.
Yang Xiong casually scraped his hands along the ground, rocks were instantly sliced apart. Where his right claw passed, the ground was scorched; where the left claw passed, the area froze over.
Yang Xiong was overjoyed. Originally, these dragon claws were only known for their sharpness and offensive power. Now, after refinement by the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, they had gained both fire and ice attributes, greatly enhancing their power and making them far more unpredictable in combat.
He named the claws the Ice-Fire Dragon Claws, Flame Dragon Claw for the right, and Frost Dragon Claw for the left.
At that moment, Yang Xiong had a sudden thought and jumped back into the well. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't dive too deep, as if some mysterious force was blocking him.
Still, Yang Xiong believed something must lie deep within the well. Unfortunately, his current strength simply wasn't enough to explore it.
The Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well was said to be the burial ground of the Ice-Fire Dragon King, a divine king of the god realm, likely stronger than even million-year soul beasts. Even after tens of thousands of years, there might still be soul bones or similar remnants down there.
In the end, Yang Xiong sighed in frustration. As a mere Soul Elder, his strength was still too weak. Maybe in the future he would have a chance.
After this painful fusion, Yang Xiong's soul power had increased by one level. He was now at level thirty-nine, not far from level forty.
When Yang Xiong left the well, Lin Gong finally breathed a sigh of relief. This place wasn't exactly safe, and if Dugu Bo returned suddenly, they'd be in trouble.
This visit had gone better than Yang Xiong had expected. Not only had he successfully fused his soul bones, but their power had also increased, and his soul power had risen a level.
Since they had five days off, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong didn't rush back. They wandered leisurely along the way. Even at night, they weren't worried, after all, Lin Gong was a top-ranked Soul Douluo.
That night, the two of them set up camp in Sunset Forest and roasted meat over an open fire. Even fierce soul beasts didn't dare approach, especially after Lin Gong used Purple Radiance Bamboo to fence off a large area, releasing the intimidating aura of a Soul Douluo.
Lin Gong was puzzled. "Xiao Xiong, this Sunset Forest feels like your home turf. You actually leveled up again. From a pure cultivation speed perspective, you're even ahead of those two innate full-soul-power teammates of yours."
Yang Xiong laughed, "It's not that simple, Teacher Lin. They were born with full soul power, I only had level six when I started."
Lin Gong chuckled, "You little brat, still pretending. One day, when you reveal your full strength, people are going to be scared out of their minds."
Yang Xiong replied, "Strength and combat ability aren't just talk. You have to fight your way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Otherwise, soul power alone means nothing."
Lin Gong nodded, "True. But your two teams do have remarkable talent, especially this batch of new students."
After a brief silence, Yang Xiong said, "Teacher Lin, after this tournament, I plan to go out and train on my own. I might not stay at the academy."
Lin Gong smiled, "I've known that was your plan. After years of training, the academy's challenges are no longer enough for you. It's time you experience the real world of soul masters."
"But I wonder how the Heaven Dou royal family and your team leaders will take it. At your age and talent, all of you could be Soul Kings by the next tournament, maybe even higher."
Yang Xiong laughed, "Teacher Lin, you think it's impossible for us to become Soul Emperors?"
Lin Gong sighed, "Soul Emperors? That's much harder than becoming a Soul King. No matter how exceptional you are, it's still unlikely. A Soul Emperor before age twenty? That's hard to imagine."
After a long silence, Yang Xiong asked, "Teacher Lin, do you have any future plans? Are you really content with staying like this forever?"
Lin Gong took a while to answer. "No one can defy fate. I'm getting old. My potential is exhausted. Due to my weak foundation in the early years, my soul power hasn't improved much lately. I'll probably remain stuck at level eighty-seven until the day I die."
Looking at the old man who had followed him for so long, Yang Xiong couldn't help but say, "Teacher Lin, what if I could help you break through to Title Douluo?"
Hearing this, Lin Gong's expression turned sharp. "Xiao Xiong, don't say things like that. It's fine if you tell me, but if someone else overhears, it could bring endless trouble."
Yang Xiong chugged from a wine bottle, his face turning slightly red, as if to vent his frustration.
"Teacher Lin, we've spent so much time together. You've protected me like a teacher and a friend. I don't want you to carry regrets for life."
Lin Gong drained his bottle too, a rare look of emotion on his face. "Of course I want revenge for what happened back then. But I no longer have the will to fight."
Yang Xiong looked at Lin Gong with a trace of sorrow but said nothing more, just continued drinking.
Although Yang Xiong appeared carefree, he was deeply anxious inside. According to the timeline, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's destruction was only five years away. If he had no way to intervene, he would have to make arrangements for his parents and older brother in advance.
After drinking and expressing their inner frustrations, the two meditated and rested.
When they returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Yang Xiong didn't see the rest of the team, they were likely still in Heaven Dou City.
However, Oscar, Qin Shuang, and the rest of Team One were still diligently training. From the looks of it, Oscar and Qin Shuang had grown much closer, at least, Qin Shuang wasn't as cold as she used to be.
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