After parting ways with Ning Fengzhi and the others, Yang Xiong went straight to Lin Gong's residence. As far as Yang Xiong knew, Lin Gong had stayed home ever since his return and hadn't stepped out even once.
When Lin Gong saw Yang Xiong, a teasing glint appeared in his eyes. "Xiao Xiong, looks like you couldn't hold back either. You came to me first thing."
Yang Xiong sat down casually, a faint smile on his face. "Teacher Lin, I've always trusted your character. Otherwise, you wouldn't have protected me all the way here and given me such special care."
Lin Gong gave a wry smile. "You don't need to flatter me. I was anxious the whole way, afraid something might go wrong."
"Teacher Lin, with your strength, what could possibly go wrong in this world?"
"Stop exaggerating. I'm just a Soul Douluo, and I don't even dare step foot in Spirit Hall. Otherwise, I wouldn't have ended up in this situation."
After some small talk, Lin Gong directly took out a lead box about one and a half meters long from his soul tool. It looked incredibly heavy.
The moment Yang Xiong saw the object, he started trembling slightly. For soul masters, this was an exceedingly rare treasure, an absolute gem.
Lin Gong smiled bitterly. "Hurry and put this thing away. It's too valuable. If it weren't for you, I might not have been able to resist absorbing it myself."
Yang Xiong opened a small crack in his Tianhe. Despite the small opening, a powerful surge of life energy instantly filled the entire room, making it feel like they were submerged in an ocean of vitality.
In just a moment, Yang Xiong confirmed the contents of the lead box. Without another word, he stored it away in his soul tool. "Thank you, Teacher Lin. I know this has been a big favor. I promised you a worthy reward."
Lin Gong snorted. "You've always been secretive, but there's nothing in this world more rewarding than the treasure in your hands. You know I'm a plant-type soul master, and the item in that box is irresistibly tempting for me. If I weren't older and more experienced, I really might have lost control."
Hearing this, Yang Xiong's heart sank. Indeed, asking Lin Gong to help was a risk, but he had no other options. Tang Hao showing up had been his only chance, and Lin Gong was the only reliable person he could turn to.
After pondering for a moment, Yang Xiong smiled. "It's just a top-tier soul bone. Rare, sure, but not one in a million. Besides, doesn't Teacher Lin already have a top-tier skull bone?"
Lin Gong replied, "Exactly because of that soul bone, I lost everything. That's why I don't dare touch what's in that box."
"But how did you know something that precious was hidden in that place? Who would hide a treasure like that in such a location?"
Yang Xiong said, "There are always overconfident people in this world. But this matter is sensitive. It's best if you don't tell anyone about it, or it could bring enormous trouble,even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might not be able to handle it."
Lin Gong was speechless. "Do you think I have no sense of discretion? No one will hear about this from me,just you and me."
Yang Xiong seemed to recall something. "By the way, Teacher Lin, did you notice anything else unusual at that place?"
Lin Gong shook his head. "It was a bit strange, but I disguised myself as a Spirit Hall member as you instructed, altered my appearance, and didn't use my martial soul at all. There shouldn't be any trace of me."
Yang Xiong finally relaxed. With so many martial souls and detection methods out there, only an old veteran like Lin Gong could truly ensure everything went smoothly.
After some hesitation, Yang Xiong said, "Teacher Lin, I've already acknowledged Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo as my masters. They've decided to teach me together."
Lin Gong's expression changed slightly before he gave a self-deprecating smile. "Why are you telling me this? Sword and Bone Douluo hold high status in the clan. It's your good fortune to become their disciple,make sure you treasure it."
Yang Xiong replied, "No matter what, you'll always be my first teacher and the senior I respect the most."
Yang Xiong had always understood Lin Gong's feelings,he'd treated Yang Xiong like a disciple all along. Unfortunately, they never made it official, and from now on, the chance for a master-disciple bond might be gone forever.
Without further hesitation, Yang Xiong took out a large jade box from his personal soul tool. It was over a meter long, and even at a glance, the item inside seemed extraordinary.
Lin Gong looked puzzled. "What are you up to? Are you really planning to give me some treasure?"
Yang Xiong smiled faintly and handed the box over. "Why don't you open it yourself?"
With visible confusion, Lin Gong opened the jade box. Inside was an enormous bamboo shoot, dark green and complete with roots still covered in some soil.
The moment he opened the box, Lin Gong felt an intense pull from the bamboo shoot,it was incredibly attractive to him and even resonated strongly with his martial soul. His Purple Radiance Bamboo started reacting uncontrollably.
This was the Obsidian Jade Divine Bamboo,one of the top-grade spiritual herbs. For a soul master like Lin Gong with a bamboo-type martial soul, it was a divine-grade treasure.
Staring at the bamboo, Lin Gong couldn't help but gulp. "Xiao Xiong, where did you find this thing? It feels like it's a perfect match for my martial soul."
Yang Xiong said, "It's called the Obsidian Jade Divine Bamboo, an extremely rare spiritual herb that works wonders for all bamboo-type martial souls. It might even cause martial soul evolution. It's a top-tier wood-attribute herb."
In this world, the term "immortal herb" didn't exist, and Yang Xiong didn't want to explain further.
Lin Gong's eyes were full of desire, but he still asked, "Xiao Xiong, don't tell me this came from Dugu Bo's old lair?"
Yang Xiong chuckled. "Exactly right, Teacher Lin. Afraid Dugu Bo will come looking for you?"
Lin Gong scoffed, "That guy? Just because he became a Title Douluo? He's the weakest kind among them. I'm not afraid of him."
He looked at the Obsidian Jade Divine Bamboo for a long time before finally saying, "Since you're giving this to me, how am I supposed to consume it?"
The bamboo was a massive shoot, over a meter long, entirely black and seemingly very tough. The roots still had dirt clinging to them,Yang Xiong had dug it out whole to avoid damaging it.
Yang Xiong frowned and said helplessly, "Teacher Lin, I only found scattered information in ancient texts. I don't really know how to use it either."
"But I suggest you consume the entire shoot. I'm not sure which part contains the active essence, and it would be a waste if the wrong part was discarded."
Lin Gong gave Yang Xiong a look like he was an idiot. Did he think people could eat something like that whole?
Yang Xiong continued, "Teacher Lin, it's best to take it soon. I'll be heading to Star Dou Forest tomorrow or the day after to obtain a spirit ring. I'll need your help."
Lin Gong grumbled, "Just for a spirit ring? How strong can your fourth ring be? Compared to this Divine Bamboo, that's a minor concern."
Yang Xiong took the cue and prepared to leave. But Lin Gong suddenly asked, "Xiao Xiong, even though I didn't open the box, I could sense the soul bone inside is of extraordinary quality,and it's plant-attributed. Are you sure you want to absorb it?"
Yang Xiong was silent for a while before replying, "Teacher Lin, you know I've been training in body refinement. But there's a limit to that path,it can damage the body. Ultimately, we humans can't withstand it indefinitely. This soul bone might fundamentally improve my constitution."
Lin Gong nodded thoughtfully, then sighed. "Fine. You've always had your own cultivation path. I won't interfere. But are you really planning to stay in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for life?"
Yang Xiong countered, "Teacher Lin, are you planning to stay here for life?"
Lin Gong sighed. "I'm already old, without much ambition left. But you're clever and driven. I doubt you'll be content as a guardian Douluo."
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before answering, "I was born in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. I see it as my home. But every child must eventually leave home to find their own path. You can't rely on home forever."
Lin Gong smiled self-deprecatingly. "Alright. I've still got a bit of strength left. I'll go out and explore the world with you. Maybe I'll witness the rise of a true powerhouse."
He turned his attention back to the Obsidian Jade Divine Bamboo, while Yang Xiong quietly slipped away, chuckling inside. Let Lin Gong figure it out himself,maybe he could use his Purple Radiance Bamboo martial soul to unlock the herb's secrets.
On his way home, Yang Xiong passed Zhao Wuji's residence and saw him sternly instructing three people,Qin Shuang, Oscar, and Yang Wei. It seemed big brother Yang Wei was getting a serious scolding.
But Yang Xiong had no time to care about that. His mind was completely preoccupied with the treasure he had obtained.
Back home, he eagerly opened the lead box, revealing a sky-blue right leg bone,the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Soul Bone.
The moment he opened the box, a surge of life energy burst out, filling the entire room. It felt like being immersed in the sea of life,immensely soothing.
As Yang Xiong gazed at the soul bone, desire and even a hint of ferocity flashed across his face.
This soul bone had originally been prepared by Tang Hao for Tang San, and it came from Tang San's mother. But since Tang Hao had left it in some random cave, he couldn't blame Yang Xiong for taking it.
Yang Xiong had wrestled with the decision, but this 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone was simply too perfect for him. It not only had incredible life energy but also granted flight.
As for possibly becoming enemies with Tang San in the future, Yang Xiong couldn't worry about that now. He wasn't going to give up such a treasure over a mere student bond. Besides, he had already made arrangements,if Tang Hao and Tang San suspected anything, they would likely blame Spirit Hall.
And once the soul bone was absorbed, as long as he didn't openly use it, no one would be able to detect it,not even Tang Hao.
The only one who might be able to recognize it would be Ah Yin, the Blue Silver Emperor herself. But without the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, she might never be revived.
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