At this moment, Yang Xiong did not hesitate. He picked up the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg soul bone and began to absorb it by placing it against his right leg.
He felt a gentle yet surging vitality coming from his right leg. The blue soul bone gradually dissolved and transformed into countless blue auras that merged into his right leg.
The Tai Chi soul power in his body began to gradually transform. The meridians in his right leg seemed to undergo fundamental changes, becoming filled with life energy. This energy started spreading throughout his body. The meridians expanded geometrically, and even his soul power began to evolve.
As time passed, the life force spread from his right leg to his entire body, like a small stream turning into a vast river. His internal soul power surged nonstop, and his meridians became incredibly tough.
Yang Xiong also noticed that he could observe his meridians in greater detail than before. While the Tai Chi meditation technique originally allowed the entire body to function as a unified whole, now it seemed that previously unknown meridians had been activated. His soul power surged like waves in a sea of life.
After two full days, Yang Xiong finally calmed down, having completely absorbed the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone.
Only now did Yang Xiong understand why soul bones were called treasures of the blood river. They not only enhanced a soul master's soul power but also increased cultivation speed and fundamentally improved one's cultivation potential.
He especially felt that this Blue Silver Emperor right leg soul bone was a perfect match for him. Not only had his body undergone a transformation, but even his martial soul seemed to become more complete, evolving in a stronger direction.
Although Yang Xiong still wasn't sure how many levels his soul power had increased after absorbing the soul bone, the transformation of his body was unquestionably powerful, especially his recovery ability, which now felt immensely strong.
This 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg soul bone gave Yang Xiong two skills: one for healing and one for flight.
Although these two abilities might seem ordinary, at Yang Xiong's current stage, they were exceptional. With a healing ability, he no longer feared injury. His healing capability might already surpass that of a healing-type Soul Sage.
As for flight, it was even more practical. In all of the Douluo Continent, only Titled Douluos and flying-type soul masters could fly. With this ability, his actions and plans would become far more convenient.
Yang Xiong now felt stronger than ever. Even if he encountered Yao Mei again, he could rely on his formidable recovery ability to hold his ground. His soul power felt far deeper and more refined than before.
Feeling stronger, Yang Xiong eagerly went to find Zhao Wuji for combat training. As expected, he got thoroughly beaten. Nearby, Oscar and Yang Wei looked at him as if he were an idiot,who in this day and age would go looking to get beaten?
However, Zhao Wuji found it strange too. Yang Xiong seemed to last longer than before in battle and had become significantly more durable.
When Yang Xiong went to find Lin Gong again, he was surprised to see that the old man had changed. His once white hair was now streaked with jet-black strands, resembling a mix of black and white.
Yang Xiong asked curiously, "Teacher Lin, you look like you're becoming younger. Did you already finish absorbing the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo?"
Lin Gong laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Protecting you all this time was worth it. The Ink Jade Divine Bamboo you gave me is truly a top-tier treasure. Not only did my soul power increase by one level, but my Purple Emperor Bamboo martial soul has become tougher. Its combat strength has improved significantly too."
"I had thought I'd plateaued in this life, but now I feel both my body and martial soul have had their potential reawakened. I might even reach the Titled Douluo level within two years."
Yang Xiong quickly said, "Teacher Lin, hurry and check how your martial soul has changed."
Lin Gong summoned his Purple Emperor Bamboo. The once-purple bamboo now had a hint of dark green. Seeing this, Yang Xiong sighed.
Lin Gong looked confused. "Xiao Xiong, is there something wrong with my martial soul?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "It's just a bit of a shame. If you had consumed the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo before the age of twenty, your martial soul might have evolved into the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo itself. But now, it seems that evolution is no longer possible."
Lin Gong's face darkened. He flicked his finger and gave Yang Xiong a sharp knock on the head. "You little brat,are you saying I'm old? When I was twenty, your grandfather probably wasn't even born yet. Where was I supposed to find this so-called Ink Jade Divine Bamboo?"
Yang Xiong muttered to himself: I didn't expect this old man to be so aged. Why does it seem like his temper's gotten worse after absorbing the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo? Can celestial herbs change a person's personality too?
A day later, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Their next goal was to acquire Yang Xiong's fourth soul ring.
Yang Xiong already had a plan for his fourth soul ring. He had absorbed three so far,space, wood, and metal attributes. This time, he planned to get an earth-attribute soul ring. As for water and fire, he would consider those in the future if suitable soul beasts appeared.
The two set off and soon arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest.
This was Yang Xiong's first time entering the forest since the events at Soto City. He had always been fascinated by the Star Dou Forest, which not only had the richest variety of soul beasts on the continent but also countless untapped treasures. Many rare herbs that couldn't be found elsewhere were relatively common here.
The forest's core area, in particular, held abundant and valuable resources,it was considered the most miraculous place on the Douluo Continent.
But Yang Xiong was also well aware that the Star Dou Forest was extremely dangerous. Even an ordinary tree could turn out to be a deadly soul beast, let alone the many hidden threats lurking within,it was a veritable killing field.
He also knew that beyond the visible dangers lay an even more terrifying core zone, home to some of the strongest beings on the continent. Creatures like Di Tian and the Titan Giant Ape resided there, both likely at the peak Douluo level. Even Titled Douluos were unlikely to survive if they entered.
The forest was divided into several zones based on area and soul beast population: a 200-kilometer outer zone, a 500-kilometer mixed zone, and a 200-kilometer core zone. At the center of the core zone was a 50-kilometer region known as the "Forbidden Zone of Life."
The outer zone typically housed soul beasts under 10,000 years old. The mixed zone included beasts of various ages,hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of years,but rarely beyond that. The core zone was home to beasts over 30,000 years, and no one had ever explored the Forbidden Zone. It was assumed to be the location of the Lake of Life.
Beasts like the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape lived in the forest's core and were regarded as its overlords.
Yang Xiong and Lin Gong wandered in the outer zone for a couple of days but didn't encounter any 10,000-year soul beasts,most were at the hundred- or thousand-year level.
However, the variety of soul beasts was immense. Occasionally, they spotted some extremely rare species. Especially at night, they even saw a few exceptional ones.
Humans were diurnal, but soul beasts often preferred the night, especially the rarer solitary or dark-element soul beasts.
Ordinarily, one needed to keep a low profile in such places, especially at night. But with Lin Gong, a top-tier Soul Douluo, the two moved through the outer zone with ease.
After two days, Yang Xiong decided they should head into the mixed zone.
Lin Gong asked curiously, "Xiao Xiong, what level of soul beast are you looking for? It seems like none of the ones in the outer zone meet your expectations."
Yang Xiong thought for a moment before replying, "Teacher Lin, I want my fourth soul ring to be exactly 10,000 years old, from a power-type soul beast. Preferably one with a top-tier earth or fire attribute. Water attribute would be acceptable too."
Lin Gong's expression changed. "Xiao Xiong, are you crazy? There's a fundamental difference between 10,000-year and 1,000-year soul beasts,not just in energy, but especially in their ability to cause spiritual shock. Normally, only soul masters absorbing their fifth soul ring can barely handle that."
Yang Xiong nodded. "I understand, Teacher Lin, but I'm confident I can handle a 10,000-year soul beast."
Lin Gong shook his head. "You don't understand. The gap is huge. Many ordinary soul beasts can't even evolve past 10,000 years due to bloodline or physical limitations. Once a beast reaches that age, it gains intelligence,it's no longer just a wild animal."
"When a soul master absorbs a soul ring, both body and spirit strengthen. Only upon reaching the Soul Ancestor stage does a soul master develop a certain level of mental resilience, allowing them to resist a 10,000-year beast's spiritual shock with their fifth ring."
"You've read a lot, but books don't go into detail about how to resist that kind of mental impact."
Yang Xiong replied, "Teacher Lin, you know I practice the Purple Demon Eye. I've already mastered projecting my spiritual power. My martial soul is also unique,my mental strength far exceeds that of other soul masters at my level. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to stand up to Yao Mei in Spirit Hall."
Lin Gong looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Back in Spirit Hall, Hu Liena and Xie Yue used their Martial Soul Fusion skill. Its core was Hu Liena's demon fox, which attacks through charm. I was able to withstand them because my spiritual power wasn't any weaker than a Soul King's."
"You should know, even ordinary Soul Ancestors can't resist that fusion skill. Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng couldn't even fight back because they didn't have strong spiritual abilities."
Lin Gong fell silent, deep in thought. He had extensive knowledge of martial souls and understood what Yang Xiong meant.
Yang Xiong himself had hesitated over whether his fourth ring should be at the 10,000-year level.
But after the final of the Soul Master Tournament at Spirit Hall, he believed his spiritual strength was at least on par with Hu Liena's. Her charm techniques had little effect on him. That gave him the confidence to aim for a 10,000-year soul ring.
Especially after absorbing the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor soul bone, Yang Xiong felt his entire body becoming more integrated. The Blue Silver Emperor not only enhanced his physique but also strengthened his martial soul.
And as this enhancement progressed, his spiritual power increased too. This was the true strength of his innate martial soul: as the body improved, the martial soul evolved as well,and that evolution gradually extended to his mind.
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