External Soul Bone
A month passed in the blink of an eye, and Fang Ling smoothly advanced to level 32 at the beginning of the month.
Dugu Bo also finally succeeded in detoxifying himself.
He stretched his body, feeling the heavy burden that had plagued him for so long vanish into thin air. The unprecedented lightness he felt made him burst into loud laughter, which echoed through the sky, stirring the surrounding clouds and mist.
He had endured endless suffering, lost his son and daughter-in-law, and his granddaughter was poisoned due to heredity. He had searched fruitlessly for an antidote for years,this was a state of despair beyond despair.
After so many years of torment, it was only thanks to the good fortune of meeting Fang Ling that he was finally freed.
The hardships he had gone through couldn't be described in words.
Dugu Bo couldn't hold back his emotions, and tears welled in his eyes. He slapped Fang Ling on the shoulder with force, unable to contain his excitement: "Good disciple, my good disciple... these past months, you've worked so hard…"
He was too overwhelmed to say more.
The more he looked at Fang Ling, the luckier he felt.
Fang Ling just smiled faintly. "It wasn't hard. As long as you're cured, Teacher, that's all that matters."
Dugu Bo's eyes were filled with hope and a trace of guilt.
As the renowned Poison Douluo, he had to rely on his disciple's blood to rid himself of the poison in his body,how humiliating was that?
Even his granddaughter needed help in the same way…
This one person had saved his entire family. In all his years, Dugu Bo had never owed anyone such a massive debt.
But he had no other choice. He could only steel himself and ask his disciple for one more favor:
"Next, I'll have to rely on you for detoxifying Yanyan."
"Of course, Teacher," Fang Ling nodded.
"Do you want to rest for a month first? During that time, I'll find a suitable ten-thousand-year soul bone for your Sister Yanyan."
Dugu Bo had already submitted a request to the Heaven Dou royal family, but even now, they hadn't found one.
Soul bones were extremely rare, especially ten-thousand-year ones. Few people were willing to part with them.
Fortunately, he was a Titled Douluo and could hunt one himself.
"I'll escort you back to Heaven Dou City first. I'll stay alone in the Sunset Forest."
"Your little girlfriend must miss you."
Dugu Bo winked at Fang Ling, showing a rare mischievous side.
…
Fang Ling was brought back to Heaven Dou City.
Another month passed quickly,it had now been nine months since he arrived in the city.
In the courtyard at Dugu Mansion reserved for the disciple, Fang Ling was cultivating in meditation. Ye Lingling had finished her classes and came to quietly accompany him.
Dugu Bo hadn't returned yet and was still in the Sunset Forest, steadily hunting for soul bones.
He left every morning and returned by evening.
Though he was a Titled Douluo, he couldn't kill recklessly on a large scale. Otherwise, he'd risk punishment from the Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Hall had a long and deep heritage, with the Pope and Elder Hall full of twin-spirited Titled Douluo and reclusive old monsters,not people to be trifled with.
He wasn't afraid, but there was no need to stir up trouble.
Dugu Bo wouldn't give anyone leverage over him for no reason.
Moreover, there was a belief that the stronger a soul beast's resentment, the higher the chance of a soul bone dropping. Dugu Bo, being poison-type, was well-suited for this.
As a master of poison, he could erode his targets slowly, letting them feel the gradual approach of death. This intensified their fear and resentment.
When a creature can clearly feel itself fading like a candle burning out, it would generate great fear.
This resentment might help trigger the emergence of a soul bone. With fewer kills, he was less likely to attract attention.
The only regret for Fang Ling was that he couldn't take part in the hunting.
Watching all those valuable soul points being used up without reward made his heart ache.
Unfortunately, this wasn't something he could explain yet.
The time wasn't right,he had to wait.
That night, Dugu Bo returned to the mansion once more.
After a month of hunting with no results, there was nothing to blame but bad luck.
Fang Ling thought deeply and walked up to him.
Even as a Titled Douluo, constant hunting over a month had left Dugu Bo visibly tired.
Fang Ling asked with concern, "Teacher, still no success?"
Seeing his disciple come forward, Dugu Bo wiped away his fatigue and smiled.
"No rush. Rest another two months. Yanyan's poison isn't urgent. I'll find a way."
He refused to believe that he couldn't get a single ten-thousand-year soul bone.
Dugu Yan's poison wasn't as critical as his had been. It could be suppressed with medication, so there was no need to hunt recklessly. He could take his time.
"Teacher…"
Fang Ling hesitated, stamping his foot slightly. His expression was conflicted.
Dugu Bo noticed this at once and gently said, "Do you have questions about cultivation or face any difficulties? You can always tell me."
"It's not that, Teacher," Fang Ling finally spoke.
"Are soul bones really that rare? You've been busy for a whole month and still haven't found one."
Dugu Bo thought Fang Ling was worried about something else, but hearing this question, he laughed.
"Of course they're rare. Soul bones are extremely precious. Ten-thousand-year soul bones are called the Blood River's Treasure for good reason,they're the stuff of legends, forged in blood and time."
"You've seen those soul hunting teams,how often do they leave without a river of blood just for one soul bone?"
He thought back to when Fang Ling had carefully examined the Silver Emperor Hawk for soul bones and chuckled.
This kid was calm and composed, but clearly came from humble origins and lacked knowledge. His combat instincts were strong, but he still had much to learn.
The chance of a thousand-year soul beast dropping a soul bone was far lower than that of a ten-thousand-year beast.
Seeing Fang Ling deep in thought, Dugu Bo patiently asked, "Is there something else? Don't worry about this,just focus on cultivating."
"Take a good rest these next few months. You'll still need to help detoxify Yanyan later."
"If you're tired, go spend time with Yanyan and the others,it's good for you."
Over the past month, Fang Ling's relationship with Dugu Yan had grown noticeably closer, certainly more than with that ever-annoying Yu Tianheng.
Because detoxification relied on Fang Ling's blood, Dugu Yan felt a deep sense of guilt toward him,she practically treated him like a child.
"Teacher…"
Under Dugu Bo's puzzled gaze, Fang Ling hesitated several times, until finally, as if after great internal struggle, he made up his mind.
"You don't need to search anymore!"
Dugu Bo was confused. He looked at his obedient disciple with uncertainty.
Dugu Yan still needed a ten-thousand-year soul bone to detox,how could he just stop searching?
What, was the soul bone going to magically appear?
Fang Ling took a deep breath and said something that made Dugu Bo's spirit instantly lift.
"I acquired an external soul bone in the Star Dou Forest."
As soul power surged, a layer of dark keratin erupted from Fang Ling's foot, tearing through his shoe.
It bore red and white streaks,an enchantment left behind by the Ice and Fire Twin Herbs.
"An external soul bone!"
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