"So dark!"
Glancing into the cave, Yang Yunhai quickly set down his bundle and reached inside, pulling out a fire striker.
He opened the waterproof cover, blew gently, and a small flame flickered to life.
"For safety's sake, I can't waste time." He took a deep breath, calming the excitement in his chest, and under the faint light hurried forward.
Before long, he reached the inner chamber. Without delay, he scanned left and right, then strode directly toward the far stone wall.
Summoning his martial soul, several vines extended upward and quickly touched a box lodged in a groove above. He controlled the vines to wrap around it and carefully lowered it.
The box was heavy—at least two hundred jin—but still manageable.
Catching it in his hands, Yang Yunhai crouched down and spread out his bundle, setting the box on top.
In the original story, Tang San had taken three whole days to absorb the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone. How could he possibly attempt that here? Absorbing for that long inside this cave was suicide. If Tang Hao came back during the process, he would be killed instantly.
With that in mind, he grabbed a bamboo tube from beside the bundle and stepped into the chamber's center.
Crouching without hesitation, he dug carefully into the soil with his hands, lifting out the still-small body of the Blue Silver Emperor, roots intact. He filled the base of the bamboo tube with soil, then placed the rooted plant inside. Covering it with the perforated upper half, he slung the tube against his chest.
Returning to the bundle, he cushioned the lead box with clothes and tied the package securely. For extra precaution, he wrapped it again in vines before slinging it up.
"I should leave something for Tang Hao, shouldn't I?"
Touching his chin thoughtfully, he snatched a stone and scrawled words across a dry section of wall:
"Tang Hao, I've taken the soul bone for my own use. As for that Blue Silver Grass, I assume it was once the Blue Silver Emperor that sacrificed herself for you. Pity—it's too weak now, of no value to me."
"I've thrown it into the pool outside. Whether you can still find it later, I can't say. Don't worry. I won't reveal your presence here, nor your son's identity or whereabouts. After all, I don't intend to expose myself as the one who absorbed your wife's hundred-thousand-year soul bone."
"As for who I am—heh, you guess. Think of this soul bone as compensation for the injuries you gave me. I hunted you for years under orders; at least I've gained something in return. Our enmity will be settled when I stand before you as a Titled Douluo."
"Rage, Tang Hao! The worse your wounds, the greater my chances. And those soul bones on your body—I've coveted them for a long time.
Signed: Once an admirer, today merely a passerby. Thanks for the gift, Lord Clear Sky."
"I really am a little bad." He muttered under his breath, tossed the stone aside, and ran.
At the cave mouth, he bound the bundle, box, and bamboo tube against his chest with vines. Then, anchoring two vines in the stone door's gaps, he leaned backward into the torrent, letting the current swing him down.
The waterfall's force was strong, but the thin vines bore it well as long as his body didn't stay in the torrent for too long. The descent was rough but safe.
A final swing, and he landed heavily at the pool's edge.
Setting down the bundle and bamboo tube, Yang Yunhai lifted his head toward the falls, whispering, "The hook marks I left need covering."
After a moment of thought, he summoned his martial soul, bounded up the cliff, and worked carefully. With hooked vines he widened and deepened the scratches, reshaping them into the shape of claw marks.
Perhaps not perfect, but better than leaving obvious vine punctures. At least Tang Hao wouldn't immediately suspect him. His age and cultivation didn't match such a feat anyway—especially after the message he had left inside.
Anyone who knew about Ah Yin's sacrifice and Tang Hao's wounds could only be someone from Spirit Hall, most likely a Soul Saint or stronger.
"That's enough." He nodded, dropped down, snatched up his bundle and tube, and ran.
Not back the way he came, but upriver.
Leaving the mountains to find a place to absorb the soul bone was too risky. Carrying treasures openly, who knew what accidents might happen?
Here inside the mountains, the most dangerous place was also the safest. The outer peaks were half a day's journey away, and no Titled Douluo could see this far. The jagged cliffs were filled with hidden caves—perfect places to vanish.
Most importantly, the words he had left would mislead Tang Hao. If Tang Hao returned and saw them, his first thought would be Spirit Hall. He would likely rush downstream to search for the Blue Silver Emperor's remains in the river, not waste time scouring the mountains.
That was precisely why Yang Yunhai had written that lie.
Running faster, he glanced at the bamboo tube hanging from his chest. 'The Blue Silver Emperor's soul is strong, but her body is far too weak. Even if her spirit awakens, she can't resist or escape. But if I swallow her outright… that's another story.'
Lifting his head, he eyed the sky. Clouds were thick, mist circling the peaks. 'Plenty of water up there. Let's hope for thunder and rain in the next few days.'
By dusk, he found a narrow cave perfect for hiding.
After cleaning it out, he unwrapped the bundle and opened the lead box. A rush of refreshing cold air spilled out.
"So beautiful." Staring at the crystalline blue-gold right leg bone, he couldn't help but sigh.
Crossing his legs, he pressed the bone against his right leg.
A faint hum filled the cave. Cool energy surged through his body, making him shudder. Slowly, the soul bone melted away, vanishing into his flesh.
"So comfortable." He whispered, sinking into his consciousness.
Inside his inner vision, streams of blue light flowed from his leg into his meridians, wrapping them instantly. Guided by his soul power, the energy spread throughout his body.
Within moments, all his meridians glowed faint blue. His channels expanded rapidly, stronger and tougher with every breath. Yet no matter how much they grew, they always felt full.
"As expected of a hundred-thousand-year soul bone!" He marveled, thrilled.
This treasure was his now.
Time passed. The cool sensation spread everywhere, easing his spirit into calm. His consciousness blurred, and at last he collapsed to the ground, glowing faint blue as his body absorbed the power.
Only his breathing remained, soft and steady.
In the bamboo tube nearby, a single blue leaf pressed against the air hole, trembling faintly—yet unable to escape.
(End of Chapter)
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