Chapter 188: Forged Thunder Herb

With a single "boom," Shinian fell to the ground, Seven Orifice Black Blood gushing out until death; his whole body rotted and dissolved, and in less than a moment he completely vanished within the black blood.

Both Tie Li and Tang San let out a sigh of relief.

The gap between the two of them and Shinian was huge, and each was relieved that the other temporary teammate had hidden means.

Tie Li knew the Yama King Sticker in Tang San's hand and understood his character—he wouldn't sit idly by to die, so he went all out.

Tang San was amazed by Tie Li's tactics; the combat power of a Soul King burst forth, not inferior to a Soul Emperor, and the terrifying Black Thunder surpassed his comprehension—he had never seen such dreadful Thunder and Lightning.

Likewise, he knew Tie Li would never sit idle; as a Fenglei Sect inheritance disciple, he was the sole spark, bearing too many burdens.

"Xiao San, what is this device? Its power is so great it could kill a Soul Saint," Tie Li asked, feigning shock.

How could a Soul Ancestor slay a Soul Saint above his level without drawing attention?

"Forget it, this is your secret; I shouldn't ask more, but I also hope you can keep this hidden for me."

Tie Li retracted his Bone Wing before him; to restrain Shinian he had to use full force, which also meant exposing the External Attached Soul Bone.

At least, Tang San's temperament at this stage was fine.

"Don't worry, Da Li brother," Tang San also let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He had just feared Tie Li would kill to silence him; from the master's words he already knew the value of the External Attached Soul Bone, and Tie Li's recent exposure of it in front of him undeniably revealed the secret to him.

It was natural to worry whether Tie Li would kill to cover up the secret.

"Huh? A soul bone?"

Tie Li went to the spot where Shinian's corpse vanished and saw a Head Soul Bone emitting colorful light.

Tang San had already noticed it, but still pretended not to see, sitting cross‑legged on the ground to recover.

Seeing Tang San feign blindness, Tie Li couldn't help but smile.

He needed a soul bone to boost his strength, but now he was qualified to choose a quality soul bone for himself; this bone was indeed good, yet it couldn't raise his combat power dramatically.

Rather than that, he might use it as a favor.

"Da Li brother, what is this…"

Tang San saw the Seven-colored Soul Bone before him, a hint of shock in his eyes.

Back at the Tiandou Paimaichang, a ten‑thousand‑year Head Soul Bone fetched an astonishing price.

"Your secret weapon must be especially valuable; consider this soul bone as compensation for you."

Tie Li was betting on Tang San's temperament at this stage; he had previously visited Shui Xin Zhi Di, where a special spirit herb existed that greatly aided his cultivation.

Given Tang San's knowledge of medicinal herbs, he surely knew the spirit herb's value, though it was unclear whether he had already used it.

"Da Li brother, even with me alone I cannot defeat that Soul Saint, and the soul bone's value is extraordinary; if it were only left to me…"

"Forged Thunder Herb, I need a Forged Thunder Herb. You have good relations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect; I want you to fetch me a Forged Thunder Herb," Tie Li said bluntly, stating his purpose.

The cultivation conditions for Forged Thunder Herb are extremely strict; ordinary merchants rarely have any, and even Tiandou Shanghang possessed only a single hundred‑year Forged Thunder Herb.

Tang San, after hearing Tie Li, was briefly stunned but did not hesitate, pulling out a small jade box.

This Forged Thunder Herb was pricey, its age exceeding ten thousand years, yet it still fell short compared to the soul bone.

The benefit was mutual; if Tie Li truly sold the soul bone to Tang San, he might not accept, and could even worry whether Tie Li harbored other motives.

Tie Li silently breathed a sigh of relief; he truly feared Tang San would waste the Forged Thunder Herb, which would have let him give away a soul bone for nothing.

Fortunately, he was not disappointed and produced this ten‑thousand‑year Forged Thunder Herb.

Having Black Thunder, it was extremely difficult for him to enhance the Thunder and Lightning Attribute, let alone a ten‑thousand‑year spirit herb.

The reason he needed Forged Thunder Herb was mainly to increase affinity with the Plant Soul Beasts inside Inner Baidi.

This, only Forged Thunder Herb could achieve.

Deep within Baidi, during the earlier mental force exploration, a massive Thunder Stone was seen, identical to the Thunder Stones near Leichi, all bearing the Thunder Stone Seal.

Tie Li sought the Thunder Stone Seal of Baidi; besides boosting the Thunder and Lightning Attribute by ten percent, it might involve the true secret of the Fenglei Sect.

In Tie Li's speculation, the complete seal must be intricately linked to Leichi.

The information that Forged Thunder Herb could increase affinity with Thunder Attribute Plant-type Soul Beasts came from Tie Li's extensive book research.

Accepting the jade box handed by Tang San, Tie Li unhesitatingly placed it into his Storage Soul Guide Device; it was indeed what he needed.

"Let's head back first."

"Alright."

Tang San only now tucked away the soul bone and returned to Tiandou City.

The two entered Tiandou City and split apart at a fork.

Back in his hotel room, Tie Li couldn't wait to take out the Forged Thunder Herb, causing his soul power to become restless.

The first Martial Soul Evolution, aided by the primal essence of a Plant Soul Beast, made Tie Li's martial soul inherently different from that of a normal Soul Master.

Forged Thunder Herb would increase affinity toward Thunder Attribute Plant Soul Beasts, and Tie Li, who possessed the primal aura of such beasts, naturally felt an inexplicable resonance with the herb.

Later he also ingested Heaven‑soaring Chrysanthemum, a celestial spirit herb that ranks absolutely above ordinary spirit herbs; even its faint aura made the Forged Thunder Herb's scent different.

For a normal Soul Master, refining Forged Thunder Herb carries great risk; the herb's Thunder and Lightning Attribute is terrifyingly destructive, and to refine it with a Soul Master's flesh and blood requires assistance from other spirit herbs.

Tie Li swallowed the Forged Thunder Herb, which turned into several warm currents flowing to every part of his body, with no odd sensation, as if everything were completely natural.

A subtle feeling rose in his mind; the increased affinity let him sense the Plant Soul Beasts inside Baidi from afar, but this special sensation was brief, and the connection quickly faded.

The Soul Power Level rose from Level 56 to Fifty‑Seven Level, a step closer to Level 60.

For ordinary Thunder Attribute Soul Masters, Forged Thunder Herb can greatly boost a martial soul's Thunder and Lightning Attribute, but on Tie Li it had no effect at all.

The only improvements were the affinity of Plant Soul Masters and the Soul Power Level, because Tie Li's command of the Thunder and Lightning Attribute far exceeded the herb's own attribute.

Obtaining this Forged Thunder Herb from Tang San would bring benefits far surpassing that soul bone.

Shinian's soul bone was far too weak to enhance him.

(End of Chapter)