Chapter 166: The Transformation of Soul Bones

As Hu Yanzhen was slain, the others in the Elephant Armor Sect were startled and strained with all their might to flee the place.

But Yang Wudi no longer needed to watch Yang Xiong's condition; he went berserk, directly activating his martial soul True Body, and at once a blood‑red giant appeared in the sky, clutching a terrifying Soul‑Breaking Gun.

Even the other two, despite fighting with all their might, were ultimately pierced by the Soul‑Breaking Gun, especially that Soul Douluo strongman; even though he employed his Eighth Spirit Skill, he could not contend with Yang Wudi's Soul‑Breaking Gun, and Yang Wudi likewise used his own Eighth Spirit Skill.

As for the other two Soul Saints, they had already been stabbed to the ground by Yang Wudi.

Hu Yanli seemed to have sensed the situation was wrong early and fled the scene.

But Yang Wudi did not pursue; after a while a dark‑green figure emerged from the forest and tossed the foam‑spitting Hu Yanli beside the members of the Elephant Armor Sect. The person was Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo scoffed, "You two are having quite a blast; those guys from the Elephant Armor Sect are courting death, actually daring to challenge you. Looks like they're getting restless with life."

Yang Wudi said, "Old Poison, I didn't expect you to show up as well. Aren't you afraid of going against the Elephant Armor Sect—or even the Spirit Hall behind them?"

Dugu Bo sneered, "They're just the Elephant Armor Sect, that's all. If they hadn't been provoked, I'd have already left them without a place to be buried."

Dugu Bo then turned to Yang Xiong: "Little Monster, you actually have some strength. I didn't expect even Hu Yanzhen to fall by your hand. I can hardly imagine how powerful you'll be when you reach Title Douluo. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect really hit the jackpot."

Yang Xiong laughed, "Senior Dugu, you flatter me. My skill is merely child's play compared to yours."

Dugu Bo snorted, "You little brat, stop putting on a show in front of me. The fact that you can enter and exit my Medicine Garden proves my Poison Array has no effect on you. At your current strength, I might not even be able to get the better of you."

Yang Xiong just smiled and gave no further reply.

Yang Wudi approached Yang Xiong and said, "Xiao Xiong, how are you now? You should now understand the true strength of the world's real masters."

Yang Xiong nodded, "Hu Yanzhen is indeed formidable; he likely already possesses Title Douluo‑level strength. No wonder he's the chief of the lower four sects."

"This time my soul power is depleted, and my injuries are significant; I'll probably need a few days to recover."

Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi were at a loss for words; considering the circumstances, needing only a few days of rest made his physical condition seem truly remarkable.

One must realize that Yang Xiong is only Level 66, yet he managed to slay Level 89 Hu Yanzhen; it would be hard for anyone to believe if spoken aloud.

Yang Wudi sighed, "You Little Monster, it's necessary to spar frequently with masters like Hu Yanzhen; otherwise you'll risk underestimating the world's great masters and end up taking a tumble."

Yang Xiong seemed to recall something: "Old Goat, I think Hu Yanzhen's defensive power may be stronger than Old Rhino's. Can your Soul‑Breaking Gun breach his defense?"

Yang Wudi's face darkened, "What are you talking about? Hu Yanzhen is just a petty opponent. My Soul‑Breaking Gun can crush his turtle shell with a single strike, unlike you who has to fight for so long and even scheme with that brute Hu Yanzhen."

"Only Hu Yanzhen's mind is dim; even knowing you possess a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Ring, he still tries to plot against you. If he fights you head‑on, who will die if he doesn't?"

The two exchanged a few casual remarks, and Yang Xiong seemed to recall something: "Old Goat, you said Hu Yanzhen is dead. They've lost so many Soul Douluo and Soul Saints these times; will the Elephant Armor Sect collapse?"

Yang Wudi shook his head, "Not to that extent. The Elephant Armor Sect still has at least three Soul Douluo. Though they've lost many elites, the total number of Soul Grandmasters still exceeds a thousand, so it's not that easy to fall."

"Moreover, the Elephant Armor Sect was founded in a family‑based model; its internal cohesion is far stronger than you imagine. Though it will be weakened in the short term, its foundation remains, and with the Spirit Hall supporting them, they won't fall."

Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh, "It seems I've still underestimated the strength of the lower four sects; eliminating the Elephant Armor Sect won't be that easy."

Beside them, Dugu Bo, hearing Yang Xiong and Yang Wudi's conversation, was also at a loss for words; these two have such grand ambitions, constantly proclaiming the destruction of the Elephant Armor Sect.

After a full half hour, Yang Xiong's body had partially recovered, and disregarding others' stares, he began searching for the six corpses of the Elephant Armor Sect.

Hu Yanzhen, worthy of being the Sect Leader of the Elephant Armor Sect, was a massive trove; his Soul Guidance Device alone held resources valued at over a hundred million Gold Soul Coins, along with numerous stored Divine Medicines and precious items.

Hu Yanzhen's body yielded even greater bounty: he possessed three soul bones of the 50,000‑year grade, including an extremely rare Torso Soul Bone, with the other two being the left and right hand soul bones.

Even Dugu Bo was left gaping in astonishment; no one had expected Hu Yanzhen to possess such valuable soul bones. Had he known earlier, Dugu Bo would likely have moved to claim them himself.

Yang Xiong said helplessly, "Senior Dugu, why do you act as if you've never seen a soul bone? At least you're a distinguished Title Douluo master."

Dugu Bo's face darkened, "You kid think soul bones are like cabbage? These three are likely the Elephant Armor Sect's inheritance soul bones, and you think they're cheap for you."

However, Yang Xiong mentioned the other four; his face instantly fell into speechlessness. Though those four's Soul Guidance Devices held some collection, their value was far too low; they possessed no soul bones, not even a single hair.

Finally, Yang Xiong opened Hu Yanli's corpse and found a Ten‑thousand‑year grade Head Soul Bone, presumably from the Emperor Gold Elephant, unquestionably a top‑grade Ten‑thousand‑year Head Soul Bone.

Dugu Bo's eyes widened, "Hu Yanzhen is too daring; even such a small child has a Head Soul Bone—aren't you afraid it will harm him?"

Yang Xiong looked at Dugu Bo with contempt, "Senior Dugu, your information is far behind. This soul bone showed up in the Soul Master Competition four years ago; I remember you were a judge then, yet you didn't even know about this?"

Dugu Bo's face froze, "I'm extremely busy; I have no time to concern myself with these children's affairs. Moreover, a mere newly‑entered Ten‑thousand‑year soul bone is beneath my notice."

Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head; Dugu Bo, that old man, is exceedingly proud and aloof, making communication genuinely troublesome.

However, after careful thought, Yang Xiong did not waver; he handed the Head Soul Bone to Dugu Bo and gave the Right Arm Soul Bone from Hu Yanzhen's hand to Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi said, "Xiao Xiong, you killed Hu Yanzhen; the soul bones should all belong to you."

Yang Xiong gave Yang Wudi a withering glance; had it not been for Yang Wudi holding back the other four, he would have fled long ago, having no mind to duel Hu Yanzhen.

"Old Goat, just tell me whether you want it; if you don't, I'll take it and give it to someone else."

Yang Wudi swiftly took the soul bone from Yang Xiong, "Yes, of course I want it; who would turn away such a premium soul bone?"

Yang Xiong was also at a loss for words; he seemed particularly attached to the Right Arm Soul Bone, already possessing two on his body, not counting the one he gave to his elder brother.

Dugu Bo, beside him, also swiftly took the Head Soul Bone, "Naturally I take it; after all it's a Ten‑thousand‑year soul bone, even giving it to Yanyan would be fine."

After Yang Xiong packed away the rest, he ignited a fire that reduced Hu Yanzhen and several bodies to ash.

"Senior Dugu, now that we're all here, won't you invite me to your place for a visit?"

Dugu Bo's face froze, "You little brat, what's there to sit in my Medicine Garden? It's better to go to my Heaven Dou City mansion."

Yang Xiong laughed, "Heaven Dou City has nothing fun; your Medicine Garden is better, and training there is greatly beneficial."

Dugu Bo was at a loss for words, and finally had to take Yang Wudi and Yang Xiong to the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan.

It was evident that the old fellow Dugu Bo was extremely reluctant; after Yang Xiong had previously stripped the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan clean, it had become a lingering shadow in his eyes. Now, with a few poison plants finally sprouting, perhaps this kid intends to loot again?

Upon the party's arrival at the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan, Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo displayed great proficiency, the two old men swiftly researching the poison plants together.

Yang Xiong surveyed the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan; indeed, it was again teeming with various poison plants, thriving impressively. This place truly lives up to its reputation as a haven for plant growth.

Yang Xiong actually stripped off his clothes and vaulted into the spring water of the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan; Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi watched, mouths agape, since both of them could not approach the spring, aware of its terrifying nature.

Reentering the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan, Yang Xiong intended to temper his body again using the spring water, while also employing the site's energy to mend his damaged Xuanming Armor.

Ever since Yang Xiong absorbed the Dragon Claw External Soul Bones from both hands, he has felt his body undergo a certain change; his arms seem unable to absorb soul bones any longer, even though he has acquired many arm soul bones, they appear to have no attraction at all.

All these changes originated from Ice Fire Tempering Body, particularly the last session, which caused his External Soul Bone's exploding Dragon Claw to evolve into an Ice Fire Dragon Claw. Between his arms, a subtle transformation occurred, seemingly establishing a connection with the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan.

Moreover, in this confrontation with Hu Yanzhen, not only was his Xuanming Armor shattered, but his Ice Fire Dragon Claw also suffered varying degrees of damage, requiring slow repair.

After soaking in the spring of the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan for more than ten days, under the scourge of Ice Fire power, both his torso and hands seemed to be scorched, as the potent Ice Fire energy surged into his soul bones.

That day, Yang Xiong felt as if his hands and torso were about to explode, as if something were about to swell out.

Yang Xiong let out a loud roar, and the three soul bones unexpectedly began to crack open, eventually turning directly into fragments, while the original spots were gradually replaced by newly formed soul bones.

Yang Xiong's face was full of surprise; after this metamorphosis, the three External Soul Bones seemed to have become much stronger in power and duration, especially the Xuanming Armor, which appeared to have already reached the 50,000‑year level.

The Ice Fire Dragon Claw's duration was slightly inferior, but it also reached the 30,000‑year level.

If Yang Xiong were to fight Hu Yanzhen again now, it probably wouldn't be so arduous.

(End of chapter)