Under the carpet-search of the Extreme North…
Even the elusive Mirror Beast, known for its stealth, had nowhere to hide.
Within a week—
A total of three Mirror Beasts were brought before Tang Lan.
The 3,000-year-old one was eliminated immediately. Its age was too low; even with nurturing, it would never break past the 10,000-year threshold.
The 26,000-year-old one—this should be the same Mirror Beast that Oscar hunted in the original story.
And finally, the 35,000-year-old one.
It was severely damaged, missing an entire left hind leg, most of its right foreleg, and even its tail was only a stump.
It was the most eager to become a Soul Spirit.
Unfortunately…
Its age was 35,000 years—far exceeding Oscar's limit.
One noteworthy thing—
The 20,000-year-old Firecracker Vine Right Arm Bone that Oscar absorbed did not grant him a Soul Bone ability.
All its energy was entirely used to enhance his physical strength—a whole 8,000 years worth!
4,000-year Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent Left Leg Bone → +300 years11,000-year Demon Claw Split Right Leg Bone → +1,000 years80,000-year Shining Silver Void Left Arm Bone → +8,000 yearsWhale Glue → +1,200 yearsPlus his Fourth Soul Ring's natural limit → +5,000 years
That totals up to…
23,500 years!
For an average Soul Master's sixth Soul Ring, this was already a remarkable level.
Tang Lan confidently stated, "With my support, a 26,000-year-old Mirror Beast won't be a problem."
"But what a pity…"
"That 35,000-year-old one has an even stronger will and a much higher chance of becoming a Life-Bound Soul Spirit."
Oscar, however, was surprisingly open-minded about it.
"No worries, Sect Master. Getting a 26,000-year-old fourth Soul Ring is already more than enough for me!"
He didn't mention the risk of failing to obtain a Soul Skill.
—After all, the biggest advantage of Soul Spirits is the ability to choose their own Soul Skills!
Oscar's attitude made Tang Lan appreciate him even more.
Actually…
There was a way!
With Tang Lan's Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, he had the ability to detach and swap his Soul Bones.
The only drawback? It would delay his training progress a little.
But a 9,000-year difference wasn't too hard to compensate for—
Purple Crystal Behemoth Right Hand Bone, Ice Jade Scorpion Tail, or the Destruction Meteor Scorpion Left Foot—any one of them could easily make up for it.
Tang Lan's eyes flickered.
Should he go all out to help Oscar?
Just then—
A "small mountain" shifted beside him.
It was Tai, who had been squatting nearby.
With a deep, rumbling voice, Tai spoke—
"I have a Soul Bone in my collection. It's a trophy from an undersea hunt—a 100,000-year-old octopus."
"If you want it, human, take it."
Tang Lan's eyes lit up instantly!
A 100,000-year-old Soul Bone?!
Who cares if it's usable or not? Just getting it is a win!
"Then I'll graciously accept it!" Tang Lan grinned. "Tai, when we ascend to the Divine Realm, I'll make sure you look handsome as hell!"
Tai thumped his chest and bounded off excitedly.
Tang Lan then turned to the Ice and Snow Emperors.
"What about you two? Got any Soul Bone collections?"
Unfortunately…
"That kind of thing is too hard, not even good for chewing. Why would we Soul Beasts collect it?" Ice Emperor scoffed.
Tang Lan turned expectantly to Snow Emperor.
Come on—living for hundreds of thousands of years, surely she had some battle trophies stashed away?
"I don't really like collecting Soul Bones either…"
"But when I broke through to 300,000 years, an old enemy ambushed me."
"I killed him on the spot."
"His body fell into an ice mountain—he probably dropped a Soul Bone there."
"No idea if it's still there after all these years."
"I'll tell Tai later and have him look for it."
Tang Lan's eyes sparkled!
Damn!
If someone dared to ambush a 300,000-year-old Snow Emperor, how old must they have been?!
At least250,000 years, right?
"Much appreciated," Tang Lan grinned. "By the way, you might want to tell the other Soul Beasts in the Extreme North to start keeping an eye out for Soul Bones and spiritual herbs. It could benefit them."
"Oh?" Ice Emperor was intrigued. "Herbs, sure. But how would Soul Bones help Soul Beasts?"
Tang Lan nodded, then shook his head.
"Soul Bones themselves aren't useful to Soul Beasts."
"But in the future, when my Tang Sect's Spirit Transmission Tower expands, do you think we'll hand out Soul Spirits for free?"
"Those who are willing to pay more will naturally get better Soul Spirits."
"But Soul Beasts don't use human currency. They can only wait passively to be chosen."
"However… if a Soul Beast can offer valuable items—like Soul Bones, herbs, or rare treasures—"
"They could reverse the roles and pick their own host."
"They could customize their host's Martial Soul, background, gender, personality—everything."
Ice Emperor's eyes widened.
Wait… That's possible?!
Snow Emperor, on the other hand, gave a small approving nod.
"An equal exchange. That's fair."
As they spoke—
A series of heavy thuds shook the ground.
Tai came bounding back, causing the ice to crack beneath him.
Ice Emperor lightly tapped her finger—freezing the cracks shut again.
"BOOM—"
Tai landed heavily on the ice, but this time, it didn't budge at all.
Tai opened his right hand.
A semi-transparent skull lay between his fingers.
A skull?
Tang Lan felt a slight pang of regret—no way to use this to help Tang San farm rewards now!
But soon, curiosity took over.
"Semi-transparent? That's pretty rare. What kind of Soul Beast was it?"
"It was a Glass Octopus," Tai licked his lips. "Its meat was delicious, the best I've ever had. So I kept a piece of its bone."
Tang Lan's first reaction—
Oscar's luck is insane!
The Glass Octopus—a berserker that could turn invisible.
It had only one Soul Skill—Transparency.
It would use its stealth to close in on its prey…
Then, with its thick and powerful tentacles, it would coil around its victim and strangle them to death.
So, while it dropped a skull, its effect would be similar to a Titan Giant Ape's Skull Bone—a boost to raw strength.
A 100,000-year Soul Bone could easily extend a Soul Ring's lifespan by 8,000 years.
Perfect for Oscar.
As for Tang Lan himself?
Not interested.
Sure, his current finishing move, Exploding Rings: Grand Xu Mi Hammer, relied heavily on brute force…
But all three of his head Soul Bones were spirit-related.
A mental-type head Soul Bone would suit him far better—maybe even merge with his external Soul Bones, just like his left arm and right leg had.
So…
Tang Lan didn't hesitate.
He handed the 100,000-year skull straight to Oscar.
Oscar:
↓
Σ(っQДQ;)っ
Wha—?!
A 100,000-year Soul Bone?!
Just like that…?
Given to him?!
"What are you dawdling for?" Tang Lan raised an eyebrow. "Hurry up and absorb it, we've got more important things to do."
Holding the legendary Soul Bone in his hands, Oscar's eyes welled up with tears!
"Sect Master!"
"From now on, you're my second father!"
"If you tell me to go east, I won't even glance west!"
"I—"
PAH!
Tang Lan slapped him upside the head, spinning him around three whole times on the spot.
"Quit being dramatic," Tang Lan threatened. "If you waste any more time, I'll—"
Before Tang Lan could even finish the sentence, Oscar didn't even wait to steady himself.
He just plopped down cross-legged, slammed the 100,000-year skull onto his forehead—
And began absorbing it on the spot!
Most of the people around weren't too fazed by the sight.
But Shui Bing'er… she couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
A 100,000-year Soul Bone…
The second most valuable type of Soul Bone after an External Soul Bone.
Who wouldn't be jealous?
Tang Lan noticed her gaze.
He reached out and gently ruffled her silky blue hair.
"The Glass Octopus is water-attributed, so it's somewhat compatible with you."
"But it's a strength-focused type—not a good match for your combat style."
"Once we take over the Extreme North, you think we'll be short on ice-attributed Soul Bones?"
"I'll make sure you get a complete set!"
Shui Bing'er smiled sweetly—then leaned in and kissed him lightly.
"Lan, you don't have to comfort me. No matter what you do, I'll always support you."
"I was just feeling a little envious as a Soul Master—that's all."
"Xiao Ao has incredible talent. He's worth this investment."
See?
Now that's a perfect wife.
Tang Lan happily pulled Shui Bing'er into his arms, kissing her on the forehead.
Then, through their mental link, he whispered:
"I'll make sure to properly reward you tonight."
Shui Bing'er—despite being new to intimacy—
Handled it like a champ.
She kept smiling like nothing was wrong, her gaze steady and unchanging.
But through their mental link…
She simply replied:
"Does it have to be at night?" (t/n: it should have been me not him (╥﹏╥))
(End of Chapter)