"Your idea has been tried by predecessors before. Splicing is possible, but it's best to find Spirit Bones with the same attributes—or even from the same type of Spirit Beast. Failing that, you can look for attributes that complement each other, such as wind and fire Spirit Bones, which can be spliced together.
"Otherwise, if the attributes clash, the Spirit Bone energy can easily explode inside your body. At that point, even leaving behind a complete corpse would be wishful thinking.
"Beyond that, you must also consider compatibility between the Spirit Bone's attributes and your Martial Soul. In this regard, you have an advantage. Your Martial Soul is of the spiritual type, which can basically harmonize with Spirit Bones of any attribute—at the very least, it won't reject them.
"It's just a pity that your Martial Soul is far too special. Even I have never seen anything like it, so I can't give you proper guidance."
Qian Xunji explained with a smile. He didn't really think the youth would be able to obtain another compatible Spirit Bone, but since he asked, there was no harm in explaining.
Moreover, across the entire Douluo Continent, when it came to research on Spirit Bone power and the linkage of Spirit Abilities, none surpassed the Angel Clan. The Angel Set itself was the best research sample, so he knew many secrets in this area.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Tian Hao asked Qian Xunji a few more questions before leaving the secret chamber fully satisfied.
Naturally, the Spirit Bone had already been stored in his storage soul tool.
After all, keeping one's wealth hidden was extremely important.
Reuniting with Ling Yuan, who was waiting above in the Pope Hall, Tian Hao once again followed behind her in the manner of an attendant as they left the Pope Hall.
After all, Ling Yuan was a Bishop. Although she couldn't compare to a Platinum Bishop, she still had the qualifications to enter the Pope Hall.
Thus, most people simply assumed she had come to Spirit Hall on official business and paid no attention.
"Remember to buy me a foot-washing basin. It has to be exactly the same—don't try to fool me with the old one."
At their parting, Ling Yuan gave the youth a meaningful look before turning and leaving.
She wasn't stupid—she could naturally tell that the boy's relationship with the Pope was anything but ordinary.
But she wouldn't ask. Sometimes, knowing too much was actually a disadvantage.
Besides, her family had been supporters of the Angel Clan for several hundred years and belonged firmly to the Pope's faction. Naturally, she knew how certain things should be handled.
"Why does it have to be exactly the same?"
Tian Hao muttered a complaint. He had no idea where to buy an identical foot-washing basin and could only ask his mother to help look for one.
Not thinking about it further, Tian Hao headed home, soon arriving at their small villa.
His family hadn't originally lived in Spirit City, but in a small town. Both his father and mother were the lowest-ranking deacons of Spirit Hall, responsible for awakening Martial Souls for children in nearby villages—just like Tao Ge in the future.
After awakening his Martial Soul and gaining Spirit Power, he spent five years experimenting, drawing inspiration from the Cold Jade Bed cultivation method in The Return of the Condor Heroes, and eventually developed the instinct-stimulation cultivation method. Then, accompanied by his father, he came to Spirit City and found a way to present that cultivation method to Pope Qian Xunji.
As a result, he received a reward. His parents were promoted and given raises, transferred to work in Spirit City, and granted a small villa. Though not large, it was more than enough for a family of three.
"Dad, Mom, I've got good news for you! Your son has passed the exam and officially joined the system—I'm now a proud Spirit Hall Deacon!"
Seeing his parents busy in the kitchen after work, Tian Hao took out the badge Ling Yuan had given him that morning and said proudly with a grin.
He was officially on the payroll now.
"Is that really a Deacon's badge? How did you manage this?"
Tian Fu was stunned. Taking the badge and examining it closely, he confirmed that it was indeed a Spirit Hall Deacon's badge. He had one himself and couldn't be mistaken—his son's name was even engraved on the back.
But to become a Spirit Hall Deacon, one had to be at least a two-ring Grand Spirit Master. His son didn't even have a single Spirit Ring yet—he was only a ten-level Spirit Disciple. How could this be possible?
"I made a contribution and was exceptionally promoted!"
Tian Hao grinned smugly. Becoming a Spirit Hall Deacon through normal channels was indeed difficult—you needed to be at least a two-ring Grand Spirit Master—but there were always ways to overtake on a curve.
At this point, he really had to thank Master Yu Xiaogang. Truly a good man!
"What contribution did you make?"
Tian Fu frowned with concern. Don't tell him the boy had taken some crooked path.
"Why are you asking so much? Our son becoming a Deacon is a good thing. If he'd done something bad, would he have been exceptionally promoted?"
His mother, Sun Feng, rolled her eyes at her husband, then untied her apron and announced, "No cooking tonight—we're eating out!"
Her son becoming a Deacon was worth celebrating.
Tian Fu opened his mouth, but didn't say anything further. After all, many matters within Spirit Hall were bound by confidentiality rules.
If his son had been exceptionally promoted, the matter must have been significant—it was best not to ask.
The family enjoyed a hearty meal at a nearby restaurant. After returning home, Tian Hao went into the basement next to the ice cellar and used his Spirit Power to cleanse the spider necklace.
High-level soul tools like this were owner-bound. Only by washing away the original owner's Spirit Power and imprinting one's own could they be used.
Fortunately, Yu Xiaogang's Spirit Power was only a bit over ten levels—not much higher than his.
After continuously cleansing it for two days, Tian Hao finally erased Yu Xiaogang's Spirit Power completely and imprinted his own.
Once the imprint was complete and he injected Spirit Power, he immediately sensed a space with a three-meter diameter.
"As expected of the Saintess of Spirit Hall—truly extravagant. She gives away storage soul tools of this level without batting an eye."
Feeling the internal space, Tian Hao couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
He himself also had a storage soul tool, but it was only half a cubic meter—nowhere near comparable.
Without delay, he took out the items stored inside. Most were books, along with some notes written by Yu Xiaogang, followed by various odds and ends.
"There's no Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Bright Moon Night? Bad review!"
After rummaging around for a while, Tian Hao was deeply disappointed. It seemed Yu Xiaogang had placed that belt elsewhere—or hadn't obtained it yet.
"When Yu Xiaogang leaves Spirit City, I'll go see him off. I'm sure the generous Master will give me a hefty return gift—say, that belt."
With a turn of thought, Tian Hao decided to see the Master off when he left Spirit City. After all, they had known each other.
Putting away these thoughts, he carefully checked the miscellaneous items. After confirming nothing unusual, he decisively bundled them up and tossed them into the trash outside his house. As for the books, he carried them to the study and sorted them neatly onto the shelves.
Books were good things—they couldn't be thrown away.
"Meditation method?"
Picking up one notebook and flipping it open, Tian Hao discovered it was a meditation method. The more he read, the more delighted he became.
This was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's meditation method—its value was far from low.
Although Spirit Power meditation methods were fundamentally similar, some were continually improved and optimized based on the practitioner's Spirit Martial Soul characteristics and cultivation level. Accumulated over generations, they became extremely powerful, with much higher cultivation efficiency.
As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had a long history. Naturally, the meditation methods it accumulated were of high quality.
Although Yu Xiaogang was a waste, he was still Yu Yuanzhen's son and naturally had the qualifications to access such a meditation method.
"Even if it's not suitable for me, there are many techniques inside that I can use. Perfect—I can combine them with the Angel Spirit Power meditation method I cultivate."
After giving it a rough read-through, Tian Hao rated it very highly.
When he had offered the instinct-stimulation cultivation method, aside from receiving a Spirit Bone, Qian Xunji had also rewarded him with a set of meditation methods from the Angel Clan.
Although it wasn't the highest-tier method within the Angel Clan, it was still extremely advanced and very effective for cultivating spiritual power—perfectly suited to him.
Compared to that method, Yu Xiaogang's meditation method was clearly superior. It was evidently the top-tier method within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—possibly even a secret transmission of the sect master's lineage.