Dugu Feng let out a sigh of relief—there were no compatibility issues.
Before a Soul Bone could form, a Soul Master and Spirit Beast needed to be highly compatible to stimulate the hunted beast into producing one.
But once it manifested, it became pure energy.
Any Soul Master could absorb it.
Dugu Feng felt the lower half of his spine continuously strengthening.
Then came the pain.
A bulge formed near his tailbone.
A familiar sensation surged through him again—a fox tail burst out from his body.
Dugu Feng quickly used his spiritual sense to observe.
The fiery red fox tail grew longer, though the process was somewhat slow.
The Core Pearl inside his body circulated once, and he accelerated the absorption rate.
Hu Liena's body trembled violently, her face turning deathly pale.
In contrast, the fox tail behind Dugu Feng gradually grew to three meters in length.
After a while longer, the fox tail energy within Hu Liena was completely drained.
Dugu Feng smiled in satisfaction.
Another External Soul Bone acquired.
Scorpion Pincers, Eight Spider Lances, and now a fox tail.
If he used all three at once, he'd practically turn into some kind of scorpion—a bit ugly.
But so what if it was ugly? As long as his strength increased!
With three External Soul Bones fused to his body, he couldn't even imagine how much his physical resilience would improve.
"Old Scorpion, let's get ready to leave. We'll leave Hu Liena for Bibi Dong—let her keep wreaking havoc in Spirit Hall!"
Dugu Feng had no intention of killing Hu Liena.
She was Spirit Hall's most glaring weakness.
After a moment of thought, the Core Pearl inside him gradually shrank before transforming into a stream of energy that flowed through his Spider Leg into Hu Liena's body.
By controlling Hu Liena, the gains he could extract from Spirit Hall in the future would only grow.
He retracted his External Soul Bones and also drew out all the toxins from Hu Liena's body.
Without the poison, the weakened Hu Liena would wake up after some time.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Old Scorpion didn't fully grasp Dugu Feng's reasoning—how could leaving Hu Liena alive be a way to ruin Spirit Hall?
But he could sense a strong hint of mischief in his young master's tone.
He didn't dwell on it. Their objective had been achieved—it was indeed time to leave.
Their retreat method was the same as before.
Using Hu Liena as a distraction.
The two left Hu Liena where she was. Once she woke up and her aura gradually recovered, Chrysanthemum Douluo—who was still burrowing deeper underground—would definitely find her.
By then, the two of them would already be far away.
Even if Chrysanthemum Douluo sensed them moving away, his priority would be rescuing Hu Liena first.
At their current depth underground, even Old Scorpion couldn't use earth escape.
Their only option was to dig.
Fortunately, both Old Scorpion and Dugu Feng were experts at tunneling.
With all three External Soul Bones in use—
Scorpion Pincers, Eight Spider Lances, and the wolf-tooth-club-like fox tail—
They sliced through the earth like tofu, advancing rapidly.
Old Scorpion directly activated his Martial Soul Avatar, transforming into a giant scorpion.
Equally skilled at digging.
In mere moments, the two had traveled over ten li, leaving the territory of the Three-Eyed Magic Fox behind.
At this point, they immediately surged upward.
Once they reached a depth where earth escape was possible, Old Scorpion's Spirit Ring flashed, and he vanished with Dugu Feng in an instant.
Deep within the earth, Chrysanthemum Douluo—still descending—instantly sensed the two auras.
Still underground, but at a depth now perceptible to him.
"Finally couldn't hold back anymore!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo snorted coldly and was about to give chase when he sensed Hu Liena beneath the territory of the Three-Eyed Magic Fox.
Old Scorpion and Dugu Feng had timed this perfectly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo froze momentarily, his expression shifting uncertainly.
Should he pursue the enemy or rescue Hu Liena first?
In the end, Chrysanthemum Douluo chose to save Hu Liena.
The first time Hu Liena was abducted, it was due to his carelessness.
Now that he'd sensed her presence, he had to rescue her immediately.
The enemy must have some purpose in kidnapping Hu Liena.
What had she endured during this time?
Was she severely injured and near death? Or had she been violated?
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes darkened as inappropriate images flashed through his mind, his inner drama quite vivid.
The petals surrounding his body continuously shed leaves.
These leaves spun rapidly, drilling downward like augers, leaving behind a hole less than one meter in diameter.
Chrysanthemum Douluo followed this petal-carved tunnel straight toward Hu Liena.
With overwhelming Soul Power, he burrowed relentlessly through the earth.
Wherever he passed, the less-than-meter-wide hole seemed to melt away.
Chrysanthemum Douluo seethed inwardly—who could this be?
When had such a figure appeared on the continent?
Daring to tweak the tiger's whiskers right before him?
Moments later, a surge of Soul Power rippled across the ground as Chrysanthemum Douluo emerged with Hu Liena.
No sooner had they appeared,
than a white light fell upon Hu Liena's body.
Among the five accompanying Soul Saints was a healing Soul Master who, seeing Hu Liena's pale complexion, immediately recognized her injuries.
This healing Soul Saint's Martial Soul was a Healing Scepter, unparalleled in restoring Soul Power and treating internal or external injuries, and now devoted all efforts to treating Hu Liena.
Chrysanthemum Douluo placed Hu Liena inside a tent.
She was already regaining consciousness.
Her memories gradually returned, and her pupils regained focus.
As a woman, having been abducted, her first concern upon waking was naturally her body.
A quick assessment brought immediate relief.
Her undergarments remained undisturbed—she hadn't been violated.
Otherwise, Hu Liena wouldn't know how she could continue living.
Not just her, but Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yan, and Xie Yue all sighed in relief.
Hu Liena showed no signs of having suffered abuse.
Then what had happened during her captivity?
"Nana, how do you feel?" Yan asked with concern.
Hu Liena checked her Soul Power and found it unchanged.
Still at level fifty-one.
Her Spirit Rings were normal too.
"Completely drained..."
Hu Liena felt puzzled.
Aside from weakness, nothing seemed amiss—what had actually happened?
But then a realization struck her.
She immediately focused on her spinal column, and her eyes widened in horror.
Chrysanthemum Douluo seemed to realize it too. Placing his right hand on Hu Liena's shoulder, he carefully probed.
"They took the External Soul Bone!"
Cold light flashed in Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes.
This was nearly the worst possible outcome.
That was an External Soul Bone.
He could already foresee the certain punishment awaiting him from the Pope upon returning to Spirit City.
Hu Liena's gaze lost focus again.
The agony of having something precious taken after obtaining it filled her heart. Whether illusion or not, she felt an excruciating tearing pain continuously assaulting her back.
But none of this pain could compare to the agony in her heart.
She recalled how she had quickly lost consciousness after being abducted, sinking into endless darkness.
She felt that when her External Soul Bone was taken, there were people talking around her—more than one person.
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