With the changes of the times, the purchasing power of gold soul coins had actually been constantly rising. For an ordinary family of three, a year's expenses amounted to no more than a dozen gold soul coins.
And yet this Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning, originating from a ten-thousand-year Thunder Beast, was worth ten million gold soul coins.
To know that ten million gold soul coins could arm a ten-thousand-strong heavy cavalry unit to the teeth—including their horses.
Soul bones—worthy of being one of the most expensive items on the continent. And this wasn't even a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. A hundred-thousand-year soul bone was literally priceless, something that would stir the covetousness of every Title Douluo. No auction house or merchant had ever dared display one. A shop like the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, daring to put up even a ten-thousand-year soul bone, was exceedingly rare. It showed they had the strength to protect such a treasure.
Generally, while soul bones were expensive, few exceeded three million gold soul coins.
That this Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning could be priced at ten million gold soul coins was entirely due to its exceptional quality. Within the world of soul beasts, the Thunder Beast's standing was comparable to that of the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. The difference lay in their specialties.
The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's greatest strengths were the terrifying attack power of its claws and its monstrous defense—truly offense and defense in one.
The Thunder Beast, however, specialized in terrifying explosive power and speed.
And the lightning attribute it commanded had virtually no natural enemies—meaning, almost nothing could restrain it directly. The power of lightning was immense. Aside from its high consumption, it was formidable from every angle.
If a Thunder Beast ever broke through to a hundred-thousand-year level, it would undoubtedly be a Beast King-level existence.
Not long ago in the Star Dou Forest, the soul bone Wu Ming obtained from that forty-five-thousand-year Earth King was already of excellent quality, yet compared to this Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning, it was still far inferior.
Soul rings emphasized years, while soul bones emphasized quality. That was the principle.
Ning Tian, who had been watching Xu Zihuang intently, noticed the change in his expression. Doubt rose in her heart at first, but then as though struck by a thought, her long lashes trembled, and a heated light appeared in the depths of her watery blue eyes.
A lightning-attribute soul bone? Could it be…?
When she had first decided to acknowledge Xu Zihuang, she had used her family's influence to investigate his background.
Though the information she obtained was not as detailed as what Elder Mu and Elder Xuan knew, one fact was certain—Yu Tianhuang was indeed of the Heavenly Dragon Gate master's line, a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan of ten thousand years ago.
She had always been trapped in one mental blind spot—why assume Yu Tianhuang had only one Martial Soul?
A first soul skill of thousand-year level—likely only a twin Martial Soul genius could achieve such a thing. Compared with ordinary soul masters, those with twin Martial Souls had two tremendous advantages: first, they could cultivate one Martial Soul to a certain stage, then return later to attach higher-level rings to the other; second, their physical bodies in the early stages were greatly strengthened by the dual Martial Souls, far beyond normal soul masters.
"Tianhuang, are you very interested in that soul bone?" Ning Tian asked softly, her luminous eyes reflected in Xu Zihuang's noble deep purple gaze.
Xu Zihuang quickly returned to calm, smiling as he shook his head.
"Just a little surprised. As expected of the continent's number one academy—even soul bones from soul beasts like the Thunder Beast can be found here."
Ning Tian also smiled and nodded, though in her heart her earlier suspicions only grew stronger. She had clearly seen desire flicker in his eyes just now.
But what she didn't know was that Xu Zihuang had feigned it on purpose.
From the beginning, he had known that the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's backer was Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion. From the moment he stepped inside, it was likely that a Sea God Pavilion Elder was observing him from the shadows.
And when he laid eyes on the Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning, the Skydream Iceworm had warned him that a top expert was indeed spying on him.
So naturally, he had shown a look of surprise and yearning.
After all, his assumed identity was only that of the illegitimate son of the Heavenly Dragon Gate master's eldest son.
And compared to the Fear Demon Dragon skull bone Du Weilun had given him, this Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning was far more valuable. If he didn't at least look tempted, it would seem suspicious.
Ning Tian's elegant smile deepened. From her Starry Sapphire storage ring, she drew out a crimson-gold card.
This card differed from ordinary denomination cards. On its face was the ornate engraving of a nine-tiered, multicolored treasure pagoda, crafted from nine rare metals of various hues.
"Tianhuang, I can tell that soul bone counts as a near-supreme treasure, second only to a hundred-thousand-year soul bone." Ning Tian spoke earnestly, pressing the card into Xu Zihuang's hand.
"If it suits you, you mustn't miss it."
Of course, the card itself did not represent ten million gold soul coins. Rather, it symbolized the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
This crimson-gold card equaled the Sect's credit itself. Using it as collateral, the sect would redeem it later.
In truth, the card had no spending limit. Only Ning Tian, as sole heir of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was qualified to hold it.
Xu Zihuang stared for a moment, running his finger lightly over the gleaming pagoda engraving. Meeting her gaze, he deliberately showed a hint of hesitation before politely refusing.
"I'll think about it. If I truly need it, I won't be shy."
In this way, he both wrapped up his earlier display and built an image of resolute character, unmoved by temptation.
In Ning Tian's eyes, however, it was confirmation that he could indeed absorb that lightning-attribute soul bone.
Xu Zihuang knew that with Ning Tian's identity and their closeness, even if she didn't dig into his background, her sect surely would. His words and that brief hesitation gave her room for imagination.
Sure enough, when he returned the crimson-gold card and their hands brushed, he clearly felt her trembling.
Her heart was anything but calm.
"Tianhuang, I really admire you this time. Do you know what that crimson-gold card in Junior Sister Ning's hand represents? To resist even a top-tier little rich girl's offer—worthy of the man I approve of."
A thick, slightly cheeky voice rang out nearby.
Xu Zihuang sighed inwardly, already knowing who it was without looking—none other than Xu Sanshi, the Black Tortoise soul master. At his side stood the refined and elegant Bei Bei.
With his arm slung over Bei Bei's shoulder, Xu Sanshi grinned at Xu Zihuang. Handsome though he was, his smile always looked roguish, almost begging for a beating.
Xu Zihuang led Ning Tian forward a few steps to greet them with a smile.
"Senior Brother Bei, Senior Brother Xu."
Ning Tian also nodded politely, though her expression was slightly unnatural.
Though she had already resolved to acknowledge Yu Tianhuang and felt strong affection for him, being teased so bluntly by Xu Sanshi still made her shy.
Xu Sanshi wrapped an arm around Xu Zihuang's neck, his face unusually serious.
"By the way, Tianhuang, I heard you killed a ten-thousand-year Man-Faced Demon Spider during your second-year advancement exam. You really hide deep, huh?"
At that, even Bei Bei's refined smile faded somewhat as he regarded Xu Zihuang seriously.
Yu Tianhuang's sudden rise in a single year wasn't surprising. But to kill a ten-thousand-year Man-Faced Demon Spider head-on—that meant his personal strength must surpass Bei Bei's own.
Back during the freshman exam, he had told Tang Ya he likely wasn't Yu Tianhuang's match. That had been without considering his trump card. But now, even if he drew upon the hidden power of his bloodline, he doubted he could defeat Yu Tianhuang.
Xu Zihuang only chuckled and deflected:
"It was just because the arena limited the field, so I gained some advantage. And with Dean Yan and Elder Gong watching over me, I could go all out."
Xu Sanshi let the matter drop. What he cared about more was how to win back Jiang Nannan's heart.
Seeing Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian's well-matched looks and easy intimacy, he couldn't help glancing toward another display.
There stood Jiang Nannan in her black sixth-grade uniform, her graceful figure outlined even more enticingly.
Xu Sanshi turned back with a pained expression, looking at Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian.
"Tianhuang, Junior Sister Ning, help me out here. How can I get Nannan to accept me?"
Before they could answer, Bei Bei rolled his eyes with a sigh.
"Though you're a lazy bum, I have to admit you're devoted. For Jiang Nannan, you even held yourself back a grade. If not for your status as a core disciple, the Academy would have expelled you."
Xu Sanshi grimaced.
"No choice! She's my first love. For her, I'll do anything."
Ning Tian felt a pang of envy at such devotion, and instinctively glanced at Xu Zihuang.
He only found it speechless. Xu Sanshi was a bootlicker of the lowest order.
As Xu Sanshi begged again, he finally turned to Bei Bei.
"Bei Bei, you're my bro. Teach me something. I've tried everything, but she won't give me the slightest chance."
Bei Bei frowned, curious.
"It is strange. In terms of looks, strength, and talent, you're above average among students. Finding someone better wouldn't be easy—aside from Tianhuang and me. So why won't she even talk to you? You must have done something before you enrolled."
"Uh…" Xu Sanshi's face reddened with embarrassment. "Can't say, won't say. I'll take a walk." He bolted.
Bei Bei shook his head helplessly, always curious what exactly had happened between those two.
"Tianhuang, Junior Sister Ning, you two go on ahead. I'll take a look around too." He departed as well.
Watching them leave, Ning Tian asked doubtfully:
"Tianhuang, do you think Senior Xu did something to wrong Senior Sister Jiang?"
"Perhaps Senior Brother Xu just doesn't walk the usual path," Xu Zihuang replied casually, then started walking.
"Let's look at other displays."
"Doesn't walk the usual path?" Ning Tian was puzzled, but followed quietly.
As they walked, the Skydream Iceworm's lazy voice rang again in Xu Zihuang's spiritual sea.
"Zihuang, that ten-thousand-year whale glue is at the third booth on the left. The Demon Whale it came from must have had at least thirty thousand years of cultivation. Once refined, it should soon completely unseal your fourth soul ring. Anyway, you and that little girl can wander around—your big bro's going to sleep."
Following its guidance, Xu Zihuang reached the third booth.
Displayed there was a black crystal. Dull and uneven, compared to the Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning, it looked worlds apart.
Its introduction read:
"Millennium Whale Glue. Whale glue is a special substance produced in the brains of whale-type soul beasts. It nourishes soul masters, strengthening the body and improving resilience of muscles, bones, and meridians. This piece was purchased by the Pavilion. The seller claimed it came from a millennium Demon Whale. Ordinarily, such glue is golden yellow and extremely valuable. Such a large piece could transform a soul master's body. Unfortunately, this one is black. Our judgment is that it has weathered over time, slightly degraded, but still usable—only of reduced quality."
Its price was low—only six thousand gold soul coins.
Xu Zihuang studied it briefly, then bought it outright.
Ten-thousand-year whale glue was extremely rare throughout history.
In his life, he had only consumed two complete pieces, both gained when two ten-thousand-year Evil Demon Killer Whales were slain.
Ning Tian was puzzled why he bought such a degraded millennium whale glue. Xu Zihuang calmly told her it was actually ten-thousand-year whale glue.
After purchasing it, he did not hurry to leave, but strolled further with Ning Tian, browsing other displays.
At the far west end of the hall stood the Pavilion's counter, over a hundred meters away. A golden glow shone from the lamp groove beneath, warm and textured.
An old woman with white hair and childlike face slowly appeared from behind the counter. Every attendant inside bowed respectfully.
She was Lin Huiqun, an Elder of the Sea God Pavilion second only to Elder Mu and Elder Xuan in cultivation and seniority.
She was also the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
Though the Pavilion was Shrek Academy's property, it was not under the Academy's administration. Only the Sea God Pavilion's council could command it. In daily affairs, she alone controlled everything.
Long ago, Yu Tianhuang had already prompted a Sea God Pavilion council meeting.
After learning of his true talent at that meeting, she had deliberately displayed this Right Leg Bone of the Source of Lightning at the treasure gathering for outer court core disciples.
A student capable of moving the Sea God Pavilion to convene deserved the Pavilion's highest treatment. Outwardly the Academy showed nothing, but naturally they hoped Yu Tianhuang would grow swiftly for their use. For talents of his level, Shrek Academy spared no resources.
What surprised Lin Huiqun was that Yu Tianhuang's disposition and character far exceeded expectations. He seemed nothing like a twelve-year-old boy.
To suppress greed even before such a near-supreme soul bone—only with such temperament could one go far. And Yu Tianhuang already had top-tier talent.
Watching Xu Zihuang from afar, Lin Huiqun smiled faintly.
"Indeed, an extraordinary little fellow."
The treasure gathering would last until midnight, but Xu Zihuang naturally would not stay that long. After a general look around, seeing nothing else of interest, he left with Ning Tian to return to Shrek Academy.
Notably, before leaving, when greeting Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi again, Xu Sanshi was still pestering Jiang Nannan endlessly.
Outside Shrek City, the wilderness was far from the noisy crowds, quiet and serene.
Walking side by side, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian chatted with smiles, their harmony perfect.
Under the starry sky, the scene was picturesque.
Yet one heart was still as calm as still water, while the other rippled with waves.
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