Soul Bone

Under the First Soul Dark Canopy's concealing embrace, Wang Jinxi shielded the girl, his steps retracing a protective path from memory. A discerning gaze from Xie Xie revealed the young man's special care for the girl with blue hair, making her the prime target.

Blinded temporarily, the young man maintained composure, relying on soul power fluctuations to divine Xie Xie's intentions. A second soul ring gleamed, conjuring a blue light that manifested into a shield enveloping them.

Tang Wulin's hammer and Xie Xie's dagger met the shield simultaneously, a silent collision rippling through the barrier. "Brother, I can't see anymore, what should I do?" cried the little girl.

Comforting her, the young man assured, "Don't worry; it'll pass." He scooped her up, strategically retreating beyond Wang Jinxi's soul skill range. Marveling at their coordinated efforts, Xie Xie sensed impending energy surges above.

Anping's ice prison and Gu Yuena's elemental prowess melded, creating an impervious cage. As the ice prison brimmed with frigid air and elemental fluctuations, the young man, realizing the inevitable, signaled a swift escape for the girl and himself.

A thunderous explosion echoed, casting brilliant light and shadows. The ice prison shielded them from harm, leaving only a deep pit upon its dissipation. Onlookers, including Xie Xie, stared in awe at Anping and Gu Yuena, petrified by the resilience of their skills.

Amidst the shock, a singular realization permeated their thoughts – the strength displayed during training paled in comparison to these two. Xie Xie, usually one for banter, felt a sudden chill. Bowing solemnly, he pledged, "Brother and eldest sister, I'll never err again. It was all in good fun; adults, please don't hold it against me."

Gu Yuena dismissed the jests with a nonchalant shake of her head, and Anping, equally unfazed, gestured for Anping to join him near the lingering spiritual power halo. "Alright, let's swiftly absorb this energy; it should propel us to our current upper limits."

Tang Wulin, quick to endorse the idea, urged, "Yes, absorb it quickly."

The ethereal residue of spiritual power surged towards the approaching group, with Anping and Gu Yuena at the forefront, followed by the rest. They scattered across the Soul Ascension Platform, avoiding both soul beasts and fellow soul masters as they harnessed the potent energy.

Yet, the spiritual power's allure extended beyond soul masters; it beckoned soul beasts as well. Despite some attempting to find seclusion, many soul beasts, drawn irresistibly, converged upon them.

Wang Jinxi, the first to reach his absorption threshold, exited the platform, leaving behind a radiating halo for others to claim. Subsequently, Zhang Yangzi and Xie Xie followed suit, and Tang Wulin soon joined their ranks.

Outside the platform, they congregated around Wu Zhangkong and the Spirit Master, gazing at the screen, anticipation building for Anping and Gu Yuena's return. Time trickled by, prompting Tang Wulin's curiosity. Despite his formidable mental power, his physical prowess surpassed that of Anping and Gu Yuena. Perplexed, he pondered the significant gap in their spiritual power absorption.

Wu Zhangkong, too, expected the duo to withdraw, assuming they'd either encounter formidable soul beasts or reach their absorption limits. Astonishingly, the two persisted. He recognized a deeper well of talent in them and considered recruiting them into the Tang Sect.

Within the Soul Ascension Platform's forest, Anping and Gu Yuena strolled. Anping, glancing at Gu Yuena, remarked, "There's a potent soul beast nearby, but its condition is peculiar—unlike others. It seems physical yet somewhat aberrant."

Intrigued, Gu Yuena responded, "Aberrant? I'd like to take a look."

"Alright, this way; let's investigate." Anping nodded, adding an aura mask to conceal them as they cautiously approached the enigmatic soul beast.

Beyond a towering thicket, a colossal bear with dark golden fur lounged against a boulder, leisurely scratching its massive frame. Anping, peering through the foliage, identified it as a Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear, estimating its towering height at three meters. The mammoth creature sporadically tended to its fur with enormous paws.

"A Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear with a soul bone?" Anping mumbled under his breath, grasping the paradoxical sensation. It emanated from the Dark Gold Fearclaw's soul bone.

Gu Yuena inquired, "Soul bone?"

Anping nodded subtly, "In my perception, its soul is fused with a bone imbued with the essence of life. That bone should be the soul bone."

"Soul bone? Do you desire it?" Anping sensed an unusual tone in Gu Yuena's voice.

Shaking her head, she questioned, "Huh? It holds no value for me. Why do you ask?"

Assuming Gu Yuena wouldn't decline, Anping was taken aback when he looked at her earnestly. "I hope you can obtain it," she said seriously.

Outside, those monitoring the screen observed the appearance of the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear and collectively exclaimed, "Thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!"

The legendary king of soul beasts, a formidable enemy rivaling even giant dragons, captured their breath. Praying Anping and Gu Yuena would go unnoticed, the onlookers were stunned. Icicles spiraled up around the beast, shaping an ice prison that enclosed the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear.

Xie Xie couldn't contain his astonishment. "What are they planning?"

Others mirrored his shock, perplexed by the audacity to challenge such a soul beast king. Even Wu Zhangkong, who least expected such a daring move from Anping and Gu Yuena, observed in disbelief.

A thunderous roar echoed as the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear shattered the ice prison, dark golden light emanating from its colossal form. Massive claws cleaved through the remnants of ice, and with an intimidating roar, the beast charged toward Anping and Gu Yuena. Before its claws made contact, dark golden light and shadows swirled through the air around them, yet the shadows passed through their bodies.

A skilled technique, the staggered light and shadow, manipulated vision through light elements. In the moment the bear broke free, Anping executed this technique. Despite the soul beast's high intelligence, it found itself disoriented, swiping its claws aimlessly in the air. Anping's invisible ripples disrupted its steps, causing chaos in its surroundings.

The fear spell followed—a spiritual incantation tapping into the deepest fears of a creature's soul. While the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear, a soul entity with a core of soul bones and an energy-formed body, might not be as directly affected as by soul attribute spells, the mental onslaught proved effective against its soul construct.

Blessedly, Anping and Gu Yuena predominantly employed long-range attacks, sparing them a direct confrontation with the enraged bear.

As the duo unleashed a barrage of attacks, the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear, wounded but resilient, bellowed in anger. Breaking free from the fear spell, it charged once more. Anping, surprised by the bear's swift recovery, shouted to Gu Yuena, "Five seconds!"

Responding to Anping's call, Gu Yuena summoned various elemental forces, crafting ice cone fireballs to divert the beast's attention. Walls of ice and earth hindered its movements, while twinkling lights flickered among the trees. Despite the smaller scale of their skills, the soul power expenditure was substantial.

"Control it!" Anping commanded as they braced for the ensuing clash with the formidable Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear.

Upon hearing Anping's command, Gu Yuena halted her blinks and focused on the impending arrival of the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear. The persistent ice-blue glow enveloping her intensified as she traced patterns in the air, conjuring waves of ice element fluctuations. Icicles surged, erect and tilted, confining the colossal soul beast.

In an instant, the immense power of the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear cracked the icicles, a series of Kacha Kacha sounds filling the air. Just as it was on the brink of shattering the icy prison, Anping's spell, draining most of his magical power, finally materialized.

Almost transparent chains materialized out of thin air, piercing through the body of the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear. Although their form resembled chains, they held the creature in place like a formidable spear. Roaring in futile rage, the soul beast struggled in vain against the unyielding restraints. Gu Yuena, nearing exhaustion of her soul power, breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against a tree, while Anping rushed to her aid, guiding her away from the restrained bear.

"Why don't we finish it off?" questioned Gu Yuena, her eyes questioning Anping's decision.

Shaking his head, Anping replied, "It's done."

With those words, he triggered the transparent chains that ensnared the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear. Accompanied by spatial fluctuations, the chains shattered into fragments, and the bear's body crumbled in tandem.

No spiritual power leaked from the broken body, dissipating into minuscule dark golden lights. A bone, aglow with the same dark golden light, fell to the ground with a snap – the soul bone of the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear.

Approaching the fallen soul bone, Gu Yuena briefly displayed an imperceptible trace of sadness in her eyes before passing it to Anping.

Witnessing this spectacle, the onlookers were engulfed in shock. Had the legendary king of soul beasts of this Spirit Ascension Plateform, the Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear, met its end so effortlessly?

Amidst the bewildered silence, Tang Wulin voiced the collective query, "What was that last thing that fell? Why haven't we seen it before when we defeated the soul beast?"

Wu Zhangkong turned to the spiritual master with a questioning look and asked, "Soul bone?" His inquiry held a note of certainty.

The spiritual master nodded, confirming, "Indeed, it is a soul bone."

Tang Wulin, perplexed, directed his doubt toward the spiritual master. "Is this really a soul bone? Doesn't that imply the Spirit Ascension Platform is an illusion? How could there be soul bones?"

Others joined Tang Wulin in turning their attention to the spiritual master, eager for an explanation.

Shaking his head, the spiritual master clarified, "The Spirit Ascension Platform is not entirely virtual; otherwise, absorbing spiritual power wouldn't be possible. The appearance of the soul bone indicates that the being they just defeated was the guardian of the primary Spirit Ascension Platform. Guardians are crafted with soul bones of powerful soul beasts as their core. They usually possess significant strength, but I didn't anticipate they would succeed."

He addressed Wu Zhangkong, adding, "Teacher Wu, I hope they consider joining the Spirit Pagoda. Additionally, we will document and report this incident."

Wu Zhangkong maintained his calm demeanor. "I reiterate, I am only their teacher and lack the authority to decide for them. If they choose to join the Spirit Pagoda, I won't interfere."

Observing Anping taking possession of the soul bone, Gu Yuena encouraged, "Absorb it quickly."

Anping nodded, assuming a cross-legged position, placing his right hand on the soul bone, and channeling soul power to envelop it. As the soul power fused into the soul bone, a dark golden light emanated, connecting with Anping's palm.

Suddenly, the sky of truth materialized before him, and an unusual ripple disrupted the link between soul bone and soul power. Anping's thoughts raced – was absorption impossible?

Within the consciousness space, he deftly manipulated the connection between soul and body, utilizing a trace of mental power and space elements. This established a link with the storage soul guide, storing the soul bone into the storage space.

Feeling Anping's subtle actions, Gu Yuena inquired, "What's wrong?"

Shaking his head, Anping responded, "We'll discuss it later. Let's depart first."

They pressed the rescue button, exiting the spiritual ascension platform. Emerging from the apparatus, they were met with curious gazes – some tinged with envy, others with admiration.

The spiritual master addressed the pair, "Though you didn't violate any rules by defeating the guardian beast, both of you need to accompany me to make a record."

He glanced at Wu Zhangkong, reassuring, "No issues, Teacher Wu right?."

Wu Zhangkong remained silent, nodding in acknowledgment.