Chapter 92: Obtaining the Soul Bone and a Talk with Dugu Bo
Under the watchful eyes of the group, the Soul Master nearing the Soul Ancestor level sat down and began absorbing the soul ring. His absorption process went smoothly after all, the Man Faced Demon Spider was only a little over two thousand years old.
In just over an hour, he had successfully absorbed it. He was about to stand up and ask Han Li if his previous promise still held when his body suddenly stiffened, and a muffled groan escaped his lips.
The next instant, his back bulged unnaturally, and his clothes were violently torn apart as eight thick, purple black spider legs erupted from his back, twitching erratically.
As expected.
Those who had either anticipated this or already suspected it all had the same thought at the same time.
The newly advanced Soul Ancestor, still in a daze from absorbing the ring, rolled his eyes back and collapsed unconscious. The remaining captive beside him also fainted on the spot.
"...What just happened?"
Dugu Yan turned her head in confusion, her clear yet somewhat clueless voice echoing in the clearing. Even now, she was completely lost.
"Yan , it's obvious it's time for us to reap the rewards. Look, an external soul bone."
Han Li pointed at the unconscious Soul Ancestor and the eight twitching spider legs still protruding from his back, grinning.
"The legendary external soul bone? That thing is an external soul bone?"
Dugu Yan finally recalled a long buried memory one of the greatest treasures in the soul master world, ranked alongside hundred thousand year soul rings and regular soul bones.
"Yep."
"Alright, Senior, I'll leave it to you. The legs are still venomous, so neither my master nor I should touch them."
Han Li casually turned to Dugu Bo.
"Leave it to me. I never thought I'd get to personally handle an external soul bone in my lifetime. Tsk, what luck."
Clicking his tongue in amazement, Dugu Bo strode over to the unconscious Soul Ancestor.
What followed was a truly gruesome scene.
Dugu Bo, right in front of everyone, ripped the spider legs from the man's back with brute force. The pain jolted him awake several times, only for him to immediately pass out again from sheer agony.
By the time it was done, his torso was barely recognizable his chest cavity had caved inward, and his bones were shattered beyond repair.
For good measure, Dugu Bo delivered a soul power infused slap to both captives, making sure they would never wake up again. Han Li's Fire Bullet Technique wasn't even necessary.
Of course, both Han Li's earlier execution and Dugu Bo's cleanup were approved by Guang Ling beforehand.
Han Li had originally considered sending them back to Martial Soul Hall, but as Guang Ling pointed out, these three were already recorded as dead in official records. Since dead men had no reason to reappear, it was best to ensure the records became reality.
After putting out the remaining flames, Han Li even dug a small grave for the Man Faced Demon Spider giving it a final resting place before heading back to camp with the others.
As expected, the previous camp was still in usable condition.
After a quick cleanup, the group gathered around a burning fire.
Dugu Bo placed the extracted soul bone in the center for everyone to examine.
Now the size of a forearm, the soul bone gleamed a deep purple blue under the firelight, still stained with traces of blood. It looked menacing.
"So, this was the girl's 'opportunity' all along?"
After staring at it for a while, Guang Ling finally spoke, making his stance on the soul bone clear.
Dugu Bo remained silent, instead shifting his gaze toward Han Li.
As much as he wanted this for his granddaughter, he knew full well that without Han Li's prior arrangements, this treasure would have never landed in their hands.
This was an external soul bone.
Considering the debt he already owed Han Li, Dugu Bo couldn't bring himself to ask for it outright.
"Han Li, you should absorb it quickly. An external soul bone is rare beyond measure it'll be a massive help to you."
Dugu Yan turned to Han Li, her expression serious.
She had known about Han Li's "prediction" of a great harvest during this hunt, but she never expected that harvest to be an external soul bone.
Even though Han Li had repeatedly claimed this treasure was meant for her, she felt uneasy.
Something this valuable could she even accept it?
"What are you saying, Yan ? Of course, you're the one who should absorb this. I already told you it's your opportunity."
Han Li raised a hand, cutting off whatever argument she was about to make, and revealed his own two existing soul bones.
"First of all, I don't need another external soul bone. Second, I don't mess with poison. Just looking at this, you can tell it's toxin based giving it to me would be a waste.
"And finally, come on an external soul bone? My back is already reserved for the Blue Shadow God Eagle's wings. Spider legs wouldn't suit me at all."
After listening to his reasoning, the three others couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement, frustration, and… envy.
This kid hadn't even encountered the Blue Shadow God Eagle yet, and he was already planning to take its wings as his future external soul bone?
But considering everything that had happened recently the immortal herbs, the martial soul evolutions, the existing soul bones, and now this external soul bone none of them could argue.
"Alright, Yan . Let Senior guard you while you absorb the soul bone.
"As for me, I'm exhausted. I'm turning in early. We still need to track down the Blue Shadow God Eagle and the Fire Scale Snake tomorrow."
Not wanting to drag this out, Han Li decisively sleep dodged the situation making it clear this was his final word on the matter.
As the fire flickered, the three remaining members glanced at Han Li, who had already laid down with his back to them.
They exchanged silent looks and instinctively moved with quieter gestures.
The Next Morning
The sky was still dark when Han Li was awakened by hunger.
Skipping dinner last night had finally caught up to him.
Sitting up, he spotted Dugu Bo still keeping watch by the fire and walked over.
"Regretting it yet? Yan yan finished absorbing the soul bone it worked out well for her."
Dugu Bo turned toward the sleeping figures of Dugu Yan and Guang Ling, then pulled out a food container from his storage pouch and handed it to Han Li.
They had set aside food for him the night before, but when he never woke up, they had no choice but to store it away.
Taking the box, Han Li quickly opened it, inhaling the aroma before shoving food into his mouth.
"Regret? What for? I already said that external soul bone was always meant for Yan .
"As for you and Master if I had access to more high year soul bones, I'd stuff you both full."
"Alright, then I'll be waiting for the day you 'stuff' us full."
Dugu Bo chuckled.
Then, watching Han Li eat, he let out a sigh.
"That was an external soul bone, you know. Trickin' my granddaughter into taking it feels like a bit of a loss."
Han Li almost choked on his food.
"So… you're saying Yan is less valuable than a soul bone?"
After downing some water to clear his throat, Han Li shot Dugu Bo an amused glance.
"Brat, you and that foul mouth of yours I didn't mean it like that!
"But I have figured something out you're dead set on tying my granddaughter and me to you for life.
"Fine. I won't say anything else.
"But Yan yan? She really won't be able to escape from you now.
"And knowing how things are going, I'll probably end up giving my life for you one day."
"You don't have to worry about that.
"Give me ten years. You won't even be able to beat me by then."
Han Li took another spoonful of soup and replied seriously.
Dugu Bo grunted in acknowledgment but said nothing more, staring into the fire.
As Han Li finished eating and stood up to leave, Dugu Bo finally spoke again.
"When Yan yan gets to Martial Soul City, look after her. Treat her well."
Han Li paused for a moment, then waved a hand behind him.
"Don't worry. I never mistreat my own people."
With that, he walked out of the camp.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/cortez10