Absorbing the Spirit Bone

To help Di Hong improve his strength more effectively, Di Yuan specifically found a place with an extremely dense concentration of fire elements for him to cultivate. Within Silves Kingdom stood a Dead Volcano.

Although that volcano had not erupted for a long time, the fire elements it contained were no weaker in the slightest. There was also a mineral there known as Fire Essence Ore, but the kingdom had never mined it, because there was little use for it after extraction.

Fire Essence Ore was exceptionally rare and located deep within the volcano, making it impossible for ordinary people to mine. Moreover, it could not be mass-produced into weapons, so Di Yuan had not bothered to mine it.

Yet precisely because of the Fire Essence Ore, the volcano's fire elements were richer than those of ordinary volcanoes. It could be called an ideal cultivation ground for Fire Attribute Soul Masters, and Di Yuan directly placed it under royal ownership.

It was now a place exclusively for members of the royal family to cultivate.

After Di Hong awakened his Martial Soul, however, it became his personal cultivation ground.

That was the advantage of being born well. He did not need to worry about anything. While others were still struggling desperately, he was already enjoying resources that other Soul Masters could not obtain even in ten lifetimes.

Inside the volcano was a stone platform, where Di Hong sat cross-legged in the center and cultivated.

From above, he looked like a massive Vermilion Bird lying there, as the dense fire elements within the flames surged toward him like a tide.

After a long while, Di Hong slowly opened his eyes, and the rippling crimson soul power around him returned to his body.

The interior of the volcano was extremely scorching. Ordinary people and Soul Masters alike would not be able to withstand such blistering heat, yet to him, it was as precious as a treasure.

Because he needed to cultivate here, Di Hong basically no longer lived in the Royal Palace. Instead, he stayed on the outskirts of the volcano.

There was a small courtyard that belonged solely to him. Though this was a volcano, the surrounding area was shaded by lush trees and filled with all kinds of plants. Without getting close, one would never be able to tell that this was actually a volcano.

The courtyard was not large, nor was it elaborate. Compared to the luxurious solemnity of the Royal Palace, this place had a simple, natural feeling. Though living here kept one away from the bustle of the world, it brought a sense of tranquility, leaving far fewer worries in life.

For someone like him, who had no pressure to bear, this was undoubtedly a fine place.

He liked it here as well.

After taking out a book on herbs from the study, he lay on a reclining chair beneath a tree in the courtyard and began reading.

There were many immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but only a few whose effects he knew. He knew the effects of only some Immortal Grade Herbs and knew nothing about the rest, so he had constantly been collecting books on herbs. He had basically moved all the relevant books from the royal collection here, and he had also asked his father, Di Yuan, to collect more for him.

Though puzzled, Di Yuan still collected many books and sent them over.

There was no need to worry about Di Hong's safety here. At the outermost perimeter, Di Yuan had stationed ten thousand soldiers, led by Di Hong's uncle, Shen Yi, the First General of the Kingdom and a level seventy-seven Soul Saint.

Apart from the army, there were also dozens of Soul Masters. Unless a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse came, no one could break through the outer troops and Soul Masters. Yet there were only two Soul Douluos in the entire kingdom: Di Yuan and Di Hong's second uncle, Di Qing.

Those nobles could not possibly hire a Soul Douluo from elsewhere specifically to kill him. Besides, his relationship with the Imperial Crown Prince was anything but ordinary.

While he was learning about herbs, Di Yuan arrived.

"Father King." Di Hong put down his book, rose to his feet, and bowed.

Di Yuan smiled and nodded, then his gaze fell upon the book.

"Do not spend all your time reading these books. You are a Soul Master; cultivating your soul power is what matters most."

"Could it be that you want to become a physician?"

Di Hong did not explain much. He could hardly say that he was learning these things for the sake of Immortal Grade Herbs. Some things could not be made clear merely through explanation.

"Did Father King come for something?"

Di Yuan took a red case out of his Soul Tool.

When the case opened, red light flickered from within. At the same time, it emitted a powerful energy aura and an overwhelming presence.

"A spirit bone." Upon seeing the object inside, Di Hong was briefly stunned, but he quickly reacted. This spirit bone was the 60,000-Year Left Leg Spirit Bone that had been passed down through his family.

Looking at the crimson spirit bone, Di Hong was somewhat astonished.

"Father King, you are giving me this spirit bone now?"

He was not even seven years old yet. In his view, absorbing a spirit bone at this time was somewhat too early.

This 60,000-Year Inherited Spirit Bone was exceptionally complete and of excellent quality, containing an enormous amount of energy.

Di Yuan said, "After your Martial Soul Awakening, this spirit bone became yours."

"Whether you absorb it early or late, you will have to absorb it eventually."

"This spirit bone was left behind by the first ancestor of our Di Family, who was also the only Titled Douluo in our history. It came from a 60,000-Year Fire Leopard, and its quality is quite good."

"Absorb it."

"Leaving it there would only be a waste."

In the current Di Family, aside from Di Hong, there was no second genius. Letting the others absorb this spirit bone would be a complete waste.

"The future of the Di Family still depends on you." Di Yuan patted Di Hong on the shoulder. He had now placed all his hopes on Di Hong.

"Yes, Father King." Di Hong nodded solemnly, then took the case and turned to return to his room.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Di Hong looked at the spirit bone in his hand. After taking a deep breath, he placed it on his left leg, closed his eyes, and began absorbing it.

Crimson energy coiled around his left leg. He could clearly feel the searing heat as berserk fire energy entered his body. He slowly circulated his soul power, suppressing that berserk energy. His Soul Power Level was not high at present, so he had to circulate all his soul power with full force to suppress the berserk energy flooding into his body.

However, that berserk energy also brought him some benefits. Under the impact of the energy, some of the meridians in his body were directly opened, making the circulation of his soul power smoother.

After absorbing the spirit bone, his Soul Power Level directly rose by four levels. It had now reached level twenty-eight. In less than a year, from the time he finished absorbing his Spirit Ring until now, his Soul Power Level had risen another six levels.

Feeling the warmth in his left leg, he had now completely absorbed this spirit bone.

He could confidently say that among Soul Masters of the same level, he no longer had an opponent.

Walking out of the room, Di Yuan, who had been waiting outside, sensed the increase in his Soul Power Level and nodded in satisfaction.

"This innate twentieth-level Soul Power Level really is different. Other people might only improve by one or two levels after a year of hard work—sometimes just one—while you effortlessly gained six levels."

He felt that Di Hong leveled up as easily as drinking water. It probably would not take many years before he completely surpassed him.

Di Yuan found this deeply gratifying. Naturally, the stronger his son was, the better.

"Cultivate well. Father King will head back first."

There were still many matters within the Kingdom that required his attention. He could not come every day, and the volcano was quite far from Silvis City.