Ning Fengzhi Seeks a Deal, Xiao Wu's Death!

"Spirit Ring Stripper?"

"I never imagined the Myriad Worlds Mall would have something so heaven-defying!"

Dugu Bo's voice trembled uncontrollably, and a blazing light burst from his eyes.

He stared fixedly at the strangely shaped device in the mall, his withered fingers unconsciously tightening.

The immutable iron law of the soul master world was that once a spirit ring was attached, it could never be changed for life.

Countless geniuses had their lifetime achievements limited by the low-level spirit rings they absorbed in their early years.

Yet this device before him could actually break the laws of heaven and earth and defy fate itself!

Dugu Bo's heart surged with excitement.

With this item, why would he need to remain constrained by spirit ring age limits?

He could hunt Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts, then use this stripper to replace his own spirit rings one by one.

Given enough time, even a supreme configuration like Qian Daoliu's eight black and one red spirit rings would no longer be an impossible dream!

He suddenly turned his head.

His gaze shot like lightning toward the unconscious Xiao Wu, and a cold curve tugged at his lips.

"Good, very good... With this Spirit Ring Stripper, not only will the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone belong to me, but even this Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring won't go to waste in the slightest."

Dugu Bo swept his eyes over the price.

Five million Contribution Points!

Below it was a line of small print: This item may only be used nine times.

The corner of his eye twitched slightly before he revealed an understanding expression.

It was expensive, but compared to its heaven-defying effects, it was more than worth the price.

The nine-use limit instead seemed tailor-made for soul masters. It was just enough.

Without hesitation, Dugu Bo confirmed the exchange, and the method of using the stripper instantly became clear in his mind.

Dugu Bo slowly turned around. A faint green glow swirled in his palm as a wisp of Nine-Striped Serpent Emperor's Poison rose from it.

He looked at the unconscious Xiao Wu, and the last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanished completely.

"Rest in peace... I'll make sure you leave without any pain."

Immediately after,

Within the dark, icy cave, a vivid, dazzling red light flickered to life!

Deep within Sunset Forest, several figures darted swiftly through the woods.

Ning Fengzhi wore spotless white robes. Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong beside him looked grave, while the pressure of Titled Douluos kept the surrounding soul beasts from approaching.

Ning Rongrong, protected in their midst, was full of worry as she kept looking around.

"Father, Xiao Wu will really be alright, won't she?"

She could not help asking again, her voice trembling.

Ning Fengzhi's gaze shifted slightly as he pondered. "Since Dugu Bo is already a Titled Douluo, a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring is useless to him."

"The wisest course would be to trade the Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring for spirit bones he needs."

"If he killed her solely for a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, that would be far too wasteful."

His tone was calm, but an imperceptible meaning flickered through his eyes.

Ning Rongrong felt somewhat relieved, yet another layer of worry rose in her heart.

How could she fail to see that her father also coveted Xiao Wu's Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring and soul bone?

After all, even among Titled Douluos, only a very small number possessed Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Rings and soul bones.

Ning Rongrong silently made up her mind.

Once they brought Xiao Wu back, she would definitely beg her father and her two grandfathers.

They had always doted on her. Surely they would not have the heart to act against Xiao Wu.

Just as she was thinking, Chen Xin and Gu Rong abruptly stopped.

Several hundred meters ahead were completely shrouded in green poison mist. Its stench was pungent, and not even a blade of grass grew within it.

"It's Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison."

Gu Rong spoke in a deep voice. Soul Power surged around him, forming a shield that enveloped them all.

"It seems to be here. Stay close to me, and don't touch the poison mist around us."

They broke through layers of toxic miasma and finally stopped before a deep, secluded cave dwelling.

Ning Fengzhi stepped forward, lightly tapping the ground with his cane, his expression solemn.

"Your Excellency Dugu, Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has come uninvited. I have a matter of business I wish to discuss with Your Excellency. Might we meet?"

His voice echoed before the cave. After a brief silence, Dugu Bo's low chuckle came from within.

"So Sect Master Ning has honored me with his presence."

Before his words had faded,

A green figure had already flashed before them like a ghost.

Dugu Bo looked calm, his hands clasped behind his back. He smiled lightly. "To think Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo would both come personally. Such a grand display truly flatters this old man."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong's pupils contracted as they simultaneously stepped half a pace forward.

The two exchanged glances, each seeing surprise and suspicion in the other's eyes.

With their cultivation at levels ninety-five and ninety-six, they had nearly failed to catch Dugu Bo's movement!

Even more alarming, when this old poisoner drew near, a powerful sense of danger rose in both their hearts.

Dugu Bo was clearly only level ninety-two. Why did he make them so wary?

No,

Something was wrong!

The two suddenly realized that they could not sense any Soul Power fluctuations from Dugu Bo at all!

Either this old poisoner's cultivation had advanced greatly, or he had mastered some kind of secret technique.

Yet Dugu Bo ignored their vigilance and calmly looked at Ning Fengzhi. "Why has Sect Master Ning come today?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly. "Earlier, my daughter acted rashly and offended Your Excellency Dugu. Ning first offers his apologies to Your Excellency."

"It was a trivial matter. This old man would not stoop to holding a grudge against a junior."

Dugu Bo waved his hand, then added,

"Sect Master Ning, feel free to speak plainly."

Seeing that the time was right, Ning Fengzhi revealed his purpose. He slowly said,

"I heard that Your Excellency Dugu captured a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that underwent Humanoid Transformation. Ning wishes to purchase it at a high price. What does Your Excellency think?"

Dugu Bo seemed to have expected Ning Fengzhi's words, and he gave a light laugh.

"Could Sect Master Ning be joking?"

"You and I are both at the pinnacle of the continent. Naturally, we know what a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast represents."

"Its value can never be measured in money, can it?"

Ning Fengzhi stroked his cane with his fingertips and replied calmly,

"How could Ning not understand the value of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"

"But Your Excellency Dugu is already a nine-ring Titled Douluo. Even if you kill that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, you can only obtain its soul bone. Wouldn't wasting a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring be a terrible waste?"

"Moreover, Ning does not intend to trade using Gold Soul Coins alone. So long as Your Excellency Dugu sells this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to Ning,"

"Five hundred million Gold Soul Coins, plus six Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones. One of those soul bones is over fifty thousand years old."

"However, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can currently only produce three of them. We can issue a promissory note, or ask Emperor Xue Ye to act as guarantor. So long as it is an organization Your Excellency Dugu trusts, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to accept it."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was truly rich enough to rival a nation, but the astronomical price of five hundred million Gold Soul Coins would still make the sect bleed heavily.

After all, five hundred million Gold Soul Coins equaled several years of tax revenue for the two great empires.

Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones were equally precious. Whenever one appeared at an auction, it would stir up a storm across the continent.

A soul bone over fifty thousand years old was even rarer, with fewer than ten in the entire continent. This was already the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's foundation.

"Five hundred million Gold Soul Coins, six Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones..."

"Sect Master Ning truly is a businessman. Your sincerity is certainly sufficient..."

At Dugu Bo's words, a bright gleam flashed deep within Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

There was a chance!

But Dugu Bo suddenly changed the subject and slowly said,

"Unfortunately, Sect Master Ning, you came too late."

"That Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast has already been killed by this old man."