External Soul Bone Evolution! Xiao Wu Exposed?

Seeing Tang San fall into thought, Tang Lan chuckled.

Still got you stumped?

Take your time thinking about it.

He watched Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong for a while. Their progress was fairly steady.

Tang Lan headed over to Flender.

"Dean, I'm going into the city to buy some materials."

"Go ahead." Flender readily said, "When you have time, come find me. I have something to discuss with you."

"Got it!"

Tang Lan headed straight for Suotuo City.

He bought quite a few Rare Metals, gemstones, carving knives, and other supplies.

Naturally, they were for making Soul Tools.

Originally, he had thought

that at most, he would first make a Blue Silver Grass Signal Conversion Soul Tool.

After all, the core of a Storage Soul Tool required a gemstone called an "Empty Crystal," which had to be inscribed with a Space Array to be made.

But unexpectedly,

because Douluo Continent had lost the techniques for making Soul Tools, precious Empty Crystals were treated as "sapphires" and fashioned into all kinds of jewelry.

They were expensive too. Even the smallest ones cost several hundred Gold Soul Coins.

But compared to the convenience of a Storage Soul Tool, that was nothing worth mentioning.

As for the price?

Tang Lan did not care.

The Tang Sect only needed firearms as its cornerstone product.

Only he could make Storage Soul Tools for now, and he did not have time to spend on them.

He directly checked into the Rose Hotel.

He found a Waiter, gave him 1 Gold Soul Coin, and sent him to Shrek with a message.

He would not be going back for the next two days.

He was going to prepare a tiny little surprise for Ning Fengzhi!

Three days passed quickly.

Early in the morning,

Tang Lan returned to the dormitory, looking travel-worn.

After taking a shower, he opened the door.

He found Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing waiting outside.

"Brother!"

Xiao Wu pounced on him, her long legs wrapping around Tang Lan's waist.

"I missed you, Brother~"

Tang Lan rubbed her Rabbit Ear and looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Can you use Lingbo Microstep in Actual Combat now?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"And Rongrong's progress?" Tang Lan asked again.

Zhu Zhuqing was about to answer.

"Definitely slower than Zhu Qing's." Ning Rongrong's voice came from nearby. "After all, I'm a Support Soul Master."

Tang Lan nodded in understanding.

"If the deal with Sect Leader Ning goes smoothly this time, Rongrong can choose another cultivation technique to learn."

As for Zhu Zhuqing, he did not mention her.

A sect was not a school. It would not teach whatever someone wanted to learn.

There had to be "contributions."

"Really?" Ning Rongrong excitedly asked. "Then, that one of yours that makes Soul Power burn hot—"

"You can't learn it." Tang Lan shook his head.

"What? You said I could choose whatever I wanted!" Ning Rongrong's face fell.

Tang Lan laughed as well.

—For a woman to cultivate the Nine Yang Divine Skill, she really had guts.

He patted Xiao Wu's waist, signaling for her to explain it to Ning Rongrong.

Then he headed toward Tang San's dormitory.

The sound of hammering continued from that direction. Tang San was presumably still hard at work.

Knock, knock, knock—

"Little Sanzi, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"

The room fell quiet for several seconds.

The host made Tang San obsessively forge, slowing his cultivation progress. Seized a trace amount of Tang San's Luck!

Reward: "External Soul Bone · Double Pupils duration +100"!

Not bad, not bad.

It seemed Tang San had diligently completed the task he had assigned over the last three days.

"Brother, come in."

Tang Lan pushed open the door and looked around.

A cloth covered the workbench in the corner. Judging from its outline, Tang San was assembling hidden weapons.

Now he knew what Tang San had been doing during those few seconds.

Tang San looked somewhat uneasy.

He changed the subject—

"Brother, I finished the Bullet anti-theft mechanism."

He picked up a Bullet from nearby and handed it over.

"I used a Mortise and Tenon Structure to lock the connection point."

"It can still use the Primer to ignite the Gunpowder and fire normally."

"But if someone tries to dismantle it or damage the Cartridge Case, it will directly ignite the charge."

"That way, even if they obtain the Cartridge Case, they will have no way to figure out the Propellant Formula."

Oh?

Tang San had actually come up with a solution?

"Then is the manufacturing process difficult?" Tang Lan asked.

"It's even simpler." Tang San proudly said, "I chose Mold Pressing. The Bullet can be pressed out in one piece. As long as the assembly side does not leak secrets, there won't be any problem."

Tsk!

Tang San really was suited to be a "Technical Director"!

As for cultivation?

As his older brother, Tang Lan would work twice as hard in his place.

"Have you developed the Gatling Gun?" Tang Lan asked.

"Of course!"

Tang San's face lit up as he ran over to the workbench.

He hauled over a Six-Barrel Machine Gun.

"Brother! This big guy is insanely fierce!" Purple light flashed in Tang San's eyes. "Its power may not match Rainstorm, but against Mid-to-Low Tier Soul Masters, it's practically a massacre!"

Heh!

Using Tang San as an underling was really comfortable.

Tang Lan did not pick up the Gatling Gun. Instead, he walked over to a box nearby.

It was piled with 12.7mm machine-gun rounds, specially made for the Gatling Gun.

They had already been linked together with Bullet Chains, but they still looked cumbersome.

Tang Lan's hand flashed.

He took out something resembling a magazine and pressed it against the Bullet Chain.

All the Bullet Chains disappeared.

He then went over to the Gatling Gun and pressed the magazine. The Bullet Chain sprang out.

He fed it into the De-linking Feeder and stuck the magazine directly onto the gun barrel.

Done.

That way, there was no need to carry a cumbersome Ammunition Box.

"Brother, is that a Storage Soul Tool? For storing ammunition?" Tang San asked in surprise. "Was this what you spent the last three days researching?"

That was

too wasteful, wasn't it!

Did Tang Lan not know how precious Storage Soul Tools were?

"Yeah. I call it a Storage Magazine."

Tang Lan tossed a ring to Tang San.

—If he wanted the horse to run, he had to feed it some pig slop too.

This Storage Ring used the smallest Empty Crystal and only had one cubic meter of space.

Yet Tang San still beamed brightly!

He had long coveted Storage Soul Tools. How wonderful would it be to store hidden weapons in one?

Now he finally had one!

Then he suddenly realized—

"Brother!"

"You cracked Storage Soul Tools and can make them yourself now?"

Tang Lan smiled and nodded.

Just as he was about to speak,

"Sect Leader, Little San!" Ning Rongrong called from outside. "My dad is here, and Sword Grandfather too!"

Hmm?

They had come this early in the morning.

They had probably arrived last night, hadn't they?

"Let's go, Little Sanzi!" Tang Lan laughed. "Let's give Sect Leader Ning a tiny little shock!"

Tang San nodded heavily.

The inspiration for these Firearm Soul Tools had come from hidden weapons.

He took pride in it.

After they stepped outside,

Ning Rongrong cheerfully hurried over.

"Sect Leader, my Sword Grandfather's Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul specializes in offense. It complements the supremely firm and blazing Nine Yang Divine Skill perfectly."

"Our sect also lacks a Titled Douluo to hold the fort. We could recruit Sword Grandfather as an honorary elder of the sect."

Tang Lan blinked.

You—

were teaching him how to poach people?

"And also!"

Ning Rongrong continued—

"Bone Grandfather and Sword Grandfather have always been competing with each other."

"If Sword Grandfather improves, then you can take the Undying Imprint Technique to Bone Grandfather. You can definitely recruit him as an honorary elder too."

Well then!

If Ning Fengzhi found out his precious little daughter was leaking like this, how would he feel?

"Stop worrying about nonsense." Tang Lan refused. "They're only Titled Douluos. We can reach that level ourselves."

Ning Rongrong's expression darkened at those words.

With Tang Lan's talent, becoming a Titled Douluo was beyond doubt. The only question was what rank he would reach.

But for her...

Because of the limitations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, she could only reach Rank 79 at most.

Tang Lan saw what Ning Rongrong was thinking but did not say anything more.

He walked toward the nervous Xiao Wu and took her hand.

"Come on. I'll go with you."

Xiao Wu remained where she stood.

Her gaze toward Tang Lan was filled with uncertainty, panic, and fear.

A Titled Douluo could see through her Soul Beast Transformation!

They did not even need to see her in person.

They had likely already learned Xiao Wu's identity the moment they entered Shrek.

Going over now would be walking into a trap, wouldn't it?

"Trust me." Tang Lan smiled gently. "With me here, nothing will happen."

Only then did Xiao Wu's tense emotions slowly settle down.

She tugged Tang Lan's hand and followed behind him.

With Brother here, she felt at ease.

Tang Lan naturally wasn't boasting.

All under heaven bustled for profit.

He had a way to make Sword Douluo Chen Xin willingly keep this secret.

That was why he hadn't reminded Xiao Wu to temporarily leave Shrek and hide.

Behind them,

Tang San and Ning Rongrong found it a little strange, but they didn't ask any questions.

As for Zhu Zhuqing,

her gaze fell on Tang Lan and Xiao Wu's clasped hands.

—Aren't these two siblings? Why are they so intimate?

"Rongrong." Tang Lan suddenly said, "I'll need you later."

Given Ning Fengzhi's distinguished status, he was naturally being entertained in the dean's office.

They had only just approached

when they heard Flender's hearty laughter.

"Hahaha—"

"Thank you so much for Sect Leader Ning's generosity!"

"At last, I can train this batch of students without worry!"

A refined voice gave a soft chuckle.

"I should also thank Dean Flender for teaching Rongrong so well."

"When I saw her today, she actually knew how to use honorifics. It truly gave me quite a fright."

"Not at all, not at all." Flender humbly replied, "If Sect Leader Ning hadn't sent that letter, I wouldn't have dared to teach her without restraint. You truly had foresight!"

Tang Lan and the others glanced at Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes and coughed heavily.

The conversation inside immediately stopped.

Only then did she knock on the door.

"Come in," Flender called.

Ning Rongrong pushed open the door, and Tang Lan and the others followed her inside.

They saw Ning Rongrong walk straight behind an elegant man.

Without saying a word, she put on a pitiful expression.

Ning Fengzhi's previously calm expression visibly turned panicked.

Tang Lan paid no attention to the father-daughter interaction.

He shifted his steps and stood in front of Xiao Wu.

His eyes met Chen Xin's, who wore a snow-white robe.

"I am Tang Lan. Greetings, Sword Douluo," Tang Lan said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Only then did Chen Xin withdraw his gaze and examine Tang Lan.

He gave a slight nod.

"Twelve years old and level forty-five. As expected of his son."

Then he looked at Tang San.

He averted his gaze and offered no comment.

With his arms crossed, he stood behind Ning Fengzhi like an invisible man.

Tang Lan did not continue the exchange.

He looked at Ning Rongrong, who was still teary-eyed and staring at Ning Fengzhi.

"Alright, Rongrong. We still have business to discuss today. Stop teasing Sect Leader Ning."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Ning Rongrong immediately withdrew her tears and stuck out her tongue at Ning Fengzhi.

With a grin, she said, "Then we're even! You're not allowed to sell your daughter again next time!"

Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh of relief.

If this had happened before, she would have raised hell for three days and three nights.

Now, one sentence from Tang Lan was enough to smooth things over.

Coming to Shrek had truly been the right choice.

At that thought,

Ning Fengzhi could not help studying Tang Lan seriously, nodding repeatedly.

Handsome, monstrously talented, and ambitious.

Although he had founded his own sect, it could still merge into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As long as—

"Young Friend Tang is so accomplished at such a young age. Thank you for taking care of Rongrong," Ning Fengzhi said politely.

"You're too courteous, Sect Leader Ning." Tang Lan stepped aside and said, "Let's get straight to the point and test the Firearm Soul Tools, shall we?"

Words were meaningless. Better to bring out the goods directly!

Ning Fengzhi was somewhat surprised by such clean and decisive conduct.

He then rose to his feet.

"Then I'll have to trouble Tang Sect Leader."

The form of address had changed here.

There was less familiarity; Ning Fengzhi no longer regarded Tang Lan as a junior.

There was more solemnity, as they now spoke as equals.

Tang Lan smiled knowingly.

Talking to smart people was just that simple.

He walked side by side with Ning Fengzhi to the training ground.

"If anything unexpected happens during the test, please forgive us," Tang Lan said. "To show our sincerity, the person from the Tang Sect demonstrating the Firearm Soul Tools will be our Fourth Disciple, Ning Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong stepped forward and waved her little hand at Ning Fengzhi.

—Surprised? Was that unexpected?

But Ning Fengzhi had clearly heard about it already—Flender had most likely tipped him off.

He said gently, "Sword Uncle, I'll have to trouble you."

"Then let this old bag of bones play with the girl for a bit." Chen Xin smiled.

He walked up to Ning Rongrong without any guard up.

"Girl, go ahead and use that Soul Tool. Grandpa will just defend."

(^_~)

Good lord!

Chen Xin, who looked like he was above everyone else, actually winked and acted cute?

That Contrast Moe

made even the informed Tang Lan unable to hold back a smile.

—It was obvious that Chen Xin truly spoiled Ning Rongrong.

At the same time,

Tang Lan glanced at Tang San. The latter nodded and stepped back, leaving the area.

Ning Fengzhi saw it but did not pay it any mind.

In the field,

the Storage Ring on Ning Rongrong's finger flashed, and the muzzle of a Python Revolver aimed at Chen Xin.

"Bang—"

An Armor-Piercing Bullet was caught between Chen Xin's fingers.

"Not bad. Its power is roughly comparable to the First Soul Skill of an attack-type martial soul," Chen Xin commented sharply.

He casually caught the remaining five Armor-Piercing Bullets with his bare hands as well.

He did not even use Soul Power.

Therefore,

when Ning Rongrong pulled out two Uzis and sprayed one hundred Armor-Piercing Bullets within two seconds,

Chen Xin was caught off guard.

He could only release sword qi with Soul Power, forming a Sword Qi Barrier before himself.

"Not bad."

"It has the power of a Second Soul Skill."

"If a Soul Master below level thirty wasn't careful, they would certainly die on the spot."

More than half the Soul Masters on the continent were stuck around level thirty.

The Uzi alone was already enough to make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect take it seriously.

Unexpectedly,

Ning Rongrong pulled out a Barrett and pulled the trigger directly at Chen Xin!

"Boom))))=>"

Chen Xin condensed qi into a sword, intending to split the Sniper Armor-Piercing Bullet apart.

But the Sniper Armor-Piercing Bullet spun for an instant and was forcibly deflected by the strength of its material.

"Crack—"

It snapped a tree branch a hundred meters away.

"Bzzzz—"

The blade in Chen Xin's hand trembled incessantly, unable to settle for a long while.

"What tremendous force!" Chen Xin said in surprise. "It actually has the power of a Fourth Soul Skill? Below level forty, any non-defense-type Soul Master who hasn't activated a defensive martial soul—"

"Boom))))=>"

"Boom))))=>"

"Boom))))=>"