Seizing Medium Fortune! Twenty-Thousand-Year External Soul Bone!

Inside the Dean's office.

Tang Lan and Ning Fengzhi sat facing each other, both wearing solemn expressions.

"Tang Sect Leader, please explain in detail."

Tang Lan took out the blueprints for the Python Revolver, Uzi, and Communication Soul Tool, then slapped them directly onto the table.

"We're all smart people, so I won't beat around the bush."

"The Tang Sect has only just been established. Although we possess two Soul Tools, a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure invites trouble."

"I need a relatively safe environment in which to grow."

"So, by handing these blueprints over to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, these Soul Tools can be produced on a larger scale while also ensuring my own safety."

"As the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's exclusive designated manufacturer, the benefits need no explanation. But the gain in prestige is what Sect Leader Ning values most, isn't it?"

"We each get what we need. Neither of us loses out."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, agreeing with Tang Lan's assessment.

But he immediately pointed out the crux of the matter—

"Rongrong mentioned that those Firearm Soul Tools require a Soul Tool called Bullet to function properly?"

His intelligence gathering had been swift.

Tang Lan answered frankly, "Bullets will be produced exclusively by the Tang Sect. However, I'll need Sect Leader Ning to provide the manpower and funds required to establish the production line."

Well, damn.

He was plainly trying to hatch eggs with someone else's hen.

Yet—

Ning Fengzhi had no way to refuse.

—The Firearm Soul Tools had been developed by Tang Lan's side to begin with. What was wrong with them retaining control over the core technology?

Letting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect manufacture even part of the Soul Tools was already sharing a considerable portion of the profits.

"No problem. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will assist the Tang Sect in establishing this assembly line."

"Then I thank Sect Leader Ning for your generosity." Tang Lan smiled and pushed the blueprints over.

This time, Ning Fengzhi picked them up and gave them a cursory look.

Just as expected!

The two devastating weapons, the Barrett and Vulcan Cannon, were not among them.

Rather than being upset, Ning Fengzhi nodded in approval at Tang Lan's caution.

Even if the Tang Sect controlled the bullets—

The Barrett's ultra-long-range sniping and the Vulcan Cannon's large-scale slaughtering power—

Were terrifying threats to both the Tang Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect themselves.

Therefore, even firearms without bullets had to be distributed under strict restrictions.

Ning Fengzhi probed—

"After I return, I will select a group of core Disciples and train them in the use of the Barrett and Vulcan Cannon."

"When the time comes, I'll have to trouble Tang Sect Leader."

Tang Lan nodded in agreement.

Neither of them cared much about such minor details.

What came next—

Was the real main event!

Ning Fengzhi pulled out the blueprint for the Communication Soul Tool, his eyes gleaming.

—This was the key to unifying Heaven Dou!

—It was also the key to ensuring that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be remembered for generations!

Therefore—

He had to ensure absolute control!

"Tang Sect Leader, this Communication Soul Tool seems to be missing its core?" Ning Fengzhi stated directly. "This Control Module is blank."

Tang Lan merely spread his hands.

"It's not that I refuse to provide it. It's that it would be useless even if I did."

"Surely Sect Leader Ning knows about my identity?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded knowingly.

"I once met Haotian Mianxia."

"At the time, Sword Uncle noticed that the woman beside him bore a striking resemblance to your younger sister, Xiao Wu!"

Don't make the hint too obvious.

"That's right. My mother was a Hundred Thousand Year Blue Silver Emperor."

Tang Lan admitted it openly—

"My Blue Silver Grass martial soul underwent a second awakening into the Blue Silver Emperor on the very day it awakened, and I received part of its inherited memories."

"And the core of this Communication Soul Tool requires control over Blue Silver Grass."

"Across the Entire Continent, only I can make it."

As he spoke, Tang Lan took out the Communication Soul Tool and removed its casing.

At its core was a section of Blue Silver Emperor Branch, connected to a dense web of circuits.

Ning Fengzhi smiled ruefully.

—Good thing he had hesitated back then because of Tang Hao's presence.

Otherwise, if he had turned hostile outright—

only to discover in the end that it had all been for nothing, this tremendous opportunity would have slipped right through his fingers!

Yet Ning Fengzhi was still unwilling to give up.

—If I can't control the Soul Tool, then I'll control you!

"My daughter Rongrong—what does Tang Sect Leader think of her?"

Good grief!

Ning Fengzhi was ruthless indeed. Even his beloved daughter could be used as a bargaining chip.

Unfortunately—

"I don't think it would work." Tang Lan shook his head. "On the first night after she enrolled, she snuck into my room to steal something. Her behavior was so appalling that it's hard to like her."

Ning Fengzhi: "..."

That was indeed something Rongrong would do.

"I must also thank Tang Sect Leader for showing mercy."

Ning Fengzhi said helplessly—

"Then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will provide the funding for the Communication Soul Tool and establish a production base."

"To make things easier for Tang Sect Leader, shall we set it up in Suotuo City?"

Tang Lan shook his head.

"No need." Tang Lan said, "Set the production base directly near the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Ning Fengzhi was delighted!

Could it be that Tang Lan had changed his mind and intended to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Before he could probe further, Tang Lan continued, "The manufacturing of the Communication Soul Tool's core doesn't necessarily have to be done by me."

"Blue Silver Grass over seventy thousand years old has already evolved into Blue Silver Kings."

"They can be used to manufacture Blue Silver Grass Chips. The quality just won't be as good as mine, and the signal will be a little slower."

Tang Lan took out a map and handed it to Ning Fengzhi.

"After the Communication Soul Tool was completed, I sent a signal to all the Blue Silver Grass across the Entire Continent, searching for Blue Silver Kings over seventy thousand years old."

"There are nine in total. Their precise locations are marked here."

"As their emperor, I've already communicated with them. Please have Sect Leader Ning relocate them."

"There are also fifteen Blue Silver Grass over fifty thousand years old and fifty-seven over ten thousand years old. Sect Leader Ning may relocate them together."

"They'll grow faster if they remain near the Blue Silver Kings."

"If they are fed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, they can also evolve into seventy-thousand-year Blue Silver Kings in a short time."

Well then!

This was hardly moving in—he was plainly dumping everything on someone else!

Ning Fengzhi readily accepted the map—he was more than willing to handle this matter.

As he had said before.

Tang Lan possessed the core technology, while Ning Fengzhi had money and manpower.

Their cooperation gave each of them what they needed.

Both stood to benefit.

What was more—

Tang Lan could easily find another partner, but Ning Fengzhi could not do without Tang Lan.

Ning Fengzhi held less initiative than Tang Lan.

"I will hasten the arrangements for the transplant," Ning Fengzhi said seriously. "Additionally, I will recommend that His Majesty issue a decree listing Blue Silver Grass as a nationally protected plant. Anyone who damages it without authorization will face criminal punishment!"

That was pretty good.

It could also be considered fulfilling what Tang Lan had said back then—protecting his subjects.

"Sect Leader Ning, you are very thoughtful."

"As I should be." Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Since we will be partners from now on, there is no need for us to be so polite with each other, is there?"

Tang Lan blinked.

What was Ning Fengzhi trying to pull here?

Did he want to become his teacher?

Or have Tang Lan call him uncle?

Unexpectedly—

"I have greatly enjoyed speaking with you today, little brother. Why don't we become sworn brothers?" Ning Fengzhi proposed.

Tang Lan's brows rose!

This Ning Fengzhi...

He really was willing to throw away all shame!

His daughter was only a year younger than Tang Lan, and he wanted to become sworn brothers with him?

Still—

It was rather interesting!

—Either way, Tang Lan was not the one losing out. Sworn brothers it was.

"I think that works."

"Good!" Ning Fengzhi was overjoyed. "I'll arrange it right away—"

Tang Lan raised a hand to interrupt him.

"Forget the ceremony. Starting today, you're my Old Brother."

—They were only playing along for appearances anyway. No need to take it so seriously.

Ning Fengzhi paused, but did not press the matter.

The Storage Ring on his hand flashed, and he took out a golden plant that radiated dense blood energy.

"This is a seventy-thousand-year Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, perfectly suited for Lan Brother's Foundation Establishment."

"Or—"

"You can give it to Xiao Wu. It can allow her to take human form ahead of time."

Oh?

This was excellent stuff. Tang Lan accepted it without hesitation.

Of course, he would not take it for nothing.

He opened his Blue Silver Domain, gathering his Mental Power into a small sphere that he waved over to float before Ning Fengzhi.

"Within it are two Self-Created Soul Skills of mine."

"Old Brother can cultivate Lingbo Microstep himself. Once you master it, even slower Titled Douluo will find it very difficult to kill you."

"Give the Undying Imprint Technique to Bone Douluo. It suits him perfectly."

Ning Fengzhi had evidently heard of the power of these two techniques.

He solemnly absorbed the mental sphere and contemplated it for a moment.

Then he took out another book.

"This is a secret art of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Heart Separation Control."

"It will help you, Lan Brother, control your Blue Silver Emperor martial soul."

Well then!

He was determined to make Tang Lan owe him a few favors, wasn't he?

Tang Lan gladly accepted it—given how thick-skinned he was, he would not let such things stop him when it came time to fall out with someone.

Ning Fengzhi smiled in satisfaction.

The system notification finally arrived, fashionably late.

The host has cooperated with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and become sworn brothers with Ning Fengzhi, cutting off one of Tang San's major sources of aid. Seizing a moderate amount of Tang San's Luck!

Reward: "Twenty-Thousand-Year External Soul Bone: Ice Jade Scorpion Tail"!

(ω)

A twenty-thousand-year External Soul Bone!

What a massive profit!

He had used the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to hatch his own eggs, strengthening his own power and influence.

He had also tied his interests to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, indirectly aligning himself with the Heaven Dou Empire. Even Spirit Hall would have trouble making a move against him.

And now the system had given him an External Soul Bone.

It felt damn good!

The corners of Tang Lan's mouth were even harder to suppress than a Barrett.

Ning Fengzhi was quite pleased to see that.

--It seemed Tang Lan really liked this gift.

He could not help adding, "Rongrong is also cultivating Heart Separation Control. If there is anything you do not understand about the basics, you may ask her."

"Though we are sworn brothers, our relationships are separate."

"You needn't hold back around Rongrong."

Needn't hold back?

More like he did not need to be polite, right?

Tang Lan was eager to absorb the External Soul Bone, so he did not waste any more words.

Just as he was about to end the conversation, he suddenly remembered something.

He casually said—

"My father once heard from my mother that there is a treasure called Whale Rubber by the sea."

"Old Brother, do you know about it?"

Ning Fengzhi froze for a moment, his expression turning somewhat strange.

He did not just know about it; he had used quite a bit of it!

"I know a little. Why does Lan Brother bring this up?"

At such a young age, could he already be planning to use it?

That would be—

Tang Lan naturally knew what Ning Fengzhi was thinking.

He rolled his eyes.

"Old Brother, Whale Rubber may appear to be an aphrodisiac, but it actually has excellent restorative effects for Soul Masters."

"It can strengthen the body and increase the durability of the muscles, bones, and meridians, raising their ability to withstand strain."

"Old Brother should understand what that means, right?"

Ning Fengzhi was an intelligent man. He understood instantly!

With a flicker of light in his hand, he took out seven dark-yellow pieces of material. They were Whale Rubber.

They were not particularly high-grade, only around a thousand years old.

But Ning Fengzhi's wife was already gone, so why was he still carrying this stuff around?

Tsk, tsk!

Ning Fengzhi coughed.

"These pieces are from my early reserves. If Lan Brother had not mentioned them, I would have nearly forgotten about them."

"Lan Brother, take these and eat them first. I will send people to gather more."

Tang Lan accepted them without ceremony and rose to his feet.

"Old Brother, then mobilize your people and resources as soon as possible."

"I'll wait for your news at Shrek."

Ning Fengzhi stood as well.

"I will handle it as soon as possible. Lan Brother, just cultivate with peace of mind."

"With your talent, you will certainly surpass your father's limits and become the next Clear Sky Douluo."

Tang Lan merely smiled and said nothing.

Clear Sky Douluo?

His minimum goal was to become a Sea God, alright?

As soon as the two stepped outside, they saw Chen Xin standing guard.

Tang Lan considered it for a moment, then condensed a Spiritual Light Ball and placed the first three layers of the Nine Yang Divine Skill within it.

He pushed it in front of Chen Xin.

"This is a Soul Power Path I created myself. It can make soul power supremely firm and fiercely yang."

"It provides the best enhancement for offensive martial souls."

"I wonder if I could exchange it for Sword Uncle's secret technique of condensing soul rings onto a martial soul?"

As a Titled Douluo, Chen Xin could not possibly have missed the conversation inside the room.

Naturally, he also knew that Tang Lan and Ning Fengzhi, the Tang Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, were practically wearing the same pair of pants by now.

This exchange was certainly feasible.

He first reached into his robes, took out a book, and handed it to Tang Lan.

"These are this old man's insights into the sword. The secret technique you want is also contained within."

Tang Lan accepted the book with both hands.

He stored it in the Blue King, then took out two Storage Rings.

"I refined these myself. Please trouble Sword Uncle to give the other one to Bone Uncle."

Even Chen Xin's brows twitched.

Was there anything this kid couldn't do?

Storage Soul Tools were rare. In the enormous Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, only Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong possessed them.

Chen Xin truly felt a little tempted.

So he accepted it.

Chen Xin then touched the Spiritual Light Ball and narrowed his eyes for several seconds.

When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with amazement!

A peerless genius indeed!

It could actually temper the meridians?

If he mastered this Nine Yang Divine Skill, he could at least break through another level!

He had gained far too much from this deal.

He immediately promised, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Tang Sect are as close as one. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to ask this old man."

Tang Lan nodded happily.

And just like that, the favor was secured.

As for Xiao Wu—

What Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?

She was a junior dearly cherished by Chen Xin. Whoever dared touch her would have to deal with his wrath!

"Then, Lan Brother, Old Brother will head back to the sect first."

Ning Fengzhi said—

"Someone will come to coordinate with you in about a week."

"When the time comes, Old Brother won't be coming. I need to make a trip to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace."

"When there's an opportunity, I'll introduce my Disciple, Xue Qinghe, to you. He is the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Xue Qinghe?

Qian Renxue, huh? Tang Lan was quite interested.

So he agreed.

He watched Ning Fengzhi step onto Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword and soar into the sky.

He vaguely caught sight of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul appearing as well—

Was that to speed Chen Xin up?

It seemed Ning Fengzhi truly was in a hurry.

Tang Lan did not head to the training ground.

He turned and returned to the dormitory.

System, take out the External Soul Bone.

A two-meter-long emerald-green glow flashed into existence. Through the halo, he could see a scorpion tail.

The Ice Jade Scorpion Tail!

Before he could admire it, Tang Lan suddenly thought of a problem—his Nine Yang Divine Skill Inner Force was supremely firm and fiercely yang!

Just from its name, the Ice Jade Scorpion Tail was obviously ice-attributed.

But could he attach it himself?

If this soul bone and External Soul Bone weren't compatible with his body, that would be troublesome!

"System, care to explain?"

There was no response.

Tang Lan pondered for a moment.

Then he decided to give it a try!

Anything produced by the system had to be top-quality.

Tang San could have an Ice and Fire Alchemy Body—so why couldn't Tang Lan have an ice-and-fire combo skill?

Besides—

It was an External Soul Bone attached to the tailbone anyway. If it didn't work, he could just cut it off—he had the Blue Silver Right Leg Bone and could regenerate.

Let's do this!

Tang Lan picked up the soul bone and stabbed it into his coccyx—

"Pfft—"

He immediately activated out-of-body mode.

This time, it lasted a full three hours, all the way until lunchtime.

Only then was the absorption completely finished.

Tang Lan returned to his body and immediately summoned the Ice Jade Scorpion Tail.

He saw—