A Soul Bone as a Gift

"Come to think of it, I still haven't given you a gift. Today is an important day, so this is my apology gift. I hope you'll accept it, Ning Tian."

"A soul bone!"

Ning Tian cried out, covering her mouth with her left hand to hide her lapse in composure. Her eyes were fixed on the right arm bone, which glimmered with faint starlight in the darkness.

What was a soul bone? A Blood River Treasure!

A treasure that could have sparked a war between two small nations ten thousand years ago! Even today, it remained an invaluable secret treasure!

Yet Ning Wuque had taken it out as an apology gift and held it out to her...

Not far away, Wu Feng, who had been leaning against a tree in dejection, straightened up as well. Her eyes were locked onto the soul bone. Even her father only had three of these treasures!

"Th-This, Wuque, you..."

"This is only an ordinary thousand-year right arm bone. I originally planned to trade it for something better once the Sect Treasury got some good items, but the resources you gave me meant I never got around to exchanging it."

Ning Wuque spoke casually, as though the soul bone in his hand was worth less than the heavenly treasures that could help temper his body.

"It'd be a waste for you to absorb it. Maybe you could display it in your room as a collectible? Take it. Once you do, you're not allowed to get revenge on me."

"As if! I'm definitely getting revenge on you. Keep dreaming, hmph!"

Ning Tian said this without reaching for it. Instead, she proudly raised her chin.

She wanted to refuse, because a soul bone would surely be of great help to Ning Wuque. After all, fusing with a soul bone could greatly improve a soul master's physical qualities, even if it was only a thousand-year soul bone!

This was exactly what Ning Wuque needed!

But Ning Wuque gave Ning Tian no chance to refuse. He grabbed her hand and pressed the soul bone into her palm, explaining, "I can't absorb soul bones. I have my concerns. The help you've given me these past days is more than enough to buy a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. Take it, Ning Tian."

"You... Feng Mei, you absorb this soul bone. I can't use it."

Ning Tian accepted it. Seeing Ning Wuque's serious expression, she understood that what he said might truly be the case. The soul bone was useless to him.

But then she turned and tossed the soul bone to Wu Feng, who had been watching from nearby, telling her to absorb it.

In the distance, Wu Feng steadily caught the priceless Blood River Treasure and stared blankly at the two of them.

She was shocked that Ning Wuque was willing to give something like this to Ning Tian.

She was shocked that Ning Tian was willing to let her absorb this soul bone.

She was shocked—no, she was saddened. What was this? Were they handing their token of love to their mutual friend for safekeeping?

She didn't want this kind of soul bone—! Wasn't this rubbing salt into her wounds?

"No problem, right, Wuque? It would be too wasteful to treat it as a collectible. My father happens to have a right arm bone among his soul bones, and I'll inherit it in the future."

"Of course there's no problem. I gave it to you, so you decide how to use it."

Ning Wuque nodded without minding. Using a soul bone was the best choice, and letting Wu Feng absorb it was a pretty good option.

Besides, she wouldn't be cultivating his Ninefold Yama Gates anyway, so she had no reason to worry about absorbing a soul bone.

With that, Ning Tian's gaze toward Ning Wuque became even gentler. He was willing to take out such a precious treasure without hesitation. Perhaps her sincerity truly would not be betrayed by him.

The look in her eyes was practically dripping with affection.

But the more she acted like this, the less Wu Feng, holding the soul bone nearby, wanted to absorb it. Damn it, that bastard Ning Wuque was way too good at winning over little girls!

Fuck!

"Bone Grandfather, I think I can raise the stakes."

"I think so too. That boy Wuque seems fine to me. Tian'er won't be wronged if she stays with him."

Not far away, two old men were staring blankly as well.

They had never expected this. Ning Wuque was actually willing to give Ning Tian a soul bone as an apology gift.

Good heavens, this was practically enough to make a little genius from Shrek Academy fall head over heels for him.

On Douluo Continent, what could be used to measure the depth of affection between two people?

Answer: soul bones!

"Wuque, I like you..."

Ning Tian leaned forward, placing both hands on Ning Wuque's chest as she confessed to him gently—an even more formal confession.

Before her, Ning Wuque looked at her and nodded, silently accepting her confession.

Time flew by.

After that day's confession, the two still acted as usual within the clan. They were not foolish enough to openly behave intimately under everyone's watchful eyes.

There would be plenty of time for that after they left the clan and went to Shrek.

Wu Feng silently accepted it all. After seeking her father Wu Yan's opinion, she did not absorb the soul bone. Instead, she donated it to the clan in Ning Wuque's name, receiving contributions worth one hundred and fifty percent of its value, along with a favor from a Soul Douluo.

And so, time came to two months later, on the eve of Shrek Academy's enrollment registration.

With seven days remaining until registration at Shrek Academy, three young people from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan set out together on their journey there.

At the same time, two Soul Douluo elders followed secretly, safeguarding their journey.

"First, we'll go to the Star Dou Great Forest and hunt my third soul ring. Then we'll go register at Shrek Academy. What do you think, Wuque?"

"Why not go straight to the clan's Soul Hunting Forest?"

"Ah... because I want to know what it feels like to be protected by you. At worst, Father can have someone send over a suitable soul beast later. It's no big deal."

Ning Tian waved her hand, completely unconcerned.

Although the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was far less prominent than it had been during the era of the Three Clans ten thousand years ago, its foundations remained formidable, and its wealth was among the very best.

Was it difficult to have someone deliver a thousand-year soul beast?

"Fine."

Ning Wuque nodded enviously. This was what it meant to be a young lady from a wealthy family—so willful.

Ever since the two got together, Wu Feng had spoken much less. Instead, she became even more driven and diligent during training.

Although the relationship among the three had changed somewhat, Ning Tian's mediation kept it stable. Still, perhaps it could never return to what it had once been.

"The Star Dou Great Forest..."

On the road, Ning Wuque looked up toward the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest, his thoughts churning.

At this point, the story might be about to begin. He wondered whether he could meet the "protagonist" of this era there.

And what attitude should he take toward him?

Should he dislike him because of what he would do in the future, or simply ignore him?

Or should he befriend him before the people and events around him changed him? Just as with Wu Feng, should he try to bring about some change in him?

Ning Wuque did not know. He had never considered such things before. Just as he had never considered Wu Feng or Ning Tian before they took the initiative to befriend him.

The author posted a separate note explaining the issue of the female leads. Those interested can take a look; it won't be discussed elsewhere.

There are plenty of monthly votes, dear readers. Even though the target hasn't been reached, I still posted an extra chapter.

However, monthly-vote bonus chapters can only be added twice a week. I can't update too aggressively during the new-book period, or it'll waste recommendation opportunities. Please understand.

Once the new-book period is over, I'll make a new set of rules in a separate note. Then the author can update like crazy.

There are follow-up readers, there are monthly votes, and there will definitely be updates.