External Soul Bone, Master Meng's Connections

Xiao Wu pursed her lips, drawing circles on the ground with one foot.

Wasn't it just a Thousand-year Spirit Bone? If I died, I would leave behind a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.

Pah, pah, pah. I hadn't lived long enough yet.

Having pulled herself free from the urge to compete with the Earth Nether Sword Ridge Beast, Xiao Wu shook her head and fixed her gaze on the Spirit Bone it had left behind.

"Master, what part of the body is this Spirit Bone from?"

"This Spirit Bone is not one of the six main Spirit Bones. It is an External Soul Bone that can fuse into the spine."

Lin Qi rubbed the Spirit Bone between his fingers before putting it away.

External Soul Bones were rarer than the six main Spirit Bones. Though it was only two thousand years old, it was still extremely valuable.

However, Lin Qi already possessed two of the Earth Nether Sword Ridge Beast's main abilities. He wondered what power this Spirit Bone held.

"We should head back."

Lin Qi had obtained his First Soul Ring and even gained a Spirit Bone. Their trip to the Soul Hunting Forest had ended perfectly.

Unlike when they had ventured deep into the Soul Hunting Forest, they no longer needed to search for the Earth Nether Sword Ridge Beast on their way out, so they moved much faster.

"Little Qi, how long can you fly on your sword?"

Master Meng asked along the way.

Even Soul Masters with flying Martial Souls had limited flight time at lower realms, and their Soul Power was consumed very quickly.

"How long can I fly? I haven't really paid attention."

When flying on his sword, Lin Qi incorporated the power of the Mountain River Sword Dao.

The Mountain River Sword Dao could draw upon the power of heaven, earth, and nature. Although Lin Qi had only just mastered it and was not yet very strong, using it while flying on his sword greatly reduced his Soul Power consumption.

By rough estimate, he could fly at full speed for thirty or forty minutes without any problem.

Xiao Wu was no longer shocked, though she had pinched another red mark into her thigh.

"Huh? I didn't expect to run into them when we're already leaving."

Lin Qi suddenly sensed Tang San and Yu Xiaogang in the direction they were heading.

"I wonder whether Tang San obtained that immensely powerful First Soul Skill of his."

When Lin Qi saw Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, Yu Xiaogang looked as if he were on the verge of death.

Yu Xiaogang had been poisoned by a Mandala Snake. Lin Qi had no idea how he had dared to bring Tang San into the Soul Hunting Forest alone.

He could not even handle a mere Soul Beast a few hundred years old. What a complete waste.

"Who goes there?"

When Lin Qi and the others drew near, Tang San jolted in alarm.

The moment he saw Lin Qi, Tang San could no longer hide the fury and fighting spirit in his eyes.

However, remembering that they were in the Soul Beast Forest and that his teacher had not yet escaped danger, Tang San gave up on the idea of defeating Lin Qi here.

Besides, there were only a handful of people here. Even if he won, few people would know about it.

"Lin Qi, I have already absorbed my First Soul Ring. Wait for me to challenge you at the academy."

Whether he was showing off in front of Xiao Wu or challenging Lin Qi, Tang San revealed his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and the yellow Soul Ring circling it.

Xiao Wu's lips twitched, and she nearly burst out laughing.

"He's so proud of a hundred-year Soul Ring. If he knew Lin Qi's first Soul Ring was two thousand years old, he would probably cry."

"Your Soul Ring is quite good. Your First Soul Skill must be very powerful. I look forward to seeing it."

Lin Qi nodded slightly, poised and elegant, without the slightest hint of anger or fighting spirit at being provoked.

Yet it was precisely this calm and detached manner of his that broke Tang San's composure the most.

"You will see it."

Tang San took several deep breaths before withdrawing his Martial Soul.

Keep acting like some lofty master. When the time comes, strength will speak for itself.

It was only Xiao Wu's strange, amused gaze that made Tang San feel extremely uncomfortable, as though he had said something ridiculous.

After another half day, Lin Qi and the other two returned to Nuoding Academy.

To his surprise, an old acquaintance was waiting for him at the academy.

"Lin Qi, you're finally back."

The moment he entered through the gates, Su Yuntao ran over with an eager look.

Ever since returning from Holy Spirit Village, he had constantly wondered when Lin Qi would come to Nuoding City.

As soon as Nuoding Academy began its term, he had rushed over.

Yet Lin Qi and Master Meng had gone to the Soul Hunting Forest. Su Yuntao had felt as if the sky were falling, thinking Lin Qi had been abducted by someone.

To Su Yuntao, Lin Qi was not merely a talented child. He was Su Yuntao's path to advancement.

Lin Qi also recalled the excuse he had casually used to brush him off back then.

"Master, this Steward Su wants me to join Spirit Hall. What do you think?"

Master Meng had already given Lin Qi so many surprises. Surely he could easily handle such a small matter as this?

Let me see where your limits lie, Master Meng!

"This is easy." Master Meng knew that Lin Qi had no intention of joining Spirit Hall.

"Steward Su, this old man will take a trip with you."

"What? Who are you?"

Su Yuntao immediately became wary.

"Don't be afraid. I merely want to have a chat with the bishop of Nuoding City's Spirit Hall."

"Wait, I still need to—"

Su Yuntao wanted to say more, but Master Meng had already grabbed his arm and pulled him outside against his will.

"Lin Qi, Spirit Hall is very powerful. Could this cause trouble?"

Once Xiao Wu heard that Su Yuntao was from Spirit Hall, her expression turned much colder, and her eyes filled with apprehension.

"Trust Master Meng. Such a small matter definitely won't stump him."

Master Meng did not disappoint Lin Qi's trust.

Before long, he returned and said calmly:

"It's all taken care of. No one from Nuoding City's Spirit Hall will come again."

Xiao Wu swallowed.

"Master, you didn't go on a killing spree and slaughter all the Soul Masters at Nuoding City's Spirit Hall, did you?"

Xiao Wu felt that with Master Meng's strength, wiping out Spirit Hall in such a remote place would not be difficult.

But the trouble that followed would be more than even a Titled Douluo could bear, wouldn't it?

"What nonsense are you talking about? Am I someone who kills innocents indiscriminately?"

Lin Qi was also curious how Master Meng had resolved the matter.

"Master, then what did you do?"

Master Meng said calmly, "I merely reasoned with the bishop of Spirit Hall's branch, and I once gave him some guidance in cultivation."

As expected of the omnipotent Master Meng. His connections were truly extensive.

Whether it was the dean of Nuoding Academy, the bishop of Nuoding City's Spirit Hall, or even the Heavenly Dou Imperial Family, Master Meng had connections everywhere.

Although Master Meng was not as strong as Leng Qing, his network was truly impressive.

But on second thought, that made sense.

Master Meng was the counterpart to Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang was weak, but his connections were still quite deep.

He came from the Upper Three Sects and even had a past relationship with the Pope of Spirit Hall.

Lin Qi looked forward to seeing what other surprises Master Meng could bring. His connections could not possibly be weaker than Yu Xiaogang's, right?

"Your talent is extraordinary. You do not need much guidance in cultivation, so as your master, I can only help you settle such minor matters."

"You are too modest, Master." Lin Qi said.

Xiao Wu, standing nearby, nodded repeatedly.