External Soul Bone Evolution

"After all these years, Elder Yu, you haven't changed a bit. I take it you've broken through the bottleneck at level thirty?"

Bibi Dong met Yu Xiaogang's gaze, a few traces of curiosity in her eyes.

She slowly raised her left leg. The hem of her skirt stirred, rustling softly, then she crossed her left leg over her right, pressing them together into an alluring curve. Her legs rested closely against each other, presenting a captivating sight.

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly looked away and said solemnly, "I did have a fortuitous opportunity in private, but it was nothing major. I'm afraid it wouldn't interest Your Holiness the Pope."

When Yu Xiaogang turned his head, a hint of anger rose on Bibi Dong's face. Then, as if she had thought of something, a playful glimmer returned to her eyes. She said lightly, "I heard you took on a disciple named Tang San, who also has Twin Martial Souls. I wonder, compared with me back then, whose talent is greater?"

After she finished speaking, Bibi Dong fixed her beautiful eyes on Yu Xiaogang.

Feeling the intense gaze coming from the Pope's Throne, Yu Xiaogang suddenly felt a little dizzy.

That wasn't right. This line wasn't in the script!

After a moment's silence, Yu Xiaogang could only answer with a stiff smile, "Of course he can't compare to Your Holiness the Pope. After all, across the entire continent, you're the only one who has successfully cultivated Twin Martial Souls."

"Oh? In that case, Elder Yu, please explain in detail how your disciple falls short of me. After all, you know your disciple well, and as for me, I imagine you know me quite well too."

Bibi Dong's voice was as gentle as water. As she watched Yu Xiaogang's awkward expression, a charming smile appeared on her face.

What a headache. I've dug myself into a hole!

Yu Xiaogang's mind raced before he spoke. "Both of Your Holiness the Pope's Twin Martial Souls are top-tier Spider Martial Souls. They share the same origin and complement each other in cultivation. My disciple's two Martial Souls are entirely different. One of them is even Blue Silver Grass, so naturally, it can't compare to yours."

After speaking, Yu Xiaogang nodded respectfully in the direction of the Pope's Throne.

"Oh, so that's how it is."

The corners of Bibi Dong's lips lifted slightly. She then took a dossier from the Soul Tool on her wrist and began reading aloud. "Tang San. Twin Martial Souls. Innate full Soul Power. His primary Martial Soul is currently Blue Silver Grass, while his other Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer."

Bibi Dong turned to Yu Xiaogang and narrowed her eyes. "I recall that, according to your theory, anyone who awakens Twin Martial Souls should have two Martial Souls of similar quality."

"Since one of your disciple's Martial Souls is the Clear Sky Hammer, his other one, Blue Silver Grass, must be far from ordinary. And his Fourth Soul Ring is already ten thousand years old."

Bibi Dong put the dossier back into her Soul Tool. "You issued the Elder Order to Seal Tang San's Information, didn't you? You've gone to quite a lot of trouble for this disciple of yours, Elder Yu."

Bibi Dong gave a cold snort. Her beautiful face, which had been smiling moments before, turned icy. "Did you think that if you praised me a little, I'd tell you what you want to know?"

"Yu Xiaogang, I'm no longer the Bibi Dong you used to deceive!"

As she spoke, Bibi Dong lowered her crossed left leg, then rose furiously from the Pope's Throne.

She stared at Yu Xiaogang and descended the steps one by one. Walking up to him, she leaned forward slightly and said, "Those who cannot be of use to my Spirit Hall have only one fate: destruction."

"I've already sent an Elder to intercept the Heaven Dou Empire's competing team. Your disciple, Tang San, is the primary target."

Bibi Dong's voice grew noticeably heavier as she spoke those final words.

She stared intently at Yu Xiaogang's face, searching his expression as if trying to confirm something.

Heavens, I've finally made it to the crucial line!

Yu Xiaogang silently gave thanks, then feigned an angry expression. Eyes wide, he rose to face Bibi Dong.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and suddenly grabbed Bibi Dong by both shoulders.

[Detected powerful Spider Aura: two traces. Absorb?]

Absorb!

Yu Xiaogang gave the command silently. Two wisps of aura, one purple and one green, drifted from Bibi Dong's shoulders where he held her and flowed into the panel.

The whole process took only an instant. Bibi Dong, standing opposite him, didn't notice a thing.

Seeing that he had completed the task, Yu Xiaogang felt the weight lift from his heart. He then recited the next line he had prepared.

"What? You dare target Xiao San!"

"Xiao San has trained under me since he was a child. Not only has he inherited my Martial Soul concept, he's like a son to me. If anything happens to him this time, I'll make Spirit Hall my sworn enemy. Even if it costs me everything, I'll destroy Spirit Hall!"

Watching Yu Xiaogang's furious expression and hearing his heart-piercing words, Bibi Dong lost herself for a moment. Then she sneered and stared straight into his eyes. "So this is how you act when you care about someone. All the sweet words you said to me back then were lies!"

"I heard the woman you later got together with was your younger sister. How ridiculous, Yu Xiaogang. You're a complete and utter failure!"

As Bibi Dong said this, her eyes were filled with resentment.

Yu Xiaogang felt a surge of anger at her final words. He turned to look at Bibi Dong, his gaze just as cold.

The two of them were locked in a tense standoff.

Just then, a Golden Armored Guard ran to the palace entrance and reported that the operation had failed.

Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback by the news, while Yu Xiaogang, who had already known the outcome, showed little reaction.

He took a deep breath to calm his anger, then said to Bibi Dong, "I know you're filled with hatred, but I'm not the one you should blame. You should be asking the Previous Pope."

"Don't drag the entire continent into war because of your personal feelings."

"Farewell."

Yu Xiaogang sighed, cupped his hands in salute, and headed for the palace exit.

Bibi Dong was dazed. The questions that had troubled her for so long had now been brought into focus by Yu Xiaogang's words.

Watching Yu Xiaogang walk away, Bibi Dong's gaze softened. She slowly reached out, wanting to pull him back to her side, but in the end, she lowered her hand and couldn't bring herself to say another word.

After Yu Xiaogang left the Papal Palace, Bibi Dong dejectedly turned her gaze away.

"Xiao Gang, Xiao Gang..."

Almost without thinking, Bibi Dong picked up the teacup Yu Xiaogang had drunk from and held it beneath her nose.

Sensing the lingering trace of him, Bibi Dong looked intoxicated, and even her breathing grew a little hurried.

After leaving the Papal Palace, Yu Xiaogang didn't stop for a moment. He walked straight out of the Inner City and Middle City, reached the Outer City, and checked into a hotel.

In his hotel room, Yu Xiaogang sat cross-legged on the bed, opened the System Panel, and selected the External Soul Bone upgrade trait.

[Selected trait "External Soul Bone Evolution." Corresponding tasks unlocked:
1. Find a Mental System Martial Soul to devour.
2. Find a trace of powerful Spider Aura.]

[Collected Mental System Martial Soul: Remnant Dream (Soul Saint level)]

[Collected powerful Spider Aura: Death Spider Emperor (Titled Douluo level), Soul Devouring Spider Emperor (Titled Douluo level)]

[Submit tasks?]

Submit!

Yu Xiaogang gave the command silently. The Remnant Dream and Soul Devouring Spider Emperor entries disappeared from the panel, and a transparent stream of light flew out and entered the space between Yu Xiaogang's brows.

Yu Xiaogang felt his head swell. Then he sank into a deep sleep.