Three Thousand-Year Spirit Bone Appears Again

Inside and outside City Lord Manor, everything was in chaos. Spirit Hall personnel streamed in and out, escorting the remaining ordinary people from the manor away.

All relatives related to Zhao Tianba by blood had already been executed.

Now, only ordinary maids and guards remained to be escorted away.

Though these people would not be killed, they would be forced to leave the city.

Along both sides of the streets, merchants and residents alike shut their doors and windows tight, terrified of being dragged into trouble.

Yet in the taverns and tea houses that remained open, people gathered together and enthusiastically discussed this sudden upheaval.

"What do you think happened here?"

An Elder with a head full of white hair took a sip of wine, looked around at everyone in the tavern, and said, "Wasn't the Xia Family of Spirit Hall always on good terms with the Zhao Family of City Lord Manor?"

"I heard City Lord Zhao and Captain Xia had been old friends for more than a decade."

"Oh, sir, how long has it been since you last went out?"

A young man seated in the middle of the tavern turned around and explained, "The Zhao Family and the Xia Family fell out long ago over the broken engagement. They're now like fire and water."

"Even so, it was only a marriage arrangement between the younger generation. Why did it have to come to the point of wiping out an entire family?"

The Elder shook his head and sighed as he lamented, "More than a decade of friendship, gone just like that. This world really is becoming impossible to understand..."

"That's not right at all."

The young man immediately retorted, "As the saying goes, if you can't fight for the steamed bun, fight for your pride."

"For people like Captain Xia and City Lord Zhao, face can sometimes matter more than actual benefits."

"You young people are still far too extreme in your thinking."

The Elder waved his hand dismissively.

"It's you who are too old-fashioned."

The young man stopped paying attention to the Elder and turned back to continue discussing the matter with the people at the next table.

For a time, all sorts of opinions filled the tavern.

Some criticized Xia Shi for being narrow-minded, claiming that he wanted to exterminate an entire family over a broken engagement.

Others believed Zhao Tianba's family had brought this disaster upon themselves. If they had not looked down on the poor and fawned over the rich, they would not have invited such calamity.

No matter what, news of the Zhao Family's extermination had only just begun to spread through the city.

It was likely that in the days ahead, the matter would spread farther and farther.

Meanwhile, inside City Lord Manor, Xia Shi's family was taking stock of Zhao Tianba's estate.

Aside from the usual land deeds, house deeds, shops, farmland, and cash, the most surprising discovery was a Secret Room.

This Secret Room was located in Zhao Tianba's study and had been discovered by a white-robed Deacon from Spirit Hall during the search.

After discovering it, the white-robed Deacon immediately sealed off the area and swiftly reported the matter to Huo Yang.

Afterward, Huo Yang quickly arrived at the study with her husband and son.

The moment they entered, they saw the Secret Room that had already been opened.

Calling it a Secret Room was somewhat exaggerated. It was merely a hidden compartment inside the wall.

The compartment was about a meter long and wide, and a Wooden Box sat quietly inside it.

"Bishop, after discovering the Secret Room, we immediately stationed people to guard it. We have not yet inspected the contents of the box."

The white-robed Deacon reported respectfully.

"Very good. You may withdraw now. Leave this place to me."

Huo Yang gave the order.

"Yes, Bishop."

The white-robed Deacon and the two guards by the door saluted and prepared to leave.

"Wait!"

Huo Yang suddenly stopped them.

"Do you have any further instructions, Bishop?"

The three immediately halted and turned around to ask.

"Tell Lin Deacon that after he finishes tallying the assets of City Lord Manor, he is to take out twenty percent of them, convert them into Gold Soul Coins, and distribute them among the Brothers who participated in this operation."

"Yes, Bishop!"

The three raised their voices in unison, and their steps became noticeably lighter as they withdrew.

Only the family of three remained in the room.

Xia Shi was the first to walk over to the Secret Room. Then, he carefully carried the box out.

Following that, with a bang, the box was securely placed on the desk.

"This box is very light. It probably doesn't contain Gold Soul Coins or anything like that."

Xia Shi weighed the box in his hand and analyzed it.

"Maybe it contains house deeds, land deeds, or something else he acquired in secret."

Xia Yang guessed.

"Stop guessing. We'll know once we open it."

Huo Yang also walked over to the desk.

The family of three gathered around the desk, their gazes fixed on the mysterious box.

"It's better to be careful. Take a few steps back."

Xia Shi said cautiously.

Xia Yang and his mother then stepped back.

Only after his wife and child had retreated five or six steps did Xia Shi prepare to open the box.

"First Soul Skill: Black Tortoise Shield."

Soul Power circulated, and a turtle-shell-shaped shield appeared between him and the box.

After taking protective measures, Xia Shi slowly opened the Box Lid.

In an instant, a deep yellow radiance burst from within the box.

"What is this...?"

Xia Shi could not help but exclaim in astonishment.

"What's glowing?"

Huo Yang hurried forward.

"Dad, what kind of treasure is that?"

Xia Yang also leaned over and peered into the box.

Inside, a palm-sized Right Arm Bone resembling Yellow Jade lay quietly at the bottom of the box.

"Th-this is a Spirit Bone?"

Huo Yang covered her mouth and spoke in disbelief.

"More precisely, this is a Three Thousand Years Spirit Bone."

Xia Shi's voice trembled.

"This seems to be a Spirit Bone from a Rock Turtle Spirit Beast. And it's a right arm bone?"

Xia Yang examined it carefully.

"Not only that. Look, this Spirit Bone is still very fresh. It seems to have formed not long ago."

Huo Yang reminded them.

"I understand!"

"No wonder Zhao Tianba and the others went to Moon Bay to hunt Spirit Beasts. They must have obtained a Spirit Bone there before, and this time they wanted to see whether they could find another one."

Xia Shi suddenly understood.

In truth, Xia Shi's guess was entirely correct.

Half a year ago, Zhao Tianba had taken his son to obtain a Spirit Ring. At the time, they unexpectedly encountered a storm and were forced to dock at Moon Island.

Later, while resting on the island, they accidentally discovered a Rock Turtle Spirit Beast with Three Thousand Years of cultivation and obtained this Right Arm Bone from it.

Half a year later, Zhao Tianba's daughter, Zhao Yanran, needed to obtain her Second Soul Ring.

While planning the hunt, Zhao Tianba suddenly recalled what had happened on Moon Island.

Although the chance of obtaining another Spirit Bone on the same island was minuscule, he still decided to try his luck.

Thus came the later encounter with Xia Yang's group.

Xia Yang gently stroked the Five Hundred Years Spirit Bone on his left arm and said with emotion, "Both of these Spirit Bones came from Rock Turtle Spirit Beasts. Those two Spirit Beasts must have been family, I suppose."

"Stop imagining things, you two."

"Yang'er, hurry up and absorb this Spirit Bone."

Huo Yang urged him.

"No."

Xia Yang shook his head.

"What did you say?"

Huo Yang could hardly believe her ears.

She had never expected her son to refuse to absorb this Three Thousand Years Spirit Bone.

"I said I don't intend to absorb this Spirit Bone."

Xia Yang spoke in a resolute tone.