Douluo: Starting by Building Guns

"The six types of Soul Bone widely known in the Soul Master World are indeed the only ones you mentioned. But apart from those six, there's another extremely unusual type called an External Soul Bone."

"An External Soul Bone doesn't refer to a specific body part. Any Soul Bone that isn't in the head, torso, or limbs can be called an External Soul Bone."

"For example, horns on the head, claws on the hands, wings on the back, or a tail. All of these can be called External Soul Bones."

"Of course, the layer of scales covering my body is one, too."

Oscar asked in confusion, "If there are so many kinds of External Soul Bones, why does the Soul Master World only recognize six types of Soul Bone? I've never heard of External Soul Bones before."

Zhao Wuji suddenly understood. "That's right. You could say Little Ao hasn't heard of External Soul Bones because he's young and inexperienced. But I'm over fifty, and even I've never heard of them. That's certainly strange."

Shen Feng shook his head with a smile. "What if External Soul Bones can't be passed down?"

Zhao Wuji froze. "Can't be passed down? What do you mean?"

Shen Feng explained, "The conditions for obtaining an External Soul Bone are extremely strict. A Soul Master can only get one when absorbing a Soul Ring, and even then, there's only a certain chance."

"Also, the younger the Soul Beast, the lower the chance it will produce a Soul Bone. The odds of a ten-year or hundred-year Soul Beast producing one are practically zero."

"As a result, the Soul Masters who make up the majority of the Soul Master World—those with one or two Soul Rings—have almost no chance of obtaining an External Soul Bone."

"The remaining Soul Masters, the ones with greater talent, can get one at most seven times, even if they're a nine-ring Titled Douluo."

"Most importantly, External Soul Bones are different from Soul Bones in the other six locations. Soul Bones from other body parts can be taken from a corpse, but once an External Soul Bone fuses with a Soul Master, it becomes a permanent part of their body and can never be removed."

"Even if you killed the Soul Master to take it, all you'd get would be an ordinary bone. No one else could absorb it."

"With only a handful of chances to obtain one, an extremely low chance of one being produced, and no way to pass it down, it's no wonder External Soul Bones are so rare and little known."

After hearing Shen Feng's explanation, Zhao Wuji clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Tsk, tsk. You really are lucky, kid. The conditions for obtaining an External Soul Bone are so strict, yet you managed to get one."

"Peerless talent that puts you above everyone else, a Soul Ring Configuration of one yellow and two purple rings that exceeds the limit, and an External Soul Bone rarely seen in the world. With that kind of heaven-blessed luck, it's no wonder you're invincible among your peers and can fight those above your level."

Shen Feng scratched his head and smiled modestly. "Hehe, it's all fate. The rest of you can't exactly envy your way into it."

Oscar rolled his eyes and stepped closer, curiously pinching the black scales on Shen Feng's arm.

"We really can't envy our way into it. But your armor is strong, sure, yet having it constantly show on the outside of your body makes you look a little less than human, doesn't it?"

Shen Feng paused, then chuckled. "Oh, this? I can put it away."

As he spoke, Shen Feng focused his thoughts, and the scales covering his body quickly retracted beneath his skin.

Oscar pinched him again in amazement. "Hey, it's pretty soft. I can't feel it at all."

"What a shame you're a guy. If you could pad the right place with this stuff, tsk, tsk—the feel would be incredible."

Shen Feng paused, then kicked Oscar in the butt. "Get out of here! Keep your perversion away from me. Don't disgust me."

"This is armor, not some kind of implant you can stuff somewhere."

Oscar stared at him, shocked, and exclaimed, "What implant? Are there really External Soul Bones like that?"

"Yikes! That's terrifying, that's terrifying."

Shen Feng's face darkened. Memories of his previous life suddenly came to mind. Damn it, I suddenly don't want this External Soul Bone anymore.

Zhao Wuji, who had no idea what they were talking about, laughed heartily. "All right, all right. You two, quit fooling around."

"Xiao Feng, since those scales are your Soul Bone, what Soul Skill did you get this time? Would you mind showing us?"

Shen Feng nodded. "Sure. What's there to hide?"

"Xiao Ao, stand farther away. This Soul Skill is pretty powerful. Be careful you don't get hurt."

Oscar nodded and quickly ran to a spot twenty meters away from Shen Feng.

Zhao Wuji stood firm, making no move to leave.

Shen Feng looked at Zhao Wuji with interest. "Teacher Zhao, do you want to test out my Soul Skill?"

Zhao Wuji nodded. "That's right. I'll understand your strength better if I experience it myself."

Shen Feng smiled faintly. "Then you'd better be careful, Teacher Zhao!"

As he spoke, purple-black lightning flashed in Shen Feng's right hand, and the Leiming Blade appeared in an instant. Three Soul Rings—one yellow and two purple—rose from his feet and began to circle his body in an orderly rhythm.

"Third Soul Skill: Thunder Shock!"

The next moment, Soul Power surged wildly within Shen Feng. A purple-black ring of super-high-voltage lightning burst from his body and swept out in every direction.

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted. He instantly entered Martial Soul Possession, and the First Soul Ring on his body lit up.

"First Soul Skill: Immovable Bright King Body!"

Golden Soul Power surged from Zhao Wuji, colliding with Shen Feng's super-high-voltage lightning. Sparks flew, and Zhao Wuji, despite being stronger, was pushed back.

His footing faltered. He staggered back two or three steps before barely managing to steady himself.

Purple-black lightning now surrounded Zhao Wuji. His body was rigid, his hands and feet numb, and his face full of shock.

Oscar exclaimed, "That's the Soul Skill the Ox Dragon used against Uncle Zhao and the others!"

Shen Feng nodded slightly. "The principles are about the same. They both release super-high-voltage lightning in an instant, blasting away everything around them. At the same time, they deal substantial lightning-attribute damage to enemies and inflict negative effects like paralysis and numbness."

Soul Power shook through Zhao Wuji's body, dispelling the lightning clinging to him. He slowly moved his limbs to ease the numbness.

"The attack power is considerable. It broke through my First Soul Skill, and its defensive performance is pretty good, too. It has a wider range and slightly more power than my First Soul Skill. Its control effect is also quite good. Even I was immobilized for a second, and my body stayed numb afterward."

"It can attack, defend, and control. It's a pretty well-rounded Soul Skill."

"Xiao Feng, you've gotten even more monstrous!"

After hearing Zhao Wuji's assessment, Oscar stared at Shen Feng in shock.

"A three-ring Soul Elder against a seven-ring Soul Sage—not only did you break through Teacher Zhao's First Soul Skill defense, you also held him in place for a second, with the weaker control effect lasting even longer."

"With such absurd attack power and control, it's like having several Soul Skills packed into one. It's practically invincible."

Zhao Wuji glanced at Oscar. "Xiao Ao, do you realize that, in the eyes of an ordinary Soul Saint like me, you're a monster, too?"

"Never mind that your Second Soul Skill produces plenty of milk. Your Third Soul Skill alone can do three things: remove poison, heal injuries, and restore mental strength."

"Even Teacher Shao Xin's Soul Skills aren't as impressive as yours, you versatile little freak."

Oscar grinned. "Our Shrek Academy is meant to raise monsters. I'm a Little Monster, and Xiao Feng is a big monster. It's only natural for us to be a little abnormal."

Watching the two of them bicker, Shen Feng shook his head helplessly.

What monsters? What freaks? I'm the great demon king who crushes every freak and monster!

Forget it. I won't spoil their fun. I'll keep the rest hidden as trump cards.

As everyone knew, Soul Skills and Soul Bones came from the same source, so they could work together.

Shen Feng's could do that, too. When he activated the Black Scale Thunder Armor and released his Third Soul Skill at the same time, its power could currently double.

A doubling of power might not seem like much, but don't forget: External Soul Bones could grow alongside their Soul Masters.

Once Shen Feng became a Titled Douluo, combining the two could turn his Third Soul Skill into a super attack comparable to a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Skill.

For example: From this day on, let the world feel pain ______.()

"By the way, Xiao Feng, what level are you now? Did you gain two levels at once again, like before?"

Shen Feng sensed his Soul Power and nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, just like before. I gained two levels. I'm at level 32 now."

A 9,999-year Soul Ring was already beyond the Fifth Soul Ring of most Soul Kings. It wasn't surprising that it could raise Shen Feng's Soul Power by two levels at this stage.

In fact, the Ox Dragon's 9,999-year Soul Ring had given Shen Feng almost two and a half levels of Soul Power. But Shen Feng didn't like bragging, so he hadn't mentioned the extra half-level.

Oscar sighed, looking somewhat downcast, as if he'd expected this. "Sigh, after years of hard work, you've still surpassed me."

"I knew this day would come eventually, but I never imagined it would come so soon."

Shen Feng shook his head slightly. "Xiao Ao, after all these years of friendship, why make such a distinction?"

"What difference does it make whether I get stronger or you do? It's not like I wouldn't protect you."

Oscar grinned. "Protect me? Of course you will. We're best buddies."

"There's just one thing that's a shame."

Shen Feng asked, puzzled, "What's that?"

Oscar sighed. "You're not a girl."

Shen Feng froze, then cursed with a laugh. "Get out of here, Xiao Ao. You're really desperate, aren't you?"

"."

Watching the two brothers get along so well, Zhao Wuji's lips curved upward. "Ah, to be young!"

Several days later, Zhao Wuji finally led Shen Feng and Oscar out of the Star Dou Forest.

"Two months. A whole two months! We finally made it out."

Seeing the clean forest near Soul Hunting Town again, Oscar nearly collapsed to the ground and wept.

This Soul Hunting trip had lasted a full two months. It was the first time they'd spent so long in the Star Dou Forest since becoming Soul Masters.

For two whole months, they'd eaten and slept poorly and had to stay alert for danger at all times. The terrible conditions had pushed Oscar's body and mind close to their limits.

Oscar wasn't the only one. Shen Feng and Zhao Wuji also looked worn and exhausted.

The moment they left the Star Dou Forest, all three let out a long breath of relief.

Zhao Wuji managed a smile. "Come on. Once we cross this patch of woods, we'll be home."

A glint flashed in Shen Feng's eyes. "Yeah, we'll be home soon."

Oscar perked up, too. "Home, a feast, a big bed—I need them so badly."

An hour later, Shen Feng and the others trudged to the entrance of Soul Hunting Town.

"Young Guild Master! Young Guild Master, you're finally back!"

"If you didn't come back soon, the Guild Master was going to post a mission and send people into the Star Dou Forest to look for you!"

As soon as the three reached the entrance to Soul Hunting Town, the two gate guards ran over, shouting.

Shen Feng furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "My father's looking for me? Did something happen?"

Guard A nodded. "A tremendously important person came to our guild. They specifically asked for you, Young Guild Master."

Guard B chimed in. "They've been waiting for half a month. They've already gotten bored of everything fun in our guild."

Guard A continued, "The Guild Master said that if we angered that important person, the entire Soul Hunting Guild might collapse overnight."

Guard B added, "So the Guild Master told us to keep an eye on the gate and bring you to see him the moment you returned."

Zhao Wuji frowned and scoffed. "What important person? Have they ever heard of my name, Immovable Bright King Zhao Wuji?"

"They think they can make the Soul Hunting Guild collapse overnight? I'd like to see what kind of big shot they are!"

As he spoke, Zhao Wuji puffed out his chest and strode toward the town.

The two guards looked terrified and hurried to block his path.

"Sir, please, don't! You mustn't!"

"That important person is someone even our Guild Master has to treat with the utmost care. You may be strong, but you can't just do whatever you want!"

Zhao Wuji glared at them and snorted. "Strong? Is a seven-ring Soul Sage merely strong?"

Soul Power surged, and the aura of a Soul Sage burst from Zhao Wuji's body.

"This... this..."

The two guards stammered for a long time, unable to get a full sentence out. They were only three-ring Soul Elders, and the strongest people they usually encountered were Shen Rui and Ling Na, the two Soul Emperors.

They couldn't tell the difference in strength between experts above the Soul Sage level.

"Teacher Zhao, please calm down."

Shen Feng stepped forward and stopped the somewhat hot-tempered Zhao Wuji.

"Teacher Zhao, let's find out what's going on first. We're not on our own anymore. A lot of the time, being strong isn't what makes someone important."

Zhao Wuji furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. "Then hurry up and ask."

Shen Feng nodded and looked at the two guards. "Do you know what this important person looks like?"