The Choice of a Soul Bone (Please Follow, Monthly Tickets, Recommendation Tickets, and Favorites)

The Choice of a Soul Bone (Please Follow... Monthly Tickets... Recommendation Tickets... Favorites)

Three streaks of light shot through the gloomy skies of the Extreme North like three meteors, swiftly leaving that perilous core region behind.

With Long Chen's Blazing Domain shielding them from the cold and providing high-speed flight, they moved at incredible speed as the vast ice plains raced backward beneath them.

Ling Han sat cross-legged within the icy-blue shield Xue Qinglan had formed with her soul power, carefully sensing the earth-shaking changes within his body.

His twenty-fifth-level soul power surged endlessly, far more abundant than that of others his age.

The passive boost to strength and defense granted by his second soul ring, Dragon Emperor Power, made him feel as though his body were brimming with explosive force. When actively activated and combined with the terrifying effects of the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Body, his confidence soared.

However, his attention soon settled on the left arm bone floating silently within the system space, radiating a magnificent icy-blue glow and powerful Phoenix Pressure—the Hundred Thousand Year Ice Phoenix Left Arm Bone!

Item: Hundred Thousand Year Ice Phoenix Left Arm Bone

Source: Quest reward

Attributes: Extreme Ice / Phoenix Origin

Effects (estimated):
1. Greatly enhances the host's left arm strength, defense, ice-element affinity, and control.

2. Grants a powerful Soul Bone Skill: Ice Phoenix Fury (area ice explosion/freezing) or Ice Phoenix Guard (absolute-defense ice shield).

3. Contains a trace of Phoenix Origin power, which can slowly temper the physique and elevate one's life level.

4. Possesses extremely strong resistance to ice-element attacks.

The allure of this soul bone was beyond question. Once fused, his left arm would become a weapon comparable to a Divine Weapon, and his strength would immediately rise to a new level.

Yet Ling Han's brows furrowed slightly, his eyes flashing with a calmness and deliberation beyond his years.

"System, with my current soul power at level 25, how much of this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone's power can I unleash if I fuse with it?" Ling Han silently asked in his heart.

Ding! Evaluating...

Host's current Soul Power Level: Level 25 (Great Soul Master).

The Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone contains an excessive amount of energy and will place an enormous burden on the host's body. Estimated results after fusion:

Physical burden: Extremely high (the host must possess exceptionally strong willpower. With the Ice Hell Dragon Emperor Spirit and Eternal Frost Domain sharing the strain, the estimated success rate is 85%, but the process will be extremely painful).

Usable power: Approximately 15%–20% (limited by total soul power and control precision).

Primary benefits: Greatly enhanced physique (base strength, defense, and total soul power increased by approximately 50%); the left arm gains extremely powerful ice-element offensive/defensive abilities (approximately 200% of normal); gains one powerful Soul Bone Skill (power limited by Soul Power Level).

Potential risks: Leaking soul bone energy may attract the covetous attention of powerful soul beasts or human experts. The Phoenix Origin power that cannot be fully refined may become a hidden danger within the body.

"Fifteen to twenty percent..." Ling Han repeated the figure inwardly, his gaze inevitably shifting toward the cold, stunning figure ahead—Xue Qinglan.

Xue Qinglan, a level 96 Super Douluo, whose spirit was the Ice Phoenix, a top-tier ice-element Beast Spirit! Her strength already stood at the pinnacle of the continent. If she could fuse with this Hundred Thousand Year Ice Phoenix Left Arm Bone of the same origin and element...

Ling Han's thoughts raced.

1. Attribute compatibility: The Ice Phoenix and the Ice Phoenix soul bone were practically a match made in heaven! Their compatibility would absolutely be 100%, and might even produce an unexpected evolution.

2. Strength enhancement: If a peak level 96 Super Douluo fused with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, the increase would undoubtedly be terrifying! It could very likely allow her to touch the threshold of level 97, perhaps even grant her more powerful domain abilities or soul skills. Her overall combat power would undergo a qualitative leap.

3. Safety guarantee: The stronger Xue Qinglan became, the more thoroughly she could protect him. At this point in time, before Tang San had awakened his spirit, an ice-element peak expert close to a Limit Douluo and possessing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone could practically go wherever she pleased. This was far safer than keeping a soul bone himself when he could only use a small portion of its power.

4. Loyalty and investment: Xue Qinglan was a bodyguard summoned by the system, and her loyalty was beyond doubt. Strengthening her meant strengthening his most vital protective force. It was an extremely worthwhile long-term investment.

5. Risk avoidance: With the soul bone on Xue Qinglan, the risk of others coveting it would be greatly reduced. Who would dare set their sights on a Super Douluo possessing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone?

"System, if Xue Qinglan fuses with this soul bone, how much of its power can she unleash?" Ling Han confirmed once more.

Ding! Evaluating... (Target: Xue Qinglan, level 96 Super Douluo, Spirit: Ice Phoenix)...

Compatibility: Perfect match (100%+).

Usable power: 90%–95% (a Super Douluo's total soul power, control, and spirit origin are sufficient to bear and perfectly activate the soul bone's power).

Estimated enhancement: Soul power may rise to the peak of level 97 or possibly break through to level 98.

The quality of the Ice Phoenix Spirit will improve, and control over the ice element will greatly increase.

The range, strength, and control of the domain (prototype Eternal Frost Domain) will significantly improve.

Gains an extremely powerful Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone Skill. The physique will be tempered by Phoenix Origin, increasing potential.

Risk: Extremely low (perfect compatibility; the fusion process should be relatively smooth).

With the two compared, the answer was obvious!

Ling Han's gaze instantly became incomparably resolute. He was not a shortsighted person and understood well that good steel had to be used on the blade's edge.

In his hands, this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone would be a pearl cast into darkness. But on Xue Qinglan, it could bloom with a radiance that illuminated the continent! It would secure him safer, broader room to grow, along with precious time!

"Sister Xue! Uncle Long! Stop for a moment!" Ling Han suddenly called out.

The two streaks of light immediately halted in midair. Both Xue Qinglan and Long Chen looked toward Ling Han in confusion.

Ling Han rose from within Xue Qinglan's soul power shield, a bright and sincere smile on his face as he stared intensely at Xue Qinglan.

With a thought, the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone appeared in his hand out of thin air, radiating endless icy-blue light with the faint phantom of a phoenix circling it, sending chills through anyone who saw it.

The instant the soul bone appeared, the surrounding temperature plummeted. Even Long Chen's Blazing Domain rippled slightly as an aura of nobility and pressure born from a higher level of life spread outward.

"This... this is?!" Xue Qinglan's cold eyes froze, filled with unimaginable shock! With her knowledge, how could she fail to recognize the grade of this treasure? "A... a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone?! And it's ice phoenix attribute?!"

Even her voice carried a faint, barely perceptible tremor. A soul bone of this caliber was a legendary existence throughout the Douluo Continent! It was a supreme treasure countless Titled Douluo dreamed of obtaining!

A glint also flashed through Long Chen's eyes. Though his attributes did not match, he understood the soul bone's value.

"That's right, Sister Xue." Ling Han held the soul bone in his palm, its icy-blue radiance illuminating his young yet exceptionally resolute face.

"The Hundred Thousand Year Ice Phoenix Left Arm Bone! The system... well, it was a reward I received for completing a special quest before."

He took a deep breath and solemnly extended the soul bone toward Xue Qinglan, his tone utterly decisive. "Take it and fuse with it!"

Xue Qinglan was completely stunned, as though struck by a bolt of lightning. She instinctively took half a step back, her beautiful face filled with shock and refusal.

"No! Young Master Ling Han! It's too precious! This is an opportunity meant for you, Young Master Ling Han! This subordinate absolutely cannot..."

"Sister Xue!" Ling Han interrupted her, his tone serious and sincere.

"Listen to me! This soul bone is indeed incomparably precious, but in my hands, I can only unleash ten to twenty percent of its power right now. It would be an utter waste! But it is perfectly compatible with you!"

"You are a level 96 Super Douluo and the wielder of the Ice Phoenix Spirit! Only with you can it truly bloom with the brilliance worthy of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!"

Looking into Xue Qinglan's eyes, he spoke each word clearly. "The stronger you are, the safer we will be! You are the guardian I trust most. Your strength is the best protection you can give me!"

"This is not charity. It is the wisest and most beneficial investment for our shared future! I need you to become stronger, Sister Xue! For the road ahead of us!"