Dark Gold Scaled Wing

Although he complained about it, Jiang He understood the situation himself.

At the rate his physical condition was improving, he could attempt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring by his sixth ring at the latest, perhaps even his fifth.

And with Dugu Bo's strength, it was simply impossible for him to help Jiang He hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast when Jiang He only had five rings.

So Jiang He had actually set his sights on Xiao Wu's rabbit.

No matter what, it was still a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Its Soul Ring and Soul Bone were real, and they would greatly enhance his physical condition as well!

Even so, Jiang He still deeply doubted whether, at level sixty, he could work with Dugu Bo to kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

After all, his memories from his previous life had mentioned more than once that Soul Masters faced two major thresholds: one upon reaching level seventy and becoming a Soul Saint, and another upon reaching level ninety and becoming a Title Douluo.

Among Soul Beasts, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and a Ninety-Thousand-Year Soul Beast were practically two entirely different species.

Yet Jiang He's possible plan involved his level-sixty self challenging a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast alongside Dugu Bo.

The more he thought about it, the less reliable it sounded...

So Dugu Bo's idea was actually the safest and most dependable one.

They could make use of Spirit Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Only they had enough Title Douluos to help Jiang He obtain a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Of the two, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was relatively safer.

After all, their Title Douluos had already finished absorbing their Soul Rings, and their combat strength was high enough.

Spirit Hall still had a Bibi Dong waiting to absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

As his thoughts turned, Dugu Bo, standing beside Jiang He, spoke. "I know that the Crown Prince and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have been getting close to you this past year. Yan Yan mentioned it to me."

Dugu Bo's words brought Jiang He back to himself.

Over the past year, Xue Qinghe had indeed taken the initiative to approach him quite often.

Several times, he had even brought Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with him.

But Ning Rongrong had far too much of a child's temper, and Jiang He did not get along with her very well.

No normal adult would like a spoiled little brat with a terrible temper.

Yet Dugu Bo said, "Try to stay away from the Crown Prince. Over the past few years, the previous Crown Prince and several other princes have almost all died in accidents. Only Xue Qinghe and the fourth prince, Xue Beng, survived.

Compared to Xue Qinghe, Xue Beng is nothing but a wastrel, so the position of Crown Prince ultimately fell to him.

But anyone with eyes can see that the deaths of the other princes have something to do with Xue Qinghe.

One accident might be an accident. Two might be possible. But if all of them died in accidents, then whoever benefited the most was the culprit.

Since ancient times, the royal family has been heartless. Xue Qinghe did not wipe them all out, and Xue Beng gave up competing for the position of Crown Prince, spending his days indulging in pleasure. That was how the matter came to an end.

It may not be a good thing for you to have too much contact with someone like that. Be careful.

Especially since your teacher has some history with Prince Xue Xing. Prince Xue Xing came to me before and hoped I could step in to protect Xue Beng's life. That is why I do not recommend that you have too much contact with Xue Qinghe."

Hearing this, Jiang He looked at Dugu Bo and asked with a smile, "But Teacher, didn't you say Xue Beng is just a wastrel? Why protect someone like him?"

Dugu Bo looked at Jiang He with an ambiguous smile and said,

"You brat, you're testing me now? In an imperial family like that, unless they have already been granted a title, which prince would deliberately ruin his own reputation? And which prince would have no interest in the throne?

Xue Beng merely believed he could not defeat Xue Qinghe, so he disguised himself as a wastrel to protect himself.

Do you think Xue Ye knows nothing about this?

Xue Beng has already ruined his own reputation, so no citizens would support him.

If Xue Qinghe still insists on wiping him out, Xue Ye will not stand for it. No matter what, Xue Beng is still his son. Since he has already withdrawn from the struggle for the position of Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe cannot kill him anymore."

Jiang He continued, "Since Xue Beng has already sacrificed his reputation to protect himself, why does he still need Teacher's help?"

"Hmph! How foolish would one have to be to place one's life entirely in the enemy's mercy?

Besides, Xue Qinghe quietly got rid of several of his own brothers. What kind of decent person could someone like that be?

With Xue Ye still around these past few years, he might behave himself.

But after Xue Ye dies, it will be hard to say what Xue Beng's fate will be.

It will not just be Xue Beng. Even Prince Xue Xing might not escape death.

Otherwise, why would Prince Xue Xing owe a Title Douluo like me a favor for the sake of one nephew?

In a sense, he is also protecting himself.

Xue Qinghe has simply shown himself to be far too ruthless."

Dugu Bo's words made Jiang He realize that everyone actually understood.

They simply had to acknowledge Xue Qinghe's legitimate status. Aside from seeming somewhat ruthless, there was nothing fundamentally wrong with what he had done, so all they could do was watch.

But the real Xue Qinghe had died long ago. The one in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace now was Qian Renxue...

"Still, you do not need to concern yourself with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's mess. Doesn't that old fellow Gu Rong often bring his little princess to see you? Spend more time with her when you can, and casually reveal the matter of your Soul Ring age limit. I believe Ning Fengzhi will make a decision."

Jiang He nodded. "I understand, Teacher."

Then he asked, "What about Spirit Hall? Their strength is formidable too, isn't it?"

"Spirit Hall is indeed powerful, but I have always felt that Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall's current Pope, is too deeply calculating. She always gives me an uneasy feeling.

Compared to her, Ning Fengzhi, that support-type Soul Master with no offensive power, is easier to handle. I would rather work with them.

Besides, Spirit Hall does not have a Holy Maiden for you to seduce. You cannot possibly have designs on Spirit Hall's Pope, can you?"

Hearing Dugu Bo's final teasing remark, Jiang He revealed a helpless smile.

He did not dare provoke that madwoman.

"Alright, Teacher. I'll have more contact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Mm."

Dugu Bo slightly raised his chin. "The matter of your Soul Rings has come to an end. Return to the academy yourself. I will head back to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to cultivate. If anything happens, come find me yourself."

After learning that Jiang He could fly on his own now, Dugu Bo could not even be bothered to see him off. He turned and returned to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Jiang He clasped his hands toward Dugu Bo's retreating figure. "Goodbye, Teacher."

Then he turned, spread the wings on his back, and swiftly left Sunset Forest with Moonwalk.

Before long, Jiang He returned home.

Sitting on a stone stool in the small courtyard, Jiang He said to the system in his mind, "Open my personal panel."

[Host: Jiang He]

[Age: 7]

[Soul Power: Level 33!]

[Cultivation Techniques: Tyrant Emperor World-Devouring ArtAncient Bear Visualization MethodEndless Life Technique]

[Martial Soul: Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!]

[Self-Created Soul Skills: Moonwalk, Shave.]

[Soul Bone: Dark Gold Scaled Wing (External Soul Bone).

Soul Bone Skill—Sky-Filling Feathers: Upon use, the scales along the edges of both wings can be fired in all directions. Their penetrating power is astonishing, and it can only be used three times per day!]

[First Soul Ring: From a Berserk Giant Ape (10,200 years).

Soul Skill—Berserk: All attributes increased by 300%! No time limit!]

[Second Soul Ring: From an Ancient Terror Bear (20,900 years)

Soul Skill—Stomp: Releases shockwaves in all directions, stunning every enemy struck by the shockwaves. The stun duration depends on the difference in Spiritual Power between both sides. At the same time, all attributes increase by 50% for one minute.]

[Third Soul Ring: From an Armor-Piercing Earth Dragon (38,600 years)

Soul Skill—Rending Dragon Claw: Upon use, the Dark Gold Terror Claw gains the dual effects of "Armor Piercing" and "Bleeding."

The claw strikes can easily tear through most defensive Soul Skills. The wounds inflicted are extremely difficult to heal and continuously drain Soul Power and stamina. It has special effectiveness against mineral-type and shell-type Martial Souls.]