Half a Year Later.

Three days later.

Bibi Dong returned to the Primary Martial Soul Academy, and Murong Huai also went back to Star Dome Valley to cultivate. During these three days, with Bibi Dong's company and the occasional persuasion from Yue Guan and Gui Mei, Murong Huai had finally come to terms with his situation. He stopped fixating all his thoughts on worrying about his family; even if he worried, there was little he could do. Besides, the commander of the Martial Soul Hall army was his own father—the legendary Marshal Murong, who had never known defeat and made the two great empires tremble in fear. With the addition of the Red Barbarian Cannon, it was like adding wings to a tiger.

What he should be doing now was focusing on his cultivation. During this period, he had also continuously received letters from Qian Xunji. As expected, the war was proceeding smoothly. Although there had been no formal large-scale decisive battle, Martial Soul Hall had remained undefeated, and the Sea God Island army was retreating steadily. It was estimated that the war would conclude in a few months.

Having cleared his mind, Murong Huai began to cultivate and improve himself. In the following time, although he lacked personal guidance for the Angel Sword Technique, he still made significant progress.

Seeing that Murong Huai had recovered his state, Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the others nodded in satisfaction and assisted him in his training.

Six months later, Death Valley.

"Second Spirit Skill: Sword Condenses Golden Bell Fall, Spirit Platform Undying Light!"

As the words fell, a golden sword-bell appeared around Murong Huai, shielding him.

Sss—

A spider leg, sharp as a blade, slammed into the golden bell, sending sparks flying in all directions, yet the bell remained unscathed.

Clang, clang, clang—

Looking closely, one could see a ferocious demon spider hovering in the air. Its body was dark purple, covered in a hard shell, with eight long limbs covered in jagged teeth and tips as sharp as hooks.

Its head possessed compound eyes and fangs, and its abdomen was swollen like a ball. Most striking were the purple wings on its back; thin as cicada wings yet shimmering with a deep purple luster, they beat silently in flight, the purple light flowing like a cascading star river.

This spirit beast was a 1,800-year-old Purple-Winged Demon Spider. Over the past six months, Bibi Dong had broken through to level 20, and Murong Huai had reached the peak of level 29. Together, they had come to Death Valley, not far from Martial Soul City, to hunt for a spirit ring.

Although Death Valley was a natural gathering place for spirit beasts, it was close to Martial Soul City, and Martial Soul Hall had stationed a Spirit Master Legion at the entrance to prevent beast attacks.

One of the graduation requirements for the Martial Soul Advanced Academy was to survive in Death Valley for six months. Strength, luck, and talent were all essential; thus, everyone who graduated from the Martial Soul Academy was an elite.

After arriving at Death Valley, Murong Huai and his group searched for a day before finding this 1,800-year-old Purple-Winged Demon Spider. Previously, Murong Huai had given Bibi Dong a portion of ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber, and with her current physique, she could fully absorb a spirit beast under two thousand years.

Murong Huai also wanted to test his current strength, so with Yue Guan and Gui Mei guarding the perimeter, he challenged the Purple-Winged Demon Spider alone. The spider's eight legs continuously stabbed at the golden bell, sparking wildly, yet it could not break through. Seeing this, the Immortal Lord Nine-Arrival Sword in Murong Huai's hand hummed. The next second, the golden swords attached to the surface of the bell shot out like arrows from a bow. In an instant, the Purple-Winged Demon Spider's body was covered in wounds from the dense barrage of blades, blood flowing freely.

The beast let out a painful wail and retreated to dodge. Seeing this, Murong Huai drew his long sword, its surface coated in a dark golden flow. His first spirit ring pulsed.

"First Spirit Skill: Sword Emerges Wind and Clouds Move, Ten Thousand Blades Dark Gold Flow!!"

Murong Huai's attack power increased significantly. He leaped forward, his sword dancing like a flash of silver light. With a single strike, he severed one of the Purple-Winged Demon Spider's legs.

"Hiss—"

The Purple-Winged Demon Spider wailed in agony, but Murong Huai gave it no chance. He pointed his sword toward the heavens, the sky seemingly streaking with fluorescent light. As the sword descended, it fell like a small pillar of light from the clouds.

"Heavenly Punishment Meteor Light!!"

This was the fourth form of the Angel Sword Technique. Relying on his formidable talent for the sword, Murong Huai had successfully mastered this form over the last six months; its power was far greater than the previous three.

The sword light descended, piercing straight through the Purple-Winged Demon Spider's body. The beast let out a final, painful shriek before crashing heavily to the ground, gasping its last breath.

"Dong'er, give it the final blow!" Murong Huai gestured to Bibi Dong, who was standing nearby. She hurried forward.

"Thank you, Brother Murong." Bibi Dong smiled sweetly, then controlled her Death Demon Spider spirit to deliver the final strike. As the beast lost its life, a purple spirit ring slowly condensed above it.

Bibi Dong sat down and began to absorb the ring.

Nearby, Yue Guan and the other three watched this scene with expressions of admiration.

About half an hour later, Bibi Dong successfully absorbed the ring. Just as everyone nodded, a sudden anomaly occurred: a purple light began to flicker on Bibi Dong's back.

The next second, three pairs of purple wings unfolded from her back, thin as cicada wings and shimmering with a deep purple luster. The group was shocked, and Yue Guan, reacting quickly, exclaimed:

"This... could this be an External Soul Bone!!!"

Murong Huai looked at the wings on Bibi Dong's back. Though surprised, he said nothing, turning instead to look at the four men.

Understanding his meaning, they quickly said:

"Rest assured, Holy Son, we will never speak of this."

Murong Huai nodded, thinking to himself:

Once we return, I must have Dong'er fully fuse with this External Soul Bone as soon as possible.

Unlike the six main types of soul bones, which could generally be obtained by killing a Spirit Master, an External Soul Bone was different. If a Spirit Master possessed one without a powerful background or strength, they would usually keep it hidden.

Not only could an External Soul Bone grow in age alongside the Spirit Master's cultivation, but it could also regenerate if broken. Once it was completely fused with the Spirit Master's body, it could not be obtained by killing them.

About two incense sticks of time later, Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes. Her spirit power surged, and one yellow and one purple spirit ring descended. She stood up, overjoyed.

"Brother Murong, I succeeded! My spirit power has reached level 23."

Murong Huai nodded. "Good, the thousand-year spirit ring has greatly improved your strength. Now, Dong'er, try retracting the wings on your back."

Bibi Dong blinked. "Wings?" She ran to a nearby stream and discovered the three pairs of purple-glowing wings on her back, instantly delighted.

"Wow, these wings are so beautiful!"

After playing with them for a while, Bibi Dong slowly retracted the wings. She named them the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings. They granted her the ability to fly, and the thin, cicada-like frame was incredibly sharp, serving as a weapon as well.

Her second spirit skill was named Death Hunt, capable of instantly firing a highly toxic spider web that formed above the target, causing cutting and corrosive damage with potent poison—something almost impossible for anyone below a Soul Elder to resist.

After the hunt, the group exited Death Valley and returned to Martial Soul City. In the carriage, Murong Huai looked out the window.

"I wonder how Grandfather and the others are doing?"