Crimson Flame Sparrow Spirit and Spirit Bone

The carriage slowly came to a stop before Taiji Hall. Shen Lian followed Shen Long out of the carriage. The ground beneath their feet was paved with golden bricks, polished bright enough to reflect people, with silver threads set into every seam.

The palace walls towered into the clouds. The glazed tiles on the eaves shimmered with seven-colored radiance beneath the sun, while bronze wind chimes hanging below tinkled melodiously, their clear, lingering notes seeming to recount the palace's ancient history.

Shen Lian followed Shen Long through the palace. The golden bricks beneath his feet were cold and smooth, and every step felt as though he were treading upon the rings of history.

Palaces lined both sides, their soaring eaves, bracket sets, carved beams, and painted rafters displaying the imperial family's majesty and extravagance everywhere.

As they passed the Imperial Garden, Shen Lian caught sight of colorful koi gliding leisurely through the jade-green pond. Rare flowers and exotic plants competed in splendor along the shore, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.

Before long, they arrived before a magnificent palace.

Shen Lian recognized the place. It was the Imperial Study where his grandfather, Xu Tianxiang, usually handled state affairs.

The guards before the palace wore golden armor and held long spears, their expressions solemn as statues.

The moment they saw Shen Long, they immediately bowed in salute with perfectly uniform movements, then declared:

"Greetings, Duke Protector of the Nation!"

Their booming voices echoed through the open space before the palace.

With a loud creak, the heavy palace doors slowly opened, and Shen Lian followed Shen Long inside.

The lighting within was soft, sandalwood incense curled through the air, and the entire hall carried an atmosphere of solemnity and authority.

Upon the dragon throne at the very front sat an elderly man in a bright yellow dragon robe. He was the emperor of the Sun-Moon Empire and Shen Lian's grandfather—Xu Tianxiang.

Xu Tianxiang had long since heard the commotion and was smiling at them.

His face was both imposing and kind, his eyes brimming with wisdom and composure. Although frost had touched his temples, he remained vigorous and energetic.

At the sight of Shen Lian, delight flashed through his eyes, and he said:

"Little Lian, come over and let Grandfather have a look at you."

Shen Lian stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and called out:

"Grandfather."

Xu Tianxiang laughed heartily and said in a cheerful voice:

"Little Lian, ever since you awakened your Martial Soul, you haven't come to see Grandfather with your mother. Do you dislike seeing Grandfather that much?"

There was a teasing note in Xu Tianxiang's tone, but his eyes were full of affection.

Shen Lian hurriedly replied:

"How could that be, Grandfather? After awakening my Martial Soul and discovering that I had Innate Full Soul Power, I stayed home preparing to absorb a Spirit Ring. That was why I didn't come to the palace with Mother to see you."

Xu Tianxiang nodded, his eyes full of gratification, and continued:

"That's right. Our Little Lian has Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power. In the future, you will surely become a pillar of our Sun-Moon Empire."

Xu Tianxiang paused, as though recalling something, then said to Shen Lian:

"Oh, right, Little Lian. A Crimson Flame Sparrow Spirit over seventeen hundred years old was presented as tribute a few days ago. This Soul Beast carries the bloodline of the ancient Vermilion Bird. Once you reach level thirty, come to the palace and let it become your third Spirit Ring."

Shen Long, listening from the side, was also delighted by Xu Tianxiang's words.

He knew how precious and powerful a Crimson Flame Sparrow Spirit was. This one, over seventeen hundred years old, could rival even some ordinary ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts in strength.

With the enhancement of such a Spirit Ring, Shen Lian's strength would undoubtedly rise greatly.

Shen Lian was equally delighted. Naturally, he understood the value of a Crimson Flame Sparrow Spirit.

He quickly said to Xu Tianxiang:

"Then this grandson thanks Grandfather in advance. But I may not need to wait for my third Spirit Ring to absorb it. I can use it as my second Spirit Ring."

As he spoke, Shen Lian displayed his Spirit Ring.

A flash of light appeared around Shen Lian, and a Spirit Ring rose from beneath his feet. It was yellow tinged with purple, radiating a faint halo.

"Grandfather, look. My first Spirit Ring is already eight hundred years old, so the Crimson Flame Sparrow Spirit would be perfect as my second Spirit Ring."

Xu Tianxiang was stunned at first when he saw Shen Lian's Spirit Ring, then his eyes filled with shock.

He had never heard of anyone being able to absorb a Spirit Ring far beyond their own level.

"Little Lian, how did you do this?"

he asked urgently.

Shen Lian did not hide anything. He told Xu Tianxiang how he had discovered that consuming Whale Rubber could strengthen one's physique, allowing one to absorb higher-level Spirit Rings.

He felt that Xu Tianxiang had always treated him well since childhood. Besides, the matter of Whale Rubber improving cultivation would be discovered sooner or later. Rather than conceal it, he might as well be honest.

Xu Tianxiang's face was filled with astonishment after hearing this.

He looked at Shen Long in disbelief. Shen Long nodded at him, indicating that Shen Lian was telling the truth.

Only then did Xu Tianxiang come back to his senses. Excitedly, he said to Shen Lian:

"Little Lian, you've truly given Grandfather an enormous surprise!"

Excitement gleamed in Xu Tianxiang's eyes, as if he could already see the hope of the Sun-Moon Empire's future.

For a time, the hall fell silent, with only the faint sound of sandalwood incense burning.

Xu Tianxiang looked at Shen Lian, his gaze full of anticipation and gratification.

Xu Tianxiang lightly tapped the rosewood desk with his fingertips, making the memorials beneath the gilt paperweight rustle.

He looked at the Storage Soul Tool faintly visible at Shen Lian's waist, and a smile flashed in his eyes:

"Little Lian, you've rendered a great service to our Sun-Moon Empire."

As the sleeve of his dragon robe slipped down, it revealed the Red Gold Twin Dragon Bracelet wrapped around his wrist, a symbol of the direct imperial line.

"Grandfather will give you a gift shortly. I guarantee it'll suit your tastes."

Shen Lian also cupped his hands and smiled after hearing this:

"Then thank you, Grandfather."

Before his words had even faded, Shen Long had already spread a yellowed parchment map across the desk. The two spoke quietly about the defensive layout of the Soul Beast Forest, while Ambergris smoke curled across the map like an ethereal river.

Amid the dripping of the palace water clock, Shen Lian idly examined the Imperial Study.

Martial Soul Compendiums were arranged neatly on the eastern bookshelf. The gilt-covered copy of the Ten Thousand Beast Soul Bone Manual on the top shelf had severely worn corners, clearly having been read often.

A map of the Sun-Moon Empire's territory hung on the western wall. Mineral deposits marked with pearls glittered in the candlelight, one pearl the size of a pigeon egg directly facing his seat.

When the pointer of the bronze water clock passed the fifth mark, Shen Long finally slammed his vermilion brush heavily onto the desk.

Xu Tianxiang rose while rubbing his temples. His dragon boots made crisp sounds against the golden bricks.

"Little Lian, I promised to give you a gift."

He clapped his hands. Two palace maids with lowered heads emerged from behind the gilt screen, carrying trays covered in black silk, their edges embroidered with fine purple-gold Vines patterns.

"Open it and have a look."

There was a hint of anticipation in Xu Tianxiang's voice.

The instant Shen Lian reached out and lifted the silk, the Spirit Bone on the tray erupted with a piercing silver gleam. It was the right leg bone of a thirty-thousand-year Gale Demon Wolf, densely covered in web-like azure patterns. When his fingertips touched it, an icy howl of wind came from within.

"If you can't use it, keep it around to play with."

Shen Lian placed the Spirit Bone into his Storage Ring.

When he raised his eyes, he happened to meet Xu Tianxiang's probing gaze. He smiled calmly and said:

"This grandson thanks Grandfather for the reward."

Yet he silently calculated in his heart:

Though the wind-element acceleration skill of this Spirit Bone was useful, for someone like me with Twin Martial Souls, it truly wasn't as worthwhile as saving the slot for a higher-grade Spirit Bone.

"Hahaha, we're family."