The Whole Continent Was in an Uproar-You're Saying There's a Wild Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone Out There?!

That night, a piece of news emerged from deep within the Star Luo Empire's palace. Like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool, it instantly stirred up a thousand waves.

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone had possibly been discovered in Nuoding City.

The moment the news appeared, it swept across the entire continent like a gale.

From unaffiliated wandering Soul Masters to sects that dominated entire regions, everyone's gaze was firmly seized by those five words: "Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone."

Perhaps some people thought the news might be fake.

But suspicion was one thing. The allure of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was simply too great—great enough to overwhelm all reason and caution.

What if it was real?

With that thought in mind, countless Soul Masters packed their bags overnight and rushed toward Nuoding City from every direction.

Hooves clattered along the official roads, while torches formed a long line outside the city gates.

This time, even Spirit Hall and the Seven Great Sects were tempted.

Spirit Hall, the Papal Palace.

The vast hall lay in dim light, illuminated only by a few Soul Tool lamps that gave off a cold, white glow.

Bibi Dong sat upon the papal throne, her luxurious papal robes trailing across the floor and a purple-gold crown atop her head. Her face was noble and aloof, like a sacred statue that none dared profane.

She looked down at the intelligence report in her hands, her expressionless.

But the fingers of her right hand, clenched around her scepter, had already turned faintly white.

Her gaze had swept over the words "Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone" countless times. Each time, her pupils contracted ever so slightly.

After a long while, she finally raised her head.

"Yue Guan."

Her cool voice echoed through the hall, utterly devoid of unnecessary emotion.

The next instant, a slender figure appeared silently in the center of the hall.

He was a man, yet his face was more exquisite than most women's—

Slender brows and eyes, fair skin, and thin, pursed lips. He was so beautiful he was almost bewitching.

He wore the scarlet robes that marked him as a Titled Douluo, with a blooming chrysanthemum embroidered in gold thread on his chest.

"Greetings, Your Holiness."

Yue Guan pressed one hand to his chest and leaned forward, bowing to Bibi Dong.

His voice was shrill and delicate, especially clear in the vast hall.

"Go to Nuoding City with Gui Mei."

Bibi Dong stared at Yue Guan, her tone flat, yet every word carried unquestionable authority.

"If the news is true, bring the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone to me."

"As you command, Your Holiness the Pope."

Yue Guan bowed again, his shrill voice falling silent.

A moment later, his figure faded from the hall like smoke, leaving behind only the faintest trace of chrysanthemum fragrance in the air.

The hall fell silent once more.

Bibi Dong remained seated on the throne, motionless.

After a long while, she spoke slowly. Her low voice rang through the empty hall, this time meant for her own ears alone.

"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone... I hope it's the exact part I'm missing. That way, I can complete my Soul Bone set sooner and inherit the Rakshasa Godhood sooner, too."

As she spoke, her voice suddenly turned hoarse.

The purple-black light in her eyes flared uncontrollably. Her noble, aloof features began to twist, while faint purple-black lines spread beneath her skin like a spiderweb.

Behind her, a vast shadow rose from the floor and fell across the wall, transforming into a monstrous spider silhouette with legs splayed in every direction.

"And while I'm at it—"

The corner of her mouth pulled into a savage curve, her voice brimming with boundless hatred.

"I can destroy Spirit Hall sooner, too!"

The bright light of the Soul Tool lamps fell upon her purple-black face. In the interplay of light and shadow, her once noble and beautiful features became as terrifying as a vengeful ghost's.

Her hand gripped the scepter tightly. Her knuckles creaked, the sound echoing through the hall for a long time.

The same thing happened at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

In the opulent Sect Master's study, Ning Fengzhi sat behind his desk, holding the intelligence report that had just arrived.

He wore a moon-white robe and possessed a refined, gentle air. Even though an urgent report had woken him in the dead of night, he remained composed and unruffled.

But as his gaze passed over the report, a storm suddenly rose in those eyes, usually as calm as still water.

Even Ning Fengzhi, long renowned for his refined composure, could barely contain his excitement.

After finishing the report, he stood and paced around the study twice. Then he stopped, took a deep breath, and made his decision.

"Uncle Gu, you'll stay behind to guard the sect. Uncle Jian, come with me to Nuoding City."

Leaving Bone Douluo Gu Rong to guard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi set out that very night with Sword Douluo Chen Xin, hurrying toward Nuoding City beneath the stars.

He had only one thought in mind—

This Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone might be the only opportunity he would ever get.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was undoubtedly the finest auxiliary Martial Soul in the world, but it carried a fatal curse: its wielder could never break through level eighty.

Generation after generation of Sect Masters had exhausted their efforts, yet not one had broken through that ceiling.

Ning Fengzhi was no exception.

But he was still young and unwilling to give up.

He eagerly hoped that this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone could lift the curse and let him become the first Soul Douluo in the history of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Even if all else failed, and the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone still couldn't help him break through level eighty—

The two Soul Skills provided by a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone would be enough to take his strength to another level.

However he looked at it, he had to go to Nuoding City.

Chen Xin flew on his sword, carrying Ning Fengzhi through the air.

The night wind roared past their ears. Looking down at the ground rushing by beneath him, Ning Fengzhi's eyes flashed with a sharpness he had never revealed in public.

The Heaven Dou Empire, the imperial palace.

Unlike Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, both determined to claim the treasure, Emperor Xue Ye was now filled with worry.

Candles blazed in his bedchamber. Draped in a thick fur cloak, he leaned against a couch, holding the report in his hand, his brows furrowed into a deep "chuan."

Perhaps it was the lingering damage from the Whale Rubber incident. His health had been declining day by day, and now this news had left him even more troubled.

The emergence of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was a tremendous boon to any power.

The trouble was, the news had spread across the entire continent.

Nuoding City was indeed within the Heaven Dou Empire's borders, but now that the news had spread across the continent, could the Heaven Dou Empire still claim it all for itself?

No. Forget claiming it all—just dealing with the various powers flocking there at the news was enough to give him a headache.

What was more, Nuoding City lay near the border. The Star Luo Empire couldn't possibly sit still.

"What a turbulent time!"

Emperor Xue Ye rubbed his furrowed brow, feeling his head begin to ache again.

The blood vessels at his temples throbbed. He closed his eyes and rested for a while before speaking heavily.

"Someone, summon the Crown Prince."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The eunuch standing guard outside the hall received the order and hurried away.

His footsteps receded along the empty palace corridor, then came back again.

Before long, the hall door was gently pushed open. The eunuch bowed and stepped aside, revealing a young man behind him, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe entered the hall with unhurried steps. He was refined and elegant, with just the right amount of concern on his face.

"Father, you sent for me?"

Xue Qinghe bowed in greeting, his voice warm and calm.

Emperor Xue Ye looked at his steady, well-mannered son, handed him the report, and waved a hand.

"Take a look, and then tell me what you think."