Mobilizing Everyone

The family behind Shui Duanliu was the Shui Clan of Skywater City. The current lord of Skywater City, Shui Jiangliu, was his cousin.

Shui Duanliu had always been on good terms with his cousin. But back then, he hadn't wanted to become the young city lord, so he'd found an excuse to slip away. He'd spent all those years traveling and training. After Feng, the elder brother who had saved his life, passed away, Shui Duanliu came here to repay that debt.

Shui Duanliu still felt affection for the Shui Clan, so he naturally knew how important a Spirit Bone was to the family. But considering the clan's strength, even if they managed to capture a Phoenix, they would probably miss the young clan heir's cultivation window.

After weighing it over, Shui Duanliu spoke up. "The more people there are to capture a Phoenix for the young clan heir, the better."

"Rest assured, Clan Head." Shui Duanliu thumped his chest and promised, "This news will spread throughout Spirit City today and reach Star Luo and Heaven Dou within three days."

"Mm." Seeing Shui Duanliu's earnest attitude, Feng Qingluan said, "Go make the arrangements. If your Shui Clan manages to capture a Phoenix, you can bring it here whenever you like. You'll get your Spirit Bone."

"Thank you, Clan Head." Shui Duanliu bowed deeply, then turned and headed out.

He'd been given the clan head's task, so he needed to finish it as quickly as possible.

After assigning tasks to his subordinates, Feng Qingluan was about to go watch his grandson train. But before he got there, he suddenly received a message from his elder brother.

"Another meeting?" Feng Qingluan muttered, then turned and headed for the Worship Hall.

Before, he hadn't minded. But now Feng Qingluan thought meetings were truly boring!

In just two days, the news that the Spirit Hall's Third Offering was willing to trade a Spirit Bone for a Phoenix had spread throughout Spirit City and the two great empires.

Countless powerful people went wild when they heard the news.

A Spirit Bone!

Even Titled Douluo didn't necessarily possess one, and now they could bring a Phoenix to Spirit City and trade it with the Third Offering.

It didn't matter how strong they were. At that moment, countless people wanted to try their luck.

As for having to trade a Phoenix Soul Beast?

So what!

Forget a Phoenix—even a True Dragon wasn't guaranteed to drop a Spirit Bone.

Those who made their living hunting began their search, as did powerful people who wanted to use a Spirit Bone to strengthen themselves or their descendants.

Even the Lower Four Sects, the Four Elements Academies, and reclusive masters began to mobilize.

Some doubted whether the news was genuine, but Spirit City's credibility still held firm at a time like this.

After all, no one would dare use the Spirit Hall's Third Offering's name to pull a scam. Plenty of people were willing to give it a try.

Spirit Hall.

"A Spirit Bone for a Phoenix. What a generous offer!" Bibi Dong sneered as she heard the news from outside. "The Third Offering really spoils his grandson."

From the news, Bibi Dong understood that the Third Offering was looking for a Spirit Ring for his grandson.

She made no comment on the Third Offering's actions, but another possessor of an external Martial Soul came to mind.

If only someone had cared for Xiao Gang like that back then, he might not have gotten stuck at level twenty-nine! Bibi Dong thought of Yu Xiaogang, and her hatred for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan deepened.

"Damn the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!" Hatred gleamed in Bibi Dong's eyes. "One day, I'll kill every last one of you!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo watched Bibi Dong's reaction without the slightest change in their expressions.

They were long used to Her Holiness the Pope's occasional fits.

The two exchanged a quick glance. From the look in Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes, Ghost Douluo knew what he was thinking.

A Spirit Bone. I want one so badly!

A dignified level-ninety-five Titled Douluo had done the Spirit Hall's dirty work and hard labor for so many years, yet he didn't have a single Spirit Bone.

Seven Treasure City.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone." Ning Fengzhi, who was holding his daughter, looked toward the two great elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and asked, "What do you make of this?"

"I heard that the Spirit Hall's Third Offering's grandson underwent Martial Soul Awakening last year," Bone Douluo said without hesitation. "No one's said what his Martial Soul is or how much innate Soul Power he has, even after all this time. And now they're searching the world for a Phoenix. Tsk, tsk."

"Either he's such a genius that he won't settle for any Spirit Ring but a Phoenix," Bone Douluo chuckled, "or he's such a good-for-nothing that he needs a Phoenix's power to purify and evolve his Martial Soul."

"Rubbish." Sword Douluo gave Gu Rong's words a brief assessment.

"Jerk." Bone Douluo shot back. "Why don't you share your own opinion?"

"Boring." Sword Douluo said blandly, "The Third Offering values his grandson so highly. The boy will become his weakness."

"So what if he's a weakness?" Bone Douluo pursed his lips. "How many people in the world would dare use that child to threaten the Spirit Hall's Third Offering?"

As he spoke, he lowered his head and glanced at Ning Rongrong in Ning Fengzhi's arms. "Just like Rongrong here. If anyone dared hurt her, wouldn't they risk being hacked into mincemeat?"

"All right, Uncle Bone, Uncle Sword." Ning Fengzhi looked at the two of them and asked, "How do you think we should respond?"

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo answered in unison. "Wait and see."

They didn't need to oppose the Spirit Hall, and they didn't need to curry favor with it either. So they might as well pretend they knew nothing.

Blue Lightning Academy.

"A Spirit Bone?" When Liu Erlong heard the news, a glint flashed in her eyes. "If Xiao Gang had a Spirit Bone, he might be able to break through to level thirty! If I personally brought him one, wouldn't he be happy?"

As soon as Liu Erlong heard about the Spirit Bone, she thought of Yu Xiaogang. Without a moment's hesitation, she headed straight for Sunset Forest.

The Dugu family.

"A Spirit Bone?"

Dugu Bo shook his head helplessly. "If this had happened before, I might've joined in. But now is a crucial time for me to break through level ninety. I'd better pass."

Godwind Academy.

"A Spirit Bone!"

After hearing the news, Feng Xiaotian was so excited he could barely contain himself. "Dad, I want a Spirit Bone!"

"Be good, son. We can't afford one." Feng Xiaotian's father looked at Feng Qing with helplessness. "A Phoenix Soul Beast is impossible to find. Where are we supposed to get one?"

They might all be surnamed Feng, but they had no connection whatsoever to the Spirit Hall's Third Offering. Even if you went back ten generations, they weren't related.

"I don't care, Dad. I want one," Feng Xiaotian pleaded. "If I give Huo Wu a Spirit Bone, she'll definitely be my girlfriend!"

Feng Qing: ...

This son was beyond saving!

If it weren't for your Innate Full Soul Power, I'd throw you out!

Blazing Academy.

"Is the young clan heir still looking for a Phoenix?" Yan, who had been groomed as a key talent ever since joining the academy, heard the news and looked downcast. "I'm so useless. I can't help ease the young clan heir's troubles."

"Yan." Huo Wu looked at him and asked, "Are you thinking about the Phoenix too? My father says opportunities and dangers go hand in hand with something like this. They're planning to give it a try. If they really get a Spirit Bone, Blazing Academy will be able to rise to another level."

"It's no use. The gap is too great." Yan shook his head and said, "Classmate Huo Wu, please stay away from me. I'm going to start training."

Huo Wu: ...

Skywater City.

"Phoenix?" Shui Bing'er, who was about to undergo her awakening, looked curiously at her father. "Dad, are Phoenixes very powerful Soul Beasts?"

"Of course. They're incredibly powerful!" Shui Jiangliu rubbed his daughter's head and said, "Among flying Beast Martial Souls, the Phoenix is one of the strongest!"

"Really?" Shui Bing'er cheered. "Dad, I want to awaken a Phoenix Martial Soul!"

"All right, a Phoenix Martial Soul it is." Shui Jiangliu said, "Bing'er, stand inside the hexagram."

"Mm."

Shui Bing'er obediently stepped inside and let her father perform the awakening ritual.

Before long, Shui Bing'er's awakening ritual was complete.

Shui Bing'er, Martial Soul: Ice Phoenix.

Innate Soul Power: Level nine.

"This..."

Shui Jiangliu stared dumbfounded at his daughter's Martial Soul. How was this possible?