Spirit Bones

Three lights drifted out of the pouch without warning—azure-blue, crimson-red, and brownish-gray. The three orbs floated quietly in midair.

They were three exquisite little bones, each radiating light of a different color.

The instant the Spirit Bones revealed themselves, an intense urge flooded Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo's minds at the same time, urging them to absorb and refine the Spirit Bones as quickly as possible.

Dense, vigorous Soul Power spread through the room, making the air in the entire office seem thick and heavy.

For Spirit Masters who had never come into contact with Spirit Bones, such an allure was almost impossible to resist.

After all, a Spirit Ring was an energy crystal that would inevitably form after every Spirit Beast died, but the chance of a Spirit Bone appearing was less than one in ten thousand.

The higher a Spirit Beast's cultivation, the greater its chances of producing a Spirit Bone. Only a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was guaranteed to leave behind a Spirit Bone.

As long as any Spirit Master successfully fused with a Spirit Bone, their strength would undergo a qualitative leap, giving them an enormous advantage over Spirit Masters of the same rank.

A Spirit Master could fuse with at most six Spirit Bones in their lifetime, corresponding to the head, torso, and four limbs. Of the six major Spirit Bones, torso bones were the rarest and most precious, followed by head bones.

Limb bones were relatively less valuable, but even limb bones were highly sought-after treasures in any auction house on the continent, perpetually unavailable despite their price.

Even an ordinary Spirit Bone started at one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Most of the time, even if one had the money, it was impossible to buy one. They could only be obtained through exchanges of precious treasures.

Even Shrek Academy, with its abundant resources, did not have a large stockpile of Spirit Bones. Only students with exceptional talent or those who had rendered great service to the academy had the opportunity to receive Spirit Bones as rewards.

The academy's willingness to take out such treasures meant that, in Shrek Academy's eyes, the value they could bring to Shrek in the future far exceeded these few Spirit Bones.

These three rewards had also been specially decided upon for them after Xuan Zi, Dean Yan, and the other academy higher-ups discussed the matter together.

Du Weilun finally turned his gaze back, cleared his throat, and began introducing them one by one.

"These three Spirit Bones were all carefully selected by Dean Yan."

"This crimson one is the Ten-Thousand-Year Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone. It is considered an ancestral Spirit Bone passed down by the academy, and it is also the Spirit Bone Dean Yan chose for Ma Xiaotao."

Du Weilun paused slightly and looked at her with an especially solemn expression. "Even if you had not won the championship this time, this Spirit Bone would still have ended up in your hands through another method."

"I imagine you would not have wanted to accept that arrangement either."

Ma Xiaotao nodded firmly.

Her pride would not allow her to do so.

Du Weilun then pointed toward the brownish-gray Spirit Bone.

"This brownish-gray one is the Ten-Thousand-Year Mountain-Sinking Earth Gravity Left Leg Bone, obtained from a Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Giant Bear."

"After fusing with it, not only will it greatly improve your mobility, but you will also gain an exclusive soul skill with extremely high practical value."

"This one was specifically reserved for Yue Ling at Xuan Zi's insistence."

After saying that, Du Weilun's gaze fell upon the gentle azure-blue orb.

"The final Spirit Bone, the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Dragon Defense Right Arm Bone, is best suited for an auxiliary-type Spirit Master like you, Gongyang Mo. After successfully fusing with it, you should gain an exclusive soul skill with extremely powerful defensive capabilities."

Gongyang Mo swallowed unconsciously. His eyes were fixed on the Spirit Bone shimmering with azure-blue light, his gaze filled with undisguised longing.

At that moment, his mind was filled entirely with the thought of obtaining that Spirit Bone. He had not heard a word of what Du Weilun said afterward.

Since they both possessed dragon-type martial souls, this defensive Spirit Bone seemed practically tailor-made for him. It could not have suited him better.

Du Weilun cleared his throat. Seeing the two of them staring so intently at the Spirit Bones, he found it both amusing and nostalgic.

These two little ones were exactly like he had been when he first absorbed a Spirit Bone.

After reminiscing for a moment, he said unhurriedly, "Don't worry. They aren't going anywhere."

Only upon hearing Du Weilun's voice did the two reluctantly pull their eyes away from the Spirit Bones.

When Du Weilun saw them look over, his expression gradually turned serious.

"The most special thing about Spirit Bones is that each person's martial soul is different, so the abilities developed after fusion will also differ. But one thing is certain: every Spirit Bone you have received is the one most compatible with your own martial soul."

"Now, these rewards are officially yours."

After a brief pause, he added, "Oh, this pouch for storing Spirit Bones is included as well. It can conceal Soul Power fluctuations, so it is highly practical."

"Once you return, fuse with and absorb them as soon as possible. Although the academy is heavily guarded and very safe, people's hearts are complicated in the end. You should understand the saying: a man may be innocent, but possessing a treasure invites trouble."

"Also, you must strictly keep the matter of receiving Spirit Bone rewards confidential for the academy. Do not reveal a single word to outsiders. I trust you understand the stakes and know what to do."

Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo both nodded firmly, their expressions incomparably solemn.

Both of them were perceptive people. Naturally, they understood how precious Spirit Bones were and knew that this matter absolutely could not be spread.

After putting away the three Spirit Bones, Du Weilun personally escorted them to the office door. The two bowed respectfully in farewell before turning and leaving the teaching building.

The moment they stepped outside, Ma Xiaotao moved swiftly, storing the two Spirit Bones belonging to herself and Yue Ling in the Soul Tool she carried with her. Then, she handed the pouch that concealed Soul Power to Gongyang Mo.

Gongyang Mo was slightly taken aback, surprise flickering in his eyes, but he did not ask why. He carefully accepted the pouch and tucked it securely into his robes.

Ma Xiaotao's expression was calm as she looked at Gongyang Mo beside her. Her tone was steady and serious as she spoke each word clearly.

"From now on, I will no longer be attending classes in the outer courtyard. I will remain by my teacher's side and focus on secluded cultivation."

"I will personally deliver Yue Ling's Spirit Bone to him later."

Gongyang Mo froze for a moment, then nodded obediently.

"I never want to experience that feeling again—watching a friend fall into danger with my own eyes while being powerless to do anything."

Ma Xiaotao's tone was especially resolute, carrying an unyielding determination. "You must also settle down and cultivate properly. Enter the inner courtyard as soon as possible. When that time comes, we will still be teammates fighting side by side."

Hearing this, Gongyang Mo nodded heavily. The fighting spirit in his heart was instantly ignited, his blood surging with passion.

He and Yue Ling were roommates who spent every day together, friends who walked the same path, and teammates who shared life and death.

They had been in the past, they were now, and they absolutely would be in the future!

If he gave up so easily at the first sign of difficulty, then not only would he be unworthy of this precious Spirit Bone, he would also be unworthy of being Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao's friend.

"I definitely will! I'll definitely enter the inner courtyard!"

Gongyang Mo's voice rang with conviction, his eyes exceptionally determined.

Seeing the blazing fighting spirit in his eyes, Ma Xiaotao's tightly wound heart relaxed slightly, and a trace of relief appeared in her gaze.

During the Freshman Elimination Tournament, the three of them had fought side by side as a team, and she had personally witnessed the Rainbow Dragon martial soul's formidable enhancements.

Now that he had also gained the aid of a Spirit Bone, he would surely be able to display even greater strength if he stood upon the stage of the Continental Soul Master Elite Tournament in the future. This was why she sincerely hoped Gongyang Mo could enter the inner courtyard—not merely as a friend, but as a teammate who fought alongside her.

"Good. Hearing that puts my mind at ease."

"I'll be going now. Remember to absorb the Spirit Bone after you return, so as to avoid any accidents."

"Mm! Bye-bye!"

Ma Xiaotao nodded slightly, then turned and walked away under Gongyang Mo's gaze.

The pouch in his arms faintly radiated warmth. He did not know whether it came from the pouch itself or from the emotions surging in his heart.

But at this moment, he would surely work hard to become stronger.