Absorbing the Spirit Bone

Yue Ling was slightly startled when he heard that, instantly realizing that he had not considered things thoroughly enough. He spoke instinctively.

"Sorry..."

Before he could finish, Ma Xiaotao immediately shook her head gently, her gaze exceptionally firm.

"Not at all. You don't need to apologize to me. None of you ever did anything wrong."

The usual pride and flamboyance faded from her eyes, replaced by a rare sincerity and softness.

"Actually, being friends with all of you has been the happiest thing for me during this time. Even if the way we first met wasn't exactly pleasant..."

"I've always been alone and never knew how to get along with others. You taught me how to treat people sincerely, how to be with friends."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you."

"Not at all..."

Looking into her sincere, clear eyes, Yue Ling scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. His eyes curved into crescents as he spoke lightly.

"Once I absorb that Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, my cultivation will soon break through to Soul Ancestor. You should cultivate properly in the Inner Court. Don't let me leave you too far behind."

Upon hearing that, Ma Xiaotao instantly regained her usual pride and confidence. She lifted her chin slightly, her gaze filled with competitive determination.

"Hmph, I've only been a little slack lately. Once I settle down and cultivate properly, I'll surpass you again sooner or later!"

"Alright. I'll be waiting."

Yue Ling smiled openly, his eyes full of sincerity.

Seeing how much more clear-minded and gentle Ma Xiaotao had become, he was genuinely happy for her.

A brilliant light suddenly lit up in Ma Xiaotao's eyes, revealing all her anticipation and ambition.

"Just wait and see! When the next Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament begins, I'll make everyone see who the true captain of the Shrek Seven Monsters' main team is..."

"The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament? The Shrek Seven Monsters?"

Yue Ling tilted his head curiously.

"You don't even know that?" Ma Xiaotao was somewhat speechless, but she still explained.

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is held once every five years. Every five years, Shrek selects a new generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters' main team."

"The official Shrek Seven Monsters are chosen from the senior students of the Inner Court and represent the academy in that year's tournament."

"In the Outer Court, seven people are selected through a free-for-all among the geniuses of every grade. They serve as substitutes and attend the tournament alongside the Shrek Seven Monsters."

"I see."

Yue Ling finally understood.

Right now, I'm basically under house arrest by my teacher.

And my time studying in the Outer Court isn't over yet, but they'll probably only let me show my face during assessments from time to time.

They won't let me stay in the Outer Court for too long, in case the evil soul within me takes over my body again.

Although Mu En has sealed it, there are still too many uncertainties. The academy probably won't allow me to continue studying in the Outer Court either.

By that logic, Ma Xiaotao and I really are in the same boat.

One of us goes mad from evil fire produced through cultivation; the other has the remnant soul of an Evil Soul Master in his body. There are simply too many uncertainties.

Fate really loved playing tricks on people.

Yue Ling's contemplative expression earned him a look of disdain from Ma Xiaotao.

Judging from his expression, he was probably up to no good again.

"Hehe, then who gets to be captain remains to be seen."

"So you're after the Shrek Seven Monsters' captaincy too!"

The warmth that had gradually arisen in Ma Xiaotao's heart vanished, replaced by the fighting spirit surging from deep within her.

"Hmph, we'll know after a fight. Whoever's stronger will be the captain!"

"That's for the best. Just don't cry if someone can't win!"

"You! Hmph!"

Ma Xiaotao angrily turned her head away and ignored Yue Ling no matter how he called to her.

Taking advantage of the moment, she gathered the used bowls and chopsticks from the table. She handed them to Yue Ling, signaling for him to take them into the kitchen of the main house.

As a guest, it was not quite appropriate for her to enter a senior's residence, but she could not just do nothing either. So this was the only option.

Yue Ling nodded, quickly carrying them inside with both hands.

He washed the grease from his hands, wiped them with a cloth, and walked back outside.

He saw Ma Xiaotao slowly approaching him.

"We've eaten, and I've delivered the Spirit Bone. I'll be leaving now."

"You're leaving so early?"

Yue Ling froze for a moment.

"Hmph, isn't it because someone challenged me? I need to hurry back and cultivate."

Ma Xiaotao glared at him, with a hint of shy embarrassment in her eyes.

Yue Ling scratched his head and sighed.

"Alright, then I'll see you next time."

"If you want to eat food I've made after you go back, you can come anytime. Don't be shy."

"Got it."

Ma Xiaotao's voice was muffled, carrying a trace of embarrassed irritation at being seen through.

"Then I'm leaving. Goodbye."

"Oh, oh..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ma Xiaotao pushed open the gate as if fleeing and left the senior's residence.

"Why are you running so fast... I wasn't finished talking yet."

Yue Ling stared at her already-vanished figure, dazed for a moment before muttering a few words to himself.

After carefully washing all the pots and bowls, he sat cross-legged in the middle of the courtyard.

Taking a deep breath, he took out the Spirit Bone Ma Xiaotao had brought him.

His Soul Power was already at level thirty-seven. With this Spirit Bone, he was confident that he could reach Soul Ancestor before turning thirteen.

Yue Ling lowered his eyes to the Ten Thousand Year Earth Giant Bear left leg bone resting quietly in his palm. His eyes held a restrained seriousness, along with a trace of anticipation he could not hide.

The room was completely silent. He slowly gathered his thoughts, and the expression on his face gradually calmed, leaving no stray thoughts behind.

He sat firmly cross-legged on the ground, his back straight. Both hands gently held the Ten Thousand Year Spirit Bone, which glowed faintly, and steadily placed it between his knees.

He closed his eyes slightly and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. The Soul Power circulating within him began to stir, cautiously probing toward the Spirit Bone before him bit by bit.

The next instant, the Spirit Bone suddenly grew warm. A strand of dense, pure energy slowly entered his limbs and bones through the meridians in his palms.

At first, the influx was gentle and soothing. It traveled through his meridians, washing through them bit by bit and nourishing his bones and body.

As more and more energy poured in, the warmth gradually became scorching. Fine currents of heat surged wildly through his body, tugging at every inch of his meridians.

Yue Ling's brows furrowed slightly, and a faint flush surfaced on his face. He clenched his teeth lightly, clearly enduring the searing heat and aching swelling churning within his body.

He did not panic. His gaze remained firm as he stabilized his mind, controlled his Soul Power, and gradually assimilated and accepted the Spirit Bone's energy.

The immense Soul Power continuously filled his dantian. His previously stable foundation at level thirty-seven began steadily rising under the nourishment of the endless energy.

His breathing gradually became long and heavy, his chest rising and falling faintly. Fine beads of sweat slowly seeped out along his temples, yet his expression remained calm and composed.

No one knew how much time passed.

The restless energy within his body gradually settled, completely absorbed and refined by his body.

Yue Ling slowly opened his eyes. A clear gleam flashed through them, and his entire presence had become much steadier and more substantial.

He raised a hand slightly, feeling the explosively increased Soul Power within him, as well as his completely strengthened body and meridians.

The bottleneck that had held his Soul Power at level thirty-seven had long since been broken. He had steadily entered level thirty-eight and was only a step away from the peak of level thirty-nine.

He looked at his palm, and the tension at the corner of his lips eased as his heart finally settled.

With this Spirit Bone as my foundation, that troublesome issue of not being able to keep anyone from escaping when I fight is solved.