Parting, Absorbing the Soul Bone, Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Step!

Xiao Lin fell silent.

He had actually known this day would come long ago. Sword and Bone Douluo were retainers of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not idle wanderers. They could not possibly keep him company in these desolate mountains forever. The fact that they had taken half a year to accompany him in sword practice was already an immense kindness.

But knowing was one thing. When the moment of parting truly arrived, he could not help feeling reluctant.

"Big Brothers, thank you for your care and guidance over these past six months." Xiao Lin rose to his feet and solemnly bowed to Chen Xin and Gu Rong. His tone was sincere. "Xiao Lin will remember this kindness. I will repay it someday."

"Why talk about repayment? That makes us strangers, doesn't it?" Gu Rong waved a hand and said carelessly, "We're brothers. Brothers don't talk about that superficial stuff."

Chen Xin nodded as well. "Xiao Lin, with your talent and temperament, your future achievements will surely surpass ours. We merely gave you a little push along your path of growth. How far you can truly go will still depend on yourself."

He took a crystal-clear jade pendant from his robes and handed it to Xiao Lin. "This is a communication jade pendant from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Keep it safe. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, or if you change your mind and wish to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you can contact us with this pendant at any time."

Xiao Lin accepted the jade pendant. It felt warm and smooth in his hand, its surface engraved with exquisite cloud patterns as faint streams of light flowed within. He carefully put it away, then looked up at the two old men with a smile.

"Big Brothers, then let us—though the road ahead is long, we will meet again someday!"

"Good!" Gu Rong laughed heartily. "Though the road ahead is long, we will meet again someday!"

Chen Xin smiled too, his expression filled with gratification and expectation. "One year. If you make a name for yourself out there, we will naturally come find you. If not..."

"Then I'll go find you." Xiao Lin took over firmly. "When that time comes, we'll play A Laugh in the Vast Sea together again!"

"It's a promise!"

"It's a promise!"

Three palms struck together in midair, producing a crisp clap.

Early the next morning, Xiao Lin watched Chen Xin and Gu Rong disappear into the forest's morning mist. Though countless emotions churned within him, they ultimately became a soft sigh.

He stood there in silence for a long time.

Then he turned around and once more headed into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Parting was for the sake of a better reunion. And now, he had more important matters to attend to.

Before going to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he first had to do one thing—absorb the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone.

For the past six months, Xiao Lin had not taken out this soul bone. It was not because he did not trust Sword and Bone Douluo, but because he did not wish to test human nature.

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was a peerless treasure that could drive the entire Douluo Continent mad. Once exposed, even blood brothers might develop covetous thoughts.

He did not want to gamble a brotherhood on a soul bone.

Thus, he had kept the soul bone hidden in the most secret place, barely even looking at it.

Only now that Sword and Bone Douluo had departed, leaving him alone in the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest with no one around, was it the perfect time to absorb it.

Xiao Lin found a concealed cave, sealed its entrance with massive boulders, and then lit a bonfire.

The flames flickered, illuminating the cave brightly. Xiao Lin sat cross-legged beside the fire and took out the tightly wrapped Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone from his robes.

When he unwrapped the cloth, a blue-gold bone appeared before his eyes.

The bone resembled a section of lower leg bone, its surface covered in fine patterns with faint flowing light glimmering across it. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, radiating a subtle aura of life as though it were still alive. Beneath the firelight, its blue-gold radiance flowed without end, breathtakingly beautiful.

The Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone.

Xiao Lin drew a deep breath, pressed the soul bone against his right leg, closed his eyes, and activated his Soul Power.

His Soul Power flowed from his palm like a trickling stream and entered the soul bone. As if answering his call, the blue-gold radiance on its surface suddenly brightened, then transformed into countless tiny specks of light. Like fireflies, they slowly merged into Xiao Lin's right leg.

A warm yet powerful force surged through the meridians in his leg and spread into every part of his body.

The sensation was extraordinarily wonderful, as if he had been submerged in a hot spring. Every pore relaxed, and every meridian rejoiced.

The life essence and origin power contained within the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone were gradually remaking his body, strengthening his bones, muscles, and meridians.

The entire process lasted about two hours.

When the final trace of blue-gold light entered Xiao Lin's body, he slowly opened his eyes.

Blue-gold patterns emerged across the surface of his right leg, winding upward like vines until they reached his knee. They then gradually faded away and vanished.

The soul bone had been absorbed.

After absorbing the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, Xiao Lin's Soul Power soared as if riding a rocket, directly rising from level thirty-four to level thirty-eight. And that was not all.

Xiao Lin stood and moved his right leg. An unprecedented sense of lightness and power came from it, as if a casual leap could send him ten zhang into the air.

With a thought, a strange power surged from the soul bone and instantly spread through his entire body.

Two blue-gold sonic trails suddenly appeared beneath his feet. As though stepping upon invisible strings, they sent ripples spreading through the air.

He cautiously took a step forward. A crisp note burst beneath his foot, as if someone had plucked a string, and his body shot forward like an arrow released from its bow!

Whoosh!

Xiao Lin left an afterimage where he stood. In the next instant, he had already appeared ten zhang away!

"So fast!" Even Xiao Lin was startled.

He steadied himself, looked back at where he had been standing, then at the two slowly fading blue-gold sonic trails beneath his feet. His eyes were full of delight.

This was the soul bone skill granted to him by the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone—

Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Step!!?

The skill's effects far exceeded his expectations.

First, it was incredibly fast. He had only taken a tentative step just now, yet he had already dashed ten zhang away. If he used it with full force, its speed would likely be even more terrifying.

Moreover, its method of movement was extremely unique—not running on two legs, but "walking upon sound."

Each step landed in the air with a crisp exploding note, propelling his body forward in a burst, as though he were running through the sky atop invisible strings.

Second, it came with an evasion mechanism. While moving, his figure would flicker in and out alongside the rhythm, making it difficult for enemies to lock onto him.

If he anticipated an enemy's attack, he could also use an Accented Step to instantly change direction, leaving behind a sonic afterimage to confuse his opponent.

What delighted Xiao Lin even more was that this skill also came with a healing effect.

He could streak across the battlefield at high speed, dragging a long sonic trail behind him and leaving an "Melodic Corridor" in his wake. Allies who entered the corridor could gain speed and healing, while enemies who entered it would be knocked back by sonic vibrations.

"Speed and healing... this is practically a god-tier skill!" Xiao Lin could not help exclaiming.

With this skill, his mobility would be greatly enhanced. He could advance to attack, retreat to defend, and run if he could not win. It was simply an essential god-tier skill for home, travel, killing, and looting!

Xiao Lin tested it several times throughout the cave. The more he used it, the smoother it became, and the more he liked it.

He even left sonic afterimages all over the cave walls. At first glance, it seemed as though several Xiao Lins were moving through the cave at once, impossible to distinguish as real or fake.

"With the Jade Flute Swordsmanship and Phoenix Cry Nine Heavens Step, I can now be considered capable in both offense and defense, free to advance or retreat." Xiao Lin nodded in satisfaction, then his smile faded and his gaze grew profound.

"Then next..."

He raised his head, his gaze seeming to pierce through the cave wall toward the distant north.

"It's time to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

P.S. He grovels to no one—only others grovel to the protagonist!