Finding a Soul Bone to Study Its Structure

Ning Fengzhi's words had barely fallen.

The Main Hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect erupted into an uproar.

Questions and objections rang out from every direction.

The sect elders stared in disbelief and began whispering among themselves.

To them, Qin Yun was merely an outsider who had just joined the sect.

However gifted he was, and even if he married Ning Rongrong, he had no right to rise in a single step to authority equal to the two Titled Douluo, above every elder.

Faced with a hall full of objections,

Ning Fengzhi remained composed. A stern look crossed his face as the full authority of the sect master came to bear.

"I am informing you of this decision, not consulting you!"

"Both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo made this decision with me!"

Hearing that both Titled Douluo had agreed,

the other elders fell silent. Not one dared say another word.

"Now that you know where matters stand, why haven't you paid your respects?"

At that, the elders and senior stewards bowed to Qin Yun.

"We pay our respects to Young Master Qin!"

After the sect assembly ended,

Qin Yun went straight to what he needed most. He cupped his hands toward Ning Fengzhi and said,

"Uncle Ning, I need some rare ores for my cultivation. Could you help me collect a batch?"

"I don't need large quantities. Small samples will do."

Qin Yun had his reasons. Advancing his Periodic Table of Elements Martial Soul and using higher-level Soul Rings both required rare elements as a foundation.

He was already at level forty-four. Though his next Soul Ring was still some time away, cultivation rewarded preparation.

Only by securing scarce materials early could he ensure that a lack of resources would not stall his next breakthrough.

Ning Fengzhi nodded without hesitation.

"Of course. That's easily done."

"Gengjin City has the largest reserves and widest variety of rare ores on the continent."

"I'll send trusted sect stewards to Gengjin City at once to purchase them. We'll gather what you need as quickly as possible."

"Thank you!"

Ning Fengzhi waved a hand. "We're family. No need to thank me."

Qin Yun continued, "Uncle Ning, both sets of Hidden Weapons rely on my unique Martial Soul to make. No one else can replicate them."

"I can provide the sect with ten sets a month. How does that sound? I still need time to cultivate my Soul Power."

"As my Soul Power grows, I can increase that number!"

"No problem," Ning Fengzhi said.

"Don't let this interfere with your cultivation. With your talent, you're certain to become a Titled Douluo!"

"The future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect rests with you!"

Ten sets a month meant a hundred and twenty a year. In two years, most of the direct-line disciples could be equipped.

Ning Fengzhi found that pace entirely acceptable.

Besides, this was a core sect secret. They needed to proceed gradually.

With Ning Fengzhi's full support secured, Qin Yun raised another request.

"Uncle Ning, there's one more thing I'd like to ask."

"Does the sect treasury have any unused Soul Bones?"

"Any part will do, regardless of age."

At the mention of Soul Bones, Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly and explained with a helpless look.

"Soul Bones are treasures of the utmost rarity. You can't simply go looking for one and expect to find it."

"The Soul Bones the sect has acquired over the years have gone first to elders and core fighters who rendered great service. At present, there are none left in the treasury."

"Then I'm sorry to trouble you with this, Uncle Ning. If you come across any Soul Bones we can acquire, please do your best to get them for me, whatever their quality or age. I have a special use for them."

Seeing how certain Qin Yun was, Ning Fengzhi did not press him for a reason. He nodded.

"All right. I'll remember. If I hear of a Soul Bone, I'll secure it for you at once."

For more than a month after that,

Qin Yun settled into life and cultivation at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Most days, he either sat in meditation to refine his Soul Power or improved his methods for crafting Hidden Weapons. Now and then, he accompanied Ning Rongrong to Heaven Dou City for a stroll. His days were peaceful and full.

One day, Ning Fengzhi came to find him in person, delight clear in his eyes.

"Xiao Qin, I managed to get you a Soul Bone, just as you asked. It cost a great deal of money and no small number of favors!"

He took out an exquisitely sealed jade box and opened it slowly. Inside lay a left leg Soul Bone with a faint gray-white glow.

"It's a Ten Thousand Year Left Leg Soul Bone. It has some wear, so it isn't top quality."

Qin Yun's heart leaped. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

"Thank you for going to so much trouble, Uncle Ning!"

Seeing Qin Yun eagerly take the box, Ning Fengzhi could not help cautioning him.

"It may be ten thousand years old, but a Soul Bone still needs to suit the person absorbing it. You..."

Qin Yun understood what he meant and answered at once.

"Don't worry, Uncle Ning. I'm not going to absorb this Soul Bone. I have another use for it!"

"All right!"

Though Ning Fengzhi was full of questions, he chose to trust Qin Yun completely.

He asked no more, nodded, and left.

Once everyone else was gone, Qin Yun gazed at the Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone in its jade box, curiosity and anticipation glinting in his eyes.

He had already formed a plan that could overturn everything the continent believed:

The bones of ordinary living creatures consisted mainly of three elements: calcium, Ca; phosphorus, P; and oxygen, O.

Their structure was simple and followed fixed rules.

But Soul Bones were extraordinary objects left behind by soul beasts after death. Their microscopic structure and elemental composition had to be entirely different.

He intended to use the extraordinary analytical power of his Periodic Table of Elements Martial Soul

to break down and examine this Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, uncovering the fundamental rules behind its formation.

Once he decoded the core secret of Soul Bones,

he could use his Martial Soul's powers of elemental reconstruction and material re-creation to synthesize Soul Bones!

If he succeeded, the entire soul master system of the Douluo Continent would be rewritten because of him.

Qin Yun closed his eyes and slowly extended Soul Power from his palm, enveloping the Soul Bone layer by layer.

His Periodic Table of Elements Martial Soul responded to his will. Fine tendrils of perception slipped in along the currents of Soul Power.

He found that the Soul Bone had three main components:

The first was the Soul Power of heaven and earth.

Soul beasts absorbed ambient Soul Power throughout their lives. Over the years, it accumulated and compressed in their bones, forming a crystalline energy matrix.

This was why Soul Bones were hard and could store Soul Power.

It determined their hardness and how long their stored Soul Power would last.

The second was the soul beast's vital blood essence.

Using the organic matter of the beast's bones, the essence of its bloodline, and the concentrated substance of its flesh as a foundation, it bound pure Soul Power into shape.

Ordinary animal bones consisted mainly of calcium hydroxyapatite.

In a Soul Bone, the original bone had been completely transformed. Calcium and phosphorus remained only in trace amounts; the bulk of it was crystallized Soul Power.

The third was the beast's innate spiritual essence.

Fragments of its consciousness, imprints of its innate abilities, and remnants of its soul were sealed within the Soul Power crystal. They were the source of the Soul Bone's innate soul skill.

Qin Yun's brows lifted slightly, and a smile touched his lips.

He had a definite idea now.

Perhaps...

Perhaps I could try it right now!