Tiger Flame Demon Light!

"The two work together seamlessly. With their current strength and temperament, winning the Freshman Competition would be as easy as turning over a hand."

A flicker of approval crossed Bibi Dong's eyes at his words.

Her fingertips paused at the edge of the Soul Bone as she said slowly:

"They are Spirit Hall's hope for the future. Their foundations must be solid, and their temperaments must be tempered even further."

"Though the Freshman Competition is only a small test of their blades, it is also a good opportunity to observe their potential."

"Yes, Your Holiness is right."

Xiao Yi answered, maintaining his bowed posture throughout.

Bibi Dong withdrew her gaze and closed the jade box again, sealing that faint glow inside. She said evenly:

"Understood. You may leave."

"Yes, Your Holiness."

Xiao Yi bowed once more, then turned and walked lightly out of the hall. The heavy doors slowly closed behind him.

Bibi Dong's gaze settled on Su Yu and Hu Liena. Her eyes held scrutiny, but also a trace of warmth that was difficult to detect.

She slowly descended from her high seat, her long purple robes swaying gently with her steps, their hem brushing soundlessly across the floor.

"Little Yu, Nana."

She spoke calmly, yet with unquestionable authority.

"I am very pleased with your performance in the trials these past days."

"Both your composure in the face of danger and your seamless cooperation have exceeded my expectations."

Su Yu and Hu Liena hurriedly bowed and answered in unison:

"Thank you for your praise, Teacher."

Bibi Dong raised a hand to signal them to straighten, then pointed to the jade box on the table beside her:

"You obtained this External Soul Bone together during the trial, so you should decide for yourselves who receives it."

Hu Liena looked at Su Yu. After a moment's consideration, she spoke earnestly:

"Brother Su Yu, you were the one who killed that Golden-Eyed Tiger with your own hands. I really didn't contribute much in the battle just now. You should have this External Soul Bone."

Su Yu was just about to raise his hand to decline, but Hu Liena interrupted him first:

"Brother Su Yu, hear me out. I'm a Control System Soul Master, specializing in charm and restraint, while you're a Power Attack System Soul Master. You need stronger offensive abilities."

"We examined this External Soul Bone earlier. In all likelihood, it will grant an offensive Soul Skill."

"That alone makes this Soul Bone more suitable for you, Brother Su Yu."

"Think about it. With this, your combat strength will definitely climb another level, and you'll be able to protect me better in the future!"

Su Yu looked at her, and the refusal on the tip of his tongue suddenly would not come out.

Every word Hu Liena said made sense. Moreover, he could feel that she was genuinely considering his interests, without the slightest pretense.

"But..."

Su Yu still wanted to say something, but Hu Liena smiled and pressed a hand against his arm.

"No buts."

She pushed the jade box into Su Yu's hands.

"Besides, if we come across an opportunity that suits me in the future, you'll definitely think of me too, right, Brother Su Yu?"

"That's more like it."

Hu Liena smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, as though she were even happier than if she had received the Soul Bone herself.

"Put it away. Find somewhere safe to absorb it later, and I'll stand guard for you."

Seeing this, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction:

"Very good."

"Knowing what to take and what to forgo, and knowing how to consider your companions, matters more than strength alone."

"Since you've decided, Little Yu, absorb this Soul Bone now. I'll stand guard for you!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Holding the jade box in both hands, Su Yu bowed deeply to Bibi Dong, then turned and walked to an open space in the hall, where he sat cross-legged.

He took a deep breath and opened the jade box-the External Soul Bone inside glowed purple.

It looked like a small ball. This was the External Soul Bone formed from the Vertical Eye between the brows of that thousand-year Golden-Eyed Tiger.

Bibi Dong stood behind him, her Soul Power slowly spreading outward to form a pale purple barrier that enveloped the entire hall, shutting out all outside interference.

"Focus your mind and calm yourself. Guide your Soul Power to resonate with the Soul Bone. Don't rush. Sense its aura."

Her voice was steady and strong, carrying a reassuring power.

Su Yu closed his eyes and circulated his Soul Power as instructed.

The Soul Bone floated about an inch in front of his brow, its dim light flickering. As though it had a consciousness of its own, it kept probing his mental defenses.

When its icy surface finally pressed fully against his brow, Su Yu shuddered.

The pain felt as though someone were carving a chunk of flesh from between his brows with a knife.

It also felt as though countless fine needles were piercing the inside of his skull all at once, making even his soul tremble in waves.

Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he bit his lips until they turned somewhat pale!

"Steady."

Bibi Dong's voice sounded at just the right moment, accompanied by a thread of Soul Power flowing into his body.

"This pain is an unavoidable part of the Soul Bone merging with your body. Accept it instead of resisting it."

Su Yu clenched his teeth, forcibly enduring the discomfort as he continued guiding his Soul Power.

Bibi Dong stood beside him, her purple Soul Power lingering around him like a sheer veil.

Whenever the Soul Power inside him showed signs of breaking apart, a gentle yet firm force would promptly replenish it, stabilizing his aura.

Her gaze remained fixed on the Soul Bone merging with Su Yu's brow, a trace of anticipation in her eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Yu suddenly felt the pain between his brows gradually recede.

In its place came a strange sense of fullness, like an empty vessel slowly being filled.

He could clearly "see" the patterns on the Soul Bone connecting with his network of nerves.

When the last trace of rejection disappeared, Su Yu abruptly opened his eyes, and a faint golden light flickered between his brows.

A pale golden mark appeared between Su Yu's brows, adding a touch of nobility to his appearance.

"It's done."

Bibi Dong's voice held a barely perceptible trace of gratification.

"Feel what ability it has granted you."

Su Yu focused his mind, trying hard to communicate with the Soul Bone. After a while, he opened his eyes.

"Teacher, this Soul Bone really did grant me an offensive Soul Skill!"

"Oh?"

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, a measure of anticipation in her tone.

"What is it? Try using it on me."

Su Yu froze at her words and hurriedly waved his hands. "Teacher, isn't that a little inappropriate? What if..."

Though he knew the gap between his strength and Bibi Dong's was enormous, he still felt somewhat apprehensive about attacking his teacher directly.

Bibi Dong stepped forward, bent a finger, and lightly tapped his forehead:

"You're not strong enough to hurt me. Go ahead."

Su Yu ducked his head at the tap, a hint of hesitation still in his eyes.

But faced with Bibi Dong's gaze, which brooked no argument, Su Yu took a deep breath.

He focused his mind and established a connection with the Soul Bone between his brows, instantly stirring the power that had only recently merged with him.

"Soul Bone Skill: Tiger Flame Demon Light!"