The grandfather and grandson enjoyed this rare moment of warmth in the courtyard.
After chatting about everyday matters, Tian Chen could not help telling Tian E about losing control of his emotions during the earlier battle.
He wanted to control his power, not be controlled by it.
Hiding things from the person closest to him was undoubtedly foolish.
"That's what happened. Grandpa, do you know what caused it?"
Tian Chen recounted the details of his battle with the Diamond Tiger that day.
Tian E did not rush to answer. Instead, he stared at Tian Chen and examined him carefully before speaking unhurriedly.
"It should be because of that Back-Spiked Crocodile King Soul Bone. I never expected that, after all these years, the consciousness inside the Soul Bone still hadn't been completely extinguished."
Surprised though he was, Tian E remained deeply concerned about his grandson.
Seeing Tian Chen's tightly furrowed brow, Tian E walked over, patted his shoulder, and said with a soft chuckle.
"It's not as serious as you think. I'll get you a Head Soul Bone in a while to improve your spiritual power, and you won't be affected anymore."
Tian E's words carried absolute confidence. Obtaining a hundred-thousand-year Head Soul Bone was beyond him, but a ten-thousand-year one was hardly a problem.
At worst, he could cast aside his dignity and kick up a fuss at Qian Daoliu's place. With Spirit Hall's accumulation over tens of thousands of years, how could he fail to get a Head Soul Bone?
Hearing Tian E say he would get him a Head Soul Bone, Tian Chen's eyes immediately lit up.
When it came to Soul Bones, the more the merrier, of course.
He also wanted Tian E to see whether he could get him the Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull that Tang San had fused with in the original story.
That Soul Bone was of quite good quality. Not only was it intact, but it had also come from a Soul Beast at least sixty thousand years old. Of course, what excited him most was the peculiar thrill of snatching someone else's fortuitous opportunity.
Tian Chen never stood on ceremony with his grandfather, and he had been that way since childhood. Whenever he wanted something, Tian E would have someone buy it for him without another word.
It could be said that he had never lacked anything growing up-the very image of a rich second generation.
With a face full of smiles, Tian Chen walked behind Tian E and kneaded his shoulders, speaking with a grin.
"Grandpa, I heard that an elder of our Spirit Hall who fell a while ago left behind a Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull. What do you think of that one?"
As he spoke, Tian Chen waggled his eyebrows, dropping hints like mad. He all but said outright, "I want that Soul Bone."
Watching his grandson's expressive face, even Tian E, at over a hundred years old, could not help bursting into laughter.
"All right, Grandpa will get it for you."
"The Pope's Palace obtained three Soul Bones from three fallen elders a while ago. It shouldn't be much of a problem for me to get one."
Tian E was still working things out in his mind, but he had already agreed to Tian Chen's request.
In his eyes, Bibi Dong was merely a junior. What could she possibly say if he snatched one of her Soul Bones?
Besides, how could a Soul Master's affairs be called snatching? That was taking.
Glancing at the sun, which had already sunk completely out of sight, Tian E straightened up, smoothed the creases in his golden robe, and rested his right hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"It's getting late. Let's have dinner first. You still have to go to Spirit Hall Academy tomorrow, so don't let that fall by the wayside. There are still plenty of things you can learn at the academy."
Then Tian E waved a hand, signaling for the maid to prepare dinner, while he chatted with Tian Chen all the way back to the manor's splendid, gilded hall.
The grandfather and grandson sat opposite each other and set about the sumptuous dinner before them.
Both were Soul Masters, with appetites far beyond those of ordinary people. Although Tian E was already over a hundred and twenty years old, his appetite was by no means small.
In less than an hour, the grandfather and grandson had swallowed all the delicacies piled on the table, made from the choicest parts of all kinds of Soul Beasts.
Tian Chen let out a satisfied burp and drank a cup of clear tea to wash away the meal's greasiness.
After excusing himself, he returned to his room once more, sat on the sofa, and began cultivating.
He had already wasted the entire afternoon and would not continue squandering his time. Moreover, after absorbing the Back-Spiked Crocodile King's Soul Bone, his Soul Power had already reached the peak of rank fifteen. Following his battle with the Diamond Tiger that day, he felt signs of a breakthrough.
Perhaps he might even break through that very night.
Without further hesitation, he closed his eyes. Golden Soul Power light instantly illuminated the entire room, and pale golden Soul Power flowed swiftly through Tian Chen's meridians, cycling over and over.