She gently cradled the Head Soul Bone, which radiated a white halo, in her hands, feeling the powerful energy surging within it, her heart filled with emotion.
Bibi Dong smiled slightly and gently patted Hu Liena's head, "Silly child, you are my most prized disciple, it's only right that I do this for your own good."
"Alright, you two can Soul Bone now. I'll protect you here."
She had previously planned to give the two Soul Bone to Xuan Ming as a gift to celebrate her victory and to comfort Hu Liena after the competition ended, but after what happened a few days ago, she knew that this matter could not be delayed any longer.
Xuan Ming nodded, picked up the Soul Bone, and with a thought, the Soul Bone transformed into a stream of light and flowed into his head.
"You..." Bibi Dong was speechless.
What kind of habit is that!
She understands that meditation can be practiced anytime, anywhere.
She could barely understand that she had to stand while absorbing the Soul Ring because the Blood Spear had to devour it.
They're being so careless about something as important as absorbing Soul Bone!
Seeing this, Hu Liena didn't try to imitate Xuan Ming. Instead, she sat down obediently, concentrated her mind, and began to absorb the Soul Bone.
Time passed slowly, Hu Liena's head was enveloped in a white halo, but Xuan Ming remained unchanged. The energy contained within the Wisdom Skull seemed to have vanished completely.
Bibi Dong was a little worried and was about to go forward to check when the tranquil white light suddenly exploded, enveloping the entire room. The next moment, Xuan Ming's head suddenly flashed with alternating red and blue light, and two auras of extreme cold and extreme heat surged alternately.
If this domain hadn't acted as a cage to contain the overflow of these two auras, the room would have been Ice Seal and burned in the instant they dissipated!
What are you guys doing?
In the alternating hot and cold spiritual world, Xuan Ming was doing his best to stabilize his mind, because the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King were once again pouring the energy of the dragon bones into his body, except this time it was being poured into the Head Soul Bone.
"I'll upgrade you," the Ice Dragon King said.
"Do you remember what I told you before? The Dragon Bone was originally intended to be used after you reached the Titled Douluo, or even the Peerless Douluo?"
Why don't you guess why?
Xuan Ming's expression was somewhat unnatural. "Improve the quality of the Soul Bone?"
"Not only that," the Ice Dragon King said.
"There are many ways to become a god. Becoming a god directly is too dangerous because one must face the Godhood Tribulation. Even Level 99 Peerless Douluo would only face certain death if he directly faced the Godhood Tribulation. Therefore, after reaching the limit of the mortal realm, if one wants to become a god, one must use various means to surpass the limit of the mortal realm and break the restrictions of the mortal realm's rules in order to transcend this world and rise above the rules."
"As you know, people like Bibi Dong become gods through existing inheritances. The God's Trial will improve various qualities of Soul Master, including Soul Ring and Soul Bone. However, what exactly is improved depends on the emphasis of this Godhood."
"As far as I know, the first eight trials of the God's Trial are basically various tests and preparations, but you could also say they are preparations for the Ninth Trial, because the Ninth Trial requires the person seeking godhood to break through the rules and restrictions themselves. This process is still extremely dangerous, with a high chance of death. If they succeed, they can inherit the Godhood; if they fail, they are completely finished."
"And the enhancement that the Dragon King's dragon bones can bring you is equivalent to God's Trial!"
"However, you'll still have to go through the God's Trial yourself. You don't need the dragon bones. Once you fully absorb our dragon bones, the improvement you gain will be no less than that of a human who has completed the eight trials of God Level."
Listening to the Ice Dragon King's words, Xuan Ming gained a better understanding of information related to becoming a god. "What about becoming a god through faith?"
"Become a god through faith?" The Ice Dragon King pondered.
"That thing is a bit troublesome. After all, faith needs to come from the heart, and it's a kind of miracle power. In our time, people in other planes tried it, but the Dragon Clan looked down on such opportunistic tricks."
Are you interested?
"Excuse my bluntness, but I'm afraid this method isn't suitable for you."
The Power of Faith is influenced by the rules of the universe, requiring believers to be completely voluntary, from the heart, and without any pretense. It is also in great demand of the times.
For example, in the midst of chaos, if someone steps forward to guide the establishment of order and resolves the predicament faced by everyone, it is not enough for Power of Faith to be generated; it is also necessary for everyone to share in this belief.
If one actively disrupts an already orderly era, creates chaos, and then tries to restore order, simultaneously generating storms and providing shelter, the Power of Faith will not arise.
Therefore, the deification of faith is not only troublesome, but also highly dependent on the times.
In the current Douluo Continent, such methods are not feasible. Once suspected of orchestrating the whole thing, the Power of Faith will transform into the power of resentment. Using that thing to aid in becoming a god would invite Heavenly Tribulation!
After all, the Power of Faith elevates the person being worshipped, making them even higher, so that power can weaken the Godhood Tribulation. On the other hand, the power of resentment is what everyone wants to bring down, so the effect is exactly the opposite; it will increase the destructive power of the Heavenly Tribulation!
"You said the Ninth Trial has to be broken through on your own, there's no other way?" Xuan Ming asked.
"A solution..." The Ice Dragon King paused.
"It's not entirely impossible. If someone who has also completed the eight trials of God Level is willing to give up everything to pave the way for a god, the difficulty of the Ninth Trial, which is originally a matter of life and death, will be greatly reduced, and it can almost be said to be just a formality."
"However, in the eyes of the Dragon Clan, this is a tactic used by incompetent inheritors. They can't even walk the path to godhood on their own and need others to pave the way. Even if they become gods, how far can they go? Becoming a god is not the end, but only a new beginning."
"Brother, you don't even have this much confidence, do you?"
" Bibi Dong fought her way up entirely on her own. As a man, you can't let her..."
"I was just asking," Xuan Ming said speechlessly.
As time passed, the light emanating from Xuan Ming's head gradually dimmed, and the aura of both ice and fire slowly subsided.
Although the process was painful and difficult, the gains were enormous. He could feel that his Divine Power had made a qualitative leap, and his perception of the world around him had become much more acute.
As the last glimmer of light faded, Xuan Ming slowly opened his eyes. He saw Bibi Dong standing not far away with a worried expression, while Hu Liena, having already absorbed the Soul Bone, was looking at him with concern.
" Xuan Ming, are you alright?" Bibi Dong quickly stepped forward and carefully checked Xuan Ming's physical condition.
Xuan Ming shook his head. "It's nothing, my brain is just a little out of sorts."
"Not adapting? How are you not adapting?" Bibi Dong asked worriedly.
"I'm receiving too much information; I'm not used to it." Xuan Ming rubbed his head. Although he had activated his domain beforehand to seal his mental fluctuations within the room, this still caused his mental fluctuations to echo continuously within the enclosed space.
Now, almost every detail about the room, including the dust on the floor and the tiny insects hiding in the corner, is imprinted in his mind.
"Your Divine Power has increased too rapidly, it's normal to feel uncomfortable. Is there anything else that's bothering you?" Bibi Dong asked with concern.
"Other places..." Xuan Ming's expression was somewhat unnatural, and he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong leaned closer again, "Where do you feel unwell?"
"If you keep doing this, he'll be consumed by lust." The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox's voice echoed in Bibi Dong's mind.
Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"If I'm not mistaken, that mental fluctuation just now forced him to scan both of you thoroughly. All your physical data were engraved in his mind. Combined with certain scenes he had seen before, now you appear to him as..." The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox's tone was somewhat subtle.
Bibi Dong's face instantly turned crimson, and she subconsciously took a step back, her eyes filled with a hint of panic and shyness, but she quickly regained her composure.
" Xuan Ming, take some time to adjust and adapt to this sudden increase in Divine Power," Bibi Dong said, trying to appear calm, though her slightly trembling voice betrayed the turmoil in her heart.
Xuan Ming nodded awkwardly, quickly closed his eyes, and tried to concentrate, attempting to banish those inappropriate images from his mind while simultaneously sorting out and adapting to this immense Divine Power.
Seeing the subtle atmosphere between the two, Hu Liena didn't say much. She simply walked silently behind Bibi Dong and gently hugged her.
"Teacher."
Bibi Dong felt a pang of panic, and her body trembled involuntarily. " Nana, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just wanted to hug my teacher," Hu Liena said softly.
"Teacher, why are you shaking?"
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, suppressing her guilty conscience, "You scared me."
"Teacher, I've hugged you like this before, and you weren't scared." Hu Liena's lips curled up slightly.
Bibi Dong coughed lightly, trying to cover up her embarrassment, "Perhaps it's because I had too much to do today, and I'm a little tense."
"Okay, Nana, stop fooling around."
"Oh." Hu Liena slowly released Bibi Dong.
He's clearly guilty, but he's pretending!
Chapter 258 A Utter Defeat
Xuan Ming tried his best to calm the turmoil in his heart and refocus his attention on sorting out his Divine Power.
As time slowly passed, he gradually felt that the surging Divine Power become docile, operating smoothly under his control.
When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to his usual calm and clarity.
"Speaking of which, how long have I been absorbing Soul Bone?" Xuan Ming suddenly asked.
"It's been a day and a night, which is faster than I expected," Bibi Dong said.
Hu Liena was originally Mental Attribute Soul Master, and with her Martial Soul Evolution into the super Mental Attribute Martial Soul Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, she absorbed the white Soul Bone very quickly, and it was completely stable by midnight.
Xuan Ming shouldn't have taken this long, but it seems that the two dragon souls on his body are causing trouble again, and the quality of this Wisdom Skull has obviously been elevated to an extremely high level.
"A day and a night?" Xuan Ming was taken aback.
"Then wouldn't that mean..."
" Yue Guan said this half an hour ago, and now, the Imperial Fighting Team's match should be starting soon," Bibi Dong said.
If you go there now...
" Imperial Fighting Team wins this match!"
The host's voice, though very faint, penetrated the room's soundproofing, but for Xuan Ming and the other two, it was practically indistinguishable from being spoken right next to their ears.
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly. "The battle ended so quickly; it seems they're in a good mood today."
Xuan Ming's eye twitched slightly.
Feeling good?
If I'm in a good mood, I can kill the opponent instantly?
"I've been here for so long, and the people outside..." Xuan Ming hesitated, then stopped.
"Don't worry, I had Yue Guan cover for you. They all think I've already taken you away from the Great Soul Arena and back to the Martial Soul Holy Temple," Bibi Dong said.
"However, after disappearing for so long, it's time you went back and showed your face."
"Someone's about to explode."
Xuan Ming sighed and stood up. "Then I'll go ahead."
"No rush, let's go together," Bibi Dong said.
"Since she hasn't come home all night anyway, I'll keep things quiet for you and prevent her from causing a scene."
Xuan Ming hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.
Are you sure she won't get even more agitated?
Heaven Dou Royal Grand Hotel
Xuan Ming's absence from the competition and his subsequent appearance with Bibi Dong created a very unfavorable situation for Dugu Yan and her group, who had just finished their match.
They used to think their biggest rival was right beside them, but now it seems that's not the case.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling are in cahoots. They grew up together and are practically like sisters. On this matter, they are on the same side.
Ning Rongrong initially tried to win over Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, intending to give herself some support.
Until Gu Yuena appeared, they were divided into two camps, but after Gu Yuena appeared, they automatically merged.
Now, they suddenly feel that their biggest rival is not even in front of them!
Are you alright?
Gu Yuena spoke first, breaking the eerie atmosphere. She looked at Xuan Ming with some concern.
This tone and gaze changed the atmosphere of the scene once again.
"Are you injured?" Ning Rongrong asked worriedly.
"No, it's just that my mental state is still a bit unstable," Xuan Ming said.
"Unstable mentally? What happened?" Dugu Yan asked.
" The Pope gave me a piece of Head Soul Bone, and after absorbing it... my Divine Power is still a bit unstable." Xuan Ming rubbed his head.
His Divine Power increased too quickly. With the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King adding fuel to the fire, his Divine Power was directly raised to the level of Titled Douluo.
He wasn't quite used to such powerful Divine Power yet, and needed to try his best to restrain himself from thinking, otherwise a large amount of information would explode in his mind instantly.
" Head Soul Bone?" Everyone's expression changed.
Aside from the External Soul Bone and Torso Bone, the most precious is the Head Soul Bone!