The Last Day

Dugu Bo caught the tangled vine with one hand. A flash of dark green Soul Power appeared in his palm, and the tip of the vine stopped in his hand, unable to go any further. He looked down at the white mark on his palm and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Not bad. The power of this attack is almost at the level of a level 50 Soul King."

Tang San retracted the vines, a hint of regret in his voice. "Unfortunately, I can only condense three vines at the moment."

"What? Three?" Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment, then his admiration turned into speechlessness. "Don't be so smug. Soul Ancestor in his Level 40, who can deal nearly three hits with Soul King —and you're telling me it's a pity?"

Tang San scratched the back of his head and smiled.

Wang Xingyu snapped his fan shut and suggested, "Let's strike while the iron is hot and absorb the Soul Bone too. Soul Bone depends mainly on compatibility, not Soul Power."

Tang San nodded and sat down cross-legged again. He placed the emerald green sword leaf Soul Bone on his right calf and closed his eyes. The moment the Soul Bone touched his skin, it transformed into a stream of emerald green light and slowly disappeared into his right leg.

There was no violent impact like when absorbing Soul Ring, nor the expected resistance. The Soul Bone entered the body like a drop of water merging into another, quiet and natural.

Half an hour later, Tang San opened his eyes, stood up and stretched his right leg. A faint emerald green pattern appeared on the outside of his calf, shaped like a sword leaf, shining slightly under his skin, before slowly disappearing after a moment.

"What ability?" Xiao Wu leaned closer.

With a thought, Tang San activated his Soul Bone Skill. A pale silver sword aura extended from his leg and attached itself to the Blue Silver Grass. The metallic luster on the surface of the vine suddenly brightened, and the sharpness of its edges became even stronger than before.

"Sword energy. It can be attached to Blue Silver Grass to enhance its cutting power, or it can be launched directly." Tang San said, moving his right leg, and a pale silver sword energy detached from the vine and shot straight out, leaving a deep sword mark on a tree trunk not far away.

Looking at the sword mark, Wang Xingyu realized it was indeed the sword energy he had obtained from the Sword Grass.

Now the Little San has control, melee, and ranged abilities. Two Blue Silver Grass plants, one for front-line damage and one for back-line support—just as originally envisioned.

With the matter of the Ten-Thousand-Year Sword Grass and the Soul Bone settled, the three returned to their previous rhythm: cultivation, medicine preparation, and the Triangle Cycle, occasionally being called upon by Dugu Bo to test a few moves. However, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's effect on accelerating cultivation was no longer as pronounced as when they first arrived.

Another half month passed. That evening, the three of them were cultivating by the spring as usual. Suddenly, Xiao Wu opened her eyes.

"I've broken through Level 40."

Tang San and Wang Xingyu simultaneously finished their training and retrieved their Blue Silver Grass. Xiao Wu stood up and stretched her wrists, a hint of smugness on her face.

"What kind of Soul Ring do you plan to hunt?" Tang San asked.

"No need," Xiao Wu waved her hand, "I've already found one."

She pulled a turtle out of her pocket. It was about the size of a palm, grayish-brown all over, with a few withered leaves still clinging to its shell; it was completely dead.

"Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, I found it in that forest over there." Xiao Wu pointed to the outer edge of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, her tone casual.

Tang San looked at the tortoise. Wang Xingyu looked at it too.

A Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Died. Was "picked up".

The two exchanged a glance. Was Xiao Wu giving up the act, or was she testing them?

"Quickly, protect me!" Xiao Wu didn't give the two a chance to ask any more questions. She had already sat down cross-legged and placed the tortoise between the three of them.

The two had no choice but to sit down. Blue Silver Grass emerged from their palms, connecting in pairs to form Triangle Cycle.

A Soul Ring rose from Xiao Wu's body. It was purple at first, then gradually deepened in color, turning into black.

Wang Xingyu and Tang San simultaneously felt the suction force coming from Xiao Wu's direction. Without hesitation, they pushed all their Soul Power towards Xiao Wu.

The Soul Ring turned completely black and slowly disappeared into her body. Xiao Wu frowned slightly, but the impact of that Soul Power was much gentler than that of the Ten-Thousand-Year Sword Grass. In addition, Tang San had already absorbed a ten- Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, so it was not difficult for him to deal with.

Not long after, the Soul Ring suddenly retracted and completely disappeared into Xiao Wu's body.

Xiao Wu opened her eyes, and a golden light flashed around her. The gold was not pure; deep within it, there was a hint of golden-red luster, like metal that had been burned. The golden patterns flashed and disappeared into her skin.

Wang Xingyu put away the Blue Silver Grass. Tang San asked, "What kind of Soul Skill?"

Xiao Wu stood up, held up a finger and waved it in front of the two of them, her face full of pride. "Invincible Golden Body. Absolute physical defense, four seconds, and it adds another second for every ten levels of Soul Power." She paused, looked up at the bright moon overhead, "And under moonlight, it adds another half—six seconds."

Four seconds?

Like Teleportation, the Invincible Golden Body has mutated, becoming stronger under moonlight. However, in the original work, the Invincible Golden Body lasts for three seconds. The extra second is likely due to the effect of the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

"How is it?" Xiao Wu tossed her scorpion braid back and asked the two of them.

"Good stuff," Wang Xingyu said.

Tang San nodded. This Soul Skill was indeed powerful; even knowing its full potential, it would be difficult to deal with. He looked at Xiao Wu, wondering if this was the strength of Soul Beast Transformation. His gaze then shifted to Wang Xingyu.

Xingyu seems to know far too much. The past of the Spirit Hall, Twin Martial Souls —he seems to be able to guess everything in advance. Could he, like Xiao Wu, also be Soul Beast Transformation?

He subtly activated his Purple Demon Eye and glanced at Wang Xingyu. There was nothing there. No phantom like the Soft Bone Rabbit, no trace of Soul Beast aura.

It's not a transformation of Blue Silver Grass.

If so, it should be obvious. Tang San suppressed the thought in his mind.

Wang Xingyu noticed Tang San's gaze and turned his head. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Tang San said, withdrawing his gaze.

A few days later, Dugu Bo came over carrying a wine bottle.

He sat down in front of the three people, took out four cups from his pocket, laid them out one by one, and filled them with gulps.

"You can go back tomorrow." He put the wine bottle on the ground. "My poison has been almost completely neutralized; I'll take care of the rest myself. You three Little Monster have been here long enough."

Wang Xingyu picked up his glass and looked at it. The wine shimmered amber in the moonlight and smelled quite fragrant. The four clinked glasses, and he took a sip—then he and Xiao Wu almost simultaneously stuck their tongues out, leaving them exposed.

Dugu Bo looked at the two of them and clicked his tongue. "Two grown men like this, and they can't even drink. What a waste of this fine wine of mine." He raised his glass to Tang San, "Tang San is still the best."

Tang San had finished his drink. He put down the cup, looked down at the empty bottom, and thought, "I'm actually a little reluctant to part with it."

Dugu Bo paused for a moment, his hand holding the cup still.

"Don't be reluctant. If you're still reluctant, you'll pluck my entire herb garden bare."

Hearing this, Wang Xingyu smiled somewhat guiltily. There was an even bigger surprise waiting for Dugu Bo before he left tomorrow.

Tang San poured himself another cup, picked it up, and looked at Dugu Bo. "Old Monster, I have a second request."

Dugu Bo put down his cup, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Come to the Shrek Academy as an advisor."

Dugu Bo paused for a moment, then waved his hand. "I'm used to working alone; what use am I as an advisor? Never mind."

Tang San shook his head. "I won't make you attend classes. Just let you be registered; I won't restrict your freedom. Come visit when you have time."

Dugu Bo held his wine cup, remaining silent for a long time. Moonlight shone on the surface of the wine, creating shimmering, fragmented light.

"Alright, alright." He slammed his glass on the table, spilling a few drops of wine. "Little Monster, whatever you say."

Tang San smiled and raised his glass to toast. The two finished the bottle of wine.