"The goods are satisfactory. Let's proceed with the exchange!"
Lin Yun smiled, nodding in approval as he examined the six 100,000-year spirit bones before him, each radiating terrifying soul power despite their differing hues.
In this regard, Shrek Academy hadn't tried to pull any tricks.
Though none of these spirit bones exceeded 120,000 years in age, their quality was excellent—flawless, in fact. While their attributes were varied and not perfectly suited for a single soul master, they were still enough to make Shrek bleed.
For this, Lin Yun truly had to thank Tang San.
If not for his monopoly on the Icefire Yin Yang Well, which had caused immortal herbs to vanish from the world for millennia—with the sole exception being the Shrek Seven Devils who ascended to godhood—immortal herbs wouldn't be held in such mythical regard.
In the era of The Outcast, consuming an immortal herb was practically synonymous with having the potential to become a god.
This wasn't like Douluo Dalu 3: The Legend of the Dragon King, where, ten thousand years later, the Icefire Yin Yang Well had been under the Tang Sect's control for thousands of years. By then, immortal herbs occasionally appeared in the world, and those who consumed them didn't necessarily ascend to godhood.
But in this age, immortal herbs remained shrouded in mystery—the most coveted treasures atop every soul master's dream list.
Thus, Shrek's willingness to trade six 100,000-year spirit bones for a single immortal herb was only natural.
Zhang Lexuan carefully stored the Blazing Flame Scorching Sunflower in her soul storage device, intending to deliver it to the Academy's higher-ups in the Sea God Pavilion after Lin Yun left.
As for how the herb would be allocated, that was no longer her concern.
After yesterday's Sea God Pavilion meeting, Zhang Lexuan was already disillusioned with Shrek, if not outright heartbroken. The only thing still tying her to the Academy was her gratitude toward Mu En.
'One last task for the Academy… From now on, I'll live for myself.'
Once the immortal herb was secured, Zhang Lexuan turned her gaze back to Lin Yun, studying his handsome face—the very one that drove countless girls in the Outer Court wild—and felt her heart flutter once more.
'From now on… please take care of me!'
Unaware of the budding emotions stirring within Zhang Lexuan, Lin Yun was in high spirits after successfully carving a hefty price out of Shrek. Even the smile on his face seemed more genuine.
100,000-year spirit bones were rare even in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Not all 100,000-year spirit beasts died peacefully—most were either hunted by human soul masters or perished under heavenly tribulations.
If killed by humans, their spirit rings and bones would naturally become resources for soul masters to grow stronger.
But if they fell to heavenly tribulations, their entire cultivation would dissipate—returning to the world as it had come from it. Not a trace of their spirit rings or bones would remain.
Thus, even the Star Dou Great Forest likely held no more than a dozen or so 100,000-year spirit bones in storage—twenty at most.
In contrast, there were far more 10,000-year spirit bones.
Six 100,000-year spirit bones were already a considerable haul.
Lin Yun couldn't just ask Di Tian and the others for 100,000-year spirit bones to give to Xiao Xiao. After all, she was human, and demanding such precious resources for her would be nothing short of betrayal. He owed the Star Dou Great Forest far too much already—he wouldn't risk alienating them over this.
Besides… it wasn't like he lacked other means of acquisition.
"Since the transaction is complete, I'll take my leave now, Senior Sister. Until next time!" Lin Yun clasped his hands with a smile before turning and exiting the dean's office.
Only after closing the door behind him did he notice the plaque on the wall beside the entrance:
[Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department: Zhang Lexuan]
Lin Yun raised an eyebrow, unable to hide his surprise. At this point in time, Zhang Lexuan shouldn't have become Shrek's vice dean.
It seemed… his trade of an immortal herb for spirit bones had triggered some unforeseen changes within Shrek.
But that was none of his concern.
A pleased smirk playing on his lips, Lin Yun leisurely made his way back to his dorm.
Six 100,000-year spirit bones.
Mind-type – Sapphire Spirit Ape Emperor (Head Bone)
Plant-type – Celestial Vine Emperor (Torso Bone)
Power-type – Gale Demon Wolf Emperor (Left Arm Bone)
Control-type – Emerald Serpent Emperor (Right Leg Bone)
Agility-type – Nether Ghost Panther Emperor (Left Leg Bone)
Agility-type – Void-Piercing Falcon Emperor (Right Arm Bone)
In addition to these, Lin Yun already possessed the Chrysanthemum of Wondrous Bones (Torso Bone) and the Right Leg Bone of the Radiant Fragrance Fairy, bringing his total to eight 100,000-year spirit bones.
However, the six bones Shrek had provided were… questionable, to say the least.
The Sapphire Spirit Ape's head bone was passable—as a hybrid control/power-type spirit beast with strong mental attributes, it could barely suit Xiao Xiao.
But the Celestial Vine Emperor's torso bone? Clearly meant for plant-type soul masters—utterly incompatible with her.
Then there was the Emerald Serpent Emperor's right leg bone, along with the two agility-type bones (Nether Ghost Panther's left leg bone and Void-Piercing Falcon's right arm bone), none of which matched Xiao Xiao's martial soul.
Absurd. Absolutely absurd.
The six bones were split across control, power, and agility types—a dream come true for most soul masters, who wouldn't care about compatibility.
*Who would complain about getting a full set of 100,000-year spirit bones?*
But Lin Yun wasn't "most soul masters."
He refused to let Xiao Xiao settle for mediocrity. This little girl was his chosen Golden Dragon King's Consort—she couldn't just be a decorative vase.
Otherwise, wouldn't she just end up like a certain rabbit—reduced to a mere scabbard?
"The Sapphire Spirit Ape's head bone will do. The Gale Demon Wolf's left arm bone is acceptable too. And from my own stash, the Chrysanthemum of Wondrous Bones (torso) and the Radiant Fragrance Fairy's right leg bone are also viable." Lin Yun mentally cataloged his treasures.
"The other four are out. They don't suit Xiao Xiao. Now, we're just missing a right arm bone and a left leg bone."
Ah, whatever. No rush.
There was still plenty of time. Lin Yun hadn't even given Xiao Xiao a single bone yet—he certainly wouldn't dump all six on her at once.
Besides, she couldn't absorb them all in one go anyway. It would have to be a gradual process.
That said… it was time to give the little loli her first spirit bone. Having just absorbed the Radiant Fragrance Fairy, refining its corresponding bone would further stabilize her evolved martial soul—perhaps even push it to greater heights.
With this in mind, the next morning, after theoretical classes ended, Lin Yun promptly whisked Xiao Xiao away from Shrek Academy—skipping afternoon physical training entirely.
(End of Chapter)
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