Chapter 121: Three Soul Bones and Strategic Restraint
For Xiao Qiang, the only truly dangerous places remaining were Shrek Academy and the Haotian Sect. Those two strongholds still held Tang San's influence, and no one could predict how far that influence extended. He had no idea what they might do to him. Everywhere else—even the Holy Spirit Church's headquarters—posed less threat. With the Snow Emperor and Evil Emperor, both soul beasts, maintaining a delicate balance with Xiao Qiang, there was an unspoken guarantee of his safety in most regions.
Following the philosophy that a wise man avoids walking under a crumbling wall, Xiao Qiang had no intention of visiting either Shrek Academy or the Haotian Sect until he could confidently defeat an Extreme Douluo.
Moon En stared long at Xiao Qiang before slowly nodding. "Alright. But for the student exchange program to proceed, both sides must send important representatives. That way, we can guarantee everyone's safety and avoid misunderstandings."
"I have no objection to that," Xiao Qiang replied. "You can send whoever you like to study with the teacher when the time comes. Just don't count on me going."
"Zhang Lexuan…"
"If you want to see her, you'll have to pay for another ticket," Xiao Qiang interrupted indifferently.
Mu En sighed heavily. "Getting old… I can't even protect my own students anymore."
Without another word, Mu En pulled out the three 100,000-year soul bones he hadn't yet absorbed. "Someone else will handle the formalities of the exchange. That's not my concern anymore."
Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked away, leaning on his cane. Alone and hunched over, he looked more like a frail old man than the legendary Dragon God Douluo. He disappeared from Mingde Hall, exiting even the capital of the Sun Moon Empire.
Only after crossing Mingdu's borders did the bitterness on Mu En's face vanish. His cold demeanor shifted to one of subtle relief.
"It's only been a few decades since I came here… I never thought the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology would make me feel this close to death. If things had gone differently—if it had come to a real fight—I might've died here."
Mu En couldn't help but feel thankful. Despite walking away empty-handed—losing three 100,000-year soul bones with nothing gained—he was still alive. And more importantly, he had confirmed the Sun Moon Empire's technological advancements were enough to pose a legitimate threat even to him.
Losing those soul bones was undoubtedly a blow to both himself and Shrek Academy, but at least he hadn't lost his life. He still held some deterrent force over the Sun Moon Empire—though clearly diminished after today's events. At his full power, Mu En could still unleash a devastating final strike as a Level 99 soul master—enough to take several enemies down with him.
That said, he was no longer a man willing to die in battle. Not while carrying precious secrets and treasures. Had he come alone, empty-handed, it might've been a different story. But not today.
Back in Mingde Hall, silence hung heavily in the air after Mu En's departure. Jing Hongchen sat quietly in his chair, maintaining a calm expression—but his trembling hands gave away his true emotions. He couldn't even hold his teacup steady.
"Teacher… is he really gone?" he asked.
Kong Deming nodded solemnly. "Yes, he's gone."
Jing Hongchen let out a breath of relief and then turned to Xiao Qiang, still visibly shaken. "You really are a fearless newborn calf. I can't believe you actually extorted three 100,000-year soul bones from Dragon God Douluo Mu En in one go. Three! I couldn't even dream of such a thing before."
As the master of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen had seen his fair share of powerful soul tools, but 100,000-year soul bones were a different matter. They were rare even in the Douluo continent, let alone in the Sun Moon Empire, where high-quality soul beasts were few and far between.
The top ten fierce beasts—nine of which resided on the other side of the continent—had always skewed the distribution of soul beast resources. Naturally, soul bones were just as scarce. Especially bones of this level.
Yet now, thanks to Xiao Qiang's bold maneuver, they had acquired three 100,000-year soul bones—something Jing Hongchen would never have dared imagine.
"Alright," Kong Deming said, stepping forward. "Since these soul bones were obtained through your actions, you should have the right to absorb them."
He waved his hand, and the three soul bones floated toward Xiao Qiang.
Xiao Qiang, however, shook his head. "Grandmaster, even though I pressured Mu En into giving them up, it was only possible thanks to the presence and strength of you and the teacher. I don't dare take credit alone. I asked for these soul bones not for myself, but to ensure everyone made it out safely. Please, don't refuse them."
With that, he gently pushed the soul bones back.
To any other cultivator in Douluo Dalu—whether in the first or third timelines—100,000-year soul bones were priceless. But for Xiao Qiang, who was in the second timeline, things were different.
He didn't plan to absorb them at all.
In Douluo Dalu II, the most effective way to enhance one's power was to combine divine insight with soul spirits and complete sets of soul bones from beasts over 200,000 years old. For Xiao Qiang, these soul bones were better off in the hands of allies.
And the best recipients? Naturally, Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen. They were the strongest pillars backing Xiao Qiang in the Sun Moon Empire. Boosting their power would in turn increase his own safety.
Besides, 100,000-year soul rings were said to purify the body, allowing soul masters to reach Level 95 without impediment. While soul bones didn't provide quite the same effect, they still offered a substantial increase in soul power—potentially pushing both men up another level. Jing Hongchen in particular had been stuck at Level 93 for years. Reaching Level 94 would make him a true Super Douluo and a much greater threat to any potential enemy.
"You can even refuse the temptation of a 100,000-year soul bone?" Kong Deming said, impressed. "You really are something else."
Still, as Xiao Qiang's elder, Kong Deming wasn't comfortable accepting all three bones. But since the offer was sincere and strategic, he didn't refuse completely. He raised his hand, and soul power enveloped the bones. Then, he split them among the three.
The most valuable one—the head bone—was handed back to Xiao Qiang.
He kept the right arm bone for himself.
The left leg bone went to Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen accepted the gift without objection. He had contributed the least to today's confrontation, after all, so the distribution felt fair.
"Thank you, Master," Xiao Qiang said as he received the head bone. He wasn't excited about it, but he knew better than to reveal his true thoughts. If he showed zero interest, it might raise questions.
"It's I who should thank you," Kong Deming replied with a chuckle. "Had I fought Mu En for this, I might not even be alive to enjoy the result."
With the distribution complete, the three stayed together for a while longer, ensuring Mu En didn't return with backup. Only after confirming that the situation had settled did they finally disperse.
Xiao Qiang then left for the archives—with one goal in mind: to search for Nana's file.