Dai Chengfeng looked at Ye Renxin, who had walked up to him with a serious expression, and smiled as he nodded. "Of course I remember. Elder Ye said before we left the city…"
"This journey would bring me a surprise."
"I was just thinking…"
"The surprise you mentioned might make me feel unworthy, since it was uncertain whether an external soul bone would even appear on this trip."
Saying this, Dai Chengfeng pointed to the extremely unique external soul bone next to the pale purple soul ring of the Dark Golden Terror Claw Bear and chuckled. "But now…"
"An external soul bone has appeared, so I can't possibly refuse Elder Ye's generous surprise."
Ye Renxin nodded, then turned to look at his granddaughter, Ye Lingling, as if seeking her opinion.
Ye Lingling gave a faint smile and nodded, her beautiful silvery-gray hair swaying gently in the breeze.
Seeing this, Ye Renxin let out a sigh of relief.
Looking at the curious Dai Chengfeng and Zhu Fan, who had also come over eager to hear the news, Ye Renxin burst into laughter. "The surprise I have for His Highness is…"
"This first external soul bone—Lingling and I have jointly decided to gift it to Prince Chengfeng!"
"Huh?!"
Instantly, Dai Chengfeng's eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at Ye Renxin in disbelief. "This external soul bone… is for me?"
Previously, Dai Chengfeng had considered many possibilities.
For example, the surprise from Ye Renxin could have been some kind of powerful pill he had concocted, or perhaps some potent poison capable of saving one's life in critical moments…
After all, as the Saint of Medicine, these were Ye Renxin's areas of expertise.
But what Dai Chengfeng never expected was…
The surprise Ye Renxin spoke of was actually offering him the first external soul bone!
This was an external soul bone—a "treasure" that could grow alongside a soul master, with a drop rate possibly less than one in a million!
If it weren't for Dai Chengfeng valuing Ye Renxin's potential to revolutionize medicine in the Star Luo Empire…
And allowing the Nine-Heart Begonia to take root in the Star Luo Empire, becoming a unique martial soul to the empire…
He might not have agreed to give the first external soul bone from the Dark Golden Terror Claw Bear to Ye Lingling during their initial discussions.
Meanwhile, upon hearing Ye Renxin's words, Zhu Fan was equally astonished but quickly became delighted.
"Chengfeng, quickly thank Elder Ye!"
He hurriedly reminded Dai Chengfeng, seemingly afraid that if he delayed, Ye Renxin might change his mind.
After speaking, Zhu Fan turned to Ye Renxin, giving a slight bow with utmost seriousness. "Elder Ye, your righteousness is admirable. I, Zhu Fan, am deeply impressed."
"I even considered forcefully seizing this external soul bone for Chengfeng earlier. Thinking about it now… I am utterly ashamed!"
Ye Renxin stroked his beard, shook his head at Zhu Fan, and smiled dismissively. "Commander Zhu Fan, there's no need to dwell on it."
"We both know how precious an external soul bone is, so such thoughts are only natural."
After saying this, Ye Renxin turned to Dai Chengfeng, his eyes filled with admiration.
"On the other hand, Prince Chengfeng…"
"Even knowing how valuable an external soul bone is…"
"You still spoke those heart-stirring words: 'Jade may shatter, but its lustre remains; bamboo may burn, but its integrity endures.'"
Ye Renxin raised his hand and gave a slight bow to Dai Chengfeng. "It is I who truly admires Your Highness!"
"And I've also heard that Prince Chengfeng wishes to be the Sword Bearer."
"Since Your Highness harbors such lofty ambitions, this old man wishes to assist you… to ascend even higher!"
Seeing Ye Renxin's sincere gaze, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but take a deep breath and respond with utmost seriousness.
"Elder Ye, since you've spoken so sincerely, I will no longer decline."
"However, I, Dai Chengfeng, make this solemn promise!"
"As long as I live, nothing will happen to Lingling!"
Ye Renxin nodded slightly, his face brimming with smiles. "The one thing I worry about most now is my little granddaughter."
"She dislikes interacting with others, is too pure-hearted, and her martial soul, the Nine-Heart Begonia, has no offensive capabilities at all. I truly fear she'll struggle to find trustworthy friends in the future, which is why I wanted to secure an external soul bone for her…"
"But now, with Your Highness's promise, I can finally rest easy!"
With that, Ye Renxin gently pushed Ye Lingling toward Dai Chengfeng. "Lingling, quickly thank the Fourth Prince."
Ye Lingling nodded slightly and was about to bow to Dai Chengfeng. "Thank…"
Dai Chengfeng immediately helped her up, shaking his head as he looked into her eyes. "Actually, it's me who should thank you, Lingling."
"After all, this is an external soul bone—it's incredibly precious."
Ye Lingling met Dai Chengfeng's golden gaze, her wrist lightly held by him. "It's fine…"
She quickly lowered her head, her delicate earlobes turning a faint shade of pink.
Ye Renxin watched this scene, smiling with satisfaction in his eyes.
"Lingling, my dear girl, you're far too kind-hearted. Even with this external soul bone, it's hard to say how much destructive power you'll be able to unlock from it."
"In that case!"
"I'll find you a teammate whose future achievements will surely rival Tang Chen, who is hailed as invincible on land."
"With such a strong ally, I'll feel much more at ease about your safety…"
Thinking this, Ye Renxin looked at Dai Chengfeng again. "Your Highness, we've exchanged enough pleasantries. Now, hurry and absorb this external soul bone."
"Let me see… which part of the body does it belong to?"
Dai Chengfeng nodded, his curiosity piqued.
The external soul bone dropped by the Dark Golden Terror Claw Bear wasn't from its arm—so what part could it be?
How powerful would it be?
Could it be stronger than an arm bone?
Lost in thought, Dai Chengfeng approached the external soul bone dropped by the Dark Golden Terror Claw Bear, sat cross-legged, and carefully examined its appearance.
At its very top, Dai Chengfeng could tell it was a dark golden soul bone. Beneath the dark golden portion, several vein-like structures resembling blood vessels and meridians were connected to it. At the bottom were five sharp, dark golden blades.
"What part of the body could this be?"
Though Dai Chengfeng considered himself well-versed, he had never seen an external soul bone of this shape in any book.
"Oh well."
"If I can't guess, I'll find out once I absorb it…"
Without further hesitation, driven by immense curiosity, Dai Chengfeng slowly extended his right hand toward the glowing dark golden external soul bone.
As soon as his fingertips touched the surface of the soul bone, a surge of wild and violent energy rushed into his body through his fingertips.
The force was so brutal that Dai Chengfeng's meridians began to ache faintly.
"No wonder it's an external soul bone from the top-tier soul beast, the Dark Golden Terror Claw Bear—it's truly powerful!"
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng grew even more excited, wondering just how powerful this unique external soul bone would turn out to be!
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