A spirit bone, especially a torso bone of the millennium tier, was an exceedingly rare treasure.
Among the six conventional spirit bones—head, torso, arms, and legs—the torso bone was the most valuable and elusive. Even the Spirit Hall had never offered a torso bone as a reward for the championship of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Hearing Dai Mubai's words, Tang San was momentarily stunned. Seeing the "reluctance" on Dai Mubai's face, it felt as though something in his heart had shattered.
This is a spirit bone!
Spirit bones could drive even blood relatives—brothers, fathers, and sons—into conflict. And yet, despite his apparent hesitance, Dai Mubai ultimately handed the bone over without greed or deception.
Although the spirit bone was rightfully Tang San's, since he had slain the Geodragon, the gesture changed his impression of Dai Mubai.
"Thank you, Boss Dai."
This gratitude was heartfelt—something Tang San might soon forget, but it was genuine at this moment.
Taking the torso bone from Dai Mubai, Tang San sat cross-legged once again to begin absorption.
Given that the torso bone came from a Geodragon with draconic blood, and its age was over 3,000 years, it was indeed a rare find and a perfect match for Tang San.
Dai Mubai's reluctant expression faded into a sly smirk as he watched Tang San begin the process.
Ah, Tang San, don't blame me for this. A 3,000-year-old torso bone? Ha! It's practically garbage.
It's useless to me, but it's just perfect for "helping" you out.
To Dai Mubai's surprise, Tang San absorbed the spirit bone faster than expected. Within less than half an hour, Tang San opened his eyes, a look of joy evident in his expression.
The bone seems to suit him well, Dai Mubai mused.
While not an external spirit bone, torso bones rarely offered growth potential. Their abilities were fixed and did not scale with the user's strength—though, of course, a Spirit Sage and a Title Douluo would wield the same bone with vastly different levels of power.
For this reason, true powerhouses avoided absorbing spirit bones prematurely.
"Tang San, this bone seems like a good fit for you, doesn't it?" Dai Mubai asked nonchalantly.
Tang San nodded. The Geodragon torso bone had passively enhanced all his attributes by approximately 15%. While not a massive boost, the fact that it was a passive ability made it invaluable.
Still, Tang San couldn't help but feel a slight pang of disappointment. The spirit bone lacked an active skill, which left him wanting more.
Before Tang San could elaborate on its abilities, Dai Mubai raised his hand to interrupt.
"A spirit bone is a secret, and its abilities are even more so. Unless absolutely necessary, you should act as though you never absorbed it."
Tang San nodded. Even without Dai Mubai's reminder, he had no intention of using the bone's abilities carelessly.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Tang San, do you think I'll keep the fact that you obtained a spirit bone a secret?"
Even a millennium-tier torso bone was enough to attract countless pursuers. A single leak could turn Tang San into a target for greedy, desperate soul masters.
Of course, there was always the risk that weaker enemies might inadvertently gift Tang San "experience" and treasures, accelerating his growth. Still, without cultivation techniques or superior spirit bones in Douluo Continent, the potential threats posed little concern.
As time passed, Dai Mubai and Tang San wandered deeper into the Sunset Forest. Then, to Dai Mubai's dismay, they encountered another unexpected beast.
Dai Mubai froze, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Why is there a Man-Faced Demon Spider here?"
The spider, with its grotesque humanoid face, skittered menacingly. Judging by its aura, it was over 2,000 years old.
"This place… a 2,000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider? Are you kidding me?"
Dai Mubai's thoughts churned with irritation.
First, an 800-year-old Armored Darkgolden Bear near the outskirts. Now, a 2,000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider in the depths of the forest. Are you deliberately gifting Tang San an external spirit bone, oh Douluo Plane consciousness? Don't you know he'll destroy you someday? Silly little world…
"Boss Dai, this Man-Faced Demon Spider…"
Before Dai Mubai could finish, Tang San shook his head.
"If this were for my Blue Silver Grass's fourth spirit ring, I might consider it. But for the Clear Sky Hammer? The Man-Faced Demon Spider isn't suitable."
Tang San's decisiveness startled Dai Mubai. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and unleashed a Finger Pistol.
A golden beam pierced through the spider's armored shell, striking the ghastly face hidden beneath.
The Man-Faced Demon Spider didn't even have time to screech before its consciousness faded entirely.
"Hmph, evil spirit beast! You shall not remain!" Dai Mubai declared with righteous conviction.
Tang San blinked, momentarily stunned.
Dai Mubai's words felt strangely familiar, yet he couldn't place why.
While the Man-Faced Demon Spider was indeed a malevolent creature, thriving by devouring other spirit beasts, what did that have to do with Dai Mubai? He wasn't the one seeking a spirit ring. Why kill it outright?
Tang San wanted to question him but ultimately held his tongue. He felt that Dai Mubai's actions, though inexplicable, were the right thing to do.
Still, a faint sense of loss lingered in his heart, leaving him puzzled.
Without further explanation, Dai Mubai stored the spider's body in his soul storage device.
Back at the academy, he planned to inspect it thoroughly for any signs of an external spirit bone.
According to conventional wisdom, absorbing an external spirit bone required the user to absorb the spirit beast's ring as well. This rule held true for millennia until later eras, such as Huo Yuhao's time, or even Tang Wulin's.
In truth, external spirit bones were initially a mass of pure energy, absorbed along with the spirit ring during the process. Without absorbing the spirit ring, detecting the presence of an external spirit bone was nearly impossible—only peak-level soul masters might sense it post-mortem.
For example, when Xiao Xiao absorbed the ring of an Armored Darkgolden Bear, she inadvertently absorbed its right claw bone as well. Unable to handle the strain, she transferred the energy to Huo Yuhao under Xuanzi's guidance.
Interestingly, Huo Yuhao didn't absorb the bear's ring, yet he still gained its strongest external spirit bone—the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Right Hand Bone.
"Boss Dai, what are you doing with that spider?" Tang San asked tentatively.
(Chapter ends.)