DD Spiritual Sword [399-401] (Patreon)

Chapter 399: Dividing the Spoils

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up as they looked at Tianlin and Ning Rongrong.

They all knew that while Tang Hao’s six soul bones were precious, at most, they were only ten-thousand-year-old pieces—none were over a hundred thousand years old. Given Tianlin’s standards, he definitely wouldn’t care for such short-lived items. As for Ning Rongrong, she had an even better future to pursue.

Therefore, these six soul bones would most likely go to the others present.

“You all look just like a bunch of cats smelling fish,” Tianlin laughed as he opened his soul tool and took out seven soul bones. Besides Tang Hao’s six, there was also Tang San’s hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone.

Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not lacking in regular soul bones, these were seven top-tier pieces—even the Spirit Hall would have trouble producing so many unless they hollowed out Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Originally, that hundred-thousand-year right leg bone would’ve suited Ning Rongrong, but she already had a right leg bone. Plus, Tianlin had kept it to spite Tang Hao, but it couldn't just sit there forever. Soul bones, no matter how powerful or precious, only mattered if someone actually used them.

Even with seven bones here, there still weren’t enough for everyone—both the older generation and the young ones—so the most suitable candidates had to be chosen.

All of Tang Hao’s soul bones were power types, making them unsuitable for Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Ye Lingling, and others, so they all voluntarily gave up their claim. As for Yin Yang, he had just received two high-level soul bones from Ning Fengzhi not long ago, so he felt embarrassed to ask for more.

Tianlin first picked one out and handed it to Chen Xin, knowing that Chen Xin would eventually have to face Qian Daoliu head-on. To improve his chances, he needed a full set of six soul bones.

Currently, Chen Xin had four soul bones: two granted by the sect, one obtained from hunting a soul beast after advancing to nine rings, and one—the hundred-thousand-year-old Behemoth King torso bone—gifted by Tianlin.

The two remaining slots were the right arm and right leg. Coincidentally, Tang Hao’s strongest two Clear Sky Sect legacy bones included a right arm bone, so Tianlin gave that one to Chen Xin.

“Grandpa Bone, then this left leg bone is for you,” Ning Rongrong said sweetly, picking up another Clear Sky Sect legacy bone and handing it to Gu Rong.

Gu Rong now had two soul bones: a skull and a right leg. With the addition of the left leg bone, his speed and his strange attack abilities would both be greatly enhanced.

“My dear granddaughter, since Grandpa Bone is getting a share, can I pick for myself instead of taking the left leg?” Gu Rong asked with a smile.

“Of course you can! But apart from the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone, the best quality here is this left leg bone. But the Blue Silver Emperor is a right leg bone, and you already have one. Plus, its life aura doesn’t match your death attribute,” Ning Rongrong explained, thinking Gu Rong was dissatisfied with the left leg bone.

Gu Rong shook his head. “I want a right leg bone, but not the Blue Silver Emperor; I want the one left by Tang Hao.”

Ning Rongrong was puzzled—why would Gu Rong want a lesser quality soul bone for a slot he already had?

“I see! Uncle Bone, you’re being thoughtful!” Ning Fengzhi smiled, understanding Gu Rong’s intentions.

Gu Rong picked up the right leg bone and tossed it to Chen Xin without a glance. “Old Sword, absorb it for both of us.”

“Old Bone, you—?” Chen Xin hesitated.

“No need for drama. Have you forgotten? Overturning the twin peaks of the Soul Master world was always our dream. Sadly, I can’t do it—but you can! Go defeat Qian Daoliu openly, and become the world’s strongest Soul Master!” Gu Rong said boldly.

Chen Xin smiled confidently and put the bone away. “Alright, Old Bone, I promise you: within five years, you’ll see the Sword God arise!”

The friendship between the Sword and Bone Douluo was as deep as that of Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, only theirs was pure brotherhood. Chrysanthemum and Ghost had grown a little twisted. Tianlin even thought if he gave the Yearning Heartbroken Red to Chrysanthemum Douluo, he might be acknowledged by that king of immortal herbs.

Gu Rong had given his chance at a soul bone to Chen Xin. Although touching, it meant he got nothing again. In the end, as both a father-in-law and a father, Ning Fengzhi requested the left leg bone from Tianlin and Ning Rongrong and then gave it to Gu Rong.

After all these years, Ning Fengzhi had only ever given Gu Rong one soul bone; the other, Gu Rong had gotten himself during a soul ring hunt. Deep down, Ning Fengzhi still felt indebted to this uncle.

Anyway, with Tianlin and Ning Rongrong being his daughter and son-in-law, they were fully qualified to repay Gu Rong for his years of dedication.

“Boss, I want to pick too! I choose the skull!” Gu Ran suddenly said, imitating his teacher as he picked up the skull and tossed it to Ma Hongjun. “Here, Hongjun, remember I owed you a soul bone? This time I’m repaying it—no need to thank me!”

After hearing what Tianlin said about the demon flame, Gu Ran realized that passing the demon flame’s test required strong willpower. Although soul bones boosted all attributes, each had its specialty.

The skull, for instance, greatly enhanced spiritual strength.

Ma Hongjun immediately understood Gu Ran’s intentions and was moved. Gu Ran wanted to show concern for his brother, just like his teacher, and be generous—but…

“Thank you, Gu Ran, but I actually wanted the skull, and you don’t even have a choice this time,” Ma Hongjun replied.

Gu Ran was stunned. Ye Lingling shook her head in exasperation. “You only know how to train, not how to think. These soul bones weren’t meant for you today.”

“Think about it: you already have four soul bones—skull, torso, and both arms. Only your legs are missing, but those went to the two elders, and the Blue Silver Emperor leg bone’s attribute isn’t compatible with you. The rest, you already have. How could you possibly get another?”

“Crap, I forgot!” Gu Ran was embarrassed. Tianlin doted on him so much that he subconsciously expected a share, forgetting he already had those slots.

“Tsk tsk, worthy of being our team’s brains—giving someone else’s soul bone away as if paying your own debt. Brilliant!” Yu Feng laughed.

Everyone laughed at Gu Ran, but without malice—they knew he was just concerned for Ma Hongjun and wanted to help. His intelligence, though, left much to be desired.

Ye Lingling sighed helplessly. If Tianlin or herself weren’t around, she worried Gu Ran would get taken advantage of one day. But with Tianlin advancing so quickly, there would come a day when he would leave for heights they couldn’t reach, and only she would be left to look after Gu Ran.

Chapter 400: Tianlin’s Marriage Proposal

Though Gu Ran made a blunder, Ma Hongjun got the skull he wanted, and the rest of the soul bone distribution was straightforward.

There was a left arm bone, a torso bone, and the hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone left.

The left arm went to Meng Yiran, the torso to Yu Feng, and the most precious Blue Silver Emperor leg bone was handed by Ning Rongrong to Ye Lingling.

Both Blue Silver Emperor and Nine-Hearted Begonia were plant types, making their attributes compatible. For an auxiliary soul master, survival on the battlefield was more important than just support abilities.

This Blue Silver Emperor soul bone granted flight and a skill: Spreading like wildfire and the spring breeze. With these, Ye Lingling’s survival rate would skyrocket.

Once the soul bones were distributed, besides Gu Ran, three people received nothing: Bai Chenxiang, Huanyin, and Oscar.

Bai Chenxiang was fine—she had recently received the even rarer Immortal Spirit Pill. As for Huanyin, Tianlin had taught her the complete set of techniques from Lingyin, one of the Seven Swords Saints of Shu Mountain, including the Ningyin Tune, Panic Melody, Mournful Lament, Cycle Song, Heavenly Sound Array, and so on.

Huanyin was completely absorbed in these tunes. For her, they were priceless—she wouldn’t trade a hundred soul bones for them, and she didn’t yet realize how much they’d shape her future.

The Emperor Battle Team originally had ten members: one teacher and nine students, a neat number. She was the eleventh—seemingly extra, but actually, she’d be the first to forge her own path.

As for Oscar, Tianlin gave him the remaining Immortal Spirit Pill. Of all who joined the sect, Oscar had received almost no rewards, yet he’d contributed greatly.

Now, every disciple going out for missions or soul beast hunts carried several of his sausages—many had been saved by them, making Oscar very popular.

With his contributions, no one begrudged him the pill. Plus, without an immortal herb, it was uncertain whether Oscar could gain the favor of the Food God. The Immortal Spirit Pill was as potent as the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.

With the spoils divided, everyone was about to disperse and strengthen themselves with their new gifts when Tianlin approached Ning Fengzhi.

“Uncle Ning, I have a request,” Tianlin said.

Ning Fengzhi, who was about to leave, sat back down and smiled. “Xiao Tian, what is it?”

He already had a guess. Besides, as the bride’s father, tradition dictated the groom’s family should propose.

“Uncle Ning, Rongrong has successfully awakened her twin martial souls and activated the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Next, she must go to Sea God Island for the Sea God’s Nine Trials, which will take years. Meanwhile, I’ll be in seclusion to break through to Title Douluo. So, before we part, I’d like to have a simple wedding with Rongrong.”

“I know this may be unfair to her, but I swear, once everything settles, I’ll give her the grandest wedding. Please grant us your blessing.”

“Rongrong is my only daughter. You two love each other and have long been engaged. Now you’re old enough to marry, so I have no objections,” Ning Fengzhi said seriously. “But you know the thorny path ahead. Do you have the confidence to protect her from every hurt, to give her a peaceful life?”

“I do!” Tianlin replied immediately.

“It’s alright even if you don’t,” Chen Xin suddenly stood up. “Fengzhi, Rongrong and Xiao Tian are still young. They have much to learn, but with us around, there’s no such thing as a peaceful life—only someone bearing the burden. As master and grandfather, I’ll be that person. So, you two needn’t fear. Just get married!”

Chen Xin was even more protective than Tang Hao, but unlike Tang Hao, he had principles—he’d do anything to protect his loved ones but would never kill aimlessly.

“Master!”

 “Grandpa Sword, thank you!”

Tianlin and Ning Rongrong glanced at each other, deeply moved, and knelt in front of him. “Master, if Rongrong and I marry, our parents are naturally the elders, but you are also closest to us both. We hope you’ll be our witness.”

“Of course! I’d be happy to witness your happiness,” Sword Douluo said, helping them up.

He’d watched both children grow, and they were more important to him than even godhood.

“Wonderful! Boss and Rongrong are getting married—we must celebrate!” Ma Hongjun cheered, sidling up to Bai Chenxiang. “Hey, Xiangxiang, how about us, too—?”

“In your dreams!” Bai Chenxiang stomped on his foot with her heel. “We barely know each other. Ask me again in a hundred thousand years!”

“A-A hundred thousand years?!” Ma Hongjun was stunned. That number meant… rejection?

Everyone could tell Bai Chenxiang was joking, but Ma Hongjun, though experienced with women, was a straight arrow at heart, just like Gu Ran.

As he despaired, Bai Chenxiang changed her tone.

“But, if you really go to that demon flame trial Senior Borhter mentioned, and come back alive, maybe I’ll knock off ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine years.”

“That would be just one year left!” Ma Hongjun’s mood rollercoastered. Bai Chenxiang’s words pulled him from despair—he might be dense, but he wasn’t dumb. He now understood she wasn’t rejecting him, just encouraging him.

At that moment, Gu Ran was even more excited. “Boss, leave all the wedding details to me—I’ll make sure it’s spectacular!”

Back when the sect was less developed, the three of them stood out most among the younger generation, and Tianlin treated Gu Ran like family.

“No need, Gu Ran. Rongrong and I want to keep it simple—just invite a few close friends,” Tianlin said.

He and Ning Rongrong weren’t greedy. For now, they didn’t need thousands of blessings—just their dearest friends and family.

If the wedding were too grand, two people couldn’t attend: Ning Rongrong’s best friend Zhu Zhuqing and Tianlin’s brother Oslo, as both were technically dead.

Only a private gathering would let them all be together.

Tianlin planned to use the wedding to gather everyone and discuss the future.

As for an even grander affair, that could wait until he became the world’s strongest—by then, even the dead could attend, and no one would dare interfere.

Chapter 401: Meeting — Fallen Angel and Yu Luomian

On this day, in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan’s backyard, Tianlin’s house was strung with red celebratory banners.

As promised, they kept the wedding simple, inviting only close friends and family from both sides.

Members of the original Shrek and Emperor Battle Teams attended. Zhu Zhuqing, after a long absence, left her small grove for the occasion, feeling both happy and envious. Tianlin and Ning Rongrong’s smooth, peaceful relationship was what she wanted most.

The others arrived easily upon hearing the news, rushing to attend—their team’s favorite was getting married, and as captain, Yu Tianheng couldn’t miss it.

The real problem was Aosilu. Yu Luomian had, of all times, started acting suspiciously these days. Oslo wanted to come, but his responsibilities were heavy.

He had uncovered much during his investigation. As a master of stealth from an intelligence family, his power now far surpassed Yu Luomian’s—even when right beside him, Yu Luomian couldn’t sense Oslo at all.

“Damn it, I have to attend Tianlin’s wedding! If you choose this time to cause trouble, don’t blame me for being ruthless. The intel I’ve gathered should be enough,” Oslo decided.

Since he couldn’t solve the overall problem for now, he’d just eliminate the troublemaker. He decided to follow Yu Luomian one last time tonight and kill him on his way back, then rush to the wedding.

Yu Luomian’s destination was, as always, Slaughter City—but he never entered, fearing he wouldn’t come out.

Slaughter City’s rules were set by the Asura God—even the King of Slaughter couldn’t break them. Outsiders could only enter and leave freely after winning a hundred battles and gaining the title of Deathgod.

Yu Luomian, always scheming, was poor in actual combat—even Yu Tianheng could beat him. He’d never survive the hellish arena.

Previously, the person meeting Yu Luomian was always a veiled girl, a Slaughter Envoy under the King of Slaughter, who met him at a tavern outside the city—coincidentally, the same one Tianlin had used to enter Slaughter City. The veiled girl was cautious, emptying the tavern and posting several Soul Emperor-level black-armored knights to guard the area.

But Oslo possessed a soul bone from Ghost Douluo, whose skill, Shadow Fusion, allowed him to merge into another’s shadow—no matter how many guards, they couldn’t block a shadow.

Yu Luomian, though higher level than Oslo, had no soul bones and was far weaker.

But today was odd. This time, it wasn’t the veiled girl, but a middle-aged man. If Tianlin were here, he’d instantly recognize the man as the Fallen Angel Title Douluo who’d appeared during the spirit hall hunting operation.

Oslo quickly suppressed his presence. A Title Douluo’s perception was far greater than Yu Luomian’s.

Still, Oslo wasn’t scared. With his current strength, even a Title Douluo would have trouble killing him. He also had two invincible skills—Invincible Golden Body and Void—plus the talisman Tianlin gave him, which worked like a return-to-base scroll. His life was secure.

His current goal was to gather as much intel as possible.

In the tavern, Yu Luomian looked nervous—across from him, the Title Douluo was furious.

“Yu Luomian, none of the tasks I assigned you were done! Yu Yuanzhen is still alive—are you looking to die?” the man snarled.

Yu Luomian, drenched in cold sweat, pleaded, “Sir, it’s not that I didn’t try. I poisoned Yu Yuanzhen’s food with a slow-acting toxin. His complexion did change for a while, but for some reason, he’s gotten better lately.”

One order had been to kill Yu Yuanzhen and take control of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

The poison was a slow-acting one made from Slaughter City’s Bloody Mary—very potent, hard to detect.

Before, Yu Tianheng had tried tracking Yu Luomian but couldn’t get close enough. Yu Luomian had succeeded.

Yu Yuanzhen, though powerful and nearly a ninety-seven-ranked Super Douluo after the spirit hall hunting, was not suspicious by nature and valued family—he even wanted to bring back the exiled Grandmaster.

He never suspected his brother and was easily poisoned. Luckily, the effect was slow.

Oslo, upon taking over surveillance, soon learned of this. He secretly switched out the poisoned soup Yu Luomian sent for Yu Yuanzhen, then had Dugu Bo analyze the poison and create an antidote, which was given to Yu Tianheng.

Yu Yuanzhen never suspected Yu Tianheng, who would counteract the poison with herbal tea or fruit every time. Thus, Yu Luomian’s efforts were all for nothing.

They even had enough evidence to execute Yu Luomian, but a useful traitor was better than a dead one—Tianlin wanted to squeeze out more information first.

Yu Luomian was baffled—he was sure he’d succeeded in poisoning Yu Yuanzhen. The veiled girl who gave him the poison swore even Title Douluo couldn’t resist it. Either she lied, or the poison was defective.

The Fallen Angel Douluo was livid but suppressed his anger. “Forget that for now. What about the three Deathgods I gave you? How long have they been missing? Do you know how rare it is for someone to win a hundred battles in Slaughter City? Those three only managed it because the King of Slaughter rigged the matches!”

“I don’t know, sir. I gave them addresses of some villages on the border, places no one cares about. They should’ve wiped them out in an hour. But when I sent people to check, everyone was alive and the three Deathgods had vanished.”

Yu Luomian was miserable, as if the world was against him.

Oslo, listening in, was shocked. So, the recent village massacres were orchestrated by these people, but this time they failed. Was someone else in the shadows, like him, intercepting them?

As Oslo wondered, a man in golden robes approached Slaughter City step by step.

“This is it, scum. Let’s see where you run this time.”