Chapter 44: Treasure of the Tyrannosaurus Rex

The five of them walked toward the Tyrannosaurus Rex's nest. It was located in the center of a stone mountain, inside a huge stone cave. The interior was pitch black, filled with the stench of blood and decay.

"It smells terrible in here," Dugu Yan said, pinching her nose.

As they ventured further in, they found the spot where the Tyrannosaurus Rex slept. The massive creature had even made a nest-like structure for itself, probably to sleep more comfortably.

"Why was it sleeping outside today?" Dugu Yan wondered aloud. "Oh, the sun was shining brightly, so it might have taken a nap in the sun."

Next to the Tyrannosaurus Rex's 'bed,' there was a pile of bones that emitted a faint glow.

"Soul bones!" the five of them exclaimed simultaneously. It was well known that dragons like the Tyrannosaurus Rex had a habit of collecting treasures. Although soul beasts couldn't use soul bones, even if they consumed them, it wouldn't be as effective as eating the flesh of soul beasts.

The dozen or so soul bones here were likely the spoils that the Tyrannosaurus Rex had accumulated over the years.

Dugu Bo examined the soul bones and said, "Three ten-thousand-year soul bones, six thousand-year soul bones, and the rest are hundred-year soul bones."

Everyone gasped. It had been a day full of surprises.

"Your Majesty, what types of soul bones are these?" Flanders asked. While he was knowledgeable about soul beasts, he wasn't as familiar with soul bones.

Fortunately, Dugu Bo, being a Titled Douluo, had comprehensive knowledge about soul beasts and recognized all the soul bones there.

"A 20,000-year-old trunk bone from a Brown Earth Bear, a 15,000-year-old owl skull, and a 20,000-year-old left arm bone from the King of the Earth."

The ages weren't particularly high, but they were still ten-thousand-year soul bones. Generally, even a Titled Douluo might not possess a single soul bone. (I'm talking about you, Juhuaguan.)

At this moment, Li Luochen wasn't particularly interested in these soul bones. Not only were their ages low, but they also weren't compatible with him. As for Dugu Yan, she wasn't interested either. She already had a 40,000-year-old soul bone and didn't see the value in these.

"I don't want these three pieces; their ages are too low. Flanders and Long Yatou, two of them are suitable for you. I'll give you all three.

"By the way, there are also two nine-thousand-year soul bones here that are quite good: the Scarlet Flame Python skull and the Golden Feather Goose right leg bone."

Dugu Bo introduced the bones with a sense of higher standards. He himself had soul bones that were no less than 50,000 years old, and he believed that his granddaughter and grandson-in-law deserved better. By now, Dugu Bo was already planning high-quality soul bones for the children.

Flanders and Liu Erlong quickly absorbed the soul bones. Since the bones suited them, there was no reason not to absorb them right away. It would prevent any trouble later on.

While Li Luochen and Dugu Yan guarded the two masters, Dugu Bo walked deeper into the nest.

Not long after, Dugu Bo returned, appearing satisfied. He then walked around the Tyrannosaurus Rex's nest to check for any other soul bones.

After a few minutes, Flanders and Liu Erlong opened their eyes, having successfully absorbed the soul bones. Now, Flanders had four soul bones: a 15,000-year-old skull, a 50,000-year-old right arm bone, a 5,000-year-old left leg bone, and a 9,000-year-old right leg bone.

Liu Erlong had a 20,000-year-old left arm bone and a 9,000-year-old skull.

At this point, Flanders had reached the mid-stage of level 82, while Liu Erlong had reached the late stage of level 72. Thanks to the Blood River Supreme Soul Bone, the two of them were amazed at how quickly they had improved.

"President, please give the 20,000-year-old Brown Earth Bear trunk bone to Uncle Zhao. As for the other thousand-year soul bones, let the teachers of the academy absorb them. Give the hundred-year soul bones to Grandpa Dugu to auction."

Li Luochen managed the distribution of the soul bones. Dugu Bo collected the hundred-year-old soul bones and prepared to sell them at the Tiandou Auction House. Even hundred-year-old soul bones were highly sought after by soul masters, and Dugu Bo could earn hundreds of thousands of gold soul coins from the sale.

Flanders took the remaining four thousand-year-old soul bones.

After thoroughly checking the nest and confirming there was nothing else of value, they left. The soul hunt had finally come to an end.

After returning to Tiandou City, Flanders and Liu Erlong went back to Lanba Academy, while Li Luochen followed Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan back to Dugu Mansion. Li Luochen and Flanders agreed to return to Shrek Academy in a week.

This time, they had gained a lot and needed to return to the academy to consolidate their gains. Li Luochen also planned to take some time to settle down. Dugu Yan wanted to accompany him to Soto City, but for her, it was just a leisure trip.

Dugu Bo left Dugu Yan in Li Luochen's care while he went to travel around the continent to gain insights. He had improved too quickly recently, thanks to various heavenly treasures, and now needed to solidify his understanding of his new strength at level ninety-six.

As for why they agreed to return a week later, it was to give Flanders some time. It would be difficult to part after finally reuniting. Let them enjoy each other's company for a while.

However, Flanders would soon do something that Li Luochen could never have anticipated. The consequences of Flanders' actions—alas—Zhao Wuji would have to bear the brunt of them.

When Li Luochen and Dugu Yan returned to the mansion, Dugu Bo had already left to sell the hundred-year-old soul bones. Even hundred-year-old soul bones were highly valued by soul masters. Dugu Bo could easily earn hundreds of thousands of gold soul coins in one transaction.

Now that Li Luochen had gained access to the Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire, his next step was to practice diligently until the main storyline reached Shrek Academy.

There were still a little over five years left. Li Luochen estimated that within five years, he should be able to raise his soul power to that of a high-level Soul King.

Why aim for a high-level Soul King? Because Li Luochen was already a Soul Master with ultimate power. Soul Master's cultivation was inherently slow, and with the addition of an ultimate attribute, it became even slower.

However, Li Luochen possessed the Qirong Tongtianju. With the Qirong Tongtianju opening up the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, his cultivation speed would undoubtedly increase. How much faster it would become would be revealed in about half a year.

Having consumed three kinds of magical herbs, Li Luochen needed time to let his body cool down and fully absorb the medicinal effects before he could consume the Qirong Tongtianju. Otherwise, the medicinal effects of the Qirong Tongtianju would be wasted.

The same was true for Dugu Yan. She had taken the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, soaked in the herbal bath prepared by Dugu Bo, and recently consumed Wangchuanqiushui Dew. She also needed to cool down before taking the Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone in half a year.

The magic herb was theirs, and it wasn't going anywhere. They could take it when they were ready.

For the next week, neither Li Luochen nor Dugu Yan focused on practice. Dugu Yan absorbed the Wangchuanqiushui Dew on the first night after returning, which greatly enhanced her mental strength.

Thanks to this significant boost in mental strength, Dugu Yan's Zhoutian Wuji Gong also broke through to the fourth level.

Having been promoted too quickly recently, they needed to balance work and rest. In reality, they just wanted to have some fun.

As Li Luochen put it, "I've been practicing for more than six years. Can't I enjoy myself a little? Then let's play some music and dance!"

During the week, Dugu Yan took Li Luochen to explore all the entertainment spots in Tiandou City. In fact, some people had already noticed Li Luochen's thousand-year second soul ring and had begun creating opportunities to meet him.

Two people with such intentions and schemes were the old fox Ning Fengzhi and the crown prince Xue Qinghe.

The two met with Li Luochen and Dugu Yan on different days, and both were praised by the officials. Of course, Li Luochen didn't give them too much face. He was well-versed in the ways of the world and knew how to speak in a way that made people feel at ease.

A week later, Flanders bid farewell to Liu Erlong, Li Luochen, and Grandpa Dugu Bo, and they set off for Shrek Academy.