Chapter 43: The Tyrant Dragon's Treasure

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The five of them ventured into the Tyrant Dragon's lair, located deep within the rocky mountain. It was a massive stone cave, pitch-black inside, with the air thick with the stench of blood and decay.

"This place really reeks," Dugu Yan said, pinching her nose.

As they moved deeper, they discovered the spot where the Tyrant Dragon slept. Surprisingly, the creature had fashioned something akin to a nest for itself, likely for comfort.

Why had it been sleeping outside today? Oh right—the sun had been shining brightly. Perhaps it had decided to take a nap in the sunlight.

Beside the Tyrant Dragon's "bed," piles of bones lay stacked together, faintly glowing with a dim light.

"Soul bones!"

The group gasped in unison. Dragons like the Tyrant Dragon indeed had a habit of hoarding treasures. Soul beasts couldn't use soul bones, and consuming them provided less benefit than eating soul beast meat.

These dozen or so soul bones were likely trophies accumulated by the Tyrant Dragon over many years.

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

Hiss—

Everyone drew a sharp breath. Today had been full of surprises.

"Elder, what types of soul bones are these?" Flender asked. Though he was familiar with soul beasts, he knew little about soul bones.

Fortunately, as a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo had extensive knowledge of soul beasts and recognized all the soul bones here.

"A Twenty-thousand-year Earth Bear torso bone, a Fifteen-thousand-year owl skull, and a Twenty-thousand-year King of the Earth left arm bone."

Though their ages weren't particularly high, they were still ten-thousand-year soul bones. Many Title Douluo didn't even possess a single soul bone. (Looking at you, Ju Hua Guan.)

Li Luochen now looked down on these soul bones—they were neither high-level nor compatible with him. As for Dugu Yan, she already had a forty-thousand-year soul bone and wasn't interested in these.

"I'll pass on these three—they're too low-level. But Flender and Dragon girl, there are two that suit you. Take all three."

He added, "By the way, there are two Nine-thousand-year soul bones here that aren't bad—a Crimson Flame Python skull and a Golden Feather Goose right leg bone."

Dugu Bo explained further. His standards had risen recently—he didn't have any soul bones below fifty thousand years on his person. He was already planning ahead for higher-quality soul bones for his granddaughter and grandson-in-law. 

Flender and Liu Erlong accepted the soul bones and began absorbing them immediately. Why hesitate when suitable soul bones were right in front of them? They wanted to absorb them quickly to avoid any unforeseen complications.

While Li Luochen and Dugu Yan guarded their mentors during absorption, Dugu Bo wandered deeper into the lair.

Not long after, Dugu Bo returned. He had simply taken a casual stroll through the Tyrant Dragon's nest to check if there were any other soul bones.

After about an hour, Flender and Liu Erlong opened their eyes, having finished absorbing their soul bones. Flender now possessed four soul bones: a Fifteen-thousand-year skull, a Fifty-thousand-year right arm bone, a Five-thousand-year left leg bone, and a Nine-thousand-year right leg bone.

Liu Erlong had a Twenty-thousand-year left arm bone and a Nine-thousand-year skull.

Flender had now reached the middle stage of level 82, while Liu Erlong was at the late stage of level 72. Truly, the Blood River Treasures' soul bones were remarkable—both marveled at how quickly their power had increased.

"Principal, give this Twenty-thousand-year Earth Bear torso bone to Uncle Zhao. As for the other Thousand-year soul bones, distribute them among the academy's teachers for absorption. The Hundred-year soul bones can be auctioned off by Grandpa Dugu."

Li Luochen made arrangements for the soul bones.

Dugu Bo collected all the Hundred-year soul bones, planning to visit the Tian Dou Auction House later to sell them.

Flender took the remaining four Thousand-year soul bones.

After thoroughly inspecting the lair and confirming there was nothing else of value, they finally left. This soul-hunting expedition had come to an end.

Upon returning to Tian Dou City, Flender and Liu Erlong went back to Blue Tyrant Academy, while Li Luochen accompanied Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo back to the Dugu residence. Li Luochen agreed to return to Shrek Academy in a week's time.

This trip had been fruitful, and Li Luochen planned to spend some time digesting his gains and focusing on cultivation. Dugu Yan, on the other hand, simply wanted to accompany him to Suotuo City—it was just a fun outing for her.

Dugu Bo entrusted Dugu Yan to Li Luochen's care, intending to travel the continent and reflect on his recent rapid progress. His advancements had been fueled by rare treasures, and he needed time to internalize his newfound strength and prepare for the leap to level 96.

As for why they waited a week? It was to give Flender some time. After all, they had just reunited—it would be painful to separate again so soon. Let them enjoy each other's company.

However, Flender's actions in the near future would lead to unexpected consequences for Li Luochen. The repercussions of Flender's decision… well, let's just say Zhao Wuji would bear the brunt of it.

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Shortly after returning to the Dugu residence, Dugu Bo departed to sell the Hundred-year soul bones. Even these lower-tier soul bones were highly sought after by soul masters. A single auction could net him hundreds of thousands of gold spirit coins.

Li Luochen had already obtained the benefits of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Now, he planned to focus on intensive cultivation for a period. With roughly five years left before the main storyline reached Shrek Academy, he estimated that five years of cultivation should allow him to reach the advanced Spirit King level.

Why aim for the advanced Spirit King level? Well, Li Luochen was already a Spirit Ancestor possessing Ultimate attributes. Progress naturally slowed at this stage, and adding an Ultimate attribute made cultivation even slower.

However, Li Luochen had the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Using it to open the eight extraordinary meridians would significantly accelerate his cultivation. Exactly how fast remained to be seen—only time would tell, and that would take about half a year.

Li Luochen had already consumed three immortal herbs, and his body needed time to cool down and fully absorb their effects before taking the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Otherwise, its potency would be wasted.

The same applied to Dugu Yan. She had consumed the Earth Dragon Melon, bathed in the medicinal concoction prepared by Dugu Bo, and recently ingested the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. She also needed time to stabilize before consuming the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone in half a year.

In any case, the immortal herbs were safely stored on their persons—they weren't going anywhere. Once the timing was right, they could consume them.

Over the next week, neither Li Luochen nor Dugu Yan focused on cultivation. On the first night of their return, Dugu Yan absorbed the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, causing her spiritual power to surge significantly.

Thanks to this boost, her Limitless Universe Technique broke through to the fourth stage.

Their rapid progress required a balance of work and rest. In truth, they simply wanted to have some fun.

As Li Luochen put it, "I've been cultivating for over six years now—can't I enjoy myself for a bit? Keep the music playing and the dance going!"

During this week, Dugu Yan took Li Luochen to explore every fun spot in Tian Dou City. Unbeknownst to them, Li Luochen's second soul ring—a thousand-year one—had already caught the attention of certain individuals. Plans were being made to "accidentally" encounter him.

Among those scheming were the cunning Ning Fengzhi and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

On separate days, both encountered Li Luochen and Dugu Yan during their outings, showering them with official flattery. Of course, Li Luochen didn't embarrass them. He was well-versed in social etiquette and knew how to speak in a way that put others at ease.

A week later, Flender bid farewell to Liu Erlong, Li Luochen, and the Dugu grandfather-granddaughter duo before heading to Shrek Academy.

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