Chapter 53: Bluff, and Keep Bluffing

Chapter 53: Bluff, and Keep Bluffing

"What? An external spirit bone?"

Everyone in the Huangdou Battle Team, including Qin Ming, showed astonished expressions.

Zu Zong nodded solemnly. "Yes! My third spirit ring came from a thousand-year spider-type spirit beast. After fusing the ring, eight spider legs grew from the spine on my back. Later I learned this was an external spirit bone, and I named it 'Eight Spider Lances.'"

Qin Ming suddenly understood. He had long suspected that the room was damaged by spider legs. Since a spirit beast couldn't possibly appear in Soto City, he had guessed it was caused by a spider-type martial soul user.

He had even prepared himself to hear of Zu Zong's death. He never expected such a surprising outcome—Zu Zong was not only alive but had actually obtained an external spirit bone.

"Teacher Qin Ming, aren't spirit bones limited to six types: left leg, right leg, left arm, right arm, skull, and torso? What's an external spirit bone?" Dugu Yan asked.

Qin Ming replied seriously, "Since Yanzi asked, I'll explain a bit about spirit bones."

"Spirit bones are extremely rare items. You could say they are one of the most coveted treasures for spirit masters. Similar to spirit rings, spirit bones also come from spirit beasts. But they differ greatly."

"First of all, the drop rate of a spirit bone is only one in a thousand—or even less. Generally, only very powerful spirit beasts that die under certain special conditions will drop a spirit bone. Unlike spirit rings, which every spirit beast leaves behind, spirit bones are incredibly rare and thus incredibly valuable."

"Another difference is that, unlike spirit rings which can only be used by the person who killed the beast, spirit bones can be transferred or sold after being acquired. Any spirit bone—no matter how ordinary—commands an astronomical price and often can't even be bought even if you have the money."

"External spirit bones are a miraculous existence—special spirit bones outside of the six major categories Yanzi mentioned. If the drop rate of a standard spirit bone is one in a thousand, the drop rate for an external spirit bone is not even one in ten thousand."

"Furthermore, in order to absorb an external spirit bone, one must first absorb the spirit ring of the beast that dropped it. Because of this, external spirit bones have always ranked second on the list of a spirit master's ultimate dreams, right behind the almost mythical hundred-thousand-year spirit ring."

Among the group, the most lively one—the Wind Chime Bird spirit master Yufeng—looked envious. "Teacher Qin Ming, doesn't that mean Zu Zong hit the jackpot?"

Qin Ming nodded. "In theory, yes. But all of this I've only read in the academy's archive. I've never seen it with my own eyes. I don't even have a single spirit bone myself. Zu Zong's acquisition of an external spirit bone is indeed his good fortune."

At this point, Qin Ming felt a wave of sincere joy. He looked at Zu Zong and said, "The fact that you could identify this as an external spirit bone means you've not only worked hard in cultivation, but also put effort into studying spirit beasts."

Zu Zong gave an awkward smile. He thought to himself, "Well, I wouldn't have said anything if you hadn't caught me."

At that moment, Xiao Wu's face was completely flushed. Even her neck had turned pink. She buried her head in Zu Zong's chest, thinking, "Ah! That was so embarrassing just now."

Though she was shy, Xiao Wu felt even more joyful inside. For the first time, she truly sensed Zu Zong's tenderness.

With a bashful tone, Xiao Wu said, "Xiao Zong, how come I didn't know you got an external spirit bone?" As she spoke, her arms tightened around him.

Zu Zong patted her small head gently. A smile full of affection spread across his face. "I didn't tell you before because the external spirit bone hadn't fully fused with me yet. Telling you then would've done more harm than good. Now that it's fully fused, the Eight Spider Lances and I are one, so there's no issue in revealing it."

Qin Ming also smiled and agreed, "Zu Zong made the right call. Once the Eight Spider Lances are fully fused with him, no one else can take it. That not only protects himself, but also protects you."

"But then why was your room in that condition? And where have you been all this time?"

The one who asked was Ye Lingling. Among the group, she was the most observant. Though she didn't speak much normally, her words always struck to the point.

As soon as she spoke, Dugu Yan and the others also turned toward the culprit behind this entire misunderstanding—Zu Zong.

"Exactly! If you were fine, why didn't you say something? Poor Xiao Wu was worried sick."

"Hmph, being a flirt is bad enough, but you even went missing—what a scumbag."

"Zu Zong, I'm curious too—where exactly did you go?"

"Uh…" Zu Zong couldn't help but roll his eyes at Ye Lingling.

My dear Miss Ye, I finally made up a believable excuse, and now you have to jump in? Do you expect me to tell you that I stole Tang San's external spirit bone, lost control after fusing it, and wrecked the place?

Thinking fast, Zu Zong ran a hand through his hair and activated his nonsense mode.

"Ahem, ever since I obtained the Eight Spider Lances, I've been trying to fully fuse with it. But nearly every attempt failed."

"This morning, I tried again. I lost control for a moment, and the Eight Spider Lances went berserk. That's what caused the destruction."

"But thankfully, it stabilized afterward. I managed to fuse it completely. I got excited and ran out of Soto City to test its power."

Everyone nodded.

So that's what happened.

Qin Ming turned to the group and said, "Alright, alright. Since Zu Zong is fine, there's no need to crowd around here. Go back and train."

"Remember, we've got a team spirit battle tonight."

"And another thing—don't tell anyone about Zu Zong's external spirit bone. Even though it's fully fused and can't be taken, a tall tree catches the wind."

"Understood, Teacher Qin Ming," everyone answered together.

Then Qin Ming looked at Zu Zong and Xiao Wu.

"Zu Zong, today is our first team spirit battle in Soto City. You and Xiao Wu can observe for now."

"Also take part in the two-person battle. In a few days, I'll arrange for you both to join the team."

"Yes, Teacher Qin," the two replied in unison.

After the others left, only Zu Zong, Xiao Wu, and Ye Lingling remained at the Rose Hotel.

Zu Zong had no intention of continuing their training today.

He smiled and said, "Xiao Wu, Lingling, I'll give you both a day off today."

As soon as Xiao Wu heard this, she clung to his arm tightly.

"You're not going to disappear again, right? I don't care—you're taking me with you."

Zu Zong gently patted her head and smiled.

"I'm not leaving for long. I just want to find a quiet spot and get used to the Eight Spider Lances now that it's fully fused."

"I'll be back before dinner. It's not convenient to bring you."

"Besides, Lingling is a support-type spirit master. If you came with me, I'd worry about leaving her alone."

Xiao Wu nodded, though her face looked a bit disappointed.

Still, for Lingling's safety, she chose to stay.

But before that—she wanted compensation.

Xiao Wu pouted. "Then I want to go shopping with Lingling today."

Zu Zong twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Black lines formed on his forehead. Looks like the few hundred gold soul coins he gave her days ago were already gone.

Without a word, Zu Zong reached into his chest—into the system storage—and pulled out two pouches of gold soul coins.

He placed them into Xiao Wu's hands.

"These gold soul coins should be enough for you, right?" he said.

"Yay! Xiao Zong, I love you!"

Xiao Wu jumped up, wrapped herself around Zu Zong's neck like a sloth, and then instantly turned into a shopping maniac.

She grabbed Ye Lingling and dashed out the door.

Watching her figure disappear, Zu Zong rolled his eyes.

"What a heavy kind of love…"

(End of Chapter)

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