Accidentally killing soul beasts and wasting valuable resources was indeed painful—but the thrill of obtaining soul bones was enough to make the corners of one's mouth lift in delight.
That was precisely how Xiao Changfeng felt right now.
The 60,000-year Evil Demon Orca right leg bone was in pristine condition—flawless and unmarred. Its texture was as smooth and refined as diamond, transparent throughout, with a current of dark red liquid seeming to swirl within its crystalline core.
It radiated a misty, invigorating glow—extremely pure water-element soul power—and simultaneously absorbed ambient elemental energy. The shape at the base wasn't human-like but resembled the tail fin of an orca, clearly bearing the beast's legacy.
With the keen perception of a Super Douluo, Xiao Changfeng was certain: this soul bone carried an aura of innate ferocity and dominance. That could only mean one thing—one of this Evil Demon Orca 's parents had been a 100,000-year soul beast, granting it a pure and formidable bloodline.
Among the six major categories of soul bones, the right leg was traditionally the least valuable. But when the quality reached this level, such distinctions no longer mattered. This was a top-tier ten-thousand-year soul bone, just a step below the legendary hundred-thousand-year class.
Realizing the value of the bone, Xiao Changfeng smiled slightly and presented it to Xu Tianxi, speaking warmly:
"Tianxi, this soul bone is of exceptional quality. The Evil Demon Orca race is known for their innate ferocity—soul skills derived from them are either powerful control-type or explosive attack-type. All of them are first-class.
If you fuse this soul bone, I'm certain your physical constitution will reach a new height. It'll greatly bolster your affinity with the Essence of Ultimate Water, and your soul power will also rise. It's fully worthy of your talent. So, want to try fusing it?"
Xu Tianxi stared intently at the soul bone for a moment, unable to suppress a subtle gulp.
Up close, he finally understood why so many soul masters were obsessed with soul bones. Even just standing near it, he felt his soul power circulate faster, his heartbeat louder and clearer.
The Evil Demon Orca race was undoubtedly gifted. Fusing such a soul bone would bring immediate gains—he would no longer need to fear even genius-level Soul Ancestors, and might even be able to clash head-on with Soul Kings.
But still…
It wasn't a hundred-thousand-year bone.
And if it wasn't that… then it wasn't enough!
Reason triumphed over impulse. Xu Tianxi looked away and shook his head.
"Master-Uncle, I don't think there's any need to rush.
There may be even more suitable soul bones in the future. Let's hold onto this one for now."
"Oh?" Xiao Changfeng raised a brow. "Looks like this little guy has high standards—turning his nose up at such a treasure?"
But with his wealth of experience, Xiao Changfeng could see through Xu Tianxi's thinking in an instant.
He clearly desired the soul bone. But he still declined. Why?
Because he believed he could get something even better in the future.
Xu Tianxi scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, then straightened his back and spoke with clarity and conviction, pointing at the soul bone:
"It's not that I'm arrogant. It's that you, Master-Uncle, and Master-Patriarch, are just too capable. With you both backing me, hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast will be as easy as flipping your hand.
Without you two standing tall like mountains in front of me, how could I even dream of such things? I'd have absorbed this treasure on the spot with glee."
Translation: It's not that I'm greedy—it's that I trust in your power. With elders like you, I can afford to wait. Didn't Master-Patriarch spend years poaching hundred-thousand-year soul beasts like it was a hobby?
Hearing that, Xiao Changfeng couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.
What a sweet-talking, perceptive kid. Knows exactly what to say to win hearts.
As a Level 96 Super Douluo, Xiao Changfeng knew full well that to a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, he was basically the Grim Reaper. Escape was futile.
And given that Xu Tianxi likely wouldn't reach the level to absorb hundred-thousand-year soul rings until his seventh ring, and that cultivating an Ultimate Element martial soul was slow… By then, Xiao Changfeng might already be Level 97, capable of slaying even Fierce Beasts like chopping wood.
"Good! In that case," Xiao Changfeng said, storing the soul bone and patting Xu Tianxi firmly on the shoulder, "Master-Uncle will wait for the day you're ready to absorb your first hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
I swear, I'll make sure both of your martial souls are outfitted with as many hundred-thousand-year rings as possible!"
His tone was filled with anticipation.
"Twin martial souls are the mark of true prodigies. If I can help you acquire a full set of six ten-thousand-year-class soul bones… what kind of monstrous strength would that be? Even I can't quite imagine it—haha!"
Xu Tianxi said nothing, only smiling in reply. He gave a respectful bow and floated cross-legged into the air, entering a state of meditation. He quietly extended his spiritual sense to connect with the world around him.
The warmth in Xiao Changfeng's words flowed straight into his chest like a hot spring on a winter day, soothing body and soul.
There was nothing to say—only the resolve to return the favor in the future.
Sure, Tang San was no saint, but he did give the original Seven Devils many benefits. Without him, perhaps only Oscar would have reached Titled Douluo; the others would have either been stunted by flawed martial souls or cut down before they matured.
Among the Shrek Six Gods:
Oscar and Ning Rongrong were chosen by the Food God and Nine-Colored Goddess respectively.
Xiao Wu had the Asura God's sheath—she was literally made to host his sword.
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun? Probably arranged by Tang San. Otherwise, why would the God of Destruction have resented him afterward?
Sure, Tang San was building his own faction. But intentions aside, the benefits were real, even if he didn't share them equally.
For example: Ma Hongjun's lover wasn't useful? Then she got left out. Didn't matter if she was family.
If Tang San had wanted to help her, even a Third-Class God or Cleric God title would've granted her near-immortality and let her stay with Ma Hongjun. As a new God of Law, who would've stopped him?
It's not like the Shura God couldn't bring along a loved one. That'd be laughable.
The White Crane—Xiao Wu's great-uncle—gave Tang San his life's most prized herb, just to help him recruit old allies like Yang Wudi… and what did he get in return? Absolutely nothing.
This kind of heartfelt generosity had been thrown into the ocean.
Let's also spare a thought for the Dugu clan, and the once-glorious but now overrated Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, both abandoned for lacking utility.
But no matter what—
You can't curse Tang San for being ruthless and then do worse yourself. That'd be disgraceful.
Xu Tianxi, transmigrator extraordinaire, would never allow himself to sink to that level.
If he were to repay Xiao Changfeng, then at the very least he'd fetch a top-tier soul bone. He even earmarked the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
If Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix could purify into Ultimate Fire after eating Blazing Glue, then surely Xiao Changfeng's Icecrystal Phoenix could reach Ultimate Ice with the right herb.
As for godhood…
"The Titan Snow Demon King allegedly has the Ice God's bloodline… but whether the Ice God is still in the Divine Realm, I don't know.
Worst case? Just snatch Ma Hongjun's Phoenix God position. What's he even doing with it—moping in a volcano all day? Give it to someone useful."
His thoughts drifted to cosmic matters.
In Xu Tianxi's long-term plan, creating his own godhood via faith was essential. But Douluo Continent's collective faith was limited. Even the Sea God took a millennium to reach that path.
To succeed himself would be difficult enough—helping others was out of the question.
So if he wanted someone else to ascend with him?
He'd have to take a godhood by force.
Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Godhood would be the backup plan.
He didn't understand why the Phoenix God was only a Second-Class Deity, but that could be studied once he reached the Divine Realm.
After all—Xu Tianxi had two main skills:
Area-of-effect firepower
Persuasive arguments
...Especially the kind where physics does the talking.
Unnoticed, night had arrived.
The moon—the object of Xu Tianxi's obsession—rose suddenly into view, shedding beams of silver across the sea.
A full moon.
The moment he sensed it, the crescent mark on his forehead lit up with excitement. He immediately activated his soul technique, drawing in moonlight.
Unlike in the past, where the absorption was slow and delicate, this time the process was rapid.
A vortex of spirit power fused with soul power formed at his brow, hungrily devouring moonlight like a whirlpool.
Within moments, the light around several square meters of space was drained, condensing into visible threads that surged into his forehead.
As the Illusory Moon Mystic Eye activated, the egg-sized moon halo behind his head began expanding at an astonishing rate. Threads of spiritual power outlined a glowing moon within half an hour.
Within it, blue and black lights flickered, and a thunderstorm rumbled from deep within.
Xiao Changfeng, observing from a distance, was shocked.
He had built a special high platform and purchased equipment to simulate an ideal moonlight cultivation environment for Xu Tianxi—but now, Xu Tianxi's raw absorption speed had increased at least threefold.
"Tianxi's spiritual power has surpassed many Soul Kings… perhaps even approaching the Soul Emperor level. That soul ring truly brought immense benefits.
Could he have inherited the Demonic Silver Whale's signature devouring talent as well?"
Before long, a figure—elderly yet energetic—approached Xiao Changfeng. His eyes sparkled with clarity as he bowed respectfully.
Xiao Changfeng turned and smiled. "So you succeeded? Good. Then take this as well—absorb it."
He handed over the 30,000-year Demonic Devil Orca cranial soul bone.
Elder Yue's eyes widened in disbelief. His hands trembled as he stammered:
"Lord Ice Phoenix, this old servant—how could I deserve such a treasure?
This soul bone mustn't be wasted on me. Even if the Young Lord doesn't need it, surely it could be…"
His first instinct was to give it to Xu Tianxi, but quickly realized Xiao Changfeng must have already considered that.
In a moment of panic, he thought about forging the soul bone into a top-tier soul tool for future generations… only to realize: he didn't even have the skill to do that.
Xiao Changfeng watched this sincere and flustered old man with quiet satisfaction. He raised a hand to stop his rambling.
"This soul bone wasn't my decision—it was Tianxi's."
Elder Yue froze. Emotions swelled behind his deep-set eyes, and tears began to form.
He looked gratefully at Xu Tianxi—who remained seated, eyes closed in deep meditation—and began to weep softly.
"This old servant thanks the Young Lord… and thanks you, Lord Ice Phoenix."
Xiao Changfeng simply nodded, his expression gentle as he looked toward Xu Tianxi.
"The continent is changing.
I have a feeling—Tianxi will be the one to alter its course.
And we… we shall witness that moment and welcome a new future.
To have such a junior… I am deeply satisfied."