Xiao Changfeng's gaze fell upon the leader of the Demonic Devil Orcas, and he let out a long sigh.
This soul beast alone was a treasure trove of soul master resources. Its soul ring would be worthy even as an eighth—or ninth—ring for elite soul masters.
To have it die like this was truly a shame. If given the choice, he wouldn't have resorted to a massacre.
Even the 6,000-year-old Deep Sea Demon Whale had been spared—how much more so should these six orcas have been?
"Ahem... Master-Uncle, I don't think you can be blamed for this," Xu Tianxi offered, clearing his throat. "After all, we're still in the Deep Sea Demon Whale's territory. How could we have expected the Demonic Devil Orcas to show up? Getting caught in your attack was just extremely bad luck on their part…"
The Demonic Devil Orcas were notorious for their bloodlust and ferocity. Among all nearshore soul beasts, they were the most vicious, save for the Sea's 'mascot' species—the Sovereign Baxi Turtle. There wasn't a single marine soul beast they didn't dare to attack.
Clearly, these orcas had been drawn by the scent of blood—whether from the bait Xiao Changfeng had scattered or the corpse of the Deep Sea Demon Whale was uncertain. But just as they were about to feast, they ran straight into the proverbial wrath of heaven.
Even the alpha orca, a powerhouse over 50,000 years old, had been obliterated by the full force of a Level 96 Super Douluo, surrendering its soul ring on the spot...
Xu Tianxi could tell at a glance that the leader—by far the largest—had taken the brunt of the attack. Its head and body had likely been split by the Icecrystal Phoenix's strike, and even now its whale brain was impaled with shards of ice. The death was… not a pleasant one.
"Ah… be that as it may, this wasn't what I intended. But such a loss is still regrettable," Xiao Changfeng muttered, though his tone softened.
Come on, Xu Tianxi thought. Back when Tang San and the Shrek Seven Devils hunted the Demonic Devil Orcas, they nearly wiped out an entire pod of 300. The soul rings they harvested outnumbered ours four or five times, and no one batted an eye. Only Bai Chenxiang got a ten-thousand-year ring—everything else was wasted.
Xu Tianxi rolled his eyes, then his expression brightened. He pointed toward the one surviving orca and said:
"Hey, it's not a total waste. That one over there—we can still use its ring, right?"
Xiao Changfeng followed his gaze. His brows instantly knit together.
"This one's over 30,000 years old. Good quality, yes—but still far beneath your second martial soul's threshold. I won't allow you to risk absorbing it. It's simply not viable."
Xu Tianxi's second martial soul had boundless potential. Even if they couldn't get him nine hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, they'd ensure every ring surpassed 50,000 years. Anything less wouldn't even be considered.
The Body Sect had slain seven hundred-thousand-year soul beasts for their disciples. Would the Xuanming Sect dare to fall behind?
If Xu Tianxi's body could handle it, they'd even dare go after a fierce beast.
Before he left, Xu Xiaoyun had confided that the Titan Snow Demon King in the Extreme North might possess a trace of the Ice God's bloodline. It had high cultivation, immense vitality, and even a spiritual-type trait—ideal for Xu Tianxi's second martial soul. If it meant risking the wrath of the entire Extreme North, they'd still consider trying.
As for the Ice and Snow Empresses… not that they didn't want to try—just that they couldn't. Even if Xu Xiaoyun ascended to Limit Douluo, he couldn't take either of them down. The moment they struck, the entire Extreme North would swarm, and no one could survive that.
Xu Tianxi simply waved his hand, pointing toward the slowly approaching soul guidance vessel and smiled:
"Relax. I'm not crazy enough to gamble with my life. But did you forget? Someone here actually needs a soul ring right now to break into the Soul Sage realm."
At that, Xiao Changfeng's eyes lit up. "You mean—Elder Yue?"
"Exactly," Xu Tianxi nodded. "Perfect fit."
Elder Yue, originally from the Sun Moon Empire, wasn't blessed with much innate talent. The fact that he reached the Soul Emperor realm was mostly thanks to early years of medicine-enhanced training.
In recent years, with the Xuanming Sect supplying him with more elixirs, he had finally clawed his way into the quasi–Soul Sage level.
Xiao Changfeng had brought him on this trip partly to help him secure his seventh soul ring. Giving him a 50,000-year ring would be deadly, but a 30,000-year ring? Just right.
More importantly, a 30,000-year Demonic Devil Orca soul ring in terms of quality wasn't far inferior to many 50,000-year soul rings. For a soul engineer like Elder Yue, whose physical strength lagged behind soul masters, this was a premium option.
Quickly summoning a bewildered Elder Yue, Xiao Changfeng explained the situation with a grin.
Upon hearing that he would receive a soul ring he'd never even dreamed of, Elder Yue's aged face flushed with excitement, eyes moist.
"Many thanks, Lord Ice Phoenix," he said with trembling voice, bowing deeply. "This old servant will use this cultivation to better protect the Young Lord!"
Xiao Changfeng stepped forward to help him up, patting his shoulder and offering a few reassuring words.
Without further ceremony, Elder Yue drew a Level 6 close-combat soul tool saber, slashing open the skull of the still-breathing orca. Immediately, a dark and menacing ten-thousand-year soul ring rose from its corpse.
Elder Yue summoned his Swordfish Martial Soul. One white, two yellow, two purple, one black—six rings surrounded him. He began to draw in the seventh, his body suddenly tensing as he entered the painful absorption process.
Xu Tianxi watched on with concern, while Xiao Changfeng nodded with approval.
Just then, something flickered in Xiao Changfeng's eyes. He focused on the corpse of the 30,000-year orca.
"…Strange. It's already dead, yet the soul power fluctuations in its skull are still so intense. Could it be…"
His figure vanished like lightning. Appearing above the orca's head, he sliced down with a single finger, completely splitting open the skull. From deep within the cranial cavity, a blood-red glow erupted, dyeing the entire area crimson.
"As I suspected—a soul bone! And not just any—this is a cranial soul bone, second only to the torso!"
Drawing the scarlet glow into his palm, Xiao Changfeng's face filled with joy.
Soul bones of equal age were worth hundreds of times more than soul rings. Ten-thousand-year soul bones were known as treasures among blood rivers. Cranial soul bones, in particular, were prized above most.
This 30,000-year Demonic Devil Orca cranial bone was easily one of the finest soul bones they could hope for.
Xu Tianxi swooped over on a flying soul device. "Master-Uncle—is that a ten-thousand-year cranial soul bone?"
"Indeed," Xiao Changfeng smiled. "This thing's value is immense. I could probably trade it for several Level 8 soul tools—maybe even more on the black market."
His spirits were clearly lifted. Accidentally killing soul beasts was one thing—but accidentally acquiring a top-tier soul bone? Not bad at all.
Xu Tianxi's gaze flickered. He glanced toward Elder Yue, clearly tempted.
Xiao Changfeng noticed immediately. "You're thinking… of giving this to Elder Yue?"
"Master-Uncle truly sees through everything."
Xu Tianxi chuckled and bowed with a cupped fist. "Could I perhaps ask on his behalf? Elder Yue's looked after me for years, taught me everything I know about soul tools. He's my guiding light on the path of soul engineering."
Xiao Changfeng shook his head, chuckling. "You don't need to say more. Once a soul bone appears, it's meant to be absorbed. And since you've asked, why would I begrudge you this favor?"
"What's more, a soul bone absorbed with the soul ring produces the best effect. Since Elder Yue is the one who killed the beast, this soul bone is naturally fated to be his."
Realistically, with Elder Yue's age and cultivation, this kind of top-tier soul bone should've been out of reach. But with Xu Tianxi speaking on his behalf, Xiao Changfeng couldn't say no.
With this ring and bone, Elder Yue could not only become a Soul Sage, but might even have a shot at Soul Douluo. In that case, it wouldn't be a loss.
Of course, if Xu Tianxi weren't around, Xiao Changfeng wouldn't have gambled on some old man's future potential. He'd rather use it as leverage in a more profitable deal.
Xu Tianxi knew this favor hadn't come cheap. He took note of it and patted his chest with a solemn vow:
"Master-Uncle, you have my word—once I'm stronger, I'll find you even better soul bones! Are there any parts you're still missing?"
Xiao Changfeng raised a brow, smiling in appreciation. "Of my six soul bone slots, only the left arm is unfilled. It's fine though—soul bones are rare. No need to force anything."
"I don't like that kind of talk," Xu Tianxi said, puffing his chest. "So what if soul bones are rare? If we look, we'll find them."
He pointed toward the scattered orca corpses. "Take those guys, for example. Their deaths were so… dramatic. I think there's a good chance of another soul bone. I'm not just making stuff up either."
In soul master lore, the stronger a soul beast was—and the more resentment it carried at death—the more likely it was to produce a soul bone.
And given how these orcas had all died in an instant, eyes wide in disbelief, Xu Tianxi figured their lingering resentment had to be off the charts.
Xiao Changfeng understood what he meant. Though he doubted any more bones would show up, he couldn't help but grin at Xu Tianxi's eagerness.
"Hahaha… All right then. Let's take a look. See if there's a second one hiding among them."
With a wave of his hand, shimmering frost condensed into icy blades. They slashed cleanly through the orca corpses.
Then—whoosh!
A deep crimson pillar of light shot into the sky, even stronger than the last!
Xiao Changfeng and Xu Tianxi exchanged stunned glances.
Reaching out, Xiao Changfeng caught the glowing bone, eyes widening as he examined it.
"…This energy signature—a 60,000-year Demonic Devil Orca right leg bone?!"
Xu Tianxi stood beside him, slack-jawed.
I just said it offhand… and it actually showed up!? My mouth is blessed.