"That is!"
She grew even more proud, leaning in to tug at Su Yu's sleeve.
"Is the External Spirit Bone powerful? Is it stronger than ordinary Soul Bones?"
"The value of an External Spirit Bone is second only to a 100,000-Year Soul Bone. Moreover, unlike the six standard types of Soul Bones, External Spirit Bones are far more variable in form."
Su Yu lightly tapped the glowing vertical eye on the Slanted-Eye Tiger's forehead with his fingertip and continued:
"Things like wings, palm bones, tails, and even eyes can all become External Spirit Bones."
"Look at the glowing spot on this Slanted-Eye Tiger's forehead. It's almost certainly an External Spirit Bone formed from this vertical eye."
Hu Liena nodded as if suddenly enlightened, her small face filled with understanding, then immediately widened her eyes and pressed further:
"Then, Brother Su Yu, do External Spirit Bones have any particularly powerful abilities?"
"Want to know?"
Su Yu deliberately drew out his words, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his eyes and brows.
"Yes!"
Hu Liena nodded emphatically, her curiosity practically overflowing.
Su Yu suddenly frowned slightly, raising a hand to rub his shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of "casual" complaint:
"Ah, I used up some strength when I made my move earlier, and now my shoulder suddenly feels a bit sore..."
Hu Liena immediately caught on, her eyes sparkling as she cheerfully moved behind Su Yu.
Her small fists gently pounded his shoulders with just the right pressure, carrying a deliberately pleasing cleverness:
"Brother Su Yu~ Is that better?" Let me pound them for you, now tell me quickly~"
Her palms were soft, and her pounding motions held a childlike seriousness.
Strands of her hair lightly brushed against Su Yu's neck with her movements, tickling him slightly.
Su Yu was amused by her antics and deliberately put on a stern face with a hum:
"Hmm... a bit harder on the left."
"Okay!"
Hu Liena immediately adjusted her strength, pounding while urging him.
"Can you tell me now? What amazing abilities do External Spirit Bones actually have?"
"Can they immobilize people with a single glance like in those storybooks?"
Su Yu enjoyed her "service" and spoke leisurely:
"That depends on the specific External Spirit Bone."
"For example, wing types can grant flight capability; if it's an eye type... it might actually be able to do what you said."
"However, this still depends on the abilities the Soul Beast originally possessed. Most External Spirit Bone abilities are related to the Soul Beast's own capabilities!"
"Do you know why the value of External Spirit Bones is second only to 100,000-Year Soul Bones?"
"No!"
"Let me tell you, the key is—External Spirit Bones can evolve!"
"Evolve?"
"Correct."
Su Yu's voice carried certainty.
"Everyone knows that once ordinary Soul Bones form, their power becomes fixed and can hardly increase any further."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the curious faces around him, then continued:
"But External Spirit Bones are different."
"The stronger the Soul Master's own power becomes, the stronger the External Spirit Bone grows alongside them, and this strengthening has no limit!"
"Not only that!"
His fingertip traced through the air as if outlining the trajectory of some power.
"External Spirit Bones can actively absorb power from Soul Beasts of the same origin and integrate energies from other powerful Soul Beasts to temper themselves."
"Precisely because of this growth potential and adaptability, the External Spirit Bone has become a treasure second only to the 100,000-Year Soul Bone!"
Hearing Su Yu's words, Hu Liena swallowed hard, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the glowing spot as if beholding a rare treasure:
"Then... this vertical eye Soul Bone, is it particularly precious?"
"Naturally."
Su Yu stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
"External Spirit Bones are already rare to begin with. Coming across one today means we're quite lucky."
"Nana, step aside a bit. Let me extract this External Spirit Bone!"
"Mm!"
Hu Liena moved to the side as Su Yu channeled his Soul Power to draw out the purple light.
Soon, the purple light separated from the Slanted-Eye Tiger's forehead and landed directly in Su Yu's palm.
Hu Liena hurried over to carefully examine this External Spirit Bone.
"Brother Su Yu, this External Spirit Bone looks just like an eye!"
At that moment, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the dense forest - it was Xiao Yi.
With an appreciative expression, he looked at Su Yu and Hu Liena and said:
"Your Highnesses, you have completed this trial. This Slanted-Eye Tiger was specifically lured here to test you."
Hu Liena was momentarily stunned before understanding dawned on her: "So this was arranged by Lord Xiao Yi?"
She looked at the Slanted-Eye Tiger's corpse on the ground, recalling the earlier danger, and still felt a lingering fear.
Xiao Yi's gaze fell upon the glowing third eye on the Slanted-Eye Tiger's forehead, his tone carrying a hint of surprise:
"I never expected that not only did this Slanted-Eye Tiger fail to test you, but it actually gifted you with an External Spirit Bone."
Su Yu felt inwardly moved. External Spirit Bones were extremely rare - he never imagined this Slanted-Eye Tiger would contain such fortune.
He looked at Xiao Yi: "Did Lord Xiao Yi already know it possessed an External Spirit Bone?"
Xiao Yi shook his head: "I only knew this Slanted-Eye Tiger was a Thousand-Year Mutant Soul Beast with considerable strength."
"I thought its age made it suitable as the final challenge of the trial, but I never expected it to contain an External Spirit Bone."It seems I underestimated its uniqueness, and also underestimated both Your Highnesses' capabilities."
He paused before adding, "This External Spirit Bone has fate with you. Since you defeated it together, it's yours to handle as you see fit."
Hu Liena's eyes lit up as she turned to look at Su Yu, her expression full of excitement.
The value of an External Spirit Bone went without saying - it provided tremendous assistance in enhancing a Soul Master's power.
Especially this kind of Soul Bone from a mutant Soul Beast, which often carried special abilities.
If Brother Su Yu absorbed it, he would definitely grow stronger and stronger!
Su Yu looked at the still-glowing third eye and mused:
"The energy contained in this Soul Bone is considerable. It needs proper handling."
Xiao Yi watched their composed demeanor and nodded inwardly.
"Since the trial has concluded, let's return first. The Pope is waiting for news."
Su Yu and Hu Liena exchanged glances and both nodded.
The External Spirit Bone was carefully placed by Su Yu into a specially made jade box.
With Xiao Yi leading the way, the three retraced their path back.
Light and shadow filtered through the dense forest canopy, casting their elongated shadows.
An unexpected trial ultimately concluded with rewards far exceeding expectations.
One hour later, inside the Papal Hall—
Bi Bidong's fingertips gently brushed over the External Spirit Bone glowing with a faint light in the jade box, a subtle smile curling at the corners of her lips.
"Xiao Yi."
She spoke, her voice as cool and clear as the chime of jade.
"How have Xiao Yu and Nana performed during these days of trials?"
Standing below, Xiao Yi bowed slightly, his tone respectful and composed:
"Your Holiness the Pope, the two young masters have far exceeded expectations."
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