Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

Inside the secret chamber of the Hell Demon Dragon Clan,

Zhao Ming was filled with anticipation, wondering what surprises Zi Ji had prepared for him.

"Master, these three soul bones are gifts from Xiong Jun and the others for you." Zi Ji said as she presented three black boxes.

When the boxes were opened, a fierce aura emerged but was quickly suppressed by Zi Ji's powerful presence.

It was clear these three soul bones were anything but ordinary.

Since they were gifts from Xiong Jun and the others, they had to be at least at the hundred-thousand-year level.

"Master, the one on the left is the right claw bone of a hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear is known for its strength, and this claw bone is an extremely valuable item," Zi Ji explained.

A hundred-thousand-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear claw bone—an external soul bone, no less.

External soul bones are second only to ten-thousand-year soul bones in value because they have the potential to evolve. They are also independent of the six traditional soul bone slots that humans possess.

To put it in perspective, in Douluo Dalu 2, Huo Hang acquired a claw bone from a thousand-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, but Zhao Ming's was from a hundred-thousand-year-old one—a massive difference in quality.

"Hmm. Although this soul bone's age is a bit low, it's still acceptable," Zhao Ming responded nonchalantly, continuing to examine the other two soul bones in Zi Ji's hands.

Since Zi Ji had introduced this one first, it meant the other two were likely of equal or even greater value.

"This soul bone is a gift from Chi Wang, a two-hundred-thousand-year-old Hell Three-Headed Hound skull." Zi Ji introduced. Even she was tempted by this soul bone. After all, a two-hundred-thousand-year soul beast was incredibly powerful, and she herself hadn't reached the three-hundred-thousand-year mark yet.

"Two hundred thousand years?" Zhao Ming was taken aback. It seemed Chi Wang had truly made a sacrifice. This must have been left behind by one of his powerful ancestors who perished during the two-hundred-thousand-year heavenly tribulation.

A two-hundred-thousand-year soul bone—while it was possible that the human world had such things, they were incredibly rare, and it was unlikely any matched the quality of this Hell Three-Headed Hound skull that Zi Ji held.

"This one is a gift from Di Tian, a hundred-thousand-year-old Black Dragon right arm bone. Since Di Tian's clan members are few, he asked me to express his apologies to you," Zi Ji said softly.

"No problem. I understand the situation of the Black Dragon Clan." Zhao Ming nodded. In the hierarchy of dragon-type soul beasts, the Black Dragon Clan ranked just below the Dragon God, the Golden Dragon, and the Silver Dragon. This hundred-thousand-year Black Dragon right arm bone was almost as valuable as the two-hundred-thousand-year Hell Three-Headed Hound skull.

A hundred-thousand-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear claw bone.

A two-hundred-thousand-year Hell Three-Headed Hound skull.

A hundred-thousand-year Black Dragon right arm bone.

Each of these soul bones was a priceless treasure. If word got out, the entire continent would be thrown into chaos.

After all, in Douluo Dalu, Titan and Sky Blue Bull Python were already considered powerful soul beasts. Soul bones from such fearsome beasts would be unimaginable to them. Even if the Spirit Hall knew about the beasts in the core area, they wouldn't dare to hunt them.

After all, just Di Tian alone could crush Qian Daoliu.

With the addition of the other powerful beasts, even if all the Spirit Hall's titled Douluo gathered, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"System, what do you think of these soul bones?" Zhao Ming couldn't help but feel ecstatic. If he had known he could obtain such treasures by coming to the Star Dou Forest, he would have come much sooner.

But then again, if it weren't for the tempering he had undergone from the Immortal Phoenix Blood, the Star Dou beasts and Gu Yuena might have been suspicious.

"Not bad; these soul bones are all suitable for you to absorb and use." The system praised, though it silently cursed, thinking to itself, This host has unbelievable luck. Normally, such treasures would only be given as rewards after completing tasks. This is completely out of the ordinary!

"Haha, if I had known I'd get so many good things here, I'd have come earlier. Now that I think about it, it feels like a huge missed opportunity."

"Don't get too happy. Even if you have these soul bones, you can't use them yet. A hundred-thousand-year soul bone requires you to at least break through to the Titled Douluo level before you can absorb it." The system doused his excitement with a dose of cold water.

Right, he couldn't absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul bone just yet. But...

"System, don't you have a way to seal the power of these soul bones?" Zhao Ming's eyes lit up.

"What makes you think a low-tier system like me would have such a capability? Don't get your hopes up," the system replied quickly.

"Don't hide it. I know you can seal the power of soul bones. You even said you could seal the power of the five-million-year Ancient Immortal Phoenix torso bone for me to absorb."

Cough cough, the system cleared its throat. "I might know how, but I can't give you special treatment."

"You're not giving me any physical items; how is this special treatment? Just help me out, and someday I'll find you a beautiful mother system, and you can have a little system."

"Deal." The system responded immediately.

Zhao Ming smirked, knowing this lecherous system had a weak spot.

Zhao Ming casually took the three soul bones from Zi Ji's hands and tossed them into his storage ring as if they were nothing.

Zi Ji was momentarily stunned by Zhao Ming's indifference.

To her, these were incredibly valuable treasures. Although soul beasts couldn't extract soul skills from them, these bones were still highly nourishing.

But Zhao Ming treated them as if they were beneath him.

Such poise left Zi Ji in awe.

However, knowing Zhao Ming's identity as an ancient powerhouse, it made sense that he wouldn't be impressed by such things.

As she pondered this, Zi Ji opened the two large chests behind her.

These chests were enormous.

Were they filled with soul bones? Zhao Ming was taken aback.

What in the world—two large chests of soul bones? That's extravagant.

Confirming his guess, the chests opened.

Immediately, a variety of fierce auras emanated from them. The different energies of the soul bones dazzled Zhao Ming. Though these bones didn't have the overwhelming aura of the first three, there were so many of them.

Roughly estimating, Zhao Ming guessed there were around fifty bones of varying quality.

Fifty soul bones.

What did this mean?

With these, he could fully arm his companions.

Just imagining giving Zhuqing and the others each a set of soul bones thrilled him.

Equipping them with such powerful soul bones would not only make them stronger but also even more beautiful.

"Zi Ji, you didn't go robbing other soul beast clans, did you?" Zhao Ming laughed.

"Of course not. I informed Xiong Jun and Chi Wang of your orders and had them accompany me to ask other soul beasts for their soul bones. They didn't dare refuse, so they handed over the remains of their deceased kin, allowing us to extract the bones." Zi Ji smiled, her expression seductive.

"Well done. It seems you're qualified to be my secretary." Zhao Ming nodded approvingly.

"Secretary? Master, what's a secretary?" Zi Ji asked, puzzled.

"A secretary is someone who assists those in power, like the relationship between Gu Yuena and Di Tian," Zhao Ming explained with a smile.

"Does Master want me to be his secretary?" Zi Ji's eyes lit up with excitement. If she became Zhao Ming's secretary, she would be on equal footing with Di Tian. With two leaders in the Star Dou Forest, it was only natural that the ancient powerhouse Zhao Ming would need someone to manage things for him.

"Of course. I trust you to handle things well." Zhao Ming smiled. After all, as the saying goes, "When there's work to be done, leave it to the secretary." He had absolute confidence in Zi Ji's abilities.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.