Song Qing's gaze fell upon the shimmering Right Leg Bone, its dual aura of frost and fire a tangible testament to the Frostfire Mane Lion's formidable power. A flicker of desire, a primal instinct to absorb its potent energy and further enhance his strength, stirred within him. A spirit bone from a seventeen-thousand-year spirit beast was an incredibly rare and valuable treasure, something many Spirit Masters would kill for.
'This could significantly boost my speed and offensive capabilities,' he mused, his mind already racing with the possibilities. A right leg bone was known to enhance agility and explosive power. It would synergize perfectly with his Abyssal Shadow Dash and his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings. He could already imagine the increased speed and power in his movements, the devastating potential of combining the bone's elemental attributes with his draconic abilities.
However, this initial surge of desire quickly gave way to a different kind of warmth, a feeling of gratitude and a burgeoning sense of responsibility towards the woman who stood beside him, the woman who had single-handedly subdued such a powerful beast for him. He looked at Bibi Dong, her pink eyes still radiating a faint afterglow of her immense power, and a selfless thought blossomed in his young heart.
He leaned closer to her, his small frame almost dwarfed by her imposing presence, and whispered softly, his voice barely audible above the rustling leaves of the ancient forest. "Teacher," he began, his tone earnest and sincere, "I… I was thinking… I don't really need this spirit bone."
Bibi Dong turned her head, her brow furrowing slightly in surprise. "Qing'er? What are you saying? This is a rare treasure. It would greatly enhance your strength."
Song Qing shook his head gently, his gaze fixed on the shimmering bone. "I know, Teacher. But you and the Spirit Hall have given me so much. You took me in, nurtured my talent, and guided me every step of the way. I don't think I can ever truly repay that grace." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "But… perhaps this spirit bone could help the Spirit Hall become even stronger. It's just a small way for me to… contribute."
Bibi Dong's eyes widened slightly, a look of profound surprise washing over her features. She had expected him to be overjoyed at obtaining such a valuable treasure, eager to absorb its power. The thought of him willingly giving it up hadn't even crossed her mind.
"Qing'er," she said, her voice laced with genuine sincerity, "you are still young. Your own strength is paramount. This spirit bone would be far more beneficial to you than to the Spirit Hall as a whole. We have resources; we can find other ways to strengthen our ranks. Your growth is my priority." She placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch surprisingly gentle. "Please, my dear disciple, take it. It is your right."
But Song Qing remained resolute, his small face set with a gentle determination. "But Teacher," he countered softly, his voice filled with an innocent logic that was hard to refute, "it was you who truly hunted this beast. Your power was the reason it was subdued. Without your incredible strength, I never would have had the chance to strike the final blow. So, in a way, this spirit bone… it belongs to you." He looked up at her, his eyes shining with sincerity. "Please, Teacher. Accept it. Not for the Spirit Hall, but for you. As a token of my gratitude."
Bibi Dong stared at him, her mind reeling. This young disciple of hers, barely seven years old, was displaying a level of selflessness and maturity that was astonishing. She thought back to the countless Spirit Masters she had encountered throughout her life, the endless greed and ambition that drove them, the lengths they would go to for even a fraction of such a treasure. And here was Song Qing, willingly offering it up, not out of fear or obligation, but out of genuine gratitude and a desire to repay the kindness he had received.
'He truly is… different,' she thought, a wave of warmth washing over her. This child, who possessed such extraordinary talent and potential, was also blessed with an equally extraordinary heart. He wasn't driven by selfish desires alone; he genuinely cared for her and the Spirit Hall. It was a stark contrast to the ambition and ruthlessness she had come to expect from those seeking power.
She knelt down, bringing herself to his level, her gaze filled with a complex mix of emotions – surprise, gratitude, and an overwhelming affection. She reached out and gently cupped his small face in her hands, her touch feather-light. "Qing'er," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion, "you never cease to surprise me."
She leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead, her lips lingering for a moment. "For now," she said softly, her gentle pink eyes gazing into his innocent ones, "I will accept your generous offer. But not as a gift solely for me or even just for the Spirit Hall. I accept it with the understanding that this bone… it is yours to decide its fate."
She continued, her voice filled with a newfound gentleness. "You may choose to absorb it yourself at any point in the future when you feel the time is right. Or, if you wish, you may choose to gift it to one of your friends someday, regardless of whether they belong to the Spirit Hall or not. The decision, Qing'er, rests entirely with you. Your kindness and your thoughtfulness are more valuable to me than any spirit bone."
~~
Bibi Dong carefully stored the shimmering Right Leg Bone within her personal spirit tool, a spatial artifact that could preserve its potent energy indefinitely. A soft, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her lips as she secured the precious treasure. She then reached down and gently took Song Qing's small hand in hers. Without a word, a surge of her immense soul power enveloped them, lifting them effortlessly into the air. They ascended above the towering canopy of the Great Star Dou Forest, leaving the domain of powerful spirit beasts behind as they began their swift journey back to the Spirit Hall.
As they flew, a comfortable silence settled between them. Bibi Dong, however, couldn't help but steal glances at the young boy beside her. His earnestness, his selflessness… it had truly touched her in a way she hadn't thought possible. A fierce protectiveness bloomed within her heart, a deep-seated desire to shield him from any and all harm. 'No one,' she vowed silently, her pink eyes hardening with resolve, 'no one will ever hurt my dear Qing'er. I will tear down the very heavens if they dare to lay a finger on him.'
Her thoughts then drifted to the spirit bone. Song Qing had so readily offered it to her, a treasure of immense value. It made her realize that there was nothing she wouldn't give him in return. 'Anything he desires…' she mused, her gaze softening as she looked at his innocent profile. 'A soul bone? He shall have the finest in the Spirit Hall. A woman? The most beautiful in the land would willingly offer themselves to him. A powerful spirit beast? I would personally hunt down the most formidable creatures for him. A city? A country? If that is what his heart desires, then it shall be his.' This small act of generosity from Song Qing had unknowingly forged an unbreakable bond, placing him in a position closer to Bibi Dong's heart than anyone else in the world.
Meanwhile, Song Qing, oblivious to the depth of his teacher's current emotions, was lost in his own thoughts. 'That spirit bone… it really was quite potent,' he mused. 'Perhaps in the future, it might be useful to Zhu Zhuqing. A right leg bone… it would definitely enhance her agility and speed. It could be a good way to further our connection and make her grateful to me.' He smiled to himself, already formulating plans for the future.
Back in the familiar comfort of his chambers within the Spirit Hall, Song Qing focused once more on his cultivation. The absorption of the seventeen-thousand-year soul ring had indeed been a significant leap. His soul power now stood at a respectable Level 42. 'Only eight more levels until I reach Soul Elder,' he thought, a hint of satisfaction in his mind. He knew that the pace of his cultivation would naturally slow down as he progressed, and reaching Level 50 might indeed take years. However, as a Soul Ancestor at the young age of seven, he was already considered a formidable talent, possessing strength that many older Spirit Masters could only dream of.
He also noticed a marked improvement in his ability to nourish the Immortal Herbs. The Verdant Embrace seemed to draw upon his increased soul power, and the herbs in his ceramic pots were now visibly thriving, their growth accelerating at an encouraging rate. They were still far from reaching the mythical 100,000-year mark, but they were showing good signs, already about half-grown, their leaves thick and vibrant with potent spiritual energy.
Months turned into a year, and then another. Song Qing celebrated his eighth birthday with another grand feast in the Spirit Hall, though this time it felt more like a familiar tradition than a novel event. His strength continued to grow steadily, and the Immortal Herbs in his room were becoming increasingly impressive, their unique fragrances filling the air with subtle, invigorating scents.
Throughout this time, Song Qing made sure to maintain his connection with Dugu Yan, exchanging letters carried by trusted Spirit Hall deacons who frequented Heaven Dou City. Dugu Yan's letters were always filled with youthful energy and lively descriptions of her life at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. She wrote about her studies, her friends, and the occasional mischievous pranks she and her classmates would pull.
In one particular letter, however, a new name appeared. Dugu Yan mentioned that a guy named Yu Tianheng had been trying to woo her lately, showering her with attention and compliments. She wrote that it had become rather annoying, as she wasn't interested in him romantically at all.
'Yu Tianheng…' Song Qing thought, a flicker of recognition in his mind. He remembered the name from his fragmented memories. A talented individual from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. 'So, the timeline is progressing as expected in some aspects.' He pondered for a moment. Dugu Yan was his friend, and the thought of someone annoying her, especially someone with a potentially problematic future, didn't sit well with him.
He decided it was time for a visit to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. He approached Bibi Dong with his request, choosing his words carefully. "Teacher," he said respectfully, "I was hoping I could take a short trip to Heaven Dou City. I wanted to visit my friend, Sister Yan, at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and perhaps also get a sense of the strength of the other young talents there." He made sure to emphasize the part about assessing the competition, knowing it would appeal to Bibi Dong's strategic mind.
Bibi Dong considered his request for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. She trusted Song Qing's judgment, and she also understood the value of understanding their potential rivals. "Very well, Qing'er," she said finally, a hint of a smile on her lips. "It is important to know what the outside world holds. However," her expression turned serious, "your safety is paramount. I will not allow any harm to come to you."
She summoned two figures from the shadows – Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Gui Mei, the Ghost Douluo. "Yue Guan, Gui Mei," she commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument, "you will accompany Qing'er to Heaven Dou City. You will remain by his side at all times and ensure his absolute safety. Protect him at all costs."
As the two powerful Super Douluo bowed in acknowledgment, Bibi Dong subtly sent a telepathic message, her voice sharp and laced with a chilling warning that only they could hear. 'If even a single hair on Qing'er's head is harmed during this trip… the consequences for both of you will be beyond your comprehension. Do you understand?' The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air, leaving no doubt in the minds of the two formidable Douluo about the gravity of their mission.