Pain. Excruciating pain.
Yu Xiaogang, who had deliberately broken his left arm along the lines he had drawn, nearly fainted from the intensity of it.
This brings us to Tang San, the one who had created the plan.
Indeed, Tang San had marked the spots that would cause the least damage to Yu Xiaogang's body. However, there was one crucial detail he overlooked—or rather, something he never even considered.
Tang San's methods came from the Tang Sect, where these techniques were generally used on enemies, for interrogation and torture, not for healing or self-infliction.
So while Yu Xiaogang's physical injuries were minimized, the pain he experienced during the process was greatly amplified.
With half an hour still left before the healer was scheduled to arrive, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but curse himself.
"What a fool," he thought, vowing that next time, he would wait for the healer to arrive before injuring himself.
Enduring what felt like an eternity, Yu Xiaogang finally made it through the half-hour until the healer arrived. The agony had stripped away any desire for small talk, so after quickly explaining his needs, Yu Xiaogang handed over the segmented green bones he had prepared.
The healer, though puzzled, didn't ask any questions. Yu Xiaogang had paid in real gold, and the emblem outside the house was one the healer recognized: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
So, the healer dutifully followed Yu Xiaogang's instructions, helping him with the bone-setting and treatment.
Of course, bone-setting wasn't something the healer did often. After all, soul skills were far more versatile than traditional methods, and most healers rarely encountered such cases. Their skill at it wasn't on par with healers from the Great Martial Soul Arena, who would have plenty of experience. As for the common folk, they couldn't afford to hire soul masters for treatment.
Fortunately for Yu Xiaogang, he had already endured the worst of the pain. The discomfort he felt now was tolerable in comparison—just the tail end of a storm, something he could grit his teeth and bear.
After a somewhat clumsy bone-setting, the healer applied a universal healing soul skill to Yu Xiaogang's left arm. His wounds began to heal rapidly, and the pain gradually subsided.
"All done. Be careful for the next week, and you should be fully recovered," the healer said. Without inquiring further into the nature of Yu Xiaogang's injuries, he left quickly—he had other clients to see.
Yu Xiaogang, now in a much better mood, happily saw him off. He hurriedly examined his left arm and, after a moment, smiled. As expected, just like with his left leg, the flow of his soul power had significantly sped up.
Not far away, Tang San quietly activated his Purple Demon Eye. Though he couldn't directly observe the flow of Yu Xiaogang's soul power, it was clear that the strange energy around Yu Xiaogang had increased once again.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao, who had been watching all of this from the shadows, was visibly excited.
He didn't have Tang San's Purple Demon Eye, but he could still sense that after the bone replacement, Yu Xiaogang's aura had grown stronger.
He even vaguely felt a hint of the same pressure he had once sensed when Yu Yuanzhen, the leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, had invoked his martial soul. Though still weak, the potential was unmistakable.
Yu Xiaogang's bone replacement plan had worked!
Tang Hao wasn't unfamiliar with Yu Xiaogang. In terms of age, Yu Xiaogang was a few years older, and before Tang Hao had even begun cultivating, he had often heard Yu Xiaogang's name mentioned—though usually as an example of failure.
Later, when Tang Hao was in his prime, Yu Xiaogang was still well-known, but for all the wrong reasons—he was a joke in the soul master world.
As a result, Tang Hao had never taken this outcast of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seriously. But now, he couldn't help but reevaluate him.
Just this discovery alone could reshape Yu Xiaogang's entire reputation—if he realized the potential of what he had stumbled upon.
To be honest, Tang Hao was tempted to reveal himself right now, kill Yu Xiaogang, and claim the secret for himself. But seeing his son still observing from the shadows, he forced himself to calm down.
There was no rush. Yu Xiaogang wasn't going to cause any big waves. Rather than acting hastily, it would be better to see what Tang San would do. This could be a valuable learning experience for him.
Besides, this was only the beginning. Yu Xiaogang had more experiments to run. Tang Hao hadn't personally witnessed the earlier bone replacements, so observing a few more wouldn't hurt.
Surely, Tang San must be thinking the same thing, right?
Looking at his son, hidden in the shadows, calm and composed in both demeanor and aura, Tang Hao couldn't help but smile with pride. Tang San was exceeding his expectations.
Under this strange cycle of surveillance, completely unaware of it all, Yu Xiaogang continued with two more rounds of the same process over the next few days. He successfully replaced the bones in all four of his limbs with those of the stray dog.
With each replacement, the father and son duo watched as the aura around Yu Xiaogang grew stronger and more intense.
...
Meanwhile, after a long journey, Han Li finally arrived at the gates of Heaven Dou City.
Looking up at the large characters spelling out "Heaven Dou," Han Li broke into a genuine smile.
Today was the day of Yu Xiaogang's final bone replacement, and he had made it just in time.
Originally, Han Li hadn't needed to rush. But after observing Yu Xiaogang, he noticed the man's luck plummeting, like a deflating balloon.
At the same time, Han Li noticed Yu Xiaogang's reckless, almost suicidal, bone-replacement plan.
When Yu Xiaogang's martial soul's source had been disrupted, the essence of the Golden Sacred Dragon had been leaking ever since. But by continuing with the bone replacements, it was as if Yu Xiaogang was dissatisfied with the slow trickle and had decided to open three more holes—causing the essence to pour out even faster.
Faced with this situation, Han Li had no choice but to rush back. He was genuinely afraid that by the time he returned, Yu Xiaogang might have accidentally killed himself.
If Yu Xiaogang died, it wouldn't matter much. But without someone alive to maintain the martial soul's essence, it would dissipate even faster—and that essence had already been earmarked by Han Li as his. He couldn't let it go to waste.
"You all go back and rest. I have some things to take care of, and I'll return shortly."
After leaving this message with his women nearby, Han Li quickly disappeared into the crowd, heading toward the residence where Yu Xiaogang was staying.
In stark contrast was Tang San. After confirming that Yu Xiaogang's aura had strengthened once again, he chose to leave.
Yes, he was heading back to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. He had confirmed what he needed to, and now it was just a matter of waiting for Yu Xiaogang's decision—his choice would determine how Tang San would treat him moving forward.
After Tang San left, Tang Hao didn't follow. He had a sense of what his son had decided, but he also had his matters to attend to.
At that moment, holding a dazed, thousand-year-old Grass Dog, Tang Hao appeared before the still-joyous Yu Xiaogang.
"Bang!"
The sound of something heavy hitting the ground echoed behind Yu Xiaogang, and he immediately felt a sense of dread. He hurriedly turned around, only to see the nightmarish figure of Tang Hao coming into view.
"Tang... Your Eminence, Clear Sky..."
Yu Xiaogang instinctively took a few steps back, bumping into the table behind him. The teacup on it toppled over, rolling to the floor and shattering with a sharp, crisp sound.
"It seems like you've been avoiding me. Surprised to see me here?"
Tang Hao, fully embracing his intimidating presence, was cloaked in a black robe that concealed him entirely. The wind blowing through the open door behind him made his robe billow, creating suffocating psychological pressure on Yu Xiaogang.
"Your Eminence, please, let me explain..."
Yu Xiaogang's legs had gone weak, and he could barely stand, using his hands to prop himself up against the table. He did not doubt that Tang Hao could crush his skull in an instant.
"I'm not interested in your explanations. Now, kill that soul beast on the ground and absorb its spirit ring. Immediately."
Tang Hao already knew the entire story and didn't want to waste time. He simply pointed at the Grass Dog lying on the ground.
Yu Xiaogang was stunned for a moment, only now noticing the unconscious soul beast at his feet.
A Grass Dog? The very soul beast that had been occupying his thoughts recently. How could Yu Xiaogang not recognize it? This was the creature he had chosen for his third soul ring, meticulously recorded in his notes.
His expression immediately stiffened. Tang Hao's actions made it clear that Yu Xiaogang had been under surveillance the entire time, and even his plans were under Tang Hao's control.
"That's my research!"
Yu Xiaogang screamed internally, but he didn't dare show his frustration. If there was still a soul ring for him to absorb, it meant that Tang Hao wasn't planning to kill him—at least for now. His life was temporarily spared.
"Hurry up. I won't say it a third time."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang still hesitating, Tang Hao grew impatient and barked at him.
"O-Okay."
Yu Xiaogang didn't dare refuse. He immediately pulled out a dagger and ended the Grass Dog's life. Summoning Luo San Pao, he channeled his martial soul's energy toward the pale purple soult ring.
However, neither of them noticed that Luo San Pao had already lost its former vitality, now resembling an empty shell.
Unlike before, as soon as it touched the soul ring, Luo San Pao transformed into a green light that shot straight into Yu Xiaogang's body, leaving both men momentarily speechless.
Yu Xiaogang, though shocked, suddenly felt something he had never experienced before—the enhancement of a beast martial soul. His hands transformed into claws, and two drooping ears appeared on his head. At the same time, his entire body swelled up, his face and belly becoming round and chubby.
Is this... Martial Soul Evolution? / I can perform Martial Soul Possession now?
This transformation brought joy to both Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang.
"Don't just stand there—hurry and absorb the soul ring."
Tang Hao, struggling to maintain his composure, urged him. To him, this was nothing short of a miracle.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang suppressed his excitement and began absorbing the soul ring.
Meanwhile, a thousand meters above them, Han Li, who had concealed his presence, couldn't help but grin.
In his hand was a translucent bottle made of ice, emitting a cold aura. Inside, a faintly golden-white orb of energy was slowly taking shape, with a dragon-like figure coalescing within. It was none other than the martial soul essence of the Golden Sacred Dragon, which Han Li had carefully collected.
"The Sacred Dragon walks an unrivaled path, needing no help from beast bones. This is how Seven-Star Soul Sage Han Li sees it."
Looking at the excited Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang below, Han Li sealed the final wisp of martial soul essence into the bottle, capped it, and chuckled.
Then, without looking back, he headed toward his destination. The Grass Dog's soul ring, provided by Tang Hao, had saved Yu Xiaogang's life, sparing Han Li from needing to intervene again.
However, with his martial soul completely altered, Han Li could only hope the man would accept it.
No—he was sure Yu Xiaogang would accept it. After all, to them, this was a blessing.