"You alright?" Lin Yang turned around and asked.
Zhao Bufan stared blankly, shaking his head as he looked at the corpse lying in front of him, his heart an indescribable mix of emotions.
Just one move. A two-ring Soul Grandmaster… just died like that?
How strong was this "boss" of his, really?
He then saw Lin Yang walking toward the blazing Flame Azure Wolf's corpse, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Forget it. Being able to keep my life is already more than good enough.
Very soon, Lin Yang walked back holding a soul bone streaked with crimson patterns.
Looking at that gorgeous soul bone, a flash of burning desire and obsession flickered through Zhao Bufan's eyes.
So this is the legendary soul bone?
But after only two glances, he pulled his gaze back. He understood very clearly that this soul bone had nothing to do with him.
Let alone now when he was injured—even if he weren't, he wasn't Lin Yang's match.
Even if Lin Yang took the soul bone straight away, he wouldn't dare utter a single word of refusal.
Unexpectedly, Lin Yang sat down in front of Zhao Bufan, placed the soul bone on the ground between them, and said in a low voice:
"This is a hundred-year right leg bone. What do you think?"
Zhao Bufan pursed his lips, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Boss, you should absorb it. Whether it was the Flame Azure Wolf or Zhao Zhuo, you did the most, so this is what you deserve."
"I… I was just blinded by the soul bone just now, overcome by greed, and wanted to monopolize it." A hint of shame appeared on Zhao Bufan's face, along with lingering fear.
"If it weren't for you, I'd already be dead."
Lin Yang looked at Zhao Bufan and nodded slightly in his heart.
In front of a soul bone, Zhao Bufan's reaction was human nature.
"It's only a hundred-year soul bone. It's not that useful to me."
Hearing this, Zhao Bufan suddenly raised his head, staring at Lin Yang in disbelief.
A soul bone? Not that useful?
Boss, did your brain get scrambled? Are you just talking nonsense now?
This is a soul bone. A soul bone!
Zhao Bufan howled in his heart.
But at this moment, he suddenly realized something: Lin Yang didn't seem to care much about this soul bone…
Which meant—he still had a chance.
Thinking of this, he stammered,
"B-Boss, you mean…"
The corners of Lin Yang's mouth curled into a smile. "Strictly speaking, this soul bone dropped because of you. But it's undeniable that I contributed as well."
Zhao Bufan nodded. That went without saying.
"So… if you want it, you'll have to trade something for it."
"Boss, y-you're serious?"
Lin Yang shot back, "Do I have any reason to lie to you?"
Boom!
It was like a thunderclap exploded in Zhao Bufan's mind.
He felt like all the wrinkles in his brain were suddenly ironed flat, leaving only one single thought echoing in his head:
No matter the cost, I must get this soul bone.
"I'll trade!" Zhao Bufan almost blurted it out.
"Alright, then what are you offering?"
"Gold soul coins," Zhao Bufan said without the slightest hesitation.
"Thirty thousand gold soul coins plus a Soul Hunting Warrant. That's everything I have."
After speaking, Zhao Bufan looked at Lin Yang, his heart in turmoil.
Compared to the value of a soul bone, this price truly was low. But he had already gone all in, even using his father's "inheritance."
Lin Yang did a quick calculation in his head. The price was indeed low, but still acceptable.
If taken to auction, the soul bone could easily sell for a hundred thousand gold soul coins—maybe even more, and priceless in the right market.
Most importantly, this soul bone had dropped for Zhao Bufan. No matter how much he sold it for, it was pure profit for Lin Yang. So why be picky?
"Deal. But I want full payment at once. No installments."
"No problem," Zhao Bufan agreed on the spot.
Lin Yang looked at Zhao Bufan with a faintly teasing gaze. "I didn't expect there to be a hidden rich man among the work-study students."
"Sigh." Zhao Bufan let out a bitter laugh.
"Boss, I won't lie to you. My dad was also a soul master. In his early years… he did the bandit trade, only targeting nobles and landlords. These gold soul coins and the Soul Hunting Warrant came from that."
"Unfortunately, if you always walk by the river, how can your shoes never get wet? My dad was tricked, his foundation crippled, and he died not long after."
"Before he died, he told me everything and urged me to become an upstanding soul master."
As he spoke, Zhao Bufan seemed very calm. Only when he mentioned his father did a trace of mockery and sorrow flash in his eyes.
"I don't have the strength, so I didn't dare use a single coin of that money, and didn't even dare reveal it."
"I was afraid that once someone found out, they'd grow jealous."
Lin Yang was quite surprised. He had guessed that Zhao Bufan wasn't from a farming family.
He'd considered that he might be from some fallen noble house, but never expected him to be a bandit's son.
But then again—what did that have to do with him?
Getting the benefits in hand was what mattered.
Besides, gold soul coins were far more useful to him than a hundred-year soul bone.
Lin Yang tossed the soul bone into Zhao Bufan's arms. "Hurry and absorb it. I'll guard you."
"Boss…"
Zhao Bufan's pupils quivered. He hadn't expected Lin Yang to hand over the soul bone so straightforwardly.
Wasn't he afraid he'd go back on the deal?
But once he thought of Lin Yang's strength, he was instantly relieved.
Picking up the soul bone, which was still slightly warm, a fiery heat surged in Zhao Bufan's eyes.
Though the process had been a bit convoluted, the soul bone had still ended up in his hands.
Without the slightest hesitation, he pressed it onto his right leg and began refining.
With Lin Yang guarding him, he didn't need to worry about his safety.
The refining process went very quickly. In less than half an hour, he was done.
Zhao Bufan's soul power smoothly broke through to level 12, saving him at least half a year of cultivation.
"Boss, where are we going to look for soul beasts next?"
Zhao Bufan was itching for action, wishing he could immediately find a soul beast to test out his new strength.
Lin Yang glanced at the sky and decided to set up camp first and rest.
The two of them relocated and found a relatively secluded cave to use as a resting spot.
That night, the two of them ate dry rations as Zhao Bufan chattered on endlessly, talking about many things.
He spoke of troubles from the past, and hopes for the future.
Lin Yang listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two.
He knew that today's series of events—such extreme ups and downs—had given Zhao Bufan a chance to release all the emotions he'd been holding in.
The two of them took turns standing watch and passed the night safely.
The next day, at the break of dawn, they set out once again on their soul beast hunt.
Without the dead weight of a timid Zhao Zhuo, their pace was much faster.
They reached the middle and rear region of the Soul Hunting Forest almost before noon.
This was basically a haven for hundred-year soul beasts, and there was even a chance of thousand-year beasts appearing.
Most ordinary hunting parties wouldn't dare come here just to die.
On the way, Zhao Bufan gained a new understanding of Lin Yang's strength.
Not just strong—terrifyingly strong.
Those soul beasts that even he felt intimidated by couldn't survive more than two moves in Lin Yang's hands.
He also discovered one of Lin Yang's peculiar hobbies—Lin Yang loved chopping off soul beasts' heads…
Even Zhao Zhuo's head before—whenever he thought of that unclosing, dead stare, his scalp tingled with cold.
"Boss, have you decided what soul beast you want?"
In the dense forest, the eerie quiet made Zhao Bufan subconsciously lower his voice.
Lin Yang swept his gaze around and said calmly, "Gold Jigu Beast."