Douluo Dalu: Volume 21: Tang San’s Third Spirit Bone

by Tang Jia San Shao

“Is that true?”

  Tang San nodded firmly,

  “That place is known as one of the world’s three great treasure bowls, it’s called the Ice And Fire Yin Yang Well. It’s the place Poison Douluo Dugu Bo planted his herbs before. Ordinary people are unable to live there, but to plants, it has enormous benefits. All plants that grow there will mature in a short period of time. Even if I’ve never seen a plant type spirit beast there, with the profound qualities of the Ice And Fire Yin Yang Well, perhaps mom……”

  Tang Hao’s originally calm eyes began to display an excited luster. His wife’s death was the greatest blow to him in his life.

  If speaking of his wife returning alive, even if it was to let him see her face before he died of age, he had no other requests.

  Eyes moist, he gazed at that flourishing blue silver grass,

  “Ah Yin, did you hear? Our son said that there might be a way to help you recover. Do you know how much I’ve wanted to hear your voice again? Ah Yin, let’s go. I’ll bring you there.”

  Tang San somewhat excitedly pulled on his father’s hand,

  “Dad, wait a little bit, then we’ll leave at once.”

  While speaking, he took out a dragon zoysia leaf from the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse and stuffed it into his father’s mouth,

  “What I have here is dragon zoysia leaf. You’ve severed two limbs, your vitality is greatly injured. Dragon zoysia leaf can solidify the foundations of vitality. Eat one each month hereafter, and in one year, your body should have recovered its health. Dad, you have to stay alive for mom as well. I truly hope there can be a day when our family of three can reunite.”

  Tang Hao swallowed the dragon zoyzia leaf in one gulp.

  His son’s words had brought him enormous hope.

  [1] Ah Yin (阿银) shares the silver character yin (银) of blue silver grass (蓝银草)

  [2] Three from “Little three” (小三) or “third youngest” is the same character as san in Tang San (唐三).

  Chapter 145: Mother’s Remains, Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone

  Part 1 (TL by Bagelson)

  Just like Tang San said, he hoped so much to see the scene of the family of three reunited!

  “Wait a moment before we go, it won’t be too late if I first hand over something to you. Having waited for all these years, it won’t matter if I wait a little longer, there’s no hurry at the moment.”

  Tang Hao was after all old, and his will was steady. Indicating Tang San first sit down, turning his hand, he pushed at the rock wall to the side.

  With a ding sound, a black thing fell from above, landing in Tang Hao’s hand. Tang Hao handed it over to Tang San,

  “Open it and see.”

  That was a long, narrow black case, one meter fifty long, and one chi wide. It was extremely heavy in his hands, unexpectedly weighing more than two hundred jin. Lightly flicking it with his finger, it issued a muffled duoduo sound.

  Due to casting hidden weapons, Tang San could also be considered somewhat knowledgeable about metals. He was astonished to discover that this long black case was made from lead.

  There was no lock on the case, and Tang San placed it on his knees, slowly opening it.

  When he had just opened it a fraction, he became completely immobile.

  The lead case was only open a crack, but it left Tang San gobsmacked. A wave of incomparable aura surged out of that small crack, instantly making the surrounding space seem as if frozen.

  The formidable aura was split into three parts, two of them brimming with tyrannical grandeur, and the other extraordinarily gentle. Three currents streamed out, and in front of that enormous energy, even Tang San was unable to move for a while.

  Tang Hao seemed to have long since anticipated that something like this would happen. Raising his one arm, he placed his hand on Tang San’s shoulder and passed profound spirit power into him, helping Tang San adapt to these spirit power fluctuations as soon as possible.

  After as much time as it takes to eat a meal, Tang San loosed a long breath. But the overwhelming shock in his eyes still couldn’t be concealed. Just what was so forceful that it could actually produce this kind of enormous pressure against him?

  He opened the black case, almost impatiently.

  The lead case opened. As Tang San saw the thing inside, he couldn’t help being stupefied.

  Within that long narrow lead case lay three things. The leftmost was a shrunken right arm bone, black all over, with a reserved black radiance, but powerful and violent energy fluctuations that were enough to make anyone fearful.

  On the right side of the case was a shrunken left leg bone, dark blue. Its energy fluctuations not anything like the right arm bone before. Indeed, these two were both spirit bones, and moreover extremely intact spirit bones.

  Spirit bones were also classified in ranks. Generally speaking, among spirit bones for the same location, the more intact and the greater the energy fluctuations proved the quality was better, and that it came from a higher level spirit beast. The reason why the mind condensing wisdom skull bone Tang San got from Spirit Hall was so good, was because its integrity was extremely good.

  But the other two spirit bones from that time were both incomplete, like Ma Hongjun’s flame right arm bone was only the forearm, and Zhu Zhuqing’s leg bone only had the calf.

  Even though they were still out of the ordinary, they were still incomplete existences.

  But the two spirit bones in front of him now were both extraordinarily intact, without the slightest flaw. The explosive energy they contained wished for release, and their quality was so good that they even exceeded Tang San’s mind condensing wisdom skull bone.

  However, these two spirit bones weren’t what drew Tang San’s attention the most. What drew his eyes was the thing in the middle of the long narrow lead case.

  That was a right leg bone. Among the six spirit bone positions, the right leg bone was no doubt ranked close to last. However, this right leg bone seemed to be special.

  The whole thing was a sparkling and translucent piercing blue-golden color, and there seemed to be specks of starlight flickering inside. Most peculiar was that it gave Tang San a feeling of life, as if this right leg bone actually possessed a life of its own.

  Even though any spirit bone would give people this kind of feeling, this sparkling and translucent blue spirit bone was especially distinct. An extremely familiar feeling seemed to engulf Tang San’s heart, making his heart constantly tremble.

  It was also intact, but it was unexpectedly even more so than the two other spirit bones. Just by observing it with the naked eye, one could sense its highest quality attributes.

  “This feeling of life can only be produced by hundred thousand year spirit beasts. This is what your mom left you.”

  Tang Hao’s gaze was also completely fixed on that blue right leg bone, the expression on his face exceptionally soft.

  His heart filled with shock that was difficult to express, raising his head to gaze at his father, Tang San couldn’t keep tears from rolling in his eyes. He of course knew that hundred thousand year spirit beasts would inevitably leave a spirit bone after their death, but had thought that the spirit bone his mother left behind had been used by his father. Then it appeared in front of him.

  Again gazing at the other two spirit bones, Tang San could be certain that his father didn’t absorb his mother’s spirit bone back then.

  “Your mom already gave me her most precious spirit ring. This spirit bone is what she left for you. Even if you couldn’t become worthy of it, I still wouldn’t have absorbed it, and just kept it at my side for remembrance. This lead case was originally made for it, until I stripped off the other two spirit bones to keep alongside it.”

  Looking at Tang Hao, looking at that softly swaying blue silver emperor grass, Tang San’s hand, somewhat trembling, caressed that blue spirit bone. No wonder its energy fluctuations would be so gentle, it was the aura his mom left behind in it that sensed him!
>
  He had never met his mom, but his mother’s aura filled Tang San’s heart this moment, without leaving for a long time.

  Tang Hao sighed,

  “The other two spirit bones are both the most precious assets passed on in our Clear Sky School for many years. They’re what your grandfather originally gave me. I’ve let down his expectations. Even though I can’t do anything more for the sect, they at least must return. Once you’re back at the sect, hand them over to your uncle.”

  “En.”

  Tang San nodded his understanding. On seeing two such top quality spirit bones he could use for himself, an ordinary spirit master might have already impatiently wanted to take them for his own. But Tang San didn’t do it.

  He knew that to his father, only fulfilling this wish of having the spirit bones returned, would calm his mind to accompany his mother.

  Even more, since these two spirit bones belonged to the Clear Sky School, unless awarded by the sect, he wouldn’t even touch them.

  “Absorb the spirit bone your mom left you. I think she would definitely be very happy to see it. To see her son receive her protection, your mom would definitely be very satisfied.”

  Tang San raised his head to look at his father, his eyes revealing a hesitant expression. Deep in his heart, he even more wanted this spirit bone to stay by his father’s side. After all, this was also something his father had entrusted his heart with.

  But at this moment, that softly swaying blue silver grass suddenly moved, a slender blade of grass slowly unfolding, twisting around Tang San’s right leg.

  Tang San stared blankly a moment. Along with spiritual fluctuations, Tang San could clearly feel an urging intent from that blue silver emperor grass his mother had become.

  ‘Mom is urging me?’

  Tang Hao smiled faintly, saying:

  “Look, I was right. Your mom also wants you to fuse with it at once. Get to it. I’m looking forward to you bringing us to that place that can help your mom recover after you’ve absorbed it. Little San, did you know, ever since your mom passed, for all these years, today is the first time I’ve been this happy.”

  Hearing his father’s words, Tang San no longer hesitated. Cautiously and solemnly placing the lead case on the ground, he took out that blue leg bone from within, then closed the case again, concealing the spirit power fluctuations of the two other spirit bones.

  Holding the remains his mother left for him with both hands, Tang San’s eyes once again became moist. Since the time he was born, he had shed more tears today than in his twenty previous years combined. He sensed the gentle spirit power fluctuations within that blue spirit bone.

  Tang San drew a deep breath, then stuck it to his own right leg.

  Weng——

  With a soft humming sound, Tang San felt his right leg tremble slightly once, immediately afterward, a cool and refreshing aura drilled into his leg from all directions. That sparkling and translucent blue leg spirit bone quietly disappeared, turning into countless blue-golden streams that filled the air around his right leg.

  Refreshing, comfortable, without the slightest hindrance. The absorption was unexpectedly completely different from the previous times when he absorbed the external spirit bone Eight Spider Lances and the mind condensing wisdom skull bone. Not only was there no pain, it was even comfortable.

  As if he was stepping in a resplendent blue vast ocean with his right leg.

  Soaked in that gentle energy, Tang San felt the spirit power within his body slowly fluctuate along with its special attraction. Each time it fluctuated, the surrounding atmosphere became even more gentle. His spirit power didn’t increase, but it became even more pure.

  He clearly saw how the originally white Mysterious Heaven Skill inner strength within him became a faint blue color, then turned from blue once again back to white.

  The entire process was very quick. Once the inner strength had returned to being white, it was already a completely different white.

  If his previous inner strength was described as regular white, then the color of his current inner strength was a kind of textured white.

  As if it contained mica powder, piercing, gentle, brimming with toughness.

  Immediately afterward, the refreshing feeling in that right leg bone instantly spread through every part of Tang San’s body.

  Part 2 (TL by Bagelson)

  Violent sounds of bones creaking shook the cavern. Extraordinarily, Tang San didn’t feel any pain through the entire process. That refreshing blue current affected all the energy channels in his entire body.

  Tang San was shocked to discover that all his energy channels had unexpectedly turned faintly blue, and the inner strength flowing through them had strengthened exponentially.

  The stream gradually became a great river, but the energy channels didn’t weaken, rather growing even more resilient.

  If the two years of forging under the waterfall could be described as polishing Tang San’s bones, and moreover completely fusing the effectiveness of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Precious Apricot, then this hundred thousand year level blue silver right leg bone made Tang San’s energy channels expand to the limit. Absolutely neutral energy made the two great immortal herbs effectiveness perfectly aggregate.

  With a slight breaking sound from his energy channels, but still no pain, Tang San clearly saw how the Governing Vessel that had always obstructed his path forward was wide open and connected.

  The eight extraordinary meridians were completely connected, bridging heaven and earth. Instantly, Mysterious Heaven Skill inner strength rushed out just like raging waves, circulating almost frantically within Tang San’s body. Tang San’s inner strength constantly strengthened, and each fluctuation made his body tremble fiercely.

  Gradually, Tang San lost that crisp and relaxed feeling, his spiritual force gathering inside.

  He had already lost all perception of his surroundings. The blue currents spreading over his right leg had already completely merged into his body, and that refreshing gentle aura was the all encompassing love of a mother, unceasingly comforting her child.

  Tang San slept. This rest was unprecedentedly relaxed and at ease, because he was fast asleep in his mother’s embrace. A mother’s embrace was the warmest in this world, and there was nothing that could replace it.

  He slept very, very deeply. His face didn’t have the slightest trace of burden, only a sweet smiling expression.

  This rest lasted a full three days.

  After three days, the refreshingly peculiar right leg slowly returned Tang San to wakefulness. Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was his father sitting there, gently caressing the blue silver emperor.

  The blue silver emperor his mother had become was already transplanted into a stone flower pot by his father.

  “You’re awake?”

  Tang Hao smiling looked at his son. He had already shed all his worries, and there was no longer any need for the previous solemn appearance.

  “Dad.”

  When Tang San heard these words, he suddenly felt somewhat unwell. As he lowered his head to look, he discovered that his skin was covered in a starchy layer, appearing faintly grey.

  “Let’s go. This time you’ve thoroughly shed your body and exchanged your bones. I’ve carefully inspected your bones and energy channels. In terms of your body alone, you can be counted among the top three in the entire Douluo Continent. If you still can’t endure the pressure of twin spirits in the future, then I don’t understand how that Bibi Dong could have done it. Don’t worry about cultivating. Once your Blue Silver Emperor has reached the ninth ring, go boldly to increase the spirit rings of the Clear Sky Hammer. As long as you don’t feel weird, I think you should be able to always continue cultivating.”

  Father and son exited the waterfall, Tang San washing himself below. As he and his father left together, he clearly felt the changes in his body.

  His whole body seemed to have lost weight. As long as he u
sed force with his right leg, he had a kind of feeling as if floating in the air to fly. And the ability given him by the blue silver right leg bone, was Flying. Flying with very little spirit power consumption. It was also only hundred thousand year spirit bones that could produce such a top quality spirit ability.

  Ten days later, they had reached the Sunset Forest where Dugu Bo originally lived, reached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

  Sensing the portent energy fluctuations within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, seeing the verdant and lush vegetation surrounding that little pond, as well as the excitement transmitted from the blue silver emperor in his arms, Tang Hao knew that this was the right place.

  Tang San sternly said:

  “Dad, this place doesn’t suit the life of any other organisms besides plants. That’s why there are no spirit beasts that dare intrude. I’ve eaten two immortal herbs, so I won’t be influenced, but if you stay here long, I’m afraid you’ll harm your body.”

  Tang Hao waved his hand,

  “As long as your mom’s fine, I don’t matter.”

  Tang San pondered and said:

  “That’s no good either. Our whole family can come together after great difficulty, there’s also hope for mom’s recovery, how can you have any accidents?”

  Keeping himself from displaying any sadness over his father’s broken body, Tang San’s mind turned like lightning, already with a plan.

  “There should be no harm in the short term, let’s first let mom rest here.”

  Tang San had wanted to help his father carry the blue silver grass on the way, but had been refused by Tang Hao. Despite only having one arm and one leg, he constantly persisted in holding his wife.

  But now was different. Tang Hao really wasn’t adept at planting, and cautiously and solemnly handed over the blue silver emperor his wife had become to Tang San, repeatedly warning:

  “Little San, don’t force it. It doesn’t matter if your mother can’t speed up her recovery if by some chance she’s harmed by being unsuited to the environment here.”

  Tang San nodded. He cared even more about this than Tang Hao did. That was his mother! The only mother he had in two worlds, how could he not be careful?