These Spirit Souls were much more intelligent than normal Spirit Souls, even if the latter was brought to the same cultivation level and they were much more familiar with the usage of the various Soul Skills they bestowed upon the Soul Masters. Moreover, if summoned to aid in combat, their prowess from when they were alive was largely kept, some even becoming stronger after becoming a Spirit Soul.

In addition to all this, to see a live Three-Eyed Golden Lion was a mind boggling experience for every Soul Master, much less one that was over a 100.000-years-old. Song Weihan wordlessly stared at the lion king, remembering what Sheng Feilong told him about the connection between his bloodline, the lion king and the Artificial Soul Bone he gave his disciple.

The lion king's power was currently limited by Sheng Feilong's strength, thus the pressure Song Weihan felt soon faded. After the initial shock, he quickly regained his composure and calm. "Incredible... Greeting, former king of lions." His voice was calm and he gave the lion king a respectful nod; How could he back down in front of his own disciple's Spirit Soul.

The lion king didn't seem to mind this and still stared at Song Weihan. The latter understood its meaning and lightly shook his head. "I am indeed the human that turned the Skull type Soul Bone of the 100.000-years-old Three-Eyed Golden Lion into what I call an Artificial Soul Bone. However, I am not the one who had slain her. In fact, I believe the people who did kill her to be long since dead."

The lion king growled a bit, but ultimately nodded its head. "...My dear sister had her life taken away 15.000 years ago... There is no human to live this long, indeed. Though I do wonder, how did you get into possession of her actual Soul Bone?"

"From what I know, the Soul Bone was never used by any human for a long time. 10.000 years ago, the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao, created the Spirit PaG.o.da, and thousands of years later, they got into possession of the Soul Bone, though also never used it. Through merit and accomplishments, I took it for myself, researching it to finally create an Artificial Soul Bone." Song Weihan explained in a plain tone, carefully eyeing the lion king for its reactions.

Seeing the latter reactions, or lack of, for that matter, Song Weihan calmly continued speaking. "While you may call it a strange transformation, Artificial Soul Bone's are very beneficial for Soul Masters, and much more easily handled; A Soul Bone usually contains a part of the Soul Beasts will – may that be goodwill or malice and hatred. Moreover, unlike a real Soul Bone, an artificial one is able to grow together with the Soul Master."

Again, the lion king didn't show much of a reaction, though Sheng Feilong could feel it not being completely comfortable with the topic as they were mentally connected. Despite this, Song Weihan continued with the same calm demeanour as before. "Once this technique is perfected, a single Soul Bone might be enough to give to a dozen Soul Masters, reducing the demand for them, thus reducing the need to hunt Soul Beast for them."

The lion king's expression turned colder and it stared at Song Weihan with a displeased look. "Yet, how many will have to die for you to perfect this 'technique'?" Sheng Feilong was about to step in,feeling the displeasure of the lion king, but Song Weihan spoke before he could do something. "It is a sacrifice I am willing to bring for the prosperity of my own kin. I am sure you can understand this sentiment."

The lion king's expression became fierce after Song Weihan finished his words. Its aura burst forth, accompanied by a powerful killing intent directed at Song Weihan. Huang Jialong and Yuanen Yehui had to back off even further, pale faced and with cold sweat running down their backs despite not being the main targets of the killing intent.

At this point, Sheng Feilong couldn't refrain from stepping up any longer and hurriedly got between the lion king and Song Weihan. "Senior, Master, please, that's enough. Please, calm down." Song Weihan looked at Sheng Feilong in surprise, but refrained from doing anything more and backed down. The lion king stared at the two of them and continued to growl, but ultimately backed down as well, returning to Sheng Feilong's spiritual consciousness.

Everything gradually calmed down, but the atmosphere inside the room was still far from normal. Sheng Feilong turned towards Song Weihan, an apologetic expression on his face. "Master, I'm sorry... I didn't know it would end like this. I only wanted to surprise you."

Song Weihan sighed lightly, then stared at Sheng Feilong with a piercing gaze, causing the latter to freeze in place. "Surprise me? You sure did. You brat, you didn't even tell me that you're a Soul saint already! How dare you leave me hanging like this!"

He was clearly irritated from what happened before, causing Sheng Feilong to flinch and fidget around, while She Meixiao started laughing rather heartedly. "My, my, no need to reprimand him like that. Rather, I think congratulations are in order... I've honestly never heard of a 17 years old Soul Saint in all of my life. This is incredible, Feilong."

She Meixiao smiled at Sheng Feilong, proud to be able to call herself his Master, while Song Weihan still grumbled, though failing to hide his admiring gaze. "What 'incredible'; It's simply becoming ridiculous at this point. Even more so when you take his physical strength and Spirit Power into consideration. Then there's the bloodline, not to mention a way past 100.000-years-old Spirit Soul from an actual Three-Eyed Golden Lion..."

Sheng Feilong continued to fidget around, unsure of how to answer when Huang Jialong suddenly nudged his shoulder from behind, putting his own arm on it. "They're right, Feilong. You really are a monster."

This time, Sheng Feilong couldn't help but smile. Pus.h.i.+ng Huang Jialong's arm off his shoulder, he shot back at him and poked the latter's side with his elbow. "You're just saying that because you're not a Soul Saint yet. It's not good for your health to get jealous, you know that?"

"Tze. Whatever." Huang Jialong stepped to the side, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Sensing that something seems off, She Meixiao glanced at Huang Jialong for a moment, frowning lightly, but hiding her reaction from the others. Song Weihan did the same, but focused on Sheng Feilong again, the frown on his face long since gone. "Since the Three-Eyed Golden Lion King became your Spirit Soul, what about its Soul Bone? It shouldn't be converted, as far as I know."

Sheng Feilong nodded his head without hesitation. "I still have it." He hesitated for a moment, a frown on his face before he spoke up again. "I planned to ask you for advice, Master, but... after what happened before, I'd like to keep it as it is..."

"Un. I understand. The lion king isn't too fond of Artificial Soul Bones to begin with, and using its own to create an artificial one might be a bit too much. "Song Weihan nodded his head with a nonchalant expression, already having expected a similar answer. "Still, you have to remember that, once day, it might become your weakest Soul Bone because of this decision. It might not be next year, or even in ten years, but in 50, maybe a a hundred years, when the research on Artificial Soul Bones it perfected, you'll probably be the first to get a full set of 100.000-years-old Artificial Soul Bones, maybe even stronger ones."

Song Weihan really meant what he said; While he himself already possessed two Artificial Soul Bones, he planned on giving his own personal disciple, Sheng Feilong, the best of the best. This is the privilege of those that are closest to the source; The same going for high-ranking members of the Spirit PaG.o.da when selecting their Spirit Souls, for example. Whoever has the resources decides how to divide them – Everyone would naturally want the ones closest to themselves to benefit the most.

This was something Sheng Feilong also understood, yet he still shook his head without any hesitation. "I know, Master. I still wish to keep it in its original form." He was adamant about the matter, leaving Song Weihan no option but to nod his head and accept Sheng Feilong's decision.

The five of them talked a bit longer before Sheng Feilong, Huang Jialong and Yuanen Yehui returned to their respective quarters. The first thing Sheng Feilong did after leaving was to visit his father. The latter hadn't been informed that Sheng Feilong had returned yet and was doing his guard duty.

Spotting his father among the patrol, Sheng Feilong waked over with a smile. On the way, the lion king rose within his spiritual consciousness. "There's an aura resembling that of our brethren... Sheng Feilong, is that you father? He, who has yet to awaken our brethren's bloodline?"

'Yes, he is. Senior, do you think there's a way for my father to awaken our bloodline, as well?' Sheng Feilong slowed down a bit to get an answer from the lion king without his father noticing him. The lion king remained silent for a while, seemingly thinking about it. "...No, I don't think so. His bloodline is much too weak. I can even feel the presence of another beast's power within him..."

'Another beast? Ah, could you be talking about father's Spirit Essence? The One Eyed Mountain Lion?' Sheng Feilong guessed without much thinking, to which the lion king replied with a low rumble. "It appears so... that beast contains the faintest trace of our brethren's bloodline, but it's much too weak."

Sheng Feilong's mood saddened somewhat, but he still didn't give up. '...Then, what if I gave my father your Soul Bone... Would that be possible?' Yet, even this seemed impossible; The lion king replied rather bluntly this time. "He is much too weak. Even my Soul Bone wouldn't awaken his bloodline. Moreover, his strength is lacking; He would die if he were to try to a.s.similate my Soul Bone."

"Ah..." Sheng Feilong let out sigh, accepting the lion king's a.s.sessment and stopped questioning it. If his father wasn't fated to awaken his bloodline, then Sheng Feilong will simply bear the burden alone. He caught up to the guards, smiling brightly and finally calling out to Sheng Lingtian. "Father!"