Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 86 Take away
As Feng Yao dusted off the dust, a lead box was revealed.

Qian Renxue's breathing suddenly quickened. Even the most oblivious person would understand at this moment what kind of treasure was contained in the box. She saw Feng Yao's hand pause for a moment before opening the box, his slender fingers trembling slightly in the moonlight.

"Click—"

The moment the box was opened, the entire cave was suddenly filled with a deep blue light. The Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone lay quietly in the center of the lead box, its entire body crystal clear, as if carved from the purest blue crystal. The surface of the soul bone flowed with a deep blue light like the ocean, with fine golden lines winding through it, each line seemingly containing stars, exuding an ancient and mysterious life aura.

The moment the soul bone appeared, the golden-veined blue silver emperor in the cave suddenly began to sway violently. Slender blades of grass shot out like serpents, tightly wrapping around Feng Yao's sleeves, the golden veins on the edges of the blades flickering as if expressing some intense emotion.

Feng Yao looked down at the tangled blue silver grass on his clothes and couldn't help but chuckle. "What? You're turning your back on me already?" He flicked the most vibrant leaf with his finger. "If I hadn't stopped you just now, you would have been burned to ashes by the True Fire of the Sun. Now I'm taking a piece of your soul bone. Isn't that a good deal?"

The leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor trembled even more violently, the golden veins flashing rapidly, and several tender leaves even curled up angrily, like a child whose candy had been snatched away. The two leaves at the very top even struck a pose as if they had their hands on their hips, even though they didn't actually have waists.

Qian Renxue stared in disbelief, her golden eyes wide with astonishment: "Is it...is it insulting you?"

Feng Yao couldn't help but chuckle, deliberately shaking the soul bone in his hand: "Go ahead and curse, I'm taking it anyway." He then added mischievously, "Why don't you curse even louder?"

Upon hearing this, all of Blue Silver Emperor's leaves suddenly drooped down simultaneously, looking utterly defeated by a shameless scoundrel. Most amusingly, it even mimicked a human gesture of rubbing its forehead—if grass leaves could rub their foreheads like that.

Feng Yao lightly stroked the blue light flowing across the surface of the soul bone with his fingertips, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I told you there would be a surprise." He handed the soul bone to Qian Renxue, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Take it. Consider it interest on avenging your father-in-law."

Qian Renxue's golden eyes widened slightly, then she glared at him irritably. Morning light filtered through the water curtain, illuminating her delicate profile and highlighting the fleeting joy in her eyes. "Stop being so glib." She pushed the soul bone back, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against Feng Yao's hand. "This soul bone isn't suitable for me, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of blue light appeared before his eyes, and the priceless soul bone had vanished from Feng Yao's hand. His movements were so swift that they even left an afterimage in the air.

“Since you insist, Madam,” Feng Yao said, feigning seriousness as he cupped his hands in greeting, though his eyes were full of amusement, “I, your husband, shall accept.”

Qian Renxue's ears burned at his address of "Madam," a blush spreading from her cheeks to her neck. Her golden eyes narrowed slightly, and she glared at Feng Yao with a hint of reproach: "You knew all along there were soul bones here, didn't you? You brought me here specifically for this?"

Feng Yao chuckled softly, his fingertips toying with the soul bone hidden in his sleeve, its blue light flickering through the fabric. He suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her flushed earlobe: "Just trying my luck." His voice held a languid smile, "But it seems..."

He took a half step back, his gaze lingering on her embarrassed face, deliberately drawing out his words: "My luck has always been very good."

Water droplets dripped from the cave ceiling, splashing tiny water droplets on the ground between the two. Qian Renxue turned her face away, but couldn't hide the slight upturn of her lips.

Morning light filtered through the water curtain into the cave, casting a hazy glow on the Blue Silver Emperor. Qian Renxue turned to leave, her robes billowing in a gust of wind.

"Now that this matter is settled, let's go." She turned her head to look at Feng Yao, only to find that his gaze was still fixed on the Golden-Veined Blue Silver Emperor.

Feng Yao lightly stroked the leaf with his fingertips, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Just leave it here like this?"

Qian Renxue narrowed her beautiful eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in her golden pupils: "What? You want to raise a Blue Silver Emperor as your wife, just like Tang Hao?"

"Cough," Feng Yao coughed lightly, a little embarrassed. "What are you thinking? I mean, I know a place rich in spiritual energy, perfect for its growth." He suddenly leaned closer to Qian Renxue and lowered his voice, "Besides, if Tang Hao and his son return and find their lair destroyed, not even a blade of grass left..."

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up. But she quickly straightened her face again: "Even if you want to take it away, you have to see if it's willing."

Feng Yao knelt on one knee before the Blue Silver Emperor, a gentle wisp of soul power gathering at his fingertips: "You are now all alone; if you stay here, you may never see the sunlight again." His voice was soft as water. "I know of a medicinal garden that can help you regain your 100,000 years of cultivation as soon as possible."

The leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor trembled slightly, its golden veins flickering and revealing a human-like inner turmoil. Seeing this, Feng Yao retrieved a crystal-clear jade box from his soul tool—the very same container he had used to store medicine in Dugu Bo's herb garden.

Feng Yao smiled slightly and said, "Never mind, you don't have the right to refuse."

Upon hearing this, the Blue Silver Emperor's leaves suddenly curled up, as if in fear.

Feng Yao sighed softly, his fingertips carefully avoiding the roots: "If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have stopped Xue'er just now." His voice was even softer, "Only by living can you have a chance to see Tang San again."

These words seemed to touch something, and the curled-up leaves slowly unfurled. Feng Yao gently transplanted it into the jade box, taking meticulous care of every inch of its roots. Qian Renxue watched from the side and suddenly felt that this usually cynical man was unusually gentle at this moment.

Feng Yao held up a crystal-clear jade box, sunlight filtering through the box and casting dappled shadows on the leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor. He winked mischievously at Qian Renxue: "Now look what we've done, we've got the grass and the soul bone all in one go."

Before the words were finished, a leaf suddenly flew up from the Blue Silver Emperor in the box and smacked Feng Yao's hand with a "smack." The force wasn't strong, but it carried a hint of annoyance. The golden veins on the leaf flickered rapidly, just like a little girl being talked about in public.

"Oh, quite the temper, huh?" Feng Yao chuckled, lightly tapping the protesting leaf with his fingertip. "Did you understand everything we just said?"

The leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor suddenly curled up, the two tender leaves at the top overlapping each other, looking just like a child covering their ears. This anthropomorphic action made Qian Renxue chuckle, her golden eyes sparkling with laughter: "It seems someone's shamelessness extends even to the grass."

Feng Yao feigned grievance and pouted, "I'm just making the most of it. Senior Dugu's herb garden is no ordinary thing. If Senior Dugu is no longer here, it can help look after the garden." Then, lowering its voice, it added, "Besides, once its cultivation recovers, it might even be able to help us."

"Snapped!"

Another leaf lashed out at the back of his hand, this time with noticeably more force. All the leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor stood upright, their golden veins flashing wildly, as if to say, "You dare plot against me to my very eyes!"

Qian Renxue finally couldn't help but chuckle. In the morning light, her curved eyebrows and eyes made Feng Yao's eyes light up.

Meanwhile, in a small courtyard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the moment Ye Lingling pushed open the carved wooden door, a figure flashed before her. Tang San's hand gripped her wrist like an iron clamp, his eyes bloodshot: "Miss Lingling, how is my father...?"

Exhaustion etched itself on the girl's pale face as she gently shook her head. "The meridians that could previously be repaired are now riddled with holes. Even with Sect Master Ning's assistance, I am powerless to reverse the situation." She looked at her bloodied fingertips. "The only reason I've held on until now is due to Your Majesty's status as a Title Douluo. Your Majesty's life hangs in the balance."

Ning Fengzhi stepped out the door, his scepter striking the ground with a dull thud. He gazed at Tang San's instantly ashen face, and sighed like an autumn leaf falling: "Little San, go see him one last time."

Tang San staggered into the house, like a soulless shell. Ning Fengzhi also slowly left the courtyard, leaving his last moments with Tang San.

Ning Fengzhi waved his sleeves to dismiss those around him and personally led the way for Ye Lingling. Outside the courtyard, an ancient banyan tree had already prepared a carriage, the seven-jeweled glazed pagoda patterns on the carriage shafts glowing blood-red in the setting sun.

After Ye Lingling left in the carriage, Chen Xin couldn't help but say, "I never imagined that the Spirit Hall could be so ruthless."

Ning Fengzhi stroked the glass top of his staff, his eyes reflecting the sunset, his gaze dark and unfathomable: "That child risked his life to come and beg, he must be in Tiandou City..."

"Fengzhi, should we intervene now?" The ancient banyan tree's joints cracked.

"The show of it still needs to be done. Tang Hao is indeed beyond saving. Prepare generous gifts and send a message to the Spirit Hall." Ning Fengzhi turned around, his glass staff tracing a semicircle on the ground. "As for the young lady from the Ye family of the Clear Sky Sect, she will inform Tang Yuehua herself."

Gu Rong grinned, revealing gleaming white teeth: "Money and goods settled, let them fight like dogs."

The bells on the eaves of the Seven-Jeweled Glazed Pagoda tinkled softly in the evening breeze. Ning Fengzhi stroked the top of his glazed cane with his fingertips, then suddenly asked softly, "How has Rongrong been lately?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Rong's wrinkled face broke into a smile, even his gray beard bristled. "That girl," he said, counting on his long, slender fingers, "is working much harder than she did at Shrek Academy. "With that kid's help, her concentration control is getting better and better, and her soul power has broken through to level forty-eight."

"However," the old man's tone shifted, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, "that kid went to hunt for his sixth spirit ring a few days ago, and hasn't returned yet."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered slightly, and he tapped his glass staff lightly on the bluestone slab: "A Soul Emperor not yet sixteen years old." He gazed at the small courtyard in the twilight, his voice as soft as a sigh, "Even if Haotian Douluo personally trained him, he is still..."

The second half of the sentence vanished in the wind.

Dusk, like a veil, enveloped the streets of Tiandou City as the city lights began to twinkle. Ye Lingling's carriage rolled across the cobblestone path and slowly came to a stop before the gilded gates of Yuexuan. She gathered her silver hair, ruffled by the night wind, and her fingertips unconsciously caressed the soul tool at her waist.

"Miss Ye?" The maid who opened the door asked in surprise, holding a lantern. "So late?"

"Take me to see Lady Yuehua." Ye Lingling's voice was softer than usual, like a snowflake falling on a lake.

Inside the warm pavilion, Tang Yuehua was tuning a harp. The candlelight cast a soft shadow on her delicate profile, and the strings produced clear, melodious vibrato from her fingertips.

"Lingling?" She looked up, the hairpin at her temple swaying gently. "Coming here so late?"

The words came to an abrupt halt. Tang Yuehua's gaze froze on Ye Lingling's somewhat bewildered face, and the taut string suddenly snapped with a "clang".

"Has something happened?" As she stood up, her silver-embroidered shawl slipped to the ground.

Ye Lingling's Adam's apple bobbed. "Tang San is at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School." Seeing Tang Yuehua's face turn deathly pale, she quickly added, "His Majesty Haotian is also there, but I just came from there."

"Snapped!"

The teacup beside Tang Yuehua shattered. She swayed, like a candle flame flickering in the wind. Ye Lingling rushed forward to support her frail body, her hands feeling its icy coldness.

"Prepare the car!" Tang Yuehua grabbed Ye Lingling's wrist with surprising force. "To the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School right now! Quickly!"

Outside the courtyard, a maid had already brought in a harnessed carriage. In the moonlight, the white breath exhaled by the horses resembled wisps of drifting souls.

Inside the speeding carriage, a corner of the brocade curtain was lifted by the night wind, letting in a few specks of light. Tang Yuehua's slender fingers gripped Ye Lingling's wrist tightly, her knuckles white, but her voice was so soft it seemed it might dissipate at any moment with the rumble of the wheels: "Lingling, my second brother..."

The second half of the sentence caught in her throat, turning into a trembling gasp. Moonlight shone through the gauze window, illuminating her exquisitely made-up face, now streaked with tears, and a deep tooth mark where the rouge on her lips had been bitten off.

Ye Lingling grasped her icy hand in return: "Madam Yuehua." The girl's voice carried the gentle power unique to healing soul masters, "With the assistance of Sect Master Ning's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, I have done my utmost."

She gently pressed Tang Yuehua's trembling fingers against the still-dry bloodstains on her clothes, marks left from the treatment: "I don't want you to have any regrets."

Suddenly, the hooting of an owl echoed outside the car, its mournful cry sounding like some ominous prophecy. Tang Yuehua abruptly closed her eyes, her scalding tears falling onto their clasped hands, staining the bloodstains a dark red.

The night was as dark as ink, and the carriage sped along the official road. Tang Yuehua kept lifting the curtain to urge them on, and the driver's hand, cracking the whip, was already red. When the iconic glazed pagoda of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School finally came into view, white foam was already spitting out of the mouths and noses of the horses pulling the carriage.

"Faster!" Tang Yuehua's voice trembled like never before.

As the carriage screeched to a halt in front of the sect's main gate, sparks flew as the gilded shafts scraped against the ground. The guards were about to stop them when Ye Lingling poked her pale face out. The head guard immediately waved for her to pass—Sect Leader Ning had given strict orders that no one should delay even for a moment upon seeing Ye Lingling.

The heavy vermilion gates slowly opened, and the carriage headed straight for the villa where Tang Hao was. The glass lanterns along the way swayed violently in the strong wind, casting fragmented shadows.

(End of this chapter)