Douluo Dalu: The Abandoned Child

I held the gleaming skull bone in my hands, its surface pulsating faintly with a greenish hue. Grandpa's eyes were wide with disbelief as he studied it.

"It's a skull bone," he said after a moment, his tone laced with awe. "And not just any skull bone, this one's from an 80,000-year-old soul beast. You're the luckiest kid I've ever seen. Hurry and absorb it before something happens."

One must know that skull bones are the most precious after the external and torso ones.

Without hesitation, I nodded and sat down cross-legged. Holding the skull bone firmly in my hands, I began the process of absorption. Compared to the arduous battle with the Spider Emperor's spirit ring, this process was much faster and smoother. The energy of the bone seeped into my body, merging seamlessly with my soul power and flesh and enhancing my mental faculties. It was as if a vast reservoir of mental strength and power had been unlocked within me.

When I opened my eyes, I felt a newfound clarity. The world around me seemed sharper, every detail more vivid. I stood up, stretching as I examined the changes within myself. A familiar surge of energy coursed through my body.

"Rank 64 Spirit Emperor" I announced, unable to suppress the grin spreading across my face. 

Grandpa's expression was full of pride "That's incredible. So, what's the bone's ability?"

"Let me show you," I replied. Closing my eyes, I focused on the new power granted by the skull bone. "Its main ability is Mind Control. I can dominate the minds of weaker opponents and bend them to my will."

"Try it out," Grandpa said, his curiosity piqued.

I shook my head. "It only works on enemies weaker than me, and you're way stronger. But there's a secondary ability." I turned to face him, concentrating on the skull bone's latent power. A pulse of energy radiated from my mind, striking him with a focused mental attack.

Grandpa's eyes widened briefly before he staggered back, momentarily dazed. Shaking his head, he recovered quickly, giving me an approving nod. "That's a powerful attack. You caught me off guard."

I couldn't help but smirk. "It's strong, but it drains a lot of energy. I'll need to use it wisely."

Taking a deep breath, I activated my new ability, Devil Spider Summoning, enhanced by the skull bone's power. This time, the results were astonishing. "It doubles the number of spiders I can summon," I explained. "Watch this."

First, I summoned two hundred small spiders, each with one percent of my power. They swarmed around us, their greenish auras creating an eerie yet majestic sight. Next, I conjured twenty spiders, each holding ten percent of my strength. These were larger and more imposing, their movements deliberate and powerful. Finally, I focused all my energy into summoning two massive spiders, each a perfect replica of myself in terms of strength.

Grandpa let out a low whistle. "That's terrifying. You've truly outdone yourself this time."

I dismissed the summons, feeling a surge of satisfaction.

Grandpa's face softened, his pride evident. "You've grown so much, kid. I can't believe how far you've come."

We began our journey back home, the tension of the battle replaced by a sense of accomplishment. As we walked, Grandpa's mood lightened. "We'll have to celebrate tonight," he said. "Something tasty, something special."

I chuckled, teasing him. "As long as you're not cooking. You're not much better in the kitchen than Uncle Xin."

That earned me a playful slap on the head. "Brat," he muttered, though he was smiling. We laughed together, the bond between us stronger than ever.

As we continued our journey, I found myself wondering aloud, "I wonder how Uncle Xin's doing right now?"

Grandpa chuckled. "Knowing him, probably complaining about something. We'll have to visit him soon if he doesn't return in a few months. Although we would have to figure out where he is first" He said with a weird tone. He really misses his son.