Chapter 104: Opportunity
Two months later.
"Lightning Ripples!"
In the forest, a stern shout rang out, followed by a bolt of lightning as thick as an arm, swiftly shooting out and hitting a galloping Magic Beast.
The latter's body stiffened, its agile figure coming to a halt.
A figure chased from behind, throwing out a thunderous blast that struck the Magic Beast's head.
Boom!
The head exploded, flesh and blood flying.
Among them, a light green magic core flashed.
Lin Xiu reached out and grabbed it, a look of joy on his face. "Fourth rank wind-type magic core, finally in hand!"
The air was filled with the scent of blood. Lin Xiu didn't stay in place, swiftly teleporting away.
Finding a cave, Lin Xiu sat down and took out the magic core, beginning to absorb it.
The strength of Fourth Rank Magic Beasts is equivalent to that of a human Dou Spirit. Compared to ordinary Magic Beasts, they possess more intelligence, knowing how to seek advantages and avoid dangers, fleeing when encountering danger.
Lin Xiu initially thought that collecting seven fourth rank magic cores wouldn't be difficult, but unexpectedly, it took quite some time, especially for the wind and thunder cores. Magic Beasts of these two types have speed advantages, and once they fall into a disadvantageous position, they will flee.
The Wind Roar Sky Wolf, Lin Xiu had just chased for nearly a week.
Dou Qi circulated, surrounding his body, covering Lin Xiu's palm. The wind-type magic core gradually melted, disappearing beneath his skin.
Within his Dantian, the Wind Attribute Yuan Aperture contracted, then gradually expanded, repeating several times until it finally stabilized within a certain range.
"Let's control the strength at 7 Star Dou Grandmaster for now." With a thought, Lin Xiu's aura continuously declined from 2 Star Dou Spirit.
"With half a year left, breaking through from 7 Star Dou Grandmaster to 1 Star Dou Spirit should be normal. The Academy probably won't hinder me from participating in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition."
Lin Xiu pondered.
"It seems like Lightning Ripples is also at its peak level now. Later, I can integrate some Dou Techniques. These past two months, I've collected quite a few magic cores. I'll exchange them for Fire Energy when I return, then go into seclusion in the tower.
Half a year later is the day of the nextAcademy's Fire Energy Hunting Competition. I need to go to Black Mark City a month in advance.
During this time, my goal is to break through to Dou King. Otherwise, it'll be quite difficult to snatch things from Xiao Yan and Old Yao."
Lin Xiu rubbed his chin, his thoughts flashing as he integrated Whirlwind Strike, Nine Heavens Thunder Slash, and Lightning Ripples.
[You have consumed 1 Attribute Point and obtained the Earth Rank Low-Level Dou Technique "Myriad Thunder Invocation."]
A flood of information rushed into his mind.
After a brief digestion, Lin Xiu felt joy. This kind of wide-range Dou Technique would be perfect for use in the Fire Energy Hunting Competition.
"Unfortunately, I haven't found a suitable Beast Flame. The Flame Soul Separation Technique is still stuck at Yellow Rank Low Level, unable to break through."
Lin Xiu glanced at his panel.
[Name: Lin Xiu]
[Age: 20]
[Realm: 2 Star Dou Spirit (9k/12k)]
[Constitution: 78]
[Spirit: 60]
[Aptitude: 40]
[Abilities:
Earth Rank Mid-Level Qi Method: Primordial Qi lvl11 (Max)
Earth Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique: Starlight Body Forging Technique lvl11 (Max)
Earth Rank Low-Level Dou Technique: Surging Waves Overwhelm Heavens lvl2 (120/200)
Earth Rank Low-Level Dou Technique: Myriad Thunder Invocation lvl1 (1/100)
Earth Rank Low-Level Secret Technique: Origin Return lvl10 (Max)
Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique: Thundering Palm lvl8 (Max)]
Black Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique: Wind Shadow Sword Technique lvl8 (Max)
Black Rank Mid-Level Body Movement Technique: Light Cloud Wandering Dragon Steps lvl8 (Max)
Black Rank Low-Level Secret Technique: Wind and Thunder Shattering Limits lvl6 (20/600)
Yellow Rank Low-Level Dou Technique: Flame Soul Separation Technique lvl4 (Max)
...
[Attribute Points: 25]
"I could allocate some points to my Spirit, but my perception range is sufficient for now. As for Aptitude, a drop of Fifth Rank Magic Beast blood to breakthrough... Isn't this putting me in a tough spot?"
Lin Xiu's gaze fell on Aptitude, a troubled expression on his face. Fifth Rank Magic Beasts are equivalent to human Dou Kings. It's not something a mere Dou Spirit like himself can easily deal with.
"Let's hold onto the Attribute Points for now."
Lin Xiu stood up and left the cave, finding a direction and flying towards the Academy.
On the way, passing through a valley, Lin Xiu's figure stopped on a treetop, his ears twitching.
"There's some activity. Sounds like fighting. This level of disturbance, it's probably Dou King level."
A hint of hesitation flashed across his face as Lin Xiu looked towards the direction of the commotion.
Dou King is the watershed between the weak and the strong.
One of the defining characteristics is that Dou Kings can manifest Dou Qi Wings, no longer confined to the ground, able to soar in the sky.
Lin Xiu was also worried about this. If he were to encounter a Dou King, and if the other party had malicious intent, then escaping would be difficult.
Roar!
Suddenly, a roar shook the mountains and forests, causing countless birds and beasts to flee.
"It's a Fifth Rank Magic Beast!"
Lin Xiu's eyes flickered, and rushed towards the direction of the sound.
"I'll just look at it from a distance and take advantage of it if I have the chance! If I can break through Aptitude, I can practice faster in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
A faint green Wind Attribute Dou Qi wrapped around Lin Xiu's legs, making his figure even lighter.
He moved swiftly and silently through the forest. However, Lin Xiu remained vigilant; the perception ability of a Fifth Rank Magic Beast was formidable!
Soon, Lin Xiu reached the top of a tree tens of meters high. Ahead, in a low-lying forest, with unobstructed sight, he could clearly see two huge Fifth Rank Magic Beasts battling in a distant valley.
"Fifth Rank Magic Beasts usually have a strong sense of territory and wouldn't enter another Magic Beast's area without reason. Could there be some treasure nearby?"
In the year Lin Xiu spent training with Huo Lan, although Huo Lan's strength was weak, he was experienced and imparted a lot of information. At this moment, Lin Xiu silently analyzed the situation. However, even though the distance was over a hundred meters, Lin Xiu found it difficult to make out some details as he gazed into the distance.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in a grassy area within his line of sight.
"Someone!"
Lin Xiu scrutinized the figure and discovered that the person was also a student from Jia Nan Academy.
"With two Fifth Rank Magic Beasts fighting and others lurking nearby, could he be Lin Yan?"
As thoughts raced through his mind, Lin Xiu recalled something.
After Xiao Yan entered the inner courtyard, he made many preparations to devour the Fallen Heart Flame.
Among them was the Pill.
Inside it was an herb called Green Wood Celestial Vine, which Xiao Yan bought from Lin Yan, the stall owner at the inner courtyard trading ground.
According to their conversation at the time, Lin Yan revealed that he obtained the Green Wood Celestial Vine from two Fifth Rank Magic Beasts.
Rubbing his chin, Lin Xiu dared to confirm whether the scene before him was experienced by Lin Yan.
"It's alright. Since I've seen it, patience is key. That person's strength seems to be around 3-Star Dou Spirit level. In the same realm, I'm invincible! If it's truly the Green Wood Celestial Vine, I'll snatch it away."
Lin Xiu didn't find much use for the Green Wood Celestial Vine himself, but he knew Xiao Yan valued it greatly. Perhaps he could use it to negotiate with Xiao Yan.
Even though Xiao Yan wouldn't easily part with such things as the Flame Mantra, don't forget, Xiao Yan has the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
It's an evolved Seventh Rank Magic Beast, and considering his own Aptitude breakthrough would surely require the essence blood of a Seventh Rank Magic Beast, maybe he could try to exchange for it with the Green Wood Celestial Vine.
Whether it succeeds or not depends on how Xiao Yan negotiates with Medusa.
With a thought in mind, Lin Xiu made a decision, squatting on the tree quietly watching from afar.
...
"When two parties fight, a third party benefits! If these two Fifth Rank Magic Beasts end up mutually injuring each other, then my chance to strike it rich will come!"
In the grassland, Lin Yan's body trembled with excitement, his eyes glowing red as he stared fixedly at the two Magic Beasts fighting ahead.
Due to severe accumulation of fire poison in his body, he couldn't enter the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
In order to dispel the fire poison, Lin Yan had been searching outside the courtyard for herbs or magic cores, seeking ways to reduce the poison.
He had once seen a Green Wood Celestial Vine here, but it wasn't mature yet, so he didn't harvest it.
Unexpectedly, when he returned, the Green Wood Celestial Vine had matured, but it had also attracted two Fifth Rank Magic Beasts.
"Fight, fight, it's best if they both end up injured..." Lin Yan clenched his fists tightly, murmuring softly.
Completely unaware, there was a pair of eyes watching him, faintly and stealthily.
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