Capítulo 76: Second Spirit Soul (1)
The last one~
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Once they were dropped off to the outskirts of the forest, the entrance itself being a few hours away from the Star Luo City due to close proximity, the carriage moved without Ning Fengzhi uttering another syllable.
"You were right about him, he's a little naive," Ja Sun finally spoke as the carriage was no longer in their view and the group was already moving towards the forest.
Smiling for a moment, Bibi Dong spoke up, "Ning Fengzhi's father is a force to be reckoned with. Unlike the Ground Devil Douluo, the three Titled Douluo his father convince to become the sworn protector of the clan are all talents amongst Titled Douluos: Rank 92 Bone Douluo, Rank 93 Sword Douluo, and Rank 96 Star Sword Douluo. Ning Fengzhi, though humble and shrewd at the same time, has quite a bit of hope towards his objectives."
"Teacher," Xie Xan smiled, "His offers were really good, however. We all are sticking with you. Be sure to give us stronger gifts later."
"Of course, my gift will be an even stronger extreme environment. That will make all of you devils in a battle," Bibi Dong's serene smile made a chill rise in Xie Xan's spine.
"Anyway, none of us actually know anything about your martial soul," Hu Lana gazed at Ja Sun with a glimmering gaze. It was true, Ja Sun hadn't revealed his spirit beast enhancement even once in the group that had become a mystery for all of them.
"Then be sure to watch carefully," Ja Sun chuckled.
"Really?" Liu Erlong frowned.
"I didn't show my spirit... because all of you couldn't force it out of me."
Xie Xan and Hu Lana uttered a grunt simultaneously while Liu Erlong remained relatively peaceful. They continued to walk, easily ignoring ten and hundred-year-old spirit beasts because it did not provide them any benefit.
Since the Star Dou Great Forest is almost the size of two to three kingdoms combined, it also had various terrains from different entrances. From the Star Luo Empire's side came a thick rainforest that made the group uncomfortable with humidity but compared to the valley forests Yang Mountain Range, this was nothing.
Even though Ja Sun had multiple treasures still ready to be used, he remained patient. Though his greatest desire was absorbing the two spirit bones, it was a common knowledge that absorbing a spirit bone of greater quality propels one's cultivation, easily covering for two-three years of hard work. Only after reaching rank 50 Ja Sun planned to absorb it, why? Because from rank 51-60, a spirit master faces a major watershed and even Ah Yin herself admitted that it would have taken her 3-4 years of steady progress to achieve this goal.
Not only that, he still had Purple Cloud Wood and other body enhancement materials left to use.
Only after completely digesting the astonishing gains from the Imperial Family can Ja Sun actually make quick and steady progress that may shock everyone around him. If he hadn't grasped the perfect opportunity, if he hadn't created relevant missions despite the disadvantage of offending the Imperial Family, he wouldn't have had so many treasures.
If there was something he regretted not completely manipulating then it would be Tang Yuehua. She could be another spirit cell like Yu Xiaogang. Even if she couldn't be it, her enlightened martial soul already had an innate domain which made the quality of martial soul better than Yu Xiaogang's. Who knows what her unlocked martial soul can achieve?
Soon, their progress into the forest was barred by a serene middle-aged man sitting against a tree and baking a crispy centipede over a bonfire. A rather enticing scent wafted from the source but the sight of it made many sick. Including Ja Sun. He had tasted insects in his previous life... he admitted that a properly cooked one is. delicacy but what's the use if you end up throwing after eating each bite?
"Mmm, Dong'er, take a rest. The Sweet Venom Centipede is a rare delicacy. Let this old man treat you what Xunji can never appreciate!"
Qian Daoliu gave a smile and beckoned Bibi Dong. His appearance surprised Xie Xan, Hu Lana, and Liu Erlong but Ja Sun and Ah Yin only frowned.
"Grandmaster, I no longer eat meat," Bibi Dong gave a bow and stated with a respectful expression.
"Since when?" Daoliu looked surprised.
"Now."
Pursing his lips, his piercing gaze swept past Xie Xan, Hu Lana, and Liu Erlong.
A happy smile touched his lips, "Better than the team formed by Crocodile's Disciple. Hmm, you just lack a good supporter... then you will have a team of seven ready to enter the competition."
"Again, let's kidnap," Ja Sun rolled his eyes and walked forward before sitting down.
"Do you mean that I need to participate in the competition, too?" Bibi Dong frowned and sat down herself.
With a wave of her hand, she released Olivia and Caihong who instantly flew towards Ja Sun and Ah Yin.
"You guys sit, too," Ah Yin looked at her teammates and sat down next to Bibi Dong. Soon, a semicircle was formed around the fire with Qian Daoliu eating the centipede alongside the carapace yet he seemed to be completely in peace with his surroundings.
"Given your talents, as long as you don't die, you will reach the peak stage and will have a chance to get a title bestowed by me in the Spirit Hall. I'm Ka-ul's and Ah Yin's master," Qian Daoliu spoke after finishing his bite and gazed at the trio, "If it wasn't for the fact that Ka-ul seemed rather adamant about absorbing his spirit ring in front of you all, I would not have revealed myself."
Bibi Dong frowned at this.
The three others could feel that Ka-ul seemed rather important to the Spirit Hall with how the middle-aged man spoke and Bibi Dong's reacted.
"Don't need to think too much. If I can tell you about my first kill, I can tell you a lot more, too. Including my martial soul. As I said, watch carefully. Because aside from me... everyone will just end up choosing a weaker path instead of taking a risk."
Ja Sun's words confused everyone including Bibi Dong and Ah Yin. Only Qian Daoliu sighed.
What Ja Sun was trying to do was unprecedented and despite all of his persuasion, soft and hard over time, once Ja Sun reached rank 40, Qian Daoliu failed to change his mind. In fact, if Ja Sun hadn't revealed a little more information about the spirit soul method he simply called a sacrifice to blow smoke in the eyes of the third party, Qian Daoliu might have ended up using force to stop him. But, one thing that Ja Sun said made all the oppositions from Qian Daoliu's side vanish.
"What do you mean?" Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes. This was easily a provocation.
"You'll see," Ja Sun smiled.
Once Qian Daoliu ate, he led everyone this time. Although Xie Xan, Hu Lana, and Liu Erlong doubted Qian Daoliu's rank, once even Bibi Dong stated that the person in front of them was a Titled Douluo, they grew calmer. The only thing that remained in their hearts was what Ja Sun said.
"Why would you want everyone to see it?"
Bibi Dong finally couldn't hold it back.
"So what if everyone sees it?" Ja Sun inquired calmly.
"None of you attacked me even after learning I have spirit bones. It would be insulting to all of you if I try to deliberately hide things from everyone," he removed his mask and wiped the sweat on his forehead using a handkerchief.
"If you think clearly then both of these are not on the same level," Bibi Dong shook her head.
"I don't have to explain why I trust others now, do I?"
Ja Sun chuckled and Qian Daoliu looked back for a moment.
"In reality, even if you do reveal your martial soul, you do not need to take such risks. It is just your fourth spirit ring."
"You're going to absorb a 10000-year-old spirit ring," Xie Xan understood instantly.
With contempt, Ja Sun looked back, "How is that a challenge? A risk? Say, do all of you remember the theories taught to us about Spirit Rings?"
Ja Sun inquired and everyone nodded naturally.
---
"What? Absolutely not."
It was only after two days that Ja Sun reached rank 40 that Qian Daoliu came to check up on his progress, but his words shocked Daoliu and even made him slightly furious despite his easygoing nature towards the two of them were within an Inn's room. Ja Sun still sat on his bed while Daoliu sat in a slightly creaking chair.
"Master... you haven't felt the process. Maybe, in the continent, only I can achieve it. When I got my first spirit ring... I only felt warmth. My mental energy, spirit energy, and physical strength increased. Others don't have a record of this method because they have never experienced it themselves.
I think we both understand the implications of this matter.
The stronger I am, the stronger influence I will have on Spirit Beasts, and later, I may be able to convince a spirit beast to sacrifice itself for another spirit master. Not only me. That way, wouldn't the spirit hall be the greatest winner?
Of course, I'm only appealing to your side that cares for Spirit Hall. A master selfishly chooses his disciples. You probably chose me as your disciple to cultivate this new method. It is only exciting if it is different from the method we know. Just because there is no other Spirit Ancestor with the spirit ring of a 50000-year-old spirit beast or even a 30000-year-old spirit beast, that doesn't mean I cannot be the first to achieve it."
The underlying meaning of this was left unsaid but the two of them understood.
Even if Ja Sun gains a black spirit ring of a 30000-year-old spirit beast, the boost to his cultivation would be greater than any other Spirit Ancestor. He may even catch up to Liu Erlong and Xie Xan. The next time, he will be able to absorb a ring from even a stronger spirit beast.
This will turn into a snowball of benefits rolling and bulldozing through many troubles in cultivation faced by ordinary spirit masters. How could Qian Daoliu not understand it?
"It's not worth risking your life—"
"It is!" Ja Sun smiled, "Being weak and ordinary is not worth risking our lives over. After all, we're not immortals. Our lifespan is limited. Isn't it better to take risk and reach a higher peak and then die than to lie in the graveyard filled with the rotten scent of ordinary goals and accomplishments?"
Qian Daoliu's body trembled momentarily.
---
Everyone shuddered at Ja Sun's words. They understood the underlying meaning but they still didn't know how Ja Sun has such confidence except for Ah Yin who has seen him absorb his first spirit soul only once.
"Then are we going to enter the inner sections of the forest?"
Hu Lana inquired suddenly.
"No. We're going to find a spirit beast much viler than the ones found in the inner section of the forest."
Qian Daoliu replied somberly.
"Viler?" Bibi Dong sent an inquisitive gaze towards Ja Sun.
"Probably a spirit beast great with mental attacks that sneak in the edge of outer and inner forest," Liu Erlong stated, her words startling Ja Sun and Qian Daoliu.
"Indeed. You're a smart one," Daoliu smiled.
"How did you know?" Ah Yin inquired.
"An assault-type spirit master needs to have a variety of attacks and at higher levels, mental attacks are one of the most dangerous forms of attacks. Ka-ul already has a flying ability, an area of attack, and a self-enhancement ability. What he probably needs is a stronger attacking ability and the mental one at that because he has already revealed his Martial Soul's attributes being Spirit, Light, and Space."
Glancing at Liu Erlong, Bibi Dong stated, "What I meant was the specific name of the Spirit Beast."
Everyone felt a little startled. Why was Bibi Dong giving off such a competitive vibe at this moment?
Even Liu Erlong's expression turned slightly gloomy. This Bibi Dong rubbed her off slightly the wrong way.
"I don't know," Ja Sun shrugged, "Master said he had the perfect beast in mind. I'm as clueless as you all."
Ja Sun smiled and he mumbled extremely softly under his breath, setting up a mission.
[Objective: Absorb second spirit soul and find an enclosed space to pump your fist.
Mission Rank: Based on Accomplished Objective.
Mission Rewards: Based on Mission Rank.
Time Limit: 3 days.]
He had tried to add additional objectives but all of it turned into this mission because there was no direct objective. After all, the Trait couldn't foresee what Spirit Soul he would be absorbing.
If the spirit beast Daoliu had selected wasn't upto his mark, he can just not absorb it and look further. If the mission fails, he can create again. But since the time limit was 3 days then it was highly possible that a spirit beast compatible with Ja Sun's martial soul wasn't too far away.
Under Qian Daoliu's steady lead, none of them faced any Spirit Beasts, and the deeper they entered into the forest, the more scared the two Human-tongue Owls became, only sticking to Ja Sun and Ah Yin all the time.
Setting up a camp, Qian Daoliu had everyone rest in a single tent. Even he was within the tent but since his objective of showing himself was not even close to teaching or practicing, he only sat in the corner and silently closed his eyes, much to Bibi Dong's distress.
"What is going on with teacher?" Xie Xan inquired as he glanced towards Bibi Dong. Her expression couldn't look more upset as she also silently sat down cross-legged and cultivated. Two corners. One was taken by a Titled Douluo, the other one occupied by a furious teacher. Since the tent was erected on four logs, the group had one entire side opposite from the two for themselves.
"Oh, whenever Master is around, teacher acts like a little girl. You should see her expression once she gets an answer correct," Ja Sun smiled and explained.
"Oh, that's why she was this fierce when I got an answer right?" Liu Erlong exhaled, "Who knew..." a smile, a derisive one, finally touched her lips.
"You didn't get any answers right? You misunderstood my question."
Bibi Dong opened her eyes and replied gloomily. Her gaze bore into Ja Sun as he gave a plain smile that frustrated her to no end.
"And I don't act like a little girl."
What almost drove her into madness was when Ah Yin looked at everyone and gestured towards her, "See?"
The moment the other three nodded, Bibi Dong closed her eyes, cultivating and calming her breathing.
"Who would have thought..." Hu Lana shook her head, "But teacher is so cute like this. Should we offer her some candy every time she gets an answer right?"
She giggled.
'Every time they do their training right, add more intensity,' Bibi Dong added internally.
"Maybe we should color our hair grey so that she remains like this around us, too," Xie Xan chuckled, high-fiving Hu Lana.
'Turn the trip into Disorienting Ghost Canyon from two to three months,' Bibi Dong seethed.
"Bibi Dong, what is the color of the spirit ring under 99 years old?" Ja Sun spoke up deeply, wagging his brows at Liu Erlong.
"White. Did I get it right? Did I? Did I?" Her body shuddered as she controlled her giggle and spoke up.
"Hmm... good. Here is a candy."
Ja Sun nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Hahahaha!" Xie Xan couldn't control it anymore when suddenly, Daoliu opened his eyes and glared at everyone, letting his pressure make them tremble.
"Learn from Ah Yin. Cultivate silently."
"But she was just—" Ja Sun's voice was stuck in his throat as Ah Yin had her eyes closed. Everyone glared in her direction before closing their eyes.
Spending the night uneventfully, the next morning, everyone was energetic and willing to train. In fact, Liu Erlong and others even held the expectations of being taught by a Titled Douluo but Ja Sun and Ah Yin understand that Bibi Dong is far better than the frivolous Qian Daoliu. After all, he wouldn't teach. He would give.
Objectives and rewards.
He had promised Ah Yin a reward if she completes her Realm of Self in three months. He gave Ja Sun the inheritance knowledge regarding the Gauntlets he has. Anything and everything they can obtain from the Spirit Hall, aside from Qian Daoliu's protection, is based on their own comprehension and skills. Qian Daoliu may be informal in his approach, but his method would only work for already independent students like Ja Sun and Ah Yin who had their own line of thinking.
Instead of curbing their original path, Qian Daoliu merely nudged them a bit so that they may not end up facing troublesome and pointless blocks in cultivation.
Once everyone packed up, they left the area. Only the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest is mapped but the way Qian Daoliu led everyone around, it was clear that his understanding of the great spirit forest was much higher than their own.
"We are close."
Qian Daoliu suddenly stopped and looked around for a moment. His eyes revealing a golden brilliance that quickly settled.
"Hmm, there," Qian Daoliu moved and after a few minutes, the group entered a clearing. Instantly, their ears buzzed as Ja Sun's mind turned alert. While others saw a clearing, Ja Sun saw a glowing blue... strangely formed mist.
"A Fantasy Beast..." Ja Sun's eyes turned bright.
"What?" Everyone was greatly alarmed. While Bibi Dong was relatively calm, Qian Daoliu's words served to break that, too.
"Five shades of blue veins. A Fantasy Beast with the cultivation of 50000-year-old. You were right back then. Worry for the Spirit Hall made me unable to take risks for a moment. Other spirit beasts won't be able to affect you. Take care of this one yourself."
"Grandmaster, this isn't risk but a suicide—"
"So was entering the Slaughter City. Dong'er, a teacher is not to be selfish and take all the risks by oneself. If Ka-ul trusts others with his secrets, then you need to trust in your students' capabilities," Qian Daoliu smiled and glanced at Ah Yin sticking close to Ja Sun.
Even Ja Sun glanced at Ah Yin. In reality, he wasn't sure if this risk would work, but it would be extremely regretful if he didn't even try.
"What are you looking at me for? Only when you're stronger I can gain more benefits from you. And... maybe I'll take the risk and try to leap absorb a higher-ranked spirit ring. It wouldn't be right if you fall back."
Smirking, Ja Sun handed his mask to Ah Yin, and removing the Wingless Covers, he stepped out.
He already felt the surrounding space constricted. Others couldn't see Fantasy Beast. Even Ah Yin could only sense it. Only Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu saw the roiling ball of mist as high as four meters.
It was then when everyone held their breath.
Ja Sun could already feel the Fantasy Beast trying to pull him into an illusion but Ja Sun was immune to it. Fantasy Beasts only had the ability of mental attacks in the form of illusion but their attributes also included spatial talent since they can create mock spaces of illusions, like an independent packet. Within these packets, they would slowly absorb their targets and live on.
His hair slowly turned silver, glistening under the shine of the sun. His gauntlets morphed into talons that surprised others. His bare feet were instantly covered with silver fur and cold phoenix talons stretched out.
On his forehead, a tattoo of a green vertical eye flashed and the panicking Fantasy Beast suddenly grew calm.
Now that Ja Sun had the time to think about it...
Bright Goddess Butterfly was also weak compared to her counterparts. Her truly unique characteristic was being the most beautiful spirit beast on the continent.
Fantasy Beast is the same.
Sharing the title of the Best Illusion-type Spirit Beast with the Nightmare Beast, the Fantasy Beast held the additional attribute of Space alongside Spirit while the Nightmare Beast, its more aggressive counterpart, held the additional attribute of poison.
***
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