The growth of spiritual power and improvements in physical strength were both important, but he had ignored the most crucial factor.
Only the strength of one's mental power truly determined the upper limit of how many years' worth of spirit herbs a person could absorb.
His physical strength was already impressive, and his spiritual power was more than adequate. But his mental power couldn't withstand the violent impact of absorbing spirit herbs accumulated over centuries. If he forced it, he'd either be killed by the backlash or end up a fool with no sense of reason.
That was why not every Spirit King could absorb spirit herbs accumulated over five centuries.
The root of the problem was that, before reaching the Sea Passing Realm, one's mental power simply wasn't strong enough to suppress the wild, brutal spiritual energy of those herbs.
Based on Mu Rong's understanding of the world, and his explorations of the ancient ruins, he had organized the cultivation of mental power into seven clear stages.
Spirit Realm: mental power score of 0–50.
This was the most basic level. Ordinary people and children who had just awakened their martial spirits were here, capable only of simple spiritual perception.
Spirit Communion Realm: mental power score of 51–500.
Only at this level could a Demon Blade be wielded with mental power. Most teachers at the Spirit Academy spent their entire lives stuck at this stage.
Sea Passing Realm: mental power score of 501–5,000.
This was a major threshold. One's mental power became deep and powerful enough to use mental attacks and other skills, and was sufficient to support absorbing black spirit herbs accumulated over a century.
Spirit Crossing Realm: mental power score of 5,001–20,000.
Mental power could be materialized into powerful attacks, and even used to interfere with and seize control of others' minds.
Spirit Domain Realm: mental power score of 20,001–50,000.
Mental power could be used to construct a domain and suppress one's opponents.
Normally, only those who had reached their limits could make it to this level.
Spirit Origin Realm: mental power score of 50,001 and above.
This was the domain of divine spirits. Mental power contained divine power and could control the laws of the world.
Spirit King Realm: mental power score of 100,000 and above.
The pinnacle of mental power, granting the strength to create worlds and destroy them.
As for Mu Rong, over the years, through cultivating all kinds of spirit herbs and refining spirit herbs accumulated over a hundred years, his mental power had nearly reached the Spirit Communion Realm's late stage—around 350 points.
Among people his age, no—in the entire Suo Ling City, aside from those heaven-blessed Spirit Masters with spiritual-type martial spirits, he could be considered one of the best.
But Mu Rong's ambitions didn't stop there.
If he wanted to cultivate to the Sea Passing Realm, he still had a long road ahead of him!
He sat down cross-legged and drew the medicinal energy of the condensed spirit herbs into his sea of consciousness. A clear stream of energy nourished his spirit, and he felt his mind grow much sharper.
Nearby, Lin was silently cultivating his soul power.
Seeing Lin, who had once been so devoted to making a name for himself in Ju Yuan City, now no longer dreaming of seizing the city lord's position as the heir of the city lord's adopted younger brother, but instead diligently cultivating, Mu Rong felt a little wistful.
Lin's transformation had been like night and day.
He wanted to see even higher views in the world of martial spirits, and had put in all that effort for it.
Effort didn't always guarantee results, but without effort, results would never come.
Mu Rong understood this better than anyone.
Beside him, Lin was also immersed in cultivation. The entire inn was quiet, save for the two men's even breathing.
Time flew by, and soon the inn's first long holiday arrived.
Inside the inn, Lin packed his luggage as he chatted with Mu Rong.
"Boss, why don't we go back to Ju Yuan City together? There's plenty to do back home, too."
Mu Rong shook his head.
"You go ahead. I'm staying in Suo Ling City."
"It's such a long trip there and back. We'll waste a lot of time on the road."
As he spoke, Lin pulled out a small bag and handed it to Mu Rong.
"Boss, these are some gold spirit bones and cultivation herbs. Take them back and give them to Suo Ling. Tell him to put his heart into training and not slack off."
"Also, you've been learning a lot from the Great Dou Spirit Arena this past year. Teach him some things when you get back. It's better to train him properly than to have him make mistakes and learn the hard way."
Suo Ling was the youngest brother Lin had taken in, and the one he cared about most.
Talent was limited, but loyalty mattered.
As long as he kept up with his training, his future achievements wouldn't be too poor.
"All right, Boss, I got it!"
Lin nodded solemnly and put the bag away.
"Then I'll be off. Take care of yourself while you're here."
"All right, you little brat. Stop worrying and get going!"
Mu Rong smiled.
Lin grinned, slung his travel bag over his shoulder, and boarded the carriage back to Ju Yuan City.
Watching Lin's carriage leave, Mu Rong stretched his stiff back.
For a moment, he felt a little lonely without his younger brothers around.
He didn't linger at the inn. Turning, he headed in the direction of the Great Dou Spirit Arena.
As soon as he stepped through the familiar entrance to the Great Dou Spirit Arena, the manager greeted him with a warm smile.
"Mr. Mu Rong, you're finally here!"
The manager's overly enthusiastic attitude made Mu Rong feel a little uncomfortable.
Ou Yuhan directly led him into the same luxurious private room as last time.
"Oh, Uncle Ou Yuhan, which side are you on? Don't tell me you want me to take another fake loss?"
Mu Rong teased him with a half-smile.
"Mr. Mu Rong, you know that's not a matter of the arena arranging fake matches!"
Ou Yuhan hastily waved his hands, his smile even more flattering than Ouyang's.
He carefully took a thick, carefully bound stack of papers from behind him and handed it over.
"Here's the rare-herb information you asked for. I've spent half a year collecting it all for you."
Mu Rong was genuinely a little surprised.
"Oh? That fast?"
He'd thought it would take at least another year or two. He hadn't expected the other party to be so efficient.
"The Great Dou Spirit Arena has extensive business connections. It would be embarrassing if we couldn't handle a small matter like this. Besides, this has already taken long enough."
Ou Yuhan explained.
He handed the stack of more than ten thousand pages to Mu Rong.
"Mr. Mu Rong, you can trust me. This is already the most comprehensive information I could find. There's nothing more complete anywhere on the entire continent."
Mu Rong accepted the papers and began reading them carefully.
As the saying went, "A hundred thousand soldiers are easier to find than one capable general." In this case, however, he could only give credit to Ou Yuhan's diligence.
After all, the Great Dou Spirit Arena was merely a business organization. Even with its connections, there was no way it could have produced results so quickly.
The most reasonable explanation was that, after learning the secrets of the spirit herbs, Ou Yuhan had used his own personal connections and mobilized the resources of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan to gather everything.
"All right, then I owe you one, Uncle Ou Yuhan."
Mu Rong put the papers away.
"If you ever need me to do anything, just say the word. I'll do everything I can to help."
"You're too kind. I should head out and study these papers. I may be busy for a few days before I'll have time to hunt spirit beasts again."
Before you continue