Suitable Spirit Ring

After Qian Renhan left, Bibi Dong stepped out from a hidden corner. Watching what Qian Renhan had done, the goodwill and faint maternal affection that had arisen in her heart because of the birth of the Fallen Angel instantly plummeted by more than half.

Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul was Yu Xiaogang's legendary work. Bibi Dong regarded it as a treasure, carefully preserving it with an exquisite cover. Yet Qian Renhan had thrown it away like garbage. Not only had he insulted Xiao Gang's painstaking work, but he had also treated her feelings like trash.

Three days later, at the main gate of Spirit City, two luxurious carriages set out. One carried Qian Xunji, Snake Lance, and Porcupinefish Douluo, while the other carried Qian Renhan, Qian Renxue, and a maid.

The Angel Aura emitted by Qian Xunji made Qian Renhan uncomfortable, so the two naturally could not remain together for long. And who did Qian Renxue prefer to stay with? Wasn't that obvious?

Qian Renxue asked, "Brother, what kind of spirit ring should I obtain?"

"Naturally, one whose attributes best match my martial soul, from as high-ranking a spirit beast species as possible."

Qian Renhan smiled faintly. "Xiaoxue, theoretical books say that only the most suitable spirit bone can unleash the greatest power. Spirit rings are the same. After absorbing a spirit ring, it merges with our body and martial soul. Only a spirit ring whose attributes are best suited to our martial soul can be mobilized more easily, exert greater power, and better preserve the grade of our martial soul."

Qian Renxue nodded and asked again, "Brother, do you think the martial souls of some branch members of our Angel Clan deteriorated because they chose the wrong spirit rings?"

"Not necessarily. Perhaps the mother's innate talent and constitution were inadequate, leaving her unable to bear the pressure brought by the Six-Winged Angel, forcing it to deteriorate."

Qian Renhan's eyes flickered. It was easy for a martial soul to degrade, but difficult for it to evolve. With Bibi Dong's power, his Eight-Winged Fallen Angel could at most reach the peak of a Level One God. To evolve further, he would either need an extraordinarily powerful spirit beast, or... the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. How much help can you give me?

After half a day of travel, the group entered the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain the first two spirit rings for Qian Renhan and Qian Renxue.

The two elders searched, and before long, they brought back a Bright Saber-Toothed Tiger that had just passed seven hundred years, beaten to within an inch of its life.

The Bright Saber-Toothed Tiger was a top-tier Light Attribute Spirit Beast. The Six-Winged Angel possessed ultimate light, ultimate holiness, and high-quality flames. Thus, spirit rings with those three attributes were suitable, with the first two being the primary choices. As always, degradation was easy, while evolution was difficult.

"Father, Elders, I want my first spirit ring to come from a thousand-year Dark Attribute Spirit Beast." Qian Renhan glanced at the saber-toothed tiger and spoke loudly. He had trained since he was one, and with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Medicinal Baths, and the enhancement of the stronger Fallen Angel Martial Soul, his physical condition was several times better than Qian Renxue's. He had every confidence to challenge a thousand-year spirit ring.

Qian Xunji was startled and said gravely, "Xiaohan, the energy of a thousand-year spirit ring is on an entirely different level from that of a hundred-year spirit ring. A thousand-year spirit ring is too dangerous!"

Qian Renhan's calm voice brimmed with confidence. "I cannot receive the God Ancestor's blessing like Grandfather and increase my spirit ring age, so I will choose a higher one. A thousand-year spirit ring, at Soul Elder Level—I have that confidence."

After hesitating for a moment, Qian Xunji waved his hand. "Elders, go capture a thousand-year Dark Attribute Spirit Beast."

Snake Lance and Pufferfish set out once more. Along the way, they discovered a Man Faced Demon Spider and a Cave Spider, but after one glance, they left. Although both spiders possessed Evil Attributes, they also had Poison Attributes, making them unsuitable.

While the two elders searched, Qian Xunji handed Qian Renxue a dagger and said gently, "Xiaoxue, kill this beast and use it as your first spirit ring."

"Father, can I wait until Brother absorbs his first spirit ring before choosing mine?" Qian Renxue replied. Although she was obedient and sensible, she was still fiercely competitive at heart. If Qian Renhan absorbed a thousand-year spirit ring while she absorbed a seven-hundred-year spirit ring, the difference would be far too great. Even if he was her brother, she found it hard to accept.

Qian Renhan looked at Qian Renxue, and a trace of approval flashed through his eyes. The moment he saw the seven-hundred-year Bright Saber-Toothed Tiger brought over, he had immediately made his request because he wanted to spur Qian Renxue into choosing a higher-age spirit ring. This foolish little sister had not disappointed him after all.

"Fine, then." Qian Xunji had also guessed Qian Renxue's thoughts. He sent a strand of Soul Power into the Bright Saber-Toothed Tiger's body to prevent it from dying from its severe injuries.

After a while, a spirit beast three meters long was thrown over. Its entire body was pitch-black, covered in strange purple patterns, and it looked both like a lion and a tiger.

Qian Xunji was slightly surprised. "It's actually a Netherworld Lion Tiger Beast."

The Netherworld Lion Tiger Beast was a hybrid species born from a tiger and lion unable to control their lust and forcibly mating. Their numbers were incredibly scarce, and they were among the most top-tier Dark Attribute Spirit Beasts. He had not expected them to capture one of these.

"It is between 1,100 and 1,200 years old, Xiaohan." Qian Xunji quietly watched Qian Renhan, waiting for his decision.

Qian Renhan drew his sword, his eyes holding neither pity nor reluctance. He had lost count of how much spirit beast meat he had eaten. In his eyes, spirit beasts were no different from livestock on Blue Star: either they filled one's stomach or earned money. This one could both increase his strength and fill his stomach.

He slashed the Netherworld Lion Tiger Beast across the neck with his sword. Blood spurted out, and a purple spirit ring floated from its corpse. The entire process was completed in one smooth motion, without a single unnecessary movement.

Qian Renhan then sat cross-legged, released his Fallen Angel Martial Soul, and absorbed the spirit ring. Qian Xunji and the other two stared fixedly at him, ready to intervene and shatter the spirit ring if anything went wrong.

Half an hour later, Qian Renhan opened his eyes, a thousand-year spirit ring circling his body.

Qian Xunji asked with some delight, "Xiaohan, how does it feel?"

Qian Renhan frowned slightly and said with dissatisfaction, "Not very good. This thousand-year spirit ring is still somewhat below my limit. Other than some pain at the beginning, I felt nothing afterward."

Three black lines appeared on the foreheads of Qian Xunji and the others. A first spirit ring of a thousand years, and he was still dissatisfied? He even sounded disdainful.

Qian Renxue, however, was overjoyed. "Brother is amazing! Father, I want a thousand-year spirit ring too!"

When Qian Xunji heard that, he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood and refused firmly, "No!"

"Why?"

"Xiaoxue, your constitution is not as strong as your brother's. You cannot take such a risk. A hundred-year spirit ring will do."

Qian Xunji said gravely. He absolutely could not let Qian Renxue act recklessly. If anything happened to her, Qian Daoliu would skin him alive. It was only a few hundred years of spirit ring age, after all. The Angel Eighth Trial would increase spirit ring age by ten thousand years; this little difference was nothing.

"Xiaoxue, choose a lower age. If you cannot take a thousand-year one, then take a Nine Hundred Years one." Qian Renhan said, rubbing Qian Renxue's soft hair. From the first time he met Bibi Dong, he had roughly guessed from that palm strike just how far Qian Renxue lagged behind him. The risk of a thousand-year spirit ring truly was too great.

PS: I recommend a book, Douluo: The Oath to Guard the Angel