No one had expected such an outcome.
Faced with the Forest Demon Ape, even Tang San and the Grandmaster had thought of fleeing first.
After all, Tang San's First Spirit Ability, unleashed after absorbing the Mandala Snake Spirit Ring, had been shattered by the Forest Demon Ape in an instant.
One could only imagine how powerful the Forest Demon Ape was.
But who could have expected it?
Ye Chen charged straight at the Forest Demon Ape's face.
This...
This was practically a challenge to the Forest Demon Ape's authority.
Moreover, Ye Chen's Martial Soul was the Nine Spirits Begonia.
Others did not recognize it, but the Grandmaster did.
"Is this child's Martial Soul the Nine Heart Begonia?"
"But... it's only a Support Spirit. How could he dare face the Forest Demon Ape..." The Grandmaster was anxious. He did not even have time to speak. If Ye Chen and Ning Rongrong were killed, he and Tang San would have to flee as well.
They stood no chance against the Forest Demon Ape!
Tang San looked at the Forest Demon Ape and could not help but feel powerless.
He had many trump cards.
But against the Forest Demon Ape, not only was Blue Silver Grass ineffective, even his Hidden Weapons would probably be useless.
The Forest Demon Ape possessed tremendous attack power and equally formidable Defense Power.
Ye Chen was truly ruthless to dare charge directly before the Forest Demon Ape.
Without the slightest hesitation, Tang San activated his First Spirit Ability again and pulled Ning Rongrong away. He could not save Ye Chen, but he could save Ning Rongrong.
"Rongrong."
Ye Chen turned around and saw Tang San.
Tang San looked at Ye Chen as well and gave a slight nod.
Ye Chen relaxed. Then he threw a punch at the Forest Demon Ape's head.
There was only a deafening bang...
Boom!!!
The entire forest seemed to explode.
The Forest Demon Ape's massive body was sent flying.
And that was not all.
That punch
had smashed a huge crater into the Forest Demon Ape's face.
Then the Forest Demon Ape collapsed onto the ground, barely clinging to life.
Ye Chen had defeated the Forest Demon Ape with a single blow.
The entire area fell silent.
Every Spirit Beast nearby scattered.
Tang San, the Grandmaster, and Ning Rongrong stared blankly at the scene.
The Grandmaster in particular was shocked beyond measure.
What had just happened?!
That was... an instant kill!
Ye Chen had instantly killed a four-hundred-year Spirit Beast!
What kind of power was that...
The Grandmaster could barely remain standing. His theories might have been unmatched, but he had never seen anything so heaven-defying.
A Support System Soul Master had instantly killed a Power System Spirit Beast with one punch?
And it was a creature that possessed both immense power and defense.
This was simply... unscientific.
The Grandmaster rubbed his eyes and could not help saying, "Did... did I see that wrong?"
"A four-hundred-year Forest Demon Ape was instantly killed..."
Tang San stood beside him with his mouth agape. Just now, he had thought through every possible battle plan, and every one of them had failed.
The only plan had been to sacrifice Ye Chen and save Ning Rongrong.
Yet he could not have imagined the Forest Demon Ape being crushed like this.
And with only one punch!
Ye Chen was a Support System Soul Master, while he was a Control System Soul Master. Was the gap between them really this great?
"Teacher, you didn't see it wrong..."
"The Forest Demon Ape was defeated, and he didn't even use any Spirit Skills. He relied solely on the strength of his physical body." Tang San could not imagine how Ye Chen had done it.
There was only one explanation: Ye Chen was too strong!
Then a figure threw herself into Ye Chen's arms.
It was Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong revealed a faint smile. Though she had been worried, she had complete faith in Ye Chen.
Ye Chen had created another miracle!
If she told her father when she returned home, he would probably be delighted for quite a while.
"I told you, as long as I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you." Ye Chen smiled and rubbed Ning Rongrong's long hair. In his eyes, Ning Rongrong was like his little sister.
"Mm... I know." Ning Rongrong nodded lightly, her cheeks flushed red.
Ye Chen casually took Ning Rongrong's hand, walked forward, and bowed slightly toward the Grandmaster and Tang San.
"Ye Chen, disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, level ten Support System Soul Master, greets you, Senior." Ye Chen had seen Tang San help him and protect Ning Rongrong just now.
"Ning Rongrong, disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, level ten Support System Soul Master, greets you, Senior," Ning Rongrong said softly, dipping into a slight curtsy.
"Tang San, an eleventh-level Control System Soul Master from Nuoding Academy," Tang San said with a smile.
"They all call me Grandmaster." The Grandmaster looked at Ye Chen and Ning Rongrong with undisguised admiration.
And he also knew...
Ning Rongrong was the Young Miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Still, there was a trace of curiosity in the Grandmaster's gaze as he looked at Ye Chen.
That was because Ye Chen's impact on him had been too great.
A Support System Soul Master had defeated a Forest Demon Ape. It was simply unbelievable.
That could only mean Ye Chen's strength surpassed that Forest Demon Ape's!
"Grandmaster, I'll let Rongrong absorb the Spirit Ring first," Ye Chen said. This Forest Demon Ape's Spirit Ring was very important to Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong nodded gently, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at Ye Chen.
"No."
"The limit for a Spirit Master's First Spirit Ring is 423 years. This Forest Demon Ape is already a four-hundred-year Spirit Beast. If Ning Rongrong absorbs it, there may be danger."
The Grandmaster spoke with a grave expression.
Support System Soul Masters were generally physically weaker. If they absorbed a Spirit Ring at the limit of their endurance, they could suffer backlash if they failed to withstand it.
Hearing the Grandmaster's words, Ye Chen looked at Ning Rongrong.
He did not want Ning Rongrong to suffer any harm.
"Then we won't absorb this Spirit Ring. I'll find another one for you," Ye Chen said as he looked at Ning Rongrong.
"No." Ning Rongrong pouted and shook her head.
"I can't let you take that risk. From now on, I'll protect you," Ye Chen said. He knew Ning Rongrong was stubborn, but he could not let her absorb a dangerous Spirit Ring.
"What am I to you? Why do I need your protection?" Ning Rongrong looked at Ye Chen and lowered her head.
"You're my... friend." Ye Chen smiled. "If you want, you can also be my little sister. I've never met my family. Having a little sister like you would be nice."
"Little sister?" Ning Rongrong looked at Ye Chen. For some reason, a faint sense of disappointment welled up in her heart.
"Whatever you like is fine." Ning Rongrong raised her beautiful eyes. She knew how Ye Chen felt about having no parents. During this time, she and Ye Chen had gradually become closer.
"Big brother, then you'll have to protect me well from now on." Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly. She was only six years old and still understood little about feelings. Being Ye Chen's little sister seemed rather nice too.
Because only by Ye Chen's side did she feel that unique sense of safety. It was as if, with Ye Chen around, she would not need to worry about anything.
Ye Chen's eyes grew slightly moist as he took Ning Rongrong's hand.
He was only six as well and did not understand feelings any better. Perhaps having a little sister was the greatest happiness of his life.
"But I have to absorb this Spirit Ring."
"Big brother, you want to protect me, but... I have to become stronger too, so I can protect you."
"You're also my only big brother." Ning Rongrong looked at Ye Chen, determination filling her eyes. How could she retreat in the face of hardship? She had come here to improve alongside Ye Chen.
"Grandmaster, can someone with Innate Full Soul Power absorb a four-hundred-year Spirit Ring?" Ye Chen looked at the Grandmaster, still worried.
"Someone with Innate Full Soul Power can, but it still depends on their physical constitution," the Grandmaster said, looking at Ye Chen and Ning Rongrong with a trace of shock in his heart.
Ye Chen was only six years old. Could he also possess Innate Full Soul Power?
Tang San glanced at them, feeling somewhat envious as he involuntarily thought of Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu was still at the academy, wasn't she...
Not long after meeting her for the first time, Tang San had felt as though his life had changed completely.
"Rongrong and I are both level ten. I believe you can do it." Ye Chen held Ning Rongrong's hand and spoke earnestly.
"Big brother, wait for me."
"If I succeed in absorbing it, I can help you obtain your First Spirit Ring too." Ning Rongrong smiled with pursed lips and released the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. After killing the Forest Demon Ape, she began absorbing its Spirit Ring.
Ye Chen stood guard for Ning Rongrong.
Before they knew it, an entire day and night passed quietly.
The Grandmaster and Tang San silently remained beside Ye Chen.
This time, both the Grandmaster and Tang San had suffered minor injuries.
"Thank you for your guidance, Grandmaster. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared let Rongrong absorb the Spirit Ring." Ye Chen looked at the Grandmaster. Rongrong was his only friend, and now she was also his little sister.
He did not want Ning Rongrong to suffer any harm.
Not even the slightest harm.
"As repayment, I'll help treat your wounds." Ye Chen smiled. He was clear about gratitude and grudges. Tang San and the Grandmaster had both shown him kindness.
"Nine Spirits Begonia, heal."
Pale white flowers appeared in Ye Chen's hand and floated around Tang San and the Grandmaster.
Without a Spirit Ring, the healing effect was greatly reduced, but it was enough to treat minor injuries.
When he heard that name,
the Grandmaster froze in place and stared at Ye Chen.
He... had not misheard, had he?
Nine Spirits Begonia...
It was actually Nine Spirits Begonia?
"Little Chen, is your Martial Soul the Nine Spirits Begonia?" The Grandmaster looked at Ye Chen and rose directly to his feet.
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Ye Chen asked.
"The Nine Spirits Begonia... only appeared after the Nine Heart Begonia mutated."
"No matter how many Spirit Rings the Nine Heart Begonia possesses, it has only one Spirit Skill: group healing. Such a Support Spirit is in no way inferior to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"If I'm not mistaken, can the mutated Nine Spirits Begonia also enhance strength?" The Grandmaster looked at Ye Chen, his eyes filled with shock.
If Tang San had given the Grandmaster a pleasant surprise,
then Ye Chen's appearance had left him utterly stunned.
Heavens...
This was a Martial Soul that had never appeared on the continent before!
After all, the Nine Heart Begonia itself was already extremely rare.
The Nine Spirits Begonia was utterly one of a kind!
Ye Chen... was not merely a genius.
He was an absolute monster!
A peerless monster seen only once in a thousand ages!!!
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