Crystal Mysterious Turtle

"Third Spirit Skill: Demon Fox Transformation."

Hu Liena let out a sharp cry. The purple spirit ring on her body pulsed, and a pink glow enveloped her, causing her aura to surge dramatically. Immediately after, her first yellow spirit ring flickered.

A ball of fox fire appeared in her hand, radiating intense heat. She casually tossed it toward a nearby ancient tree; the flames instantly engulfed the trunk, and within moments, the tree was reduced to a charred log.

"Teacher, my third spirit ring can comprehensively boost my mental power by 50%, attack power by 150%, and speed and strength by 200%. When using the third spirit skill in conjunction with my first, I can achieve over three times my base attack power."

"Nana, not bad."

Bibi Dong was quite satisfied with this spirit skill of Hu Liena's.

"Xiao An, your senior sister is impressive, right?"

Hu Liena asked Shang An with a proud and expectant look.

"Senior sister is amazing!"

While perfunctorily praising Hu Liena, Shang An pondered that if her Demon Fox Martial Soul were to evolve in the future, she might truly become a femme fatale capable of toppling kingdoms, no less than Daji.

As for how to evolve it, that would naturally rely on immortal herbs. In any case, Shang An was certain he would eventually seize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Actually, Shang An didn't hold much malice toward Tang San. At least in the first installment, he was fine. Although in his past life, Tang San was exposed for various hypocrisies and double standards, Shang An considered himself no better than Tang San, aside from the fact that he clearly knew he wasn't a "good person."

Thinking about it carefully, double standards are human nature. People always try to whitewash their own actions; it's just that Tang San managed to deceive himself as well.

Or perhaps, in his own perception, he was the side of justice. After all, having grown up in the Tang Sect, his code of conduct was the so-called Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. He was rigid and stubborn by nature, so such a personality wasn't surprising.

As for the slaughter of the city, one could say that this massacre of the Martial Soul Empire's massive spirit master legions laid the foundation for the victory of the alliance between the two empires and three sects led by Tang San. Moreover, the things he himself had done in a certain Eastern Ocean Small Country were far more ruthless than Tang San's actions.

As for nepotism, that goes without saying. Is there any need to ask whether one's own kin or strangers are more important? As for fairness? There is no such thing as fairness. Why should one wrong oneself for the interests of a group of strangers? Having walked through chaotic times, Shang An saw this very clearly.

It was just that the divine authorities of the various God Kings had once clashed. Although Life Destruction and Goodness Evil were lovers, they couldn't touch, and the Asura God was a bachelor who couldn't produce offspring. The several God Kings checked and balanced each other; otherwise, the state of the God Realm at this time would be a different story.

And even so, didn't Asura often abuse his power for personal gain? Otherwise, how was Tang San resurrected?

As for destroying the Capital of Slaughter and Martial Soul Hall, the former was likely because Tang San didn't want others to obtain the inheritance—which, in Shang An's view, was too petty—and the latter was for avenging his mother, which there was nothing to say about. Different stances dictate different perspectives.

If he were Tang San, he would also choose to destroy Martial Soul Hall, but he would establish a new force to replace it rather than leaving behind a mess.

Beyond these points criticized by netizens in his past life, Tang San actually had merits. Because he lacked love in his past life, he was good to his family and loyal in love in this one. At the very least, Shang An admitted he couldn't manage the "one life, one pair" ideal.

However, since he intended to be his enemy, Shang An didn't care about Tang San's character. Even if he were Mother Mary, if he blocked his path, he would kill him all the same.

As for worrying about Tang San's future threat, Shang An never felt that Tang San could outplay him. This was the confidence of the only cultivator to emerge from the End of Dharma Era.

In terms of talent, he possessed Twin God-Tier Martial Souls and was born with level 20 spirit power.

In terms of appearance, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the most handsome man in the Douluo universe for billions of years.

In terms of cultivation techniques, his Great Freedom True Scripture crushed the so-called internal energy method, Mysterious Heaven Skill.

In terms of talent, he was stunning throughout history, carving out his own path in the End of Dharma Era, while Tang San was still holding onto a copy of the Mysterious Heaven Skill after becoming a god.

Comprehensive suppression. The advantage is mine!

A mere Tang San is nothing to fear.

He suddenly looked up at Chrysanthemum Douluo, his mind turning to other matters.

He didn't have any immortal herbs in his past life; he had plenty of rare flowers and plants, but they were completely different from those on the Douluo Continent. To obtain the immortal herbs, it seemed he would have to rely on the Chrysanthemum Douluo's family heirloom, the Immortal Herb Canon. But there were still a few years left, so there was no rush.

Chrysanthemum Douluo felt a chill under his gaze and subconsciously quickened his pace. The group continued to explore the forest.

"Xiao An, your martial soul is a Gem-Tier Martial Soul. You could become a Control-type or Support-type spirit master. Teacher recommends you take the path of a Control-type spirit master, but the choice is ultimately yours."

"Teacher, I will take the path of a Control-type spirit master."

Shang An naturally followed Bibi Dong's arrangements. Although Support-type spirit masters were highly sought after, Shang An preferred to be strong on his own.

"Very good. Then, Xiao An, do you have any thoughts regarding your spirit rings?"

Bibi Dong looked at Shang An.

"Teacher, I hope my first and second spirit rings are both augmentation-type skills."

"Hmm? Xiao An, tell me why you chose that?"

Bibi Dong was somewhat surprised by Shang An's choice.

"Teacher, as far as I know, low-level attack-type spirit rings are of little use to high-level spirit masters. In the later stages, one rarely uses those low-level skills. But augmentation-type skills remain quite useful even when one reaches the Title Douluo realm."

Shang An explained. At the same time, there was one thing he didn't mention: he possessed the Daoist Magic Inheritance from his past life and did not lack so-called self-created spirit skills. Clearly, augmentation-type skills were better suited for him.

Bibi Dong nodded in understanding. She wouldn't interfere too much with her disciple's own choices; in some respects, she was quite open-minded. As for the lack of attack power in the early stages with such a spirit ring configuration, that was nothing for Martial Soul Hall.

After all, in the grand Martial Soul City, there were countless high-level spirit masters; there was no need for a child like Shang An to go out and kill enemies.

The two discussed the matter of obtaining spirit rings further.

Five days later, "Teacher, it turns out finding a suitable spirit beast is quite difficult!"

Shang An wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to Bibi Dong.

At this moment, Shang An's clothes were tattered, his cute little face was stained with grime, and sweat was streaming down his brow. No matter how strong Shang An once was, he was currently just a six-year-old child.

Even though he had practiced the body-refining technique within the Great Freedom True Scripture, the Taiyi Immortal Origin Body.

However, having lacked resources back at the orphanage, he had barely managed to enter the introductory stage, and after five consecutive days of traveling through the forest, he truly felt quite exhausted.

Previously, Hu Liena had easily found suitable Spirit Beasts, and when he watched Douluo in his past life, the protagonist group also seemed to find them quite effortlessly; he hadn't expected it to become so difficult when it was his turn.

It seemed he still held too much of a "god's-eye view." After all, this was a real world, and he couldn't simply speculate based on the novel. Shang An promptly introspected; such a mindset was undesirable.

"Xiao An, searching for a Spirit Beast is not an easy task. A Spirit Master with bad luck might spend a month or two without finding a suitable one, and given your high requirements, it is normal for it to take more time."

Bibi Dong took a handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped the sweat from Shang An's face. A faint, lingering fragrance from the handkerchief drifted into his nostrils, and Shang An's fatigue seemed to be alleviated.

Putting the handkerchief away, Bibi Dong said.

"It is getting late, so let's rest here for now and continue the search tomorrow."

"Yay!"

Hu Liena spoke before Shang An could. The search over the past few days had been hard on the child. Although Hu Liena was a Soul Elder, her physical body was not strong, and her willpower was not yet sufficiently resilient.

Her current state was even worse than Shang An's; her face was dirty, looking just like a big, smudged cat—or rather, a big, smudged fox.

Afterward, Chrysanthemum Douluo took tents out from his Soul Tool and began to set them up, and Shang An also stepped forward to help. As Title Douluo, protected by their spirit power, Yue Guan and Bibi Dong remained spotless even after spending five days in the forest.

In truth, Bibi Dong's search over these past few days also carried the intent of training her two disciples; after all, disciples could not live under their teacher's wings forever.

And now, Bibi Dong was quite satisfied with both of them, especially Shang An.

Although he was the weakest of the group, he hadn't complained of fatigue once over the past few days. He was so resilient that it even made Bibi Dong feel a bit of heartache, and she truly began to approve of this disciple; otherwise, she would never have used her own handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

Next, the group sat together to eat dry rations. Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and Shang An sat together, while Chrysanthemum Douluo sat slightly further away.

Generally, it is not suitable to light a fire in the Spirit Beast forest to avoid attracting Spirit Beasts. Although they had nothing to fear with Bibi Dong and Chrysanthemum Douluo present, they were using this method to teach their disciples by example.

"Awoo!"

A crisp, resonant roar came from ahead.

"There is a Spirit Beast."

Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately put down his rations and flashed forward to investigate, while Shang An and the others remained seated. After several days, they were already accustomed to this and continued chewing their rations.

When he returned, Chrysanthemum Douluo was holding a blue turtle the size of a millstone.

The turtle was blue-gold in color, its entire body appearing as if crafted from crystal. Its four limbs were not like those of an ordinary turtle; they were relatively slender, and it had a long, powerful tail covered in scales. At this moment, its ferocious head was still struggling, but it was suppressed by Chrysanthemum Douluo's spirit power and could not move.

"Crystal Mysterious Turtle!"