The Crown's Supportive Effect

It looked as though he had simply unleashed a powerful attack, but only he knew what was really going on.

First, its range was definitely greater than what he had just demonstrated.

Second, Spirit Roar was certainly powerful, but it wasn't as simple or crude as it appeared. Besides being able to split mountains and shatter rocks, its waves also carried Qian Yun's mental power. Even if someone could withstand Spirit Roar in the future, they would still be hit by his mental attack.

Spirit Roar could also weaken an opponent's defenses. This was especially effective against Martial Souls like that boulder's, which had maxed out their defensive capabilities. In that case, Spirit Roar's effect was immediate.

If Qian Yun wanted, he could even use Star Power to extend Spirit Roar's range and make it even more powerful.

Unfortunately, such a formidable Spirit Skill came at a staggering cost. After just one use, nearly a third of Qian Yun's Soul Power at level twelve had been depleted.

Attacks like this also had the same weakness as an arrow: a hit dealt massive damage, but a miss did no damage at all.

Its margin for error was a little too small, but if he could catch his opponent off guard, Spirit Roar's speed and power would surely make them pay dearly.

Getting down the mountain was just as direct. Yue Guan took Qian Yun and leaped off the cliff. In the blink of an eye, the two of them had landed in the camp.

Hu Liena, who had been waiting for them for a long time, hurried over. "How did it go, Qian Yun? Did everything go smoothly?"

Qian Yun simply showed her the golden-yellow Spirit Ring beneath his feet, a sign of a hundred years of cultivation.

Seeing him, Hu Liena knew he had succeeded. Judging by the look of things, he must have gained a pretty good Spirit Skill, too.

"That's wonderful!" Hu Liena beamed with joy. She looked even happier than she would have been if she had gained a Spirit Ring herself.

"Yeah." Perhaps her happiness was contagious; Qian Yun couldn't suppress his excitement either. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Yue Guan, who was giving orders.

In truth, what Qian Yun had demonstrated on the mountaintop might not have been the greatest reward from this trip. The Star Power he had gained while absorbing the Spirit Ring was the real prize!

His First Spirit Ring had indeed granted him an offensive Spirit Skill, but Star Power also had considerable supportive effects. With the Crown enhancing it, the boost could only be more astonishing.

However, he couldn't reveal everything. He would have to explore the effects of Star Power and the Crown's strengths on his own.

The next day

Qian Yun and his group finally began their journey back. Their mission had been a complete success. Both Hu Liena and Qian Yun had gained a great deal, especially Qian Yun, who had returned with a veritable trove of rewards.

A few days later

When the carriage rolled back into Spirit City, the clamor of street vendors and the throngs of people on the streets made Qian Yun and Hu Liena feel as if they had stepped back into another life.

"Qian Yun, this is the first time I've really seen Spirit City. It's so lively! How about we go explore together sometime?" Hu Liena stood on tiptoe, her little face pressed against the window as she gazed at the dazzling array of shops. Her eyes sparkled.

Qian Yun had no objection, of course. They hadn't been members of Spirit Hall for long, though, and didn't have much savings to spend.

"Shopping costs money, doesn't it? And from what I know, things in Spirit City tend to be more expensive than elsewhere. The few coins we have won't be nearly enough."

Hu Liena's smile froze for a moment. She pursed her lips. "I never said we had to spend money. We can just look without buying anything."

Qian Yun glanced at her in surprise, but said nothing more. "All right. We'll go explore together sometime."

There were so many people in the city that even Spirit Hall's convoy, which usually moved unimpeded, could only crawl along like a tortoise.

Hu Liena glanced at him. "But we don't have to be completely penniless. Once we register with Spirit Hall, we'll officially become Spirit Masters and get paid every month. As long as we don't splurge, we'll have enough to go shopping now and then."

Qian Yun closed his book and asked, as though hinting at something, "Then tell me, if almost every Spirit Master on the continent gets paid by Spirit Hall, will they feel grateful to Spirit Hall?"

Hu Liena tilted her head. "Well... probably? Even if they don't like Spirit Hall, they probably wouldn't go around badmouthing us. There's a saying: 'You take the food and eat it, then put down your bowl and curse your mother.' People shouldn't be that hypocritical, right?"

Qian Yun smiled. "You never know."

The carriage rolled past the noisy crowds, and at last everything grew quiet again. Qian Yun knew they must have arrived at Pope Hall.

After a mission, they naturally had to report to their superiors. Yue Guan was doing just that.

"Your Holiness, I've taken care of all the arrangements for this operation. The Spirit Beast's corpse has been assigned to a specialist for recovery, and both Qian Yun and Hu Liena safely obtained their First Spirit Rings, each a hundred years old. They are now officially Spirit Masters of Spirit Hall." Yue Guan spoke with a bow before the lofty throne.

Bibi Dong held a report delicately in her hand. "I know the details. You did well this time. You may leave."

"Yes." Yue Guan bowed and slowly withdrew.

Once he was gone, Bibi Dong finally lifted her gaze from the report to the two children. "Xiao Yun, Xiao Na, first of all, congratulations on officially becoming Spirit Masters. From the moment you step into the world of Spirit Masters, you gain the opportunity to see a much wider world, but you'll also face dangers beyond anything an ordinary person can imagine. So I hope you'll remain patient, work hard at your cultivation, and live up to all that Pope Hall has done to nurture you."

"We'll work hard, Teacher!"

Bibi Dong nodded. "Yes. Your teacher believes in your resolve." Then she continued, her voice a little softer this time. "But jade must be carved to become a useful object. So, for the next few years, I'll send you to study. Once you've gained some strength and experience, you can take up official positions at Pope Hall."

"Study? Are we going to a Soul Master Academy?" Qian Yun asked.

Bibi Dong shook her head. "No. The Soul Master Academies outside are rife with bad influences and don't meet my standards."

From what she said, Qian Yun guessed she meant the academies for noble Spirit Masters, such as Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

"So I don't plan to send you to one of those so-called Soul Master Academies. You'll study here at Pope Hall, with a specialist assigned to teach you." Bibi Dong finally revealed her plans.

After all, as the faith of Spirit Masters across the continent and the ultimate authority in their world, Spirit Hall was sure to teach more than any Soul Master Academy could.

"Yes."

That night

Qian Yun and Hu Liena arrived at a Training Room. It was quiet, with only the chirping of insects outside.

Watching Qian Yun move about mysteriously, Hu Liena asked, puzzled, "Why did you bring me here? You're being so sneaky, and whenever I ask, you refuse to tell me."

Faced with her questions, Qian Yun finally came clean. "Don't rush me. I've noticed that my Martial Soul seems to have changed after absorbing my First Spirit Ring."

"Huh? Changed?" At the mention of Martial Souls, Hu Liena was wide awake and immediately perked up.

"Yeah, but don't worry. I think it's a good change," Qian Yun said.

"What do you mean by a good change?"

This time, Qian Yun shook his head. "I'm not sure. I feel like my Martial Soul has gained a supportive effect. So I want you to release your Martial Soul, then I'll transfer my Soul Power to you and see what you experience."

"Oh... I get it. I release my Martial Soul, then use a Spirit Skill with your help, right?" Hu Liena was quick-witted and understood what Qian Yun meant after just a few words.

Hu Liena turned around. "Go ahead."

Qian Yun didn't hesitate. A Crown appeared between his brows. At that moment, he felt as if everything around him had become exceptionally clear. He could even sense the elemental fluctuations in the room.

Hu Liena, standing before him, completed her Martial Soul Possession as well. Unlike his tool-type Martial Soul, a Beast Martial Soul manifested through changes to the user's body.

Qian Yun looked at the pair of soft fox ears atop Hu Liena's head and felt an urge to reach out and give them a squeeze, but he knew this wasn't the time.

He gathered his Soul Power and placed both hands against Hu Liena's back. His Soul Power, infused with Star Power, flowed slowly into her through her slender shoulders.

"Ah!" As soon as Qian Yun's Soul Power entered her body, Hu Liena felt her Martial Soul instantly come alive! A mysterious glint, unique to the starry sky, appeared in her open eyes, and a tail quietly emerged behind her.

The transformation startled Qian Yun, the one responsible, so badly that he jumped. Hu Liena looked just like a fox spirit about to reveal her true form in a novel. "Xiao Na, are you all right?"

"Phew, Qian Yun... I'm fine. No, I feel better than ever." Hu Liena's voice trembled slightly.

"Hm?" As Qian Yun wondered what was happening, he felt a pink wave of light shoot outward in every direction, with the two of them at its center. Almost instantly, the chirping of insects and croaking of frogs outside came to an abrupt stop.

"What is this..." Qian Yun stared at Hu Liena's back in confusion. The Hu Liena before him seemed somehow unfamiliar. More accurately, she was clearly much stronger than before. This change in how he perceived her wasn't due solely to the strength of her Soul Power, but to her Martial Soul!

Hu Liena's Martial Soul was now more than a whole level stronger than it had been before!

Fortunately, the wave of light didn't last long. After a few moments, Hu Liena withdrew her Martial Soul, and Qian Yun did the same when he saw her do it. At last, everything around them returned to normal.

"Come on, follow me!" Hu Liena quickly grabbed the still-bewildered Qian Yun and dragged him outside.

The moment they stepped out, Qian Yun felt a chill run down his spine. The ground was covered with insects lying in heaps, and several frogs floated belly-up in the pond nearby. All life had vanished from the summer evening. Only an eerie silence remained.

"W-was this all your doing?" Qian Yun asked Hu Liena, stunned.

Hu Liena giggled, pointed to herself, then to Qian Yun, and emphasized, "We did it together. Look."

Hu Liena picked up a grasshopper from the ground. Only when Qian Yun looked closely did he realize they weren't dead; some force had merely immobilized them.