Star Dou Great Forest

"Ling'er, you've improved a lot lately. You've practically mastered seven or eight tenths of the techniques in your first Spirit Skill, haven't you?" Bibi Dong casually asked as she looked at her increasingly handsome disciple.

"You see clearly, Teacher. I've comprehended roughly seventy percent of the swordsmanship within the first Spirit Skill, but I still can't fully learn its strongest secret sword technique or his mental state."

Wu Ling calmly admitted something that would have shocked anyone else: in just two and a half years, he had learned seventy percent of a martial technique that others spent their entire lives practicing.

In only two and a half years, he had learned seventy percent of what Sasaki Kojiro had practiced for decades. His Martial Soul deserved much of the credit. The ability to gain all the abilities of a Heroic Spirit, including its techniques, after being possessed by its phantom was simply too overpowered.

Wu Ling's learning state was like someone handing him the train of thought, methods, and formulas for solving a problem, while constantly demonstrating how to use them.

Even an ordinary person could learn twice as effectively in such a state, let alone someone as talented as Wu Ling.

As for the remaining thirty percent Wu Ling had yet to learn, part of it consisted of secret sword techniques that his physical condition could not yet support. The other part was because his mind could not yet match Kojiro's state of quiet cultivation in the forest.

In gaming terms, the three inherent skills of Mind's Eye, Transparency, and Comprehensive Insights could currently only reach D rank. They were useful, but their effects left much to be desired.

"Don't be modest. You're already very impressive. With your current strength, enough to force out Gui Mei's first Spirit Skill, even an ordinary three-ring Soul Elder wouldn't be your match. And from what I can see, your Soul Power is almost at level twenty, isn't it?"

"Yes, Teacher. I can sense it. As long as I cultivate for another three or four days, or spend an entire day refining Soul Power, I'll reach level twenty."

Bibi Dong was not particularly surprised by Wu Ling's advancement in Soul Power. After all, she had also possessed Innate Full Soul Power, and she knew how quickly those with Innate Full Soul Power cultivated in the early stages.

Bibi Dong stepped forward and played with Wu Ling's black hair, a trace of gentleness spreading across her face. This had become her favorite way to relax over the past two years.

"Good. There's no need to rush these few days. Just cultivate as usual. Although I now control more than ninety percent of Spirit Hall, behind that remaining fraction stand several restless Elders.

"Even with Gui Mei and Yue Guan protecting you, showing yourself too soon would still make you an easy target. Just focus on cultivating. Once you reach level twenty in a few days, I'll have Gui Mei accompany you to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt a Spirit Ring."

Enduring Bibi Dong's teasing, Wu Ling replied, "Understood, Teacher."

After Bibi Dong had played enough, she turned and returned to her chair. Ghost Douluo concealed himself, while Chrysanthemum Douluo appropriately took his place behind Bibi Dong.

"Come, Ling'er. Today, I'll test your knowledge of top-tier Martial Souls."

Ten minutes later, Wu Ling passed the questioning under Bibi Dong's satisfied gaze.

"Yue Guan, you've taught him well."

Standing behind Bibi Dong, Yue Guan covered his mouth and laughed. "Not at all, not at all. Your Holiness flatters me. It's because Wu Ling is not only talented, but also diligent. The way he throws himself into studying has nearly drained me dry. In another year or two, his store of knowledge may catch up to mine."

Although Yue Guan's method of praise was somewhat strange, it was still praise. Bibi Dong happily ignored part of his wording.

"Good. Show me Swallow Reversal once more today."

Wu Ling nodded, spread open his palm, and summoned the Unregistered Spirit Origin. Then he used his first Spirit Skill, allowing Sasaki Kojiro's phantom to possess him.

In an instant, Wu Ling's entire bearing changed. Bibi Dong could clearly sense his calmness, one that remained unshaken even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

"Every time I see Wu Ling in this state, I can't help but praise that swordsman. Such a Mirror of Still Water state of mind cannot be achieved through talent alone."

As Bibi Dong praised him, Wu Ling cried, "Swallow Reversal!" Three slashes from different directions appeared before Bibi Dong almost simultaneously.

After using Swallow Reversal, Wu Ling was in terrible condition. The possession dissipated, his entire body ached, his limbs went weak, and he could not even sweat.

"Teacher, this third slash... is harder than the first two combined."

Wu Ling spoke in broken phrases as he trembled where he stood. Bibi Dong merely waved a hand, and her immense Soul Power directly lifted Wu Ling and placed him into a prepared wooden barrel.

"Good. Since that's the case, I won't disturb your rest. After you return from the Star Dou Great Forest in a few days, come see me again and bring me good news."

"Farewell, Teacher."

From inside the barrel, Wu Ling bowed toward Bibi Dong's retreating back. Before Yue Guan left, he threw Wu Ling a flirtatious glance. After two and a half years together, Wu Ling had long grown accustomed to it, so he merely smiled at Yue Guan's look...

Four days passed in the blink of an eye. After cultivating through the night, Wu Ling finally raised his Soul Power to level twenty.

Wu Ling got up and stretched. When he stepped outside, he happened to see a half-circle sun "climbing" into the sky.

Then, quite naturally, Wu Ling insisted on entering the kitchen despite the servants' attempts to stop him, and made himself breakfast.

After enjoying his breakfast, Yue Guan arrived. Sensing Wu Ling's completely undisguised level-twenty Soul Power, Yue Guan was somewhat surprised.

"Truly worthy of Innate Full Soul Power. Even if he only spent a third of each day cultivating, he reached level twenty in merely two and a half years.

"If he ignored theory and combat experience and devoted himself entirely to refining Soul Power, he probably wouldn't even need two years to reach level twenty."

After Yue Guan finished sighing, he went out and called Gui Mei over.

"Wu Ling has reached level twenty. According to the Pope's instructions from a few days ago, I'll leave him to you now."

"Mm. Don't worry. Nothing will happen."

That day was the only day in two and a half years when Wu Ling did not attend lessons.

Spirit City lay between the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire, so it was also very close to the Star Dou Great Forest. With Ghost Douluo, an agility-type Soul Master, leading the way, Ghost Douluo and Wu Ling reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest by dusk.

The closer they came to the Star Dou Great Forest, the more Wu Ling could feel the moisture in the air increasing and the temperature dropping.

When Wu Ling finally stood outside the Star Dou Great Forest and looked upon its darkness, his still-low-level Mind's Eye took effect. Within that forest, where even light could not penetrate, lurked a great danger capable of threatening his life.

So, he made a decision.

"Grandpa Ghost, let's go. Tonight, we're entering the Star Dou Great Forest!"