Yu Xiaogang Gets Slapped in the Face

Yu Xiaogang slowly regained consciousness, though his face remained pale. Fortunately, Tang San had already neutralized the Mandala Snake's poison.

He opened his eyes and immediately looked at Tang San with concern: "Little San, how did the spirit ring absorption go?"

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang was alright, Tang San finally felt at ease.

He then channeled his spirit power, and a yellow, century-level spirit ring rose from beneath his feet. He gave a low shout: "First Spirit Skill, Bind!"

Several thick stalks of Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, rapidly wrapping around a nearby sapling and binding it firmly.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang ignored his injuries and rushed over to examine it closely, though his brows furrowed slightly:

"The strength and speed of the Bind have reached the level of a century-level spirit ring, perhaps even better..."

"However, it seems the Mandala Snake's most characteristic neurotoxin was not inherited."

His tone carried a hint of undisguised regret: "What a pity. If it had carried the toxin, your Blue Silver Grass's control ability would have reached an entirely new level."

Tang San fell silent. He had felt it too; although the Blue Silver Grass's binding skill was decent, he felt something was missing.

He couldn't help but recall how the Mandala Snake had suddenly slowed down, and his gaze subconsciously flickered toward Gu Han, who stood to the side.

Yu Xiaogang sighed, pushing his disappointment aside for the moment, and looked at Gu Han:

"Gu Han, your spirit is a mutated one, so I cannot be certain what kind of spirit ring you require."

"However, since we are here, let us help you find a suitable one. Even if it is only a ten-year ring, it will allow you to officially become a Spirit Master."

I have never seen Gu Han's spirit in any records, Yu Xiaogang thought to himself. His temperament is unpredictable, and he seems to have some friction with Little San.

Since he is unwilling to take me as his master, finding him a random ten-year spirit ring to help him advance will fulfill my responsibility for bringing him to the Soul Hunting Forest and prevent any gossip.

Gu Han caught the subtle expression on the Master's face and the hidden intent behind his words, and he sneered inwardly.

He spoke with a calm expression: "There is no need to trouble yourself, Master. I already have my spirit ring."

With that, amidst the astonished gazes of Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and Xiao Wu—who had just run over—Gu Han slowly raised his right hand.

The phantom of the Karma Scissors, wrapped in golden threads, slowly emerged.

At the same time, a deep purple spirit ring rose from beneath his feet, radiating a heart-stopping surge of spirit power.

"A... a thousand-year spirit ring!" Yu Xiaogang gasped, his mouth hanging open wide enough to swallow an apple. The color drained from his face instantly, making him look even worse than when he had been poisoned.

"How is this possible! How could the first spirit ring be a thousand-year one?! Are you... are you human or a spirit beast?"

One of the Ten Core Competencies of Spirits that he had spent his entire life researching was the theory regarding the limits of spirit ring absorption.

Gu Han absorbing a thousand-year ring as his first one completely overturned his understanding, turning the theory he was so proud of into a complete joke!

Tang San's pupils also constricted sharply. He clenched his fists, feeling utterly shocked.

The first spirit ring is a thousand-year one? How did he do it?

Didn't Teacher tell me that the maximum limit for anyone's first spirit ring is just over four hundred years? In the history of Spirit Masters, there has absolutely never been a case where the first ring was a thousand-year one.

Could it be that the theories Teacher has always insisted upon are wrong? Or perhaps the theories he taught me are all fake? At this moment, Tang San's heart was in turmoil, and he even began to doubt his teacher.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for causing Yu Xiaogang's worldview to collapse! Reward: 200 Magic Modification Points.]

[Congratulations to the host for making Tang San doubt Yu Xiaogang. Reward: 50 Magic Modification Points.]

Xiao Wu covered her small mouth with one hand, her eyes filled with a trace of fear: "Gu Han, you... where did your spirit ring come from?"

Gu Han noticed the fear in Xiao Wu's eyes, but he offered no explanation, simply retracting his spirit and spirit ring with a calm expression. The goal of slapping them in the face had been achieved; he would let Yu Xiaogang and the others figure out the rest themselves.

It seems Xiao Wu has misunderstood. I'll find an excuse to explain it to her later.

On the way back to Nuoding Academy, the atmosphere was heavy. Yu Xiaogang was deeply shaken by the fact that Gu Han's first spirit ring was a thousand-year one and remained silent the entire journey.

Tang San was preoccupied with his own thoughts, occasionally casting wary glances at Gu Han.

Xiao Wu was also unusually quiet, appearing somewhat dejected.

Just as they were about to exit the boundaries of the Soul Hunting Forest, their vigilance slightly lowered...

"ROAR!"

A violent beast roar exploded from the forest to their side, and a Thorn Boar with blood-red eyes charged out.

It seemed to have been provoked by something, and it charged recklessly toward Xiao Wu, who was closest to it. Its two sharp tusks glinted with a cold light!

"Xiao Wu, watch out!" Gu Han reacted instantly, as his Karma Scissors had already predicted this danger in advance.

Xiao Wu was still lost in her dejection and hadn't reacted in time. Gu Han lunged forward, pushing Xiao Wu hard behind him while crossing his arms in front of his chest to block the impact.

"BANG!"

A dull thud echoed through the air.

Although Gu Han had defended in time, the force of the Thorn Boar's charge was immense. He felt a tightness in his chest and a sweet taste in his throat. He was knocked back several steps, and the sharp thorns on the boar's body left several bloody gashes on his arms, blood instantly staining his sleeves.

"Gu Han!" After being pushed away, Xiao Wu regained her footing. Seeing Gu Han injured while saving her, she let out a cry of alarm and rushed forward to support him, her face filled with anxiety and worry. "Are you okay? You're bleeding!"

The crazed Thorn Boar tried to attack again, but Tang San, having recovered, used his Blue Silver Grass to Bind it temporarily, while the Master gathered his remaining strength to command Luo Sanpao to drive it away.

"I'm fine, just a flesh wound." Gu Han shook his head, signaling for Xiao Wu to let go.

Xiao Wu ignored him, insisting on taking a clean handkerchief from her small satchel to carefully wipe the blood from his arm. Her eyes turned slightly red, and her tone was filled with concern: "Thank you, Gu Han. Why did you jump in front of it like that?"

After this selfless rescue, Xiao Wu was clearly much closer to and more reliant on Gu Han, and the frustration she had felt over her spirit ring had vanished without a trace.

Tang San watched from the side as Xiao Wu fussed over Gu Han, and for some reason, he felt an intense sense of discomfort in his heart.

The group finally returned to Nuoding Academy without further incident.

However, just as they approached Dorm Seven, they heard a burst of arrogant shouting from inside, followed by the stifled, angry voices of the work-study students.

"Wang Sheng, are you lot looking for another beating?"

A group of senior students, led by Xiao Chenyu, were blocking the entrance to Dorm Seven, aggressively shouting at Wang Sheng and the other work-study students inside.

Gu Han watched this scene, then glanced at the wound on his arm that had already stopped bleeding, his eyes turning cold.

"It seems some people just never learn."