Cannot Forgive Oneself

Especially when it involved Yu Xiaogang, her judgment was more easily swayed by the past.

But now was different.

Lu Chen was by her side.

The passive influence of Leugocyte's martial soul had been suppressing the Rakshasa Evil Thought in her mind.

With that dark, extreme, and chaotic thing suppressed, Bibi Dong felt her thoughts clear for the first time in a long while.

She began to truly examine the issue from the perspective of a Pope.

Not from past affections, nor from obsession, but from facts.

Lu Chen's physical condition was indeed no longer that of an ordinary child.

His martial soul was also indeed not an ordinary martial soul.

Therefore, his spirit ring limit naturally could not be entirely judged by ordinary theory.

Bibi Dong looked at Lu Chen, the anger in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by contemplation.

Lu Chen did not continue to speak.

He knew he had already thrown the question out there.

Next, Bibi Dong would think for herself.

This was the best outcome.

If he had directly pointed out flaws in Yu Xiaogang's theory, or even belittled Yu Xiaogang, it would only have provoked Bibi Dong's displeasure.

But if Bibi Dong discovered the doubts herself, it would be entirely different.

Outside the carriage, the carriage continued to move forward smoothly.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo guarded the outside, unaware that inside the carriage, the master and disciple were engaged in a seemingly simple, yet profoundly influential conversation about spirit ring years.

After a moment, Bibi Dong spoke slowly.

"Your reasoning has some merit."

Lu Chen looked up at her.

Bibi Dong continued, "Your physical condition indeed far exceeds that of ordinary spirit masters, and cannot be judged entirely by ordinary theory."

However, her tone remained serious.

"But five to eight thousand years, or even ten thousand years for the second spirit ring, is still too risky."

Lu Chen did not retort.

"I understand, Teacher."

Bibi Dong looked at his attitude and felt a bit more satisfied.

This child dared to think, but was not reckless. At least in front of her, he did not stubbornly insist.

Bibi Dong said, "The choice of spirit rings needs to be judged based on your actual tolerance. When we reach the Star Dou Forest, I will personally vet it for you."

Lu Chen nodded, "Yes, Teacher."

Bibi Dong glanced at him again.

"However, I will reconsider the question you just raised."

Lu Chen's heart stirred slightly.

He knew this was enough.

As long as Bibi Dong began to doubt the absolute correctness of Yu Xiaogang's theory, then that so-called "white moonlight" filter would have its first crack.

As for what came next, there was no rush.

Take it slow.

Bibi Dong leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, and pondered.

A few days later, the carriage finally arrived at Soul Hunting Town outside the Star Dou Forest.

The journey these past few days had been uneventful.

As the carriage entered the town, Lu Chen lifted the curtain and looked outside.

This place was completely different from Spirit City; there were no neat and solemn buildings, nor were there Spirit Hall knights everywhere.

The streets were mostly lined with inns, taverns, and shops selling soul hunting supplies, and the people coming and going were mostly spirit masters.

Some carried weapons, some still bore the fatigue of just coming out of the forest, and some were discussing in groups about the spirit beasts they planned to hunt.

Lu Chen had initially thought that, according to the conventions of some stories, they might encounter some impudent individuals who would provoke them upon arriving at such a place.

After all, Yue Guan and Gui Mei had concealed their auras, Bibi Dong was not wearing an overly conspicuous Pope's ceremonial robe, and he was merely a child of about six years old.

Unfortunately, until the four of them checked into the inn in town, no fools had actively come forward to cause trouble.

Lu Chen felt a slight regret about this.

However, he then thought that this was actually more normal.

The people of Soul Hunting Town, while not necessarily powerful, mostly lived on the edge of danger, so their eyesight was quite good.

Even without revealing her identity, Bibi Dong possessed an imposing aura that ordinary people lacked.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei appeared calm, but they also gave off an impression of being not to be trifled with.

As long as one wasn't truly out of their mind, they wouldn't provoke them for no reason.

The four rested simply for one night.

The next morning, Bibi Dong, along with Lu Chen, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei, left the town and officially entered the Star Dou Forest.

They didn't linger in the outer regions for long, instead heading directly towards the deeper mixed zone.

The outer regions were mostly inhabited by ten-year and hundred-year spirit beasts. While thousand-year spirit beasts weren't entirely absent, their numbers were few.

Lu Chen's target was a thousand-year spirit beast with dragon bloodline, and if they only searched the outer regions, it would take an unknown amount of time.

Before entering the forest, Bibi Dong once again checked Lu Chen's physical condition.

Along the way, she had already had Lu Chen perform spirit avatar more than once and personally felt the state of his spirit power circulation.

After Lu Chen's spirit avatar, his physical strength, power, and recovery ability were greatly enhanced, far surpassing ordinary level twenty spirit masters.

In terms of physical fitness alone, he had indeed reached the level of a power attack type Soul Ancestor.

Bibi Dong remained very cautious about this conclusion.

Being able to withstand it physically did not necessarily mean he could successfully absorb it, but at least it showed that Lu Chen's request was not without basis.

Her repeated checks these past few days were also to rule out possibilities such as superficial spirit power or temporary physical strain from spirit avatar.

The final result was that Lu Chen's powerful physique was not a temporary state, but a foundation truly bestowed upon him by his spirit.

This was why she was willing to consider his almost absurd idea as a viable option to seriously attempt.

This also meant that, if successful, Lu Chen would possess a starting point far exceeding ordinary spirit masters from his very first spirit ring.

It was precisely because of this that she had not continued to restrict Lu Chen by the standards of an ordinary spirit master.

However, before truly entering the Star Dou Forest, Bibi Dong still stopped and looked at him seriously.

"Xiao Chen, I'll ask you one last time."

Lu Chen looked up, "Please speak, Teacher."

"Are you sure you want to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring?"

Bibi Dong's voice was calm, but her eyes were exceptionally serious.

"Once spirit ring absorption begins, it is difficult for outsiders to help you. Although your physical condition is strong enough, the power within the spirit ring is not just a physical impact."

"The residual will of the spirit beast, the repulsion of spirit power, and whether the spirit and the spirit ring can perfectly fit can all affect the outcome."

Lu Chen nodded.

"Teacher, I have already made up my mind."

Bibi Dong did not immediately agree with this answer, but continued to ask, "Even if you endure pain far exceeding an ordinary first spirit ring during the process, you do not regret it?"

"I do not regret it."

"Even if there is a possibility of failure?"

"I am willing to try."

Lu Chen answered very earnestly.

He knew, of course, that absorbing spirit rings beyond his level was dangerous, but he was not taking a risk without any basis.

The physical improvement brought by the Leugocyte spirit far exceeded the norm, and his innate level twenty spirit power also gave him a far superior spirit power foundation compared to ordinary spirit masters.

If he possessed such conditions and still only absorbed a first spirit ring of around four hundred years, he himself would not be able to accept it.