第6章 第二魂技

It was unclear how much time had passed.

The first rays of sunlight shone in through the window.

When Yue Ling woke up, he found himself in a green medicinal barrel. On a nearby table sat a white robe and a small ring.

He tried to move, but the sensation of his flesh and meridians being torn apart made him gasp in pain.

Forcing himself to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring with only twenty levels of spirit power had been a massive stretch, but fortunately, he had succeeded.

Yue Ling felt a lingering sense of trepidation before scanning his surroundings.

"Where is this, anyway?"

Just as he was lost in thought, Elder Xuan walked in from another room, stretching his back and squinting his eyes, clearly just having woken up.

The wooden house was designed with extreme simplicity, lacking even decent furniture.

"Ha... munch, munch."

"Kid, you scared the life out of me. You nearly exploded from absorbing that spirit ring. That tearing sensation in your flesh isn't pleasant, is it?"

"Teacher, why are you here!"

"Don't be ridiculous! This is my home. You'll cultivate here from now on. Wait until you're old enough to enroll, and if you need anything, go find Zhang Lexuan on the other side."

"By the way, can you cook?"

Yue Ling proudly patted his chest at the question, but the sharp pain caused by the movement made him wince.

"Don't worry, of course I can cook. What would you like to eat, Master?"

Elder Xuan's eyes lit up, though he looked somewhat regretful, and he pointed toward the main room.

"Next time. There are ingredients in the kitchen's spirit tool, and there's rice and flour there too. Cook for yourself when you're hungry. I'll return once a month to see how your cultivation is coming along; you can come find me then if you run into anything you don't understand."

"Understood, Teacher!"

Elder Xuan carefully examined Yue Ling's body before waving his hand.

"Focus on healing. Don't do something like that again; I don't want the disciple I just took to die in an accident!"

Yue Ling nodded heavily, a sense of annoyance and lingering fear rising in his heart.

Indeed, he had exceeded the limit by a full five hundred years. Despite the physical improvements from the Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum, his physique had been left incredibly frail.

Carefully sensing his body and the fullness of his spirit power, he realized that thanks to the medicinal properties of the Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum, he had broken through to level twenty-three. Ignoring the pain in his body, he felt eager to test his second spirit skill.

After all, it was a spirit ring he had barely managed to absorb after a moment of carelessness nearly cost him his life!

Yue Ling struggled to put on his clothes and donned the storage spirit tool ring. He let out a sigh of relief after a careful inspection.

The items his parents had given him were still there. Wait?

His eyes widened; he hadn't expected there to be a spirit bone as well.

Heh, no wonder that evil spirit master said he would give him a spirit bone to let him go. Pity, even if he hadn't let him go, there was still a spirit bone to be had.

"Teacher, did you give me this spirit tool?"

Elder Xuan glanced at the spirit tool.

"Oh, that? Zhang Lexuan gave it to you."

Sister Lexuan?

A strange feeling rose in Yue Ling's heart. She and the teacher had saved him, and she had spoken to him so gently about Shrek.

She really was a gentle person.

After shaking off that warmth, he thought it over and decided to give the thousand-year spirit bone to Elder Xuan.

"Teacher, please take this spirit bone!"

"This is your property, why give it to me?"

Even so, Elder Xuan did not refuse. He placed the thousand-year spirit bone Yue Ling handed him into his own spirit tool, intending to trade it for some gold spirit coins at Shrek or use it to select a suitable spirit bone for his disciple from the Shrek treasury.

"It's fine." Yue Ling scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Actually, I don't really care for this spirit bone. Its age is too low; it doesn't quite suit me."

"Teacher, if you have time, help me test my second spirit skill. I want to see what's special about the skill I risked my life to obtain!"

Elder Xuan's eyes widened at this, and he burst into laughter as if he had heard something amusing. He nodded, stroking his beard in appreciation.

"Hm, not bad, not bad. You haven't let hatred cloud your eyes, and your temperament is quite good. You really are a fine seedling."

"Then let me, your old master, test your second spirit skill!"

With that, Elder Xuan walked out unhurriedly, and Yue Ling followed closely behind.

This scene immediately caught the attention of Zhang Lexuan in the distant independent courtyard, as well as Elder Mu and Bei Bei, who were sunning themselves in the main courtyard halfway up the mountain.

"It hasn't been this lively here in a long time. Come, let's go take a look."

"Yes!"

Elder Mu held Bei Bei's small hand tightly. A flash of light passed, and in the blink of an eye, he had brought the child outside Elder Xuan's courtyard. He stopped at his chair, allowing Bei Bei to carefully assist him as he slowly sat down.

In the nearby independent courtyard, Zhang Lexuan knew that some excitement shouldn't be joined casually, so she curiously used her spirit power to observe quietly.

"Great-Grandfather Xuan, look! That handsome boy with the orange hair is going to fight Elder Xuan!"

Elder Mu looked at the orange-haired boy with kindness and gently stroked his beard. "Heh heh, interesting."

In the distance.

Elder Xuan stood on the ground like a sturdy tree, his aura steady and his sharpness contained.

"You brat, come on. Don't hold back. Use all your strength. If you can make me take even half a step back, you win!"

"Alright!"

Yue Ling nodded heavily. Without further ado, he immediately activated his martial soul.

A tall chrysanthemum, gold on the outside and purple on the inside, appeared in his hand. Looking closely at the patterns on the petals, one could see a sharp edge; it was clear he had perfectly absorbed the characteristics of the Golden Winged Eagle.

Beneath his feet, yellow and purple spirit rings slowly appeared.

Under the Golden Tree, Elder Mu, lying on his recliner, looked at the chrysanthemum in Yue Ling's hand with deep, surprised eyes.

"Hm... is this? The Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum martial soul? That is truly rare."

"And the second ring is a thousand-year spirit ring. Not bad, not bad!"

Bei Bei stomped his feet, his eyes full of excitement. After all, there was almost nothing to do in the Sea God Pavilion besides cultivation. It was a rare opportunity to play with someone his own age, and this immediately awakened his playful spirit.

Outside the courtyard, Zhang Lexuan watched the scene quietly, also curious about Yue Ling's second ring.

"Heavenly Chrysanthemum Domain."

Yue Ling whispered, and small chrysanthemums instantly appeared on the ground, swaying with the breeze.

"So beautiful..."

Under the Golden Tree, Elder Mu was lost in thought, feeling a bit puzzled.

Hm... that shouldn't be... logically speaking, a possessor of the Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum martial soul shouldn't have an innate domain. There had been people in history who possessed the Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum martial soul.

It wasn't until Elder Mu infused his spirit power into his eyes to look closer that he suddenly realized.

He saw a faint golden light shimmering on Yue Ling's body.

"Indestructible Diamond?" Elder Mu blurted out without thinking, looking at Yue Ling, who was confronting Xuan Zi, with some astonishment.

"Great-Grandfather Xuan, what is Indestructible Diamond?" Bei Bei asked, looking at Elder Mu with curiosity.

"Indestructible Diamond means one's physique is extremely formidable, capable of reducing the damage taken from attacks. As a plant-type spirit master, it allows him to combine offense and defense. It is extremely domineering."

"Although this child's Indestructible Diamond is still in its infancy, given time, once it is cultivated to perfection, that is when this child's talent will truly manifest."

Bei Bei was confused by the explanation but nodded obediently. His adorable appearance made Elder Mu smile and pat his head.

Back to the matter at hand.

This child must have consumed a Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum and awakened the domain by chance, but that usually only happens after level ninety... Hm... let's keep watching; perhaps the answer will come soon.

In the arena.

The small chrysanthemums emitted a floral fragrance, attempting to distract Elder Xuan.

But he remained completely unaffected.

"Start already. How much longer do you expect me to wait?"

Yue Ling sighed and stopped wasting words.

"Second spirit skill, Falling Blossom Storm!"

The Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum in Yue Ling's hand suddenly tore apart and erupted. The petals spun at high speed like blades, charging toward Elder Xuan.

"My second spirit skill allows the petals to turn into blades. I have Sister Lexuan to thank for this; if not for her, I never would have obtained such a good spirit ring!"

Elder Xuan remained standing straight, even taking the time to take a sip of wine.

Countless petals struck Elder Xuan, making clinking sounds. Under Yue Ling's control, the tearing characteristic unique to the Golden Winged Eagle concentrated its attack on a single point, attempting to tear open a weakness.

But as a level ninety-eight power attack-type Super Douluo, the gap in strength was like a chasm, especially since Elder Xuan's martial soul was the Taotie Divine Ox, which focused on physical strength.

Under the enhancement of the domain, Yue Ling's second spirit skill was like a small drill, completely unable to do anything to Elder Xuan, who was essentially "rebar."

Yue Ling sighed; the gap in strength was still too great.

He had used the Heartbroken Red Domain on his teacher back in the Star Dou Great Forest, but unfortunately, it had no effect. It was possible that it was because he was unburdened and free-spirited.

The chrysanthemums on the ground swayed in the wind. The fresh fragrance and beautiful scene made Bei Bei's eyes shine.

"Great-Grandfather Xuan, those flowers are so pretty. I want to plant some in the courtyard too."

Elder Mu looked at his great-grandson with kindness, smiled gently, and agreed.

This battle was destined to have no surprises, but it was clear that this kid still had trump cards.

"Heh heh, interesting."

Seeing Elder Xuan doing nothing, Yue Ling had no choice but to wave his hand helplessly, dissipating his skill and domain.

"Teacher, your defense is too formidable. I really have no way to deal with it."

Elder Xuan scratched the spot where he had been hit and casually pulled out a large chicken leg, devouring it greedily.

"Hm... hm."

Elder Xuan said indistinctly, "I'm already a Super Douluo. It would be a miracle if you, a level twenty-three Great Spirit Master, could shake me even half a step."

"Hm... your attack is still strong. Whether it's the opening move or controlling the field, it's quite good. At the same level, an average Great Spirit Master wouldn't be able to withstand that barrage. But be careful, don't get caught in close quarters, or your own advantages will be hard to utilize!"

Elder Xuan tossed the finished bone aside and smacked his lips. He had very keenly discovered Yue Ling's flaw and effectively pointed out what he should do now.

Yue Ling nodded, his heart surging. Seeing the power of a Super Douluo and experiencing a small failure, he was not discouraged; instead, his fighting spirit was boosted.

"During this time, focus on healing, exercise your body, improve your physical strength, and cultivate with dedication. If you hit a bottleneck and I'm not back, find your Sister Lexuan or Elder Mu!"

"Elder Mu?" Yue Ling tilted his head.

Elder Xuan smacked his lips.

"The old gentleman sitting in the chair to your right."

Elder Xuan withheld some facts and didn't tell Yue Ling everything, but this was for his disciple's own good. Knowing too much and having too deep an understanding would only make him hesitant.

Young people, after all, should be full of vigor, with lofty aspirations in their hearts and a steady gait; only then will they attract the girls, heh heh.