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Shi Quan was experiencing something.
Burning hot was Shi Quan's first sensation; a vast energy, like a raging fire, surged into his body, a part of it dispersing into his limbs and bones, another part rushing into his Meridians, like wild horses running amok, flowing madly everywhere.
This feeling was somewhat similar to the sensation experienced when Cultivating the Muscle and Marrow Cleansing Method, but the current feeling was much more ferocious, as if his body's interior was like a furnace, being roasted and refined.
The energy of the spirit ring, besides helping a Spirit Master Break through their Bottleneck, could also, to a certain extent, enhance the Spirit Master's physical constitution and strengthen their Meridians, all of which bore some resemblance to Muscle and Marrow Cleansing Method.
"Does that mean the Muscle and Marrow Cleansing Method can aid in the absorption of a spirit ring?"
With this thought, enduring the burning sensation within his body, Shi Quan immediately accelerated the operation of the Muscle and Marrow Cleansing Method with the Nine Yin Nine Yang Divine Skill, attempting to guide the wild energy within him.
"It works!"
As soon as the Muscle and Marrow Cleansing Method began to operate, Shi Quan clearly felt that the energy within his body became easier to absorb, and the impact brought by the spirit ring energy also became nourishment for internal refinement, significantly boosting the efficacy of the Muscle and Marrow Cleansing Method.
"Sigh, if only the age limit were higher."
Shi Quan sighed inwardly; the 550-year-old Man-eating Vine spirit ring didn't put too much pressure on him. Not only was there no pressure, but he also had to pretend to grit his teeth and tremble, looking extremely pained, making it seem like the absorption was very difficult, truly testing his acting skills.
To avoid absorbing too quickly, Shi Quan even intentionally stimulated the spirit ring's energy, increasing the difficulty of absorption for himself and extending the absorption time.
From the outside, it only seemed that the turbulent energy from the spirit ring was repeatedly impacting Shi Quan's body. Shi Quan's constantly trembling figure was like a small boat in the ocean, swaying precariously at any moment, facing extreme risk.
Time passed bit by bit, and seeing that it was almost time, Shi Quan finally chose to conclude.
With the absorption of the last trace of energy.
With a crack, Shi Quan seemed to hear a breaking sound, and he felt the scene before his eyes shift, as if he had entered a different World for a moment.
He seemed to see a raging sea of fire, and in the center of the sea of fire, a thick Blue Silver Grass was dancing within it, appearing very agile and domineering.
Martial Spirit inner vision.
After a Spirit Master absorbs their first spirit ring, they will master the inner vision of their Martial Spirit. This is also a major reason why Beast Spirit Spirit Masters can only possess their Martial Spirit after obtaining their first spirit ring. Mastering inner vision means truly embarking on the path of a Spirit Master.
In the sea of fire, Shi Quan's Blue Silver Grass didn't seem to be being roasted by the flames; instead, it was absorbing them. As it absorbed the flames, the Blue Silver Grass also began to change. Its branches and leaves, which were originally a circle thicker than normal Blue Silver Grass, seemed to be tempered after absorbing the flames, becoming slender. The branches and leaves also gradually elongated, simultaneously taking on a light red hue.
Through the smooth surface of the branches and leaves, one could see the light red glow beginning to penetrate deep within. Suddenly, a silent black appeared, and the light red glow instantly vanished completely.
The originally thick Blue Silver Grass, apart from becoming somewhat slender, showed no other changes.
Time passed by the minute, and the surging hot current gradually receded, slowly transforming into warm currents.
"He succeeded!" Marde, not far away, showed excitement on his face, wanting to laugh but fearing it would affect Shi Quan's final absorption. He could only hold it in, wildly waving his fists, appearing quite comical.
Dawson, standing by, looked at Shi Quan with a meaningful gaze.
"Ding, congratulations to the host for Breaking through to Spirit Master, successfully embarking on the path of a Spirit Master, triggering the Spirit Master Treasure Chest. It has been opened for the host, granting one Elementary spirit ring Enhancement Stone."
"It triggered another treasure chest?" Shi Quan was somewhat surprised, but more so delighted.
It seems that every time he Breaks through a Realm, he can trigger a treasure chest.
Awesome!
Shi Quan suppressed the joy in his heart and slowly opened his eyes.
Marde walked forward excitedly, waving his hands, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Shi Quan. I knew you could succeed! Hahaha!"
"Haha, I knew my theory was correct!" Shi Quan also stood up, trembling with excitement, and after a moment, he immediately bowed deeply.
"Teacher, Hall Master, thank you. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have been able to obtain this spirit ring, nor would I have been able to verify my theory."
"No need to thank me, this is what I should do as a teacher," Marde said, his smile unwavering.
Dawson, standing by, smiled and said, "We each got what we needed. As we discussed before, you need to summarize your theory and submit it to me."
Shi Quan nodded, looking solemnly at Dawson, "Hall Master, I will summarize the theory after I return. However, I still hope that Spirit Hall will keep this theory confidential. Although I successfully absorbed a spirit ring beyond my Rank, this was only my first attempt. Different people, different Martial Spirits, the requirements for physical constitution, the specific impact of spirit power quality, how should these be judged? How can the specific limit age be determined? I still need further attempts and practice. For now, I can only preliminarily summarize my theory and cannot guarantee its accuracy."
"I don't want my theory to be spread before it has been thoroughly verified and its feasibility ensured, because this could lead to many people rashly attempting it and dying."
Shi Quan's words were sincere and earnest.
Dawson's gaze towards Shi Quan changed after hearing him. A child less than eight years old could consider things so thoroughly.
"No problem." Dawson nodded in agreement, then asked, "How many attempts do you think you'll need to confirm it?"
After some thought, Shi Quan replied, "At least three attempts. I might only be able to confirm it after I reach Spirit Elder."
"Spirit Elder, huh?" Dawson nodded.
Marde, who was nearby, eagerly asked, "Shi Quan, how does it feel to absorb a spirit ring beyond your Rank? Is your spirit power increase significant?"
"My spirit power is just over Rank 11, and I feel like I'm not far from Breaking through to Rank 12. After absorbing it, my body feels more agile and lighter," Shi Quan said with a smile, moving his arm.
He was different from Tang San. Tang San had accumulated a lot of Internal Energy before obtaining his spirit ring, which is why he could directly Break through from Rank 11 to Rank 13 after absorbing it.
He didn't have spirit power accumulation, and the spirit ring's age wasn't too much higher, so this level of improvement was already good.
"Still not Rank 12?"
Upon hearing Shi Quan's reply, both Dawson and Marde frowned.
"How could it be so low?" Marde frowned and stepped forward, placing his hand on Shi Quan's shoulder, "Let me see."
"It's really only Rank 11?"
Dawson also walked forward, and after checking, his expression was also full of surprise.
From their reactions, it was clear that both knew Tang San, who also possessed the Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit, had his spirit power directly increase to Rank 13 after absorbing the four-hundred-year Datura Snake spirit ring. Yet, Shi Quan, after absorbing a five-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Man-Eating Vine spirit ring, had his spirit power still below Rank 12.
"Although his spirit power Rank hasn't significantly increased, his physical fitness has improved quite a bit." Marde carefully examined Shi Quan's body. After confirming there were no issues, he fell into contemplation.
"Could it be due to compatibility?" Marde quickly asked, "Shi Quan, let me see your Martial Spirit."
Shi Quan raised his right hand and summoned his Martial Spirit. The thick Blue Silver Grass now appeared slender, its branches and leaves slightly curled, looking an entire size smaller than the previously thick Blue Silver Grass.
"Such a big change?" Marde looked at the Blue Silver Grass in Shi Quan's hand in surprise.
Marde sighed, "Although the spirit power increase isn't significant, the Martial Spirit has evolved further, and the improvement in physical fitness is also considerable."
Shi Quan smiled, "No matter what, it was an over-Rank absorption of a spirit ring."
"Hahaha, that's right." Marde looked at the sky, then at Dawson, and continued, "It's about time. If we head back now, we should be out of the Soul Hunting Forest by evening, and we can spend the night at the market outside. Let's go."
"No problem." Dawson nodded.
The three set off, returning the same way they came.
As the sun set in the west and the bright moon slowly rose, it was deep into the night when the three finally left the Soul Hunting Forest.
Upon returning to the Spirit Hall's outpost, after a simple meal and drink, they rested for the night in the tents there.
As usual, Shi Quan still Cultivated all night. Dawson and Marde both praised Shi Quan's diligence when they saw this.
The next morning, the three got into the carriage they had arrived in and set off back to Nuoding City.
Two days later, upon returning to Nuoding City, Shi Quan went directly to the Spirit Hall to test his spirit power, complete his registration, and collect his monthly Spirit Master subsidy before bidding farewell to Dawson with Marde and returning to the Academy.
The office on the third floor of the Spirit Hall.
In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, Dawson watched Shi Quan and Marde gradually move away, then suddenly asked, "How's the investigation going? Is there anything unusual in Shi Family Village?"
"This Shi Quan has been intelligent and clever since childhood. Around the age of one, he already began reading and studying. This continued for five years. People in Shi Family Village used to secretly call him a bookworm, saying he only knew how to read every day.
A year and a half ago, Su Yuntao helped him Awaken his Martial Spirit. At first glance, his Martial Spirit seemed no different from ordinary Blue Silver Grass, and coupled with his Innate spirit power only being Rank 1, he wasn't given much attention. During the Awakening, Shi Quan actively requested basic Cultivation methods from Su Yuntao.
Three months later, he enrolled in Nuoding Academy. He continued his habit of self-study daily and Cultivated very diligently, spending every day either Cultivating or studying.
This Shi Quan once had a conflict with a student named Xiao Wu at the Academy. This Xiao Wu is also a Genius, the same age as Shi Quan, with a Soft Bones Rabbit Martial Spirit and Innate full spirit power, and she also obtained a hundred-year spirit ring. Despite such a gap, Shi Quan, relying on a special self-created Spirit Ability, always kept Xiao Wu from getting close, maintaining an undefeated record as a Spirit Scholar against a Spirit Master.
Shi Quan usually liked to Cultivate alone in the back mountain. The Cultivation spot was lush with vegetation, consistent with the theories he reported. During Nuoding Academy's vacation, when Shi Quan returned home, he would go to the Lianyun Mountains to Cultivate every day. Following his tracks, a similarly lush area was found. Currently, everything about Shi Quan seems explainable by his extraordinarily intelligent mind."
"Is that so?" Dawson rubbed his head, turned, and sat back down at his desk. "He even succeeded in over-Rank absorbing a spirit ring."
The figure in front of the desk fell silent.
"Blue Silver Grass, Innate spirit power Rank 1, yet he can achieve such accomplishments, and he's a child under eight years old." Dawson shrugged in relief and smiled, "Let those superiors worry and make decisions about these matters. You'll have to make another trip then."
The figure in front of the desk cursed with a smile, "No matter what, I'm still a Vice Hall Master, and you treat me like an errand boy every day."
Dawson smiled, "Isn't there no other way? This matter has significant implications, and to be safe, it's better not to let too many people know. I'll find someone to keep an eye on Nuoding Academy. You rest well these few days. Once Shi Quan submits his initial draft of the theory, you'll have to go on a long journey..."
The figure grumbled, "Truly, a higher official crushes people. I understand."
...
Nuoding Academy.
Shi Quan, back at Nuoding Academy, wasn't idle. Instead, he began to further refine the spirit ring year limit theory based on his own situation.
Years of study were not in vain, and with the support of the original work, Shi Quan wrote the theory eloquently, much more accurately than the so-called Master.
He wrote directly into the deep night. Shi Quan didn't even go to Cultivate that afternoon.
Returning to the dormitory, Shi Quan had been gone for several days, and some of his roommates didn't even know he hadn't been staying in the dorm, as Shi Quan always left early and returned late, and he didn't attend classes with them, so it was common for him to be absent for days.
A night of rest.
Back mountain.
"It's time to try out the Spirit Ability," Shi Quan murmured to himself, raising his right hand and summoning his Martial Spirit. A yellow spirit ring rose from beneath his feet.
Internal Energy circulated and was injected into the spirit ring.
The next second, the slightly curled branches and leaves of the Blue Silver Grass instantly spread out, extending in all directions at an extremely fast speed. In just a moment, the branches and leaves of the Blue Silver Grass had directly surged to fifty meters away.
"The growth speed is faster than using Internal Energy, the range is wider, and the consumption is very low."
Shi Quan nodded in satisfaction, flicked his hand, and the slender Blue Silver vines immediately coiled up the tree trunk like thin snakes. In a few breaths, a large number of Blue Silver Grass vines had completely covered the entire tree trunk.
"Let's test the toughness."
As he spoke, he clenched his five fingers, and with a strong pull from the hand gripping the Blue Silver vine, the slender Blue Silver vine instantly snapped straight.
As Shi Quan continued to exert force, the Blue Silver Grass, which would normally have broken long ago, remained perfectly straight.
Crackling, that was the sound of tree bark breaking.
Sizzling, that was the sound of the Blue Silver vine tearing.
"The toughness of a single Blue Silver vine is still limited. Even with over-Rank absorption, Blue Silver Grass is still Blue Silver Grass. There's still a certain gap compared to Blue Silver Grass with the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline."
Shi Quan was still somewhat disappointed with the toughness, but on second thought, it was normal, as the inherent toughness of the Man-Eating Vine itself wasn't strong.