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The next day.
As soon as the competition ended, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Yu Xiaogang took Tang San onto a carriage.
Soon, an exquisite carriage slowly drove out of Heaven Dou City.
"Xiao San, have you considered your choice for the Fourth spirit ring?" Yu Xiaogang asked, nodding, in the carriage.
Tang San replied directly, "Master, for the Fourth spirit ring, I still choose a Spirit Beast with devouring ability. A Soul Devouring Spider of the same type, or a Devouring Boa, would both work."
Yu Xiaogang nodded with a look of relief. "Both of these Spirit Beasts are good. If you absorb another Soul Devouring Spider spirit ring, it will not only strengthen your Third Soul Skill but might also allow you to inherit another characteristic of the Soul Devouring Spider. The same goes for the Devouring Boa; it might even link your three Martial Spirit Abilities together, greatly improving your Martial Spirit's control ability."
"That's what your disciple was thinking too." Tang San smiled slightly. "Also..."
Tang San's expression turned serious and solemn. "Master, for the Fourth spirit ring, I want to continue absorbing a spirit ring that exceeds my current level. Shi Quan and I both consumed Immortal Herbs, and I also possess an external Spirit Bone, which has significantly improved my Physical Body's quality."
Yu Xiaogang's expression immediately furrowed. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "What are you thinking about the age limit of this Fourth spirit ring? You need to think clearly. You almost failed when you absorbed the Third spirit ring by exceeding its level."
"I want to try a ten-thousand-year spirit ring."
"No!" Yu Xiaogang immediately refused upon hearing this. "A ten-thousand-year spirit ring is too high."
"I heard from Tianheng that Shi Quan has already developed a mature theory for absorbing spirit rings that exceed one's level. He gave him a copy of this theory at the time, asking him to pass it on to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He didn't examine it carefully then, but the spirit ring's age limit has a great deal to do with Physical Body quality."
After some consideration, Yu Xiaogang turned to Flender and Zhao Wuji. "Flender, Zhao Wuji, help Xiao San re-test his Physical Body strength. Evaluate how much power-type spirit rings, based on your understanding, Xiao San's current Physical Body strength can withstand."
His own strength was too low, and he rarely fought Spirit Beasts, so he could only ask Flender and Zhao Wuji to conduct the test and evaluation.
Tang San was his hope for rising, and he absolutely would not allow any mistakes regarding his safety.
"Alright." The two nodded and successively felt Tang San's bones to assess his Physical Body strength.
A moment later, Yu Xiaogang looked at the two. "How is it?"
"Sixty-five hundred years, perhaps?" Flender, an agility-attack system Spirit Master, gave a conservative number.
"Around seven thousand years?" Zhao Wuji's tone was more certain.
"Seven thousand five hundred years." Suddenly, a deep voice rang out in the ears of the four.
"Father." Tang San excitedly stood up.
Tang Hao's tall figure also walked in from outside the carriage.
"Your Excellency." Yu Xiaogang and the other two quickly stood up to salute, and Zhao Wuji's eyes were filled with awe and fear.
Tang Hao sat down and gestured for them to sit. "The spirit ring limit, besides Physical Body quality, is also related to spirit power quality, willpower, and other aspects. Since Xiao San's Third spirit ring was absorbed by exceeding its level, his Physical Body quality is already much stronger than ordinary people's. Coupled with the external Spirit Bone and Immortal Herb, seven thousand five hundred years is absolutely no problem."
Seven thousand five hundred years, at least twenty-five hundred years lower than Shi Quan. Thinking of this, Tang San's fists involuntarily clenched slightly, and a flicker of unwillingness crossed his eyes.
Yu Xiaogang seemed to see through Tang San's thoughts and said, "Xiao San, there's no need to dwell on a temporary difference. Don't forget, you possess twin spirits. Furthermore, although Master can't guess how Shi Quan managed to absorb a ten-thousand-year Fourth spirit ring, it must have been far from simple. This can be seen from Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling."
"They also consumed Immortal Herbs and rare treasures that matched their Martial Spirits, and their Physical Body strength was built up through years of training. Even so, their Fourth spirit rings were still within the thousand-year range."
"Xiao San, given your current situation, absorbing a seven-thousand-five-hundred-year spirit ring is already quite remarkable."
Upon hearing this, Tang San felt some helplessness internally, but he could only accept reality, especially since his father, a Titled Douluo, had personally spoken.
"Xiao San, have you truly decided on your choice for the Fourth spirit ring?" Tang Hao looked at Tang San, confirming once more.
If it were before, Tang San might have hesitated, but after devouring Shi Nian, Tang San had already determined that this was the evolutionary path for his Blue Silver Grass.
"Father, I'm certain. I have a feeling that the devouring attribute is also an evolutionary method for Blue Silver Grass. You can see it from Shi Quan; his Martial Spirit Abilities have no shortage of devouring capabilities. Moreover, only by continuously strengthening the Blue Silver Grass's devouring ability can the medicinal power of the Spirit Devouring Flower be better utilized. Right now, only by continuing to absorb Spirit Beasts with devouring attributes will my strength increase the most, and only then will Shrek have a chance to win the championship."
"Alright then, so be it." Tang Hao sighed.
He heard the determination in Tang San's tone, and upon hearing it, he couldn't persuade him further.
Now he only hoped that what Shi Quan said earlier was merely to sow discord.
The group entered the Sunset Forest.
Tang Hao's appearance also had another purpose: to help Tang San quickly obtain a spirit ring.
Two days later. Somewhere in the Sunset Forest.
Tang San slowly opened his eyes and gently exhaled a turbid breath. Below him, four spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—flickered gently.
"Xiao San, how do you feel?" Master quickly stood up and asked first.
"Level forty-two." Tang San replied with a smile.
"Increased by two levels?" Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction, then sighed, "As expected of absorbing a spirit ring by exceeding one's level. Shi Quan's rapid increase in strength must also be related to absorbing spirit rings that exceed his level. I speculate that absorbing beyond one's level might also provide some improvement to talent. Otherwise, Shi Quan wouldn't have risked his Life continuously absorbing beyond his level."
"Master might be right." Tang San nodded, because he felt that after devouring Shi Nian and breaking through to level forty, there was still a lot of spirit power remaining in his body. This is how he broke through to level forty-two, which is related to absorbing beyond his level, but not strongly connected.
Because his Fourth spirit ring came from a Devouring Boa, also known as the Devil Devouring Sky Python, a top-tier devouring-type Spirit Beast, with equally top-tier speed and strength.
The spirit ring he absorbed originated from a Devouring Boa with an age limit of roughly seventy-two hundred years.
However, the energy absorbed during the process did not feel sufficient to help him advance to forty-two.
Therefore, without a doubt, the extra spirit power increase should have come from the Shi Nian he devoured earlier.
"What about the Spirit Ability?" Yu Xiaogang asked, nodding, his expression unchanged.
"Blue Silver Devour." Tang San looked up and said with a smile, "The effect is to actively release a powerful devouring ability. In actual combat, the Blue Silver Grass can unleash powerful devouring ability. Even without contact, it can absorb the enemy's energy attacks. If there is contact, the devouring ability will double, and it can even forcibly plunder the enemy's spirit power from within their body.
While releasing the devouring ability, it can also actively spray out Parasite seeds. This also significantly improves the Parasite ability.
Moreover, Blue Silver Devour can be combined with all three previous Martial Spirit Abilities. As long as the opponent is bound by Blue Silver Restraint, once Blue Silver Devour is released, it can cause the enemy to directly lose their ability to resist in a short period."
Previously, the Blue Silver Grass's rapid seeds were emitted slowly, but now they can be actively sprayed, the main difference being efficiency. This means that both the toxins and the Parasite seeds have been greatly improved in terms of release speed, range, and affected area.
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Good, the active offensive capability is stronger. Not only that, but with strengthened devouring ability, you'll be able to handle attacks of various attributes more freely. And this Spirit Ability is very suitable for arena battles."
"Indeed!" A sharp glint flashed in Tang San's eyes. "I can completely expend spirit power to cover the arena with Blue Silver Grass, forcing opponents into contact. Moreover, the consumed spirit power can be replenished through devouring, so there's almost no consumption for me."
"It can do that?" Flender's eyes also lit up. If that's the case, Tang San's Fourth Spirit Ability's boost to the entire team is terrifying. This kind of group devouring is already a weakened version of crowd control.
Tang Hao also nodded in satisfaction.
"Our objective for this trip has been achieved; we should head back." Yu Xiaogang said faintly.
"Master, please wait." Tang San suddenly said, his gaze fixed on the Devouring Boa's corpse beside them. "This Devouring Boa's corpse should still contain a lot of spirit power. I want to use my Soul Devouring Eight Spider Lances and Blue Silver Grass to absorb and preserve it. Moreover, the spirit ring and the Spirit Beast are from the same source; I feel that devouring its corpse might also be of some help to the spirit ring."
"Hmm, that's possible. Go ahead then." Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly.
Tang San then nodded and quickly went to the Devouring Boa's corpse. His Blue Silver Grass enveloped the massive corpse, and his Soul Devouring Eight Spider Lances pierced into it simultaneously. As Tang San's Fourth Soul Skill was released, pure Life energy entered his body, and a feeling of comfort made his body involuntarily tremble.
"My cultivation has increased again..."
In just a moment, the massive Devouring Boa's corpse shriveled up.
Seeing this scene, everyone's pupils couldn't help but shrink. Soul Devouring Eight Spider Lances combined with Blue Silver Devour, could it really make Tang San's devouring ability reach such an astonishing level?
Seeing this scene, everyone's expressions showed a hint of surprise and doubt.
"Xiao San, you must remember not to misuse this devouring ability." Yu Xiaogang reminded him with a grave voice.
"Master, don't worry, I always keep your teachings in mind." Tang San nodded.
Soon after, Flender, with Yu Xiaogang and Zhao Wuji, and Tang Hao, with Tang San, ascended into the sky and flew towards the forest's periphery.
That night, Flender, Tang San, and the others returned to the hotel.
As for Tang Hao, he naturally hid in the shadows again.
"Third Brother." Seeing Tang San return, Xiao Wu's face immediately lit up with joy, and she immediately threw herself into his embrace.
Tang San smiled slightly, reached out to stroke Xiao Wu's head, and looked up at Dai Mubai. "Mubai, how's the competition going?"
"The only strong team we've encountered these past few days is the Godwind Team from Godwind Academy." Dai Mubai nodded. "Aside from forfeiting that match, we won all the others. Xiao San, how about you? How's your improvement..."