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--- Chapter 113 ---
Han Yuan stared at Zimei weirdly, wondering what kind of secret deal Ah Yin made with her, but finally chose not to be overly curious. Ah Yin won't harm him, and neither will Zimei.
He used the Eyes of Truth on Zimei and mumbled, "There is no problem in your transformation and contract."
"Everything is doing fine."
'But what's with her new ability? Isn't this a bit too powerful?'
"But how do you feel?"
...
[Name: Zimei]
[Contractor: Ah Yin]
[Race: Spirit Beast (Monster-Eyed Tree King), Spirit Soul (Changed)]
[Cultivation Age: 150,069 years old]
[Talent: Spiritual Life, Spiritual Dominion, Spiritual Spark, Dark Wood Life Conversion]
[Combat Prowess: Level 95/Super Douluo]
[Description: Zimei was the 150,000-year-old Monster-Eyed Tree King, who got defeated by the Owner to submission before becoming Ah Yin's Spirit Soul. After becoming spiritual life or energy lifeform, Zimei's origins merged with the Dark Blue Silver Emperor's, making her stronger]
...
[Dark Wood Life Conversion]
[Devour, Modify, and Immortalize other's spiritual force and souls into raw power. Once reaching the limit, one may turn others into corrupted eternal life forms or hollows that are neither dead nor alive, ensnaring them in perpetual existence]
...
Zimei clenched her human hands gently, "Hmm, this form is better than my former form. While I still found it awkward, I can feel all my origins and essence are condensed in this form, making spiritual manipulation much easier."
"On top of that, I can feel Ah Yin's origins merged with mine, allowing me to evolve gradually..."
"Are you talking about the Dead Wood Life Conversion?" Han Yuan smiled at the Spirit Soul.
Zimei's mouth twitched as she complained inwardly, 'Can you not expose my new ability? I was planning to show off!'
In the end, Zimei only huffed and reluctantly shared her new talent with Han Yuan and Ah Yin, though they knew already, but not in depth.
"Dead Wood Life Conversion isn't as powerful as you believed. It works under the premise that the spiritual power and souls I consumed were weaker than me.
"Also, there is still a limit on how many souls I can devour. The digestion time is also longer than desired. Not to mention, Ah Yin would get too affected if I absorbed souls excessively."
"Ten souls, huh?" Ah Yin glanced at Zimei.
Zimei nodded, "Yes, ten. That's our current limit."
"As for digestion time, it would be two months."
"As we grow stronger, however, the number and time limit will cease to exist!"
"That's not too bad, considering you get their soul's memory, too." Han Yuan said casually. "I will teach you two a spiritual technique so you can filter negative thoughts from those souls."
"Hehe, Xiao Yuan is so generous~!" Ah Yin giggled, feeling Han Yuan's care for her.
Zimei was stunned, "Um, thank you."
Han Yuan shook his head and looked at Ah Yin's tiara calmly, "How is the external spirit bone I made? I have replicated your method and used pure spiritual power to shape Zimei's origins."
Ah Yin gently caressed her tiara, "Although your method is still not refined enough, the external "tiara" spirit bone itself is perfect, providing me with the spirit skills I needed without compensating my compatibility with it."
Zimei glanced at the tiara, which was supposed to be a head spirit bone, and analyzed the arrangement of spirit skills. "Impressive, you're actually prioritizing mental defense, counterattack, and stability."
"With my origins, no one can break through Ah Yin's spiritual defense."
"Even Demi-God would have a hard time doing so..."
Strictly speaking, Ah Yin could resist a few god's attacks because of her now quasi-divine attributes. Of course, resisting and surviving are two different concepts.
Han Yuan made this external spirit bone to add another layer of protection for Ah Yin. It has two engraved spirit skills focused on mental guard and resilience, Illusory Realm and Tree King's Spiritual Roots, and the last enhanced spirit skill that passively counterattacked harmful spiritual attacks called Monster-Eyed Obscuring Gaze.
Ah Yin knew why Han Yuan did this and smiled, "Since we have recruited Zimei, what is our next plan? I'm itching to test my new strength~!"
"What about beating Tang Hao and Tang San to a pulp?"
"That sounds like a plan." Han Yuan couldn't help but smile back. After all, Tang San is now hunting for his second spirit ring in the Star Dou Forest based on his intel.
Although the Star Dou Forest, the Blue Silver Clan's network covered the entire continent. No one can hide from Han Yuan and Ah Yin's senses.
As for why Tang San was in the Star Dou Forest and this late on getting his second spirit ring, we can attribute that to the Grandmaster, who looked down on the selection of spirit beasts within the Soul Hunting Forest near the Nouding City.
So, the superior habitat for spirit beasts, Star Dou Forest, close to the Nouding City, becomes Yu Xiaogang's ambitious target.
Thanks to Han Yuan's little tinkering, Yu Xiaogang also became strict in selecting spirit beasts for Tang San. He only wanted the most poisonous, dark, corrupted spirit beast, no plant, for his talented disciple's trash blue silver grass. He'd do his best to help (destroy) Tang San's future on Han Yuan's behalf.
Of course, they are probably not alone. Although Yu Xiaogang has pride, he knew he couldn't bring his disciple to the Star Dou Forest alone as it was the most dangerous place on the continent, so he likely asked his only friend, Flender.
There is also Tang Hao in the shadows, but he is injured. The injury Dugu Bo inflicted cannot be healed by ordinary healers.
Even then, Han Yuan wasn't worried. Even though Asura might have left something to protect Tang San, he knew that the damned god couldn't make too much noise or send gods to the mortal world.
At best, Asura will 'secretly' send someone from Slaughter City or Poseidon Island. Fortunately, those brainless killers and sea spirit masters are bad matchups against Han Yuan, who possessed ultimate lightning.
While Ah Yin and Han Yuan knew they couldn't kill Tang's Father-Son due to Asura's power in the shadow, they could still torture them and prevent them from getting back on their feet.
Meanwhile, Zimei tilted her head. "I know who Tang Hao is, but who is this Tang San?"
"He's a Fucking Thief!" Han Yuan and Ah Yin replied at once. They didn't bother to hide their hatred, which left Zimei speechless.
...
...
On the other side of Star Dou Forest, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San stepped into the forest with the protection of Shrek Academy's dean and teacher, Flender and Zhao Wuji.
In fact, Flender also brought over a blonde-haired young man, a chubby kid with a fiery aura, and a goofy white-haired kid after Yu Xiaogang asked for his help.
As far as he knew, Yu Xiaogang's disciple was a genius. So, getting his students to know Tang San is a good thing.
Coincidentally, Dai Mubai also needs his 3rd spirit ring.
"So, Tang San, what spirit beast are you planning to hunt for your second spirit ring? Since your blue silver grass is a plant martial soul, you should hunt plant-type spirit beasts, right?" said Dai Mubai while nudging Tang San's shoulder.
Before Tang San could reply, Yu Xiaogang's deep and authoritative voice came from behind, "No, Xiao San will not hunt a plant-type spirit beast for his second spirit ring!"
"According to my theory, since he has already absorbed Datura Snake's spirit ring, it's better to absorb more spirit beasts with stronger poison and toxicity to enhance his blue silver grass."
"Our target is the Red-Stinger Green Scorpion, Ghostfire Wolfspider, if possible, Man-faced Demon Spider!"
"But aren't those..." Dai Mubai was speechless. According to the newly spread theory from the Dao Academy, Yu Xiaogang's targets will most likely deplete Tang San's origins. It will even render the blue silver grass useless.
Even Ma Hongjun and Oscar behind Dai Mubai gave Yu Xiaogang a weird look. Isn't this "Grandmaster" too outdated?
Yu Xiaogang, who didn't take no for an answer, glared at Dai Mubai and others coldly, "What? Do you think there is a problem with my choice?"
"My theory is never wrong! Even a plant martial soul can absorb an animal spirit ring, and Tang San had done so!"
"This..." Tang San was troubled. Honestly, he noticed his teacher changing from three years ago, but he ignored it because he was also depressed after Xiao Wu had gone.
Flender eased the mood, "Alright, alright, don't argue with Xiaogang. His ability in the theoretical field is still unmatched.
"Don't forget that Xiao San's martial soul is a trash blue silver grass, so absorbing those poisonous spirit beasts will replace its origin, making it stronger."
"Didn't Tang San say his 1st spirit ring made his blue silver grass more durable and even granted him paralyzing poison?"
"He's walking the path of a fine control-system spirit master!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar could only nod to appease Flender, though deep inside, they looked down on Yu Xiaogang even more.
...
Walking the path of a fine control-system spirit master?
Hmph, more like a path of trash-system spirit master!
...
Yu Xiaogang doesn't care what Dai Mubai and others think. He proudly lifted his chin and led Tang San forward, "Xiao San, don't listen to them."
"Believe in my theory, and you will become the strongest Title Douluo in the world!"
Tang San, who has a strong bond and filial piety toward Yu Xiaogang, nodded solemnly, "Yes, teacher!"