Chapter 252: Tang San's Sixth Spirit Ring
At the same time, Luo Ling and Xiao Wu also headed toward the Star Dou Great Forest, accompanied by the two Titled Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
They departed during the day, traveling by carriage.
After three days of journeying, the four of them arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Stepping down from the carriage, Luo Ling looked at the dense forest ahead, a strange smile curving on his lips.
He could sense a few particular auras inside the forest—those that linger only after performing a Blood Demon Ritual. They belonged to primitive believers.
Luo Ling narrowed his eyes, spreading his perception, and soon his smile deepened.
He had detected the presence of people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan inside the forest—as well as Tang Hao and Tang San.
So fate truly brought enemies together again.
Luo Ling felt a twinge of regret for not bringing Ah Yin along; otherwise, he could have enjoyed the sight of Tang Hao and Tang San's furious faces.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Wu, noticing Luo Ling's change in expression, stepped forward and asked.
"Nothing," Luo Ling shook his head.
Xiao Wu pursed her lips and didn't press further, and the group proceeded deeper into the forest.
...
Meanwhile, Yu Yuanzhen and Tang Hao led their teams forward through the Star Dou Great Forest.
They were already deep inside, nearing the core area.
"Xiao San, the upper limit for your sixth spirit ring is twenty thousand years. Choose the kind of ability you want and hunt a suitable spirit beast here," Tang Hao said, stopping in his tracks. Beyond this area was the territory of beasts fifty thousand years old or more.
Twenty-thousand-year ones could be found here easily enough.
Tang San halted as well, though his expression wavered with conflicting emotions.
He thought of Luo Ling's crimson, hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
Luo Ling's sixth ring was one hundred thousand years old. Why, then, could he only absorb one below twenty thousand?
"Father, is it really true that the sixth spirit ring can't exceed twenty thousand years?" Tang San asked, his tone filled with unwillingness.
Tang Hao paused, then his expression turned stern. "Xiao San, the limit for a sixth spirit ring is indeed around twenty thousand years. In this, Yu Xiaogang's theory is correct."
"Our Clear Sky Sect's archives record about the same limits as Spirit Hall's—there isn't much difference."
Hearing that, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. Tang Hao's words made it sound as if his theories were plagiarized from Spirit Hall.
"But why is Luo Ling's sixth spirit ring one hundred thousand years?" Tang San asked anxiously.
The entire group fell silent; they too thought of that monstrous youth.
A hundred-thousand-year sixth spirit ring—unheard of in history.
Yu Yuanzhen recalled the youth who had appeared at Emperor Xue Ye's coronation ceremony. Not only his sixth ring, but his seventh as well had both been hundred-thousand-year rings.
Even as patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen himself had none—yet Luo Ling, merely a Spirit Saint, possessed two.
Tang Hao inhaled deeply and said earnestly, "Xiao San, the sixth spirit ring's limit is about twenty thousand years. That's undeniable. As for why Luo Ling has one hundred thousand years... perhaps it's due to a sacrifice."
"A sacrifice?" Tang San looked baffled.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes flickered as he glanced at Tang Hao knowingly.
Tang Hao's ninth spirit ring had been granted by his wife's sacrifice—a secret that wasn't much of a secret among the major forces. They all knew the story of Spirit Hall's siege against the Blue Silver Emperor.
"Obtaining a spirit ring doesn't always mean killing a beast. If a spirit beast offers itself in sacrifice, a soul master can absorb a ring far beyond the usual age limit—even a hundred-thousand-year one." Tang Hao explained slowly.
Tang San's face froze in disbelief. He had never imagined such a thing was possible.
Even Yu Xiaogang looked stunned; this was clearly news to him as well.
"I suspect Luo Ling received the sacrifices of two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts," Tang Hao said quietly.
Even he couldn't understand how Luo Ling possessed two such rings.
Natural absorption would be impossible. That left only voluntary sacrifice—yet getting two beasts of a hundred thousand years to offer themselves willingly was even harder to believe.
After all, it had been unimaginably difficult for him to persuade Ah Yin to sacrifice herself for him.
Tang Hao's eyes gleamed faintly. Forcing Ah Yin to sacrifice had been his greatest secret.
Tang San seemed dazed. The idea of a spirit beast willingly offering itself was beyond belief. Humans and spirit beasts were natural enemies—how could any soul beast take the initiative to sacrifice itself?
"Enough, Xiao San," Tang Hao said. "Don't compare yourself to Luo Ling. You have twin spirits. Even though your Haotian Hammer already has five rings, you can leave the rest until your Blue Silver Grass reaches Titled Douluo level."
"If you're lucky, and encounter a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, your Haotian Hammer could gain one too!" Tang Hao comforted him.
But even Tang Hao did not believe his own words.
Hundred-thousand-year beasts were almost extinct. He had struggled endlessly just to find Ah Yin.
Nowadays, there were no confirmed reports of such beasts existing. Even if there were, killing one would be beyond the ability of most soul masters.
Yu Yuanzhen watched the father and son quietly. He knew Tang Hao was just consoling Tang San—but Tang San's eyes burned with renewed hope.
He nodded firmly. "Father, I'll give my Haotian Hammer a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!"
"Hmm. We can talk about that later. For now, it's time for your sixth ring. Have you decided what kind of beast you want?" Tang Hao asked.
Tang San thought for a moment before answering, "I want to give my Blue Silver Grass a spirit skill that enhances its growth ability."
"Growth ability?"
"Yes," Tang San nodded. "The Blue Silver Grass has great adaptability, but I lack a skill that allows it to grow quickly. I can use soul power to accelerate its growth, but its vitality is weak, and it consumes too much energy."
Tang San spoke quietly, though resentment simmered beneath his calm tone.
That flaw was thanks to Yu Xiaogang.
Poison and vitality could not coexist. Once he infused the Blue Silver Grass with toxins, its life force was naturally weakened.
Tang Hao couldn't help but recall the time at the Soto City Great Spirit Arena when Luo Ling had precisely exposed that weakness.
He glanced at Yu Xiaogang, whose face turned sour; he clearly remembered Luo Ling's words too.
Tang San also glanced at Yu Xiaogang, a flash of disdain crossing his eyes.
He had once regarded Yu Xiaogang as both teacher and father. But now, it was obvious Yu Xiaogang's so-called "wisdom" wasn't as exceptional as he claimed.
Thinking back to the earlier spirit rings he had acquired by following Yu Xiaogang's advice, Tang San now realized how utterly useless those skills were.
(END CHAPTER)
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