The next day, Qiangu Yunying successfully broke through to Level 60, and when Dugu Bo learned of it, he was genuinely shocked.
However, he didn't ask too many questions. Instead, he went together with Yin Zhang into the Sunset Forest to search for a suitable Spirit Beast for her.
They didn't spend much time before finding a 26,000-year-old fire-attribute Spirit Beast.
After Dugu Bo severely wounded it, Qiangu Yunying stepped forward, delivered the killing blow, and absorbed its spirit ring.
By the time everything was finished, it was already afternoon.
Qiangu Yunying obtained a powerful attack-type spirit skill. At the same time—whether due to absorbing a spirit ring beyond her level, or the lingering medicinal effects of the Yearning Heartbroken Red—her spirit power surged all the way to Level 65.
Compared to the Level 56 she had before entering the Sunset Forest, the change was nothing short of astonishing.
Yin Zhang, however, had no intention of returning just yet.
He planned to absorb the two Immortal-Grade herbs next—the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Fire Apricot.
Because he had already consumed two Mandara herbs of opposing attributes, his body now possessed strong resistance to both cold and fire toxins. As a result, absorbing these two Immortal Herbs would be significantly easier than expected.
Originally, he wanted Qiangu Yunying to return first and deliver the news, but she flatly refused, insisting on staying by his side no matter what.
With no other choice, Yin Zhang had Dugu Bo return alone to pass along the message.
Using a massive emerald-green energy Dragon Claw, Yin Zhang plucked both Immortal Herbs. He placed them into his mouth at the same time, then leapt straight into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, landing precisely at the junction of the two springs.
In an instant, a suffocating sensation swept over him.
But it lasted only a moment.
The fire toxin and cold toxin clashed violently inside his body. However, thanks to his prior preparations, there was little resistance. Instead, the toxins rapidly transformed into pure medicinal power, accumulating within him, waiting to be refined and absorbed.
Even so, refining this power was incredibly difficult.
After all, these herbs were meant primarily for body refinement and aptitude enhancement, not direct spirit power increases.
The most efficient method was to remain in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well long-term, using the spring's power to refine everything completely.
Although the end result would be the legendary Ice and Fire Golden Body, Yin Zhang couldn't help feeling a trace of regret—without water, he couldn't recreate the former glory of a water-based Charizard here.
By the time Yin Zhang completed the first stage of refinement, it was already evening.
"My spirit power has reached Level 40. Perfect timing to hunt a Spirit Beast and officially become a Spirit Ancestor. When I step onto the Spirit Dueling Platform, no one will dare say I'm lagging behind in realm."
With that thought, Yin Zhang flew out of the spring, landed on open ground, and used spirit power to evaporate the moisture from his body and clothes.
Qiangu Yunying hurried over anxiously.
"Xiao Zhang, how was it?"
Yin Zhang would still need to remain here for several months after the Elite Tournament ended, relying on the spring to fully refine everything.
He chuckled lightly.
"Not bad. My spirit power went up another level—just enough to absorb a spirit ring and become a Spirit Ancestor. That way, I won't stand out as the odd one at the Elite Tournament."
Qiangu Yunying giggled.
"Then I'll be the odd one out—a Spirit Emperor! All thanks to your Yearning Heartbroken Red, Xiao Zhang. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't reach Spirit Emperor until at least the year after next!"
Yin Zhang smiled faintly.
"We're family. It's only right."
Qiangu Yunying's face flushed. She coughed lightly and quickly said,
"Senior Dugu told me earlier to call him once you finished refining. He said he'll take you to hunt a Spirit Beast."
Yin Zhang nodded and called out loudly,
"Brother Bo!"
Dugu Bo descended and couldn't help sighing deeply as he looked at Yin Zhang.
"You little monster… truly unbelievable."
"One's 11 years old at Level 40, the other's 20 years old at Level 65. Absolutely terrifying."
Yin Zhang laughed.
"Brother Bo, there'll be plenty more things to shock you in the future."
Dugu Bo took Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying and flew toward a massive cave deep within the core of the Sunset Forest.
Step—step—
The three landed steadily. Dugu Bo explained,
"Inside this cave is a 17,000-year-old fire-attribute Dragon-type Spirit Beast. Although it's fire-based, its dragon bloodline is even stronger. I don't know its exact species—likely a hybrid."
"Seventeen thousand years?" Yin Zhang nodded calmly. "That'll do. We'll take this one."
Dugu Bo's lips twitched.
'That'll do'?
Even with optimal configurations, most people's fifth spirit ring barely reached 12,000 years!
What followed was straightforward.
To others, a 17,000-year Dragon-type Spirit Beast might be a nightmare-level existence—but to Dugu Bo, it was nothing more than a nuisance.
After forcing it out, he beat it to the brink of death. Yin Zhang then stepped forward, swung his Dragon Claw, and finished it off.
A pitch-black spirit ring formed above the corpse.
Yin Zhang sat down cross-legged and began absorbing it.
This was his first time absorbing a ten-thousand-year spirit ring, yet he felt no fear.
The expected soul shock arrived—but Yin Zhang passed through it effortlessly, absorbing the dispersed mental energy to strengthen himself instead.
With his body already beginning to form the Ice and Fire Golden Body, his physical strength was monstrous, making this ordeal trivial.
When the absorption finally completed, it was already the next morning.
Not only had his spirit power risen to Level 42, but he had also gained an extremely powerful spirit skill combining speed and offense.
Fire Dragon Flying Slash
— Charge toward the enemy at extreme speed while unleashing a thunderous dragon roar that stuns the target for one second, followed by three lock-on slashes.
A dragon roar stun plus three lock-on slashes.
Very good.
Extremely good.
Yin Zhang opened his personal status panel.
---
Host: Yin Zhang
Age: 11
Spirit: Charizard
Spirit Power: 42
Spirit Rings: Purple, Purple, Purple, Black
Abilities: Blaze, Power of the Sun, Hard Claw
Spirit Skills:
Dragon Claw
Double Team
Azure Flame Shield (Spirit Ring)
Flamethrower
Fire Dragon Evasion Kill (Spirit Ring)
Dragon Tail
Crimson Flame Roar (Spirit Ring)
Sunny Day
Solar Beam
Mirror Move
Roost
Fire Dragon Flying Slash (Spirit Ring)
Spirit Bones: None
Items:
Charcoal (Boost)
Holy Grail (Equipment)
Charizard X Mega Stone (Equipment)
Famous Sword · Siming
Warehouse:
Spirit Bone Age Enhancement Card (3,500 years)
Spirit Ring Age Enhancement Card (4,500 years)
---
Yin Zhang nodded in satisfaction, closed the panel, and stood up.
Gurgle—gurgle—
His stomach growled.
Yin Zhang looked toward Qiangu Yunying.
She was awkwardly dealing with a Soft Bones Rabbit, looking completely flustered.
Seeing Yin Zhang glance over, Dugu Bo spread his hands helplessly.
"Xiao Zhang, I wanted to help, but little Yunying wouldn't let me. She insisted on roasting rabbit for you herself—and now she's stuck like this."
Qiangu Yunying put down the still-furry rabbit, coughed lightly, and said in a tsundere tone,
"Xiao Zhang, come help me clean this up… and I'll treat you to roasted rabbit!"