Before when Sai Joshi heard those rumours about Grandmaster, he knew that Grandmaster was a persistent person. Regarding spirits he was as persistent as he himself was regarding hidden weapons. This was also why Sai Joshi had never regretted acknowledging Grandmaster as his master. Perhaps, this was talent appreciating each other.
"I'm sorry, Teacher, for raising your old painful memories."
Grandmaster laughed at himself and shook his head,
"It's nothing, I became used to it long ago. Come, I'll introduce you to Mr. Hog. The reason for its name is because it calls out a luoluo sound, and its attack can only be launched three times. Therefore it's called Mr. Hog."
"Mr. Hog, first open up a path ahead."
"Luoluo."
Fat Mr. Hog looked pleased with itself and walked forward. Although the body was a bit fat, when seeing it move it could also be called nimble. Moving from one side to the other sniffing at something.
All over Grandmaster's body spirit power light was glimmering. Bringing Sai Joshi to follow Mr. Hog, they moved along deeper into the forest.
"Mr. Hog's sense of smell is very acute, capable of discovering tracks of spirit beasts and how strong they are. Although it has become small and weak because of variation, regarding spirit power the consumption is also very small. Therefore I can release it outside for a long time. This is for you. You must make the lastattack that kills the spirit beast yourself."
Grandmaster fumbled out from the bosom a magnificent short sword and handed it to Sai Joshi.
The short sword's entire sheath was a transparent blue, and on it were inlayed seven pieces of blue jade. The sword handle had a chunk of milky white jade, and the sword's length was one foot two inch. Even though with the sheathed, holding it in the hand he still could feel traces of cold qi.
Walking not far away, Mr. Hog abruptly came to a stop, the pair of big eyes looking in one direction, mouth emitting two luoluo calls.
An animal looking a bit like a cat appeared in the direction of its gaze, lying in a tree, guardedly watching Grandmaster and Sai Joshi.
Grandmaster smiled, saying:
"It's a ten year multicolored cat. Mr. Hog, don't disturb it. Continue ahead."
Grandmaster never forgot to instruct Sai Joshi. While continuing walking, he said:
"That multicolored cat just now belongs to the cat family of spirit beasts. Its offensive nature is very powerful, but provided you do not first attack it, it also will not easily start an attack. If a spirit master has a cat family beast spirit, using it for one's first spirit ring is not a bad choice. You must not think of that multicolored cat as that small; if it was a more than thousand year multicolored cat, let alone us, even more than ten times our number could not kill it."
Sai Joshi called to mind an important question,
"Teacher, how to distinguish the actual strength of a spirit beast? Or the number of years?"
Grandmaster said:
"Distinguishing a spirit beast's actual strength certainly is not difficult. You look, that solitary bamboo ahead. That also is a type of spirit beast - a plant system spirit beast. Solitary bamboo is tough, and although its attack nature is not powerful, its defense is not bad. This is a ten year solitary bamboo. Because its height does not exceed ten metres. Over ten metre, should be considered over a hundred years. Consequently, generally speaking, spirit beasts are distinguished mainly by observing bulk and the color of the spirit power used when they attack. Spirit power color is identical to actual strength. Precisely speaking, ten year spirit beasts use white spirit power, hundred year use yellow, and so on. Although, when confronting an unknown spirit beast, you best not go look at its spirit power, in a short time you will be unable to endure, and then will be up against devastating danger."
"Grandmaster, will we be hunting that solitary bamboo?"
Sai Joshi said.
The solitary bamboo certainly did not seem to attract attention, only because all around it were large trees and not more bamboo, it easily could be conspicuous. Its body softly swaying, the top of the bamboo moving rhythmically with the wind.
Grandmaster said:
"For the moment we will not. If we are without a more suitable choice, and only last if forced to. Choosing spirit ring must be done carefully: each spirit ring cannot be replaced. Spirit scholars promoting to spirit master, can absorb hundred year spirit beast spirit rings. To be even more precise, they can use a less than four hundred twenty year spirit beast spirit ring. I've carefully studied very many spirit masters undergoing growth and failure. Four hundred twenty years should be the limit of what one can endure for the first spirit ring. Therefore, I hope that your first spirit ring will be as close to that limit as possible."
Grandmaster regarding spirit research was always that precise. Sai Joshi felt, having this teacher exist, absolutely was a kind of happiness.
"Similarly for hundred year spirit rings, although the color of the spirit rings emerging from a hundred year spirit beast and nine hundred year spirit beast are the same, the gap between the amplification of the added attribute is enormous. Seeking a spirit ring as high as possible under the prerequisite safety limit, is required for every outstanding spirit master."
Continuing moving forward, Grandmaster was giving Sai Joshi a lively field class, relying on spirit Mr. Hog's acute sense of smell, to one by one draw out spirit beasts concealed in dark places. Perhaps because for the most part these spirit beasts were ten year grade, their attack desire was not strong. Grandmaster gave Sai Joshi introductions to these spirit beasts' names, specific properties and method of distinguishing cultivation age.
Looking up at the color of the sky, Grandmaster said:
"It looks like today we must spend the night in Spirit Hunting Forest. We will first look for a place to camp."
Having searched for half the day, although no few spirit beasts conforming to the requirements had appeared, Grandmaster had not been anxious to get involved, and very patiently continued looking.