Boom!
Huff… huff…
The Minotaur Spirit Beast collapsed lifelessly, its vitality completely drained by the crimson Cero. Han Feng immediately dismissed his Hollowfication and Flame Dragon Armor as a crushing wave of weakness washed over him, leaving him gasping for breath.
Looking at the massive corpse before him, Han Feng felt a rush of relief.
The battle had ended in an instant, but victory wasn't guaranteed. If not for the beast's carelessness, its low intellect, and Han Feng's split-second decision-making, he couldn't have been sure of defeating it without disturbing Tang San.
His charged shield bash had absorbed the beast's earlier attack, reaching the peak strength of a high-level Spirit Elder, yet striking it had felt like hammering iron—barely enough to knock it back, let alone injure it. Only the sheer piercing power of Cero had secured his win.
A violet spirit ring floated up from the beast's body, drawing Han Feng's gaze into a frown.
This ring's attributes matched his needs for a third ring, promising potent strength and defense. But he still had to protect Tang San. In this perilous Star Dou Forest, it would be reckless for them both to absorb rings at once.
Worse, Han Feng's knowledge of spirit beasts was limited; he didn't even know this creature's name or exact age. He wasn't about to risk it.
With a sigh, he let the ring dissipate.
Moments later, rustling drew his attention—relief surged when he saw who approached.
"Teacher Zhao! You're finally here! "
Han Feng all but collapsed to the ground.
Zhao Wuji landed, giving Han Feng a searching look but asking only, "Where's Tang San? "
He had questions—about the ominous red beam, the chilling power fluctuations, and the devastating attack Han Feng had kept secret—but every spirit master had their own secrets. For now, his concern was Tang San.
Han Feng dispelled his Concealment Shield, revealing Tang San, still deep in the absorption process.
"He's taking in a spirit ring? He's already hit rank thirty? Whose beast's ring is that? "
Zhao Wuji's tiger eyes narrowed at the yet-unassimilated purple ring. Surprised by Tang San's talent, he was more concerned about the danger of absorbing an unsuitable or overly powerful ring.
His gaze shifted to the Minotaur's corpse. "That one's ring? "
"No… its ring is still here," Zhao Wuji muttered, brow furrowing as he turned to Han Feng.
Han Feng rolled his eyes. "Tang San broke through to thirty under the Titan Giant Ape's pressure. Later we ran into a Man-Faced Demon Spider—Tang San wanted its ring, so I helped him kill it.
"As for the spider, that beast ate it. It seemed to hold a grudge and came looking. I had no choice but to fight and kill it, and then you all showed up."
Zhao Wuji exhaled, then asked, "How old was the Man-Faced Demon Spider? "
Han Feng chuckled, half-truthful: "Come on, Teacher Zhao—if it were three or four thousand years, Tang San and I wouldn't have stood a chance! "
Not three or four thousand… just over two thousand, pushing the third-ring limit.
Zhao Wuji nodded, satisfied, and examined the bull-like beast's corpse. "A fifteen-hundred-year Scaled Armor Ox. That would make the Man-Faced Demon Spider around seventeen hundred years old—quite suitable for Tang San's third ring."
So that's what it's called… Han Feng thought.
"Learn your spirit beast lore when we get back! "Zhao Wuji barked.
Han Feng scratched his head sheepishly.
"Anyway," Zhao Wuji continued, "you killed it, and the attributes match. Want to absorb it? "
With Xiao Wu's rescue unlikely—anyone taken by the Titan Giant Ape had little hope—and Tang San occupied, this was the perfect time.
Han Feng considered, then nodded. "Alright."
Though not ideal, the Scaled Armor Ox's ring satisfied him, and with Zhao Wuji confirming its age, he wouldn't be picky. With the group still shaken over Xiao Wu, there'd be no further hunting.
He sat cross-legged and began absorption.
Protected by Zhao Wuji, the forest posed no further threat. Han Feng even relaxed, knowing Xiao Wu would soon return unharmed.
He assumed he'd finish faster than Tang San, who had to withstand an over-limit ring and the invasion of an external spirit bone. His own ring, lower in age, should pose no challenge…
Reality proved otherwise.
By the time dawn broke, Han Feng still hadn't finished. Xiao Wu had already returned, and Tang San had completed his absorption, yet Han Feng remained in deep focus.
The first thing Tang San saw upon waking was Xiao Wu. After their reunion, he quickly asked after Han Feng.
Learning that Han Feng had guarded him and slain a "fifteen-hundred-year-old Scaled Armor Ox," Tang San felt a pang of gratitude—until his gaze fell on the corpse.
"Teacher Zhao! He's absorbing that ring? "
Zhao Wuji blinked. "Yes. Why? "
Tang San's pupils shrank. "That's no Scaled Armor Ox—it's a variant, a Crocodile-Scaled Minotaur! And it's not fifteen hundred years old—it's over two thousand two hundred! "
Zhao Wuji stiffened, horror dawning. "You mean…? "
Tang San's voice grew heavy, though he stayed calmer than his teacher. "Yes. That ring exceeds the safe limit for a third spirit ring."
"What do we do?! "Zhao Wuji's face darkened. Han Feng was his student—if he died because of this mistake, the guilt would haunt him. Worse, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy might not forgive him.
Tang San, however, remained composed. Having just surpassed his own ring limit and conquered an external spirit bone, he reasoned, "Teacher Zhao, don't worry. Han Feng's spirit power quality is on par with a Spirit Ancestor. A few hundred years' difference shouldn't be a problem for him."
"…Let's hope so."