When Arthur saw Jing Liu trying to condense a spirit ring, to his surprise, she successfully condensed a 1,000-year purple spirit ring! Meanwhile, Lumy, who was in "battle mode," seemed to grow even larger, her ice armor darkening with moon-shaped sword engravings and additional ice crystals radiating a chilling aura!
"Hmm... It seems the effects of physical training and this place—with spiritual energy density ten times thicker than outside—support condensing a 1,000-year spirit ring!" Arthur remarked, impressed.
"Well, you're not wrong. But there's another reason she managed to condense a 1,000-year ring as her first—her martial soul shared the pressure of the condensation process! That's why she could achieve this without side effects," System calmly explained.
Hearing that Jing Liu hadn't overexerted herself, Arthur began planning to obtain a spirit ring from the "Moonlight Vine"—though he'd aim for a 1,000-year one too!
"If you're hoping to absorb a 1,000-year spirit ring, you might be disappointed. I estimate your limit is 700 years," System stated flatly.
"What?! I can only absorb a 700-year ring for my first?! Ugh... If only I had enough money for 'Whale Rubber'... but it's way too expensive right now!" Arthur sighed in frustration.
After waiting over four hours, Jing Liu finally succeeded in condensing her first spirit ring. But when Arthur inspected it closely and consulted System, he was stunned—it was actually 1,800 years old! Meaning, without Lumy, Jing Liu's limit would've been just 900 years!
"Arthur, I did it! I condensed a 1,000-year spirit ring, and my spirit power rose by 15 levels! And look—it came with an amazing ability!" Jing Liu beamed, her eyes sparkling.
### Ring Effect: Lunar Frost Domain
- Creates an Ice Domain that freezes enemies for 3 seconds (if they're 10 levels below her).
- Against equal or stronger foes, slows them by 35%!
- Attack power increases by 65% within a 5-meter radius (expands by 5 meters every 10 levels!).
"Wha—?! How is an ability like this even possible?! That's way too overpowered for a first spirit ring! And you're an 'Attack System' user—why do you have a control-type skill?!" Arthur exclaimed, dumbfounded.
"Actually, I can choose abilities from my bloodline's ancestral species before they became human! Or variants of Ice Wolves!" Jing Liu grinned proudly, flashing her purple ring.
"But wouldn't it be better to focus on offense first? Control and stat boosts usually come from the third ring..." Arthur tested her reasoning.
"Hmm, I already considered that! But I don't lack attack power—I've mastered your Rasengan, and with Lumy, I get an ice sword in Battle Mode!" Jing Liu crossed her arms, utterly confident.
"Tch... Fine, you passed my trap. Then tonight, help me get a—" Arthur's voice abruptly cut off, his expression uneasy.
Noticing his discomfort, Jing Liu understood instantly. "Relax, spirit beasts under 50,000 years don't have human-like sentience! Unless they're special cases..."
"Alright... That's a relief. Oh, and you should disguise your ring's color! No one can know until we graduate from Nuoding Academy!" Arthur reminded her.
"Hmm... Got it! But it's almost noon outside... After I hide it, I want a proper meal!" Jing Liu demanded, eyes gleaming like a child's.
"Uh... We'll have to settle for what's here... I forgot to bring Uncle Jack's gold coins, hehe..." Arthur scratched his head, but Jing Liu saw right through him!
Once her ring was disguised, Jing Liu dashed out of the System Space. "I'll check if anyone's slacking on meditation!" But Arthur knew the others were still training seriously.
"They're really putting in the effort... So I asked Master Dwarf to make these to help them!" Arthur revealed wolf-shaped brooches—he'd already told Jing Liu about Master Dwarf and the System Space.
"What's this? A spirit tool? What does it—?" Before she finished, Jing Liu instantly understood upon touching it!
When activated—
BOOM!
Spiritual energy flooded the room, tripling in density! Its purity even rivaled the outermost layers of the Soul Hunting Forest!
"What the—?! Since when was the energy here this thick?!" a dorm member shrieked in shock.
"Could this be...?!"
TO BE CONTINUED—!