After searching for the strongest spiritual energy source around Nuoding City, they finally found the Spirit Hunting Forest at the city's outskirts! There, uniformed and silver-armored partner guards patrolled, preventing spirit beasts from escaping into the city—or worse, humans from trespassing into the forest without prior approval from the Spirit Tower! However, Arthur did his best to conceal information about his spiritual powers and other abilities, ensuring they remained hidden from prying eyes!
"From here, I'll use the Teleportation Boots! You can enter the System Space! I'll bring you out once we're inside the Spirit Hunting Forest!" Arthur declared.
"Got it! Be careful—there seem to be two 'Spirit Ancestors' of level 40 here!" warned Jing Liu, eyes sharp with vigilance.
"Don't worry! My spiritual energy won't be easily detected—I've trained hard in energy control!" Arthur replied confidently.
After their exchange, Arthur sent Jing Liu into the System Space and began scanning the area for strong auras. After a brief investigation, he spotted an opening! One of the guards atop the wall looked half-asleep! Without hesitation, Arthur teleported from one spot to another—and slipped successfully into the Spirit Hunting Forest! He dashed deeper into the woods, stopping on a thick tree branch before summoning Jing Liu back.
"So this is the Spirit Hunting Forest?! The environment here can't support spirit beasts reaching 1,000 years! Even though the spiritual energy is denser than outside, it's still not enough!" Jing Liu observed after sensing the surroundings.
"Hmm... Really?! But this is just the middle area. What about the deepest part?" Arthur asked curiously.
"Maybe... But weren't we only planning to search for 'Moonlight Vine' in this area?" Jing Liu reminded him.
"Well, I can only absorb a 700-year spirit ring for my first one..." Arthur muttered, slightly disappointed.
After discussing, they began searching for where Moonlight Vine grew—open areas directly exposed to moonlight, usually abundant in the eastern forest! Though it possessed incredible healing properties, the plant had a fatal limitation: it only worked if the user was bathed in moonlight! But Arthur was different—thanks to the System's simulation, he could bypass this restriction and even gain greater benefits!
"Seems like today isn't our lucky day! It's a full moon—wounded spirit beasts are gathering to heal!" Jing Liu pointed at the crowd of nocturnal spirit beasts.
"Well... But look! One of them is isolated! While the others stay in groups, it's alone!" Arthur gestured toward the solitary Moonlight Vine.
"That's because it evolved into a 'King Moonlight Vine'! It failed to reach 1,000 years, regressed to 600, and now its abilities are half-baked! That's why it's shunned!" the System whispered, audible only to Arthur.
"Hmmm... If I absorb it, what kind of abilities will I get?! Stronger than a regular Moonlight Vine?!" Arthur wondered eagerly.
"You'll gain the advantages of both 100-year AND 1,000-year traits—without the drawbacks! I'll optimize it for you!" the System assured.
Ring Effect: "Lunar Eclipse Tide"
- Every attack can either heal allies or damage enemies with lunar energy!
- Healing: Grants "Lunar Aura," regenerating 10% HP for 3 seconds!
- Attack: "Celestial Pierce"—explodes after 3 seconds, dealing +35% damage based on wounds inflicted!
- Passive: Tide of Eclipses—Every 5 hits, Arthur releases a lunar wave! Can trigger mass healing (15% within 10 meters) OR a lunar explosion (reducing enemy stats by 10%)!
"Arthur! Arthur! Stop daydreaming! What did your soul fragment say?! Are the abilities you'll gain incredible?!" Jing Liu shook him urgently.
"Yes! Absolutely insane! Let's try negotiating to plant its seed in 'System Space'—a far better environment! But if it refuses... we force it!" Arthur declared, fired up.
But then—
BRRAAAAKKK!!!
The King Moonlight Vine went berserk! Its failed evolution left its powers unstable, and the moonlight only fueled its frenzy!
"The other spirit beasts are fleeing! Even they fear it!" Jing Liu shouted.
"Good! That means no interference! Let's finish this!" Arthur teleported right in front of the King Moonlight Vine—"RASENGAN!!!"
BOOOOM!!!
Meanwhile, Jing Liu—now fused with Lumy—activated her first spirit ring's ability, freezing the foe for 3 seconds while slashing with an ice-imbued sword! The reinforced strike nearly blasted the King Moonlight Vine off the ground! But as the freeze ended, a wild burst of energy erupted from its flower, attacking indiscriminately—with no signs of stopping!
"We can't keep this up! We must sever its link to the moon AND uproot it!" Arthur yelled.
"I'll help! But you need to strike its energy source AT ONCE!" Jing Liu countered.
"Ready!"
Arthur hurled a massive boulder to block the moonlight, while Jing Liu froze and flung the King Moonlight Vine into the air!
"RAASEN-SHURIKEN!!!"
Arthur lunged, his Rasengan morphing into three vicious spinning energy discs, tearing into the monster's body—
KABOOOOM!!!!
A cataclysmic explosion! Its form shattered, leaving behind... a pulsating yellow spirit ring!
"Arthur! What was that?! The destructive force—INSANE!" Jing Liu caught Arthur as he nearly collapsed.
"Later... I'll explain... Take me to its body... I must absorb it in Dimensional Space..." Arthur gasped weakly.
Inside the Dimensional Space, Jing Liu paled. "In your state, you could EXPLODE!"
"Correct, Master. Recover your energy first. The ring won't vanish for 2 hours here," the System cautioned.
Finally, after resting, Arthur and Jing Liu regained their strength. As they steadied themselves—
"Now... it's time to absorb!"
TO BE CONTINUED...!