Chapter 7: Testing the Thousand Machine Umbrella
"What's interesting is that Grandmaster's extreme theory states that each Realm is only a few decades higher than the maximum safe threshold."
The director's tone carried a hint of mockery, and his brows were full of disdain.
Li Tian: "…"
It seems everyone has a clear understanding of what's truly going on with Yu Xiaogang's theories.
Even teachers in a small place like Nuoding City are aware.
Not to mention the major powers.
In their eyes, Yu Xiaogang is probably no different from a clown.
Heh heh!
The Soul Hunting Forest is only about four hundred li from Nuoding City, neither too far nor too close.
The two of them arrived at noon the next day.
What moved Li Tian deeply was that the director paid for all their food and drinks along the way.
What a good person.
"We have a warrant, a team hunt for strength-type Spirit Beasts, still two people short."
"Hunting agility-type Spirit Beasts, seven people waiting for a warrant, ten gold coins."
…
The market outside the Soul Hunting Forest was bustling with activity.
It gave Li Tian a sense of déjà vu, like being in a game and forming a party to clear a dungeon.
It felt very strange.
The director said, "The Soul Hunting Forest is a gathering place for many commoner Spirit Masters."
"Some sell items, and some help hunt Spirit Beasts."
"However, human hearts are greedy, and there are many lawless individuals hidden among them."
"If you show too much wealth,"
"they will harbor ill intentions, as death is common when hunting Spirit Beasts."
Li Tian knew the director was teaching him the importance of not flaunting his wealth.
Walking out of the market, a dense forest came into his view.
He was more or less shocked.
Because the trees in the forest were so tall, they would be rare even in the primeval forests of Earth.
And this was just the Soul Hunting Forest.
How magnificent would the scenery be in true Spirit Beast gathering places like the Sunset Forest and the Star Dou Great Forest?
The forest was surrounded by a fence.
However, the fence, over ten meters high, seemed small compared to the towering trees.
There were also soldiers guarding the entrance.
The director said, "Not just anyone can enter the Soul Hunting Forest; only those with a warrant issued by Spirit Hall can enter."
"Those soldiers are only responsible for external security."
"Inside the Soul Hunting Forest, there are also Spirit Hall enforcers who check warrants at any time."
"If you can't produce one, you'll be executed on the spot."
…
The director patiently explained to Li Tian, and many details he had originally forgotten became clear again.
As they spoke, the two arrived at the entrance.
The director handed a token to the soldier captain responsible for checking warrants.
The director had just introduced that warrant.
It was specially issued by Spirit Hall to Soul Master Academies, making it convenient for them to lead students to hunt for spirit rings.
Notting School had three.
Upon entering the Soul Hunting Forest, the director didn't rush deeper but looked at Li Tian.
"Come on, let me help you test your Spirit."
With a thought, his Thousand Machine Umbrella appeared in his hand, then rapidly expanded.
The mini Thousand Machine Umbrella became two meters long.
As the director thought, a golden, gleaming three-foot-long sword, emitting faint sharp rays, appeared in his hand.
Two yellow spirit rings rose from his feet.
As a Spirit Grandmaster, with a Sword Spirit, he certainly wouldn't lack attack power.
Dealing with a three to four-hundred-year-old Spirit Beast should not be difficult.
It was also the moment his Spirit emerged that Li Tian received the replication feedback.
The Thousand Machine Umbrella could now transform into that sword.
However, it did not successfully replicate the Spirit Ability, and he didn't know if it was because Li Tian didn't have a spirit ring yet.
Or if it simply wasn't possible.
The director introduced, "My Spirit is called the Diamond Sword; its quality isn't high."
"But it's still quite good among those of the same level."
"I will gradually increase the force of my attacks on your Spirit to test its defensive limit."
"Okay."
With a thought, Li Tian's Thousand Machine Umbrella was already open, waiting for the director's attack.
"Swish!"
There were no fancy moves, just a seemingly ordinary sword strike.
But this strike was very fast.
"Clang!"
The Diamond Sword struck the surface of the Thousand Machine Umbrella, emitting a crisp sound.
It was as if a sword had struck an iron plate.
The director couldn't help but praise, "It seems your Spirit's defense is quite good; I'm going to increase the force."
As he spoke.
On the body of the Diamond Sword, flashes of light shimmered, and a sharp aura surged out.
That wasn't a Spirit Ability.
It was just the director injecting spirit power into his Spirit, causing the spirit power to shimmer.
"Swish!"
This sword strike was even faster, and the sense of sharpness was very strong.
Li Tian subconsciously turned sideways, adopted a bow stance, and firmly held the Thousand Machine Umbrella with both hands.
He was ready to defend.
"Clang!"
The Diamond Sword still failed to break through the Thousand Machine Umbrella's defense, but the powerful impact nearly made Li Tian fall.
"Good!"
The director praised again, then conducted a series of tests.
Ultimately.
Without using Spirit Abilities, even with his full strength, he couldn't break through the Thousand Machine Umbrella's defense.
"Alright, that's enough."
The director put away his Spirit and said, "Your Spirit's defense is absolutely top-tier."
"Whoosh!"
Li Tian let out a heavy breath, also putting away his Spirit.
Although the opponent hadn't used Spirit Abilities.
His tiger's mouth was still shaken by the powerful impact, showing the gap between them.
But precisely because of this, the Thousand Machine Umbrella's defensive power could be seen.
The director said, "Since you have such excellent defense, I suggest your first spirit ring be a defensive amplification."
"Preferably a percentage amplification."
"Because the first two spirit rings are not of high quality, only percentage amplification can stay with you as you progress."
"Or spirit power amplification also works."
Li Tian asked, "Then, Director, what kind of Spirit Beast can provide this type of Spirit Ability?"
The original work didn't describe Spirit Beasts much.
And the descriptions were not very detailed; getting Spirit Abilities seemed to be entirely based on luck.
There's no point in pretending to understand; asking more questions can't hurt.
The director said, "What kind of Spirit Ability a Spirit Beast can provide mainly depends on the Spirit Abilities the Spirit Beast itself possesses."
"Secondly, it depends on the compatibility."
"If the compatibility is high enough, theoretically, it's possible to replicate the Spirit Beast's Spirit Ability one hundred percent."
"If the compatibility isn't enough, you can only rely on luck."
"However, it will always have some connection to the Spirit Beast's Spirit Ability."
"It may also mutate based on the Spirit's characteristics."
"Your Spirit has amazing defense, so as long as you choose a defensive Spirit Beast, there will be a certain degree of compatibility."
"Specifically, it depends on what we encounter."
"Hunting Spirit Beasts isn't about finding whatever you want; it's more about luck."
"If you target one specific goal, you might not find it even if you search until you die."
"Let's go, we can talk as we walk; I'll introduce some Spirit Beasts that are more compatible with your Spirit along the way."
Li Tian nodded and said, "Okay."
The two began to go deeper into the Soul Hunting Forest, with the director vigilantly scanning their surroundings while introducing Spirit Beasts to Li Tian.
Defensive Spirit Beasts that might provide amplification-type Spirit Abilities.
Defensive Spirit Beasts that might provide defensive-type Spirit Abilities.
The introduction was very comprehensive, offering suggestions from the first spirit ring to the fourth spirit ring.
He was truly dedicated.
[end of the chapter]