The familiar warmth coursed through most of the spirit ring absorption process. Only at the very last stage, as the energy within the Green Pouch Beast's spirit ring was being drawn into him, did Qian Jue begin to feel a faint pain in his meridians.
This pain was not like what Tang San and the others had experienced when absorbing rings—pain caused by the residual soul of the beast resisting. Instead, it was the backlash of an overwhelming influx of foreign soul power. It was his body's way of warning him: 'I cannot absorb anymore.'
Fortunately, he had already reached the final phase. By gritting his teeth and holding on, Qian Jue endured and made it through. When he finally woke up, sweat was already forming on his forehead.
Seeing Qian Jue awaken, the Grandmaster, who had been waiting by his side the whole time, let out a long sigh of relief. Although this was not Qian Jue's first time absorbing a spirit ring that exceeded its usual age limit, last time it had only been by a few decades. This time, however, it was over 200 years beyond the safe range. Research and theory all suggested there would be no problem, but theory was one thing—true results could only be confirmed through practice.
"How was it? Did you feel a lot of pressure during the absorption?"
"A little," Qian Jue replied.
He described in detail the sensations he had experienced during the absorption, then spoke with a hint of unease:
"Teacher… do you think I can really handle a thousand-year ring? Even with this one not yet reaching a thousand years, my body was already reacting. And I heard that once a ring passes that mark, it undergoes a qualitative change. I'm worried I won't be able to endure it."
Truth be told, Qian Jue wasn't the type to deliberately push himself to extremes. Nor did he have any obsession with perfection. If his second spirit ring was just 800–900 years old, he would have been perfectly content. After all, that already placed him above 99% of all spirit masters.
"Don't worry, you can do it." The Grandmaster reassured him with a pat on the shoulder.
"However, we'll have to let you absorb the Spirit Bone earlier than planned. Originally, this piece was meant to stabilize your soul power after you had two rings, but clearly we have to use it now. I underestimated the combined strain of multiple rings plus exceeding their age limits. From now on, your Kindred's Mark must be strengthened seamlessly, or else you won't withstand the added burden of future rings. We can't rely on Spirit Bones to patch things up every time."
Qian Jue nodded in full agreement.
"All right then, show us your second Spirit Skill."
Qian Jue nodded back. He released his martial spirit, removing the concealment of Kindred's Veil. The shadow of the Sheep Spirit appeared, overlaying itself onto his body. An ancient, mysterious mask covered his face, its eye sockets burning with eerie blue flames that stared at the Grandmaster and Flender. Two yellow spirit rings rotated slowly beneath the Sheep Spirit's feet.
Floating silently nearby was the Wolf Spirit. Its mask-like eyes revealed nothing of its intentions. A single yellow ring glowed beneath its body as well.
"So this is the Kindred martial spirit you spoke of?" Flender's eyes widened. Though the Grandmaster had described it in detail the day before, descriptions could never match reality. Witnessing it with his own eyes—the mystical dual forms, the mysterious visage, the double-ring manifestation—Flender finally grasped the true might of this martial spirit.
"Yes, this is the Kindred. A miraculous martial spirit."
"A miracle indeed…" Flender murmured to himself.
"Teacher! This spirit ring really is a stamina-type!"
At that moment, Qian Jue suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Oh? Tell me quickly." The Grandmaster leaned in with anticipation.
Qian Jue didn't keep them guessing. "This second Spirit Skill—I've named it
As he spoke, he summoned the
But unlike before, this arrow was no longer milky white. Instead, it shimmered with a rippling emerald glow.
He had no particular target in mind at first. Then, after a moment's thought, he aimed it at Flender.
Flender blinked, then chuckled, beckoning him forward with a gesture.
*Whoosh—bang!*
The arrow whistled through the air with a sharp crack, only to be effortlessly caught by Flender's hand. It detonated instantly.
Flender pinched his fingers together, sensing carefully. "My soul power dropped slightly. For an ordinary Spirit Grandmaster, I'd estimate it would drain about one-tenth of their total power."
"Using this Spirit Skill consumed about one-twentieth of my soul power. When it hit, I recovered about half of what I spent. As for the healing… since I wasn't really injured, I didn't feel much—just a lightness in my body."
"Hmm. Impressive. The consumption isn't high, and it even drains the opponent's power. I doubt the recovery is huge, but it's certainly not weak either. This is a very powerful Spirit Skill. We'll measure its healing potential later when the chance arises. For now, go ahead and absorb that Spirit Bone."
After analyzing the ability for a moment, the Grandmaster decided to set it aside. It was time for Qian Jue to proceed with the Spirit Bone.
"Yes, Teacher."
Qian Jue responded, taking out the left leg bone he had obtained from the Spirit-Tailed Fox.
The bone looked ordinary—barely 5 centimeters long, delicate and unassuming.
Flender shook his head in disbelief, clicking his tongue. "To think… my first Spirit Bone wasn't until I was past rank 50. And this kid already has one at his level? His martial spirit really is outrageous."
Holding the Spirit Bone, Qian Jue guided it with his soul power. At once, the bone seemed to come alive, trembling faintly before radiating a soft azure glow. The more power he poured into it, the brighter it grew, until its light transformed fully into a stream of cyan mist that slipped between his fingers and merged into his left leg, as though drawn there by some invisible force.
Cool. Refreshing.
Unlike the warmth of a spirit ring, the sensation was crisp and soothing, yet just as pleasurable. Qian Jue closed his eyes, savoring the feeling as it spread from his leg throughout his body.
Gradually, the light faded. Finally, with the last wisp absorbed, the small leg bone disintegrated into fine ash that scattered from Qian Jue's palm and vanished into the air. He opened his eyes.
Rising to his feet, he stomped lightly. His left leg felt brimming with power. He couldn't help but grin with delight, eager to share the joy with his teacher.
The Grandmaster returned his smile, nodding. "Well? Did the Spirit Bone grant you an ability?"
"Yes, Teacher! This left leg bone has a skill—it lets me adjust my body weight!"
As he spoke, Qian Jue activated the ability. At once, he felt himself grow lighter.
He jumped a few times, amazed by the higher leaps. Pouring in more power, he pushed the effect to its limit, and after testing carefully, he realized his body weight could be reduced to around 30% of normal.
Excited, Qian Jue reported the results.
The Grandmaster's smile deepened. "A fine ability. Though it seems simple, its uses are great. Most obviously, it enhances your agility. How's the soul power consumption? Any activation cost, or cooldown delay after turning it off?"
Qian Jue tested as instructed, then answered: "The consumption increases the lighter I get. At minimum weight—30% of normal—I can last for about half an hour. Turning it on or off costs nothing, and there's no cooldown."
"Excellent," the Grandmaster said with satisfaction. "It may reduce your striking power while lightened, but in battle, this is invaluable. From now on, your training will include learning to toggle it instantly mid-combat. Only when you can control your weight with a single thought will this lesson be complete."
"Understood, Teacher." Qian Jue nodded firmly.
"Good. That's enough for today. Let's set up camp here for the night."
"Camp? Why—" Qian Jue blinked, confused. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the sun sinking toward the horizon.
"Absorbing a Spirit Bone isn't as quick as absorbing a spirit ring. You were fast this time, finishing in just half a day." The Grandmaster explained with a smile.
…
"Fine…"