Under Ye Tianming's suppression, the Human-faced Demon Sheep was still struggling desperately, emitting cries like a baby.
The pitiful sound seemed to disturb one's mind, making it unbearable to strike it down.
"Long Chen, kill it quickly!"
Dragon Chen finally reacted, drawing the sharp dagger and coming before the Human-faced Demon Sheep, plunging the blade into its neck.
The Human-faced Demon Sheep struggled in pain for a few moments, then collapsed, lifeless.
Only then did Ye Tianming retract his spirit power.
"Judging by the number of rings on its horns, this Human-faced Demon Sheep's cultivation should be around four hundred years. Long Chen, when you absorb its spirit ring, your body might experience a significant impact."
"Uncle Ye, I'm fine."
Ye Tianming patted Dragon Chen's shoulder.
"Mm, just absorb it with peace of mind later. I'll guard you from the side."
Wisps of mist slowly rose from the Human-faced Demon Sheep's corpse, gradually condensing into a spirit ring that emitted a faint yellow glow.
Dragon Chen sat cross-legged on the ground, adjusted his breathing, and then used his mind to slowly pull the spirit ring closer.
As the spirit ring approached, Dragon Chen could feel intense energy fluctuations.
He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and, following the method Ye Tianming had taught him earlier, carefully guided the energy from the spirit ring to merge with his soul.
The energy from the spirit ring permeated his body like a fine stream, slowly flowing along his meridians.
Dragon Chen could clearly feel that the energy was nourishing every cell in his body, slowly increasing his strength.
However, this good fortune did not last long; as the absorption deepened, the energy in the spirit ring suddenly became violent, impacting his body fiercely like a storm.
He felt as if his body was about to be torn apart.
"Hold on, Long Chen."
Ye Tianming and Ye Lingling stood by, watching Dragon Chen.
This was a necessary path for every Spirit Master's growth.
Dragon Chen gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his cheeks.
His attention was focused deep within, using his willpower to control the violent energy, turning it to his own use.
As time passed, the violent energy gradually became subdued, transforming into a gentle force that nourished every inch of Dragon Chen's skin, every bone, and even the depths of his soul.
His aura gradually became steady, and faint light shimmered faintly around his body.
When the last trace of energy was completely absorbed, the spirit ring vanished into nothingness.
Dragon Chen slowly opened his eyes, feeling the surging power within his body, his heart filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment.
"Uncle Ye, I succeeded!"
Ye Tianming smiled and nodded, his eyes full of relief.
"Long Chen, you did very well. How do you feel?"
Dragon Chen stood up, stretched his limbs, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Uncle Ye, I feel my strength has greatly increased, the spirit power in my body is more abundant, my control over spirit power is more precise, and my perception has also become much stronger."
"This is the benefit of absorbing a spirit ring. Your strength has clearly risen to a higher level. Only after obtaining a spirit ring can one truly be called a Spirit Master. However, this is just the beginning. As you continue to progress and acquire more spirit rings, your overall strength will further improve, and you will also face greater challenges."
"I understand, Uncle Ye."
Dragon Chen's expression was firm.
"I will continue to work hard and live up to your expectations."
Ye Lingling watched Dragon Chen from the side, a hint of admiration in her eyes.
"Brother Chen, you're amazing! You got your first spirit ring so quickly, and your spirit power must have increased a lot, right?"
Dragon Chen turned to look at Ye Lingling, his tone gentle:
"My spirit power increased by two levels; I'm now level twelve."
"Two levels at once, what about your Spirit Ability?"
Both the father and daughter looked at Dragon Chen, curious.
Dragon Chen frowned.
"Uncle Ye, this Spirit Ability I obtained is a bit strange. I can't quite describe the feeling."
"Oh?"
Ye Tianming was slightly taken aback.
"Then show it to me."
"Okay."
Dragon Chen released his Darknight Demon Lyre.
The black magic lyre floated before him, and his ten fingers gently plucked the strings.
As the first spirit ring suddenly glowed, a black mist was released from the magic lyre, instantly condensing into a shadow in the air.
Looking at the faintly black-glowing shadow, Ye Tianming and Ye Lingling were both startled.
The black shadow was shaped like a sheep's body with a human face, looking somewhat similar to the Human-faced Demon Sheep, yet also different.
It was over five meters tall, with two sharp horns, tiger-like teeth, and human-like claws.
Even more bizarrely, between its two armpits, there was a huge eye, glowing with a blood-red light.
Although it was a shadow, it looked extremely fierce.
From its mouth came a baby-like sound that made one's scalp tingle.
"W-what is this? A mutated Human-faced Demon Sheep?"
Ye Tianming couldn't help but widen his eyes.
He had never seen such a strange beast.
Dragon Chen's heart tightened.
He knew this was a type of ferocious beast from ancient mythological legends, named Gourmand.
Gourmand, along with Taowu, Hundun, and Qiongqi, were known as the Four Great Ferocious Beasts of antiquity—a fierce and gluttonous beast.
Dragon Chen never expected that his Dark Night Magic Qin could summon a Gourmand Shadow.
"Uncle Ye, it seems to be an ancient divine beast, named Gourmand."
"Gourmand?"
"Mm. I heard a storyteller mention it when I was wandering the streets before. At the time, I thought he was just making it up, but I didn't expect such an exotic beast to actually exist."
Ye Tianming nodded, half-believing, half-doubting.
"I've lived most of my life, and this is the first time I've heard of Gourmand. I wonder where that storyteller got his information. Long Chen, what is this Spirit Ability you obtained?"
Dragon Chen retracted his Spirit, and the Gourmand Shadow disappeared with it.
"Uncle Ye, my first Spirit Ability is also a bit strange. I call it 'Demonic Sound Summons Gourmand'. When I use this Spirit Ability, I can summon Gourmand through my lyre music. Gourmand is gluttonous and possesses the ability to devour, capable of devouring all century-level Spirit Abilities, and it also has a certain devouring and weakening effect on Spirit Abilities above the century level."
"?! Devour?!"
Ye Tianming's expression changed drastically.
He was already worried that Dragon Chen would be controlled by inner demons, but he never expected the first Spirit Ability Dragon Chen obtained to be so evil.
Dragon Chen already possessed the devouring ability of an evil-attributed Spirit.
Moreover, that devouring ability seemed very powerful.
If he couldn't control his inner greed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Dragon Chen seemed to sense what Ye Tianming was worrying about.
He also didn't know why he would have such a Spirit Ability.
Dragon Chen felt as if his body was a vessel, carrying an unknown power, and with his current strength, he couldn't fully control that powerful force.
He guessed that as his spirit power increased, Gourmand's devouring power would become even stronger.