"Zhuqing will probably need to wait another two months," Yang Yunhai shook his head. "It's been less than a month since she broke through to level 29. Even though she's been diligently cultivating, everyone can see that. But the time interval is simply too short,it would easily arouse suspicion."
"It doesn't matter. Yan'er can wait another month too. By then, I'll take them both to obtain their spirit rings together," Dugu Bo smiled.
"Medicine is most effective right after it's taken. More training during this time will only help digestion and absorption, strengthening the foundation. The higher the age of spirit rings absorbed later, the more they'll improve the body and the stronger the spirit abilities will be. Besides, staying stuck at a level doesn't mean cultivation has to stop. When the bottleneck breaks, all the stored-up spirit power will surge forth."
"Taken altogether, waiting another month isn't a loss."
Yan'er can also stay in this valley another month,that'll give her and Xiao Hai more time to deepen their relationship, he added silently in his heart.
Aloud, he continued, "Also, I can probably start taking the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd myself soon. Absorbing its power will take time as well. Another month will let me finish refining its medicinal strength, and when my strength rises again, I'll be better prepared for the coming spirit evolution."
"Hehe, both my granddaughter and I have evolving spirits. Some people might get ideas if they see that."
"After she takes it, I'll let Yan'er use her attempt to break through level 40 as a reason to skip the team's training camp after the one-month holiday."
Yang Yunhai thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. "That works."
"I'll head out after lunch," Dugu Bo said with a nod.
Yang Yunhai instinctively glanced at the window, then slowly stood up. "Grandpa Dugu, I'll go prepare the meal."
"Good, I'll sit outside," Dugu Bo said, rising to follow him out.
As they passed the living room, he glanced into another room. Dugu Yan had already finished tidying up with Zhu Zhuqing's help, and the two were sitting together chatting.
He paused for a moment in thought, then strode toward a recliner.
Before long, the group was at the dining table.
Partway through the meal, Dugu Bo suddenly asked, "Xiao Hai, what do you think would be best for Yan'er's fourth spirit ring?"
With her martial spirit evolving, the choice of spirit rings naturally had to change as well. He wanted Yang Yunhai's opinion.
He already knew how carefully Yang Yunhai's spirit skills were chosen,each one complementing the others perfectly. He figured the boy must have some unique insight.
This was a child who loved research. Otherwise, he would never have come up with the theory of absorbing spirit rings beyond their normal limits.
Yang Yunhai set down his chopsticks and fell into thought. After a moment, he spoke. "In my opinion, Sister Yan's first three spirit abilities already provide enough offensive power. But she still lacks control. Without control, her poison attacks can't be guaranteed to take effect. So, I suggest her fourth ability should be a strong control-type skill."
"And preferably one that can grow stronger over time. For example, the Stone Gaze of Medusa, the queen of snakes, or the Spiritual Shock of the Three-Eyed Violet Snake. These spirit abilities increase in power as the user's spiritual strength improves,meaning the higher the cultivation, the more useful they become."
Control the opponent first, then release poison. Whether they want to inhale it or not, they'll be forced to. A bit like glaring at someone and leaving them helpless,it's a powerful strategy.
"With such a skill, future spirit rings can be chosen to complement it, developing a path that focuses mainly on poison with spiritual power as a secondary attribute. Offense and defense would both be possible, enemies would struggle to get close, and it would offset the martial spirit's weakness in close combat."
"Of course, this is only a direction. To be honest, I'm not very familiar with all the types of spirit beasts on the continent."
Unexpectedly, Xiao Hai even had deep insight into this area. Dugu Yan was a little surprised.
"No, Xiao Hai, your advice is extremely valuable!" Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. He reached to his waist, pulled out a thick book, and handed it over. "Xiao Hai, this spirit beast compendium is for you. I've traveled the continent for many years and learned of many types of spirit beasts. Otherwise, I never would have been able to obtain my eighth spirit ability,Time Freeze."
Time Freeze truly was remarkable. Yang Yunhai nodded, politely accepting the book. "Thank you, Grandpa Dugu."
"You're welcome," Dugu Bo smiled. "Xiao Hai, you clearly have a gift for theoretical research. Giving you this compendium isn't selfless,I also hope you can guide Yan'er more in her martial cultivation."
"No problem," Yang Yunhai nodded succinctly.
"In that case, Yan'er's fourth spirit ring should come from a Medusa. I've seen one in Sunset Forest," Dugu Bo said.
The Medusa, queen of snakes, was a dual poison-and-spirit beast. Normally, spirit masters who killed one and absorbed its ring would only gain a poison ability. Only its head spirit bone carried the Stone Gaze skill. His own spirit bone came from one.
But cross-level absorption wasn't "normal." He believed it could work. Either way, hunting such a rare beast would never be a loss. Medusa was called queen for a reason,her status among snake-type beasts was supreme.
"If you know the location, then all the better. Rare spirit beasts like that aren't easy to find," Yang Yunhai smiled.
Dugu Bo nodded. "Eat, eat. I still have to head out afterward."
The group fell silent and focused on their meal.
Soon, full and satisfied, Dugu Bo left with a toothpick in his mouth.
Watching her grandfather walk away, Dugu Yan turned back and sincerely thanked Yang Yunhai. "Xiao Hai, thank you."
"You're welcome," Yang Yunhai smiled. "Grandpa Dugu has helped me a great deal too."
He glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then added, "Enough about that. Sister Yan, we just finished eating, so it's a good time to digest. While we're free, let me share some suggestions for your training plan."
Dugu Yan immediately straightened her posture.
"First is physical training. For now, follow the same regimen as Zhuqing. Later, I'll make adjustments depending on your results," Yang Yunhai said. "As for martial training, I recommend focusing on your first spirit ability. It allows you to summon a tangible Jade Phosphor Serpent to bind enemies, with venom injected through its fangs. I think it has a lot of potential."
"For example, by channeling more spirit power into it, you could increase its size to fight enemies head-on."
"If you master that, then combining it with your second and third abilities would be even more effective. Imagine the serpent approaching while you release poison from afar,you wouldn't even need to personally engage, making it much safer. You could even command the serpent to self-destruct, releasing its venom in a wide area around enemies."
It can be used like that? Dugu Yan was stunned, her horizons instantly broadened.
"Or, you could compress your spirit power, shrinking the serpent's size while maintaining its venomous potency. Then, during battle, use the terrain, allies' skills, or even enemies' own abilities as cover, allowing the serpent to sneak in unnoticed. Once it hides in their clothes, it could wait for the right moment to strike with a fatal bite."
"For example, biting a vulnerable spot or sinking its fangs into an open wound."
The thought made Dugu Yan's scalp tingle, her long legs tense involuntarily, but her eyes shone brightly.
It felt like she was seeing the door to a whole new world.
Her gaze toward Yang Yunhai changed. In her heart, she thought: Xiao Hai is amazing!
So powerful. Within her spirit bone, Yin E also looked on in admiration.
Zhu Zhuqing simply watched Yang Yunhai quietly, her eyes tender and filled with affection.
Not long after, their break ended. The three left the cabin and began training.
Time flew, and soon it was deep into the night,at Shrek Academy's dormitory.
A shadow flitted by. Xiao Wu, sleeping in her bed, suddenly tilted her head and fainted.
Then, her mouth was pried open, and a small herb was stuffed inside, root and all.
The next morning, during breakfast.
Xiao Wu approached Oscar. "Little Ao, I must have too much internal heat,my throat hurts. Quickly, make me a recovery sausage."
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