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"A spirit skill that supports himself?" Su Yuntao was dumbfounded.
This spirit skill was similar in effect to what an auxiliary-type Spirit Master would get from absorbing a Starlight Fruit Tree, yet different. It was cast on himself and couldn't be used to amplify teammates.
"In that case, this should still be considered a combat-type spirit skill."
Enhancing one's own state to amplify combat power was also a common type of combat spirit skill.
It was just that it was very rare for a Spirit Master absorbing a Starlight Fruit Tree to obtain this kind of skill.
After all, based on experience, Spirit Masters of the power-attack, agility-attack, or even defense systems would all seek out spirit beasts that specialized in their corresponding areas to obtain spirit rings.
What power-attack Spirit Master would seek out a Starlight Fruit Tree, with its pathetically weak combat power, just to get a status-amplification spirit skill?
Of course, there were cases of auxiliary-type Spirit Masters hunting particularly powerful spirit beasts to gain auxiliary skills. For example, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hunting a defense-oriented Single-Horned Giant Rhino could yield a defense-type auxiliary skill.
"Sigh, you're still walking further and further down the path of using your book as a weapon," Su Yuntao sighed.
He had learned about Su Wen's situation on the way here and had tried to persuade him otherwise.
Using a Book Spirit as a weapon was truly, innately inferior to spirits like hammers, blades, or swords.
Wanting to make up for this gap wasn't something that could be accomplished just by having a perfect spirit ring configuration.
Su Wen knew that Su Yuntao's words were reasonable.
However, possessing combat strength was a necessity for Su Wen.
"Indeed, using the Book Spirit as a pure weapon, it holds no advantage compared to spirits like blades or swords."
However, the combat style for a Book Spirit user wasn't necessarily limited to just using the book as a weapon.
Su Wen was merely limited by his own current abilities, only able to develop this one combat method.
The "magic book" direction was a good choice, but Su Wen's spirit didn't have capabilities in that area, nor did he have any foundation in elemental-type spirit skills, making it impossible to develop in that direction.
The first spirit ring was the foundation for everything for Su Wen. Whether it was his subsequent cultivation speed or the upper limits imposed by his spirit's quality, he had to resolve these issues as early as possible. Therefore, he couldn't take the risk this time to try and develop towards the magic book path.
"Since Little Wen has finished absorbing his spirit ring, we should also leave as soon as possible."
The Spirit Hunting Forest was, in the end, a dangerous place.
While they couldn't say for certain there was a thousand-year spirit beast, they also couldn't guarantee that there wasn't one within the Spirit Hunting Forest.
After returning to Spirit Hall, Su Wen thanked Feng Yuan and Sisi, and then went to Grandmaster Ma Xiunuo to register.
On the way back, Su Wen had become troubled.
"I can't perform too well. If I qualify to go to Spirit City to cultivate, that will be troublesome."
He didn't think the benefits of going to Spirit City would be small, but heading there would mean truly losing control over everything.
Who knew what the limits of a Titled Douluo's abilities were?
Upon reaching the Titled Douluo level, even if one didn't cultivate spiritual power, their innate spiritual power would naturally grow to an exaggerated level. What if they could sense the malice of weaker individuals?
A tiny Spirit Master dares to have killing intent towards me, a Titled Douluo? You have found your path to death!
Of course, all these worries were based on the premise that Su Wen would actually meet Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, coming face to face with them.
And regarding this point, Su Wen also had 'confidence'.
If he really went to Spirit City, it would undoubtedly be for the better resources there. Su Wen would have to perform at his best to gain the greatest benefits. And he was confident that he could stand out, making it not impossible to meet a Titled Douluo in person.
If he went to Spirit City only to develop in a low-key manner, then what would be the point of going?
Therefore, Su Wen simply decided not to go.
"I've already consumed most of my origin spirit power, and a lot of the spirit ring's spirit power was also used up by me during the spirit's metamorphosis... but my spirit power still rose to level 12."
But fortunately, it was only level 12.
After all, it was a hundred-year spirit ring, and Su Wen had cultivated for an entire extra year at level 10.
This was equivalent to Su Wen gaining one level in one year.
This was still a demerit in Su Wen's evaluation.
"But it's still not enough."
Fortunately, Su Yuntao had given Su Wen an idea.
That's right, the potential of the Book Spirit as a weapon was, in the end, too poor.
Without undergoing a true metamorphosis and becoming unrivaled in its field, Su Wen's development path of using the book as a weapon was destined to be a huge demerit.
"Level 12!"
Reaching level 12 right after obtaining his first spirit ring was one level higher than the average Spirit Master. However, considering Su Wen had been stuck at level 10 for a year, this level actually seemed low.
And, it was a three-hundred-and-sixty-year Starlight Fruit Tree spirit ring!
With such a spirit ring as the first one, there were many examples in Spirit Hall's records of Spirit Masters being directly promoted to level 12.
And those Spirit Masters had all obtained their spirit rings shortly after breaking through to level 10.
Viewed comprehensively, Su Wen's level 12 actually seemed lackluster.
Sigh!
Feeling pity for Su Wen once again, Ma Xiunuo registered Su Wen's information and, at the same time, took out one gold spirit coin and handed it to Su Wen.
"As long as you become a Spirit Master and register with Spirit Hall, you can receive a subsidy of one gold spirit coin every month. A Grand Spirit Master can receive ten gold spirit coins, and a Spirit Elder can receive one hundred gold spirit coins every month!"
Of course, after reaching the Spirit Ancestor level, there would be no more subsidies. Only by joining various factions could one perhaps receive an internal 'subsidy' from the faction, but at that point, it was basically a salary, not a free stipend.
"The gold spirit coins are provided by the two great Empires and distributed by our Spirit Hall."
According to regulations, Spirit Hall was responsible for distribution, but they also had to state the source of the subsidy.
This was a requirement from the two great Empires.
Evidently, it wasn't very effective.
Su Wen accepted the gold spirit coin and bid farewell to Grandmaster Ma Xiunuo.
"Sigh, what a pity. If the Book Spirit took the research path, Little Wen could have had a great future as a theoretical scholar."
Spirit Hall did have such a system internally.
However, to be an outstanding theoretical scholar, or rather, to become one, you first needed someone to support you.
Even within Spirit Hall, the resources and various collected data weren't things just anyone could casually browse through.
"Sigh, it all depends on fate." Ma Xiunuo sighed.
Whether not taking the path of a functional Spirit Master was good or bad for Su Wen, only time would tell.
Su Wen did not return to the academy immediately.
The leave he had requested was for a full seven days.
He planned to spend the rest of his leave soaking in Spirit Hall's library, intending to read through all the materials here first.
...
In the library.
Su Wen held a thick book in his hand.
He released his own spirit.
The originally dusty-looking book had now completely changed its appearance.
A profound cover, adorned with deep purple starlight. A book that was clearly much more noble and refined floated before Su Wen.
A bright yellow spirit ring rose from beneath Su Wen's feet.
"It's time to test the effect of this spirit skill of mine."
...
(End of this chapter)