Chapter Thirteen: Preparations in Advance

The second spirit ring being at the millennium level would indeed grant Xiao Yu strength far surpassing others of the same rank, but this was by no means entirely a good thing. Absorbing a higher-level spirit ring than one's cultivation allowed was bound to draw the attention of all the major powers if news of it ever spread. Unless Xiao Yu had an immensely powerful backer, these forces would not hesitate to seize him and force the secret of absorbing higher-level spirit rings from his lips.

The Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the reclusive Clear Sky Sect all possessed Title Douluo-level experts. With only Huihuo, a Spirit Douluo, and Miao, a Spirit Sage, there was absolutely no way to deter these mighty factions.

Therefore, before hunting for his second spirit ring, Xiao Yu had to make thorough preparations. Fortunately, with the system in hand, he had already discovered disguising items for spirit rings while browsing the system store.

Additionally, to better withstand the strain of absorbing a millennium ring far above his current level, Xiao Yu asked Huihuo to procure some whale jelly for him, preferably at the ten-thousand-year level.

Whale jelly is a special substance derived from the brain of whales, renowned for its nourishing effects on spirit masters. It strengthens the body, enhances muscles, bones, and meridians, and increases one’s ability to withstand powerful spirit rings. Its effects were apparently discovered only during the second era of soul masters. The so-called "Child of the Plane," Huo Yuhao, once consumed a piece of ten-thousand-year whale jelly; according to the Skydream Iceworm, that single piece increased Huo Yuhao's tolerance for spirit rings by at least a thousand years.

During the first era, the effects of whale jelly remained unknown, and, owing to its potent and vigorous nature, it was even mistaken for an aphrodisiac, regarded as nothing rare or valuable. Even so, ten-thousand-year whale jelly was not something one could acquire at will. Not everyone could be as lucky as Huo Yuhao, who chanced upon it. Huihuo, whose Spirit was the Bennu Bird and who could fly, scoured almost the entire Heaven Dou Empire, and in the end managed to secure only two pieces of millennium-grade jelly.

Xiao Yu had anticipated this and felt no disappointment. If a ten-thousand-year jelly could enhance one’s tolerance by over a thousand years, then a millennium piece should at least have several hundred years’ worth of effect. Coupled with the high quality of his Spirit, absorbing a ring of thirteen to fifteen hundred years should pose no problem.

“Huihuo, I’ll leave this to you.”

Whale jelly needed to be softened before consumption, and the best method was by roasting. Given that Huihuo’s Spirit was intimately connected to fire, this saved Xiao Yu the trouble of building a fire himself.

Huihuo nodded. Never one for many words, he took the whale jelly and, channeling his spirit power, conjured black flames to roast it.

In the original story, Ma Xiaotao, who possessed the cultivation of a Spirit Emperor, managed to melt ten-thousand-year whale jelly. Huihuo, as a Spirit Douluo, wielded black flames with his Bennu Bird Spirit that were in no way inferior to the evil fire of Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix. In just a short while, the once rigid jelly softened, releasing a strange, alluring aroma.

“Young master, please.”

Sensing the jelly was ready, Huihuo manipulated his spirit power to float the softened jelly before Xiao Yu.

Staring at the steaming jelly, Xiao Yu was extremely cautious. He fanned it lightly and then carefully tore off a small piece to taste.

At first, a strong fishy taste filled his mouth, but it quickly transformed into a wave of heat that surged into his abdomen. Not only that, once swallowed, the jelly left a faint fragrance that seemed to waft out through his nose—a truly peculiar sensation.

Thus, Xiao Yu spent about five minutes, taking small bites until he had consumed both pieces.

As the jelly was digested, a scorching current began to flow from his abdomen to every part of his body. This heat not only widened his meridians but seemed to have other effects as well. Although Xiao Yu’s body was still that of a child, there were subtle hints of changes.

However, fully aware of the side effects from the original story, Xiao Yu had long since prepared himself. The moment he detected any sign, he immediately calmed his mind, focusing his spirit power to guide the warmth.

Under the guidance of his spirit power, the once rampaging heat began to nourish his meridians in a steady rhythm, a wave of indescribable comfort sweeping through his body.

After some time, Xiao Yu exhaled a breath of hot air, slowly opened his eyes, and finished absorbing the jelly.

“Huihuo.”

Turning to Huihuo, who had been guarding him throughout, Xiao Yu nodded lightly and said, “Call Miao. We’re heading to the Star Dou Forest to obtain my second spirit ring.”

“Yes, young master.”

Before long, the three of them set out for the Star Dou Forest. At the academy, Miao went to notify the headmaster, explaining that Xiao Yu had broken through to level twenty and needed to obtain his second spirit ring, thus requiring a leave of absence. The headmaster had no reason to refuse.

“Young master, have you decided what type of spirit beast you want for your second ring?” Huihuo asked.

His Spirit was the Bennu Bird, while Miao’s was the Enchanting Butterfly. In their true Spirit forms, both could sustain prolonged flight. After leaving Kaise City, they immediately took to the sky with Xiao Yu, and as they neared the Star Dou Forest, Miao finally posed the question.

To obtain his second ring, Xiao Yu had already made ample preparations, including selecting the appropriate spirit beast.

“My first spirit skill grants me the ability to enhance my own attributes,” Xiao Yu replied. “For my second skill, I want an offensive attack skill—something to deal damage. It also needs to be compatible with my Spirit. I think a dark-attribute beast, like a dragon-lion or tiger, would be ideal. The best choice, of course, would be a dragon-type beast.”

“Excellent,” Huihuo nodded at once. “I was planning to suggest this to you once we reached the forest, but it seems your thoughts are perfectly aligned with mine.”

Catching the undertone in Huihuo’s words, Miao asked, “Huihuo, do you already have a suitable beast in mind for the young master?”

Huihuo nodded. “While searching for the whale jelly, I passed through the Star Dou Forest several times and took the opportunity to scout for suitable spirit beasts. I discovered a Crimson Lotus Demon Dragon on the border between the northeastern outskirts and the forest’s core, with cultivation around fifteen hundred years. Its rank isn’t particularly high, but it’s strong enough to dominate several nearby beasts of two or three thousand years, making it the overlord of that area.”

“Very well. Huihuo, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way,” Xiao Yu said with a nod. In the original story, aside from a few true dragons, most dragon-type beasts were sub-dragons, and this Crimson Lotus Demon Dragon with cultivation around fifteen hundred years was almost certainly a sub-dragon. Even so, among spirit beasts of the same rank, a sub-dragon was still an overwhelmingly powerful presence.