After returning to the nearest city from the Sunset Forest, I rented a hotel room and waited for Dougu Bo's return. I used this time to explore my spirit ring. When I slowly summoned my battle spirit, I noticed a new purple spirit ring.
It seems that the second ability of my spirit ring is copying, just as I suspected. It can copy the movements of my opponents, especially those below god-level power.
Although it's a powerful skill, it might be less useful in this world since there aren't many abilities worth copying.
At least, I confirmed my previous guess. In the past, I could only copy the moves of those much weaker than me, and the same applied to illusions, where I could only control people ten levels below me. Initially, I thought the Sharingan's effect was weaker in this world due to the limitations on my abilities. However, when I realized that my perception skill hadn't weakened and had actually grown stronger, I started to suspect that the spirit rings might be responsible. Since my copying skill has become stronger, I expect the same will happen with my illusion skill.
After a short while, Dougu Bo arrived. I suggested we rest for the night and leave in the morning, and he agreed. I rented another room for him.
The next morning, we headed to the Sunset Forest.
During the journey, I encountered some of the beasts Dougu Bo looked after. At times like these, it's comforting to have someone protecting you, so I didn't have to act alone.
Later, we arrived at a place filled with poisonous fog. Dougu Bo shielded me with his spirit power. Once we passed the fog, the scenery before me changed. I saw a beautiful place filled with rare and exotic herbs, and in the middle, a lake that was half white and half red, with steam rising from it. This was the Lake of Ice and Fire.
Suddenly, I heard Dougu Bo say, "As for me, I'll go and return every morning with some food."
"Thank you," I replied.
He left, and I started examining the plants, placing some of them in my storage bag, including the Beautiful Silk Tulip. I had plans for this plant.
I then walked slowly and picked another plant, thinking to myself, "I believe this is the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, as the description matches the legend." I uprooted it and ate it, then sat down to absorb its effects. After a few hours, I felt my spirit power rise to level 26. The impurities from my bone marrow were cleared, which would speed up my progress in meditation. Additionally, my appearance improved significantly; my skin became smoother, and most of the childhood fat disappeared, making me look like an eight- or nine-year-old. However, some effects of the plant remained unabsorbed, possibly due to my young age.
I decided to save the remaining herbs for later since consuming too many mythical herbs at once could raise suspicion and cause issues if the Spirit Hall noticed my spirit power rising too quickly. So, I spent my time meditating, sleeping, and eating until a month had passed.
"Hey, Dougu Bo! I'm leaving now; I've finished what I was working on," I said to him.
During this month, Dougu Bo had already decided on the fourth treatment method after seeing my rapid progress. We talked a lot and became like friends, despite the age difference.
"Finally, let's leave. I'm tired of coming and going," Dougu Bo said, annoyed.
I didn't blame him. During the month, he would sometimes go home to check on his granddaughter, bring food, or hunt spirit beasts in the forest and roast them.
My spirit power reached level 30, meaning I had advanced by four levels in just one month. If the world knew about such rapid progress, they would be shocked. The speed of cultivation here is much faster thanks to the enhanced meditation techniques and the effects of the mythical herbs, in addition to the spirit energy surrounding the area, which explains my quick advancement.
Now, I need to get a spirit ring and then head to the Spirit Hall. I'm late for my appointment.
After that, I spent two more days in the forest with Dougu Bo, searching for a spirit beast specializing in illusions, but I couldn't find a suitable one. So, I decided to postpone it because I was already late. Also, I felt embarrassed to ask Dougu Bo to stay a few more days, so I headed toward the city of Wuhun.
Later...
Today, I entered the city of Wuhun. It's a beautiful city filled with cultural elements from both empires. Everyone here is a Spirit Master, so it wasn't too crowded.
After spending a day exploring the city, eating, and buying some gifts for Qian Renxue, hoping she wouldn't be upset with me.
Then, I went to the Wuhun Palace and showed my token, requesting to meet Spear Douluo first. Since Qian Renxue's identity and presence are unknown to ordinary people,Spear Douluo welcomed me without questioning my delay, and I was grateful for that. I then asked him to take me to Qian Renxue, and he agreed. On the way, I saw many Spirit Saints and Spirit Kings, and even some Douluos who looked at me curiously because I was accompanied by a Title Douluo.
After some time, we arrived at a beautiful palace that appeared golden from the outside. Our journey took half an hour.
Spear Douluo then left me to continue on my own. I approached the maid at the door, showed her my token, and explained the reason for my visit. She went inside, and after a short while, a girl appeared who was incredibly beautiful, perhaps the most beautiful girl I had seen in both of my lives. I hadn't paid attention to her appearance before, but now I had to admit her beauty.
"Why are you late? I've been waiting for you for a long time," she said, annoyed.
"Sorry, some things came up that delayed me," I said apologetically.
"Alright, no problem. Come and tell me what happened while the servants prepare your place," she said with interest.
We talked until evening, and she invited me to have dinner with her, which I accepted.
"By the way, how are your parents? I can arrange a house for them in the city," she asked.
"They passed away. I'm an orphan," I said sadly, without fabricating the truth. Sometimes, I really miss my parents.
"Oh, I'm sorry for bringing it up. Forgive me," she said with great sympathy, as she also considers herself an orphan.
"It's okay. I've come to terms with it," I said, hiding my sadness with a smile.
She looked at me strangely and asked, "What do you mean you've come to terms with it? You're six now, and soon you'll be seven. When did they die?"
"They passed away two years ago," I lied.
I noticed she wanted to say something but then fell silent. After that, we talked about training, techniques, and strategies. I felt she was starting to feel affectionate towards me, perhaps because she, too, has no parents; her father died six years ago, and her mother despises her, so she cannot be considered a real mother. Our ages are also quite close.
Afterward, I left late and went to a beautiful, luxurious house that she had prepared for me. I felt like I owed her a lot; without her, I wouldn't have succeeded in **absorbing the Ye family into my control** and obtaining the Ice and Fire Eyes. The head of the Ye family wouldn't have spoken to me so easily without her support. Even if I had met her, she would have easily forced me to hand over the techniques. I don't blame her; it's only natural.