"Spirit Ring Hunting."
With just these three words, Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi frowned. They were well aware of Gu Yi's strength, knowing that even Chen Xin might not be his match. If someone of Gu Yi's caliber needed assistance for spirit ring hunting, then the target spirit beast wouldn't be just any ordinary one—it might even be a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast.
Although Ning Fengzhi and his group had considered the possibility, they could never have imagined that Gu Yi's goal wasn't a mere hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast but a million-year-old one. If it were just a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast, Gu Yi could succeed on his own.
"Dean Gu, matters like this should be discussed in a quieter place," Ning Fengzhi suggested. Whether they agreed or not, such a significant matter couldn't be disclosed publicly. Especially since Sword Douluo was a pillar of their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—if word got out, enemies might set up an ambush.
"You're right." They moved to a teahouse, a place that was both safe and trustworthy.
"What kind of spirit beast is Dean Gu intending to hunt, and how powerful is it? With your current strength, I can't imagine any spirit beast being a match for you," Ning Fengzhi inquired, needing to understand the situation clearly.
"You're too kind, Sect Master Ning. The world is vast, full of wonders. Spirit beasts have existed for eons, and among them, there are many powerful beings. My meager strength is not enough to face them all."
In the Star Dou Great Forest alone, there are no fewer than ten spirit beasts stronger than him, especially the 800,000-year-old Di Tian, whose power is likely just a step away from divinity. Such strength is far beyond what Gu Yi could handle. Surviving would already be an achievement.
"As for the spirit beast I seek, it's an Ice Silkworm. Its strength isn't formidable, but the spirit beasts around it are very powerful."
"How powerful?" Sword Douluo asked, speaking for the first time. A swordsman needs to be reborn through the crucible of life and death, and he hasn't had a truly thrilling battle in a long time. Gu Yi was strong, but he couldn't fight without holding back.
"Qian Daoliu—I'm sure Sword Douluo knows of him."
Chen Xin nodded; he could never forget. His father died in a challenge against Qian Daoliu, a 99th-level Limit Douluo.
"What do you mean?" Chen Xin was confused as to why Gu Yi mentioned Qian Daoliu at this moment.
"The spirit beasts we'll face this time are even stronger than Qian Daoliu. Sword Douluo, knowing this, are you willing to wield your sword?"
Chen Xin was shocked. Qian Daoliu was an insurmountable figure in the spirit master world, a mountain that even his father, a 97th-level Super Douluo, couldn't conquer and ultimately died trying. What kind of spirit beast could be more powerful than Qian Daoliu? Could such a spirit beast truly exist?
"Why wouldn't I dare? Even if a god stands before me, I will not hesitate to swing my sword when the time comes." A powerful sword intent surged from Chen Xin, and he seemed like a sword unsheathed.
Gu Yi admired Chen Xin's purity and dedication to swordsmanship. Such individuals were rare, like finding a needle in a haystack. It was truly remarkable, but unfortunately, he lived in this world. No matter how far he advanced in swordsmanship, it would be like building castles in the air—ultimately useless.
"If such a powerful spirit beast truly exists, then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan won't participate," Ning Fengzhi stated. If Gu Yi's words were true, having Chen Xin participate would be like sending him to his death. If Gu Yi was lying, then there was even less reason to join.
"Why don't we first hear about the reward?" Ning Fengzhi's refusal was expected by Gu Yi. If their roles were reversed, he wouldn't agree either. The gap in strength was too vast; it wouldn't be a spirit-hunting mission but a suicide mission.
Still, Ning Fengzhi was curious about what Gu Yi had to offer. No matter what treasure it was, he had already decided not to participate. Treasures are meaningless if they can't be kept. As the sect master, he had encountered more treasures than even the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, and he understood a truth that others couldn't grasp.
Wealth and riches move people's hearts, but Sword Douluo was their pillar—no treasure was worth losing him, even if it could help evolve his martial spirit.
"Look at my hand," Gu Yi said, revealing a silver-white ball of light in his right hand—his spirit power. He then retracted his hand, leaving the silver-white ball suspended before the three of them.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were not impatient people, so they quietly observed the ball of light.
With a thought, countless cracks appeared around the silver-white ball.
"Spatial cracks?" Chen Xin was shocked to see the cracks surrounding the ball of light, clearly sensing the spatial power contained within. Occasionally, his sword energy could create spatial cracks, but that was because the space couldn't withstand such strong force. But now, Gu Yi had achieved this just by releasing a ball of spirit power.
Chen Xin's reaction was expected, but there was more to come.
Gu Yi suddenly felt that showing off his power in public wasn't a bad feeling after all. The cracks multiplied, and the silver-white ball was compressed into a black hole, spinning rapidly.
Ning Fengzhi, caught off guard, stumbled as he was nearly sucked in. Fortunately, his 79th-level spirit power was enough to prevent that.
Even the surrounding heaven and earth energy was also being rapidly drawn in.
"What is this?" Ning Fengzhi frowned, completely baffled.
Chen Xin, however, noticed something.
"Highly condensed spirit power."
"Correct." Gu Yi snapped his fingers. Even though Chen Xin hadn't reached this level, he was still a 97th-level Super Douluo, and his understanding in this area was beyond Ning Fengzhi's. No matter how wise Ning Fengzhi was, he couldn't see through the unknown.
"What do you think? I'll teach you how to condense spirit power in this way if you agree to help. Are you satisfied, Sword Douluo?" Chen Xin glanced at Ning Fengzhi, who returned his look. Years of partnership allowed them to communicate with just a glance.
"Alright, I agree." Gu Yi smiled, as this was within his expectations. Chen Xin had a personal vendetta—to defeat Qian Daoliu and prove that the Seven Kill Sword was not inferior to any martial spirit, not even to the Clear Sky Hammer.
"I look forward to your assistance after the tournament, Sword Douluo."
As they left the teahouse, Ning Fengzhi finally voiced his doubts, "Is the method offered by Gu Yi truly that valuable?"
"Yes, Chen Xin replied with a serious expression, If his previous teachings gave ordinary spirit masters a chance to rise against the odds, then this method of condensing spirit power will completely change the dynamics of top-tier power."
"Fengzhi, if he truly aligns with the Spirit Hall, we must plan ahead. Gu Yi has become a force to reckon with, and the world will change because of him."
Chen Xin reflected on the method of condensing spirit power. He had to admit that this was another groundbreaking innovation, second only to the Pure Yuan Gong.
(End of Chapter)