Ma Hongjun nodded, signaling that he understood. While his Evil Fire Phoenix had its weaknesses, suppressing a Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent that wasn't particularly aggressive would be easy.
"It's coming," Zhu Zhuqing's voice called from the trees. At that moment, her claws glowed, and her first spirit ring shone as she launched a Ghost Shadow Strike at the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent.
Sensing danger, the serpent barely managed to avoid Zhu Zhuqing's attack by using the energy stored in the crest on its head. Although Zhu Zhuqing didn't hit the crest, her strike left a deep wound on the serpent's body.
Realizing it wasn't a match for Zhu Zhuqing, the serpent immediately retaliated by spitting a colorful mist in her direction, its crest glowing red as it prepared to flee.
"Watch out!" Dai Mubai shouted, warning Zhu Zhuqing.
However, Zhu Zhuqing remained calm. Nearby, Ning Rongrong activated the second ability of her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda: "Seven Treasures have arrived. Second, Speed!"
Zhu Zhuqing's speed surged, allowing her to swiftly escape the range of the colorful mist.
Seeing that the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent was about to flee, Tang San quickly said, "Fatty, release the aura of your martial spirit and attack it!"
Fatty nodded, fully activating his Evil Fire Phoenix and unleashing a Phoenix Fire Wire attack at the serpent.
Feeling the terrifying presence of the Evil Fire Phoenix, the serpent, initially attempting to escape, froze in fear, overwhelmed by its natural predator's aura.
Noticing this moment of hesitation, Tang San, with his Purple Demon Eyes, seized the opportunity and used his Blue Silver Grass to bind the serpent tightly.
The Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent, now trapped, quickly activated the energy stored in its crest, attempting to break free.
Fearing the serpent might escape his control, Tang San immediately used his second spirit ability, Parasitic! Instantly, the seeds of the Blue Silver Grass already on the serpent's body began to sprout, embedding themselves in its flesh, their barbs digging in, causing blood to flow and slightly slowing the serpent's movements. However, the serpent's speed was still formidable, and the paralysis effect was minimal.
With the serpent now partially subdued, Dai Mubai called out, "Fatty, Zhuqing, let's surround it. Don't let it escape!"
After some time, the energy in the serpent's crest was finally depleted, and the paralysis toxin from the Blue Silver Grass began to take full effect. The serpent lay motionless, staring helplessly at the group.
Zhao Wuji, seeing that the serpent was nearly defeated, gave a wry smile and, to prevent it from recovering, struck it unconscious with a single palm.
Tang San quickly turned to Oscar, "Little Ao, now's your chance. Absorb the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent's spirit ring!"
Oscar, excitement visible on his face, ran over to join Tang San and the others.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, standing beside Su Ming, seemed melancholic. Her eyes showed reluctance as she softly asked, "Do we really have to kill spirit beasts? Why must spirit masters hunt spirit beasts to grow stronger?"
Su Ming gently pulled Xiao Wu close and sighed. "Xiao Wu, I know you feel upset, but this is just how the world works—survival of the fittest."
"And as I recall, while you can create your own spirit rings, you can only condense up to six. After that, you'll need to hunt spirit beasts for your seventh ring and beyond."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu's face paled. She could only condense up to six spirit rings? She had no idea. She always thought she could continue creating them indefinitely. Thinking back, she remembered her mother had only condensed six rings before she died, without ever reaching the seventh.
Su Ming continued, "In fact, it's mostly due to the rules of this world. Spirit masters must hunt spirit beasts to grow stronger because of how the world operates. It would be much better if everyone could create their own spirit rings like you."
Xiao Wu hesitated for a moment before asking, "Brother, do you think you can change this?"
Su Ming shook his head slightly. Changing the world's rules would be almost impossible, even if he became a god. After all, newly ascended gods rarely have the influence or allies to alter the laws of an entire plane.
However, if he managed to gather enough allies in the divine realm, perhaps it could be done.
But he didn't tell Xiao Wu all of this. The future was too uncertain, and he wasn't sure he could change anything at all.
For now, though, Su Ming's system had provided a method for creating spirit souls. If he spread that knowledge, it could gradually reduce the conflict between spirit masters and spirit beasts and slow the extinction of spirit beasts.
Over time, Su Ming might be able to modify the plane's rules or even invent artificial spirit rings, further easing the tension between humans and beasts.
As for achieving complete peace, Su Ming thought that was impossible. There would always be some conflict between spirit masters and spirit beasts, and removing all conflict might not even be beneficial for spirit masters. After all, growth often comes through adversity and struggle.
And for spirit beasts, they constantly face life-and-death challenges from the moment they are born. If conflict between spirit masters and spirit beasts disappeared, the balance of power might shift heavily in favor of the beasts, creating new issues.
After all, even if he became a god, Su Ming couldn't spend all his time enforcing balance between the two sides. He would only intervene when absolutely necessary. Most of the time, things would have to play out naturally.
Su Ming also had a lingering question: Why could Xiao Wu, after transforming into a human, only create six spirit rings? Was it due to some limitation in her own power or another reason entirely?
What was the principle behind a 100,000-year-old spirit beast transforming into a human and creating its own spirit rings?
If Su Ming could figure this out—and with a little help from his system—perhaps he could eventually develop artificial spirit rings.
Of course, this was something for a much later stage of his life, when he had become invincible in the world. For now, he kept this thought deep within his heart.