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Su Wen guessed that the Mirror Image Beast he had information on was likely the same one Oscar hunted in the original story.
The limit for a sixth spirit ring was 20,000 years.
Therefore, this Mirror Image Beast was, in all likelihood, 20,000 years old or less. However, Su Wen wasn't certain if it was the only one, or if it was Oscar's one, so he relayed the information to Dugu Bo just as it was recorded.
Su Wen estimated that his own physical constitution could probably attempt a 20,000-year ring, but 30,000 was absolutely impossible.
"If I can't find a suitable one, I'll just absorb a space-attribute fourth ring first," Su Wen thought.
"Absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring requires withstanding the soul shock from its remnant soul. Your spiritual power isn't weak, but it's still not a sure thing."
An ordinary Spirit Master could only absorb a ten-thousand-year ring for their fifth ring. The limit for the sixth was 20,000, and the seventh was 50,000.
The increase in the upper limit was worlds apart from the hundred-year and thousand-year stages.
This was all because of the 'soul shock'.
Every ten thousand years marked a huge increase in a spirit beast's intelligence, and the soul shock from its remnant soul would also become more terrifying.
"I don't think it's a sure thing either. That's why I'm going to consume this 'Autumn Water-Gazing Dew' first."
"Are you sure this thing enhances spiritual power?" Dugu Bo asked, suspicious.
Over the past ten months, they had discussed the effects of many of the treasured herbs and had named them one by one.
The essence of the 'Autumn Water-Gazing Dew' was concentrated in that single drop of dew, which is how it got its name.
And its effect was indeed on the eyes. Consuming it could refine one's eyes, granting sight that could penetrate all things.
Of course, refining the eyes was, in itself, a form of nourishment for one's spiritual power, and it could increase it substantially.
This was Su Wen's preparation for his fourth ring, for absorbing a ten-thousand-year ring while exceeding his limit.
Even though his spirit had a spiritual attribute, and he had absorbed a thousand-year spiritual ring for his second, Su Wen still wasn't confident he could withstand the soul shock from a 20,000-year ring.
Therefore, he decided to use the Autumn Water-Gazing Dew to boost his spiritual power.
Fortunately, Su Wen also had the Phantasmal Spirit Eye External Spirit Bone. Perhaps it, too, could advance further under the herb's effects.
"My spirit is a spiritual attribute, and I can sense an attractive force from the medicinal power in this 'Autumn Water-Gazing Dew'. It should be for enhancing spiritual power," Su Wen explained.
The Autumn Water-Gazing Dew was emerald green all over, with three snow-white leaves in the center. In the middle of the leaves rested a few drops of water.
Su Wen plucked the herb and tipped the few crystalline dew drops into his mouth.
As the dew left the leaves, the entire plant instantly withered, turning to dust and scattering.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Su Wen began to refine the herb's medicinal power.
A cool, refreshing energy flowed through his meridians. After circulating once, it swiftly surged towards his eyes and the center of his brow.
An indescribable, icy-cold sensation swept through his body. Su Wen felt clearer and more awake than ever before, his entire body trembling.
A cool power circulated above his eyes, nourishing them.
At the same time, high above his Sea of Consciousness, that resplendent Phantasmal Spirit Eye was also enveloped by the herb's power, and it began to undergo a dramatic change.
...
One hour later.
Su Wen opened his eyes. They were much brighter than before, as if a wisp of light was flowing within them.
At this moment, Su Wen felt that everything was much clearer. He could now observe the outside world with greater clarity without using the Phantasmal Spirit Eye's enhanced vision.
The dust motes in the air were perfectly distinct.
When he activated the Phantasmal Spirit Eye, it suddenly felt as if he could even observe the free-floating heaven-and-earth energy. Looking at the various herbs, he could see the multi-colored orbs of energy circulating within them, seeing through them at a glance.
His field of vision was wider. Su Wen even felt that he could still perceive his surroundings with his eyes closed.
Following this feeling, he closed his eyes. Sure enough, the vision of his surroundings remained in his mind.
The clarity was far higher than when he had previously just spread his spiritual power out, and it was about the same as what he could see now with his naked eyes.
"The only pity is that it doesn't seem to have reached Huo Yuhao's level."
But then again, his was a skill from a million-year spirit ring. Can't compare, can't compare.
"My 'cheat' is still too low-level compared to his. I can't get arrogant."
Activating the Phantasmal Spirit Eye, Su Wen circulated his spirit power within it and sensed its changes.
"It seems... it has gained the ability to break illusions. I wonder if the Phantasmal Spirit Eye can support me in casting illusions now?"
Su Wen channeled his spiritual power, urging the Phantasmal Spirit Eye.
"This is the trouble with External Spirit Bones. You have to develop all the abilities yourself."
He only sensed it for a moment before opening his eyes.
"Grandpa Dugu, we can set off now."
This trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had consumed four great immortal herbs in succession!
It could be said that Su Wen had truly, completely transformed.
...
Tian Dou Royal Academy.
"You kid, you still know how to come back, huh?" Xiao Zhan looked at Su Wen, feeling that he was completely different from before.
"Uncle Zhan, I'm level forty," Su Wen said with a smile.
Xiao Zhan's eyes went wide. He clutched his chest and stumbled back a few steps.
It's only been... a little over a year since he broke through to level thirty, right? Not even fifteen months!
And you kid... you're already level forty?!
"Uncle Zhan, don't worry. I was cultivating with Grandpa Dugu this whole time. I earned this cultivation level, bit by bit, through my own hard work."
"You... you came back this time to immediately get your fourth spirit ring?" Xiao Zhan fell silent for a moment, digesting the information he had just received, before asking.
"Grandpa Dugu is taking me to hunt a Mirror Image Beast this time," Su Wen said.
He didn't mention the 'ten-thousand-year' part.
It was too troublesome to explain. It was more direct to just come back and show him the result.
"Uncle Zhan, I brought something good for you this time." Su Wen closed the surrounding doors and windows, then took out the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
"This is...?"
The moment the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower appeared, Xiao Zhan felt an intense, stirring desire for it.
"This is a treasured herb I got from Grandpa Dugu. It's a rare sight in this world. I've already used other herbs, so this one isn't as effective for me." Su Wen placed the herb in Xiao Zhan's hands. "Uncle Zhan, this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower can purify impurities in one's spirit and flames, and it enhances a Spirit Master's fire attribute. Its vast medicinal power can also increase spirit power."
"It's just that... absorbing it will likely require you to withstand a fierce medicinal impact. Uncle Zhan, you'll have to endure it."
"..."
As Su Wen finished explaining the herb's benefits, Xiao Zhan was already swallowing frantically.
He had a feeling this herb might be the key to his breakthrough to level eighty.
"Uncle Zhan, this is the spirit power circulation pathway for the 'Spirit Core Condensation Method' that I've been mapping out. With the help of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, you should be able to succeed."
Xiao Zhan looked at the complex circulation pathway displayed on Su Wen's spirit, and took a deep breath.
Such a comprehensive... and complex pathway.
"Good. I will first master this pathway, and then I will refine this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to charge for level eighty."
...
After giving the herb to Xiao Zhan, Su Wen left the academy. Under Dugu Bo's guidance, he arrived at the Ice-Sealed Forest in the northern part of the Tian Dou Empire.
(End of this chapter)