Tang San said:
“Teacher, in the end is this Spirit Hunting Forest considered Spirit Hall’s or the country’s?”
Grandmaster’s expression turned cold, gesturing Tang San to keep silent,
“Outside you must not again ask similar questions. Concerning the relationship between Spirit Hall and the nation, I will tell you again later. Obtaining a warrant is certainly not difficult: the first requirement is Spirit Hall’s approval, determining that you have indeed reached peak stage power, requiring a spirit ring to advance. Next requirement is having the guarantee of at least three nobles.”
While speaking, in Grandmaster’s hand already appeared a token tile, the dark token tile was made from some unknown material, on the surface a pattern was formed by three kinds of figures fitted together, in the middle was a sharp sword pointing down, to the left and right of the sword, separately were a hammer and the head of a monster Tang San had never seen before.
Grandmaster saw Tang San’s eyes full of curiosity, and put the sign in his hand,
“Remember this symbol, this is Spirit Hall’s characteristic mark. Within Spirit Hall, there are six kinds of signs. Distinguishing each kind of token tile is very simple, just look on the figures. On the lowest grade token tiles are only a sword, it symbolizes spirit hall’s holy hall chief consul’s spirit, and higher grade token tiles have on the side of the long sword a hammer. Symbolizing a spirit hall formidable elder.”
Tang San’s inference ability still was not bad,
“Teacher, these two people in spirit hall position should be extremely significant, right. But, before I heard, beast spirits are more formidable compared to tool spirits, these two spirit master figures should both be tool spirits, right.”
Grandmaster tousled Tang San’s head, with a cool smile said:
“People saying beast spirits compared to tool spirits are more formidable, concerning spirit understanding are obviously insufficient. Any spirit’s strength, hinges on two things. One is how much spirit power is added at the awakening, the other is just acquired with the process of cultivation method. Perhaps, before thirtieth rank, beast spirits because they can add to themselves are yet compared to tool spirit masters a bit more formidable. But after arriving at higher ranks, between the two there certainly is no difference. Strong or not only depends on a person’s cultivation.”
“My warrant, is Spirit Hall’s third grade warrant. With it, one essentially may enter the majority of Heaven Dou nation’s Spirit Hunting Forests. The examining standard are these Spirit Hunting Forest’s never appearing beast. And also unlike the previous two token tiles it doesn’t have to be returned to spirit hall after completing the spirit beast hunt, mine can be held for a lifetime. On this token tile appears a blue lightning tyrant dragon, among beast spirits, it’s considered a top level existence. Although its owner is not part of Spirit Hall, the representative clan receives in no small measure Spirit Hall’s respect.”
For some reason, when Grandmaster spoke of the blue lightning tyrant dragon, in his eyes appeared a trace of difficult to speak of loneliness.
Tang San said:
“Then after these three kinds even higher rank token tiles, precisely respectively have more kinds of spirit symbols?”
Grandmaster nodded, saying:
“Precisely like that. These six kinds of spirit marks, respectively represent six formidable spirit masters, and also represent six formidable clans. Among these three are in our Heaven Dou Empire, the other three are in Star Luo Empire.”
Part 4
While speaking, Grandmaster had already brought Tang San to arrive at the Spirit Hunting Forest entrance.
The captain responsible for inspecting warrants gave the token tile’s three signs one glance. On his face immediately appeared a respectful look, and he hurriedly ordered the soldiers to move aside and open up the way, inviting Grandmaster to bring Tang San inside. Without even asking why Tang San, this small child, also must enter Spirit Hunting Forest.
Crossing the steel fence to enter within the forest all the clamour seemed to already have disappeared, and the atmosphere finally became as fresh as in Tang San’s imagination, giving people’s mind a feeling of being free from worry.
After entering the forest, Grandmaster was without any impatience to advance, and rather quietly observed their surroundings.
Tang San seemed to suddenly recall something,
“Teacher, just now those six people you talked about receiving Spirit Hall respect, being carved on token, what is their title? Spirit Saint? Douluo? Is it Title Douluo?”
Grandmaster gave Tang San a keen look,
“It’s Title Douluo. And also the six most formidable Title Douluo.”
“Most formidable?”
In Tang San’s eyes was a trace of excitement.
Grandmaster sighed,
“Equal rank, but different spirit ring and different spirit, so the actual power is completely different. These six Title Douluo undoubtedly are the most powerful of powerful. Even though there are other spirit masters that have cultivated over the ninetieth rank and entered the realm of Title Douluo, those are still unable to shake their position. But right now these are too far away from you. Ok, we will prepare to enter the forest, starting from now, you must not deviate more than one step from my side.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
The originally dispirited expression in Grandmaster’s eyes abruptly cleared, both hands held close to the chest, again quickly separated below,
“Come out, Luo San Pao.”
With a puffing sound, a faint purple thread of spirit power separated from Grandmaster’s both palms. Tang San only felt Grandmaster release a burst of fluctuating spirit power from his whole body, and before him already appeared a creature.
Unmistakably, this creature, it would seem, had an appearance much like a dog, but its bulk was more like a hog. More than one metre fifty in height, and its waist measurement should be something similar.
Its entire body had pale purple fur, two small drooping ears, a pair of deep blue big blinking eyes, and the expression in its eyes very gentle. As the fat body swayed once, the fatty buttocks immediately swayed side to side. Four stocky little legs made it hard to imagine just how slow it moved.
On top of its head was a bulging, spherical, unknown something. As it appeared, running over towards Grandmaster, and using that head to rub against Grandmaster’s leg.
Under Grandmaster’s feet two rings of light rose up, moving back and forth over him. Both rings of light appeared yellow, obviously hundred year spirit rings.
“Little San, did you not want to know what my spirit was? This is my spirit, you can call it Luo San Pao, or just call him San Pao.”
Luo San Pao as if understanding Grandmaster’s words, looked at Tang San with its pair of big eyes, the expression in its eyes unexpectedly had a somewhat affectionate look.
“Grandmaster, this is your spirit?”
Tang San shocked said:
“But, don’t animal spirits manifest attached to the body? Why does it……”
Before speaking about what kind of creature Luo San Pao was, Grandmaster’s spirit obviously went beyond the limits on the spirit beast category.
Luo San Pao obviously somewhat dissatisfied, made two luoluo calls towards Tang San.
In Grandmaster’s expression appeared a trace of bitterness,
“Because, my spirit is a variant spirit. Remember what you and I spoke about spirit variation, San Pao is just that. Only, its variation clearly is in a bad direction. When it only just awakened, my spirit power level was only a half rank. Otherwise, how could things be as they are? Even if I again made the effort, breaking through thirtieth rank spirit power is impossible in this lifetime, so in the end I can only study spirits in theory.”
Before when Tang San heard those rumours about Grandmaster, he knew that Grandmaster was a persistent person. Regarding spirits he was as persistent as he himself was regarding hidden w
eapons. This was also why Tang San had never regretted acknowledging Grandmaster as his master. Perhaps, this was talent appreciating each other.
“I’m sorry, Grandmaster, for raising your old painful memories.”
Grandmaster laughed at himself and shook his head,
“It’s nothing, I became inured long ago. Come, I’ll introduce you to San Pao. The reason for its name is because it calls out a luoluo sound, and its attack can only be launched three times. Therefore it’s called San Pao.”
“San Pao, first open up a path ahead.”
“Luoluo.”
Fat Luo San Pao looked pleased with itself and walked forward. Although the body was a bit fat, when seeing it move it could also be called nimble. Moving from one side to the other sniffing at something.
All over Grandmaster’s body spirit power light was glimmering. Bringing Tang San to follow Luo San Pao, they moved along deeper into the forest.
“San Pao’s sense of smell is very acute, capable of discovering tracks of spirit beasts and how strong they are. Although it has become small and weak because of variation, regarding spirit power the consumption is also very small. Therefore I can release it outside for a long time. This is for you. You must make the last attack that kills the spirit beast yourself.”
Grandmaster fumbled out from the breast a magnificent short sword and handed it to Tang San.
The short sword’s entire sheath was a transparent blue, and on it were inlayed seven pieces of blue jade. The sword handle had a chunk of milky white jade, and the sword’s length was one chi two cun. Even though with the sheath, holding it in the hand he still could feel traces of cold qi.
Walking not far away, Luo San Pao abruptly came to a stop, the pair of big eyes looking in one direction, mouth emitting two luoluo calls.
An animal looking a bit like a cat appeared in the direction of its gaze, lying in a tree, guardedly watching Grandmaster and Tang San.
Grandmaster coldly smiled, saying:
“It’s a ten year multicolored cat. San Pao, don’t disturb it. Continue ahead.”
Grandmaster never forgot to instruct Tang San. While continuing walking, he said:
“That multicolored cat just now belongs to the cat family of spirit beasts. Its offensive nature is very powerful, but provided you do not first attack it, it also will not easily start an attack. If a spirit master has a cat family beast spirit, using it for one’s first spirit ring is not a bad choice. You must not think of that multicolored cat as that small; if it was a more than thousand year multicolored cat, let alone us, even more than ten times our number could not kill it.”
Part 5
Tang San called to mind an important question,
“Grandmaster, how to distinguish the actual strength of a spirit beast? Or the number of years?”
Grandmaster said:
“Distinguishing a spirit beast’s actual strength certainly is not difficult. You look, that solitary bamboo ahead. That also is a type of spirit beast - a plant system spirit beast. It’s useful to you, solitary bamboo is tough, and although its attack nature is not powerful, its defense is not bad. This is a ten year solitary bamboo. Because its height does not exceed ten metres. Over ten metre, should be considered over a hundred years. Consequently, generally speaking, spirit beasts are distinguished mainly by observing bulk and the color of the spirit power used when they attack. Spirit power color is identical to actual strength. Precisely speaking, ten year spirit beasts use white spirit power, hundred year use yellow, and so on. Although, when confronting an unknown spirit beast, you best not go look at its spirit power, in a short time you will be unable to endure, and then will be up against devastating danger.”
“Grandmaster, will we be hunting that solitary bamboo?”
The solitary bamboo certainly did not seem to attract attention, only because all around it were large trees and not more bamboo, it easily could be conspicuous. Its body softly swaying, the top of the bamboo moving rhythmically with the wind.
Grandmaster said:
“For the moment we will not. If we are without a more suitable choice, and only last if forced to. Choosing spirit ring must be done carefully: each spirit ring cannot be replaced. Spirit scholars promoting to spirit master, can absorb hundred year spirit beast spirit rings. To be even more precise, they can use a less than four hundred twenty three year spirit beast spirit ring. I’ve carefully studied very many spirit masters undergoing growth and failure. Four hundred twenty three years should be the limit of what one can endure for the first spirit ring. Therefore, I hope that your first spirit ring will be as close to that limit as possible.”
Grandmaster regarding spirit research was always that precise. Tang San felt, having this teacher exist, absolutely was a kind of happiness.
“Similarly for hundred year spirit rings, although the color of the spirit rings emerging from a hundred year spirit beast and nine hundred year spirit beast are the same, the gap between the amplification of the added attribute is enormous. Seeking a spirit ring as high as possible under the prerequisite safety limit, is required for every outstanding spirit master.”
Continuing moving forward, Grandmaster was giving Tang San a lively field class, relying on spirit Luo San Pao’s acute sense of smell, to one by one draw out spirit beasts concealed in dark places. Perhaps because for the most part these spirit beasts were ten year grade, their attack desire was not strong. Grandmaster gave Tang San introductions to these spirit beasts’ names, specific properties and method of distinguishing cultivation age.
Looking up at the color of the sky, Grandmaster said:
“It looks like today we must spend the night in Spirit Hunting Forest. We will first look for a place to camp.”
Having searched for half the day, although no few spirit beasts conforming to the requirements had appeared, Grandmaster had not been anxious to get involved, and very patiently continued looking.
The place Grandmaster chose to camp at was a depression, surrounded by complex terrain and encircled by numerous towering trees.
Grandmaster took out a big glass bottle from a loop shaped spirit tool on his wrist and passed it to Tang San,
“Sprinkle it around, remember, you must sprinkle it evenly.”
“Ok.”
Tang San took the bottle. The bottle held some powdered type of drug, stinging the nose somewhat, and Tang San’s nose wrinkled, already making it out, this was similar to his old world’s realgar type drug. Tang sect was famous for hidden weapons and poison, and although he was an outer sect disciple, regarding distinguishing poisonous substances he had considerable skill. Earlier in the middle of the process of looking for spirit beasts, within Spirit Hunting Forest he had found no few poisonous plants he could distinguish, putting them within Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges. Grandmaster’s knowledge could not be doubted on the spirit side, but regarding distinguishing these spirit power-less poisonous plants, he by far could not compare to Tang San with two lifetimes of experience. Particularly among these poisonous plants were very many that required each other to be able to issue poisonousness.
Having scattered the powder, Tang San handed back the bottle to Grandmaster.
“Do you know why I let you sprinkle these around the periphery?”
Grandmaster’s facial expression was very serious, right now he was a teacher testing his student.
Since he could distinguish what the powder was, how could Tang San not be expected to know Grandmaster’s purpose, and without hesitation he said:
“It should have two effects, one is to conceal our scent, and the other is to repel snakes, insects, rats, ants and such types of creatures.”
Grandmaster nodded contentedly,
“Correct, precisely like that. This is called snake repelling powder, essential to adventures. Remember, in forests, especially within forests with spirit beasts, you must as much as possible not use fire. Even though the vast majority of wild animals and spirit beasts all will fear firelight, there are
also several especially formidable spirit beasts that like fire. In case that you meet them, unless your own cultivation has become sufficiently formidable, you will undoubtedly die.”
The color of the sky gradually dimmed, within the forest certainly was not peaceful and quiet, insects and birds called, roars of wild animals rose and fell one after another.
Without lighting a fire, around them was completely pitch dark, Tang San and Grandmaster ate a simple evening meal, both master and apprentice rested leaning against a big tree.
Grandmaster was definitely a qualified teacher, and he paid a lot of attention to Tang San. Even though right now they already should rest, Grandmaster was still again quizzing Tang San’s understanding of spirit beasts from the daytime, in order to give him a deeper impression.
Tang San’s memory was considered not bad, in addition this was the first time he had come into contact with creatures like spirit beasts, the novel feeling deepened his memory, and when his answers occasionally had faults they were one by one corrected by Grandmaster.
“Little San, do you know why I say that for spirit masters youth is the most important time?”
Grandmaster’s deep and hoarse voice brought a somewhat sentimental feeling.
Tang San shook his head, waiting for Grandmaster’s explanation.
Chapter 009: Blue Silver Grass First Spirit Ring
Part 1
“Spirit master’s cultivation, before twenty years of age is an extremely important process; one can say that achievements up to twenty years of age decides future success. Thirtieth rank is the fire and ice dual heaven threshold. If crossing this threshold before twenty years old, then future prospects are limitless. If unable to cross over in twenty years, then, also forever unable to leap beyond. Youth has the advantage, youth can have the potential. Therefore, you right now cannot delay one minute. Teacher can still help with your first and second spirit ring, but when you require the third spirit ring, teacher will probably be unable to do enough. At that time you have to rely on you yourself. Spirit strength cultivation has no shortcuts, you can only rely on meditation to make spirit power to increase. Although you have the innate full spirit power advantage you even more cannot slack off, otherwise, you do not deserve to become my disciple.”
Douluo Dalu - Volume 02 - The First Spirit Ring Page 2