Yan solemnly accepted the thick tome The Record of Rare Flora from Yue Guan's hands.
He glanced at it briefly, then flipped through a few pages — and immediately sensed that this was no ordinary book.
Every page brimmed with meticulous detail; countless rare and exotic plants he had never even heard of were vividly recorded within.
This was not just a simple catalog of flowers and herbs — it was a treasure trove born of generations of scholars' exploration and devotion to nature.
Each entry described the plants in exquisite detail: their growth patterns, the soil and climate they required, and their diverse applications in medicine, alchemy, and even the art of poison-making.
What delighted Yan even more was that the book also explained how to distinguish between similar-looking but entirely different species — an invaluable skill for any future fieldwork he might undertake.
With this book in hand, and careful study, he could one day develop the ability to recognize immortal herbs himself.
"Elder Ju, there are no words to express how valuable this book is. I'm truly grateful."
Yue Guan waved his hand lightly, his face soft with a gentle smile.
"If you truly have an interest in flora, then take this as my gift to you. I hope it brings you real benefit."
"Yes, Elder Ju. You can rest assured — I'll study it thoroughly and live up to your expectations."
Warm light flickered in Yue Guan's eyes as he looked at Yan, full of satisfaction.
At long last, a younger generation was showing genuine dedication to the study of plants.
"You can take the book back with you and study it at your own pace. If anything confuses you, come find me anytime and we'll discuss it."
"Understood."
Yue Guan then seemed to recall something — the external spirit bone Yan had recently obtained. His expression grew curious.
"I heard that during your last hunt in the Death Canyon, you acquired an external spirit bone?"
Yan smiled and nodded.
"Yes. I was lucky. I encountered a wounded Skyfire Fox with six thousand years of cultivation. After slaying it, I unexpectedly obtained an external spirit bone. Once absorbed, it manifested as my Flame Wings."
"I see."
A glimmer of admiration lit Yue Guan's eyes.
"For a six-thousand-year-old spirit beast to drop a spirit bone is already a rare stroke of fortune — and an external spirit bone, no less. Your luck is truly extraordinary."
He couldn't help but reminisce about his own years of hunting spirit beasts.
Spirit bones were as precious as immortal herbs — things that could be sought but not easily found.
Even though he had slain beasts close to a hundred thousand years in age, he had never experienced such luck as Yan's.
Still, seeing this young man's fortuitous encounter, Yue Guan felt more pleased than envious.
"That external spirit bone will be of great importance to you. But remember — your current strength is still insufficient. Do not reveal it carelessly before outsiders."
"Yes, I will remember your warning, Elder."
Yue Guan nodded in satisfaction.
"You, Xie Yue, and Na Na — I've watched all three of you grow up. Now that each of you has surpassed the fortieth level, seeing your maturity brings me great comfort.
This year's Continental Spirit Master Academy Tournament is one Her Holiness the Pope has invested great effort into. Perform well — don't let her down."
"Please rest assured. We'll train hard and aim for nothing less than the championship."
"Good. That's the spirit."
With gratitude and a heart full of determination, Yan left Yue Guan's residence and returned to his quarters at the academy.
It was already late into the night, yet he was still too excited to rest.
He leafed through a few pages of The Record of Rare Flora, then took out the two Ice Grass Silkworm Beads from his soul tool, examining them carefully before finally falling asleep with satisfaction.
The next morning, sunlight poured across the Spirit Hall Academy's training grounds, illuminating the wide, open field.
Seven team members stood neatly in formation, their spirits high and focused.
Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena wore expressions of anticipation — for today, they were to face an extraordinary challenge.
Before long, two instructors, Lin Zhendong and Liu Can, approached from afar.
Their arrival instantly changed the atmosphere — the once-quiet field now thrummed with tension.
Lin Zhendong's deep, commanding gaze swept across each of the assembled students before he spoke:
"Yan, Xie Yue, Na Na — come with me. The rest of you will train with Instructor Liu today."
"Yes, sir!"
All seven responded in unison, their voices firm and clear.
Lin Zhendong turned and led the three toward the academy gates.
Hu Liena, unable to contain her curiosity, asked softly:
"Teacher, are we not training inside the academy today?"
"No."
Lin Zhendong replied tersely, a faintly mysterious smile forming on his lips.
"I'm taking you somewhere… interesting."
"Somewhere interesting?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
That mischievous glint in his smile only deepened their curiosity — and excitement.
The three exchanged glances, silently wondering what kind of special training awaited them this time.
Their carriage rattled out of Spirit City, heading toward an unknown destination.
The scenery outside gradually grew desolate until, at last, the carriage stopped in a secluded valley.
The three stepped down, surveying their surroundings — dense forest all around, quiet and mysterious.
Hu Liena spoke up again:
"Teacher, are we going to train in the wild today?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhendong nodded, then continued:
"This special training is called the Cross-Level Challenge."
"Cross-Level Challenge?"
The three spoke in unison, surprise flashing across their faces.
As confusion filled their minds, three figures appeared in the distance, slowly approaching.
Lin Zhendong explained:
"Each of you will face a spirit master of the Spirit King rank.
Your task is simple — defeat your opponent.
This isn't a tournament arena — it's far harsher. There are no boundaries, no restrictions. Victory will depend solely on strength.
You must treat this as a real battlefield — use the terrain to your advantage and bring out your fullest potential.
If you fail to defeat your assigned opponent, the training will continue… until you do."
The three exchanged glances again.
A Spirit King-level opponent — that meant a gap of more than ten ranks.
It was a daunting task, yet in their eyes burned both determination and excitement.
Facing a stronger enemy was the surest way to push one's limits.
Of course, they also knew the risk — a ten-rank gap in spirit power was not easy to overcome.
Soon, the three opponents stood before them.
One was burly and muscular, another tall and slender, and the last shorter but sharp-eyed and shrewd.
Judging by appearance, they all seemed to be around thirty years old.
Yan searched his memory — he had never seen these three before.
Clearly, they weren't academy instructors, but likely Spirit Hall's field operatives.
Unfamiliar opponents, unknown martial spirits, and uncertain techniques — all of it only made the challenge more perilous.
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