Chapter 256: The Purple Gold Demon Bamboo King's Puzzle
Instantly, a huge rift appeared in the sky, and the next second, countless sword lights filled with destructive aura rained down like a storm.
"Poof ~ poof ~ poof ~ poof ~ poof ~ ..."
The leaves and branches of the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King were immediately cut into pieces by the endless sword lights, leaving only the hard bamboo poles.
After a long time, when everything subsided, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King no longer had the prestige of an advanced 100,000-year Spirit Beast.
Ye Chen, who was observing from a distance, saw that the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King, now on its last breath, looked more and more like a flagpole on the Shrek Academy playground, and this 'flagpole' was also exceptionally tattered, with holes everywhere from the sword lights.
Everything happened too fast; under Chen Xin's full power, in just a few moves, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was on the verge of death, giving the other Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo in the bamboo forest no time to react.
The king of their clan was severely wounded by this evil 'two-legged Spirit Beast,' and the other Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo immediately became enraged.
In an instant, countless Purple-Gold Leaf Blades condensed out of thin air in the Purple Gold Demon Bamboo Forest, shooting towards Chen Xin's Seven Kill True Body, a scene even grander than the Leaf Blade Storm previously condensed by the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King.
However, it was a pity; the quantity was there, but the quality was far inferior.
Facing the sweeping countless Purple-Gold Leaf Blades, Chen Xin didn't even use other defensive measures, directly resisting with his Seven Kill True Body.
"Ding ~ ding ~ ding ~ ding ~ ding ~ ...."
The dense Purple-Gold Leaf Blades fell like raindrops on the Seven Kill True Body in the sky, not shaking the defense of Chen Xin's Seven Kill True Body in the slightest.
...
The Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was severely injured and on the verge of death; it was time to deliver the finishing blow, but Ye Chen couldn't help but frown as he looked at the countless Purple-Gold Leaf Blades flying in the bamboo forest.
He followed the path of a control system Spirit Master and did not have defensive Spirit Abilities, and the Soul Bone Skill: Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted and Soul Bone Skill: Thorn Guardian, only provided percentage damage immunity, not direct defensive measures.
With the combined effects of the two Soul Bone Skills, he could only immune 75% of the damage, and the remaining 25% of the damage would need to be withstood by himself.
Being able to immune 75% of the damage, Ye Chen was not worried that those ten-thousand-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo could break through his protective spirit power.
However, in the bamboo forest, there were even Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo over fifty thousand years old, and facing these high-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo, Ye Chen was not confident he could withstand them without injury.
Perhaps sensing Ye Chen's predicament, Chen Xin unleashed several sword qi at those high-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo.
Although Chen Xin's sword qi was casually unleashed, with the blessing of the Seven Kill True Body and Seven Kill Domain, the power of these sword qi was not weak; even ordinary Titled Douluo would not dare to underestimate them.
Undoubtedly, those high-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo that were hit by Chen Xin's sword qi were directly severely injured and immediately dared not cause trouble.
The potential threat had been eliminated, and the remaining ten-thousand-year Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo posed no threat to him, so Ye Chen immediately activated Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted and Thorn Guardian and rushed towards the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King.
...
"Hmm? Is this an external Spirit Bone?"
Chen Xin looked at the Creation Green Lotus, which was shedding a hazy green light above Ye Chen's head, and asked with curiosity.
He didn't expect that not only his precious granddaughter Ning Rongrong had an external Spirit Bone, but even Ye Chen did? Wasn't it said that external Spirit Bones were extremely rare? How did it feel like they were becoming common?
In fact, what Chen Xin didn't know was that Zhu Zhuqing also had an external Spirit Bone.
However, Zhu Zhuqing's external Spirit Bone was a cat's tail, and tails often appeared on many Beast Spirit Spirit Masters after Spirit possession, so Chen Xin didn't associate it with an external Spirit Bone.
"Just good luck ~"
Ye Chen said with a humble expression.
"Tsk tsk, after becoming a Titled Douluo, the external Spirit Bone's age can reach one hundred thousand years. Your luck is truly good, kid!"
Chen Xin sighed, this was a 100,000-year Spirit Bone; how many Spirit Masters in the world could possess one?
Moreover, 100,000 years was not the end for an external Spirit Bone; if advancing to Titled Douluo made it 100,000 years, wouldn't becoming a 99th level Titled Douluo allow it to reach nine hundred ninety thousand years?
Every Spirit Master hoped to possess an external Spirit Bone, and Chen Xin was no exception, but unfortunately, external Spirit Bones were not something one could have just by wanting them.
Even if a Spirit Master had a strong background, if their luck wasn't heaven-defying, an external Spirit Bone was absolutely out of the question.
Excluding the case of twin spirits, each Spirit Master could attach a maximum of nine spirit rings, and the prerequisite for absorbing an external Spirit Bone was to absorb it along with a spirit ring.
Don't think that the Spirit Bones appearing on the continent are few; as long as it's a decent auction, Spirit Bones might be brought out for auction.
But these Spirit Bones are basically not burst out by Spirit Masters when attaching spirit rings, but rather accumulated by hunting Spirit Beast teams, who make a living by hunting Spirit Beasts, through a large number of kills.
The drop rate for ordinary Spirit Bones is less than one in a thousand, and the drop rate for external Spirit Bones is even lower than ordinary Spirit Bones; with a maximum of nine chances, wanting to obtain an external Spirit Bone is basically dreaming.
If it weren't for Ye Chen and Ning Rongrong both being his juniors, Chen Xin would definitely be filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
'The Creation Green Lotus's age has already reached one hundred thousand years; there's no need to advance to Titled Douluo.'
Listening to Chen Xin's sigh, Ye Chen thought to himself.
Of course, he wouldn't say this out loud, otherwise, it couldn't be explained.
The age of an external Spirit Bone would not exceed the Spirit Master's corresponding level; Ye Chen's situation was definitely the first case on the continent.
"By the way, you're a control system Spirit Master and don't have offensive Spirit Abilities. Can you kill this Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King?"
Suddenly, Chen Xin thought of the key point.
To refine a spirit ring, the Spirit Beast must be killed by the person themselves.
Although the current Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was severely injured and on the verge of death, its defense was not weak; if the attack power was insufficient, even delivering the finishing blow would be a problem.
Chen Xin had an understanding of Ye Chen's Spirit Ability effects, and he lacked strong offensive means, so could he complete the finishing blow?
"Grandpa Sword, you can rest assured!"
Ye Chen said, patting his chest.
Although he didn't have offensive Spirit Abilities, he had Soul Bone Skills! The Soul Bone Skill: Endless Blood Vines from the bloodthirsty demon vine right arm bone, was a Soul Bone Skill that combined control and attack.
And the Soul Bone Skill: Creation Divine Light from the Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull, could unleash power comparable to those bottom-tier Titled Douluo.
He certainly couldn't defeat the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King at its peak, but just delivering the finishing blow was no problem.
"Hmm, that's good."
Chen Xin nodded.
Then, Ye Chen turned his gaze to the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King.
Plant-type Spirit Beasts recover quickly, but its innate Spirit Ability: Limitless Regeneration, had already been used and entered a short cooldown period, so it couldn't be used immediately. Coupled with its severely injured and dying state, its recovery ability was naturally greatly reduced.
In such a short time, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King couldn't recover much.Chapter 257: A brief peak in bamboo life
Of course, even though the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King looks miserable now, if left alone, it won't take long for it to recover from its injuries.
Even the branches that were chopped off will be able to grow back in a few days.
Losing limbs is basically a permanent disability for many animal-type Spirit Beasts and humans, but plant-type Spirit Beasts don't need to worry about this; as long as they are alive, branches and such can grow back.
Seeing the two 'two-legged Spirit Beasts' turn their attention to it, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King knew that it was doomed today.
However, what puzzled the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was why these two 'two-legged Spirit Beasts', who had given it a treasure before, would ultimately want to kill it?
Was the peak of its bamboo life so short-lived? It hadn't even properly enjoyed it yet!
Spending a million gold coins, Ye Chen bought another lucky card and used it without hesitation.
Killing the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King would basically only drop one 100,000-year Spirit Bone, but luck is truly unpredictable.
For example, the incredibly lucky Bibi Dong, from a 100,000-year Death Spider Emperor, dropped two 100,000-year Spirit Bones.
Although they were just left and right arm bones, and not the relatively rare head Spirit Bone and torso Spirit Bone, she still made a huge profit.
Would he also get an extra surprise? Ye Chen was very much looking forward to this.
"Soul Bone Skill, Creation Divine Light!"
Subsequently, Ye Chen launched an attack on the dying Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King.
Instantly, two azure light beams shot out from Ye Chen's eyes, and a powerful mental attack directly descended into the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's sea of consciousness.
"I... am unwilling... ah!"
A weak voice emerged, and the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King, which had just advanced to 100,000 years and reached the peak of its bamboo life, perished.
The Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was originally a newly advanced 100,000-year Spirit Beast, considered the weakest among 100,000-year Spirit Beasts.
Moreover, mental force was a Weakness of the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo, and coupled with its severely injured and dying state, Ye Chen's Creation Divine Light was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, directly finishing off the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King.
With the demise of the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King, countless golden light spots emanated from the thick bamboo stalk, gradually condensing into a red 100,000-year spirit ring.
After the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring appeared, Ye Chen did not absorb it directly but instead pulled out a Soul Ring Storage Device from his spirit tool.
Touching the Soul Ring Storage Device to the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring, Ye Chen pressed the button on it.
Instantly, the Soul Ring Storage Device lit up with a red light, and circles of red ripples spread outwards, Binding the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's 100,000-year spirit ring.
Soon, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring, drawn by the device, was sucked into the Soul Ring Storage Device and disappeared.
"Hiss~, what is this thing? How did the spirit ring disappear?"
Chen Xin's eyes widened, looking at the Soul Ring Storage Device in Ye Chen's hand with shock, a spirit ring that big, just whoosh, and it was gone?
"Grandpa Sword, this thing is called a Soul Ring Storage Device, and its effect is, well, it can store spirit rings."
Ye Chen shook the Soul Ring Storage Device in his hand.
"Store spirit rings?"
Can spirit rings be stored? Chen Xin was truly enlightened.
"Yes, Spirit Masters who hunt Spirit Beasts may not always find a safe place to absorb the spirit ring.
The Soul Ring Storage Device can store spirit rings, keeping them from disappearing for seven days, which gives Spirit Masters ample time to find a safe location."
Ye Chen explained to Chen Xin.
"Is that so? That's quite convenient!"
After a moment of thought, Chen Xin exclaimed in admiration.
When a Spirit Master reaches a level bottleneck and needs a spirit ring, why do they go to the Soul Beast Forest to find a spirit ring with teammates or elders, instead of going alone?
Besides the fact that most Spirit Masters cannot defeat the Spirit Beasts suitable for their needs, it is also related to the need for teammates or elders to guard them while absorbing the spirit ring.
When a Spirit Master absorbs a spirit ring, they are unable to move; if they were to encounter other passing Spirit Beasts, wouldn't that be a disaster?
Moreover, even with teammates guarding, it's not necessarily 100% safe.
After all, in the perilous Soul Beast Forest, no one can say for sure whether they will encounter a Spirit Beast that their team cannot defeat during that time.
Once such a situation occurs, either the team is wiped out, or the Spirit Master absorbing the spirit ring is carried away by the Spirit Beast to be a snack.
But if there is a Soul Ring Storage Device, then Spirit Masters will not need to worry about this issue when going to the Soul Beast Forest to hunt Spirit Beasts, and their safety will undoubtedly be much greater.
The Soul Ring Storage Device's seven-day storage time is enough for Spirit Masters to leave the Soul Beast Forest and find a safe place to absorb the spirit ring.
Ye Chen also didn't plan to absorb it after returning home; a 100,000-year spirit ring contains enormous energy, and the spirit power fluctuations during absorption would definitely be significant, and Heaven Dou City is crowded with people, so it wouldn't be good if a master sensed it.
Subsequently, Ye Chen looked at the Spirit Bone dropped by the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King.
Could the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King drop two 100,000-year Spirit Bones? Or perhaps an external Spirit Bone, or even a regular Spirit Bone plus an external Spirit Bone?
Logically, a 100,000-year Spirit Beast is guaranteed to drop a Spirit Bone, and dropping a 100,000-year external Spirit Bone is not impossible, it's just that the probability is very low.
Unfortunately, the reality was a bit disappointing for Ye Chen; the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King only dropped one Spirit Bone, and it wasn't an external Spirit Bone, but a left leg bone, which was not the most valuable torso Spirit Bone among the Spirit Bones he still lacked.
However, even though he only got a left leg bone, Ye Chen didn't feel discouraged.
Anyway, besides the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King, for his subsequent eighth and ninth spirit rings, he would also look for 100,000-year plant-type Spirit Beasts; which one came first or later didn't make much difference.
After storing the Soul Ring Storage Device and the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone, Ye Chen looked at the enormous body of the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King—well, what was left of the large bamboo stalk.
Besides spirit rings and Spirit Bones, high-year Spirit Beasts, their bodies are also good things.
If it's an animal-type Spirit Beast, then a body full of high-grade Spirit Beast meat is a high-grade tonic, which is no worse than ordinary heavenly treasures for Spirit Masters; it's not only nutritious and speeds up spirit power cultivation, but also tastes excellent.
As for plant-type Spirit Beasts, if it's something like Blue Silver Grass, stir-frying it might be good.
But unfortunately, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King, being an old bamboo, would be too hard to chew, and Ye Chen is not a panda who likes to eat bamboo, so it definitely couldn't be eaten.
Adhering to the principle that waste is shameful, Ye Chen still planned to pack it up and take it back.
Although the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King couldn't be eaten, using it to make furniture or daily necessities seemed pretty good, right? At least it would be high-end, elegant, and classy.
"You kid, are you still planning to pack this bamboo stalk and take it back?"
Chen Xin saw Ye Chen eyeing the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's bamboo stalk and immediately understood that Ye Chen had taken a liking to this large bamboo stalk.Chapter 258 Advancement to Seventh Ring Soul Saint
"Mhm, mhm. Such a large bamboo pole is enough to build a hundred-thousand-year small bamboo house. Wouldn't it be a waste to just leave it here?"
With a length of a hundred meters and a diameter of over one meter, even after removing the parts previously damaged by sword light, this large bamboo pole from the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King could still yield nearly three hundred square meters of bamboo planks.
Coupled with its thick bamboo walls, if properly cut, it would be enough to build not just one small bamboo house, but two or three.
Of course, this was just talk; Ye Chen had no interest in building a hundred-thousand-year house.
Chen Xin: What the heck is a hundred-thousand-year small bamboo house?
If the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King were replaced with an edible hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast, Ye Chen wouldn't even need to say anything; Chen Xin would absolutely pack it all up and take it back, not leaving a single bit, as he had never eaten hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast meat in his life!
But this large bamboo pole from the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was completely inedible, right? It had barely any residual value!
However, he, Chen Xin, had lived for so long and had never lived in a hundred-thousand-year house before!
A flash of sword light, and the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's large bamboo pole was immediately chopped into ten-meter long sections by Chen Xin.
Fortunately, the internal space of Ye Chen's storage spirit tool was large enough; ten-meter lengths could still fit.
With the objective of this trip successfully achieved, the two did not delay further and left the Star Dou Great Forest.
...
After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, Ye Chen found a desolate mountain and prepared to refine the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring.
Taking out the Soul Ring Storage Device from his storage spirit tool and releasing the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring stored within, a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring radiating red light appeared on this unknown desolate mountain.
It was fortunate that the Douluo Continent was not a super fantasy World with a very high Upper limit, otherwise, as a top expert of the future Douluo World, Ye Chen's breakthrough and advancement here would be the mountain's honor, let alone taking a breath. It might even bless it for countless years and become a blessed land!
Ahem, I've strayed too far!
The Qingjing Bamboo Staff Martial Soul appeared in his hand, and Ye Chen began to attract the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring.
As soon as the spirit ring was attracted, it immediately fell onto Ye Chen, then quickly shrank, transforming into a red halo that enveloped the Qingjing Bamboo Staff Martial Soul.
Instantly, the vast spirit power contained within the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring surged into Ye Chen's body through the Qingjing Bamboo Staff, like a flood.
Although the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo is a plant-type Spirit Beast primarily focused on support, its spirit ring's spirit power is not as violent as those of strong-attack animal-type Spirit Beasts, making it relatively easier for a Spirit Master to absorb.
However, the quality of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring is undeniable. For an ordinary Level 70 quasi-Spirit Saint to absorb a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring would undoubtedly be a dead end, resulting in an explosion of their body and a waste of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring that countless Spirit Masters dream of.
But Ye Chen was no ordinary Level 70 quasi-Spirit Saint. He possessed three hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bones, plus one hundred-thousand-year external Spirit Bone, and had always practiced the Creation Body Tempering Art. With these factors combined, Ye Chen's physical constitution was definitely no weaker than that of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
'Uh, I forgot I should have refined the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's Left Leg Bone first!'
Suddenly, Ye Chen, who was operating the Creation Meditation Method to refine the spirit power surging into his body from the spirit ring, remembered this.
If he had refined the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's Spirit Bone first, his physical constitution would have been even stronger than it was now, making the absorption of this hundred-thousand-year spirit ring much easier.
However, it was fortunate that even though Ye Chen forgot about this and lacked the enhancement of the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's Left Leg Bone, it did not affect the absorption of the spirit ring. With Ye Chen's current conditions, a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was still not a problem.
Chen Xin, who was guarding beside him, watched Ye Chen absorb the hundred-thousand-year spirit ring without showing any painful expression, which surprised him. Could it be that the seventh hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was not Ye Chen's limit of endurance?
...
The spirit ring was being rapidly refined, and within Ye Chen's Sea of Consciousness, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's residual soul also appeared.
Spirit Beasts that reach ten thousand years or more will have residual souls within their spirit rings. When a Spirit Master absorbs them, they must endure the soul shock brought by the Spirit Beast's residual soul.
As soon as the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's residual soul appeared in Ye Chen's Sea of Consciousness, it immediately stirred up a storm.
The Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King was extremely unwilling. After finally reaching the realm it had dreamed of for countless years, it had not yet had time to properly enjoy the peak of its bamboo life before being tragically persecuted by two hateful 'two-legged Spirit Beasts'. Naturally, it was unwilling.
Unfortunately, even if it was unwilling, there was nothing it could do.
Among spirit power, physical constitution, and mental force, Ye Chen's weakest aspect was ironically the spirit power, which most Spirit Masters excel at. His physical constitution and mental force were not weaker than those of an average Nine-Ring Titled Douluo.
Facing the turbulent waves stirred up by the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's residual soul, Ye Chen did not let his guard down. The external Spirit Bone: Creation Green Lotus floated out from between his eyebrows, resting above his head, and cast down a misty green light that enveloped Ye Chen.
The Soul Bone Skill: "Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted," provided 50% immunity to all damage. This effect was also valid when resisting soul shock.
Relying on "Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted," Ye Chen's consciousness was like a hard and stubborn reef, unmoved by the endless waves crashing against it.
...
Time gradually passed, from moonset to sunrise, and then from moonrise to sunset.
Accompanied by the final unwilling roar, the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's residual soul, like water without a source, completely dissipated within Ye Chen's Sea of Consciousness.
Afterward, Ye Chen concentrated his mental force, fully refining the spirit power that surged into his body from the spirit ring.
Another full night passed. Facing the morning sun, Ye Chen, who had been sitting cross-legged on the mountain peak absorbing the spirit ring, finally successfully refined the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring after two days and one night, advancing to a Soul Sage.
But it wasn't over yet. He had only refined the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo King's spirit ring; there was still a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone waiting for him to refine!
Another half a day quickly passed. The Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone was refined by Ye Chen, and his spirit power, which had just advanced, surged again.
'Open attribute panel.'
A call in his heart, and a golden light screen, invisible to others, appeared before Ye Chen's eyes.
[Attribute Panel]
[Host: Ye Chen]
[spirit power: Level 75]
[Martial Soul: Qingjing Bamboo Staff]
[spirit rings: Black, Black, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red]
[First Spirit Ability, Imprisonment]
[Second Spirit Ability, Fixed Awareness]
[Third Spirit Ability, Banning God]
[Fourth Spirit Ability, Blindness]
[Fifth Spirit Ability, Silence]
[Sixth Spirit Ability, Weakness]
[Seventh Spirit Ability, Martial Soul True Body]
[Spirit Bones: Creation Green Lotus (external Spirit Bone), Thorn Iron Tree Left Arm Bone, bloodthirsty demon vine right arm bone, Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull, Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone]
[Domain: Qingjing Domain]Chapter 259 My son is so filial!
'Directly to Level 75?'
Ye Chen nodded in satisfaction, looking at the spirit power level displayed on his attribute panel.
According to the optimal spirit ring allocation, a normal Level 70 quasi-Spirit Saint, with an additional spirit ring close to 50,000 years, would reach Level 71 Spirit Saint after advancement, increasing their spirit power by more than one level.
As for the spirit power contained in a 100,000-year spirit ring compared to a 50,000-year spirit ring, Ye Chen wasn't entirely clear on the exact difference, but it was definitely more than double.
A 100,000-year spirit ring, plus a 100,000-year Spirit Bone, the massive energy contained within both allowed him to increase his spirit power by 5 levels, which was within Ye Chen's expectations.
'Hiss~, directly reached Level 75 Spirit Saint? As expected of a 100,000-year spirit ring and Spirit Bone!'
Chen Xin, who was beside him, saw Ye Chen wake up and was about to congratulate him, but then he discovered that Ye Chen's spirit power level had actually reached Level 75 Spirit Saint.
When others advance to a Soul Sage, they are basically Level 71. To become an Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo in the future, they still need to cultivate nine levels of spirit power.
But Ye Chen started at Level 75. In the future, he only needs to increase his spirit power by five more levels to become an Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo, which can save him almost half the time.
Recalling his own slow advancement speed, like an old ox pulling a cart, compared to Ye Chen's rapid progress, Chen Xin felt a pang of envy.
'Indeed, people just can't be compared!'
Chen Xin thought to himself.
Actually, what Chen Xin didn't know was that the gap between people can sometimes be even greater than the gap between people and dogs!
"You brat are truly a monster. Advancing directly to Level 75, in another two or three years, are you going to become a Spirit Douluo?"
Chen Xin said to Ye Chen with a teasing smile.
"You flatter me, old man~ !"
On the surface, Ye Chen was very humble, but in reality: 'A mere Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo, isn't that just a matter of having money?'
He was only five levels away from a Level 80 quasi-Spirit Douluo. The gold coins in the System Shop still exceeded 300 million. If he used them to increase the age of his spirit rings, he could immediately advance to Level 80 and attach his eighth spirit ring.
However, having just advanced to Spirit Saint, Ye Chen needed some time to adapt to the surging spirit power. If he were to use cheats to raise his level again, the spirit power in his body would exceed his control.
Subsequently, Ye Chen began to test the seventh Spirit Ability he had just acquired and the Soul Bone Skill from the Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone.
...
Although all Spirit Masters' seventh Spirit Ability is Martial Soul True Body, the effect of Martial Soul True Body varies among different Spirit Masters.
This is greatly related to the quality of the spirit ring, the quality of the Spirit, and the compatibility between the spirit ring and the Spirit. The higher the age of the spirit ring, the stronger the quality of the Spirit, and the higher the compatibility between the two, the stronger the effect of the Martial Soul True Body.
Ye Chen wasn't very clear about the specific effects of other Spirit Masters' Martial Soul True Body, but his Pure Nether True Body had a cooldown of three days. Its effect was that after use, all Spirit Ability effects would increase by 100%, Spirit Abilities below seven rings would have no cooldown, and it would last for half an hour. Moreover, after using it, he would not fall into a Weakness state.
The cooldown, duration, and Spirit Ability effects of Martial Soul True Body are only for now. As Ye Chen's spirit power level increases, the cooldown will shorten, and the duration will also increase.
If the age of subsequent spirit rings can be improved, the percentage increase in this Spirit Ability's effect will also increase.
Compared to the effects of ordinary Spirit Masters' Martial Soul True Body, the effect of Pure Nether True Body is undoubtedly much stronger.
After all, it's a 100,000-year spirit ring, so the effect naturally cannot be poor.
In addition, with the advancement of spirit power to a Soul Sage, the effect of the Qingjing Domain has also been enhanced.
The original Qingjing Domain could increase Spirit Ability effects by 50%, could break other Domains, and emitted a Pure Nether and calming aura within the Domain. As long as one was within the Domain, their mental force could quickly recover.
Now, the advanced Qingjing Domain's general effect hasn't changed, but the increase in Spirit Ability effects has reached 100%.
The seventh Spirit Ability, Martial Soul True Body, can increase Spirit Abilities by 100% effect, plus the Qingjing Domain can also increase effects by 100%. The two combined provide a total increase of 200% to Ye Chen's Spirit Ability effects.
It is conceivable that a casual Titled Douluo, such as Sha Long, after taking a blow to the head, would likely be unable to resist during the duration of the effect.
The Purple-Gold Demon Bamboo Left Leg Bone was different from the Spirit Bones Ye Chen had before; it was an original piece and brought him two Soul Bone Skills.
Moreover, Ye Chen had witnessed the effects of these two Soul Bone Skills before.
Soul Bone Skill: Limitless Regeneration, which can quickly restore vitality.
Ye Chen happened to lack a healing Spirit Ability, and Xiao Wu and the other two also didn't have healing Spirit Abilities, so this compensated for that deficiency.
Soul Bone Skill: Purple-Gold Guardian, which forms a shield that provides all-around protection. Besides not being able to defend against mental attacks, it can defend against both physical and energy attacks.
Soul Bone Skill: Purple-Gold Guardian, like Soul Bone Skill: Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted and Soul Bone Skill: Thorn Guardian, is also a defensive Soul Bone Skill, but their types of defense are different.
Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted and Thorn Guardian provide percentage-based damage immunity, while Purple-Gold Guardian forms a shield with considerable defensive capabilities.
Especially when facing lower-level Spirit Masters, the effect of Purple-Gold Guardian is more significant than Emerging from Mud, Yet Untainted and Thorn Guardian.
After all, with the shield formed by Purple-Gold Guardian, as long as the shield is not broken, Ye Chen will not suffer any physical or energy damage.
Although the defensive capability of Purple-Gold Guardian is tied to his strength and is not fixed.
But Purple-Gold Guardian is a 100,000-year defensive Spirit Ability, and Ye Chen's spirit power level is not low, reaching Level 75 Spirit Saint. If the opponent is only a Soul Sage, it's impossible for anyone to break through, and even if it's an Eight-Ring Spirit Douluo, those who can break through are absolutely few and far between.
It can be said that after advancing to a Soul Sage, Ye Chen's strength has surged, enough to contend with a Titled Douluo.
Of course, the contenders can only be Titled Douluo who are not particularly strong. If it's a powerhouse like Tang Hao or Chen Xin, Ye Chen is still far behind, but easily defeating someone like Sha Long is absolutely no problem!
In addition, after advancing to a Soul Sage, what Ye Chen looked forward to most was not Martial Soul True Body or the Soul Bone Skills, but the changes in his 'cheat-son'.
Compared to the changes in his 'cheat-son', a mere 100,000-year spirit ring and Spirit Bone seemed somewhat insignificant.
Previously, when his level was still a Six-Ring Spirit Emperor, his 'cheat-son' could 'honor' him with 20 gold coins each time. Now, having advanced to a Soul Sage, the 'honor' amount has directly doubled, reaching 40 gold coins.
This means that even if Ye Chen just lies there motionless, he can receive over 1.2 billion in 'honor' in a year.
'Tsk~, my 'cheat-son' is truly too filial!'
Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh. In terms of filial piety, his 'cheat-son' is definitely the most filial son on the Douluo Continent.
1.2 billion in a year, it's estimated that even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, which owns mines, doesn't make money this fast, right?
Ye Chen used to think he needed to find a rich woman and be a kept man, but he never expected his 'cheat-son' to be so capable. Being a kept man is completely unnecessary. By relying on his own efforts (lying flat .jpg), Ye Chen can reach the peak of Spirit Masters!
Looking at 1.2 billion, it doesn't seem like much, but the purchasing power of gold coins is not low.
The Spirit Hall's subsidy policy for low-level Spirit Masters states that a Three-Ring Spirit Elder can receive 100 gold coins per month just by lying around, which is 1200 gold coins per year.
Compared to Ye Chen's 1.2 billion, both are 'lying around,' but the difference is hundreds of millions of times.
Indeed, the gap between people is still that ~tiny~ bit large.Chapter 260 There will be bread and there will be milk!
One day later, Ye Chen returned to Heaven Dou City. As for Chen Xin, he had already returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Greetings, Master!"
Upon returning to the mansion, the servants guarding the entrance immediately bowed.
"Hmm."
Ye Chen nodded slightly and waved his hand in response.
As a decadent noble—well, although Ye Chen wasn't very qualified—servants and maids were definitely necessary, and in no small numbers.
Otherwise, with such a large mansion, just cleaning it would be no easy task, and if only Ye Chen and the three others lived there, it would become a haunted house!
All these servants in the mansion were bought by Ye Chen from a slave merchant in Heaven Dou City. Although Ye Chen detested the slave trade, it undeniably made things convenient for him.
According to Ye Chen's inquiries, these servants were all ordinary commoners who, due to the pressures of life and inability to survive, sold themselves to the slave merchant.
Of course, Ye Chen wasn't entirely sure whether this 'pressure of life' was merely a facade for the machinations of certain decadent nobles acting as slave owners.
However, he didn't care about these things, and caring now was useless. The slave trade was a huge chain of profit, with slave transactions even occurring at the Tian Dou Great Auction House. Ye Chen didn't believe the Xue Family royal family wasn't a beneficiary.
To change this, it was simple: either offer greater benefits or use force.
Ye Chen couldn't offer greater benefits, and even if he could, he wouldn't.
As for using force, if it came to that, it would be better to go all the way, depose the old man Xue Ye, and enthrone Angel Miss as the Heaven Dou Empress.
Empress? Hmm, just thinking about it made him a little excited!
Speaking of which, Spirit Hall in the original work was also out of its mind. Why use poison? If they had just sent an Elder as an assassin to kill the old man Xue Ye, Qian Renxue could have ascended to the throne legitimately, couldn't she?
As long as the assassin wasn't caught and their identity couldn't be confirmed, even if Heaven Dou guessed it was Spirit Hall, what could they do?
Could the Heaven Dou Empire really initiate a war? Impossible, because the succeeding Heaven Dou Emperor would be the young master of Spirit Hall!
...
"Brother Chen, you're back?"
Ning Rongrong, who was bored in the courtyard reading a storybook, saw Ye Chen return and immediately rushed over in surprise.
"Hmm, did you miss me?"
Ye Chen pinched Ning Rongrong's smooth chin.
"Pfft~, you're annoying. Let's talk about it tonight."
Ning Rongrong blushed, subtly spat, and slapped Ye Chen's hand away.
Ye Chen: "..."
What about tonight? Why was this little girl's mind so unhealthy?
Looking at Ning Rongrong's shy expression, Ye Chen silently chanted 'Amitabha'.
The season of spring hadn't arrived yet, and her age was still a bit young. Although there was some stirring, Ye Chen still suppressed his impure thoughts and didn't intend to take the final step.
Even if a Spirit Master's development was faster, one should at least be over sixteen to do bad things, right?
Like Ma Hongjun, who had several girlfriends by the age of twelve—that was a bit much. Wasn't he afraid of causing a pregnancy?
"Ahem~, that, where are Xiao Wu and Zhuqing?"
Ye Chen changed the subject.
Looking at Ye Chen's serious expression, Ning Rongrong realized she had misunderstood and awkwardly said, "They're still cultivating."
"Then why aren't you cultivating?"
Ye Chen glared at Ning Rongrong.
Among the three, Zhu Zhuqing's talent was relatively the worst, but she was the most diligent.
Xiao Wu had the best talent, and since Ye Chen had given her cheats from a young age, she had a head start. So, while she wasn't particularly diligent, her strength was the strongest among the three.
As for Ning Rongrong, she worked sporadically. Her current strength was entirely the result of Ye Chen giving her cheats.
"Oh, come on~, I just broke through yesterday! Can't you let me rest for a few days~!"
Hugging Ye Chen's arm, Ning Rongrong started to act spoiled.
"Hmm? A 55th-level Spirit King? Not bad, not bad!"
It was then that Ye Chen noticed Ning Rongrong was already a 55th-level Spirit King, her spirit power having increased by one level since attaching her fifth spirit ring.
However, was only one level of improvement in about half a year too slow?
"Of course! Oh, right, Brother Chen, quickly show me your 100,000-year spirit ring!"
Ning Rongrong was eager to see Ye Chen's 100,000-year spirit ring.
Although she had seen 100,000-year spirit rings before—she had seen Tang Hao's and Bibi Dong's 100,000-year spirit rings after the Soul Master Competition finals—she had never experienced one up close.
"Alright, I'll show you."
Seeing his little sister's eager eyes, Ye Chen granted her small request.
After glancing around and confirming there were no outsiders, Ye Chen's seven spirit rings, six black and one red, shone forth.
"It really is a red 100,000-year spirit ring! Brother Chen, I want one too~!"
Witnessing Ye Chen's 100,000-year spirit ring with her own eyes, Ning Rongrong was extremely envious and immediately started to act spoiled.
"You want one? Then cultivate diligently! You'll have bread, and you'll have milk!"
Ye Chen immediately poured her a bowl of toxic chicken soup. Faced with the temptation of a 100,000-year spirit ring, Ning Rongrong would surely cultivate more seriously, right?
"No~, no~, I don't want bread, and I don't want milk! I just want a 100,000-year spirit ring!"
Ning Rongrong panicked, shaking her head like a rattle drum. Compared to a 100,000-year spirit ring, what were bread and milk?
Ye Chen: "..."
What nonsense, bread and milk were just metaphors!
"Ahem, well, cultivate diligently. Once you reach level 70, I'll take you to get a 100,000-year spirit ring."
A level 70 Ning Rongrong, cultivating the Creation Body Tempering Art, and with two more 100,000-year Spirit Bones later, should have no problem absorbing a 100,000-year spirit ring.
"Really?"
Ning Rongrong stared at Ye Chen with wide, innocent eyes, unblinking.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Ye Chen rolled his eyes. He, Xiao Chen, was known as the 'Honest Young Master.' How could he lie? Impossible!
"That's true~, Brother Chen, you're so good to me, I love you to death! Mwah~!"
With his little sister actively offering a kiss, Ye Chen naturally didn't refuse and began to respond actively.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu's indignant voice rang out in the courtyard: "Oh, you two, how dare you flirt in broad daylight? Is there no law anymore? Zhuqing, it's time for us to eliminate evil for the people!"
Zhu Zhuqing: "..."
Ye Chen: "..."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
"Xiao Wu, are you asking for a beating?"
Ye Chen's face darkened as he glared at Xiao Wu with an unfriendly expression.
"Hehe, Ge, just kidding, just kidding~ ..."
Xiao Wu, who had initially been righteous, immediately started to grin mischievously.
"Hmph~, I'll deal with you tonight!"
It had been many days since he had played with Xiao Wu's long, white-stockinged legs. He missed them!