Chapter 23: Spirit Ring Upgrade

"It's time to figure out how to control the Spirit Ring; the Soul Power Control skill must be enhanced."

After the joy of the Spirit Ring's rapid age increase, Hu Jiu felt the need to calm down. Currently, he had just obtained the Spirit Ring and couldn't effectively control its color and strength. An experienced Spirit Master could easily tell the age of his Spirit Ring at a glance.

With the age of his Spirit Ring transforming so quickly, if he wanted to keep his secret hidden, the only thing he could do was disguise it or conceal it. Those influenced by a moderate culture naturally tend to hide their true capabilities.

With that, the importance of the self-created Spirit Skill, Soul Power Control, became apparent. As long as his Soul Power Control level increased, he could freely change the color and intensity of his Spirit Ring. While he might not be able to make the Spirit Ring's color brighter for now, reducing its intensity was definitely possible.

From that day on, Hu Jiu began to work hard on controlling his Spirit Ring, aiming to achieve precise manipulation. At the same time, he summarized the transformations he experienced before and after obtaining the Spirit Ring.

Through his perception, he realized that the Spirit Ring's enhancement had been immense. First, his internal Soul Power had increased at least several dozen times compared to before he obtained the Spirit Ring.

Secondly, his physical strength had also increased, but not by much. This was mainly because, as an Auxiliary Spirit Master, he was at a disadvantage. If he were a Fighting Spirit Master, the boost would have been even more significant. This was also one of the reasons why auxiliary Spirit Masters could never match up to fighting Spirit Masters.

However, Hu Jiu was different from others. With his fifth-level Disorder Splitting Winds hammer technique, his body was getting stronger every day. Although he was still not as strong as Tang San and Xiao Wu for the time being, compared to a Fighting Spirit Master at his level, his body was actually stronger.

This meant that as long as his level-up speed was fast enough, even a Fighting Spirit Master would not be able to match his physical strength.

In addition, he discovered that his Carrot's First Spirit Ring was practically an idling accelerator. Since obtaining the Spirit Ring, the AFK Panel had shown a slight permanent enhancement to his abilities, unlike the time-limited effects it had when used on others.

Knowing this, Hu Jiu felt very fortunate to have chosen a Spirit Skill that increased training effectiveness. Just thinking about the Spirit Ring made it clear that although he could now use idling to increase the age of his Spirit Ring, the current speed of enhancement was quite impressive.

After all, being able to increase by one year in just one day was simply a god-like speed.

But when considering the future Spirit Ring ages—ten years, hundred years, thousand years, ten thousand years, hundred thousand years, and million years—there were a total of six levels. The ten-year, hundred-year, and thousand-year levels were manageable. Increasing by one year in a day meant that even at the thousand-year level, it would only take about three years, which wasn't difficult.

But what about the ten-thousand-year level? Idling to reach ten thousand years would take over ten thousand days, which is more than twenty five years. By that time, Tang San would have already become a god.

Not to mention the hundred-thousand-year and million-year levels that followed; just thinking about it was exhausting.

…

Back at the Academy, things were somewhat the same. Tang San was still diligently training, while Hu Jiu and Xiao Wu continued to play around carefree as a pair, only occasionally squeezing out a little time for cultivation.

Despite this, both Hu Jiu and Xiao Wu were increasing their Soul Power at a pace that was no slower than Tang San's. This often left Tang San feeling envious, and at the same time, he felt a sense of disappointment towards Hu Jiu. He believed it was because of Xiao Wu that his good brother had fallen behind.

This also led to Tang San having a consistently poor impression of Xiao Wu.

...

A week later.

Hu Jiu happily summoned his Martial Spirit, and at the same time, a light yellow Spirit Ring appeared beneath his feet, slowly rotating.

"Hundred-year Spirit Ring, achieved!"

After carefully sensing it, he discovered that the effect of his Spirit Ring skill had changed. Previously, it provided a one percent increase in cultivation effectiveness, but now it had increased to ten percent.

A ten percent increase in cultivation effectiveness, while not an extraordinary skill, was already considered excellent.

It's important to note that this wasn't a typical enhancement like increasing speed or strength as with other Spirit Masters; this was an actual boost to cultivation effectiveness. How could a state boost compare to improving one's cultivation level?

With the Spirit Ring upgraded, he was eager to share the good news with his good friends.

Calling Tang San and Xiao Wu over, Hu Jiu summoned the upgraded Carrot and handed one to each of them, silently smiling as he watched them.

Xiao Wu didn't care what he was up to; when she saw the carrot, she just started nibbling on it, saying she would deal with everything after she finished eating.

On the other hand, Tang San's eyes lit up, as if he had guessed something. He immediately took the carrot, finished it in a few bites, and then silently closed his eyes to sense it.

After a moment, a glimmer of joy flashed in Tang San's eyes as he looked up and asked excitedly, "Xiao Jiu, is your Spirit Ring...?"

"Haha, I knew I couldn't hide it from you," Hu Jiu laughed heartily and then explained, "It's also a matter of luck. The last Sky Swallowing Toad we hunted had probably already reached its limit, and I only practiced for a few days before breaking through. Isn't that a coincidence!"

Hu Jiu was putting on an act again, but he meant no harm; he just wanted to hide a little bit. After all, the idea of gaining a year's worth of experience in just a day was incredibly surprising. To avoid alarming Tang San, he could only say this for now.

As for what excuse he would use when his Spirit Ring upgraded again, that was something to think about later. For now, he just needed to get through this situation.

"How much has the skill effect increased?" Tang San had only sensed that the training effect had improved, but he hadn't estimated the specifics.

"Ten percent," Hu Jiu said proudly.

"Really? Then your training speed will be even faster!" Tang San was happy for Hu Jiu.

Hu Jiu patted Tang San on the shoulder and said, "Xiao San, you're mistaken. It's not just me; it should be us. With me around, your future training is on me."

A ten percent increase in training effectiveness was already impressive.

"Xiao Jiu, you!" Tang San was touched, unable to find the words to refuse. He knew that this would consume Hu Jiu's Soul Power, but the effect of Hu Jiu's skill was just too good. A ten percent increase in training speed? Over time, how much Soul Power would that add up to?

"Brothers shouldn't say thank you. Don't forget, I'm an Auxiliary Spirit Master, without any combat ability. I'll still rely on you to protect me in the future," Hu Jiu waved his hand jokingly.

But Tang San had a serious expression as he assured him, "Xiao Jiu, don't worry. I will definitely protect you in the future. Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over my corpse first."

"And me," Xiao Wu chimed in, raising her hand defiantly. "With me, Sister Xiao Wu around, no one will be able to hurt you."

"Haha, then I'll just wait for you two to protect me," Hu Jiu said with a smile, glancing at the AFK Panel, which had reached one-third of level five in the Disorder Splitting Winds Hammer technique.

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